La Entrada Student Handbook

The following information is provided to give you an introduction to La Entrada.

Attendance

Daily attendance is vital to the success of students in education, the same as it is in the work place. When students have approved absences, they are expected to see their teacher to arrange make-up work so credits are not lost.

When your student is absent during the school year, please contact the attendance secretary or leave at message at 971-7592.

School Year/School Day Calendar

The school day begins at 8:10 a.m. and the last period ends at 2:30 p.m. The school year is divided into four sessions. Each session is nine weeks in length. Parents will receive progress reports in the mail of their student’s achievement in academics and attendance. At the end of each session grades and credits are issued. There are currently six periods per day offered at La Entrada. All students must be enrolled in six periods. Students who demonstrate poor attendance, attitude and performance in class may have their classes reduced. Students with reduced classes must apply for a complete session the following quarter. (Students enrolled in ROP may take 4 classes only to accommodate travel needs.)

Early Dismissal

If a student has an approved appointment before his/her day is concluded, he/she must check out with the attendance office. The student will be issued an early dismissal slip. Written notification from the parent or guardian is required before student is allowed off campus. Parents are encouraged to make appointments for non-school hours.

Changes in Information

If there is a change of address, phone number, guardianship or other vital information, we need the parent/guardian or student to bring those changes to our attention immediately. Please notify the school of the correct information in writing.

Student Parking

There are a limited number of parking spaces on the La Entrada High School campus. Students who drive to school are to observe all rules of the California Vehicle Code while on the campus. Students must park in areas designated for student parking and drive slowly while entering and leaving campus. The privilege of driving onto the campus may be revoked at any time. The parking lot is considered a closed part of the campus and students are not to be in the parking lot during the school day.

Bus Transportation

The school district provides bus transportation for La Entrada students who live three or more miles from the school. Bus schedules are provided to students at the time of enrollment. Students are expected to maintain a courteous attitude and follow the bus rules when riding the bus to and from school.

Cafeteria

La Entrada has a cafeteria that provides breakfast and lunch service. Students who qualify for free and reduced meals may pick up an application in the cafeteria or registrar’s office. In addition, there are vending machines in the main office that provide snacks for purchase during the lunch break, and before and after school.

Campus Monitor and Security

La Entrada has one campus monitor who is responsible for patrolling the campus during the day. The campus monitor has the authority to insure that students adhere to the school rules. Serious misbehavior will be reported to the office for further action. In addition, the district’s Safe Schools department has hired off-duty sheriff’s deputies to provide additional security as needed.

Field Trips

Periodically, students are provided the opportunity to participate in a field trip. Parents are responsible for completing the required permission slip furnished by the teacher who sponsors the trip. Permission slips must be completed and returned to the teacher 5 days prior to the trip. We will not accept verbal confirmations.

Closed Campus

Once students arrive to begin their day, they are not permitted to leave campus.  There is to be no loitering on the property across the street, or at any of the apartments or condominiums on Hemlock Street. There is no loitering on Hemlock before, during or after school.

Visitors

PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT LA ENTRADA. Please make arrangements with the principal. Students are not permitted to bring friends or relatives to attend school as visitors.

Credits

Credits are earned through productive time in the classroom. Students must be present and working in all classes in order to earn credits. When students have been absent, they must contact each of their teachers for make-up work after returning to school. If a student will experience a long absence due to illness or injury, parents need to contact the counselor and have arrangements made for home or hospital teaching.

Students may earn a maximum of 3.5 credits in each class during a nine week session. If a student is working at a pace to earn full credit in a class, he/she may be permitted to contract additional credit work with the teacher. The work assigned will be above the level of work performed in class. Each teacher establishes his/her own work requirements for earning the extra credit. A maximum of 1.5 additional credits may be earned per class in each session.

Graduation Requirements

Students graduating from La Entrada High School must meet San Juan Unified School District graduation requirements of 220 credits set for all non-block schedule high schools. Graduation requirements are reviewed each nine weeks before registration. The ceremony for graduating seniors is in June at the end of the school year. All students who participate in the ceremony are expected to purchase a cap and gown.

Counselors

La Entrada has a counselor, Marlene Schmelling, plus a Student Assistance Program specialist, Gaylon Johnson. Counseling services include program planning and registration, personal counseling, referrals to outside agencies, group interactive counseling, and assistance programs in drug and alcohol prevention and recovery.

ROP

The Regional Occupation Program (ROP) offers tuition-free job training through the Sacramento County Office of Education. These classes afford students the opportunity to earn an additional 15 credits per semester while preparing for a career.

Work Permits

Students who work during the school year are required to obtain a work permit signed by the principal. Students who have a work permit but are not attending school regularly, or are not earning adequate credits toward graduation, will have their work permit revoked. His/her employer will be notified that the student no longer has a work permit and his/her job must be terminated.

Cell Phones, Electronics, Skateboards, Bikes, Etc.

Students may bring cell phones to school with the understanding they will not be used in the classroom. If a student’s cell phone or other electronic device is seen, heard or used during class time, it will be confiscated and kept in the school office until the student claims it at the end of the day. Second and subsequent use of cell phone or other electronic device will result in a one day suspension. Student may pick up device at the end of the school day.

Students are responsible for securing their bikes in the bike racks.

Skateboards must be left in the principal’s office.

Saturday School

Saturday School is an alternative to home suspension and assigned by an administrator. Saturday School will be held at the student’s assigned school. Students assigned to Saturday School must bring homework or a book to read. Newspapers, tapes, CDs or disc players, radios, headphones, electronic toys/games, cell phones, pagers, magazines, food, etc., are not allowed. Students who fail to serve Saturday School will be suspended.

Expected School-Wide Learning Results

Self-Directed Learners

All students will become life long learners and have a commitment to personal development by:

Viewing reading as a valuable, continuing habit.

Having a realistic plan for pursuing personal goals for life.

Applying problem solving and critical thinking strategies to manage every day issues.

Responsible and Active Citizens

All students will contribute to their community by:

Demonstrating skills that allow them to be productive at school and at work.

Demonstrating an awareness and tolerance of world view points, belief systems, cultures, and languages.

Developing personal values such as honesty, respect, and integrity.

Effective Communicators

All students will be able to communicate effectively by:

Listening to other points of view and seeking conflict resolution.

Reading, writing, and speaking reflectively and without bias.

Understanding the value of working cooperatively.

LA ENTRADA HIGH SCHOOL

Mission Statement

The purpose of La Entrada is to create a caring environment with a challenging program that will increase students’ willingness to attend school, complete their high school education with dignity, and become self-directed learners, good decision makers, and responsible citizens.