Upper School Information & Policies

Academics

Girls in science class conduct hands-on experiments.

Academic Expectations

Minnehaha Academy maintains a long tradition of high academic standards for all students. Our goal is that every student will develop his or her academic potential to its fullest and experience the satisfaction of life-long habits of learning. We also recognize that not all students are motivated to achieve according to high academic standards and, therefore, may need a clear standard set to encourage higher levels of performance. For this reason, the following minimum standard for academic performance has been identified for all students: All students must earn passing grades at the end of each semester with no more than 3 D’s (D+, D or D-) on their semester grade reports. Students who do not achieve this minimum standard will be placed on academic probation.

Semester grades are official grades; they become part of a student’s cumulative GPA and will appear on official transcripts. If a student has a concern about the accuracy of a semester grade, that concern must be expressed to the teacher and Assistant Principal within two weeks after the grade is issued. No changes will be made after that time.

Traditionally, semester exams at Minnehaha Academy have taken place during a three-day period at the end of each semester, with two or three exams being held on each day. School is usually dismissed at an earlier time on those days to give students additional time to rest and prepare for upcoming exams.

For graduating seniors, semester exams take place during the last two days of scheduled classes for seniors, or one week earlier than the regularly scheduled exams for other students.

Weekly Schedule

The weekly class schedule at Minnehaha Academy has a 7-period day on Mondays, with all 7 classes meeting for 45 minutes. Tuesday-Friday is an alternating block schedule, with even class periods meeting on Tuesday/Thursday and odd class periods meeting on Wednesday/Friday for 75 minute long periods. Tuesdays are a late start day, with classes beginning at 9:15 a.m. Students meet with their advisors after Assemblies on Tuesdays and after chapel on Thursdays. Finally, there are 35-minute long Clubs and Intramural periods on Wednesdays and Fridays and a 45-minute long Academic Power Hour on Thursdays.

Schoology

Student academic progress in individual classes can be monitored by students and parents through the use of Schoology, our web-based grade reporting site. A student’s grade is updated on Schoology every time a teacher makes a change in their electronic gradebook. Grade information will also be posted at the end of every grading period. 

Courses

A description of courses offered at Minnehaha Academy can be found online at minnehahaacademy.net. 

Minnehaha does not allow for part-time students except under extenuating circumstances, such as serious illness. Students must take 7 classes in 9th grade, 7 classes in each semester of 10th grade, and a minimum of 6 classes each semester in 11th and 12th grade. Independent study courses from individual teachers will not be allowed for credit. 9th through 11th grade students must complete a Core Formation Experience each year they are enrolled at Minnehaha Academy.

A student may not repeat a course to improve a low passing grade. A student may not withdraw from a course after the midterm. Courses dropped within the first two weeks of the beginning of a semester will not appear on a student’s transcript. Except for instances in which a teacher recommends a change to a different level of a class (e.g., move from AP to regular level), courses dropped after two weeks will appear on a student’s transcript with one of the following notations:

  • WP: Student withdraws from the course with a passing grade, No credit is received for the course, GPA is not affected
  • WF: Student withdraws from the course with a failing grade, No credit is received for the course, The course is reflected as an “F” (0 grade points) in GPA
  • WA: Student is withdrawn from course by an administrative decision (extended illness, change in academic placement, etc.), No credit is received for the course, GPA is not affected

AP and Honors Courses

Applications for Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses take place during student registration for next year’s courses early in the second semester of each school year. Most AP and Honors courses require students to fill out a brief application, write an essay, and get a recommendation from a current teacher in the same subject area. Students are notified of their placement into classes after department decisions have been made.

Descriptions of AP and Honors courses and the requirements for being admitted into them can be found in the online course catalog on Minnehaha’s website. Students enrolled in AP classes are required to take the AP Exams in May. Any extenuating circumstances must be approved through the Assistant Principal’s Office. 

Academic Special Needs

Our faculty is committed to helping all students reach their greatest potential. Our curriculum requires that students be motivated to work in a challenging academic atmosphere. We are able to make reasonable accommodations for students who can compensate for their disabilities in ways that enable them to fulfill the course work required of all students.

Students who request accommodations must have documentation of their learning issues (including ADHD) on file in the counseling office. Students or parents who have questions about specific situations regarding accommodations or workload should always contact the individual teacher first. Others available to involve at some point might be the School Counselors, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal or the school Learning Specialist.

Tutoring 

Through the Student Services Office, a parent or a student can obtain information regarding various means of academic support for an individual student. These resources include: Student tutors, teachers at Minnehaha Academy (primarily during the summer), substitute teachers, and professionally qualified tutors outside of Minnehaha Academy. Names and recommended method of contact are available. The specific fee information is to be obtained from the individual tutor. Usually the fees are applied on an hourly basis.

Final Exams

Final exams at the end of each semester must be taken at the regularly scheduled exam times. Family trips are not considered approved absences from final exams. Unapproved absences will result in no credit or grade for the final exam. In the case of extenuating circumstances (e.g., funeral), students must obtain approval from the Assistant Principal’s Office to take final exams before the absence. If a student is ill during a scheduled final exam, arrangements for making up the exam at school should be made with the individual teacher. Final exams may not be administered by parents.

Incomplete Grades

Students at Minnehaha Academy are expected to complete their assignments on time. If a student has incomplete work at the end of a grading period, that work will be counted as a “0” in the grade reported. If the incomplete work is due to a recent extended illness or other special circumstance, the teacher may elect to include a comment on the grade report, notifying the student that incomplete work may be submitted within two weeks for a change in the grade shown on the report.

Academic Probation

If a student does not achieve the minimum standard expected of all students at the end of a semester grading period, he or she will be placed on academic probation. A student will be notified of academic probation by the Assistant Principal. The terms of the probation will be put in a letter that is mailed home to the parents. During that time, the Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, Learning Specialist, Counselors, and the student’s advisor will track the student’s progress and assist the student in improving academic performance.

The length of an academic probation will be one semester. At the end of the probationary semester, a student who has not met the terms of his or her probation will be referred to the Upper School Principal’s office for dismissal from Minnehaha Academy. 

Students who are notified of Academic Probation at the end of 11th grade will need to meet with the Upper School Assistant Principal and the Upper School Principal by July 1 to discuss options for 12th grade.

Graduation Requirements

A student must earn 26.75 credits, complete all required courses, and complete required Core Formation Experiences to graduate from Minnehaha Academy. A complete list of specific graduation requirements can be found in the course catalog.

A student will participate in the graduation ceremony only if all graduation requirements have been met before the date of graduation. If a student has not successfully completed all requirements, he or she will not participate in the graduation ceremony and other commencement week activities but can still be awarded a diploma for Minnehaha Academy if all course work is successfully completed within one year. The program of study to complete the graduation requirements must be pre-approved by the Assistant Principal.

Academic Standing (GPA)

Grades are calculated on a 4.0 scale and are recorded on student transcripts on a semester basis. Grades are continually updated in Schoology and available for students and parents to monitor on a regular basis. Grade reports are uploaded to Skyward at the end of each semester.

Grade point averages (GPA’s) are determined each semester using the following point values:

  • A 4.00, A- 3.67
  • B+ 3.33, B 3.00, B- 2.67
  • C+ 2.33, C 2.00, C- 1.67
  • D+ 1.33, D 1.00, D- .67
  • F .00

Credit is not given for any course with a failing grade. A required course with a failing grade must be repeated with a passing grade for the student to be eligible for graduation. The Assistant Principal will work with the student and parents to find appropriate courses that will fulfill any missing graduation requirements.

Course Registration

Registration for courses for the following school year begins early in the second semester for currently enrolled students. Information regarding the registration process is provided in an assembly to all current 8th-11th grade students and a registration night is provided for parents to ask questions. The registration process is completed online through Skyward. Students’ advisors, teachers, counselors and the Assistant Principal are available to answer questions during the weeks in which the process occurs.

The registration process gives students the opportunity to request specific courses according to their preferences. However, due to the special nature of high school scheduling, student or parent requests for specific teachers will not be able to be accommodated.

All students will be able to view their class schedules in Skyward in early August.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend every class, every day, for the full time allotted. This includes chapel/assembly/advisor times. Minnehaha Academy has a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave the campus during the school day without school or parent permission. Students must sign out and in at the Front Desk when leaving or coming to school between 8:25 a.m. and 2:50 p.m.

Before and After School Supervision

The Upper School is open to students at 7:00 a.m. Breakfast may be purchased in the lunchroom beginning at 7:30 a.m. Between 2:50-4:00 p.m. students may use the Carlson Family Library for a quiet study area. After 4:00 p.m., students are required to stay in the Sundet Commons, unless they are involved in an adult-supervised activity.

Students are expected to behave in accordance with school policies, classroom behavioral expectations and instructions given by faculty and staff in a way that respects the rights and safety of others.

Absences

Students are expected to be in school from 8:25 a.m. until 2:50 p.m., except Tuesday late start (9:15 a.m.). All absences from school must be verified by a parent or guardian. Unverified absences from classes will result in appropriate disciplinary consequences.

All absences, except for school-related absences, count toward the maximum number (7) of absences allowed per class. Any student who is absent from the same class for five class periods in a semester will receive a warning letter from the Student Services Office. At seven absences a parent will be notified and a parent conference may be requested, at which time a decision will be made as to the status of the student in the particular course(es) affected. This policy does not apply to required class absences due to school-related experiences. When a student reaches the maximum number of absences in any individual course, his or her grade may also be adjusted, per the written policy of the classroom teacher. Any absence from a class without parent or teacher consent is considered unexcused and will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

The student is responsible for requesting make-up work, and each faculty member defines his or her own make-up work policy. Due to the nature of certain classes, there is no guarantee that make-up work will be available before absence. It is not always possible to provide make-up work for everything that is missed. During final exams, family travel is not considered an acceptable absence. Students may not make arrangements to take final exams at alternate times.

It is important for students and families to understand that it may not be possible for students to make up all classroom activities and assignments that occur when they are away from class (e.g., labs, graded discussions, group projects, etc.) and grades may be affected. In the case of school-related absences, steps are taken to ensure that students will have the opportunity to make up all work or acceptable alternatives for that work missed.

Extra-curricular Participation

Students are required to be in attendance for the entire school day (including assigned detentions) to participate in extra-curricular activities that day. Extra-curricular activities include drama, math team, debate, athletic and all other school-sponsored activities after school.

College Visits

Students are encouraged to visit prospective colleges during non-school days. Summer, fall, winter and spring breaks are good times to schedule visits. College visits count as absences towards the maximum number of absences a student can accrue in any of his or her courses.

Tardies

Each teacher maintains his or her own policy regarding tardiness to class. Students should be aware of those policies. Excessive tardies reported through the attendance office are disciplined with a detention and parent notification.

Student Life

A boy acts in a theater production at the Upper School.

Advisory

The purpose of the advisor program is to provide each student with an adult from whom he or she can seek guidance, support, and help in the areas of academics, spiritual growth, and personal issues. The primary goal of the advisor program is to offer social-emotional support, encouragement, and assistance for relationship building.

Counseling Services: College Counseling

The counselors work with students and families in navigating the college admissions process. The goal of this assistance is to find the right fit for each of the students. Through conversations and research, students will gain a better understanding and in turn attend an institution that will allow them to further develop their God-given gifts. This process begins with the freshman year and continues through the senior year with large and small group meetings as well as individual meetings. 

Counseling Services: Social, Emotional, and Academic Counseling

The counselors work with students and families in nurturing students’ growth in the areas of academics, personal/social issues, and career development. The goal of these interactions is to ensure that today’s students become productive, successful, and well adjusted adults of tomorrow. Counselors are prepared to deal with situations that require short-term solution focused interventions while also maintaining a list of community and faith-based resources for ongoing therapeutic needs. The Student Services Team includes the School Counselors, Nurse, and Assistant Principal. These individuals are usually notified of a concern by a student’s teacher, peer, or parent. The personal needs that are addressed may include such things as depression, stress, anxiety, interpersonal communication, anger management, low self-esteem or an eating disorder. If it is decided in the process of supporting the student that there is a need to make a referral to an outside medical professional, the parents will be notified immediately.

Community Service

The Upper School Service Coordinator collaborates with the Service interns to develop meaningful community service opportunities for Minnehaha students. Service opportunities vary year to year.

Core Formation Experience (CFE) Program

CFE is a curricular program for all Upper School students. Program specifics are facilitated by the Director of Core Formation. Core Formation Experience will occur the week before Spring Break and will provide an opportunity for students to participate in a week-long, authentic learning experience in a community site beyond the school. The partnerships with community sites (locally, nationally and internationally) focus on cultural immersion experiences that instill wisdom, compassion, respect, and understanding in order to prepare students for interactions in an increasingly global society. Detailed program objectives and logistics can be found on the Upper School website. 

Minnehaha Leadership Institute

The Minnehaha Leadership Institute exists to develop servant leaders, who, through God’s story of redemption, are striving to become whole and holy people. Using a systematic process for leadership development, students learn how to use their gifts to glorify God and bring good to their neighbor. Students have the opportunity to explore leadership within the framework of Christian faith along with practical opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and shared experience through three separate programs: the Fellows Leadership Track, the Athletic Leadership Track, and the Community Leadership Track.

The Fellows Leadership Track (FLT) is for rising 10th graders who make a three-year commitment to meeting twice a month along with being mentored monthly. Over the three year curriculum students walk through a process of encountering Jesus (10th grade), encountering themselves (11th grade), and encountering their calling in the world (12th grade). This is a deep dive into what it means to be a servant leader. In addition to retreats, there is also the opportunity for summer travel experiences. The Athletic Leadership Track (ALT) is for all Captains of their sports teams and additional athletes interested in applying. The curriculum involves learning about servant leadership in ways particular to athletics, along with intentional work on goal setting, team building, and problem solving. The Community Leadership Track (CLT) is composed of 11th and 12th grade Interns (Chapel, Diversity, Service) and other servant leaders in the arts, academics, and clubs at Minnehaha. For this group there are monthly meetings with curriculum and training on how to be a servant leader in their particular area of the school community.

Athletics and Other Activities

There are a variety of Clubs, Activities, and Intramural Sports at the Upper School that meet on a regular basis on Wednesdays or Fridays. Students are made aware of these opportunities at the beginning of each school year in an assembly. Athletic teams and other activity options can be found on the Minnehaha website.

Free Hours

Juniors and Seniors may have one hour in their schedule that is free. Though they are encouraged to use this as a study time, they need not be in school if the free hour is the first or last period of the day. Students who are leaving at the end of the day need to sign out at the front desk. Students who have a free hour at any other time of the day are required to be on campus in designated common areas. Students must still arrive in time for Assembly, Chapel and Advisor Group.

General Behavior Expectations

  •  Food and drink other than water are not permitted outside of the Olson Family Campus Room.
  •  Inappropriate displays of affection, including those of a romantic nature, are not permitted in halls or other areas of the school during school or school events.
  •  Minnehaha Academy has an expectation of its students that they use appropriate language. Use of profanity is not permitted. Failure to use appropriate language may result in disciplinary action.

Driving and Parking Privileges

Upper School students may drive to school and park in the west lot. Vehicles must be parked only in designated parking spaces in the parking lots. Students are discouraged from parking on neighborhood streets. In the event that there are no parking spaces available in the west parking lot, students may park on the street adjacent to the soccer field.

Students may not use vehicles during the school day to leave campus without permission, and are not to be in the parking lots or their cars during the school day. Students are reminded to observe all traffic laws when driving between the Upper and Lower/Middle Schools and they may not enter the Lower School parking lot until 3:30 p.m. Students must exercise caution as there are often small children present. 

Continued violation of these rules or significant driving misconduct will cause revocation of parking privileges. Minnehaha Academy cannot assume liability for damages to or loss of vehicles and/or their contents.

Behavior Expectations and Discipline

Students are expected to behave in accordance with school policies, classroom behavioral expectations and instructions given by faculty and staff, and to respect the rights and safety of others at all times when in the school building or at school sponsored events, both on and off school grounds.

Students who do not meet the behavioral expectations of Minnehaha Academy will be subject to disciplinary action. There are not required steps in the disciplinary process; however incidents will be investigated by school administration. Students will be disciplined in a manner deemed appropriate by Minnehaha based upon its evaluation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the violation.. Forms of discipline may include a student conference, parent or guardian conference, fine or restitution, loss of free hour, detention, classroom contract, removal from class, behavioral probation, suspension, appearance before the Disciplinary Review Board or expulsion from school.

Detention

Students who violate school rules may be required to serve a detention. Detention will be offered from 7:30-8:20 am Students will not be allowed to enter detention late or leave early for any reason. No talking will be allowed. 

If a student abuses the detention time, he or she will serve an additional detention. If a student misses multiple detentions he/she will not be allowed to participate in his or her extracurricular activity until it is served. Along with the violation of school policies, detention may also be given for unexcused tardies to school. In most cases the Dean of Students will place students in detention either directly or upon the recommendation of an Upper School teacher or staff member.

Behavioral Probation

If a behavioral probation is decided upon by teachers and/or administrators, a parent/guardian-student conference will be held with the Dean of Students to draw up a probation which states the expectations the student must meet during the prescribed probationary period. During the probationary period the Dean of Students will monitor the progress of the student. If a student fails to meet the terms of his or her probation, he or she will be recommended to the Principal’s Office for dismissal from Minnehaha Academy.

Disciplinary Review Team

Philosophy of Discipline Statement

We believe that loving and corrective discipline that leads to maturity and responsibility on the part of students is a shared responsibility of Minnehaha and parents who enroll their children at the School. The nature of God’s discipline of humanity is an outgrowth of His love for us, which is underscored in Scripture. Minnehaha desires to model the same kindness and love for its students in exercising discipline.

  • Prov. 3:12 For the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
  • Heb. 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.
  • Heb. 12:11 For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Through Jesus Christ, God reconciles the world to himself, breaking down the barriers of hostility and estrangement due to our sin. Minnehaha’s God-honoring focus of discipline is also to restore human relationships, just as God desires the restoration of fellowship between himself and all humanity. The reconciliation of the world to God is only possible through the work of Jesus Christ. Minnehaha’s foundation of Christian faith seeks Christlike restoration as an outcome of disciplinary actions.

As a Christian community, we continually look to Jesus as a model for our own behaviors, as well as the behaviors we seek to bring about in our students. The intent of our restorative discipline philosophy is to support and empower students to grow in wisdom and stature. As students learn and practice making good choices, they will bless their community and feel blessed in return.

Everyone in the Minnehaha community is responsible for doing their part to build positive connections and trust. At Minnehaha Academy we are committed to maintaining a climate where all individuals feel safe and valued. In order to have a vibrant, healthy environment where students thrive, we hold all students to high standards of behavior. Students’ inappropriate actions outside of the school can impact the culture and environment inside of school. Therefore, Minnehaha will investigate and impose discipline on students for conduct that occurs away from school grounds when such behavior violates the school’s code of student conduct and will be based on the following two factors:

  1. the discipline is reasonably necessary for the student’s physical or emotional safety, security, and well-being, or for reasons related to the safety, security, and well-being of other students, staff, or school grounds and
  2. the conduct which is the subject of the proposed consequence materially, and substantially disrupts the school environment or educational process.

Purpose of the Disciplinary Review Team

To respond to student disciplinary matters by providing loving and corrective discipline with the goal of Godly reconciliation, repairing harm, conflict prevention, and relationship restoration.

The Disciplinary Review Team

The Disciplinary Review Team includes the Upper School Principal, Assistant Principal, and Dean of Students along with a group of designated Upper School faculty members who are invited annually by the Upper School Principal to serve on the Disciplinary Review Team. Not all infractions will go before the Disciplinary Review Team.  As such, each infraction will be assessed based on the unique circumstances surrounding the situation. For major and possible minor infractions that are brought for review, the Team will participate in discussions with students and families and, while referring to existing school policies, collaboratively make disciplinary decisions. Major infractions that could result in the suspension or expulsion of a student are typically referred to the Disciplinary Review Team. Exceptions include infractions whose punishments are clearly defined in the school handbook (e.g. chemical violations). Other infractions may be referred to the team at the discretion of the Upper School Dean of Students and Principal. 

Process Leading to Review

A teacher, student, parent, or administrator brings a behavioral issue to the Upper School Dean of Students or other administrator.

  1. A fact-finding investigation will occur to ascertain whether an infraction has been committed and whether it needs to go before the Disciplinary Review Team. Credible information uncovered during the fact-finding and investigative process will be considered in the deliberations. 
  2. Depending on the result of the investigation, the school may be required to follow mandated reporting guidelines. 
  3. In most circumstances, the school will pursue its own investigation even if an investigation is taking place by outside authorities.
  4. A student choosing not to participate in the initial investigation or the meeting with the Disciplinary Review Team (if deemed necessary) forfeits his or her right to appeal the final decision.
  5. An Upper School administrator notifies the student and the student’s parents of the meeting and procedures.
  6. If referred to the Team, the student and parent will appear before and be interviewed by the Disciplinary Review Team.

Disciplinary Review Team Meeting

  1. When the Disciplinary Review Team convenes, the Upper School Principal reminds the student of the three most important considerations guiding the proceedings:  a.) everything that occurs in the meeting is confidential, b.) the Disciplinary Review Team is a committee that weighs the facts, including new information presented in the proceedings, and tries to make a fair recommendation, and c.) our desire is restoration of the relationships between the student(s) and the school community as we seek to have students grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and others.
  2. An Upper School Administrator explains the situation to the Disciplinary Review Team.
  3. The student who committed the infraction speaks to the Disciplinary Review Team and answers questions from the committee.
  4. The Team then deliberates and decides on the appropriate action and next steps in the process which could include additional meetings, further investigation, etc. During the deliberation process, the student(s) may be removed from the school and school activities.
  5. The members of the Team work collaboratively with the desire to reach consensus; however if consensus is not reached, the Upper School Administration will use the information gathered to make a final decision. It is expected that members of the team will support the decision after it has been communicated.
  6. The Upper School Principal will inform the student and parents of the consequence of the infraction. 
  7. In the event that further infractions occur after the disciplinary decision has been made, the Upper School Administration may amend the disciplinary decision of the Team.
  8. NOTE:  If the Disciplinary Review Team recommends expulsion of the student, the recommendation is immediately communicated to the Minnehaha Academy President. 
  9. Once the consequence has been determined by the Disciplinary Review Team and Dean of Students, the Upper School Principal will report the outcome to the parents and the student. All of the proceedings of the Disciplinary Review Team are confidential.

How Decisions are Made

The members of the Team work collaboratively with the desire to reach consensus; however if consensus is not reached, the Upper School Administration will use the information gathered to make a final decision. It is expected that members of the team will support the decision after it has been communicated.

Appeals

A student may request an appeal of a disciplinary decision made by the Disciplinary Review Team in writing to the office of the President of Minnehaha Academy.

Process:

  1.  The student submits a petition, in writing, within two calendar days of the decision to the President of Minnehaha Academy.
  2.  Petition should present any new information and include arguments for why the decision is being appealed.
  3.  Based upon the content and/or any new information presented, a meeting may be scheduled.
  4.  At the appeal meeting, the infraction will be reviewed and any additional information will be discussed.
  5.  After deliberating the petition, the President may amend the original consequence and make a new recommendation or may recommend that the original consequence stand.
  6.  No additional appeals will be heard beyond the appeal to the President.

Confidentiality

Every student has the right to confidentiality in matters of discipline. Members of the Disciplinary Review Team are bound by this confidentiality and must not discuss the incidents that come before them outside the confines of the Disciplinary Review Team meetings, nor with any person who is not a member of the Team. Failure to abide by the rules of confidentiality will result in that member’s dismissal from the team. The Disciplinary Review Team recommends that students not discuss their disciplinary situation with other students.

Suspensions

In the case of disciplinary suspensions (1-5 days) from school, the following policies will be followed with regard to academic work:

  1.  Students will receive no credit for in-class work (that was not previously assigned) on the days when the suspension is in effect.
  2.  Assignments previously assigned that are due on the dates of suspension will be considered “late work,” according to the already established classroom policies. Homework assigned on a day of suspension will receive a late penalty when turned in to a teacher.
  3.  If a student misses a test during the suspension, it is his or her responsibility to contact the teacher on the day of return to school to make arrangements to make up the test within two days. Tests that are taken late due to a suspension may receive late points, according to the already established classroom policies.
  4.  Make-ups for group presentations due on the days of a suspension will be handled individually by teachers.
  5.  Students will not earn participation points for the days missed due to a suspension.
  6.  Homework assigned on a suspension day will receive a late penalty when completed.
  7.  Minnehaha’s Counseling Office will report student suspensions to prospective colleges.
  8.  The timing of the inappropriate behavior will determine the consequences regarding the student’s suspension from school days or school activities. 

Technology

The consistent focus of these rules is that personal electronic devices will be used for educational purposes only during the school day, cell phones are only allowed before and after school, and we strive for digital citizenship.

  •  Students are not allowed to use cell phones during school hours. Students will place their cell phones in the “cell hotel” of their first class of the day and will retrieve them at the end of the day.
  •  Students will not use apps or view or listen to content (with or without earbuds or earphones) which are not consistent with the educational focus of the school day and classroom requirements. Exceptions include before and after school, or when given permission from faculty or administration during the school day. Cell phone use is only allowed before or after school.
  •  Students are to not take photos, video, or audio of others without expressed consent from those being recorded. Furthermore, students cannot publish or re-broadcast any photos, video, or audio recorded events during the school day without permission from faculty or administration. Innocent bystanders who record and distribute will receive appropriate consequences.
  •  Students cannot use learning devices to communicate specific content of quizzes or tests to anyone else, or to engage in any other form of academic dishonesty or prohibited behavior. 
  •  Students will not connect their personal learning devices to any school computer at any time or for any reason. This protects student devices as well as school computers and networks.
  •  Students will not tamper with or touch any other student’s learning device.
  •  Students will cooperate with all requests from teachers or other adults in the building regarding the appropriate use of learning devices. Reasonable suspicion of misuse of technology could result in the consequences outlined below.
  •  Students will maintain a positive attitude and be appreciative of the opportunity to use a personal learning device in the classroom. They will show patience with others, their teacher, and the learning process, as we seek to learn together using this technology.

Note: Any student in violation of any part of this policy will have his or her personal or school device taken away and brought to the office for the remainder of the school day. Repeat violations may result in additional consequences for behavior.