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STUDENT / PARENT

HANDBOOK

2019-2020

“TOGETHER WE WILL FIND A WAY”

1555 GRAHAM ROAD

REYNOLDSBURG OHIO 43068

614-367-1980

614-367-1984

WEBSITE:  www.everesths.org

[email protected]

Mark Fullen, Superintendent

[email protected]

VISION 

As a dropout prevention/dropout recovery chartered high school our main mission is to provide students a safe, structured, supportive environment, where they receive the high school curriculum and support needed to recover lost credits and earn their high school diploma.  At Everest High School, students receive an educational program designed to help them achieve their individual graduation and career goals. While earning their high school diploma is the main focus of all students, post high school career planning is also an integral part of the Everest High School program.  Participation in the Everest High School Career Awareness Program and the completion of an Individual Career Plan will lead each student to a successful post high school career.

PHILOSOPHY

Everest High School seeks to provide an academic environment that focuses on the individual strengths of each enrolled student.  Teaching and learning at Everest High School is personalized, customized, and student-directed. Our school is dedicated to providing a learning environment that supports each student by developing a student’s academic competencies in all core content areas.

ACADEMIC GOALS

The academic goals of the Everest High School are:

1. To promote a standard of education for all students; encouraging them to reach their fullest   learning potential.

2. To assist students in achieving academic mastery across a variety of subject areas.

3. To promote students’ independent performance and personal responsibility for learning.

4. To promote an alignment with community partnerships.

5. To enhance students’ communication skills.

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ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING

Everest High School establishes high academic standards for each student.  If a student does not meet his/her academic goals, a personalized plan for academic growth will be developed to guarantee a student’s success.  We will use the following measures to assess student success at Everest High School:

• Student portfolios and demonstrations

• Individual Graduation and Career Plan

• Classroom performance data

• Attendance rate

• Graduation rate

• Performance on the state required assessment for the appropriate grade levels

• Disciplinary referrals 

• Surveys; one-on-one student interviews; evaluations by community partners

INTERIM REPORTS

Teachers will generate interim reports throughout the school year.  The interim reports are designed to give students and parents helpful information that can serve as an individual academic performance guide. In addition, teachers and administrative staff will meet frequently to assess individual student progress.  The areas discussed in these meetings include: academic performance, effort, ability to work independently, and professional skills. The interim reports will be shared with students and parents at least once during each 9-week quarter.

REPORT CARDS

Students will be issued four (4) report cards during the school year.  Our school is on a quarterly schedule. Each quarter is nine (9) weeks in length.  Please see the calendar for the dates you can expect the report cards to be issued.

TRANSCRIPTS

Graduates will receive three (3) copies of their official transcript at graduation.  Official high school transcripts are provided free of charge.  To request additional copies of a student's transcript, please complete a Transcript Request Form, which can be obtained in the school office or on our website.

Please allow 48 hours for transcripts to be either mailed or picked up at the school office.  Transcripts for colleges will either be mailed or faxed to the college.  

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ADMISSIONS POLICY

Everest High School adheres to the following Admissions Policies and Procedures pursuant to Section 3314.06 of the Ohio Revised Code:

Everest High School is nonsectarian in its program, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, and is not operated by a sectarian school or religious institution.

In an attempt to further enhance its diverse community of learners, Everest High School actively seeks to recruit and admit students without regard to race, creed, color or handicap conditions. Everest High School will not discriminate on the basis of race, color or ethnic origin in the administrations of its educational programs and extracurricular activities or in the hiring of its personnel.

In the event of an unusually high demand for admission to the school, the stated policy of the school will be to conduct a lottery that will determine participation and enrollment to fill vacancy seats.  These admission procedures have been adopted as part of formal admissions criteria by the Governing Board and are part of the school’s operating procedures that are consistent with state statute and board policies.

GRADE LEVEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY

Everest High School has established a policy by which to assign grade levels to our students.  

1. Placement in a grade level is based on credits that students have earned.  Listed below is the breakdown of earned credits needed for each grade level:

0 to 5     credits – Freshman Status (Grade 9)

6 to 10   credits – Sophomore Status (Grade 10)

11 to 15 credits – Junior Status (Grade 11)

16 +        credits – Senior Status (Grade 12)

2. An exception to the above credit placement will occur if a student started 9th grade on or before the 2014/15 school year.  Any student who was in 9th grade by the 2014-15 school year will be coded as a sophomore  (10th Grade) to enable them to take the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT).*

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 

 Students who wish to participate in the high school graduation commencement are required to meet the following requirements:

• Accrue 21 high school credits (4 English; 3 Science; 4 Math; 3 Social Studies; .5 Health; .5 Physical Education; a .5 credit for submitted Individual Career Plan; global economics and financial literacy and   4.5 for elective course credits hours.

• Successfully pass all sections of the state required graduation test or qualify for an alternative pathway diploma.

• Complete all course work two (2) weeks prior to the commencement date.

• Pay all fees associated with the commencement program (cap and gown and facility fee).

• Students can opt out of the Ohio Core prior to their junior year starting.  For more information about this, please contact one of your teachers.

• Any student who enters 9th grade in high school in August, 2014, or beyond is required to take 7 End of Course/Ohio State Tests (instead of the Ohio Graduation Tests) and earn a minimum of 18 points to qualify for a high school diploma.  For more information on testing requirements and graduation visit http://www.education.ohio.gov.

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CREDIT RECOVERY OPTIONS

Everest High School students can recover lost credits per the following:

1. Students can accelerate through academic courses by pre-testing out of the required quizzes and unit tests.

2. Since all high school required courses are accessed via the internet, students can continue to work on their courses at home following the school day.  This will permit the student to complete more of the required academic courses.

3. Students involved in a Career Based Program can earn high school credit by job shadowing, volunteering, or working part-time.  For every 120 hours a student is involved in these activities, one high school work/study credit can be earned, not to exceed two high school credits.

 AMENDED SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Students are required to attend the full five sessions of 5 hours and 30 minutes daily from 7:30-1:00.  However, if students are working, volunteering, or job shadowing, their schedule can be amended to accommodate the career based activities.  Parents requesting an amended schedule for their child must contact Mr. Fullen, Everest High School Superintendent and complete a written authorization form.

GRADUATION PLAN

A graduation plan, documenting academic courses and high school credit earned, is maintained for each Everest High School student.  The graduation plan is updated when students complete their academic course. This plan can be regularly reviewed with students to keep them focused on their graduation goal.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER PLAN

Everest High School is committed to helping students prepare for their post high school career path.  To help our students become aware of career options, each student is required to complete a career plan as part of the Everest High School graduation requirements.  Students will use the Ohio Means Jobs website to complete their career plan.

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ACADEMIC CALENDAR

The Everest High School year begins on August 19, 2019 and concludes on May 29, 2020.  Students in need of high school credit recovery may continue to take courses through the summer of 2020.   Students must meet with the Superintendent/Principal and complete a request to enroll in the extended school year program.

DRUG AND TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS

Our campus is a drug and smoke free zone.  Students are required to maintain a drug and tobacco free lifestyle while at school.  Smoking, including “E” cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere on school property or in the alley next to the school.   The possession or use of smokeless tobacco is prohibited also.

LUNCH

Everest High School does NOT provide a school lunch program.  However, students may bring food items from home or purchase items that may be available in the student commons area.

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Students are required to clean up their work spaces and the student common areas.  This gives the student a sense of pride and respect for their own environment.   

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VIOLATIONS OF EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL DISCIPLINE CODE

The following offenses and violations will result in disciplinary action:

Plagiarism or cheating:  Cheating and plagiarism represent a serious breach of community integrity and trust.  To uphold this level of integrity, all students are required to turn in original assignments which they created.  Cheating is defined as “conversing with another student during the administration of a graded assessment, attempting to copy or copying another student’s work on a graded assessment, or using materials other than those allowed during an assessment.”  Plagiarism is defined as “representing the work of another as one’s own.” This applies to work completed both in and outside of the school.

Disrespect, defiance and/or disruptions of learning:  It is the responsibility of the Everest High School staff, administration, and Governing Board to provide a safe and orderly environment in which students can learn.  Student behavior that disrupts the learning environment and which shows disrespectful behavior toward staff and/or other students will not be condoned. Examples of disrespectful behavior are behaviors that involve confrontational or threatening conversation, inappropriate language, and the use of profanity in speech or writing.  Examples of disruptions to learning are behaviors that prevent other members in the school from pursuing their education (such as failing to follow a teacher’s directions), repeatedly talking or deliberately distracting other students during class, or behaving in ways which distract instructors from efficiently teaching the class.   

Safety Violation:  A safety violation is defined as pushing, fighting, threatening or any other violent behavior.  It is considered a safety violation when students are in an unsupervised location without permission from staff.

Inappropriate Contact/Sexual Harassment:  This behavior is defined as any form of touching, groping, or other display of affection toward students, members of the staff, or visitors to the school.  Sexual harassment is behavior of a sexual nature, including but not limited to, any physical and verbal sexual gestures that are unwelcome and unwarranted by another individual.  

Property Violations:  Property violation is defined as theft, destruction, or defacement of school or private property.

Harassment: Everest High School is committed to maintaining a school environment that is free of harassment based on color, race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.  Adverse behaviors that attack or threaten any of these student populations are inappropriate and will result in consequences.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs:  The sale, transfer, use or possession of alcohol and controlled substances at school or school related events, is a violation of state law and will result in consequences.

Weapons:  The possession of any weapons or firearms, or their look alike, is prohibited by Ohio State Law. Possession of weapons (knife, gun, razor, mace, clubs, etc.) is immediate grounds for expulsion.

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SUSPENSION-EXPULSION POLICY

The Everest High School Governing Board adopted a policy regarding student suspension, expulsion, removal, and permanent exclusion that specifies the types of misconduct for which a pupil may be suspended, expelled or removed.  The policy adopted by the Governing Board is in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 3313.336 (3313.66.2) and sets forth the acts for which a student may be permanently excluded. A copy of the policy is made available to students and parents.

Consequences of the EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL Discipline Code

Out of School Suspension:  Everest High School defines out of school suspension as the immediate removal of a student from the school premises.  Unless otherwise stated, the final determination of the length of out-of-school suspension rests with the school administration.  A student that is suspended from school will not be permitted on the school grounds or at school related functions, including those scheduled at Reynoldsburg High School (both campuses), without the written permission of the Everest High School Superintendent. Students will be permitted to complete their assignments on APEX. Students can use e-mail built into APEX to ask for assistance when help is needed.

Expulsion:  An expulsion will result in the immediate and permanent removal from the school.  A student that is expelled from Everest High School will not be permitted on the school grounds or at school related events, including those associated with Reynoldsburg High School.  

Infraction and Consequences

The following infractions may result in out-of-school suspension or expulsion from school:

• Disrespect or defiance 

• Fighting or threatening behavior

• Use of or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

• Theft

• Destruction of property

• Harassment

• Cheating or plagiarism

• Gambling

• Safety/health violation

• Dress Code Violation

• Use or possession of weapons

• Sale or transfer of controlled substances or alcohol

• Acts or threats of violence to students, staff, or visitors

Student Searches

Everest High School reserves the right to perform searches of students and their property.  Searches will be conducted in a method that is private and respects the interests of the students to the fullest degree possible, but will balance such concerns with it9 predominate interest in maintaining student safety and discipline.  Should a student refuse the search, the parent/guardian or police may be contacted. All searches will take place in the presence of an administrator and another staff member. Guardians of the student will be contacted to inform them that a search of their child has occurred or is going to occur.

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EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL DRESS CODE – Subject to revisions as deemed necessary  

The mission of Everest High School is to provide each student a personalized and customized high school experience that will lead the student to successful high school completion and enrollment in a post high school education program or full-time employment in a work-related career.  To provide a school environment that will help the staff accomplish this mission, Everest High School students are expected to abide by the following Dress Code Guidelines:

• Hats, bandanas, tank tops, short shorts or low cut tops are not appropriate.

• Pants:  khakis, dress pants, shorts, and jeans are all acceptable.  

• Shirts:   Polo shirts, dress shirts and APPROPRIATE printed t-shirts can be worn.

• White t-shirts are not allowed to be worn as a shirt.  These can only be worn under another shirt.

• When employers are visiting Everest High School, students may be required to wear business attire.

• Flip flops, slippers, and sandals are not to be worn.

• Hoodies can be worn to school, but the sweatshirt “hood” cannot be worn up during school.

• ANY CLOTHING WITH PICTURES, SYMBOLS, OR WORDS DEPICTING DRUGS, GANGS, ALCOHOL, SEXUAL ACTIVITY, or PROFANITY CANNOT BE WORN.

• Sweat pants and athletic shorts cannot be worn (students will be informed ahead of time if they are allowed to wear these items due to a special sport event at school).

These guidelines are intended to promote a safe, comfortable, and respectable school environment where students enjoy learning and teachers enjoy teaching.     

IF A TEACHER/STAFF MEMBER DEEMS YOUR ATTIRE INAPPROPRIATE FOR A SCHOOL SETTING YOU WILL BE SENT TO THE OFFICE TO WAIT FOR PROPER CLOTHING TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU FROM HOME OR YOU WILL BE SENT HOME TO CHANGE INTO PROPER SCHOOL ATTIRE.

• First Incident:  Sent to office for student to contact parent/guardian to bring proper clothes to school and/or sent home to change into proper attire.

• Second Incident:  Staff contact parent/guardian via letter regarding dress code issues

Repeated instances of inappropriate attire will be addressed in the same manner as other disciplinary actions.

ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY 

To facilitate regular school attendance, Everest High School will hold a mandatory Parent Meeting for every child enrolled.  During this meeting our new school-related absence call system will be explained and an Emergency Medical form will be completed with current, up-to-date contact information.  No student will be permitted to attend class prior to this Parent Meeting.

Parents are required to call the school when their child is not in attendance.  No call results in an unexcused absence. More than 10 unexcused absences will cause the truancy process to be initiated.

Regular school attendance is necessary for students to successfully earn all of their high school credits.  If students are absent, parents/guardians are required to call the school office (614-367-1980).  

State law requires charter schools to withdraw students who have habitual and /or excessive absences.  Since compulsory school attendance is required by state law, truancy charges will be filed through the Franklin County Juvenile Court on underage students who abuse the school attendance policy. 

TARDY

Students must be in school for the full five (5) hour and fifteen (15) minute session.  Students who arrive later than 7:45 will not be permitted to enter the building, without a phone call from the parent or a note from a parent explaining the reason for the student’s late arrival.

EARLY DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL/WORK

Upon arrival at school, students may not leave the campus at any time or for any reason without checking out through the main office.  Students under the age of 18 who are requesting to leave the school during the day must bring a note from a parent/guardian, have the parent call the school office, or be checked out by the parent or guardian through the school office.  There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Students requesting to leave early for part-time employment must complete an Amended School Schedule form, and have it signed by their parent and approved by the Superintendent/Principal .

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PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATIONS AND CONFERENCES

Parents are encouraged to actively participate in their child’s education.  Teachers and staff will communicate with parents through a variety of communicative methods, including phone calls, e-mail, letters, and home visits.  Parents may set-up appointments to meet with teachers/staff by calling the school office and scheduling appointments.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 29th and February 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES 

Cell Phones are only permitted to be in use during the scheduled break times or in the break room when permission is granted.   Any unauthorized or inappropriate use may result in confiscation of the device.

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE KEEPING OF THESE ITEMS AND EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IF THESE ITEMS ARE LOST OR STOLEN OR DAMAGED.

TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET POLICY

Everest High School uses a digital curriculum that requires the use of a student computer with internet connection.  Students who use the computer and internet to access inappropriate websites will be subject to suspension/expulsion from school.   

SCHOOL DISMISSAL

When students are dismissed from school, they must exit through the main entrance.  Students who are walking home should exit the school grounds next to the alley and proceed to Graham Road.  Students are not permitted on Hannah Ashton Middle School property and are not to loiter in the alley next to the school. All students should exit the school premises no later than ten minutes following dismissal.  It is important that Everest High School students respect the property of our school neighbors!  

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CALAMITY DAYS – EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING 

Listed below are the guidelines that will be followed by our school in regards to inclement weather and/or emergency school closing:

Two (2)-Hour Delays:

If the Reynoldsburg City School District has announced a 2-hour delay, Everest High School   will also have a 2-hour delay. Students will report at 9:30 a.m. and be dismissed at the regular time of 1:00 p.m.

Emergency School Closing:

•  EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL WILL FOLLOW THE DECISIONS MADE BY THE REYNOLDSBURG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AS IT RELATES TO CLOSING SCHOOL DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER or OTHER EMERGENCIES.  (i.e., IF REYNOLDSBURG SCHOOLS CLOSE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.)

The App “REMIND” will be used to communicate school closings and delay information.  Just DOWNLOAD the APP and subscribe to Everest High School by entering your cell phone number. 

Announcements will also be made on all 3 local TV news programs and the following radio stations – WBNS, WSYX and WCMH.

STAFF LISTING

Mark Fullen, Superintendent, [email protected]

Randal Swisher, Teacher, [email protected]

Scott Webster, Teacher, [email protected]

Joel McCloskey, Treasurer, [email protected]

Valorie Everett, Admin Asst., [email protected]

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