Handbook: General Information

After-School Guidelines

The following guidelines must be met if a student is to remain after school:

The student must belong to a school-sponsored activity that meets after school.
Students who are not a part of an activity, or not seeking academic support, must leave the high school campus by 3 p.m. Students who are being picked up must do so at the east entrance.
If the student is seeking academic support, this must be done in the media center, department resource area, or ACE under the supervision of school staff.
Once a student has completed their supervised activity, they must remain in a designated area determined by security staff.
Students who ride the after school activity bus must have a current school ID. Buses depart from the activity center entrance.
Students who fail to comply with these guidelines may have a trespassing notice filed with the Eden Prairie police department.

Students are allowed to transport books to and from school in backpacks. Backpacks must be stored in the student's locker during the school day. Backpacks are not allowed in classrooms, the media center or in any resource centers. Backpacks are not allowed the final week of school.

Communication Information Systems

The daily bulletin, video monitors, P.A. system and bulletin boards are communication systems, and their use is subject to administrative approval.

Communication: Accessing Student Info On the Web

Students and parents have access to student information by using www.edenpr.org. Within that website, the following student information is available: attendance, grades, final report cards, and transcripts. In addition, the daily bulletin, the Eagles Nest, calendar information, and time sensitive news releases are available.

If there are problems logging into the website, either call 952-975-7094 or email at: helpline@edenpr.org.

Dance Policy: General

Guests are only allowed to attend the following 3 dances: Homecoming (Saturday), SELGAE'S, and Prom
Guests must complete the dance registration form available in the Student Activities office. This form must be turned in to Student Activities no later than one week prior to the dance.
All students must have a current school ID in order to be admitted to any EPHS dance.
Guests must have a current school ID or driver's license.
Guests must be current 9th-12th graders or in their first year out of high school.
Eden Prairie reserves the right to close any or all dances to guests.
Once a student leaves a dance, s/he will not be readmitted.
The supervisor(s) of the dance reserves the right to refuse admittance to any Eden Prairie dance.

Dance Policy: Prom

A senior attending senior prom may invite a guest of his/her choice. Guests from other schools must be pre-registered by following the dance registration guidelines available in the Student Activities office. Due to space availability, EPHS juniors may attend with EPHS juniors or seniors only.

Distribution of Literature and Materials in School

Students wishing to distribute or post literature or other material regarding school district sponsored activities are required to get approval from the Student Activities office in advance to posting. Students must follow specific procedures/guidelines established by the building, district policies, and the law. A copy of the guidelines can be obtained from the Student Activities office.

The distribution of literature and materials that are not related to school sponsored or school district activities are subject to school and school district guidelines. A copy of these guidelines is available from the Student Activities office.

Dress

Student attire must be appropriate and not disruptive to the educational process. See specific policies under student management guidelines.

Food and Beverages

Food and beverages are allowed to be consumed only in the east and west commons. Food must be consumed in the commons from which it is purchased, transporting food is not allowed. At a teacher's discretion, food may be allowed in Connections. Food must remain in the Connections classroom. Students are responsible for leaving the Connections area clean. Food will not be allowed in hallways.

Health Information: Emergencies

If your son or daughter is ill or injured during the school day, health services will contact you. If you are not able to be reached, health services will contact the emergency number you have indicated. An ill student will not be sent home from school unless the parent can be contacted. Students are not to leave school if they are ill without first contacting the health services. Failure to do so may result in an unexcused absence.

Health Information: Immunization

In accordance with the Minnesota Immunization Law, students may not enroll in school without having provided documentation of current immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella, allowing for certain legal exemptions. All students are expected to be in compliance on the first day of their entry into school each fall. For more information contact Becky Hudlow at 952-975-7044.

Health Services Information

The school health service has been established for the health and safety of students. The health room is to be used exclusively for students who become ill, are injured during the school day, need medication or health related information.

Students who become ill during the day must have a pass from the class they are missing. They will be given a pass from health services to return to class. Students reporting that they spent the period in the lavatory or commons will not be given an excused absence from class.
Exceptions to the above will be made at the discretion of health services based on the severity of the illness or injury.
All medications, including over-the-counter medications, required by students during the school day will be dispensed through the health service with appropriate parental and physician signatures. The school nurse will meet with the students and families to provide for individual health care needs.

The Medication Policy for Eden Prairie Schools requires:

A physicians note identifying the reason for the medication, the dosage of the prescription or non-prescription medication, and the time it is to be given during the school day;
A note from parents requesting that the medication be given;
The medication be supplied in the original labeled prescription or non-prescription bottle.
Improper use of medications may be subjected to chemical violations. See specific policies under student management guidelines.

Hennepin Technical College: Transportation

Students may apply to drive or ride with another student to H.T.C. on a daily basis. Applications may be picked up at either student center. The application process must include:

Completion of the application including an approved statement of need.
Written parent permission on file.
The school district may revoke driving privileges at their discretion.

Locker Rules and Responsibilities

Please remember to keep your locker locked at all times.
Do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables to school with you.
The district cannot reimburse you if your personal property is stolen.
Items left in lockers at the end of the school year will be donated to charity.

The Eden Prairie School District policy concerning lockers is as follows:

School lockers are the property of the school district. At no time does the school district relinquish its exclusive control of lockers provided for the convenience of students. Inspection of the interior of lockers may be conducted by school authorities for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. The personal possessions of students within a school locker may be searched only when school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a violation of law or school rules. As soon as possible after the search of a student's possessions, the school authorities must provide notice of the search to the students whose lockers were searched unless disclosure would impede an ongoing investigation by police or school officials.

Media Center

The Media Center supports learners with print and nonprint resources, orientation and instruction sessions, technology, and a quiet academic atmosphere.

The Center is open between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday- Thursday and 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Users of the library demonstrate respect for each other by working independently and quietly. Resources and facility are preserved and respected as defined in the Student Management plan. The District Acceptable Computer Use policy is strictly observed. Food and drink are not permitted in the Media Center. Books are checked out for three weeks and may be renewed. Fines of 10 cents per day are charged for each item that is not returned on time.

Details relating to orientation, reading lists and reading programs, book clubs and descriptions and links to electronic resources are available through the EPHS Media Center web page at www.edenpr.k12.mn.us/ephs.

Messages/Deliveries to Students

Calls requesting that a message be given to a student during the school day must be limited to parents/guardians. Employers, friends, siblings are not allowed to leave messages. Deliveries will be accepted only from parents/guardians and only items related to school (lunches, books, etc.) will be delivered. Deliveries will be made to the appropriate Student Centers only. Non-school related material or sealed items may not be left for students.

Paging students to pick up messages is limited to passing times, before and after school only. Messages not picked up by students will be discarded at the end of the day. Students are responsible, once paged, to report to their student center to pick up their message.

Calling into a classroom is reserved for emergencies only. All emergency calls will be referred to the health office, the student's dean, counselor or principal's office.

Students are not allowed to access their cell phones in any academic setting; including, but not limited to, classrooms, Media Center, all Resource Centers, ACE, Career Resource Center, and Student Service Centers.

Neighborhood

Eden Prairie High School is part of a neighborhood. The residents have every right to expect that their property (house, yard, cars, business, etc.) will be treated with respect. Therefore, EPHS students are not to trespass on neighborhood businesses or private property.

Parking: Driving to School

Students who choose to drive to school will operate their vehicles in conformance with all rules and regulations of the state of Minnesota, the city of Eden Prairie, and School District 272 Board of Education policy governing the reserved parking lot. Motor vehicles must be licensed and covered by insurance. The school is not responsible for the motor vehicle or its contents. It is important to remember that driving to school is considered a privilege and rules will be strictly enforced.

Limited daily parking permits are available for $5 and must be purchased a day in advance. Permits are to be purchased at Student Center East. Students must have their driver's license and car license plate numbers to purchase a permit.

Parking: Student

Students who choose to park on campus must purchase a yearly parking permit for $350 or $200. Yearly passes are available by a seniority system. Students may not park their vehicles in the staff or visitor lots! Students parking on campus without a parking permit are subject to penalties. See specific policies under student management guidelines.

Parking: Visitor

Visitors to the building are asked to park in the visitors' parking lots located on the east, north and south sides of the building and sign in at the visitor's desk.

Permanent Passes

Permanent passes to leave campus fourth hour are limited to juniors only with an open fourth hour. Freshmen and sophomores are not eligible for permanent passes. Junior passes may be issued on, but not limited to the following criteria:

No discipline infractions in the previous term.
Satisfactory progress towards graduation with a minimum of 24 credits and enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits for the academic year.
No violation of the attendance policy.
A written contract signed by parents/guardians.

These passes can be revoked at any time and must be renewed on a quarterly basis. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Deans or other school administrators.

Pledge

Anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the pledge of allegiance for any personal reasons may elect not to do so. However, students must respect another person's right to make that choice.

Police Liaison

The Police-School Liaison Officer serves as a resource person to students, parents/guardians, and staff. The Eden Prairie police officer assigned to this duty assists the school personnel in dealing with inappropriate and/or illegal student behavior. Liaison is also maintained between the school and social agencies, the courts, and various diversion programs.

Release of General Information

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act requires school districts to notify parents/guardians and students that certain information from student records may be released and made public without the written consent of the parents or students 18 years of age or older. This information is called directory information. Directory information includes name, address, telephone, date and place of birth, participation in officially organized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, previous school attended, and photos for school-approved publications or newspapers. Parents/guardians or students of majority age who do not want directory information released must notify the district in writing by October 1. In addition, students' names, addresses, and telephone numbers may be released to armed forces recruiters, unless parents/guardians indicate such information not be released.

Safety and Evacuation Procedures

During emergency procedures or evacuation, students are required to:

Follow all emergency directions given by school officials.
Report to designated area for attendance and further instruction.
Report any suspicious activity/behavior, concern or information immediately to school officials.

Search and Seizure of Student Possessions

School officials may, without a search warrant, search a student and/or their personal possessions based on a reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion means that a school official has grounds to believe that the search will result in evidence of a violation of school district policy, rules, and/or law. Personal possessions include, but are not limited to purses, backpacks, book bags, packages, clothing and vehicles.

Senior Privilege

Beginning with the first term, senior students may earn a senior privilege to leave campus during an open hour or lunch based on, but not limited to the following criteria:

No disciplinary infractions in the previous term.
No violations of the attendance policy.
Satisfactory progress toward graduation.
Application signed by parents/guardians, dean, Connections advisor, media center.
No outstanding fines.

Senior Privilege can be revoked at any time. Students may re-apply for Senior Privilege at the beginning of each term.

Student IDs

Students must carry the current school provided IDs at all times and show the ID when requested by school staff. Failure to show an ID when requested is insubordination, see specific policies under student management guidelines.

Study Halls

All freshman and sophomore students taking less than 16 credits will be assigned to a study hall. Daily attendance is required.

Technology

The Eden Prairie School District provides students and employees with access to the school district's electronic communication system, which includes Internet access. The purpose of the system is not merely to provide students and employees with general access to the Internet. The school district system has defined educational purpose, which includes use of the system for classroom activities, professional or career development, and limited high-quality, independent study activities. Users are expected to use Internet access through the district system to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission of the school district and school policies. Uses, which might be acceptable on a user's private personal account on another system, may not be acceptable on this limited purpose network. The use of the school district system and access to use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right.

General school rules for behavior and communications apply. Students are responsible for good behavior on computers and on the Internet. Network storage areas are treated like school lockers and are for storage of class-related documents only. The school district has the right at any time to inspect, investigate, view or monitor students' use of the school district technology system and any information transmitted or stored on it.

Internet users will not:

Send or display offensive messages or pictures.
Use obscene language.
Harass, insult or attack others.
Damage computers, computer systems, or computer networks.
Violate copyright law.
Use a password that doesn't belong to you.
Trespass in folders, work, or files that do not belong to you.
Intentionally waste limited resources, including the use of chain letters, instant messaging and playing games.
Download files and applications, including but not limited to MP3s, browser plug-ins and games.
Hack.
Install software.
Store applications in network folders.
Download or stream video and sound clips unless required for a class- related project.
Employ computer systems for commercial purposes.
Reveal the password, personal address or phone number of yourself or any other person without permission from your teacher.
Browse sites not related to an academic purpose requested by the classroom teachers.
Connect personal laptop computers to the school's network.
Access sites that are blocked by the district's filtering systems.

Misuse of computer equipment; deletion or violation of password-protected files, computer programs, or data or system files; inappropriate accessing of files, unethical use of information or violation of copyright laws is prohibited.

Textbooks and School-Owned Equipment: Lost or Stolen

The school will charge an appropriate replacement fee for textbooks, workbooks, library books, and school-owned equipment lost, stolen or damaged by students. School-issued property is the student's responsibility until returned. Students have the responsibility to safeguard the materials or equipment at all times until returned. Stolen property cannot be reimbursed by the school district.

Visitors

Student visitors will not be allowed during school hours. All visitors to the school building must have a pre-approved appointment, check in with the security monitor at the entrance, receive a visitor badge and register their car. The badge must be worn throughout their stay.