WCHS Student Handbook

A student may not have 10 absences or 10 tardies for 1 course per semester. Loss of credit will result when a student reaches the 10-day or 10-tardy limits. Students that reach 10 absences or 10 tardies in a class will be able to recover the credit by being added to an additional tutorial period. Should students reach the 10-day limit in this class, they will lose their credit(s).

All district staff are expected to utilize the Canvas Learning Management System as a primary tool for supporting strong communication with families and promoting transparency in student learning. Teachers must ensure that assignments, grades, feedback, and course materials are consistently updated in Canvas, so parents and guardians can access timely and accurate information about their child’s progress. Staff should actively use Canvas features such as announcements, messaging, and course updates to keep families informed of expectations, deadlines, and important classroom information. Administrators and instructional leaders should also monitor Canvas courses to ensure consistency and support staff in maintaining clear, parent-friendly communication.

The North Dakota Choice-Ready Initiative makes up 21% of our school accountability score. The rationale behind this initiative is to give students a board array of experiences that empower them with the ability to choose between college, career, or military upon graduation. To be considered “choice-ready,” students must meet the criteria in two out of the three pathways. Many of the criteria necessary for choice-ready have been incorporated into our school day. Some of these events include: WCHS Community Clean-Up, T4, CPR training for Seniors, multiple ASVAB opportunities, etc. These events are required as they support our Choice-Ready goals. 

Juniors will receive 2 days of college visits and seniors will receive 3 days of college visits. These days will be marked as Special when proper documentation from the college (Campus Visit Excuse Form, letter from registrar, or other confirmation from college officials) has been given to the office.

MCPSD#1 highly encourages communication between parents/guardians and teachers. Should you wish to talk with one of your child’s teachers, call the school office; if the teacher is in class or not available, you will be able to leave a message and your number. The teacher will return your call at his/her earliest convenience. You may also email the teacher by viewing the staff directory on the district website or contact them through Canvas.

All students in grades 9-10 must be enrolled in seven class periods per semester. All students in grades 11-12 must be enrolled in at least six class periods per semester.

A student may retake a course for a better grade, but all grades will be recorded on their transcript and count in their GPA.

The class choices you make during pre-registration will be used to build your schedule. Revisions to this schedule may be denied or unavailable once schedules are complete. No schedule changes will be made after the first ten days of each semester, unless approved by administration and the proper procedure is followed. This procedure can be found on the Course Change Request Form. Students will only be allowed to drop classes after the deadline if they are taking the same or similar course on NDCDE. These students will receive an F in the course they dropped.

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can enroll in post-secondary courses from regionally and nationally accredited colleges and receive both high school and college credit. A dual credit/early entry enrollment application form from the school you plan to attend must be completed before enrolling in a course for dual credit/early entry.

To the extent financially feasible, the district sanctions field trips and trips for school-sponsored activities that are of educational value and are associated with curricular programming offered by the district.  

All requests for travel shall be submitted to the building principal through Frontline, at least three weeks prior to the travel dates.  

Students may be required to pay admissions fees associated with a field and/or school-sponsored trip. These fees may be waived in cases of hardship or, when the trip is part of the curriculum, students may be given an alternative assignment. Requests to waive fees shall be made in accordance with the student fees policy. The superintendent may develop additional regulations related to costs and payment for field and school-sponsored trips. 

Written parental approval shall be obtained prior to each field and school-sponsored trip. 

Students shall be subject to all applicable district policies and regulations while on field and/or school-sponsored trips. The superintendent shall develop criteria for participation in field/school-sponsored trips and develop school trip safety and disciplinary procedures. These procedures shall specifically address trips taken outside the district. Parents and students shall be made aware of these procedures prior to each trip. 

Out of Town Field Trips

Requests for overnight trips or any trip outside of the state of North Dakota (excluding trips for extracurricular activities scheduled as part of the sanctioned season), shall be submitted to the school principal and superintendent for action at least three weeks prior to the travel dates.

McKenzie County Public School District #1 believes that grades should reflect a student’s knowledge and proficiency of content standards. 

All assignments, assessments, and grades will fall into one of two categories: Formative or Summative. The summative category must have a minimum weight of 90%. The weights for formative and summative assessments must be listed in your class syllabus. 

Formative: formative assessments are meant to be used to guide instruction and should take place as the students are learning the material. Examples may include, but are not limited to, homework, classwork, labs, projects, quizzes, bell ringers, or exit tickets.  

*Note: not all formative assessments need to be entered into the gradebook. The goal is to assess where the students are at in the learning process. 

Summative: summative assessments are the final assessment of the topic or unit of study and are used to measure how well the student has learned the required content throughout the unit. Examples of summative assessments may include, but are not limited to, projects, labs, papers, tests, or quizzes.

• Freshman: a ninth grader that has completed eight (8) grades. 
• Sophomore: a tenth grader that has earned a minimum of five (5) credits and has completed at least two semesters of high school.  Second semester sophomore must have 8 credits. 
• Junior: an eleventh grader that has earned a minimum of eleven (11) credits and has completed four semesters of high school.  Second semester junior must have 14 credits. 
• Senior: a twelfth grader that has earned a minimum of seventeen (17) credits and has completed six semesters of high school. 

Effective August 2016-17 School Year

Only students who have met the graduation requirements may participate in the graduation ceremony (see commencement exercise).  Seniors who are missing credits may not participate in the graduation ceremony but will have until July 31 of that year to earn the necessary credits to receive a diploma from WCHS.  

Upon review by administration, seniors with enough credits to graduate who are not also maintaining attendance in all scheduled courses may risk his/her participation in the graduation ceremony.  

WCHS Graduation Requirements

The total number of credits needed to graduate from Watford City High School is 24 (twenty-four). Of those credits, 14 are required classes. North Dakota legislators have made available an optional diploma consisting of 21 credits. For more information about the optional diploma, please see the high school counselor. 

Four credits (units) in English are required.  

Three credits (units) of Social Studies are required: U.S. History (1), Principles of Democracy (1), and one Social Studies elective or two ½ credit electives (1).  

Three credits (units) in mathematics. Algebra 2 or beyond is recommended for college-bound students. 

Three credits (units) in science are required; Physical Science, Biology, and one credit in any other lab science; OR Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. 

0.5 credit of P.E. and 0.5 credit of Health. 

One credit (unit) of Computer Science.

Three units of Foreign Language; Native American Languages; Fine Arts; OR Career and Technical Education courses. 

Additional credits to equal or exceed 24 credits. 

All students in grades 9-10 must enroll in a minimum of seven courses at WCHS each semester. Students in grades 11-12 must enroll in six courses at WCHS each semester. 

*All students must pass the State Legislature Mandated Citizenship Exam before graduation. 

*Early graduation will not be offered or allowed at WCHS.   

Commencement Exercise 

Graduating seniors will receive their diploma at the traditional commencement exercise unless they have been denied the privilege of participating in the exercise due to disciplinary action, have unserved detention time, or have outstanding fines, dues, or fees. 

Providing all graduation requirements have been met, the student denied the privilege of participating in the commencement exercise would be given his/her diploma at the close of the current school year. 

Upon review by administration, seniors with enough credits to graduate who are not also maintaining attendance in all scheduled courses may risk his/her participation in the graduation ceremony. 

Graduating seniors wishing to represent their class in the commencement exercise must be eligible for extracurricular participation. This does not mean they cannot “walk across the stage” but if ineligible, they cannot represent their class for example by giving a student address, performing special music, or giving the Invocation or Benediction. 

Breathalyzers will be used to ensure no one is under the influence of alcohol during the ceremony.  

Caps & Gowns

Graduation caps and gowns are required graduation apparel. Caps and gowns are to be maroon only and must be purchased from the approved source. Students may keep the graduation cap and gowns. If you have a brother or sister that graduated from WCHS, it is possible for you to wear their cap and gown if they are the right colors. Caps and gowns may not be embellished or decorated unless it is an item or practice of cultural significance.

In order to qualify as an Honor Student, the graduating senior must have been enrolled at WCHS and must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.75 or better. The cumulative GPA will be calculated at the end of the senior’s 7th semester to determine Honor Student status.

All district staff are expected to utilize Infinite Campus as the primary system for maintaining and sharing accurate student information in a manner that supports strong family engagement. Staff must ensure that enrollment, attendance, and grade data are entered and updated, so parents and guardians have access to timely, reliable information about their child’s progress. Educators and administrators should use Infinite Campus to monitor student performance and proactively communicate with families regarding attendance concerns, academic progress, and areas needing support. The Parent Portal is a key tool for fostering transparency, and staff are expected to encourage its use and respond to parent inquiries in a timely and professional manner.  

Students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be an office assistant, library assistant, student tutor, or elementary aide. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the building administration.

Students will be required to make up assignments after an absence. The assignment may not necessarily be the same, but it should be designed to teach the same objective that was missed. All missing assignments must be turned in within three school days of returning to school to receive full credit. These days begin immediately upon return and will not restart if another absence occurs. Teacher’s individual policies for grading missing and late work beyond three days late, must be listed in their course syllabus and shared with all students. This policy does not prohibit teachers from entering a zero in the gradebook for the assignment. Students are responsible for communicating with the teacher regarding any missing work.  

**Any appeals should be directed to the building principal. 

If the time runs into the next semester, the student will receive an 'I' for incomplete. The grade will change to the earned grade when the assignment has been completed. Incompletes will not be given to students who, due to their own lack of responsibility, do not get their work handed in on time.

9th and 10th grade students need to be scheduled in 7 out of 8 periods. 11th and 12th grade students need to be scheduled in 6 out of 8 periods. Students only need to attend the periods in which they are scheduled. Should students choose to be in the building during their off period, they need to be in the library or in front of the theatre, not roaming the halls.

All students may take online courses through NDCDE and the school will pay the tuition. Students enrolling in these courses will need to adhere to the attendance policies of WCHS. Students will report to the library during the period they have their online courses scheduled. Students wishing to take online courses and not wanting to attend regular school should apply to the Watford City Virtual Academy. All grades will be recorded from NDCDE courses. Should a student choose to drop a NDCDE course after the 10-day drop date at the beginning of the semester, they will be given an F in the course they dropped.

Seniors may be allowed to take a credit recovery course through Edgenuity and use 1 class period in the library as “Independent Study” to complete the course if the course is required for graduation.

Credit approval of electronically delivered courses will be researched and approved on a case by case basis. Online courses accepted at Watford City High School must be fully accredited and listed on the Cognia website.

Students taking online courses need to make sure the online school is accredited in the United States. WCHS will accept credit from an online school or class if we have proof of accreditation. WCHS recommends courses from the North Dakota Center of Distance Education to ensure credit from an online course will be given, contact the high school office.

At Watford City High School, we uphold The Watford Way. Students are required to adhere to academic honesty to aspire to excellence. We must ensure that our students possess proficient skills to be choice ready. This requires students to be responsible for their work and respect the academic process. If a student has plagiarized, cheated, or used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete any assessment or assignment, penalties will apply as outlined in the behavior chart. 

In cooperation with the North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE), Watford City High School aims to uphold and integrate their policy towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) with our own. The following 13 guidelines outline acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI tools based on NDCDE’s policy (the below wording is taken directly from NDCDE’s website). Please keep in mind that all uses of AI are up to the discretion of the individual teacher. 

Acceptable Uses of AI Tools

• Brainstorming and Refinement: AI tools can assist in generating ideas for projects, essays, and other assignments and refining work before submitting it. 
• Grammar and Spelling Checks: AI can help students identify and correct grammatical errors and improve their writing. 
• Language Translation (outside of world language classes): AI tools can be used for translation purposes in non-language-specific assignments. 
• Digital Image Search: Students can use AI to find and utilize images for educational purposes, ensuring proper citation. 
• Tutoring and Studying: AI can provide additional explanations, practice problems, and study aids to help students better understand course material. 

Unacceptable Uses of AI Tools

• Essay Generators: Using AI to generate entire essays or substantial parts of written assignments is prohibited. 
• Language Translation in World Language Classes: Using AI for translations in language classes is not allowed, as it undermines language learning objectives. 
• Generating Answers to Assignments: Students should not use AI to produce answers for homework, quizzes, or any graded assignments. 
• Plagiarism: Presenting AI-generated content as one's own without proper citation is a violation of Watford City High School’s Plagiarism Policy. 

Citing AI-Generated Content

• MLA Style: Example of MLA Citation for Generative AI
• APA Style: Example of APA Citation for ChatGPT

Teacher Discretion

Watford City High School values teachers' professional judgment and expertise in instances of plagiarism/cheating. Teachers will use vetted AI detection tools to assist in identifying issues with plagiarism/cheating. When instances occur, the teacher will contact the parent to make them aware of the situation. In addition, each teacher may outline additional expectations for the writing process in their syllabus to ensure that students are exercising their skills within the classroom and using their writing tools appropriately to practice academic integrity. 

Sources: North Dakota K-12 AI guidance framework. North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. (n.d.-b). 

Report cards will be issued for all students following the completion of each term.

• All teachers must provide retake opportunities for all summative assessments, provided the requirements for retakes, as determined by the teacher, have been met by the student. 
• No retakes will be granted unless all formative assignments for that unit have been completed and turned in. 
• All retakes from a unit must be complete prior to the completion of the subsequent unit.  
• Requirements for retakes are up to teacher discretion, which may include, but is not limited to, relearning opportunities, test corrections, one-on-one sessions with the teacher, and additional assignments or learning opportunities.  
• Teachers must communicate their retake requirements in the class syllabus and/or posted in Canvas. 
• Teachers may not restrict retake opportunities based on the score of the original assessment. 
• Retake opportunities may be in a different format than the original assessment, but be reasonably similar in terms of length of assessment, content covered, and difficulty. 
• The highest grade attained on any summative assessment, whether it is the original or a retake, will be entered into the gradebook with no additional penalties. 
• No retake opportunities will be available for Semester Final Tests.  

*Dual-credit courses may or may not allow retakes based on college/university guidelines.

A file that contains a student’s grades, attendance, standardized test scores, discipline record, and any other pertinent student information is kept for each student. If a student has attended several different schools, the records that followed the student to this school are also in the file. 

A student, parent, or guardian may see the contents of these records by making an appointment to do so with the principal or counselor. Copies may be made of anything in the school record at a cost of 10 cents per sheet. The original records cannot be taken out of the office. A student, parent, or guardian may place any statement or items in the record that they wish, if it pertains to the student’s schoolwork. 

A student, parent, or guardian may also request that items be removed from the student file. In the event that such a request is made, the person in charge of the record may or may not grant the request. In the event the request is denied, an appeal may be made to the next highest official, and ultimately to the School Board. 

• Send a transcript of a student’s school record to a college, vocational school, or university.
• Give information from a student’s record to a prospective employer. 

Written consent can be given by using a form available in the Office of the Principal or Counselor, on the school website, or by writing a letter to the office requesting the transfer of such records. 

Students who are 18 years of age or older need not seek consent of their parents or guardian to exercise their rights of access or control of transfer of their records. 

All students' records will be treated in accordance with the provisions of Public Law. Procedures described also apply to the records of all graduates of this school. The school will inform parents when personally identifiable information that has been collected, maintained or used, is no longer needed to provide educational services to a student. The information may be destroyed, retained by parents, or retained by the school at the request of the parents. However, a permanent record of a student's name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, grade level completed, and year completed may be maintained without limitation. 

Information that can personally identify a student may be released without prior consent when the information is considered “directory information”. Directory information that will be released from WCHS may include the following: student’s name, address, phone number, student photo, birthdate, class schedule, height, weight, honors or recognition, clubs and teams to which the student belongs or participates in, and pictures of the student participating in school events and activities. Parents and eligible students may request to the Principal’s Office in writing that some or all of the information considered directory information by Watford City High School not be released. Also, it is important to note that when Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, they included a provision that requires high schools to release students’ private information to military recruiters or risk losing federal funding. If you do not wish to have information released, you must “opt out” in writing.   Forms are available in the high school office and must be signed annually by September 1 if you do NOT wish to have your name, address, and telephone number released to the Armed Forces, Military Recruiters, or Military Schools.

Students in grades 9-12 can earn semester final test exemption if they have a grade of (B+) or higher, have 3 or less tardies in a class, and 3 or less counted absences in a class. Additionally, any student having ISS (in-school-suspension), or OSS (out-of-school suspension) will have to take semester exams.  

Students in grades 9-10 may also earn semester test exemption by demonstrating proficiency on the NDA+ Interim and Summative Assessments. If a student is proficient on the Math, ELA or Science test, he or she will be exempt from that final. If a student is proficient on all tests, he or she will be exempt from all semester finals. The fall interim assessment will be used to determine exemption for the 1st semester and the spring interim (9th grade)/ summative (10th grade) will be used to determine exemption for the 2nd semester. The winter interim assessment will not be used for the purposes of earning test exemption. Any student that demonstrates proficiency on the Pre-ACT, ACT, ASVAB or ACCESS test will be exempt from all finals. 

*This privilege may be revoked if an administrator deems the student’s attendance, grades or behavior has escalated to an egregious level after testing is completed.

WCHS will use the NDA+ for school accountability. This system is made up of 5 interim assessments and 1 summative assessment. 9th graders will take the interim assessment 3 times throughout the year. 10th graders will take the interim assessment twice (fall and winter) then take the summative assessment once (spring).

The Pre-ACT will be offered once per year for students in grades 9 and 10. The ACT will be offered twice per year for students in grades 10-12.

The ASVAB will be offered up to three times per year: fall, winter, and spring. A score of 31 is required to be considered Military Ready in the North Dakota Choice Ready Framework. All juniors will be required to take the ASVAB in the fall. If they score 31 or higher, they have met the standard. If they do not, they will be asked to take the test again in the winter and the spring; however, parents can “opt-out” of those test sessions. Likewise, seniors that have not yet achieved a score of 31 will be required to take the ASVAB in the fall but may opt out of the winter and spring test sessions. An opt-out form for the winter and spring test sessions can be found in the high school office and must be returned prior to the test date.  

Work Keys is available to be taken at Watford City High School for those who want to take it for their North Dakota CTE Scholarship application. A set of three tests (Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents) will be offered one time for juniors/seniors needing the score for their application. If a student needs to take it again, they will pay $12.00 per section.

Work Keys is a job skills assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation being considered and at any level of education. For more information, visit the ACT website.

Transfer students’ final grades will be based upon the grades received from the previous school plus work done during their attendance at WCHS. Consideration will be given for students transferring in near the end of the semester as courses do not always align.  

The grading of transfer students is difficult as the work done in previous schools may be considerably different from the requirements at WCHS. The basic policy is to be as fair as possible to the incoming students and yet maintain standards set by our school. Transfer students will have a fresh start in regard to the 10-day limit upon enrolling at WCHS. This includes transfers from other schools within the district.  

Transfer students’ grade level will be based on the number of high school credits they have earned.  

Public/Non-Public Students

Public School Students: Upon enrollment, the WCHS representative must receive an official transcript from the previous school. Students transferring from accredited public schools outside this district will receive credit towards graduation for those classes taken at the previous public school.  

Non-Public School Students: Upon enrollment, the WCHS representative must receive an official transcript from the previous school.  Students transferring from non-public schools, including parochial and home school, will receive credit toward high school graduation for courses taken at the non-public school as follows: 

If the non-public school is accredited, the student will receive credit as awarded by the non-public school for all courses. 

If the non-public school is not accredited, the student will receive credit by showing meticulous records of proficiency. These records should include: official transcript, course outlines, student assessment scores, etc. These records will be reviewed by school personnel to determine if credit can be awarded. 

Homeschool/Non-Full-Time Student

Students that are homeschooled will not be allowed to participate in Non-North Dakota High School Association activities. (Co-Curricular, Dances, Prom, Graduation, etc.). EX: Student Clubs, FFA, DECA, FCCLA, etc. Homeschool students can attend dances and prom if they attend with a WCHS student. Participation will be allowed in these events for non-full-time students provided they are enrolled in a minimum of one class at one of the three schools in the district.  

Students and parents/guardians have the right to appeal district decisions related to virtual or online learning. This process is designed to be straightforward and fair. Appeals are reviewed promptly, and students' academic progress is protected while a decision is under review.  

Who May File an Appeal

An appeal may be filed by a student's parent or legal guardian, or by the student if they are 18 or older or an emancipated minor.

Decisions You Can Appeal

• Denial of enrollment in a virtual or online course
• Denial of district payment for a virtual course
• Denial of a drop, add, or transfer request for a virtual course
• Removal from a virtual course (for participation, pacing, or academic integrity reasons)
• Placement on virtual course probation
• Denial of a course retake at district expense
• Denial of a course extension or good-cause exception
• Any other adverse decision specific to virtual learning  

Note: Decisions involving IEPs, Section 504 plans, student discipline, or open enrollment follow separate appeal processes and are not covered here.  

Deadline to File

You must submit a written appeal within 10 school days of receiving the written decision you are appealing. If you missed the deadline due to a documented medical emergency, failure to receive written notice, or another circumstance beyond your control, you may request a late filing by explaining the reason in writing to the District office. 

How to File

• Student's name, grade, and school
• Parent/guardian name and contact information
• The specific decision you are appealing and its date
• The virtual course provider and course title (e.g., NDCDE, district virtual)
• A brief explanation of why you believe the decision should be changed
• Copies of any supporting documents (application, decision letter, transcripts, graduation plan, medical documentation, etc.)
• The outcome you are requesting
• Your signature and the date  

Review Process

• The Superintendent, or a designee not involved in the original decision, will review your appeal within 10 school days of receipt.  
• The reviewer may request additional information or schedule a meeting with you and relevant staff.  
• Within 10 school days of completing the review (or meeting, if held), you will receive a written decision. The decision will explain the outcome, the findings of fact, and the reasons for the determination.  
• The Superintendent's written decision is the district's final decision. 

Your Status During the Appeal

While your appeal is under review, your enrollment status at the time you filed will generally remain in place. If your appeal involves a denial of enrollment in a new virtual course, the District is not required to enroll you in that course during the process, but will ensure you remain enrolled in appropriate coursework to protect your academic progress and graduation timeline. 

No Retaliation

No student or family will face retaliation, negative academic consequences, or reduced services for filing an appeal. Any staff member found to have acted in retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Records

All appeal documents are maintained as part of your student education record under FERPA and North Dakota public records law. Records are retained for at least 5 years after a student graduates or leaves the district. 

Questions

Contact the district office or your virtual learning coordinator for help with the appeals process or to obtain a Notice of Appeal form. 

All students involved in co-curricular activities are expected to be in school when not traveling to a game, contest, activity or practice. A student who must miss school on any activity day must clear the absence with the principal or activities director before missing school to be certain of their eligibility for that particular contest. Activities also include but are not limited to school dances, drama production, band and concerts, and vocational activities. The only acceptable reasons for missing any or all of the school day, and still being allowed to participate, are for scheduled appointments and family emergencies. All students are expected to be in attendance the entire day following an activity. Failure to comply with this policy may result in suspension from the next contest or event.

The rules, principles and spirit of such rules and principles of the North Dakota High School Activities Association and other organizations to which the high school may belong will be considered minimum, and vigorously subscribed to and enforced.

McKenzie County Public School District #1 retains the right to search any property coming on campus. This includes but is not limited to vehicles and backpacks. Administration or its designees are searching for weapons, drugs, alcohol, and any tobacco products.  All bags/luggage/travel items may be subject to search before and during the trip. Bags may be checked by authorized personnel prior to an overnight trip. Bags/backpacks may be checked at any time while in school at the discretion of the administration.

1. Depending on the nature of the complaint, try to resolve it directly with the coach involved by setting up an appointment with them the day after the event.
2. If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, the following chain of command is to be followed: assistant coach, head coach, activities director, superintendent, and school board.
3. Complaints given in writing will be shared with the coach.
4. “Playing time” is a non-negotiable matter and will be left to the discretion of the coach.
5. Do not text/email coaches with a complaint. Set up a time with the coach and/or administration.

1. Student and Coach
2. Student, Parent, and Coach
3. Student, Parent, Coach, and AD
4. Student, Parent, Coach, AD and Superintendent

If an athlete reports or exhibits any signs, symptoms, or behaviors of a concussion, that athlete must be removed from all physical activity, including sports and recreation. If signs or symptoms of a concussion occur, the athlete must (1) be removed from play; (2) ensure the athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional: MD (Doctor of Medicine), DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), LAT (License
Athletic Trainer); with specialized studies in concussions; (3) inform the athletes parents about the possible concussion and give them information; (4) keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until an appropriate health-care professional says the athlete is symptom-free.

Signs and symptoms of concussions include, but are not limited to: headache, neck pain, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, balance problems, sensitivity to light and noise, and confusion.

Once the athlete is determined to be symptom free, they must complete the return to play protocol. This return to play protocol should be supervised by a licensed medical professional.

Graduated Return to Play Protocol

1. Complete rest from physical activity until asymptomatic and impact testing results return to baseline
2. Light Aerobic activity for 20 minutes at 30-40% of maximum exertion
3. Sport-specific exercise for 30 minutes should be done at 40-60% of maximum exertion
4. Non-contact training drills for 30-60 minutes should be done at 60-80% of maximum exertion
5. Full contact practice for the full duration of typical practice time

Each stage is to take at least 24 hours, but may take longer. Each stage should be completed while asymptomatic. Full return to play should be at the discretion of the supervising, licensed medical professional.

S.W.A.Y. (Concussion Testing)

1. All 7th grade football players
2. All Freshmen
3. All Juniors
4. Any student athlete new to MCPSD1
5. Any student who missed testing in their freshman or junior years

Concussion Training

In accordance with North Dakota state legislation, any official, coach, or person designated to be responsible for athletes during practices or games is required to receive biennial training concerning concussions. Completion of this training will be kept on file.

Be It Enacted by the Legislative Assembly of North Dakota

1. Each school district and nonpublic school that sponsors or sanctions any athletic activity in this state and requires a participating student to regularly practice or train, and compete, is subject to the terms of a concussion management program.
2. The concussion management program must set forth in clear and readily comprehensible language the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
3. (A) The concussion management program must require that a student be removed from practice, training, or competition if: (1) The student reports any sign or symptom of a concussion, as set forth in accordance with this section; (2) The student exhibits any sign or symptom of a concussion, as set forth in accordance with this section; or (3) A licensed, registered, or certified health care provider whose scope of practice includes the recognition of concussion signs and symptoms determines, after observing the student, that the student may have a concussion. (B) The duty to remove a student under the conditions set forth in this subsection extends to: (1) Each official; (2) The coach of a student; and (3) Any other individual designated by the school district or nonpublic school as having direct responsibility for the student during practice, training, or competition.
4. The concussion management program must require that any student who is removed in accordance with subsection 3 must be evaluated as soon as practicable by a licensed health care provider who is acting within the provider's scope of practice and trained in the evaluation and management of concussion, as determined by the provider's licensing board.
5. (A) A student who is evaluated in accordance with subsection 4 and believed to have suffered a concussion may not be allowed to return to practice, training, or competition until a licensed health care provider who meets the criteria set forth in subsection 4 authorizes the student’s return. (B) The authorization required by this subsection must be: (1) In writing; (2) Presented or forwarded to the individual designated by the student's school district or nonpublic school for receipt of such authorizations; and (3) Retained by the student's school district or school for a period of seven years after conclusion of the student's enrollment. c. Any health care provider who signs an authorization in accordance with this section is acknowledging that the provider is acting within the provider's scope of practice and is trained in the evaluation and management of concussion, as determined by the provider's licensing board.
6. The concussion management program must require that each official, coach, and individual designated by the school district or nonpublic school as having direct responsibility for the student during practice, training, or competition receive biennial training regarding the nature and risk of concussion.
7. The student's school district or nonpublic school shall ensure that before a student is allowed to participate in the athletic activity described in subsection 1, the student and the student's parent shall document that they have viewed information regarding concussions incurred by students participating in athletic activities. The required information must be provided by the student's school district or nonpublic school and must be made available in printed form or in a verifiable electronic format.
8. This section does not create any liability for, or create a cause of action against:
   1. A school district, its officers, or its employees;
   2. A nonpublic school, its officers, or its employees; or
   3. An official.
9. A school district or a nonpublic school may contract for and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or nonpublic source, in order to meet the requirements of this section.
10. For the purposes of this section, "official" means an umpire, a referee, a judge, or any other individual formally officiating at an athletic event.

Dances MUST receive prior approval from the high school principal. All dances (except for prom) must be from 8:00 to 11:00 PM for senior high students. Once students arrive at a dance, they may not leave. The doors will be locked 15 minutes after the start of the dance. No student will be admitted after 15 minutes into the start of the dance except by pre-arrangement on a case-by-case basis. Students attending prom may not leave the building after "grand march" and be readmitted.

Any students dancing inappropriately (grinding/lewd) will be asked to leave the dance and lose the privilege of coming to dances for the remainder of the school year.

The following rules and regulations concerning the extracurricular activities in the McKenzie County Public School District #1 are set up to govern all school-sponsored activities and performances. Exempt from these rules would be classroom-sponsored activities.

Offenses/Suspensions

• 1.1 The mere presence of tobacco, alcohol, or any controlled substance as defined by North Dakota Law. (See 1.3 for definition of mere presence.)
• 1.2 Steroid Policy: the use, possession or sale of non-prescriptive anabolic steroids by any student at any time during the year is prohibited. Any student found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to the penalties provided in this policy. The use or possession of anabolic steroids prescribed or directed by a physician shall not be a violation of this section.
• 1.3 Mere presence: the administration will take into consideration whether the student was in a vehicle, hotel room, house or at a location where the student had knowledge that alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances were present, and whether or not the student had a reasonable opportunity to remove himself or herself from said location.
  • 1.3-A An intention to leave is not a defense. Nor is being the “designated driver.”
  • 1.3-B Stay and risk the loss of eligibility for extracurricular activities.
• 1.4 Involvement in an act, which, if done by an adult, would be designated a felony under the laws of North Dakota, another state, or the United States. A violation of the laws governing the operation of a motor vehicle does not fall under this paragraph.

Violation

Students violating this policy will be suspended from representing WCHS in any extracurricular activities for 6 weeks for the first offense and an 18-week suspension for any subsequent offense. The period of suspension shall begin from the date and time the school administrator gives notification to the student. The student may still practice, but cannot represent the school at functions. Extracurricular activities include all sports, music, and drama activities, all clubs and organizations, and any other activities that are not part of the normal classroom (for example: dances, prom, banquets, regional science fair, state fair, school plays, concerts, SkillsUSA, pep band, homecoming candidates, etc.).

In addition to meeting the eligibility rules of the NDHSAA, students must also meet the eligibility rules of WCHS.

Spring Suspensions

A. If a student is involved in a spring sport his/her suspension will continue until the state meet is concluded for the sport or the last day of the school year, whichever is later. Any days left in the suspension shall be served the following fall term.

B. If a student is not involved in a spring sport, his/her suspension will continue until the last day of the school term. Any days left in the suspension shall be served the following fall term.

C. Students involved in fall sports shall begin their suspension, which was carried over from the spring, at the beginning of their fall sports season first practice date.

D. Students not involved in fall sports begin their suspension, which was carried over from the spring, at the beginning of the fall term.

E. If any student is in the process of serving an eighteen-week suspension when school ends in the spring he/she will be required to serve a minimum suspension of six weeks. If the six-week minimum was not met in the spring of the year, the days necessary to serve a minimum six-week suspension shall be carried over to the fall term. The administration of this suspension shall follow the guidelines of A-D above.

F. Suspensions carried over from the spring shall not factor into a student's violations when determining multiple infractions during a school year.

Summer Infractions

Any student determined by law enforcement personnel or self / parent reported to be in possession of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco during the summer, including multiple infractions shall be declared ineligible for the first 2 occurring varsity dates of events, if not on varsity the student will be ineligible for 2 events at his/her level of play for each season the student-athlete participates in throughout the school year. However, summer infractions shall not factor into a student’s violation when determining multiple infractions during a school year. Students active in Co-Curricular Activities such as FFA, SkillsUSA, Music, Speech, Drama and School sponsored events will become eligible the 2nd Monday in September.

Procedures

• 3.1 The school administrator (principal or athletic director) shall immediately investigate any alleged violation of the alcohol, tobacco, and controlled substance rule of the NDHSAA.
• 3.2 If the administrator has reasonable grounds to believe that these rules have been violated, they shall give the student immediate notice of suspension in writing.
• 3.3 The period of suspension shall begin from the date and time the notification is received by an administrator.

Student-athletes are allowed to participate on more than one extracurricular team during the same season but must indicate a primary activity to eliminate any confusion on any conflicting dates. Coaches will work together with the athlete to determine daily schedules, but the student needs to realize that not being fully committed to an activity could impact their playing time. Dual-sport athletes are required to attend practice and/or contests for at least one of their respective sports per day, and are encouraged to do both, if possible. Dual-activity students will only be allowed to be dismissed early from school for contests three times per week unless approved by administration. Junior high student-athletes will only be able to miss school two times per week, unless participating on the high school team. If, at any time during the season, a dual-activity student is on the ineligible list, they will only be able to participate in one activity the rest of the season. The student will pick which activity they will continue to participate in.

Junior High/Senior High: In order to stress the importance of academics to the future of our youth, an eligibility policy is also in effect for participation of all students in activities. Parents/guardians and students are reminded that the best approach to improving achievement in school is to work with the teacher as a TEAM. Activities need to be kept in perspective as they are a benefit to the student if they are treated as part of total student growth.

In order to be eligible to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, students at WCHS or WCMS may only be failing one course at the time the report is run. Grades will be checked for all students at midterm, end of the quarter, midterm and semester for high school students. For middle school students, the grades will be checked on a 3-week basis in terms of each quarter. The 3rd, 6th and 9th week of each middle school quarter will be a full check. The dates of the grade checks will be determined in advance, usually the Wednesday following the end of the quarter/semester.

Students that are failing more than one course will be ineligible for one week. The grades of the students identified on the initial grade check will be checked again the following Wednesday at noon. Should a student still be failing more than one course, they will be ineligible for another week. Grades of ineligible students will continue to be checked weekly until the next grade check for all students occurs. At the end of the semester for high school students, grades will be checked after final grades have been stored. Any student failing more than one course at this time will be ineligible for two weeks. Any student failing more than one course at the end of the second semester will be ineligible for two weeks at the start of the fall season or start of the semester, whichever comes first. In middle school, should a student be failing more than one course at the end of a quarter, they will be ineligible for one week.

Home schooled students with residence within McKenzie County School District #1 will be able to compete at the high school level when they have reached grades 7-12. Each home schooled student will be required to take 6 classes. The home school parent/guardian will send grades to the Athletic Director at midterm, quarter, midterm, and end of the semester. These dates will be provided by the school. The grades should be based on the semester grade for the student-athlete. Home school students will follow all NDHSAA and WCHS rules and guidelines.

Students are not allowed to practice or participate in activities during the day(s) that they are in in-school or out-of-school suspension.

Every instructor has authority over all students at all times in all areas of the school premises, whether during school hours, after school, Saturdays, or other times. Students are under jurisdiction not only of their classroom instructors but all instructors. If any instructor makes a reasonable request for a student to do something, the student should respect that request.

1. Varsity
2. JV
3. Sophomore
4. Freshmen
5. 7th-8th Grade
6. 6th Grade – No 6th graders may play at any other level than 6th Grade.

1. If a student-athlete is moving up a level, a meeting needs to take place between the coach and the parents/guardians, and if necessary, the athletic director.
2. The questions that will be asked will be...
   1. Is the athlete physically mature enough for that level? (Safety)
   2. Is the athlete mentally mature enough for that level?
   3. What will be the effect of the teams involved?
   4. What are the parents’ thoughts and concerns?

If parents/guardians, coaches and the athletic director are satisfied with this move, then it can take place. This must be presented to the athletic director for documentation purposes.

• A one-level jump is usually not an issue, but a two or more-level jump is very much a concern.
• A coach must be aware that this can be reversed at any time by the parents.
• If we do not have a team at a level, it does not mean we skip that consideration.
• We will not fill in just because it is a numbers issue.

This section is part of the athletic registration process; this is for referral only.

McKenzie County Public School District #1 students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to round out their educational program. However, it must be clearly understood that participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege, not a right, and with privileges come certain responsibilities.

1. Students in grades 7-12 may earn letters in extracurricular activities.
2. Participants must follow and abide by all North Dakota High School Activities rules. (Copies of NDHSAA laws are available in the office for review.)
3. A participant’s academic eligibility will be determined by compliance with the weekly Academic Performance Report. In order to be eligible to participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities, students at WCHS or WCMS may only be failing one course at the time the report is run. Grades will be checked for all students on midterm, end of the quarter, midterm and semester. Students that are failing more than one course will be ineligible for one week. The grades of the students identified on the initial grade check will be checked again the following Wednesday at noon. Should a student still be failing more than one course, they will be ineligible for another week.
4. Coaches/advisors will notify all participants of curfew hours and rules before the season begins.
5. All students involved in extracurricular activities are expected to be in school attendance for the last four periods of the day of a game, contest, or activity. A student who must miss school on any activity day must clear the absence with the principal or activities director before missing school to be certain of their eligibility for that particular contest.
6. A participant receiving school suspension will not be allowed to attend any school activity during the days of suspension.
7. A participant is to travel to and from an event with the team/group unless a parent requests and a coach/advisor permits the student to travel with the parent.
8. The proper procedure to address a positive or negative situation with a specific extracurricular activity is to visit with the following personnel in the stated order: 1) Advisors/Directors/Coaching Staff 2) AD 3) Principal 4) Superintendent 5) School Board.
9. I have read the Concussion policy/ND Law on Concussions.

Student’s and parent’s signatures of receipts and adherence to the McKenzie County Public School District #1 extracurricular guidelines must be on file with the Activities Director before a student will be allowed to participate in an activity or sport.

The purpose of the NDHSAA Behavior Expectations is to elevate standards of good sportsmanship and to encourage the growth of responsible citizenship among the students, member schools and their personnel.

Since WCHS is a member of the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA), all students must meet the NDHSAA eligibility rules to participate in NDHSAA sponsored activities. Coaches and advisors will provide students with a pamphlet listing the NDHSAA eligibility rules.

A $60.00 per sport/activity participation fee is required of all senior high students participating in any sport ($50.00 per sport/activity for junior high students). A $250.00 family participation max for senior and junior high students. All fees are to be paid before the student participates in the first event of a particular sport/activity. Scholarships are available for students needing assistance in paying the participation fees.

Every athletic participant (grades 6-12) will need a yearly physical exam. The physical form should be turned into the high school office to be kept as a record. Any athletes not having a physical exam prior to or on the first day of practice will not be able to participate in activities until an exam form has been handed in to the coach or the high school office. The physical exam must not have been taken before April 15 of the previous school year.

The building principal and activities director may permit groups to schedule school activities after 6:00 PM on Wednesday evenings. The intent is to not have any activities after 6:00 PM. In the event of scheduling an event on a Wednesday night, this must be approved by the administration.

The McKenzie County Public School District #1 believes that sports programs serve educational purposes in the lives of the district’s students. One of the purposes is the development of good sportsmanship. The primary focus of the challenge of achieving good sportsmanship is on the student, but others are involved.

The School Board believes that administrators must insist that good sportsmanship is the goal; activities directors must realize the value of sportsmanship and set the tone for the implementation of its good practice.

The coaches/advisors must accept the responsibility of making each activities contest a showcase for education. They are expected to be models of self-control and dignity for participants and spectators.

The participants must be taught to handle themselves in a sportsman-like way; they are also expected to project good sportsmanship in the activities in which they participate.

Spectators must realize that they also must exhibit good sportsmanship at all activities. Spectators serve as a model for their own children and for other young people in the community. Spectators also need to demonstrate self-control and dignity while participating in activities.

Good sportsmanship practices will be demonstrated by administrators and coaches, students will be taught good sportsmanship and be held accountable for their actions, and spectators will be reminded and encouraged to be appropriate role models for young people. Review the NDHSAA Behavior Expectations.

The McKenzie County Public School District #1 will provide transportation for all school-sponsored sanctioned events away from home. Any student traveling for an event between November 1 and March 31 will be required to have a stocking cap and gloves along with them. Bus drivers and coaches have the right to leave a student-athlete at home that does not comply. Students and athletes are to make sure they use their electronic devices in a non-distracting way for the safety of all on the bus. If asked to turn them off by a coach and/or bus driver, they are to be put away for the safety of everyone. Coaches have total discretion on the use of these devices. All students going on overnight sponsored activities will be subject to bag searches before they board the school bus/school vehicle.

Students who are ineligible either academically or through suspension will not be allowed out of school for an early dismissal to attend activities, or be allowed to travel with a team or group. Ineligible students will not be allowed to represent the school during a contest-public performance. Students will be allowed, and are encouraged, to attend all practices during the time of ineligibility. Students who are ineligible because of an NDHSAA Drug, Alcohol, or Tobacco violation cannot participate, but can practice with the team or group at the coach’s discretion. Students in the activity can still attend home games to either sit on the bench (street clothes) or be assigned a duty to help run the event. This will be at the discretion of the coach/advisor.

This section is part of the athletic registration process; this is for referral only.

Watford City High School Athletic Trainers (“WCHS Athletic Trainers”) provide “Athletic Training” services to WCHS athletes, whose services include the prevention, emergency care, first aid, treatment, and rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries using certain physical modalities (i.e. methods of treatment). “Athletic Injuries” means the types of musculoskeletal injury or common illness and conditions, incurred by athletes, which prevent or limit participation in sports or recreation and which WCHS Athletic Trainers are educated to treat or refer to.

I, the undersigned, certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of the child or children listed below and that I am authorized to provide informed consent for any Athletic Training provided to the applicable child below by WCHS Athletic Trainers. I hereby consent to the following (please initial where giving consent):

The child or children below may receive Athletic Training from WCHS Athletic Trainers for Athletic Injuries, as needed. WCHS Athletic Trainers may contact or otherwise communicate with other health care providers (including, without limitation, other WCHS Athletic Trainers or other healthcare professionals working with the student at WCHS) as needed for purposes of providing Athletic Training.

The above consents are intended to cover any Athletic Injury sustained in connection with any WCHS athletic competition or practice, whether on or off WCHS property, and while traveling to or from any such competition or practice under the supervision of WCHS. I understand the nature of the athletic training services which I have consented to above, and I acknowledge that no guarantees have been made to me or my child as to the results thereof.

I hereby specifically release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Watford City High School, its board members, employees, contractors and agents (including, without limitation, WCHS Athletic Trainers) from any and all claims associated with taking or refraining from taking any action in accordance with the above instructions, including, without limitation: giving, obtaining, or refraining from giving or obtaining, Athletic Training services.

I acknowledge that I am financially responsible for the payment of any medication, medical or surgical care, treatment or procedures provided to my child. I further acknowledge that the instructions set forth above will remain in effect until the minor child reaches the age of majority or I provide written notice to WCHS that I am revoking the instructions provided for in this document.

I also grant permission to the attending physician and/or emergency medical personnel to carry out any and all necessary medical and/or first aid procedures in the case of an emergency for all students listed below. I understand that every effort will be made to contact us before any procedures are carried out, if possible. However, we understand that there may be a situation in which emergency care must be undertaken immediately. We hereby give our consent to the above listed medical personnel to carry out such procedures if immediately necessary.

I further understand that Watford City High School does not carry or provide insurance to participants in school activities who may be injured or become ill while participating in a Watford City High School Sponsored Activity. All such costs are the responsibility of I, the parent or guardian.

Practice

1. Participants are expected to attend every practice.
2. An unexcused absence from practice will result in a warning for a one game/meet/match suspension.
3. A second unexcused absence will result in a one game/meet/match suspension.
4. A third unexcused absence will result in a two game/meet/match suspension.
5. A fourth unexcused absence will result in removal from the team.
6. Excused absences include family emergencies and illness. Personal appointments should be scheduled so they do not conflict with practices. Coach's discretion will also be used.
7. Any school disciplinary action that results in a participant missing practice will be considered unexcused.
8. Contact coaches ahead of time in case of a conflict.

Curfew

1. Weeknights – 10:30 pm
2. Weekends – 12:00 am
3. Nights before games – 10:30 pm
4. First offense will result in a one game/meet/match suspension.
5. Second offense will result in a two game/meet/match suspension.
6. Third offense will result in removal from the team.
7. Contact coaches ahead of time if there is a conflict.

Travel

1. Participants will ride to away games with the team.
2. Exceptions include family or medical reasons.
3. Parents/guardians may sign their child out to take them home after a game or contest.
4. At times, coaches may request cell phones to be collected or turned off to ensure there are no distractions to the athlete or other athletes.

Dress Code

1. Dress codes for home and away games will vary by sport. Head coaches will notify participants before the season begins.

Uniforms

1. Participants are responsible for any uniforms or practice gear issued to them.
2. Any gear returned at the end of the year that is considered to be less than satisfactory may require full or partial reimbursement to the school.
3. Any gear that is not returned/lost will be required to be reimbursed in full.

Conduct

Any conduct detrimental to the team will not be tolerated. Punishment, which may include suspension or removal from the team, will be determined by the coaching staff and administration. MCPSD1 athletes will also follow any rules or enforcements as set by the Rough Rider Center or Parks and Recreation involving their facilities, property, and/or staff and MCPSD1 athlete.

Guardian (G): Parent requested absences: Family vacations, trips, etc. 

Medical Appointments (M): In addition to receiving prior approval, a student must bring a note from the doctor, eye doctor, orthodontist, dentist, or other medical professional upon return to school and present it to the office.   

Ill (I): The student is too sick to come to school. 3 or more consecutive days will require a doctor’s note.   

Funeral (F): Students will have a maximum of 5 days to attend funerals. Exceptions to the limit may be made at the discretion of the Principal.    

Unexcused (U): No parent contact has been made or the student skips class. Students may be given a U if they are more than 10 minutes late, leave class without permission, or are absent from class for more than 10 minutes.     

Special Circumstances (S): Special situations approved by the Principal.    

Weather (W): Weather-related absences (determined by Superintendent). 

In and Out of School Suspension (ISS & OSS): These absences are mandated by the administration as disciplinary action.      

Extracurricular (X): These absences are generally put in by the coach/advisor.   

Other (O): Students are in the building with a staff member, but are not present in class (ex: speaking with principal, make-up testing). 

Tardy (T): Student arrived late to their assigned class.  

When your child is absent from school because of illness or in an emergency, we require that you call the school office to inform us of the reason for the absence. Please call between the hours of 7:45–9:00 am. If this does not occur, the student will be marked unexcused. The student/parent will have 2 weeks to change an unexcused absence (U) to the appropriate attendance code. After that time, the U will stay on the student’s attendance record.

Students caught skipping school or class will receive an unexcused absence. Students under the age of 16 will be reported to the school resource officer. We will follow the behavior chart in regard to skipping school and class offenses.

Students with 10 or more tardies in a class period will not receive credit for that class period. Students that reach 10 tardies in a class will be able to recover the credit back by being added to an additional tutorial period. Should students reach the 10-day limit in this class, they will lose their credit(s).  Students who are 10 or more minutes late for class periods 3-8 are counted absent. 1st and 2nd period tardies will be marked up until the 25-minute mark. After 25 minutes, the student will be marked absent. Parents will be notified of their child's tardiness through our instant alert system.

Whenever students withdraw from school, they must report to the office and pick up a withdrawal form. This form must be taken around to each teacher who will sign it when all school property has been returned.

The behavior chart has been approved by the school board. View the Behavior Chart.

Students are responsible for the proper care of all books, supplies, Chromebooks, and furniture supplied by the school. Students who disfigure property, books, windows, or do other damage to school property or equipment will be required to pay for the damage done or replace the item. This includes removing keys or modifying the Chromebook in any way.

Lunch detention will be served during the lunch period immediately following the infraction. Students serving lunch detention will be moved to the front of the line to receive their food, and then they will report to the specified room. After school, detention will be served from 3:43 to 4:30 p.m. Administration will work with students and parents to ensure the student can serve the time. Failure to report for detention will result in a conference with the principal along with a consequence (referral) through the office or the assigning teacher. Students serving detention may be asked to turn in all electronic devices to the staff member prior to serving detention.

Detention must be completed prior to attending or participating in any school sponsored event/activity.

If a teacher finds it necessary to send a student out of class because of disruptive behavior, the student must report immediately to the principal's office. The student must have a conference with the principal. Teachers will contact home and put in a referral for the behavior. Continued behavior of this sort will result in the student's parents being involved in a conference. If, after the parent conference, the situation has not been corrected, it is possible that the student may be dropped from the class with a loss of credit.

Out-of-School Suspension

Parents or guardians will be notified of the action taken. A suspended student may not loiter or appear on school property at any school activity. A student will be readmitted to school after the student, the parents and the administration agree upon a satisfactory solution to their conduct. Out-of-school suspension will not count for a student’s total absences included in the 10-day no-credit attendance policy. The opportunity to complete missing work when suspended out of school will be allowed. The exception would be in an expulsion from school.

In-School Suspension 

In-school suspension will be served in the high school library. All work and assignments will be sent down. Students are given credit for their work while serving in-school suspension. Students who are assigned to in-school suspension will not be allowed to practice, participate in, or attend any school functions that particular day. If a student does not adhere to the rules and expectations of in-school suspension, they will serve out-of-school suspension.

The willful, defacing, or destruction of any property of others will result in the student’s making restitution for the damages, detention, or suspension imposed, and the police may be notified depending on the severity of the incident. In all cases of theft of property, restitution will be made, the police will be notified, and detention, suspension, or expulsion will be imposed. 

Students will also be suspended for six weeks from all school activities, which involve a public performance (for example: prom, banquets, regional science fair, state fair, school play, concerts, Band, National Close-Up, homecoming candidates, etc.).

Services

McKenzie County Public School District #1 provides free, short-term school counseling services to all students. The focus of school counseling may be academic, social/emotional, behavioral, or career guidance. The goal of the counseling program is preventative in nature. To aid this process, the counselors may work with students on an individual, small group, or large group level. Students may be seen by the counselor based on the referral of the student from teachers, parents, school staff, or by self-referral of the student(s). 

Confidentiality

The school counselors of the McKenzie County School District abide by the American School Counseling Association guidelines along with the American Counseling Association code of ethics. We also abide by North Dakota’s Century Code 31-01-06.1, which states that “Counselors shall be immune from disclosing information given by pupils. For the purpose of counseling in a school system, any elementary or secondary school counselor possessing a valid North Dakota guidance credential from the department of public instruction, and who has been duly appointed a counselor for a school system by its proper authority, shall be legally immune from disclosing any privileged or confidential communication made to such counselor in a counseling interview. Such communication shall be disclosed when requested by the counselee.”

What That Means for the Student

The school counselor will keep information confidential, with some possible exceptions (as noted below). The school counselor may share information with parents/guardians and school personnel who work with the child on a need-to-know basis, so that we may better assist the child as a team. The school counselor is required by law to share information with parents or others in the event the child is in danger of harm to self or others. The counselor will make the child aware of these limits to confidentiality and will inform the child when sharing information with others.

Scope of Practice 

These services are aimed at providing the most effective education and socialization of the child within the school community; they are not intended to substitute a diagnosis or treatment for any mental disorder. 

Under North Dakota Immunization Law, no child will be admitted to a public or nonpublic kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, junior high school or senior high school unless she/he has a Certificate of Immunization on file. The law requires that the certificate be signed by a physician or local health department representative and be presented to the school officials by the parents or guardian of the child. The Certificate of Immunization states that the child has been vaccinated against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis B, meningitis, and chickenpox. Students that are not up-to-date by October 1 will be held out of school until the student(s) meet enrollment requirements as determined in NDCC.   

The McKenzie County School District #1 does not carry medical or hospital insurance to cover accidents to students while at school or on school activities; however, the NDHSAA provides Catastrophic Insurance coverage for those students participating in NDHSAA sponsored activities.

All medications must be administered by school personnel under appropriate procedures designated by school administration.

Students are required by school policy to keep all medication in the office.   

Parents or legal guardians will request in writing that school personnel may administer medicine to the student. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication. Forms are available in the school office. 

Medicines authorized by parents will be kept in the office at the school. The label on the container must include the name of the drug, the prescribing physician, the pharmacy and phone number, student's name, dosage, and when the medication is to be taken. All medication must be in the prescription bottle or original package. School personnel will not be responsible for modifying any medications, such as splitting pills. 

Students will be responsible for going to the office to get their medication.

All students will be expected to follow school policy even if they are 18 years of age or older. This policy will provide consistency and fair treatment for all students. Students who are 18 will not be allowed to sign in or sign out for themselves if they are living with their parents. Federal and state laws grant the “right of access” to a parent of an 18-year-old student who is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes. “Right of Access” means a parent has the right to all school records including grades, attendance, etc., which concern an 18-year-old student who is still a dependent. 

If an 18-year-old student is not living with their parents, she/he is granted responsibility for his/her own attendance. The student is required to excuse him or herself PRIOR to missing school by calling the high school office before 8:30 AM on the day she/he will miss school or class. Students who report their absences after the fact will not be excused and face the consequences described in the student handbook for unexcused absences. 

Eighteen-year-old males must register for the Selective Service via the government website.

Backpacks, book bags, gym bags, and/or similar receptacles will be allowed in classrooms. All bags are subject to search at the discretion of administration.

Period 8: 2:53-3:43 PM (50 minutes)

Beverages may be consumed in the commons, hallways, and foyers, if the containers are deposited in the receptacles provided. Failure to keep the premises neat will result in the suspension of this privilege. Beverages will be allowed in classrooms. If it becomes a distraction or a spill occurs, these privileges may be revoked on a class or individual basis. Teachers retain the right to confiscate drinks if they deem them to be a distraction.

Food will not be allowed in the classroom unless permission is granted by the classroom teacher.

At Watford City High School, we strive to be the best high school in the state, and we expect our students to look and act the part. Good personal appearance is conducive to providing a positive learning environment for all involved. 

Head

Earbuds and headsets are only allowed in the classroom per teacher approval and for educational reasons. Hats and hoods will be allowed in school provided they do not cause a distraction. Should it become a distraction or disruption, this privilege may be revoked. Teachers retain the right to ask students to remove hats or hoods if they are impeding the educational process.

Shirts/Tops 

Shirts/tops must cover most areas. This includes but is not limited to chests and stomachs. Shirts that advertise inappropriate behavior (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sexual innuendos, and inappropriate language) are not to be worn. 

Coats

Heavy winter coats will not be allowed in classrooms and should be stored in lockers.  

*Blankets/pillows and other sleeping materials are not allowed in classrooms.  

Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Dresses 

Pants, shorts, skirts, or dresses need to be worn around the waist and secured with a belt if necessary. Undergarments may not be visible. No skin or undergarments should be seen above mid-thigh. Shorts must be mid-thigh or longer. Skirts and dresses need to be at least mid-thigh in length. 

Footwear

Footwear must always be worn within the school. All footwear must be secured on the foot and, in some areas, must be closed toe (labs, shop, PE). 

Other

Written or pictorial messages on clothing/accessories (jewelry, notebooks, backpacks, cell phone cases, etc.) are not permitted if they are vulgar; belittle any race, religion, nationality, or gender. They also may not be gang related or promote violence, tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. 

Sunglasses, tinted glasses or contacts that obscure your eyes are prohibited unless prescribed by a physician.  

Students whose appearance interferes with the educational process by drawing undue attention of other students or school personnel, by posing as a potential safety hazard to themselves or others, or by being interpreted by school personnel to be offensive in either message that is implied or the parts of the body that are revealed, will be asked to change their clothing into something more appropriate or will serve time in in-school suspension. The behavior chart will be followed for each offense.

1. 16 years of age, students will be placed in the grade level that is appropriate by age;
2. Students will need to speak English;
3. Students will be involved in an activity;
4. The host family must reside in our school district;
5. Students will follow all school policies/handbook; and
6. Students will need to be incorporated with an approved foreign exchange program from the NDHSAA list.

All students leaving the building during the day must sign out in the office, and the office must receive approval from the students' parents. The only exceptions are during lunch and off hours.

Students are not allowed in the locker rooms for any reason at any part of the day except during physical education (PE) classes and only during the period that they are enrolled for PE class. Students are only permitted in the locker room when dressing for class and/or returning from class. The bathroom facilities in the locker room are for the exclusive use of students enrolled in PE. 

• No food or drink in the locker room. 
• No glass containers are permitted in the locker room. 
• Students should not store money or valuables in the PE locker rooms. 
• It is recommended that students take their PE belongings home at the end of each week. 
• No cell phone/camera use is allowed.

• Students must use the locker he/she has been assigned to.
• Lockers must be kept locked at all times. Lockers may not be jammed in an unlocked position.
• The school is not responsible for items taken from any lockers. Valuables should be checked into the High School Office for safekeeping.
• Physical Education and student/athletes will be provided a lock and assigned lockers by their coaches/teachers.
• Students who do not lock their lockers may lose the privilege of having a locker and run the risk of having items stolen.
• WCHS is not responsible for lost or stolen items in lockers. 

The school does not accept responsibility for lost/stolen items, including texts, instruments, personal property, etc. Found articles should be turned in at the school office or to the Lost and Found area of the school. Items that have been turned in may be claimed by identifying them. Clothing items left in the lost and found will be kept for one month. At the end of each month, any items not claimed will be given to local charities. Students are advised not to bring anything of personal value or large amounts of money to school to avoid having them lost or stolen. If it is necessary to do so, please check your valuables with the school office for safekeeping and pick them up after school.

Each teacher and student will have access to the E-hall pass program. Students will not be able to leave the classroom unless it is an emergency or until the last five minutes of class at the teacher’s discretion. Teachers will approve the E-hall pass at their discretion. Students will be given two passes each day. 

During the school year, the school building will open at 6:45 AM (zero hour) and close to students at 4:30 PM each day. All students are expected to be out of the building at that time unless they are under the direct supervision of a coach or other faculty member.

Any careless or reckless driving in the parking lot or on the streets around the school will be reported to the police for prosecution. Students breaking the parking lot rules will be given a written warning. Continued violations will result in school parking citations. After three citations further, parking violations will result in the student’s vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense. These rules will be enforced during regular school hours.

Seniors may reserve and paint their parking space for a $50 fee. Designs must be completed and approved by administration at the time of payment and prior to any painting occurring. Failure to follow this procedure will result in the loss of this privilege. In addition, any unapproved content added after approval will result in the loss of this privilege and no refund.

Random searches of the school parking lots and student vehicles may occur with the assistance of local law enforcement. Any students or parents not wishing for their vehicle to be searched should not park in any of the school parking lots.

The principal must approve all signs before being posted.

A student phone is available in the high school office for student use before school, during lunch break, or after school. Students will not be called to the office to take incoming calls except in the event of an emergency. However, the secretary will take messages from parents or guardians and relay the message to the student between classes.

The high school phone is answered from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM during school days.

No purchase shall be made in the name of the school or a school organization unless it has been authorized with a purchase order. The responsibility for payment or an unauthorized purchase rest completely upon the purchaser.

All visitors to WCHS must use the main door located on the west side of the building and must check in at the high school office prior to visiting the school. Visitors are welcome to visit WCHS but are not allowed to attend classes. Students from other schools are guests only during conferences, conventions, and other extracurricular activities involving their school and WCHS. Foreign exchange students will be allowed to visit and attend classes as part of the exchange program. Parents are encouraged to visit and attend classes but must register in advance.

The first Tuesday of every month will be reserved to conduct safety response protocol drills in all school buildings.

• Standard Response Protocol Parent/Guardian Handout in English
• Standard Response Protocol Parent/Guardian Handout in Spanish
• Standard Response Protocol Parent/Guardian Handout in Filipino-Tagalog

Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, headphones, earbuds, radios, recorders, CD, MP3, IPADS, IPODS, electronic readers, tape players, pagers, cellular phones, boomboxes, wireless speakers and electronic games, etc. All electronic devices besides a school-issued Chromebook are strictly prohibited upon entry to the building.  

All students will be issued a Yondr pouch, and cell phones must be placed and locked inside each day upon entering the building. This includes time before school starts. Any student seen in possession of a cell phone that is not locked in a pouch, will have the cell phone immediately confiscated. The behavior chart will be followed for consequences of breaking the cell phone policy. Students will unlock their pouches upon leaving the building. Students that have off hours may unlock their pouches if they leave the building. If they remain in the building, even if they have an off period, their phones must remain in their pouch until the end of the school day (3:43 PM CT).

Any student that loses their pouch may leave their phone at home or in the office. Additionally, they may purchase a replacement for $25.  

Students may access their phones if they leave the building for lunch. They will need to exit and enter through the main office to have their pouch unlocked and show the office staff that they have been re-locked upon reentry to the building.

Accommodations will be made for students that need a cell phone for medical purposes, such as, but not limited to, checking their blood sugar levels.

Laser devices of any kind are strictly forbidden from school property.

If parents need to contact their child, they must call the school secretary, who will then relay the message to the child. Do not try to contact them by cell phone during class time as doing so will only help to get them in trouble. Parents are encouraged to send their students emails on their school-issued Chromebook.

Under no circumstances will the use of cameras and camera phones be used in areas, such as locker rooms, washrooms, dressing areas, and offices at any time. Such use may also be in violation of the criminal code.

At no time may a student capture the image by any means of any person in the school (including all staff and students) without the advance written consent of the person, or in the case of a minor, the parent.

The device (Chromebook) being issued to students is for educational purposes. Students must fill out and sign the Technology Policy for School Issued Device contract prior to receiving their Chromebook. Students will be charged for any damage to their Chromebook based on the cost of repairs or replacement. Charges will be determined after an assessment of the device by the school’s technology department.  

Student Expectations

1. Students will be responsible for the security and care of the device from the time of issuance until returned to the school.
2. Students will be expected to bring their device to class on a daily basis unless otherwise directed by the teacher.
3. Students will be responsible for ensuring the device is charged and ready for learning at all times during the school day.
4. Students will be responsible for managing the available storage in the device and for ensuring that file storage is managed in such a way that it does not impede access to required applications. It is recommended that students save documents to school-provided cloud-based storage for retrieval as needed.
5. Students will utilize the device as directed by their teachers and in a manner that is educationally appropriate.
6. Students will abide by all school rules as outlined in the Student Handbook and Acceptable Use Policies.
7. Students acknowledge that MCPSD#1 may access school-issued devices at any time to verify contents.
8. Students will not use the device to take or view inappropriate, illicit or sexually explicit photographs or videos, nor will it be used to embarrass, harass or bully anyone in any way.
9. Use of the Chromebook camera and microphone are strictly prohibited in the classroom and hallways unless directed by a teacher and for a specific educational purpose. Use of the camera or microphone in private areas such as restrooms and locker rooms is strictly prohibited.
10. Students leaving/withdrawing from MCPSD#1 will return the device to the school immediately. Those in violation of this expectation will be lawfully prosecuted.
11. Devices that are stolen must be reported immediately to the Office and the Police Department.
12. Misuse or willful destruction of the device may result in school discipline. Inappropriate use includes but is not limited to the following:
    1. Intentionally damaging the device
    2. Visiting inappropriate websites
    3. Sending, forwarding, or sharing inappropriate content
    4. Possessing, taking, or sending inappropriate pictures and/or media files
    5. Cheating
    6. Installing unapproved apps
    7. Attempting to hack/break intended security
    8. Defacing the device with stickers, carvings, drawings, etc.  

Take Home Rules  

1. Only the student to whom it is issued will use the device.
2. Students are allowed to connect to other wireless networks.
3. Parents/guardians assume responsibility for monitoring student use of the Internet while using the Chromebook on their home network.
4. Students and parents may decline take-home privileges by contacting the office.
5. Students/parents/guardians who decline take-home privileges will be required to check out their Chromebook at the beginning of the day and check in at the conclusion of the day. Declining take-home privileges does not excuse the student from due dates for any task that may require the use of the device.
6. Failure of the student to meet expectations for care or responsible use of their device may result in take-home privileges being temporarily or permanently suspended.  

Technical Difficulties, Damage & Repair  

1. If technical difficulties occur, the device will be restored from backup. The school does not accept responsibility for the loss of any software or documents deleted.
2. The software originally installed must remain on the device in usable condition and be accessible at all times. The school may add applications for use in a particular course.
3. A loaner device may be issued to students when students leave their device for repair in the technology department.
4. Chromebook repair/replacement costs:
   1. Entire Chromebook: $300
   2. Charger: $40
   3. Screen: $60
   4. Keyboard: $75
   5. Bevel: $35
   6. Port (USB or audio): $50
   7. Hinge and Hinge Covers: $50
   8. Camera: $50
   9. Battery: $65
   10. Protective Case: $40 

Returning Your Device

1. Devices will be returned during the final week of school. If a student transfers out of MCPSD#1 during the school year, the device will be returned upon withdrawal.
2. Individual school devices and accessories must be returned to the school. Students who graduate early, withdraw, are expelled, or terminate enrollment at MCPSD#1 for any other reason must return their school device on the date of termination.
3. If a student fails to return the device at the end of the school year or upon termination of enrollment at MCPSD#1, the student will be subject to pay the replacement cost of the device. Failure to return the device or pay for the device will result in a theft report being filed with the Watford City Police Department.
4. The student will be responsible for any damage to the device and must return the computer and accessories to the MCPSD#1 technology department in satisfactory condition. The student will be charged a fee for any needed repairs, not to exceed the replacement cost of the device.