Distance Learning
All students will attend a Brick & Mortar traditional school. For options regarding full-time virtual school, please contact Joni Mock at the GCSD Office of Instructional Services at 850.229.6940.
Attendance
Research has clearly shown a link between attendance and academic achievement. To ensure our students are given every opportunity to reach their fullest potential The Gulf County School Board has adopted the following attendance policy:
- The first three (3) absences in each 9-week period, will be excused with a parent or doctor’s note.
- After the first three absences in each 9-week period, a doctor’s note will be required for an absence to be considered excused.
- If a student’s absence is marked unexcused, the highest score they can attain on any assignment for that day is 59/F.
The school board also approved a semester exam exemption policy which is a fantastic incentive to encourage improved attendance. The details are as follows:
- If a student has 4 or less absences in all classes, then he or she can exempt semester exams in classes with a semester average of A or higher
- If a student has 2 or less absences in all classes, then he or she can exempt semester exams in classes with a semester average of B or higher
- If a student has perfect attendance, then he or she can exempt semester exams in classes with a semester average of C or higher
- If students earn an exemption in all classes for the complete day of scheduled semester exams, they can be excused from school for that day.
Note: This is an exciting incentive program, which is not designed to penalize students, but rather to reward exceptional attendance. With legitimate illnesses, doctor’s appointments, funerals, etc., it is unlikely that even dedicated students will meet the attendance/grade benchmarks for every semester during their time at WHS. However, with twelve opportunities to earn exemptions (there are twelve semesters for students progressing from grades 7-12), students who strive diligently will potentially receive this benefit on several occasions. In addition, even if students do not meet the exemption standard, those that endeavor to do so will significantly improve their academic performance due to increased time in class.
Tardies
- The student is responsible for regular and punctual class attendance. Students must be inside the classroom by the end of the ringing of the tardy bell in order not to be considered tardy. The teacher/office staff will determine if a tardy is excused or unexcused.
- Students who arrive five (5) minutes after the beginning of the school day must report to the office to receive a tardy pass
- Students will be allowed one (1) unexcused tardy in each class per nine (9) weeks. When a student is issued a second (2nd) unexcused tardy in a class, he/she may be referred to the office for disciplinary action.
- Please note that students who are late to 1st period must sign in through the front office and receive a tardy pass to class. Excused tardies for 1st period are doctor’s appt., court, DMV appt., and bus related tardies. All other tardies must be approved by school administration.
Dress Code
- Students may wear jeans with holes or tears, but no flesh may show 5 inches or more above the knee in the front and back.
- Shorts worn must be no shorter than 5 inches above the knee in the front and back-this applies also to boys.
- Girls may wear leggings as long as they have a shirt that hangs below buttocks.
- Crop Tops will not be permitted. Shirts must fall below the waistband.
- Dresses worn may be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee in the front and back.
- Necklines may not expose cleavage.
- Girls may wear sleeveless tops having a minimum two (2) inch wide shoulder strap.
- Boys are not allowed to wear tank tops.
- Pajamas must not be worn except on designated days.
- Blouses made of sheer fabric may be worn only as an over blouse to tops that meet previously stated guidelines.
- Pants must be worn at the waistline. Low riding, sagging pants are no permitted and undergarments must not be visible. If belts are worn they must be buckled.
- Hoods, hats, caps, head stockings, hair rollers, sunglasses, bandanas, combs, headbands, and other types of headwear shall not be worn except in designated areas and on designated days.
- Shoes must be worn at all times. Bedroom slippers or shower shoes are not permitted. All students must wear soft soled athletic shoes in PE classes. Hard soled shoes are not permitted in gymnasiums.
- Clothing or accessories bearing profane, suggestive, offensive, obscene or gang related language, symbols, slogans or advertising alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or unlawfully controlled substances are not permitted.
- Appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times and must not be seen.
- Beach attire is not to be worn at school.
- Wallet chains, dog collars, or other inappropriate chains or accessories will not be allowed on campus.
- Trench coats and other distracting oversized clothing will not be allowed on campus.
Students wearing clothing that does not meet dress code will be provided school issued sweatpants or shirt/sweatshirt. At the close of the day, the student will return the school issued clothing and collect their clothing from the office. If a student refuses to wear the school issued attire, he or she will be placed in ISD for the remainder of the day.
The school administration is the final authority regarding the appropriateness of dress and grooming. The student code of conduct will be applied to violations of the dress code.
Ear Buds
- Earphones or Earbuds are NOT permitted at school and may be taken up if visible to school Staff. If listening devices are needed for instruction, teachers will provide those.
1st offense: Asked to put away.
2nd offense: surrendered and the student can pick it up after school
3rd offense: surrendered, with a referral, and the parent must pick up at school
Cell Phones
- Cell phones may be used before the morning bell, between classes, during lunch, and after school.
- Cell phones must be turned off and not visible while entering any classroom, office, media center, locker room, lab, etc. Exceptions may be made by the teacher if the phone is to be used as an instructional device.
- If a cell phone rings, vibrates, is used for any reason, or is visible during any prohibited time, the student will be required to surrender the phone. At any time school personnel feel the presence of a cell phone to be detrimental to the learning/teaching environment, the student will be required to surrender the phone. Refusal to surrender the phone will be considered an act of defiance punishable according to the Code of Conduct.
- No photos or videos should be taken without administrative approval.
- Emergency calls will be allowed with approval.
- In the event of theft, the school will accept no responsibility and no investigation will occur.
- Students may not be in possession of a cell phone during standardized testing. Failure to comply will result in the invalidation of the test. Similarly, cell phones are not permitted during other testing situations or in dual enrollment. Violation of this policy will result in serious disciplinary consequences.
1st offense: Asked to put up phone
2nd offense: Phone surrendered and the student can pick it up after school
3rd offense: Phone surrendered, with a referral, and the parent must pick up the phone at school