High school students talking to each other

What students, parents and guardians need to know

Skyview is proud to operate as a school community via our core values of Trust, Integrity and a commitment to Excellence. These positive character traits guide all behaviors within our school, and are adopted by all, from our students in each grade level to our staff, faculty and administration.

These policies may be specific to Skyview and are not necessarily the same throughout the district’s other high schools.

Students who ride district buses are reminded that the same behavioral expectations are in effect as during the school day. Students must follow bus drivers’ directions at all times and refrain from any behavior that is disruptive or in violation of district guidelines. When a high school student rides a school bus that is not their regular bus, they are required to give the bus driver a note signed by a parent, school authority or the student that explains they are riding a bus that is not their regular bus. This policy is due to changes in state law and for liability reasons.

Magnet buses run as follows:

Morning—Students catch their neighborhood bus to Skyview. The bus arrives here no later than 7 a.m. They then board the magnet shuttle, which leaves at 7:05 a.m. and arrives at their magnet school by 7:30.

Afternoon—Students board the magnet shuttle that returns them to Skyview. They are responsible for their own transportation home from there. We do not transport students to neighborhood stops in the afternoon.

When a parent wishes to ride a school bus to their child’s school or to ride a school bus home, they must have prior approval from the transportation supervisor. This is for reasons of state law and liability.

The business office is the hub of many school activities and handles all student body funds. Students may buy an ASB card to attend school activities, clear for athletic participation, buy athletic insurance and/or health insurance and purchase tickets to some school functions. The business office is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Students may bring cellphones to school for use during non-class time. Students may not use or have their phones visible during classes. Multiple violations shall result in warnings, in-school suspensions, suspensions and expulsions.

Clothing worn to school should be modest in appearance in keeping with an educational setting. Prohibited apparel includes gang-related items, depictions of drugs, obscenities or violence, in addition to clothing that is excessively revealing, allows underwear to be visible, exposes a bare midriff or is inappropriately short (skirts and shorts). Hats may be worn with permission from individual classroom teachers.

Offenders will be asked to call home for appropriate clothing. A few pieces of clothing may be available in the office for emergency situations. Shorts and skirts will be measured by the standing fingertip method.

Associated Student Body

The Associated Student Body (student government) is an organization of students elected to represent their classes and the school. These leaders meet daily to organize a variety of school-related projects. Student government is responsible for all dances during the year as well as charity fundraisers, blood drives and many other services and social and recreational activities. Members provide an invaluable service to the high school.

The members of ASB are elected by the student body to represent the students in all decision-making processes of the school. ASB is always open to any student who wishes to present an idea or would like to propose a new activity at Skyview. Class is held during fourth period every day in room 808. Come in during this time or contact one of the members of ASB, who will set up a time for you to present your idea or present it on your behalf. Student input from outside the class is greatly appreciated.

Clubs and organizations

Field trips are designed for the educational enrichment of students. Prior arrangement, including parental permission, must be made before you will be allowed to go on a field trip. Bus transportation will be provided for all school-approved trips and no student will be permitted to drive a car. When the number of students involved does not warrant the use of a bus, a car may be used when driven by a parent or faculty member.

We realize the importance of showing someone you care, but please do not send flowers/gift balloons to students at school. They will not be delivered, and school bus drivers will not allow students to bring balloons on the bus.

Skyview teachers will make every effort to keep parents and guardians informed about students’ progress, success and risk of failure. Teachers and staff will work with parents and guardians to establish good communication and to work together to ensure the success of all students. While some communication may occur through informal telephone calls and other means, a formal progress report will be sent to parents/guardians four times during the school year. Progress reports will indicate successes and exemplary behaviors, as well as highlight areas of academic performance needing attention and/or intervention. Progress reports will inform parents and guardians if a student is failing or at risk of failure.

Student progress reports are made the sixth and 15th week of each semester (R5123: Sec. 3, Sub Sec C).

Students wishing to withdraw from a course may do so without penalty of a failing grade provided no more than 15 school days have elapsed since the course began. An F grade will be recorded after the 15th day. Any exception to this must be approved by the building principal.

Each student’s grade point average shall be the sum of the point values of all the grades received for all courses attempted. The grade point value shall be calculated by multiplying the numerical value of the grade earned by the number of credits assigned to the course. All grades for all courses taken shall be included in the calculation of grade point averages. Grade point averages shall be calculated to two decimal places and reported for each semester or other term and for the cumulative credits earned for all courses attempted in high school.

Vancouver high schools permit an alternative grading system (credit/no credit) as follows:

  • The request for credit/no credit must be initiated by the sixth week of the semester.
  • A limit of two elective courses per semester may be taken as credit/no credit.
  • Courses required for high school graduation are not eligible for the alternative grading system.
  • Credit (CR)—the student’s achievement demonstrates satisfactory progress in the mastery of knowledge and skills presented in the course.
  • No credit (NC)—the student has not shown satisfactory progress in the mastery of knowledge and skills present in the course.
  • The CR or NC marks are not computed as part of the student’s high school grade point average.
  • Once the option has been approved, the alternative marks will be used for the ninth and 18th week achievement reports. No additional changes will be considered for that semester.
  • All service courses will be graded credit/no credit. Service courses are defined as those courses that are of a service rather than an academic nature, such as cafeteria aide, teacher assistant, office aide, etc.

The health room is located in the main office and provides students with the services of a part-time nurse. The nurse is present to provide assistance to students who are ill, injured or have other health-related concerns. While students may schedule a conference with the nurse, the services of the health room are primarily intended for needed urgent care or first aid. Unless a student has a need that is a true emergency, students wishing to see the nurse must always first check in at the front desk.

Students who have lost personal items can check with the lost and found department located at the 400 Wing Clerk desk. Items that have not been claimed at the end of a school year will be donated to a local charity.

All students and parents need to be aware that the school is not responsible for personal property that has been stolen. This includes musical instruments that have been left at school overnight or over the weekend. However, the school will do everything it can to protect students’ personal property. The school district cannot purchase insurance to cover stolen items. The only way stolen instruments/property can be covered is through parents’ homeowners’ insurance policies. Students should not bring expensive articles of clothing, jewelry, electronics, etc., to school. If a student has an item lost or stolen, they are to report it to the security office immediately.

Upon reaching your 18th birthday, you may register to vote by bringing proof of your age to the main office, where a voter registration service is provided.

A word of extreme caution: Guns, lookalike guns such as soft pellet guns, any kinds of knives, lasers or weapons are never to be brought to school by anyone. If a student brings any one of these to school it could result in an emergency expulsion, expulsion from school and arrest of the student.