Centennial High School

330 East Laurel Street
Fort Collins CO 80524
Phone: 970.488.4940
Fax: 970.488.4942

Student Handbook 2005-2006

Welcome to Centennial High School

On behalf of the staff and students at Centennial High School we would like to welcome you to our school. Centennial is unique because the program and the staff are dedicated to providing opportunities for personal, career, and academic growth. We attempt to create an intimate nurturing environment where we can learn and be successful together.

Centennial High School is a special place because you have chosen to be here and we have chosen you. We believe you can succeed! We are committed to assisting you in your success. Your main responsibility is to commit to achieve success by pledging to accept the norms and expectations of this program. We hope to establish a partnership in your vision for success so that when you leave here you have the necessary skills to successfully achieve goals throughout your life.

Centennial High School is a community for learning. Catch the vision for success. If you think it, say it, believe it, and act it, success will by yours. Welcome to the Centennial family.

Purpose

Centennial High School serves two purposes for the Poudre School District:

• To assist students to develop the life skills necessary to increase self-esteem and self-confidence, and to achieve success in an educational setting.
• To provide an alternative educational setting for students to complete their high school diploma.

Mission Statement

"Centennial High School teaches every student to pursue personal excellence through a distinctive, innovative, accepting, learning environment."

Vision Statement

"Build a reputation of excellence."

Motto

"Pursue personal excellence."

Introduction

In the spring of 1976 the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges accredited the Adult School Program of Poudre School District as Centennial Adult High School.

In the fall of 1979, the Alternative Learning Center which had been a program in the district since 1976, became incorporated into Centennial Adult High School the DAY PROGRAM.

In 1989, the North Central Association recognized Centennial High School as a fully accredited OPTIONAL HIGH SCHOOL. Serving the students residing in the Poudre School District.

Philosophy

The staff of Centennial High School believe that every human being is worth of dignity and respect. We seek to guide every student to accept responsibility for their individual actions and to teach each student to critically evaluate his/her own life goals. Emphasis is placed on teaching students how to learn so they are able to function in society as self-reliant, self-supporting, contributing individuals.

Centennial High School strives to facilitate a smooth transition for students from senior high school into the world of work and continued learning by meeting established academic standards and developing a positive attitude toward life and their potential for success.

Enrollment Requirements

• Centennial is open to students between the ages of 15-21.
• Attend a required Centennial High School orientation.
• Complete necessary forms, secure a letter of recommendation, provide a letter of adult commitment/support, take a TABE test and attend any additional required meetings with a counselor and a student panel.

Guidance and Counseling Program

The guidance and counseling program is the role of ALL staff members. Centennial students receive instruction, support, and professional services from a staff that has a genuine interest in providing for their needs. Centennial students additionally receive all the guidance and counseling services that are available to students at the comprehensive schools: college placement, testing, career counseling, personal and group counseling, and referral for special services.

Advantages of Attending Centennial High School

• A culture focused on leaning and success
• Smaller classes (10:1 student/teacher ratio)
• The Roads Scholar Experiential Education Program
• Opportunities for personal, group, and vocational counseling
• Clearly defined expectations for student behavior
• Less formal atmosphere
• The Discovery Program
• Health Care Services
• SART Team _ Trained peers in sexual assault support
• Peer Mediation-peers trained in conflict resolution
• Closed Campus
• No Smoking Campus/Smoking cessation classes
• Building Trades Program-one of the best in Colorado
• Supplemental lunch program
• Elective Week activities
• Equine Science Program

Curriculum Requirements

State Standards: Poudre School District Requirements

Repeating Classes: Students may not earn credit for any class they have already passed at Centennial High School.

Extra Credit: Additional credit may be earned if students exceed course requirements. Centennial High School will require all students to earn 220 credit hours to receive a diploma and meet district and building standards.

Grading: Students will receive grades and credits based on performance and days present at Centennial. Work that does not meet minimum expectations of at least a "C: will be marked "U" for unsatisfactory and they will receive no credit for the class.

Staff

» View entire staff list.

Bell Schedule

» View entire bell schedule.

Attendance Policy

Commitment to learning must be demonstrated in every action and attitude in order to maintain enrollment status at Centennial High School.

Students at Centennial High will be required to maintain 95% attendance. For students who exceed the number of absences the following may occur:

• loss of credit
• may be placed on contract
• may be dropped from the current hexter
• may be required to complete independent study packets.

Students are required to make up work missed for any absence. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate this desire to the teacher. The teacher may require the student to report: to the Friday's zero hour, before or after school or during noontime until the work is completed. Rewards and incentives will focus on increasing attendance and promoting motivation to achieve perfect attendance.

Zero Hour

A student is required to do homework if they have missed a day or are behind. If the student does not catch up by the end of the week, they will be required to attend Zero Hour for all classes that they are enrolled in, approximately 15 minutes per class. Zero Hour is every Friday; it begins at 8:00 a.m. and runs until 9:25 a.m. Zero Hour attendance is part of each student's 95% attendance commitment.

Tardy Policy

Promptness is an expectation at Centennial High School. Students who are late to class must report to the Attendance Clerk for an admit-to-class slip. Any student who is more than ten (10) minutes late to his/her first hour class will be considered absent for that period. Students who are more than two (2) minutes late for every class thereafter will be considered absent for that class. Three tardies will equal an absent and will ultimately result in a loss of credits.

Closed Campus

Centennial High School is a closed campus throughout the day including the lunch hour. Students who leave campus without permission will be marked absent for the remainder of the day.

Students may receive permission to leave campus at lunchtime through Rights and Responsibility Application approved by operations committee.

Student Driver Policy

Many Centennial class activities require off campus participation. Students must have on file the following documents to drive to any school activity: (and notify school of any changes.)

• Car registration
• Proof of current insurance
• Valid driver's license

6 P's (Standard Norms at CHS)

1. PMA-Positive Mental Attitude.
2. Prompt-A CHS student makes a commitment to be on time.
3. Polite-A CHS student will demonstrate consideration for others.
4. Produce-A CHS student meets all class expectations in every class.
5. Participate-A CHS student is expected to join in and share experiences.
6. Prepared-A CHS student needs to be ready to learn when the bell rings.

Alcohol/Drugs and Tobacco

1. Students will be asked to sign a pledge card which states that they are expected to be clean and sober on campus and exhibit no side effects of previous intoxication or substance use.
2. If more than one staff member believes there is a probable cause, students must submit to drug assessment.
3. Conferences may be held to determine nature and extent of problem.
4. Private or group counseling and other intervention may be required.
5. Students using tobacco products on campus or within view of school will be issued a ticket by Fort Collins Police Department.

Gang Policy

Any gangs, gang related colors/symbols, signs or gestures will not be tolerated at Centennial High School.

Fight/Violence Policy

There is zero tolerance for physical altercation at CHS. Any student who strikes, hits, or pushes another student will be dropped from CHS. Appeals Process: Violation of the fight/violence policy results in termination of a student's enrollment at CHS. Within 3 days of the violation a student may appeal in writing to re-enter CHS. The appeals committee of 2 staff members and one (1) administrator will be selected to serve for one (1) year. The findings of the committee and their recommendations will be final.

Dress Code

CHS maintains the right to ask students to change clothing that may interrupt, be offensive, or show a lack of respect for the culture.

Cellular Phone/Pager Policy

Students may not use cellular phones in class. Students may have cell phones in their possession as long as they do not interrupt classroom instruction.

Smoking

The City of Fort Collins and the Poudre School District do not permit smoking on any campus. Students may receive a police citation for smoking on campus or within view of campus.

Code of Conduct

The code of Conduct JICDA, will be distributed in accordance with Poudre School District procedures. It is the responsibility of each student to adhere to the contents.

Student Fee Structure

» View entire fee structure.