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General Information

Del Norte High School Cell Phone Policy 2024 - 2025

Del Norte High School is committed to fostering a culture of learning where students are fully engaged and interact face-to-face with their peers and teachers. Research shows that cell phones and other personal electronic devices can detract from this engagement and disrupt the educational process. These devices also pose potential security and safety issues, including academic integrity concerns, bullying, and harassment.

Policy on Personal Electronic Devices

To ensure an environment conducive to learning, the use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, earbuds, headphones, and smartwatches, will be regulated and is prohibited during instructional time.

Device Storage and Regulations

  • Classroom Storage: All classrooms will be equipped with cell phone storage pouches for student devices. Students must store their devices in these pouches or in their backpacks as directed by the teacher. Devices should not be on the student’s person during instructional time.

Consequences for Policy Violations

  1. 1st Violation: Teacher confiscation of the device, parent notification, and return to the student at the end of the class. Parents will be contacted via phone or email.

  2. 2nd Violation: Teacher confiscation of the device, which will be turned in to the vault in the Main Office, and returned to a parent on the following school day. Parents will be contacted via phone or email by the teacher.

  3. 3rd Violation: Confiscation of the device until the student completes two (2) hours of lunch detention. Parents will be contacted via phone or email.

  4. 4th Violation: Confiscation of the device for the remainder of the semester. Parents will be contacted via phone or email.

Subsequent Violations: Additional administrative consequences will apply, and the device will be confiscated. Parents will be contacted via phone or email.

Emergency Phone Calls

Students needing to make a phone call during instructional time must come to the office to see an administrator.

Device Retrieval

Electronic devices confiscated before a weekend or break will not be returned until the next school day.

Responsibility for Personal Electronic Devices

Personal electronic items of value are the responsibility of the student. The school is not liable for the loss, theft, search, replacement, or reimbursement of these items.

Critical Response / Fire Drills

Del Norte High School (DNHS) has established a critical response plan (located in the Main Office) for various types of campus emergencies.

For the safety of our students and staff these evacuation procedures will be rehearsed throughout the school year. When the fire siren sounds, students should move immediately to an open area which is 50 feet away from the buildings. They will take direction from their teacher. The “all clear” signal (three long rings) will indicate when it is safe to return to the building.

Fire lanes on the campus grounds have been clearly marked, and fire lane violations will result in fines by city officials or APS Security during school hours and at school events.

Deliveries

To maintain a safe campus food deliveries to students are not allowed during school time.

Disclosure Exemption

Military recruiters, universities, and other post-secondary institutions may request the school or district to provide them with the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of enrolled high school students. All students' names will appear on the requested list unless parents, or students who are 18 years old or older, complete and submit a Disclosure Exemption form (available in the office) to request that their name be removed from the list.

Final Exams

Final exams are required by state law and are calculated into the semester grades for all high school students. Final exams will be administered on the last days of each semester, and attendance is mandatory. Students and parents may not request exemptions from the final exam schedule. The final exam grade will be recorded on the semester report card.

Fines

Fines may include those related to activities, athletics, library materials, and textbooks. The fine list will be posted around campus during the last two weeks of each semester. Failure to clear fines by the end of the school year will result in the loss of the right to receive school records or register for classes for the upcoming school year. All fines must be paid in the Bookroom.

Flag Ceremony And Pledge

Every morning during the announcements, everyone should stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. During assemblies, games, or other events where the colors are presented, all persons should stand. This position should be maintained during the National Anthem and continued until the colors have left the floor or have been posted.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements are determined by the State of New Mexico and Albuquerque Public Schools. Next Step Plans are developed annually in partnership with students, parents, and faculty advisors. Specific questions regarding appropriate coursework and requirements should be directed to your counselor. Additionally, students are required to pass a standards-based assessment.

Hazing

As per APS district guideline J.14, hazing is strictly prohibited as a condition of membership in any group or organization associated with Albuquerque Public Schools. Hazing is defined as:

  • Harassing someone by exacting unnecessary, disagreeable, or degrading tasks or activities that may result in harm or bodily injury.
  • Playing abusive and humiliating tricks on an individual as part of an initiation.

Inductions, whether formal or informal, must not involve hazing in any form.

Homework

Completing homework and contacting teachers about make-up work is the student’s responsibility and an essential part of the educational process. Teachers will provide deadlines for the completion of assignments. Students should request make-up work for short-term illnesses (see page 10). If a student is ill and will be absent for several days, their parents should request homework assignments through the student’s counselor.

Honor Societies

Del Norte High School has several honor society organizations (see page 35). Qualification for membership includes meeting a required grade point average and fulfilling service requirements. The various honor societies are listed in the "Student Involvement: Activities and Athletics" section under "Organizations - Academic."

Students must be in compliance with state law regarding immunizations to attend DNHS. Students without current immunizations will not be admitted to Del Norte High School. Questions should be directed to the school nurse.

Letters

Academic Award Letter: The DNHS Academic Letter recognizes demonstrated excellence in academics. To qualify, a student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for three semesters. These semesters do not need to be consecutive, but at least one must be while attending Del Norte. Applications for the Academic Letter are available in the Activities Office and are awarded at a special assembly early in the spring semester.

Activity Award Letter: All students at DNHS are eligible to earn an Activity Letter for participating in non-athletic student activities. Students must earn 12 points in the current school year by participating in various clubs or by meeting strict requirements from one organization, if approved by the Activities Office. Official Activity Letter forms are available in the Activities Office in mid-March and are awarded at the Recognition Assembly in the spring.

Athletic Award Letter: Varsity participants are eligible to earn an Athletic Letter. The requirements for the letter are set and approved by the head coach of each sport and the Athletic Director. Athletes must fulfill all expectations and finish the season in good standing. Athletic Letters are awarded at the end of the sports season.

Messages

The office staff is unable to deliver messages to students except in the case of emergency. Student emergency messages must go through the front office secretaries.

Parent Involvement

Opportunities for parent involvement at Del Norte High School are numerous. Parents may volunteer for various roles, including:

  • Activity and Athletic Booster Clubs
  • The Parent Advisory, which focuses on school-wide issues and support
  • The Instructional Council, which is the instructional leadership committee responsible for planning the future

Parent volunteers are warmly welcomed. For more information or to get involved, please contact the Principal’s Secretary.

Parent Involvement Program (PIP)

The Parent Involvement Program (PIP) is designed as an alternative to long-term suspension for students involved in drug or alcohol violations. PIP aims to educate both students and parents on important topics such as teen issues, communication, problem-solving, and information about drugs and alcohol.

Participation in PIP requires both the student and parent to sign a contract and attend four two-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks. For more information, please contact the Crossroad Counselor or a school administrator.

Parking

Student parking is provided in the designated student parking lot on the north side of the campus. To park in this lot, students must have a current parking sticker visibly displayed in the front window of their vehicle.

To obtain a parking sticker, students must present a New Mexico driver’s license, proof of insurance for each vehicle, registration for each vehicle, and a current Del Norte student I.D. card. The parking sticker can be purchased in the Activities Office for $30.00.

The student parking lot will be monitored during the regular school day. APS and DNHS do not guarantee that losses will not occur and will not be responsible for damages to or loss of personal items or vehicles.

Students who park in non-designated areas will be towed at their own expense.

Posters/Flyers

No tape, pins, tacks, or similar materials may be used for posting. All posters and advertisements must be approved by the Buildings & Grounds Principal and the Activities Director. Typically, a maximum of three large posters for an individual event may be posted; special requests will be considered. Approval to hang posters must be obtained.

Posters and signs will be removed by the sponsor the day after the activity. All posters and flyers must be posted in approved areas only.

Progress Reports

Students are encouraged to discuss their academic progress with their teachers. Students and parents can request progress reports on an individual basis through the Counseling Office and I-Parent.

Report Cards

Report cards are issued every six weeks. Report cards are distributed on campus. The report card indicates the total number of days absent in each class for that six-week grading period, the letter grade earned and appropriate teacher comment. The final exam grade and the number of earned credits are listed at the end of each semester on the student’s report card. At the end of the second semester only (spring), report cards will be mailed home. If students do not receive their report card, they should contact the Del Norte High School office.

Schedule Changes

Students receive comprehensive assistance in selecting courses, and a four-year plan is approved by both the parent and counselor. After the first 10 days of the semester, if a student needs to drop a course, it will be marked with a “WF.” Schedule changes will not be made after this period.

School Records

Upon registration, students must provide their legal names for accuracy and efficiency. While Del Norte is happy to use a nickname, the legal name is required for official records. Any changes to address, phone number, legal name, or guardian status must be reported to Data Processing. Student information will only be released to legal parents or guardians.

School Trips

All school-related trips, whether for classes or clubs, must be approved by the school administration. The Principal approves club trips and class-related trips, while the Athletic Director approves athletic team travel. Written parental permission is required for all trips. Each school-related absence is categorized as a Knight absence. Parent volunteers must complete the APS volunteer process.

Sportsmanship

All Del Norte students and parents must show respect and consideration for opponents, coaches, and officials. Spectators should demonstrate good sportsmanship by avoiding booing or razzing, respecting private and community property, and not throwing objects into the stands. All athletic events are school-sponsored, so students should follow the Knight Code. Spectators must remain in designated areas at all times.

Student Drop-Off/ Pick-up Locations

Safety is our top priority. Parents should drop off/pick up students in the drop off lane in front of the school off Montgomery.

Student Elections

All student elections are managed through the Activities Office. Students are encouraged to run for office, vote, and take elections seriously. A student ID is required to vote.

Student IDs

Student ID cards are issued at registration and must be carried at all times. They must be presented to staff members upon request. IDs are necessary for checking out textbooks and library books and for cafeteria purchases. Replacement IDs are issued during passing periods or lunch at a cost of $5.00 for the first replacement and $7.00 for the second. Proof of attendance at Del Norte is required.

Student Insurance

Accident insurance is available through Albuquerque Public Schools via a local insurance agency. Application forms are provided at the beginning of the school year. The insurance plan offers comprehensive coverage. For information or to verify grades for good-student insurance discounts, students or parents should consult the school nurse.

Testing

Del Norte students participate in various district, state, and national testing programs. It is crucial for students to put forth their best effort, as test results become part of their permanent high school record. The State Department of Education requires passing a standards-based assessment or a competency exam in reading, writing, English, math, science, and social studies. For specific questions about testing or graduation requirements, please contact your counselor.

Visitors

All visitors must check in at the Main Office and obtain a visitor ID card. Non-Del Norte students, especially younger children, are not permitted on campus during the school day due to safety and liability concerns. Student guests are only allowed for Del Norte-sponsored activities.