Access Control Doors  

LCMS, and all district secondary schools, have Access Control Doors and the Raptor check-in system as the district’s expanded building safety systems. The exterior doors will remain locked during the school day. Visitors press a button at the front door alerting office staff who will verify the visitor.   

Dress Code
Students must present an appearance that is conducive to an effective learning environment for themselves and their classmates and which does not materially interfere with school operations.  Students are expected to demonstrate pride in their appearance, which reflects individually on them and collectively on the school. The Board of Trustees directs the Superintendent to establish student dress code procedures consistent with this policy.  The following dress code requirements apply to all students at all locations:

• Clothing must cover the body from the chest to below the buttocks.  This includes all private and intimate parts of the body.

• All tops must cover the stomach, back, chest, and torso.  Shirts that expose the shoulders must have a strap or fabric that goes over both shoulders and adheres to the other provisions of this dress code. 

• The fabric covering all private parts must not be see-through.

• Pants/bottoms with rips, tears, or mesh are acceptable but shall not reveal or expose a private/intimate part of the body nor cause a safety concern (e.g., a tripping hazard because the hem of the pant leg drags on the floor). 

• Hats or head coverings are permissible at the middle and high school levels.  Head coverings may not cover the ears with the exception of those related to medical or religious exemptions.  Hats or head coverings are prohibited at the elementary level with the exception of those related to medical or religious exemptions.

• Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities, including physical education, science labs, career-technical, and other activities where unique hazards exist.  Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as uniforms, safety gear, footwear or accessories. 

• No clothing or accessories may depict prejudice, hatred, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, pornography, or profanity, or denote gang involvement, violence, or illegal activities.

• Secondary students must wear their school-issued student ID/Access Cards and ensure that they are visible at all times.

• Personal accessories must not distract from the school and/or learning environment and not pose a safety hazard to self and/or others.  

Principals may designate days when reasonable modifications to this Policy may be made, such as spirit or theme days, etc.  Such days must be set by the principal. 

Nothing in this dress code shall be construed to restrict or ban a student’s wearing of religious clothing and/or accessories, with the exception of unprotected speech.  Parents having religious-based concerns regarding the dress code are encouraged to discuss them with the principal. Any appeals of the principal’s decision shall follow the District’s grievance process. 

Additionally, students and all adults are required to wear a school ID badge throughout the day.  This must be visible and worn on a lanyard.  These are not to be in pockets, binders, lockers or clipped to belt.  Lanyards will be provided. 

Technology Usage  

The availability of technology at LCMS has increased over the last few years. All students will be checked out a 1-1 device. At middle school this will be a laptop.  Students will receive direction on responsible use at checkout. Teachers will also provide training during class regarding classroom usage through Microsoft TEAMS.   

While it once was helpful for students to bring personal devices to class to access learning materials, this is no longer a need. Additionally, this Edutopia video describes how cell phones can negatively impact student learners. Please click the link to review or copy and paste https://www.edutopia.org/video/theres-cell-phone-your-students-head in your browser. Due to this information, our building expectation will be that all student personal technology, such as cell phones and headphones, will be silenced and stored in lockers arrival to departure on all school days. If students need to make a call during the day, they can contact the office or ask a teacher to use a school phone. Sick students will call from the nurse’s office. Also, if you need to leave a message for your student, please call the front office at 350-4270 and we will deliver the information to your student.  

Special Deliveries/Outside Food/Drinks  

Per the Parent/Student handbook, we cannot accept any deliveries for students at school. This includes flowers, balloons, food and/or drink. Students arriving with outside drinks (i.e., coffee, shakes) may not take them to class or store them in their locker. We are unable to hold food and/or drinks for students to pick up later in the day and we cannot accept restaurant food deliveries from restaurants (i.e., pizza, sandwiches, etc.) to the school. We cannot accommodate group lunches. We appreciate your assistance in these matters.  

Backpacks and Purses  

Safety is a high priority. We will continue to expect students to keep their backpacks, purses, lunches and coats in their lockers during the school day.   

Items Inappropriate for School  

Items that are inappropriate for school are those items that can cause a disruption to the learning environment and serve no educational purpose. The following are examples (but not a comprehensive list) of items that may be deemed inappropriate for school: Sunflower seeds, gum, toothpicks, rubber bands, squirt guns, fidget spinners, Rubix Cubes, toys, games, game cards, trading cards, figurines, etc.- these items are not permitted because of the problems caused by misuse. Additionally, students may not sell items for another organization or their own personal gain on campus.  

Attendance Policy 

Attendance Phone: 208-350-4271; Fax: 208-350-4284; Email: lcmsattendance@westada.org  

It is essential that you monitor your student’s attendance. Please refer to the district calendar before planning your vacations and appointments. School begins at 8:20 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. daily. Students should not be dropped off before 8:10 a.m., and must be off campus by 3:20 p.m. 

The attendance policy allows for 6 non-waived absences per semester. The chart below shows the difference between waived and non-waived absences. Remember, a parent call does not waive an absence. Be aware that over 6 non-waived absences per semester may result in loss of credit per the Middle School Credit policy and/or other school actions.    

 All absences, waived or non-waived, must be verified by the guardian. There are 3 ways to do this:  

1. Call the school attendance line: 208-350-4271. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

2. Walk in when you drop off your student and talk to the attendance secretary.  

3. Bring in or have a doctor’s/court note faxed to the school.  

 **Remember, all absences unverified by a guardian will be marked truant after 72 hours. Guardian calls do not waive absences, they only verify where the student is, thus avoiding a truancy.  

Below, please find some procedural reminders for when your student must miss school:  

• If your student will be late to school & they will not have an appointment note, please call the front office to notify us or walk them into the office.  

• If students do have an appointment note, you do not need to accompany them to the office.

• Documentation for court appearances and medical/ mental health visits must be an official note from the professional providing the service. You can have the professional’s office fax the documentation to waive the absence to the school: 208-350-4284, or you can bring in a physical copy of the documentation.  

• You can call ahead at 208-350-4270 to have your student waiting for you in the front office if you need to pick them up early. Students are not able to wait outside.  

Tardies cannot be waived or excused by guardians. Students are considered tardy if not in their assigned classrooms when the tardy bell rings. Tardies accrue on a semester basis. The tardy policy incorporates the following:  

First Tardy - Teacher warns the student  

Second Tardy - Tardy notice sent home to parent  

Third/Fourth Tardy - Student assigned to designated detention  

Additional Tardies - Administrative Discretion  

Please note: Only students riding school provided transportation will be eligible for excused tardies.