Sheldon Students, Parents, and Community,

It’s exciting to start a new school year, and I want to personally welcome you back to Sheldon High School for what will be an amazing year. This letter aims to provide important information and help you have a successful start to the 2024-2025 school year.

We have set goals for the upcoming school year, all of which impact our students. Our primary goal is to ensure you are on track to graduate, which means our students pass all their classes. The second goal is that students will attend your classes 90% or more, as being in class is vital to your learning and staying on track to graduation. Lastly, we aim to have students connected to campus activities by being involved in at least one sport, club, or activity throughout the school year.

Changes for the 2024-2025 School Year

Before the school year begins, I want to inform you about some changes that will impact you this year at Sheldon. These changes are designed to strengthen the learning environment and help everyone achieve a high level of success. Throughout the spring, our staff worked to decide on and implement these changes, and one way was to inform you before the school year started. Our goal for the year is that all students will be “Present for Learning” and so we have implemented changes in both attendance and electronic device policies to help us achieve that goal.

Attendance

Attendance is a cornerstone of academic success. At Sheldon High School, we recognize the pivotal link between attendance and learning and prioritize active student participation. Attendance isn't just about being physically present; it's about actively engaging in the educational journey, maximizing learning opportunities, and fostering holistic student development.

Regular attendance is vital for academic achievement. Every missed day represents a lost opportunity for learning, impacting students' progress incrementally. Research demonstrates that consistent attendance correlates with higher academic success. Chronic absenteeism can dampen students' motivation and hinder their performance. While some learning can occur outside the classroom, true educational benefits are realized through regular class attendance. Our goal: Students will be present for learning!

Our attendance goal: All students with at least 95% attendance rate

* 97% attendance: Maximum of 5 missed days of school per year.

* 95% attendance: Maximum of 9 missed days of school per year – more than this puts students at risk of meeting academic and graduation requirements.

* 90% attendance: Maximum of 17 missed days of school per year – considered “Truant.”

During the school year (September – June), students have a total of 30 days when there is no school. PLEASE help by scheduling appointments, etc., during these days whenever possible.

To ensure students attend 95% of their school days, we have created new policies to encourage regular attendance:

Attendance and Extracurricular Activities:

Students must meet attendance criteria to participate in extracurricular activities, defined as school-related events outside the school day. Absence from classes on the day of an activity may render students ineligible unless arrangements are made in advance or absences are school-related. Designated school officials will review emergency situations. Irregular attendance will result in suspension from extracurricular activities.

To participate in a practice, event, or game, students must:

* Attend at least half of their scheduled academic day to be eligible.

* Unexcused absences will disqualify students from participation. School administrators can allow for absences in cases of emergencies.

* Maintain an overall attendance rate of 80% during the semester in which they are participating in the activity. Falling below this threshold will lead to immediate suspension from the activity. Reinstatement requires a meeting with school administration, and attendance contracts may be necessary.

Additionally, there is a greater emphasis on students being in the classroom for the entire length of the class period. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late (marked Very Late) or leaving class early (marked Early Departure) will be monitored. If a student has two of these marks without them being excused, they will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities on that day.

Major School Events:

To attend major school events, including but not limited to Homecoming, Winter Formal, and Prom, students must maintain an overall attendance rate of 80%. Attendance will be calculated before tickets go on sale. Students falling below that attendance level will not be sold a ticket unless they have met with a school administrator. In that meeting, the student will be placed on an attendance contract that will require improved attendance for the student to attend the event.

Electronic Device Expectations (Cell Phones/AirPods)

We have high expectations around the use of electronics during instructional time. This is to inform students and families of our expectations. Our goal: Students will be present for learning!

Personal electronic devices like smartphones and other electronics have become an everyday part of our world. We have followed the current research, received input from staff, and consulted with administrators. Though cell phones can be an important tool in many parts of our lives, it is clear that cell phones and other electronics negatively impact student learning and peer relationships during class time. At Sheldon High School, we have seen a pattern of phone use during class that contributes to behaviors that interrupt learning and increase negative peer interactions. We are committed to ensuring that each student has a device to access learning and meet any individualized accommodations your child may need.

“Off and Away - Bell to Bell”:

Cell phone use is not required or necessary for a successful classroom academic experience. The cell phone policy is designed to create an optimal learning environment, enhance student performance, and promote a culture of respect and responsibility within Sheldon High School.

Personal electronic devices should not be out or turned on during class unless the teacher allows you to use them for instructional purposes (typically for an activity connected to an instructional goal or learning objective in class). Our high school administration team and staff are committed to adhering to these expectations. This expectation will be reviewed in every class at the start of the year. If students don’t follow the “Present for Learning” expectation, we will work with the student and their family, and progressive discipline will be implemented. Some families may opt to have their student leave their phone at home.

Our goal this year at Sheldon is to help create phone-free spaces in our classrooms. We want to give the Sheldon students the opportunity to remove that distraction from their learning environment. Students will still be able to use their electronic devices between classes, at lunch, and before/after school in an appropriate manner. Students that have accommodations that allow cell phone use will be reminded of how that will be followed. The main office will have a “Phone Use Day” pass for family emergencies. Parents/Guardians, we ask you to partner with us to help your student be academically successful at Sheldon High School.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to explain further as needed on any of the topics covered in this letter. The best approach this time of year to reach me is through email at ingman_m@4j.lane.edu if you have questions.

Respectfully,

Mike Ingman

Principal, Sheldon High School

Eugene School District 4J