Student Handbook

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Community Norms and Expectations:  2022–23

Overview

Lick-Wilmerding High School community members arrive at Ocean Avenue from all parts of the Bay Area. We are home to a diverse group of students, teachers, staff and families, united by the vision and purpose of the school's mission. This diversity is central to the power of the educational experience and our personal growth. Thus, LWHS relies on the commitment of each community member to honor and practice the tenets of the mission, rooted in the principles of inclusivity, empathy, integrity and compassion for self and others.

Should individuals fall short of these ideals, there are varied systems of accountability in place intended to maintain the health, safety and integrity of the community, and to guide students in reflection, and to engage in acts of repair in an effort to restore trust with fellow community members. 

Please note, not all of your questions will be answered in this handbook, but we hope it will help you identify where to get more information.  We do update the handbook from time-to-time during the school year, so please be sure to read the weekly e-Tiger to stay up to date on any changes. Lastly, this handbook is not intended to be a contract, and the terms of your student’s enrollment with the school are set forth in the enrollment agreement signed by you and the Head of School.

LWHS Parents and Guardians Are...

... integral members of the community, and it is their support and guidance that enables students to thrive in their high school years. However, this is also a time when students explore who they will be as adults: what inspires them, what passions they follow, and how choices and decisions shape their experiences. To this end, parents and guardians often struggle to know when to allow their student the space and independence to steer their own ship, and when to intervene. Here are a few recommendations for navigating these exciting developmental years:
  • If there is a concern about a specific class, whether about homework, grades or progress, it is best if your student meet with the teacher first, as this is the primary relationship. If, after this step, it is determined that more support is needed, the student and family should reach out to the student's advisor OR the freshmen/sophomore class dean or junior/senior class dean, as applicable (collectively, the “Class Deans”) dean for additional consultation and referral to support resources.

  • If there are concerns about multiple classes or that your student is not thriving academically overall, please connect directly with your student's Class Dean as this may indicate an issue beyond a singular class.

  • If there is a social-emotional issue with the student or family, or your student is not thriving outside of classes, it is best to reach out to the student's advisor who may direct the family to the school counselors, Class Deans or Dean of Students (collectively, the “Deans”), or the Director of Student Inclusion. 
Whenever possible, it is best to have the student included in all meetings and communications about their high school experience. However, we realize there may be occasions when families feel an "offline" conversation with a dean or counselor is needed before bringing the student into the communication.

In addition, it is also best to include teachers in all communications about classes—it rarely serves the student-teacher relationship well for parents to engage a Dean or other administrator about a course or teacher without first discussing concerns with the faculty member. All Deans and advisors will encourage this process of communication should issues arise.

If ever you are unsure how to proceed in support of your student, it is always best practice to begin in consultation with your student and their advisor to determine next steps.

One of the most important...

... experiences for LWHS students is learning how to engage with, contribute to and sustain a diverse community. Central to this lesson is to cultivate an attitude of respect and empathy towards the self, others and the school environment. This includes:
  • Being attuned to and responsive to how words and language (whether voiced, repeated, sung) can be used to build and sustain a community or, as especially true in the use of racial or other identity slurs specifically the n-word--used to tear down a community.
  • Seeking to be self-aware, and aware of and respectful to ALL community members.
  • Acknowledging and assuming responsibility for the impact of one's actions, even if the intent was otherwise.
  • Keeping the cafeteria, community spaces and general campus clean and accessible to all.
  • Being mindful of the personal safety of self and others.
Students are expected to follow school policies and honor the reasonable directions of faculty and staff at all times.
Students are also expected to encourage their peers to practice our community norms and policies, and to SPEAK UP when norms have been transgressed.

Community

List of 8 items.

  • 1. Discrimination

    Lick-Wilmerding High School prohibits unlawful discrimination of any kind against its students. 
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  • 2. Policy Against Harassment, Bullying and Hazing

    LWHS is committed to maintaining an environment for all students and employees that is free from all forms of discrimination,  harassment, bullying or hazing. The School prohibits sexual harassment as well as discrimination and harassment based on a student’s race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.  LWHS will not tolerate harassing or discriminatory treatment of students by other students, their family members, the School’s volunteers, employees or contractors.  Additionally, the School forbids retaliation against any individual who reports an incident of harassment, opposes harassment or participates in an investigation of a complaint of harassment.
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  • 3. Conduct for Adult/Student Interaction

    In order to best serve the well-being of the School’s students, the School requires all employees and other adults in the School’s community to maintain appropriate boundaries in their relationships with students to ensure that they avoid even the perception of inappropriate conduct. 
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  • 4. Sexual Abuse

    Affirmative Consent to Engage in Sexual Activity
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  • 5. Illegal Substances

    Students will not possess, use (including vaping) sell, distribute or be under the influence of any illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages during school hours or at any school events.
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  • 6. Theft and Vandalism

    Students will respect the property of individuals on and off the school campus.
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  • 7. Surrounding Neighborhood

    Students will respect the neighborhood, its residents, and their property.
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  • 8. Violence and Weapons

    Students will not use violence or exhibit violent behavior, verbal or physical, at school or during school events.
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Academic Integrity and Academic Support

List of 3 items.

  • 1. Academic Integrity Policies

    Academic integrity is the cornerstone of education; without it, no true teaching or learning can happen. It is expected that students will exhibit academic integrity in all of their work.
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  • 2. Academic Support, Level 1

    Students who experience a sudden drop in grade(s), have significant outstanding work in one or more classes, or are struggling to thrive will be offered additional resources and support through the LWHS student support services team.
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  • 3. Academic Support, Level 2

    When it becomes apparent, generally through student support referrals, that a student is struggling in many of their their classes, a more defined and long-term team plan is enacted.
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The guidelines that follow describe...

... the school’s processes with students who engage in conduct that violates the values and integrity of the LWHS mission. The core objective of the accountability protocols is to teach and assist students in a process of acknowledging harm, establishing repair with the community and personal growth in restoring trust with peers and the institution.

The school seeks to balance supporting students in being accountable in an instructive and equitable manner with the need to be responsive and responsible to the larger community. In addition, public education standards of due process and fair hearing are not applicable.

The Head of School, at their sole discretion, has full authority to administer consequences, including the authority to determine the appropriate accountability procedure to be utilized in each specific instance. Consequences may also be administered by agents of the Head of School including the Dean of Students, Class Deans, or the Assistant Head of School.

The Rules

List of 6 items.

  • 1. Accountability Process

    "If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don't see." (Baldwin, "The Black Scholar")
    The guiding principles of accountability at LWHS are to ensure the safety of all community members, uphold the integrity of the school, show students the limits of acceptable behavior, and to provide them with a learning experience that contributes to their growth as ethical adults. 
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  • 2. Disciplinary Warning

    Read More
  • 3. Disciplinary Review

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  • 4. Community Suspension

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  • 5. Dismissal

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  • 6. Reporting Discipline to Colleges and Others

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For Your Information

List of 24 items.

  • 1. Absence and Tardy Policies

    At LWHS, we place high value on the active presence and participation of students in their classes. Classroom experiences are vital to a LWHS education. The following policies are a reflection of these values.
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  • 2. Advising

    Upon entering LWHS, each student is assigned to an advising group of approximately twelve students. A faculty-staff advisor usually moderates each group for four years, guiding students from freshman orientation to graduation. The advisor’s most important role is as the principal advocate for each of their individual advisees.
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  • 3. Homework Policy

    In the completion of homework LWHS students are asked to reflect, review, and expand upon what is learned in the classroom, reinforce skills, prepare for upcoming lessons, persevere, and take intellectual risks.
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  • 4. Grades

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  • 5. Counseling Program

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  • 6. Learning Strategies Center

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  • 7. Public Purpose Program

    Read More
  • 8. Schedule and School Hours

    Read More
  • 9. Campus Stewardship

    Read More
  • 10. Dress Code

    LWHS students are expected to learn how to live and thrive in a diverse school community, cultivating an attitude of respect towards the self and others in personal interactions, verbal communication, and in dress. There are many reasons to define a dress norm as part of any school community including:
    • to respect the diverse cultural and religious beliefs of community members
    • to recognize issues of inclusion, namely access to certain "styles" and "brands"
    • to challenge the societal endorsement of unrealistic body expectations and/or definitions of beauty. 
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  • 11. Open/Closed Campus

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  • 12. Outside Credit Policy

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  • 13. Policy on Student Leaves

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  • 14. Library

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  • 15. Food

    The school’s food service program is run by a professional chef and is open for service from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM daily.
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  • 16. Activities and Organizations

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  • 17. Visitors to School

    LWHS often has visitors and asks that everyone shows them courtesy.
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  • 18. Dance Rules

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  • 19. Safety and Emergency Protocols

    Lick-Wilmerding regularly practices emergency protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all community members.
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  • 20. Distribution of Books, BART tickets, and MUNI passes

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  • 21. Driving, Parking, and Commuting to and from School

    Parking is a problem in this neighborhood; therefore, we encourage students to use public transportation or car pools. Should you need to drive please adhere to the following rules:
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  • 22. Communications

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  • 23. Accidents and Insurance

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  • 24. Medications

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Emergency Plans

Learn more about safety procedures in the event of an emergency.

Social Media

Learn more about the guidelines for the LWHS community.

Technology

Learn more about the Acceptable Use Policy and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) on the Technology page.



Lick-Wilmerding High School

755 Ocean Avenue | San Francisco, CA 94112 | 415.333.4021
A private school with public purpose, Lick-Wilmerding High School develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.