We ask that parents excuse absences within 24 hours. It is best if you can call the attendance office at 788-1506 on or before the day of the absence. If that's impossible, you will need to notify the school on the morning your student returns. All absences not verified by the end of the school day following the absence will remain unexcused.

The school will excuse absences for the following:

• Illness of a student or an immediate family member.
• Death of a relative or close friend, including the necessary travel time to and from the place of the funeral.
• Medical or dental appointments.
• Subpoena, legal detention, driver's license.

Unexcused absences include:

• Truancy/Ditching, in which a student misses one or more classes without the parent's or administrators' prior knowledge and/or permission.
• Whenever a student leaves the school without checking out through the office, even if the parent calls at a later time.
• Whenever a parent fails to notify the school within 24 hours of an absence.
• Out-of-School Suspension

The district allows students ten (10) absences each semester. All absences-excused or unexcused (excluding suspension) - count toward the ten-day limit. After ten absences, course credit will be lost unless the student has documented medical, bereavement, or emergency reasons for missing additional days over ten.

We consider a student tardy when he/she is not in class by the time the tardy bell has rung. After three (3) tardies in one class, the student will be referred to the office for discipline. Arriving more than five minutes late counts as an absence. The consequences are:

• Three (3) tardies in the same class - 1 day After-School Detention, parent notification
• Four (4) tardies in the same class - 1 day In-School Suspension, parent notification
• Five (5) tardies in the same class - 2 days ISS, parent notification
• Six (6) or more tardies in the same class - 3 days ISS, Class IV Violation, parent notification
• After-School Detention: 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. / In-School Suspension: 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Students must have a pass from a school staff member for a tardy to be considered excused.

Students must wear their school-issued ID card during the school day to present to any staff member, check out library books, attend school activities, and obtain a yearbook or for any other identification purpose. The ID card is to be visible at all times on the upper torso of the body by a school-approved lanyard. On registration, we will issue students an ID card free of charge. Replacement cards will cost $3.00; lanyards/clips will cost $2.00. Students must have their ID cards to ride the bus. To avoid suspension, students must wear their ID cards during school hours.

If a student wants to park his or her vehicle on school grounds, we require they register it at the school office. Proof of driver's license, insurance, and registration will be required. Students should use automobiles only for transportation to and from school and cars should be parked as soon as the student arrives at school in the morning and should not be used until school is dismissed at the end of the school day. If a student is to work on his car in auto class, he must obtain a permit to drive the car to the shop. No sitting in parked cars or hanging out in the parking areas. Any automobile violations may result in the loss of parking privileges.

While parents and legal guardians are always encouraged to visit, we cannot give students passes for their peers or other family members to attend classes with them. The administration must approve and issue visitor passes.

Guests are welcome at school-sponsored activities as long you request the guest pass from the administration and submit it 24 hours in advance of the activity. We will not grant guest passes for individuals over the age of 22, under the age of 14, or junior high school students. We will not admit guests without a guest pass and proper photo identification.

In order to limit distraction and facilitate a business-like atmosphere, we have adopted a modified uniform of approved school shirts. The board-approved shirts are polo or tee shirts, long or short-sleeved, which can be worn with a crewneck, hooded, or zippered sweatshirt in cold weather. The approved colors are red, black, or white, and they must bear the River Valley High School logo. On special/activity days, students will be able to dress for their clubs, organizations or interscholastic activities such as spirit week or game days with the approval of the Principal.

We do not permit the following:

• Altered school polo or tee shirts.
• Shorter than three-inch inseams.
• Pants more than two inches from waist (no excessively baggy clothing or sags).
• Skirts or dresses with less than a six-inch "inseam" (no more than six inches above top of kneecap).
• Bandannas ("rags") or any other item, accessory, or hairstyle representative of gang identification. (We will turn over any gang related items to the school resource officer.)
• Visible undergarments.
• Clothes bearing phrases or slogans that are sexually suggestive, promote or suggest the use of drugs or alcohol, or contain vulgar language or ethnic slurs, or any logos or words other than those approved by Governing Board policy.
• Students may not wear sunglasses, head coverings, or visors in the buildings.
• Overalls

The school will check student eligibility every two (2) weeks and students must be passing all classes or they will be ineligible until they attain a passing grade with written notification to the athletic director. If a student receives one failing grade on any of the two-week grade checks, they may practice but not participate in any scheduled activity, until verification of passing. If any student becomes ineligible two or more additional times in the same activity, they may practice but will not participate in any scheduled activity for the entire two-week period. To become eligible, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

1. The student must be passing all classes.
2. The student will have a cumulative G.P.A. (grade point average)
   of at least 1.5.

If a student receives one "F" at the end of a permanent grading period (semester), the student is ineligible for two (2) weeks of the next semester regardless of current grades. After two (2) weeks, the regular grade check policy takes effect. If a student receives two or more "F's" at the end of the permanent grading period (semester), the student is ineligible until the first progress report of the next semester (6 weeks). NOTE: Students who withdraw (W/D) from a class will use their withdrawal (W/D) grade for eligibility purposes. In addition, attendance in a student?s last four (4) classes of the day is required for participation in any extracurricular activities or functions on the same day. Friday's attendance will govern Saturday's participation. The administration must approve any exceptions to the rule.

Registration is open during the two weeks before school begins in the fall. All students will receive their registration cards, student ID cards, assigned lockers, and purchase their school shirt(s) at this time. We will keep schedule changes to a minimum and will notify parents and students by mail concerning the registration schedule. New enrollees must either be sixteen years of age, have a certificate of completion of the 8th grade, or a transcript from another accredited high school, as well as documentation for the appropriate immunizations and a birth certificate or other proof of identity. Parents and students can find more information on registration on our district site.

Arizona State Law requires that students be immunized against tetanus, rubella, poliomyelitis, and diphtheria, pertussis, measles, and mumps. Incoming 9th graders must also have hepatitis B (3 doses) and MMR (2 doses).

We handle all valid requests for a schedule change in August during walk-through registration. The time line for schedule changes is as follows:

0 - 1 Weeks: Student initiated
0 - 2 Weeks: Student/Parent/Teacher initiated
2 - 4 Weeks: Teacher/Administration initiated only
5 + Weeks: Administration initiated only

Parent permission is required on all core class changes.
We will only approve and process schedule changes for these reasons:

1. Changes necessary to meet graduation requirements.
2. Changes necessary because of failure of prerequisite course.
3. Changes required for health reasons (doctor's verification required).
4. Changes required because of completion of course in summer school or correspondence class.
5. Changes required because of course conflicts appearing on computer schedule.
6. Changes required because of previous documentation or student/teacher conflict.
7. Changes required due to incomplete enrollment information and/or inaccurate scheduling.

(22) Units of approved credit are required for graduation.
(21) Must be academic.
Beginning with the Class of 2006, all students must have met or exceeded the State mandated standards in all three (3) sections of AIMS testing.

English (4 units)
U. S & Arizona Government (1 unit)
U. S & Arizona History (1 unit)
World History/World Geography (1 unit)
Essentials of Free Enterprise (1 unit)
Mathematics (3 units)
Science (2 units)
Fine Arts or Career Technical Education (CTE) (1 unit)
Technology I/Life Management (1 unit)
Physical Education (1 unit)
Electives (7 units)
TOTAL 22 UNITS

At times, we might advise students to repeat a required class in order to be prepared for the next class sequence. However, we count the repeat credit as an elective credit in this case. Verified medical reasons will allow for the exemption of one (1) unit in Physical Education. (Note: We provide adaptive P.E. when necessary.)

Non-academic classes include teacher's assistant, library assistant, laboratory assistant, and office assistant. Only juniors and seniors with a 2.5 grade average may apply. No student is to be a T.A. for more than 1 period without administrative approval. Students may drop/add their TA position only during the first ten days of each semester.

Admission requirements to colleges and universities vary greatly. Students should consult the catalog of the college or university they are interested in attending to determine the exact requirements. You may obtain catalogs from the college. Applicants to Arizona universities must meet the following requirements:

1. Unconditional admission to Arizona universities —  3.0 GPA or rank in the top 25% of your class, or an ACT score of 22, or an SAT score of 1040.
2. Conditional admission:  2.5 - 2.99 GPA or rank in the upper half of your class.
3. A minimum of "C" grade in classes required for entrance (Classes of 2000, 2001, 2002):

English 4
Math (i.e. Algebra 1-2, Integrated Math 3-4, 5-6, Calculus, Geometry) 4
Lab Sciences (Science processes, Biology, Chemistry Physics) 3
Social Sciences (One year of U.S. History and one year of another social science) 2
Foreign Language (two years of same language) 2
Fine Arts

Students who are deficient in any one or two of the core curriculum may be admitted; however, the deficiencies must be removed within one year. (Note: The ACT or SAT examination is required for admission to all state universities in Arizona. It is highly recommended that this exam be taken during the spring of the junior year.)

It is our policy to inform parents of their student?s progress with a six-week report to parents. Parents are encouraged to request conferences with the counselor and/or teachers as soon as they see any indication of possible failure rather than wait for the notice to arrive. The guidance office can coordinate progress reports on a more frequent basis.

The grading scale is:

A 90-100% Superior work
B 80-89% Above average
C 70-79% Average
D 60-69% Below average
F 0 -59% Failing to meet minimum competencies
I Incomplete Work not completed
Cr Credit A passing grade but not a letter grade
NC No Credit Due to absences
NG No Grade Class was audited only.

NOTE: Students who withdraw (W/D) from a class will use their withdrawal (W/D) grade for eligibility purposes. Students who W/D early must be passing to be eligible to enroll in another class.