A couple new items for the new school year

As we approach the first day of school (Monday, August 10), it's good to remind Lebanon families that there are a couple changes taking effect.

First thing is the dress code. The discussions about "standardized dress" last year resulted in changes to the LCSC dress codes. The dress code was written by teachers and administrators, and approved by the school board. Families are being notified in registration materials, and will be asked to sign either a copy of the dress code itself or the student handbook containing the code, indicating that they understand it. (Like most rules, you don't have to agree with it, but if you don't follow it there are consequences).

Here is the new dress code:


A. LCSC Dress Standards
While fashion trends may change, the reason for being in school does not. A
student’s dress should contribute to good health, cleanliness, safety, and
common decency. It should be non-disruptive and support a positive learning
environment.

Elementary and Middle School
• No open-toed footwear.
• No outdoor coats or jackets to be worn in classes or hallways during school
hours.
• Overall Apparel
o No exposed skin on any part of the midriff or back.
o No articles of clothing can be torn, ripped, or shredded.
o No inappropriately oversized or form fitting clothing. Clothing must be of
appropriate size.
o No attire that may damage school property or cause injury to others
(chains, metal decorations, etc.)
o No clothing that addresses or promotes tobacco, alcohol, drugs,
promiscuous behavior, or derogatory commentary.
o No pajamas and/or sleepwear.
o No headgear is to be worn. All headgear shall be removed at the
entrance of the school and shall not be worn until the building has been
exited.
• Shirts
o No shirts without sleeves. Sleeves must extend past shoulder and not
show underarm.
o No see-through shirts.
o No exposed undergarments.
o No exposed cleavage.
o No plunging necklines.
• Pants
o Pants must sit at or above the hip bone.
o All shorts, pants, and skirts must be knee length or longer.
o No writing on the seat of pants.
o No shorts worn during 2nd and 3rd grading periods.

High School
• No outdoor coats or jackets to be worn in classes or hallways during school
hours.
• Overall Apparel
o No exposed skin on any part of the midriff or back.
o No articles of clothing can be torn, ripped, or shredded.
o No inappropriately oversized or form fitting clothing. Clothing must be of
appropriate size.
o No attire that may damage school property or cause injury to others
(chains, metal decorations, etc.)
o No clothing that addresses or promotes tobacco, alcohol, drugs,
promiscuous behavior, or derogatory commentary.
o No pajamas and/or sleepwear.
o No headgear is to be worn. All headgear shall be removed at the
entrance of the school and shall not be worn until the building has been
exited.
• Shirts
o No shirts without sleeves. Sleeves must extend past shoulder and not
show underarm.
o No see-through shirts.
o No exposed undergarments.
o No exposed cleavage.
o No plunging necklines.
• Pants
o Pants must sit at or above the hip bone.
o All shorts, pants, and skirts must be knee length or longer.
o No writing on the seat of pants.

B. LCSC Dress Standard Consequences
All violations of the dress standards must be referred to the administrative office for documentation and determined consequence.

Elementary
• 1st & 2nd Violation
o Letter sent to parent
o Parent contacted via phone
o Child removed from classroom until appropriate attire is provided
• 3rd Violation
o Parent contacted
o Child suspended from school for one day. Return not authorized until parent participates in on-site conference
with administration.
• Future Violations
o Parent contacted
o Child suspended from school according to Table of Consequences. Return not authorized until parent participates in on-site conference with administration.

Middle School
• 1st Violation
o Verbal warning
o Letter sent to parent
o Child removed from classroom until appropriate attire is provided
• 2nd Violation
o Friday school
o Letter sent to parent. Includes warning that next offense will result in loss of
extracurricular activity privilege.
o Parent contacted via phone
• 3rd Violation
o Saturday School
o Parent contacted by phone
o Letter sent to parent
o Suspension from participation in all extracurricular activities for remainder
of semester
• Future Violations
o Removal from school (Out-of School Suspension) assigned to the
alternative school

High School
• 1st Violation
o All School Detention assigned
o Letter sent to parent
o Child removed from classroom until appropriate attire is provided
• 2nd Violation
o Friday school
o Letter sent to parent. Includes warning that next offense will result in loss of
extracurricular activity privilege.
o Parent contacted via phone
• 3rd Violation
o Saturday School
o Parent contacted by phone
o Letter sent to parent
o Suspension from participation in all extracurricular activities for remainder
of semester
• Future Violations
o Removal from school (Out-of School Suspension) assigned to the
alternative school

Second, there is a new law in Indiana regarding anyone who uses a cell phone or other electronic device to send, or even possess, sexually explicit material (words, photographs, and videos are included). It's a very serious situation, because so many students have cell phones and a small lapse in judgement can result in a felony charge. The following is copied from page 56 of the 2009-10 LHS Student Handbook (the whole handbook is available online here: http://www.leb.k12.in.us/pdf/LHS/academics/handbook.pdf). It also appears in the elementary and LMS handbooks. You should read and understand this, and explain it very clearly to your students. What may seem to them like a harmless prank could have grave consequences, and because it's state law, school officials have little latitude when enforcing it.


Important Notice to Students and Parents Regarding Cell Phone
Content and Display

1. The Child Abuse/Neglect Law requires school personnel to report to law enforcement or child
protective services whenever there is reason to believe that any person/student is involved with
“child exploitation” or “child pornography” as defined by Indiana Criminal Statutes.

2. It is “child exploitation,” a Class C felony under I.C. 35-42-4-4(b), for any person/student (1) to exhibit,
photograph or create a digitalized image of any incident that includes “sexual conduct” by a child
under the age of 18; or (2) to disseminate, exhibit to another person, or offer to so disseminate or
exhibit, matter that depicts or describes “sexual conduct” by a child under the age of 18.

3. It is “child pornography,” a Class D felony under I.C. 35-42-4-4(c), for any person/student to possess a
photograph, motion picture, digitalized image, or any pictorial representation that depicts or describes
“sexual conduct” by a child who the person knows is less than 16 years of age or who appears less
than age 16.

4. “Sexual conduct” is defined by I.C. 35-42-4-4(a) to include sexual intercourse, exhibition of the
uncovered genitals intended to satisfy or arouse the sexual desires of any person, or any fondling
or touching of a child by another person or of another person by a child intended to arouse or satisfy
the sexual desires of the child or other person.

5. The Indiana Sex Offender Registration Statute at I.C. 11-8-8-7 and the Sex Offender Registry
Offense Statute at I.C. 35-42-4-11, as of May 2009, require persons convicted of or adjudicated as
a juvenile delinquent for violating the Child Exploitation Statute at I.C. 35-42-4-4(b) to register as a
sex offender.

6. Because student cell phones have been found in a number of Indiana school districts to have
contained evidence of “sexual conduct” as defined above, it is important for parents and students
to be aware of the legal consequences should this occur in our school system.


I know this is a lot of detailed information (and I'm sorry some of the formatting is such a mess!), but it impacts many LCSC families, so I thought I'd post the chapter and verse here. Thank you for reading! I hope the start of the school year is a time of excitement and anticipation for all.