Many incoming ninth graders are nervous to start their first year of high school. To help survive this year, we have chosen five handbook highlights that we think will make life a little bit easier.

To start, tardiness policies are much more strict at KHS than at MSK. At 7:45, everyone needs to be in class and ready to start. Due to a new policy, students are given one warning after being late, but after that, detentions are promptly given out to anyone who doesn’t make it to class on time.  And yes, this applies to being just one minute late.

Everyone has a cell phone. In this day and age, everyone wants to be in constant communication, messaging and checking their twitter feeds. At KHS, cell phones may be used before school (before 7:45 am), during passing times, throughout lunch, and after the last bell (2:11 pm). During class it is assumed that cell phones are turned off, unless your teacher specifies otherwise.

The dress code gives students more freedom once in high school. However, this does not mean that students are able to wear whatever they would like. Everyone needs to remember that we are in a school setting, meaning clothes need to be appropriate. Don’t wear anything that you wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing around your grandmother (read Hunter Coughlan’s new article for more information).

Sports and clubs, though important parts of KHS, are still just a privilege.  At KHS, school work is always more important than extra-curricular activities. A student must be passing five classes to be eligible to play sports. Make sure to not to blow off classes if you intend to participate in sports or clubs.

Principal Susan Cressey thinks that the most important handbook highlight is, “mutual respect and dignity”. She believes that, “if we do that, everything else falls into place.”  This is an important idea to remember. High school is about growing and maturing to become a contributing citizen.  That cannot happen without the respect you show yourself, peers, and the faculty here at KHS. Good luck!