The officials of the school cannot assume responsibility for injuries sustained by students. OLH has a secondary student insurance plan which provides partial compensation for incurred expenses in excess of the compensation provided by other insurance or medical payment plans. Claims covered by other plans must first be filed with the other plans before benefits due from the school insurance can be determined. If the medical treatment is covered under any alternate health service, the treatment must be rendered according to the rules and procedures of that organization to qualify for additional benefits provided by the school policy. Failure to use other benefits or coverage that the insured has or has a right to at the time of the injury may result in disqualification of a claim from the school plan.
Our Lady of the Hills Regional Catholic High School admits students of any race or national origin to programs and activities of the school with all rights and privileges. Equal opportunity and access is provided to persons without regard to race, national origin or gender in the implementation of employment policies and procedures.
Students are assigned daily homework. If the important duty of accomplishing homework is neglected, it will be impossible for the student to achieve fully the goals of their academic program.
Parents are reminded that the student who is absent for a legitimate reason must arrange with their teacher to complete any written assignments and tests, which were given during the period of their absence.
At the end of each quarter, report cards are mailed to the parents or guardians of each student. In addition to this, Progress Reports are sent in the middle of each of the four quarters.
The student's achievement in each subject is graded on the basis of 100%. The passing grade is 70. Letter equivalents of numerical grades are as follows: 94-100=A; 85-93=B; 75-84=C; 70-74=D; below 70=F.
At the end of each semester, quality points are assigned to each grade earned for that semester. A five-point scale is applied to honors and AP courses. A four-point scale is used for non-honors courses. The quality points will be assigned as follows:
Ordinarily if students receive grades and credit for courses taken beyond the prescribed curriculum, these credits will not be used in the GPA calculation for class rank.
The First Honor Roll consists of students who have achieved grades of 94 or higher in all subjects. The Second Honor Roll includes those who have achieved grades of 85 or higher in all subjects. P.E. is included in Honor Roll computations. Honor Roll distinctions are based upon quarter grades.
The grades in each subject for the two quarters of a semester are averaged together and give a student their half-year or semester grade for each subject.
If a student's grade in a continuing subject at the end of the first semester is below 70, the student will continue in the subject in the second semester, but they must earn a grade at the end of the second semester that will raise their yearly average to 70. If they do not earn this grade, they fail the subject for the entire year.
A failing grade can be made up only through summer school at OLH. Seniors who do not pass all required subjects and all subjects scheduled in the senior year cannot receive their diplomas until they have successfully removed deficiencies in the summer session.
A student who fails more than the equivalent of two units of credit for the school year is not eligible to return to OLH the following year.
OLH does not provide special education services or facilities. However, the school's education program attempts to accommodate special needs of its students within reasonable limits consistent with the school's policies and program of studies. If it becomes apparent that a student's needs are not being met, OLH reserves the right to encourage the student to seek a more appropriate learning environment.
In order for an OLH student to be eligible for Extended Testing Time during quarter examinations as well as any other 504 accommodations, a psychoeducational evaluation must be filed with the school. This evaluation may come from a psychologist, physician, or learning disabilities specialist. (OLH uses the criteria that the College Board outlines to determine eligibility for extended testing.)
The presence of a professional evaluation does not necessarily mean that a student is eligible for testing accommodations.
Documentation to support the need for requested accommodations on the PSAT or SAT must:
Social formation is another dimension addressed. Opportunities to practice principles learned through a wide variety of extracurricular activities in student government, student publications, academic and athletic competitions, service organizations, and performing groups are available.
Extracurricular's are encouraged among the students within reasonable limits. Extracurricular's are a means of promoting intellectual progress as well as affording needed relaxation and/or physical exercise.
As a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (T.A.P.P.S.), OLH will participate in academic, athletic and fine arts competitions. T.A.P.P.S. membership includes over 230 schools with a total student enrollment of approximately 32,000 students in grades nine through twelve competing for District, Regional and State Championships.
T.A.P.P.S. host State Championship honors for:
| Academics | Softball |
| Art | Swimming/Diving |
| Baseball | Tennis |
| Basketball | Track and Field |
| Cross Country | Vocal Music |
| Football | Volleyball |
| Golf | Wrestling |
| Instrumental | Music |
| Soccer |
According to T.A.P.P.S. eligibility requirements, a student must be in good standing and failing no more than one course during the grading period in order to participate in an event.
Only those students who have good records for conduct and scholarship are eligible for class offices and offices in extracurricular organizations. A good scholarship record is ordinarily understood as a passing grade in all subjects with a grade point average of at least 2.0 on the report card immediately prior to elections. (A higher standard may be applicable for holding offices that place extraordinary demands on a student's time.) In the event that a student should meet these requirements, be elected to office, and then fail to comply with them, they may be dropped from office for the remainder of the academic year.
The school reserves the right to refuse credit to a student who has been absent more than 9 days in any course within a semester.
A student who is absent from school or any class period without a legitimate reason will receive a zero for all work.
A student who is absent from school on account of illness or who has an unexcused absence for a school day will not be allowed to participate in or attend any extracurricular event or practice scheduled for that day.
The summer school session at OLH is remedial in nature.
All failing grades must be removed in the summer school session offered at OLH before a student is allowed to return to OLH the following August. A student who fails to earn the necessary credit(s) must withdraw from school. A student who needs to remediate more than two credits in a summer session is ineligible to continue at OLH.
Although students are encouraged to take enrichment courses during the summer, credits in these courses may not be applied toward graduation unless specific approval in writing has been granted by the Principal. If such a course is approved, OLH may require the student to take its own proficiency exam. Ordinarily, courses cannot be taken in summer in order to reduce the number of courses carried in the regular school term.
Only students eligible to return to OLH will be accepted for OLH summer sessions.
The computer services provided by OLH are available to all presently enrolled students of the school. The purpose of the computer lab is to allow students the opportunity to use the efficiency and versatility of today's technology in pursuit of the academic objectives and goals of the school. With this in mind, specific rules and regulations outlined for acceptable computer usage have been drawn to ensure the intent and integrity of the system as well as the fairness of judgment if these terms are violated. The following outlines acceptable and impermissible usage policies.
Computer-related resources are to be used solely to advance and ensure the mission of education, research, and community service of OLH. Usage of the computers should be school related only, such as class assignments, teacher assignments, homework, research, or any school-related task assigned by an administrator or faculty member.
Students are permitted to use the programs provided over the network or on the workstations. Access of other folders and files without authorization of the network administrator is prohibited.
Computer usage to pursue any illegal, unauthorized, immoral, unethical, damaging, corrupt, or fraudulent activities is strictly prohibited.
Physical abuse of computer equipment (hardware or software) will not be tolerated. Any act of abuse will result in immediate forfeiture of computer privileges for the academic year, as well as additional disciplinary action.
Student use of faculty computer workstations and faculty equipment is strictly prohibited.
Students must respect the security and integrity of the computers and the computer network system. Installation and transfer of software, shareware, freeware, or any other types of application programs or files without authorized permission is forbidden and may result in disciplinary action.
All graduating seniors are required to participate in both the Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony in order to receive an OLH diploma. Seniors who have not met the academic requirements will receive their OLH diploma upon completion of summer school work.
The student's grades for all credit courses prescribed in their four-year high school curriculum determine the type of recognition to be given on their diploma. (Courses taken in addition to the prescribed curriculum are not included in the GPA calculation.)
All graduates who achieve the requisite grade point average will merit the following distinctions: summa cum laude (4.0 or above), magna cum laude (3.5-3.99), or cum laude (3.0-3.49).
The Valedictorian and the Salutatorian of the graduating class are the students that have attained the highest and second highest core cumulative grade point averages respectively for course work taken at OLH. To be eligible for either of these distinctions a student must have completed their sophomore, junior and senior years at OLH. In the case of a tie, Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be determined by the highest total numerical final grades in the prescribed OLH curriculum. Where relevant, all tie-breakers for any grade will be resolved using this method.
Only those seniors who have successfully completed all the required courses (including all courses scheduled in the senior year) are eligible to graduate.
OLH strives to assist in the development of young Christian women and men who will be capable of exercising responsible freedom. OLH seeks to develop the potential of a student through the spiritual, academic, cultural, social and physical opportunities afforded them. Students of OLH are expected to conduct themselves at all times according to the rules of courtesy and Christian respect for themselves and others. Students are considered to be representatives of the school both on and off campus.
The school accepts a student's registration and/or tuition payment as their intention to abide by the rules and regulations. Each student and their parent (guardian) are expected to read and understand the contents of this handbook, then sign and return the Handbook Form contained in this document. This, then, becomes the formal agreement of both the student and their parents to uphold standards of good conduct, to live by Christian values, and to support the school by adhering to the policies and regulations stated in this handbook.
Regular attendance at school and diligent application to study are essential to a student's success at OLH. Parents are requested to cooperate with the school in both areas.
A student has a serious obligation to report to all of their classes.
Any unforeseen absence is to be reported by the student's parent or guardian by a phone call to the school office before 9:00 a.am. on the day of the absence. Please call 895 - 0501. Leave your full name and relationship, the student's full name and grade level, reason for absence, and a phone number where you can be reached. A student who has been absent must on the day of their return to school present a note written and signed only by a parent or guardian explaining the absence to the school office.
Absences from school for whatever reason do not excuse a student from the obligation of preparing their class work.
A student who is absent from a majority of classes on account of illness or who incurs an unexcused absence will not be allowed to participate in or attend any extracurricular event or practice scheduled for that day. Failure to follow this policy is considered a major offense.
The school reserves the right to refuse credit to a student who has been absent more than nine (9) days for any course in one semester. A student who is absent more than nine (9) days in any semester must be accompanied by at least one parent before they will be readmitted to class.
A student who fails to attend a scheduled class must report to the Office to explain the circumstances of the absence.
A student who is absent from school or any class period without an excused reason will receive a zero for all work in the classes missed. Missed assignments must be made up. Examples of excused absences are medical reasons, death in the family, college visits, etc. Family vacations or trips are ordinarily not considered excused absences. (The school is not obliged to provide make-up work.)
The Principal will be the ultimate judge in all attendance matters.
To report tardiness, please call 895 - 0501. Leave your full name and relationship, the student's full name and grade level (freshman, sophomore), reason for absence, and a phone number where you can be reached. A student who is late for school or class must report to the Office immediately upon arrival and before attending class.
Tardiness is ordinarily not excused.
A student who has an excused reason for being late is expected to be in school at least by the beginning of Fourth Period.
When it is foreseen that a student will arrive late to school, they must present to the Office at the time of arrival a written explanation from their parents. If a student is late on account of a doctor's appointment, an appointment slip from the doctor is also required.
Students are not to leave campus at any time during the school day without the express permission of the Principal. Permission will not be given without a written request from a parent or guardian. A student who becomes ill during the school day will not be released without permission from their parent or guardian.
Students are to remain within the confines of the school grounds and are not permitted to loiter past the front gate and into the school parking lot within the school day.
Doctor's appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours. If this is not possible, a note from the parents/guardian and a properly executed Exit Visa must be completed before school the morning of the appointment. Upon returning to school, the student must check in with the Office before returning to class.
Drivers' licenses must be obtained outside of school hours.
Students should not visit other schools without the permission of the Principal of the school the student wishes to visit.
Once a student has entered the school grounds, they are not permitted to leave the campus without permission from the school office. This includes morning arrival prior to homeroom.
If an absence of more than one day of school is anticipated, the office should be informed one week in advance by means of a note from the parent or guardian containing a request and an explanation of the absence. The Office will give a foreseen absence form to the student which is to be signed by all of the student's teachers. The student should then get their parent/guardian's signature and return the fully completed and signed form to the Office before the absence. Failure to follow this procedure could result in a grade of "zero" for work missed.
In the event of a weather emergency, OLH will follow the emergency procedures of the Kerrville Independent School District and/or the local authorities regarding the cancellation of classes. However, in cases where KISD delays school start time, OLH will cancel classes for the entire day.
Official announcements concerning emergency closings of schools will be made on local radio stations. Please tune in to local news for this information.
In addition, the school reserves the right to dismiss students early when necessary or desirable due to some natural calamity or approaching severe weather even without public announcement or prior notification of parents.
There is a telephone for students use available in the student commons area. Students must sign in the telephone log book prior to making a call. This phone is not intended for social calls and phone use should be kept to a minimum as a courtesy to others who may also need use of the phone. Unless an emergency situation occurs, office phones are reserved for school business only.
Students are not allowed to have cell phones in their possession during school hours. On their arrival to school, students are required to leave their phones in the school office or student locker. Upon dismissal, students may collect their phones. Students are not allowed to use their cell phone during school hours. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the confiscation of the cell phone. The phone will be returned at the discretion of the Principal.
Ordinarily, messages will not be delivered to students during the school day. (Consideration will be given to emergency situations.) However, relevant messages will be posted on the Student Commons' Bulletin Board. It is the student's responsibility to check the message board throughout the day, especially during lunch and at dismissal.
While students are expected to maintain a standard of good manners and courtesy in their behavior at OLH, they are also expected to maintain that same standard in their dress. School uniforms are worn to unify and identify OLH students.
Students are obliged to wear complete uniforms on all school days while on campus.
Permanent or temporary tattoos are not acceptable.
Jewelry is to be simple in style and not be the distinguishing feature of a student's appearance.
Ordinarily, wearing of hats is not allowed on campus. However, on occasion when hats are allowed, they must be worn in the traditional manner with the bill facing the front.
Shoes: Sandals, flip flops, various types of boots (Army), and all other shoes that do not entirely enclose the foot are not appropriate for school wear. The student must bring a note signed by the parent/guardian requesting to be excused from wearing the proper school shoe. Shoes should be predominantly one color. Acceptable colors are white, black, navy or brown.
Socks must be white in color and extend above the ankle. If ankle socks (tennis socks) are worn they must extend 1 inch above the top of the shoe.
Only official issue school shirts are permitted.
No undergarments that extend beyond the shirtsleeve should be worn under short-sleeved shirts. Only white shirts may be worn under the shirt.
The school physical education uniform, comprised of the designed t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes is to be worn in P.E. classes.
During cooler weather, a student may wear the following:
Boys are expected to be neatly dressed, well-groomed and clean-shaven. Sideburns shall not extend lower than the bottom of the earlobe and must be well-kept.
In the interest of good grooming, a student is to have neat, clean, properly combed hair of moderate length and style. The use of style gels, creams, or hair coloring is prohibited. Extremes of any kind, such as wedge cuts, shaving of the head, will not be allowed. Hair should not be cut with anything below a No. 2 clipper. The face is to be clean-shaven. Earrings are not acceptable at school or at any school functions.
Male School Uniform:
Girls are expected to be neatly dressed and well-groomed. Skirt length must be 1" above to 1" below the knee.
Hair must be neat, clean, properly combed and in a moderate style. Extreme fashions are not permitted. No artificial color is permitted. No extreme hair fashions are permitted. Subtle highlights are permitted but must be worn without extreme variation of natural hair color.
Good taste in makeup and earrings is expected. Clear or very light colored nail polish is acceptable. No more than two earrings per ear are allowed and must be worn on the earlobe.
Female School Uniform
Other garments should not be brought to school.
The Administration will be the ultimate judge in matters regarding dress. Violations of dress code that are not immediately correctable, may cause a student to be suspended from school until the student has met the dress code guideline.
Appropriate conduct is expected of OLH students at all times. The use of vulgar, profane, or abusive language or behavior that is disrespectful or discourteous will not be tolerated on or off campus, and, if performed, may be subject to disciplinary action. This includes language and behavior at athletic contests, pep rallies, and other school activities.
Applicable dress code regulations are enforced at all school functions.
During the school year, OLH sponsors dances for the enjoyment and social growth of the students. Appropriate behavior and dress are always expected of each student.
Specific regulations for particular dances will be announced by the Administration, especially time of arrival and departure.
Once a student and/or their date leave a dance, they will not be readmitted.
OLH does not tolerate the possession, consumption, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or drugs by students on campus or at any school-related activity, nor does it allow a student judged to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs to attend school or school-related functions. Such activity on the part of the student is a grave violation of school policy and will result in immediate and serious disciplinary action.
The use or possession of tobacco products is not allowed while on campus or at any school functions. Smoking is not allowed within a quarter mile of the campus as a student comes to or leaves school.
All prescription medicines and over-the-counter medications (i.e., Tylenol, aspirin, etc.) must be accompanied by a note from the parent/guardian and registered with and dispensed from the office. (The only exception is that, by physician direction, a student may be allowed to carry and self-administer inhaler medication.)
Each student is assigned a locker for their personal use, which must be locked at all times with a combination lock sold at OLH book sales. All non-issue OLH locks will be removed.
Tampering with or entering another student's locker is considered a serious offense subject to disciplinary actions. A student whose locker has been tampered with should report the incident to the Administration.
Possession of another student's property without permission of that student may be regarded as theft and subject to disciplinary action.
To prevent loss of personal property, students should have their names clearly marked on all books and personal items; students should not leave their personal belongings unattended anywhere on campus. Lost property should be reported to the School Office.
Students are not allowed to bring electronic devices such as video games, CD players, radios, tape players, recorders, beepers, pagers, MP3 players, cameras or cellular/digital phones to school. Also forbidden are all articles which could be considered dangerous and not approved for use in school, including but not limited to, and by way of example only, fireworks or other explosive devices, pocket knives (i.e. leatherman etc.), or weapons of any type.
The student is responsible for the contents and orderliness of their locker and upkeep of OLH issue supplies (textbooks). Damage to any locker or textbook by any student, whether the damage be by the assigned user or by any other student, will result in the student's paying the cost of repairs or replacement. The school reserves the right to enter by any means, and to inspect, any or all lockers, book bags, textbooks etc., at any time.
All student lockers and OLH supplies/textbooks are the property of Our Lady of the Hills.
Courtesy and concern for the school requires that the campus be kept clean and free of litter. All signs, notices, or posters must be approved before they may be displayed in the school. A student who defaces, marks, or damages school property will be subject to disciplinary action.
Students are not permitted in any administrative and/or faculty room (faculty workroom, faculty lounge, faculty restrooms, etc.) without permission.
Students are allowed in the classrooms only in the presence of an instructor. If a teacher or substitute is not present for a scheduled class, students should not enter the classroom but instead remain in the class area while one of them reports the situation to the office. Students should not sit on desktops, tables, windowsills, or bookshelves.
No food or drink is to be consumed in the classrooms, locker rooms, bathrooms, or in any carpeted area.
Chewing gum is not allowed at any time.
Cars that are taken into the schoolyard must be driven slowly and carefully. The speed limit is 5 miles per hour.
Anyone who needs to drive in the yard at any time must maintain a safe speed. The reckless operation of a vehicle in the yard will result in disciplinary action.
Students may not go to their cars during the day without permission from the office.
It is the responsibility of the students to keep the student commons area clean and orderly at all times.
Students who plan to eat in the student commons area should enter in an orderly fashion.
The OLH community fosters its sense of identity, among other ways, through common worship in the school chapel. In order for everyone to prepare properly, students are expected to enter the chapel quietly and to preserve a spirit of quiet before and during all services.
A note written by a parent or a guardian is required for a student to be excused form participating in the physical activity of the P.E. class; even with a note, the student must have their complete gym uniform, and remain with the class during the P.E. period. For long periods of non-participation, a doctor's certificate is necessary.
Students are strongly encouraged to leave their valuables at home, however if brought to school, wallets, watches, money, and other valuables should be left in one's locker for safekeeping during class. Students are required to purchase a school issue lock for locker use.
Students are encouraged to shower after physical education classes.
The teacher of each class is in charge of the ordinary discipline in the classroom. The student is expected to comply with whatever regulations or disciplinary measures that the teachers or administrators may impose.
Faculty and staff members must always be addressed in a polite and respectful manner.
Cheating is morally wrong and is considered a serious offense. Cheating is the improper acquisition or distribution of information pertinent to a homework assignment, quiz, test, or exam. Plagiarism, the stealing of the ideas or writings of another, is also considered cheating. During a quiz, test, or exam a student may not have in their possession or in the vicinity of their desk any books, notebooks, or materials prescribed by the teacher or proctor, nor make any audible sounds, nor look in any direction that could be construed as a violation of testing procedures, nor may they communicate in anyway with another student without specific permission.
The following examples are the most noteworthy violations of testing procedures:
A cheating offense or a violation of an evaluation procedure (homework, quiz, test, exam, project) negates any grade except zero for the work in question. Ordinarily a first offense will also be punishable by up to five days in Detention. Additional offenses may merit more serious penalties, which may include suspension or dismissal. A record of cheating offenses and violations of evaluation procedures will be maintained in the student's file.
In many instances, students involved in misconduct will be assigned to serve specified amounts of time in Detention. Detention usually will be held after school hours. A student who is assigned Detention repeatedly for the same offense or a similar offense may be subject to more serious disciplinary action.
A student who receives Detention more than five times in a quarter may merit an all-day Detention. A second such accumulation may result in suspension.
The Administration determines the seriousness of the offense and the appropriate consequence.
Ordinarily, one to three detentions of one hour per day in Detention will be given for the following violations:
The administration reserves the right to impose more extensive discipline for any of the foregoing offenses depending on the nature and circumstances of the offense(s) or any combination thereof.
The following serious offenses may merit stricter punishment and/or render a student liable to receiving multiple Detentions, all-day Detentions, being sent home, suspension, or expulsion from OLH.
The administration determines the seriousness of an offense and whether or not to consider the possible punishment to include expulsion.
In circumstances when warnings, counseling, and referral to the Principal have proven ineffective, a student may be sent home. Such a student may not return to school until their parents or guardians have had a conference with the Principal and with any teacher or school official who may have been involved in a given situation.
Suspension is a serious sanction imposed upon a student. It is intended to serve a warning to the student that further violations of school regulations may result in dismissal.
The period of suspension may constitute one, two, or three days. During the period of suspension, the student does not attend classes, nor participates in any school activities, and receives for the duration of their suspension a grade of "zero" for daily work but not for major tests, periodic quizzes, and projects in each class missed.
During each day of the suspension, the student will work on assignments with the intention of keeping them abreast of class work that they are missing. The student will serve their suspension in a manner determined by the Administration. A second suspension is regarded as sufficient grounds for expulsion.
A student will be placed on probation following a suspension. Serious misconduct by a student who is on probation, including, by way of example only, those offenses listed herein as "Major Offenses," constitutes grounds for expulsion. Ordinarily a student will not be placed in a third probationary status.
A student is subject to expulsion as a result of a second suspension; failure to comply with the terms of a probation; defiance of or direct confrontation with school authorities; possession, dissemination, or use of drugs or alcohol on campus or at any school-related function; theft or other serious moral offenses; activities outside the school which involve unlawful behavior; any off-campus conduct which is harmful to the good or safety of the school community; or for any conduct which jeopardizes the good or safety of the school or community, or which is morally offensive according to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and, thus, harmful or offensive to members of the school community.
Prior to the sanction of expulsion being imposed, a student will have the right to an informal hearing to be conducted by the Principal. At this informal hearing, the student is entitled to be accompanied by either or both of their parents or a guardian. The student will be allowed to explain their position as to the offense of which they are accused and may call witnesses to the incident.
The Principal may convene a Disciplinary Board to be comprised of any combination of faculty members, students, and/or administrators to assist in a determination of and to make a recommendation of the appropriate punishment. However, the convening of the Disciplinary Board is within the sole discretion of the Principal, and, further, the Principal is not bound by any recommendation of the Disciplinary Board. The Principal shall make the final decision as to any guilt of the accused student and any punishment imposed.
The registration and/or tuition payment of a student is considered an acceptance on the part of the student and their parents or guardians, of all rules and regulations of Our lLady of the Hills Regional Catholic High School, including the judgment of school authorities on academic and disciplinary matters.
The rules and regulations contained in this Student Handbook are not meant to be comprehensive. Rather, they presuppose the good will and judgment of a student in all circumstances in which they may find themselves. During the academic year new and unusual circumstances may arrive and the Principal has the authority to use his discretion in making decisions regarding unforeseen circumstances.
Students and their parents or guardians are asked to familiarize themselves with all of the information contained in this Student Handbook.