Dear Lakeside High School Students and Families,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the last days of summer. As we prepare to begin the 2026–2027 school year, I want to take a few minutes to remind families of several important policies and practices that will continue this year. My goal is to make sure students and families have clear information before the first day so that we can start the year with consistency and without confusion.

Semester Schedule

Lakeside High School will continue to operate on a semester schedule. Students will have seven periods each day, and the school day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. Early-release days will conclude at 1:00 p.m.

The 2026–2027 district calendar and bell schedule are attached to this letter for your reference.

Personal Electronic Device Policy

Our phone-free school day will continue during the 2026–2027 school year.

When we introduced this policy last year, our goal was to reduce distractions, improve student engagement, and create a school environment where students could focus on learning and building relationships without the constant presence of their phones. After a full year of implementation, I continue to believe strongly in that goal.

The policy applies from the first bell until the final dismissal bell, except during lunch.

A few important reminders:

• Students will store their phones in the locked box provided by their first-period teacher at the beginning of the school day.
• Phones may not be stored in backpacks, bags, lockers, pockets, or other personal belongings during the school day.
• Students may access their phones during lunch.
• After lunch, phones must be stored again with the designated teacher before afternoon classes.
• Students may retrieve their phones at the end of the school day.

If you need to reach your student during the school day, the front office is always available to relay urgent messages. Students may also contact parents/guardians through the office, and classrooms have phones available when necessary. 

Last year, as we allowed our students to adjust to this new policy, we gave students a lot of grace. This year, we will follow the consequences outlined in the school handbook consistently and without exception:

1. First offense: Device held in the office until the end of the day.
2. Second offense: Parent/guardian must pick up the device.
3. Third offense: Meeting with administration to create a plan moving forward.

I appreciate the support we received from students and families as we implemented this policy last year. Like any significant change, it took some adjustment, but I believe maintaining a phone-free school day helps our students be more present, focused, and connected to the people around them. The research continues to support this approach. Studies have found that limiting student phone access can reduce distraction and may improve students’ well-being, social interactions, and, over time, academic outcomes. We believe our students deserve a school day where they can focus on learning, relationships, and being present in the moment.

Open Campus Lunch

Our Open Campus Lunch privilege will also continue this year. All students in grades 9–12 may leave campus during lunch as long as a signed parent/guardian permission form is on file. Students leaving campus without permission will be considered truant and referred to law enforcement.

The purpose of Open Campus is to give students an opportunity to use their lunch period in a way that works best for them while also giving them an opportunity to practice responsibility and independence.

Important reminders:

• Students must have a signed permission form on file before leaving campus.
• Students may leave during the first five minutes of lunch and must return to campus on time for 5th period.
• Repeated tardiness may result in the loss of Open Campus privileges.
• Licensed students may only transport or be transported by other eligible students. Transporting students who are not eligible for Open Campus may result in loss of the privilege.
• All school rules apply while students are off campus.
• Students are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and respectfully while in the community.
• The school may suspend Open Campus for safety, weather, or disciplinary reasons.
• Parents/guardians should understand that the school does not monitor students' destinations or activities while they are off campus.
• Parents/guardians may revoke the privilege at any time.

The full terms and conditions, including the waiver of liability, are included in the Off-Campus Waiver Form, which is available through Skyward and is also attached to this message.

Language Expectations

One expectation I want to reinforce as we begin the 2026–2027 school year is our standard for respectful language. This expectation was established last year and will continue to be an important part of maintaining a safe, welcoming, and respectful school environment.

Students are expected to use language that is appropriate for school and respectful of others. Discriminatory language will not be tolerated. This includes language that targets someone’s race, culture, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics.

We recognize that students sometimes make mistakes, and not every inappropriate word carries the same intent or impact. However, language that is threatening, discriminatory, harassing, or intentionally degrading will be addressed seriously by staff and administration. Consequences will be determined based on the nature of the incident, the circumstances, and whether there is a pattern of behavior. The year will begin with explicit warnings as students adjust back into the school environment. After the first two weeks of the year, consequences, including out of school suspension, will be put in place. Please refer to the LHS School Handbook for more specific details.  

Our goal is not simply to punish inappropriate language. We want students to be prepared for life after high school. We want Lakeside to be a place where every student feels respected, safe, and valued. The way we speak to and about one another and ourselves plays an important role in creating that environment.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Last year brought several important changes to Lakeside High School, and I am grateful for the patience, flexibility, and support our students and families showed as we worked through those changes together. My hope for this year is that we can build on that foundation and continue creating a school where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and connected.

I am looking forward to another great year at Lakeside! Go Knights!

Sincerely,

Carly Green
Principal, Lakeside High School