Information for Students

Student IDs are received by the school and delivered directly to the student. If you have not received an ID or it has been damaged, misplaced, etc., replacements are available for purchase online. Proof of purchase must be brought to Ms. Fallon or Dr. Holdren before ID is shipped.

Payment for Replacement Student ID Badge

Students of all grade levels will need the following supplies

• College ruled notebook paper (1000 sheets)
• Pencils
• Pens (blue or black ink)

Optional Community Supplies

• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfectant wipes
• Scotch tape
• Dry erase markers
• 10x12 plastic storage bins (please see teacher for more details)

Shirts

Shirts must have sleeves or wide straps at the shoulder. Non-see-through fabric from underarm to the waistband.

Bottom

Sweatpants, non-see-through leggings, yoga pants, jeans, pants, shorts, and skirts are allowed.

Pants, non-see-through leggings, yoga pants, jeans, pants, shorts, and skirts are allowed.

Shoes

Must be secured as designed.

Headwear

Students may not wear hats, hoods, or any other headgear.

Head coverings worn as part of a student's religious practices or beliefs shall not be prohibited under this policy.

Designs, Graphics, and Accessories

Students may not wear anything with images, logos, or language depicting drugs, alcohol, or illegal items and activities.

Clothes featuring images of violence or weapons, demeaning or derogatory speech, and profanity or pornography, are also prohibited.

Students may not bring or wear any accessories that are considered a weapon, pose a threat, or are a potential safety hazard.

James Lawson High School Administration reserves the right to modify this policy as necessary and reserves the right to determine what might be disruptive and unsafe.

Cell Phone/Watches/iPads/AirPods/Headphones

Only permitted to be used during classroom transitions, lunch, PLT/Clubs (with teacher permission), or other events as outlined by JLHS staff. None of the above items should be used during class time (including student office workers) at any time. Items should be kept in the backpack or MNPS issued locker. If a student keeps a phone on them, it must be put away for the entire class period. If individual students need support, work with their academy principal on a cell phone/technology storage plan.

MNPS Laptop (preferred) or personal laptop

Students must bring a fully charged laptop computer to school every day. Teachers will determine appropriate use on an individual class basis. Cell phones will no longer be used as a substitute for a computer. iPads given by the teacher may be used in conjunction or in lieu of a computer. Other technology items such as gaming systems or other handheld devices should never be brought to school.

Consequences for violating the technology policy (steps build from Jan to May)

• 1st Offense- Warning and opportunity to correct (classroom)
• 2nd-3rd Offenses- Removed from class and meeting with Academy Dean (phone left in office and return to class).
• 4th-6th Offenses- ISS remainder of the day and phone confiscated until the end of the day. Parent contact.
• 7th-9th Offenses- ISS remainder of the day and the following day, and phone confiscated until the end of the day. Parent contact.
• 10th Offenses and Beyond- 3-5 days of ISS/OSS and surrounding phone for 2 weeks upon return.

Refusal to comply with the cellphone policy or defiant behavior will result in an immediate suspension of 1-3 days.

Morning Arrival Policy

School Hours: 7:05 AM - 2:05 PM. Doors open at 6:45 AM, and students may enter through all 4 entrances.

Students who enter the building before 7:05 AM must be in class by the end of the morning announcements. After the morning announcements (between 7:05-7:07 AM), students arriving late to class will be assigned a tardy by the 1st block teacher.

All exterior doors will close at 7:05 AM. After 7:05 AM, incoming students must use the main office entrance (east entrance). Students not inside by 7:05 AM will be marked tardy to school. Consequences for tardiness are as follows:

• Offenses 1-5: Up to 5 late arrivals allowed without consequences. On the 5th offense, the student will call home, and all future tardies will have consequences.
• Offenses 6-9: 1-hour after-school detention for each offense, to be served the same or following day. Failure to attend results in a full day ISS.
• Offenses 10-15: Parent/guardian must sign the student in at the main office. 2 hours of after-school detention for each offense, to be served on the same or following day. Failure to attend results in a full day ISS.
• Offenses 16+: Parent/guardian must sign the student in. 3 days of Reset. Additional consequences:

Additional Notes

• Tardies with a note from a healthcare provider do not count against the student.
• Seniors in ISS/Reset lose the opportunity to be exempt from final exams.
• To enter after 8:30 AM, a parent must sign in (in-person or over the phone), unless prior communication was made to the office.
• No late arrival after 10:30 AM without prior approval. Unauthorized arrivals after 10:30 AM may be asked to return home.
• Students arriving on a late MNPS bus will not receive a tardy.

Family Resources

Resources available consistently on-site for families include food, clothes, school supplies, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, diapers, student counseling, and laundry services. Caregivers and/or students may shop in our Resource Room during school hours and/or by appointment. Caregivers may contact me for more information or to schedule a time to shop!

We can also support Lawson families by connecting them to community organizations that provide additional services such as legal services, immigration services, counseling, healthcare access assistance, and more. For more information, please reach out!

Volunteer Opportunities

• Sign up for ongoing tutoring opportunities!
• Career workshops for our AVID/JAG students - any experience, expertise, and/or enthusiasm you can contribute is welcome!
• Bilingual Volunteers for Freshman Professionalism Day, College and Career workshops, tutoring, or other school events are needed! Our school has 36 languages represented, and some of our most needed languages are:
  • Spanish
  • Vietnamese
  • Somali
  • Arabic
  • Uzbek
  • Haitian Creole
  • Russian
  • Portuguese
  • Persian

Volunteer Sign Up Form

Donation & Sponsorship Opportunities

• Athletic pants/shorts, hoodies, jeans, belts, and mid-calf socks
• Spray deodorant 
• Water bottles
• Healthy grab and go snacks (fruit, granola bars, crackers, etc.)
• Disposable utensils (forks, spoons, plates, bowls)
• Student attendance, behavior, and participation incentives! Popsicles, ice cream, snacks, school swag, entertainment, and anything fun to engage students at school!

If you’re interested in donating or volunteering, please let me know. You can follow the links above or contact me directly for more opportunities. Your involvement is greatly appreciated!

Katie Garber, Community Achieves Site Manager

Office: (615) 941-7538

Cell: (615) 601-1398