Handbook

Lincoln High School is committed to graduating all students. We are a diverse community of scholars dedicated to personal and academic excellence. We strive for the development of strong character and intellectual engagement for all students, ensuring success beyond Lincoln High School.  

We Will: 

• Develop personal responsibility
• Act with integrity
• Value each other
• Embrace challenge
• Take risks
• Cultivate success
• Be agents of change in our community
• Lead

Cheating, copying the work of others, or turning in another person's papers, projects, computer programs, etc., as one’s own constitutes plagiarism and is not allowed. Taking unauthorized photographs of tests is also cheating. 

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• Using another writer’s words or ideas without proper citation, or merely rearranging or changing a few of the author’s words and presenting the result as one’s own work, or not using quotation marks when citing a source.
• Having someone else write a paper, program, or project, including asking friends, paying someone, using a paper writing service, or taking information verbatim off the Internet.
• Copying another student’s work during a test, lab, classroom activity, or homework and turning it in as one’s own.

Plagiarism may also be documented in the student’s file so staff can follow up with the student and identify if this is a class issue or if a student is having trouble with plagiarism in multiple classes throughout their high school career. 

Excused absence(s) need to be in writing, signed by the guardian, and turned in to the attendance office on the day the student returns to school.  An absence of 5 or more days requires a doctor’s note. 

All extended absences, 5 days or more, must be pre-arranged with the attendance office and signed off on by parents, counselors, and administration. Please note that vacations are considered unexcused absences; therefore, please check the school calendar and plan your vacations accordingly. 

All students are expected to attend regularly. Absenteeism may affect the final grade a student receives in any class.  The primary reason students do not earn a high school diploma is poor attendance. Guardians will be notified when students miss a class or entire school day and persistent attendance issues will result in interventions by guidance staff, administration, and possibly the court system.  

Teachers shall maintain good order and discipline at all times (WAC 180-44-020). To meet this requirement, teachers must utilize the following expectations: 

Bell to Bell Instruction

Students will not line up at the door prior to the bell. Instead, students should have all of their materials out and be actively working until the bell rings or until dismissed—whichever is most appropriate.

Think Time

Think Time is a management method to give students an opportunity to reflect on a situation that is impacting classroom performance. It is also a student’s opportunity to explain their thinking in that situation. Students should proceed to the prearranged location (usually another teacher’s room) if asked to go to Think Time. Think Time is not a time to debate or argue with a teacher.  Moreover, Think Time is not intended to be punitive or disciplinary.  However, it is a step in the disciplinary process if the actions or behavior is repetitious.

Backpacks Off, Materials Out

Students will look like they are in class for the duration of the period and prepared for learning. This means backpacks are removed and off the desks. Students should have their supplies with them every day. If students do not have supplies, they may borrow from the teacher. 

The Lincoln High School dress code: 

Supports a welcoming school environment

Clothing and accessories contain only inclusive messages.

• No clothing and accessories with offensive words, images, or logos, including slurs and curse words.
• No clothing that contains references to violence, gangs, illegal activities, obscenities, vulgarities, or other content in violation of the TPS non-discrimination statement.
• No clothing with sexual innuendo or suggestions.
• No paisley patterned bandannas of any color.

Supports a safe school environment

Clothing and accessories maintain student and staff emotional and physical safety.

• No clothing that contains references to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vape products.
• No clothing that promotes violence or illegal activity.
• No clothing that contains messages or images that are racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or violates the TPS non-discrimination statement.
• Footwear is required at all times. Footwear should allow for freedom of movement.
• Close-toed shoes are required in PE, when using sharps in Art classes, and during science labs.

Supports expression of identity through dress and accessories

Clothing and accessories promote self-expression and identity as students.

• Students wear “school clothes,” defined as shirt, tank top, sweater, jacket, hoodie, pants, jeans, sweatpants, leggings, shorts, skirts, dresses, shoes, slides, sandals.
• Students must wear an outfit that consists of a top, bottom, and footwear at all times.
• Undergarments must be covered by opaque fabric, excluding straps and waistbands.
• No sheer clothing that reveals undergarments.
• No clothing that reveals ribs, e.g. muscle tees with open sides or high-cut crop tops.
• No swimwear.
• No formal wear, e.g. tuxedos or ball gowns.
• No costumes (cat ear headbands are permitted, as they are accessories, not costumes).
• No onesies.
• No blankets (blankets worn when walking to school must be stored in backpacks during the school day).

Enables staff to quickly identify students

Clothing and accessories allow for a view of student faces (above mandated masks) by staff or security cameras.

• Beanies, bonnets, durags, and scarves are permitted if they allow visibility of face and ears.
• Hoods may be worn to maintain warmth but may not conceal face or ears.
• No sunglasses.
• No costume masks.
• No face paint.
• No hats with brims to conceal the face.
• Ball caps may not be worn forward-facing with bills over the face; ball caps must be worn backward.
• Hoods may not conceal eyes, ears, and/or face.

Allows for unrestricted two-way communication free of distraction

Clothing and accessories enable unrestricted and unhindered two-way communication.

• All head coverings must allow for visibility of ears, excluding clothing worn for medical or religious purposes.
• No Airpods, earbuds, or headphones in or over the ears while walking in the hallways.
• No Airpods, earbuds, or headphones in or over the ears while in class, unless used for academic purposes with teacher permission.
• No costume masks.

Disruptive Conduct is defined as flagrantly and substantially interfering with teaching or learning at school activities or school-sponsored activities. This includes creating a substantial disruption to any school function, refusing to comply with a directive from staff, or using vulgar, profane, or obscene language or gestures. Improper use of electronic devices and/or other technology is also considered disruptive conduct. Repeated insubordination of school rules may constitute Disruptive Conduct and result in disciplinary action.  

In the event of an emergency, follow the directions of the nearest staff member.  Monthly drills will take place to familiarize everyone with emergency procedures.

Fighting is being involved in, mutual participation in, an incident involving physical violence. If the fight or any prefight activity occurs on school grounds, the school will have the right to respond. Attending a fight or encouraging/promoting a fight is potentially dangerous and students will be disciplined accordingly for their involvement. All discipline connected to violence will be progressive and potentially result in a long-term suspension. Videotaping a fight constitutes involvement and is subject to discipline. 

Students must have a signed Lincoln High School hall pass (green pass) any time they are out of the classroom during class time. This pass must be visible and must have the teacher’s name, date, and time clearly marked.  Teachers will be mindful of the time the student is gone and passes will be collected upon return to the classroom.  Students without a pass will be subject to discipline.  Students will be in class the first 15 minutes and the last 10 minutes of the period, this is known as the “15/10” rule. 

Harassment, intimidation or bullying (HIB) means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, auditory or physical act, including, but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics such as, but not limited to, physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, marital status or weight, when the intentional electronic, written, verbal, auditory or physical act: 

• physically harms a student; or
• damages the student’s property; or
• has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
• is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational
• environment; or
• has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Learn more and report incidences of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) on the Tacoma Public Schools website.

The library is available for book check out, research and computer lab use.  A green hall pass is required for computer use, as there are often classes using the computer labs.   

All substances, including tobacco products, drugs, alcohol, and paraphernalia for the use of any substance (including e-cigarettes and vaporizers) are not allowed on school grounds.  If any substance or paraphernalia is found it will be confiscated and disposed of by school administrators. 

Students may fill out an online “Schedule Change Request”. Links to the online form will be on the LHS Guidance Website. Students will be notified via email of any changes granted or denied. Five (5) days after the beginning of the semester, a student may not make a schedule change request without prior administrative approval.  

Dropping Courses

If, after the 15th school day of a semester, a student elects to drop a class, the record (e.g. student transcript) will show "E" and the grade will be computed in the student's grade point average.  

Per the Code of Prohibited Conduct for Tacoma Public Schools, the use of school computers and access to internet service from district-provided computers are privileges that may be revoked at any time for any violation of TPS policy. 

Appropriate Electronic Use

Electronic devices (phones, tablets, smart watches, etc.) may be used at the teacher’s discretion. When students use electronic devices as a distraction, however, said devices will be taken away and returned at the end of class. If a student refuses to give their device to the teacher, creating a disruption, the teacher may choose to refer the student to an administrator. Recurring violations of this policy could result in a behavioral contract.