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North Eugene High School

Student Handbook

NORTH EUGENE HIGH SCHOOL

2025-2026

      NEHS logo jpg

 

Ricci Huling, Principal

250 Silver Lane

Eugene, Oregon 97404

(541) 790-4500

 

Welcome to North Eugene High School!

We’re so glad you’re here! At North Eugene, we believe every student has the power to grow, achieve, and thrive. Our school community supports students in academics, the arts, athletics, service—and most importantly—in becoming confident, capable human beings.

This handbook is here to help guide you through expectations, resources, and opportunities. It reflects our shared commitment to a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where everyone can succeed.

We know genuine learning happens best when we feel safe, connected, and supported. That’s why we’ve built this guide around our core values: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence.

You belong here. We’re excited to support you in reaching your goals.

Let’s make it a great year!

—The North Eugene Administrative Team

Ricci Huling, Principal

Steven Humble, Assistant Principal

Jesus Sandoval, Assistant Principal

Peter Barsotti, Athletic Director/Assistant Principal

  • Creating a positive school culture is a shared responsibility. Students, families, staff, and administrators all play a role in maintaining a respectful, safe, and supportive learning environment.

    Students

    At North Eugene, students have the right to:

    • A safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment
    • Learn free from discrimination or harassment
    • Be heard and appeal disciplinary decisions
    • Use school equipment and spaces for educational purposes

    With those rights come responsibilities. Students are expected to:

    • Know and follow school and district policies
    • Treat others with respect and care
    • Follow staff directions and contribute to a safe environment
    • Advocate for themselves and seek support when needed

    Parents and Guardians

    Parents & Guardians are key partners in student success. We ask families to:

    • Support regular attendance and review school policies
    • Stay involved—attend events, volunteer, or join Parent Group or Site Council
    • Communicate with teachers and staff when questions or concerns arise

    All visitors—including parents—must check in at the front office and wear a visitor pass while on campus.

    Staff

    Our staff is committed to guiding students in their academic and personal development. Staff responsibilities include:

    • Creating inclusive, engaging, and supportive classrooms
    • Communicating clearly about expectations, assignments, and feedback
    • Modeling respectful behavior and enforcing policies fairly and consistently

    Administrators

    School administrators provide leadership and ensure district policies are carried out with fairness and care. They:

    • Communicate clearly with students, staff, and families
    • Support restorative and educational responses to behavior concerns
    • Partner with teachers and counselors to help students succeed

     

  • Campus Hours & Supervision

    Our campus is supervised from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and during official school events. For safety, please avoid being on campus outside of these times unless participating in a school-sponsored activity.

    Bell Schedules & Calendars

    • Our bell schedule and school calendar are available on the NEHS website.
    • Be sure to check for special schedules on early release days, finals, and assemblies.
  • Academics

    School is a place to learn, grow, and explore your potential. Success comes from participation, responsibility, and integrity. You’re expected to:

    • Show up and engage in learning
    • Communicate with teachers
    • Complete assignments and meet deadlines
    • Ask for help when you need it

    Your teachers will share how your work will be graded and what success looks like in each course. Teacher Access Time is available—check with each teacher for their schedule.

    Educational Options

    North Eugene is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering IB Diploma and Career Programs, as well as AP, College Now, and credit recovery. Students with unique needs also have access to individualized learning supports. See our Curriculum Guide for details.

    Monitoring Grades & Attendance

    We use Synergy to track attendance and academic progress. Parents and students can log in anytime via ParentVUE or StudentVUE.

    Grades are posted on Canvas, and teachers update them regularly (at least every two weeks). Need help? Reach out to your teacher directly.


     

  • Oregon requires students to earn 24 credits and demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and math. For a breakdown of required credits by subject, check with your counselor or view the Curriculum Guide.

    Grading

    Grades are calculated using a 4.0 scale:

    • A = 4.0
    • B = 3.0
    • C = 2.0
    • D = 1.0
    • F = 0.0

    Other marks:

    • P (Pass): No impact on GPA
    • NP (No Pass): No credit earned
    • I (Incomplete): Short-term; must be resolved within two terms or it becomes an F unless otherwise noted

    Teachers offer retakes and revision opportunities during a unit. After the unit closes, late work may not be accepted.

    Pass / No Pass

    Students may request to take a class as Pass/No Pass (P/NP). This must be arranged with the teacher before the end of the term. Students who do not pass will receive an NP. Speak with your counselor to see if P/NP is a good option based on your goals.

    Withdrawing from a Class

    Students may drop a class without penalty during the first 20 days. After that, a Withdraw/Fail (WF) may appear on transcripts unless an appeal is granted.

    Academic Integrity

    We believe in learning with honesty. Plagiarism, cheating, or helping someone else cheat violates our expectations. These actions may result in:

    • Loss of credit for the assignment
    • Contact home
    • Referral to administration
    • Additional consequences as needed

    Teachers and staff will support students in learning how to cite sources, work independently, and grow from mistakes.


     

  • Counseling & Career Center

    Our Counseling and Career Center team is here to help every student succeed—academically, socially, and emotionally. Services include:

    • Academic advising and scheduling
    • College and career planning
    • Graduation tracking
    • Social-emotional support
    • Help with IEPs and 504 plans
    • Support for personal challenges
    • Connection to health and mental health resources

    We also offer:

    • IB, AP, and college entrance support
    • Naviance for college & career planning
    • Evening family information sessions
    • Financial aid and scholarship advising

    Need support? Drop by or email your counselor to make an appointment. We’re here for you.

    Additional Support Services

    • School-based Health Clinic: Access to medical and mental health support
    • ELL Support: Spanish-speaking specialist available
    • Substance Abuse Counseling: Confidential support and prevention resources

    ASPIRE Mentoring

    ASPIRE connects students with trained volunteer mentors who help with:

    • Exploring post-high school options
    • Completing applications and financial aid
    • Setting goals for the future

    College Visits & Community Service

    Throughout the year, college reps visit NEHS—watch for announcements! Students seeking community service hours can check daily announcements or visit the Career Center.

    Work-Based Learning

    Get hands-on experience through:

    • Paid internships and credit for work
    • Preschool and teacher assistant programs
    • Volunteer opportunities through Opportunity Knocks

     

    Library & Tutoring

    The library offers digital and in-person academic resources. Teachers are also available for extra help during Teacher Access Time, before or after school, and by appointment.



     

  • Attendance

    Regular attendance is essential for success in school. Students who attend consistently are more likely to graduate on time and perform well.

    • Oregon law requires students age 6–18 to attend school regularly.
    • Students with less than 90% attendance may be considered at-risk.
    • Excessive unexcused absences (more than 8 half days in 4 weeks) may trigger a truancy intervention.

    Excused absences include:

    • Illness or medical appointment
    • Family emergency
    • Religious/cultural observance
    • Court appearances

    Pre-arranged absences (e.g., college visits or religious holidays) must be approved in advance. Vacation absences may not be excused.

    Attendance Terms:

    • Excused: Verified illness, emergency, or approved reason
    • Unexcused: Not verified or doesn’t meet excused criteria
    • Late: Arriving within 10 minutes of class
    • Very Late: Arriving more than 10 minutes into class
    • ED (Early Departure): Leaving class early and not returning
    • Suspension: Not counted as unexcused
  • Students may:

    • Walk, bike, or ride a skateboard/scooter (stored in designated racks)
    • Ride the city bus with an LTD bus pass (available in the front office)
    • Drive and park (see Parking section below)
    • Be dropped off and picked up in the east lot

    Student Parking

    • Parking permits are available to juniors and seniors for $50 per year.
    • Students may park in designated areas east of the staff lot.
    • Neighborhood parking is restricted—tickets and towing are enforced.
    • Reckless driving, repeated violations, or unpaid fines may result in loss of parking privileges.

    Visitors

    • All visitors—including parents—must check in at the front office and wear a visitor badge.
    • Students from other schools are not allowed during the school day without prior approval.

    Riding the Bus

    • Appropriate behavior is expected at all bus stops, the LTD transfer station, and on buses.
    • Repeated misbehavior may result in a loss of bus privileges or a trespass from LTD property.
  • PRIDE & Positive Behavior

    At North Eugene, we lead with PRIDE—Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence. These values guide our school culture and behavior expectations.

    We use Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to foster a respectful and safe environment. When students make mistakes, we use it as a learning opportunity. Chronic or unsafe behaviors may result in referrals and restorative or disciplinary actions.

    Examples of PRIDE in action:

    • Perseverance: Keep trying even when things get tough
    • Respect: Treat others kindly, use appropriate language
    • Integrity: Be honest and do your own work
    • Discipline: Manage your time and meet expectations
    • Excellence: Aim for your personal best and uplift others
  • At North Eugene, we believe discipline should support student growth. Our approach emphasizes teaching, reflection, and restoration—not punishment. When students make mistakes, we guide them toward better choices, using consequences that are fair, consistent, and educational.

    Expectations for Behavior

    We expect students to:

    • Treat others with kindness and respect
    • Use appropriate language
    • Be honest and take responsibility for their actions
    • Respect school property and the rights of others
    • Help create a positive, inclusive environment for all

    Behavior That Interferes With Learning

    While most behavior issues are resolved with a reminder or conversation, certain actions may lead to further intervention. These include:

    • Repeated disruption of learning
    • Defiance of staff direction
    • Unsafe behavior
    • Harassment or bullying
    • Use or possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or weapons

    How We Respond

    We use a tiered response to behavior:

    1. Redirection and restorative conversations
    2. Phone calls home or parent/guardian meetings
    3. Behavior plans, community service, or reflection assignments
    4. Detention, in-school suspension (ISS), or out-of-school suspension (OSS) when necessary
    5. Expulsion only in serious cases, following due process

    We aim to repair harm and reconnect students with their school community whenever possible.

    Dress & Grooming

    We believe students should be able to express themselves through clothing while maintaining a learning-focused environment. Students should dress:

    • Neatly and appropriately for school
    • Free of references to drugs, alcohol, or hate speech
    • In ways that do not cause distraction or safety concerns

    If needed, students will be asked to change or adjust clothing. We work to handle these conversations respectfully and privately.

    Personal Devices

    To maintain focus in the classroom:

    • Devices must be off and put away during the school day according to new Oregon rule
    • Teachers may collect phones for the class period to store in the cell phone hotel
    • Repeated issues may result in parent contact and restricted phone access

    In emergencies, families can call the main office to reach students.

    Open Campus & Off-Limit Areas

    • NEHS has an open campus for students, but we expect students to be respectful neighbors
    • Loitering in nearby neighborhoods or returning late from off-campus lunch may result in loss of privileges
    • Some areas (locker rooms, auditoriums, gyms) are restricted unless supervised

    Prohibited Substances & Items

    The following are not allowed at school, on the bus, or at school-sponsored events:

    • Alcohol, tobacco (including vapes), and other drugs
    • Weapons or items that resemble weapons
    • Explosives or fireworks
    • Hate symbols or threatening imagery

    Violations will be addressed in accordance with district policy and may involve law enforcement.

    Harassment, Bullying & Bias

    Every student deserves to feel safe at school. If you experience or witness:

    • Harassment or intimidation
    • Hate language or bias-based behavior
    • Sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct

    Please report it to a trusted adult, counselor, or administrator. We take these matters seriously and follow district guidelines to investigate and respond with care and urgency.

    Due Process

    All students have the right to:

    • Know the expectations and rules
    • Be informed of allegations against them
    • Share their perspective
    • Appeal decisions

    We are committed to fairness and transparency in every disciplinary process.


     

  • We know students make mistakes. Our job is to help them grow through those moments and get back on track. We respond to behavior using a framework that’s progressive, equitable, and student-centered.

    Guiding Principles

    • Behavior is a form of communication—we listen and respond with empathy
    • Consequences should match the situation and focus on learning
    • Restorative practices are encouraged over punitive ones
    • Equity matters—we monitor for bias and overuse of exclusionary discipline

    Common Responses to Behavior

    Depending on the situation, responses may include:

    • Check-ins and redirection
    • Teacher-led reflection or re-teaching
    • Problem-solving conferences
    • Community service or written reflections
    • Parent contact and behavior plans
    • Restorative circles or mediation
    • Time out of class (ISS/OSS)
    • Loss of privileges or school-sponsored activity access
    • In rare cases: expulsion, in line with district due process

    Discipline Matrix Overview

    We follow Eugene 4J’s district-wide matrix for addressing behavior. Key components:

    • Minor behaviors (e.g., disruption, off-task, inappropriate dress) are handled in class with support and documentation
    • Major behaviors (e.g., harassment, threats, violence) are addressed by administrators and may include restorative and disciplinary steps
    • Subjective behaviors (e.g., defiance, disrespect) are reviewed through an equity lens to reduce bias

    We prioritize learning over punishment and seek to maintain students’ academic engagement wherever possible.


     

  • Messages to Students

    To minimize classroom disruptions, the front office does not deliver personal messages or items. In case of emergencies, call the main office at 541-790-4500.

     

    Food Deliveries

    To ensure school safety and reduce disruptions, students may not receive food deliveries from outside services (e.g. DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub). The front office does not have capacity to accept or monitor these deliveries. Students should bring lunch from home or plan to eat school-provided meals.


     

  • Students may use the district network for:

    • Academic research
    • College and career planning
    • Approved class activities

    Inappropriate use (accessing banned websites, disrupting instruction, or violating privacy) may result in limited access or other consequences.


     

  • Patriotism & Expression

    • Students may choose to participate or not in patriotic exercises.
    • Expression of personal beliefs is allowed, so long as it does not infringe on others' rights or disrupt school activities.
    • If a student objects to an instructional material for religious or ethical reasons, they may request an alternative assignment.
  • Students may:

    • Share opinions verbally or in writing, as long as it does not disrupt learning or violate others’ rights
    • Distribute flyers and materials with prior approval from administration
    • Express themselves through clubs, assemblies, and student media within school guidelines

    We support your right to be heard—and we expect everyone to engage respectfully.


     

  • We welcome and encourage parent involvement! Ways to stay connected:

    • Parent Group: Advocacy, events, and district engagement
    • Site Council: School improvement and vision planning
    • Booster Club: Supports athletics and awards student scholarships
    • College Advisory Assistants: Volunteers supporting post-secondary planning
    • Classroom Panels & Tutoring: Help with student presentations or assignments
    • Performing Arts & Sports Events: Assist with events and logistics

    Have a skill or interest you’d like to share? Contact the front office—we’d love to have you involved!


     

  • Need help or have questions? Here's where to start:

    • Main Office: 541-790-4500
    • Attendance Office: 541-790-4459 or nehs_attendance@4j.lane.edu
    • Counseling Center: 541-790-4531
    • Records Request/Registrar: (541) 790-4447
    • College & Career Center: 541-790-4518
    • Athletics/Activities: Contact Peter Barsotti at 541-790-4507
    • Bilingual Family Liaison: 541-790-4519

    For a full staff directory and updated info, visit our website: North Eugene High School