Handbook

We have a dedicated athletic website, it is www.arbiterlive.com. Check this website often for the most updated information about athletics. Another great resource for athletic information is on Silas’s website, under Athletics. Questions that can’t be answered on the Silas Athletics or the goramstacoma.com website, can be directed to the AD via email, jlee4@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call 253-571-6071

Good attendance is vital to your success at Silas High School and we want nothing more than for you to be successful while here.  Take a moment and think about how large and unique Silas’s campus is.  We have 1300 students spread across a 14+ acre campus with several buildings.  Our campus is a “California Style Campus.”  Depending on the class, e.g. Music, PE/Swim, JROTC, it can be extremely difficult to locate students in real time.  Therefore, we ask that you give Attendance as much notice as possible for early dismissals. We also try not to call into a classroom during instruction time, as it’s a disruption to all students in the class and to the teacher. We ask of you to please plan for early dismissal to avoid disrupting an entire class. Please try and schedule appointments and family vacations outside of the school day.

REQUESTING HOMEWORK: DO NOT CONTACT THE OFFICE TO REQUEST HOMEWORK.  STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EMAILING THEIR TEACHERS AND ASKING FOR MISSED WORK.

On Silas’s website, www.silas.tacomaschools.org, under the “About” tab, you will find our Bell Schedule.  Please note, Wednesdays are “Late Start.” An exception to Late Start days will be state testing, finals and first day of school.  Usually, your teachers and/or principals will communicate if a Wednesday will not be late start.

We do not allow birthday parties and birthday paraphernalia at the high school level. The following items are not permitted at SHS and will not be given to students: balloons, cake or any other food related celebratory items, flowers, etc. Birthdays should be celebrated after school hours, and not on Silas’s campus. This policy is to support our goal of making sure all Silas students are healthy, safe and are being provided a conducive learning environment. 

Balloons are a safety hazard and a disruption and are not permitted on campus, if seen, they will be confiscated.

All Tacoma Schools operate on a closed campus policy. When students arrive at school, they must remain on campus until dismissal, unless excused through the Attendance Office. Students must bring a written parent/guardian request to the attendance office before leaving campus for early dismissals. Students are subject to disciplinary action for going into the parking areas without permission during the school day or leaving campus without permission. ​

For the safety and security of our students, staff and the community, visitors must check in at the Main Office. Students may not have food or other items delivered to campus by outside vendors like Uber Eats and Door Dash.

Students must depart school by 2:30 p.m. daily unless they are in a supervised activity with a Silas staff member.

You are more than welcome to reach out to staff directly using their email or direct line.  Please refer to the contact page for email addresses and phone numbers. 
When you call Silas HS at 253-571-6000, we have created an option to expedite your call, saving you time and providing you ease.  Please use the following options:  
Athletic Office – Opt. #1 
9^th-11^th Grade Attendance – Opt. #2 
12^th Grade Attendance – Opt. # 3 
Guidance/Counselor’s Office - Opt. # 4 
Cashier’s Office/Office Coordinator - Opt. #5 
Nurse’s Office - Opt. #6 
Main Office – Opt. #0 

School dances are an important part of the high school experience, but attendance at these events is a privilege, not a right. Please help Silas High School continue to provide dances for our students by acting in an appropriate manner. 

Failure to comply with the dance code of conduct and/or reasonable requests from chaperones may result in removal from the dance and exclusion from future dances without reimbursement.​​

Silas High School acknowledges that a correlation exists between personal attire and student achievement. This document informs students and families that Silas’s dress code is designed to allow for student comfort while maintaining an environment conducive to teaching and learning in the best available educational setting. 

If a student is out of compliance with the Silas dress code, he/she will be asked to remedy the situation to become compliant with the following expectations. 
•    Undergarments are required. 
•    Garments that promote the use of drugs, (including tobacco, vape or alcohol products,) are prohibited. This includes the logos of local companies like “Cookies” or “Zips” or breweries and wineries.
•    Hate speech, to include sexist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language or negative ethnic/racial comments or connotations are not allowed to be worn at school or at school related activities (home or away). School administration may determine anything that could be considered questionable or “gray area” content.

In order to minimize disruption and loss of instructional time, students should have extra clothing items, especially if they believe they may be asked to change. Please check your student’s attire daily to assure that students maximize their learning opportunities and avoid attire that is not compliant with the Silas dress code. 

If a student has failed to comply with the dress code, the student may be referred to an administrator and may be denied entrance to class until the dress code violation is resolved. 

If you have reason to believe an item may not be school appropriate… it probably isn’t. 

In all cases, school administrators will make the final determination regarding specific dress code violations. Students are expected to be cooperative whenever their attire is determined inappropriate. Argumentative, hostile or defiant behavior will be subject to other disciplinary action and progressive consequences. 

Cell phones and certain electronic items shut you off to the outside world and can be a safety hazard on campus allowing you to not hear what is going on. In the case of headphones and ear buds, you may only have them obstructing one ear while anywhere on campus. Headphones should be removed entirely while you are in class. Cell phones should be turned off and put away during class time unless otherwise directed by a teacher to be used as a learning tool.

Students bringing personal property on to school district property do so at their own risk. The school district does not assume responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen property.

Board Policy 6540

Board Regulation 6540R

Earn 24.0 credits in the required categories

The specific requirements for each class can be found on the Washington State Board of Education Graduation Requirements website.

Complete a Graduation Pathway

The specific requirements for each class can be found on the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Graduation Pathways website.

The school nurse is available to all students for health status appraisal, i.e., vision, hearing, dental, and scoliosis screening, first aid and emergency care and as a school resource for health education and prevention programs. The nurse is available for counseling regarding any health concerns students may have.

It is IMPORTANT that students with special health problems such as diabetes, epilepsy, recent surgery, or hospitalization report to the nurse at the beginning of the school term.

Tacoma School District Policy does not allow the nurse to give any medications of any kind, including aspirin or Tylenol. Arrangements for medication at school must be made with the school nurse with a written parental request and a physician’s prescription.

For immunizations, medication at school and other health-related information, please visit Tacoma Public Schools' Health and Wellness page.

We furnish an initial Silas High School Identification (ID) Card to each student at no cost. It is the responsibility of the student to keep this ID card with them at all times during school. ID cards are required to purchase meals, check out books and make transactions in the business office. Although the first ID card is provided at no cost, there will be a $5.00 charge for each replacement card. Students may purchase an ASB membership annually. The membership provides free admission to regular season athletic contests and reduced admission to dances and other ASB activities. An ASB membership is required for all students participating in clubs, activities, or sports. Designation of the ASB membership will be on the student’s ID card.​​​​​​

It is important that you and your student read and discuss the Student Use of District Technology page, which includes the District’s Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Resources. A summary of the regulation follows. Complete text is available on the Tacoma Public Schools website. 

In using the district digital resources, students accept the responsibility to:

1. ​Utilize the digital resources for educational purposes only;
2. Abide by district policies and federal/state laws, including Copyright laws;
3. Adhere to school guidelines on use of the network, and notifying staff prior to using the internet;
4. Use good behavior and respect district property; do not destroy, modify, delete, or add software to district computers without permission.
5. Use digital resources in a legal, moral, and ethical manner. Do not access or process obscene, pornographic, or other inappropriate materials.

Tacoma Public Schools reserves the right to review and monitor activity on the network for responsible use consistent with the District’s Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Resources and Regulation; and to remove a user’s privilege to access the network at any time the District determines that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or for violating the Policy. Disciplinary actions, if any, shall be consistent with the district’s standard policies and procedures.

Lockers are assigned in Ram Teams. Malfunctions or thievery should be reported to the Security Officers. Highly valued items should not be brought to school, nor left in a student locker; and the locker door should always be locked after use. Students should never tell anyone their combination, not even close friends. Students are requested to keep their belongings in their own lockers. Silas High School is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

All lost items are taken the courtyard security office. A brief description of the article and its contents may help regain a lost possession. To insure prompt recover/investigation, lost or stolen articles should be reported immediately. Students who find lost

officer(s) or the main office. Silas High School is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Students are requested not to bring valuables to school.

Each school year students who wish to drive to school must register their cars. Parking on campus is a privilege. In order to accommodate the large number of students and staff desiring to park on school property, in accordance with TSD regulation 6550, the rules listed below have been

established. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action, and or a fine. Please park in designated student parking areas.

1. All students must register his/her vehicle with our cash register office, Ms. McFarland.

2. Students must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license and show proof that there is liability and property damage insurance on the vehicle and acknowledge that he/she will assume full responsibility for any comprehensive or collision claims that may occur while on school property.

3. Students must fill out the Vehicle Registration card before a parking permit is issued.

4. The cost is $5.

5. The parking lot is OFF LIMITS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY (7:30 – 2:05). This includes lunchtime. Books, lunches, clothing, etc. should not be left in the vehicle.

6. Speeding or careless driving in the parking lot and on the streets bordering the campus will result in loss of parking privileges and the incident will be reported to the police department.

7. The school/school district is not responsible for vandalism or theft of the vehicle. Students are encouraged to leave valuables at home, including large speakers and other items that might tempt a thief.

8. Possession of alcoholic beverages, drugs/illegal chemical substances or opiates, firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons fall under the terms and conditions of “Student Conduct Rules” and extend to a student’s vehicle parked on school district property and

adjacent properties.

9. A student may transport another student during the day only with the consent of the student passenger’s parent and if consistent with the terms of the student’s driver’s license.

10. Student vehicles shall not be parked on district property overnight unless the principal or designee has given authorization to the student because of a school-related activity. The district shall not be held liable for any damage that may occur to a vehicle left parked during non-school hours or overnight.

11. Parking decals are to be displayed in the left front window of the vehicle.

12. Students who choose to park on the side streets and adjacent properties to avoid paying for a campus parking permit are subject to City of Tacoma parking rules/regulations.

Our two Campus Security Officers have offices in two Security Office locations on campus. In addition to supporting the safety and security of Silas High School and all of its students and staff, our Security Office handles the following issues:

• Student parking​
• Transportation and busing
• Lost or stolen items
• Turning in items found on campus or belonging to Silas students
• Confiscated items

Students may access the Security Office before school and after school, and should refrain from visiting the Security Office during class time.

Skateboards, longboards and bikes are not to be ridden anywhere on Silas’s property; this includes our sidewalks. Skateboards and longboards are not allowed to be carried from class to class. Please place your board in your locker or ask a teacher, coach or administrator if you can keep them in their room until the end of the school day. We have lockers in the 800 hall that are big enough for longboards and skateboards.

Bikes are to be locked up and secured on the bike racks which are located between the music hall and auditorium and in front of the auditorium. Bikes are to remain locked until the end of the school day or until you are leaving campus for the day. Bikes brought to school are not to be ridden during lunches. Bikes should not be locked to posts or fences or you may be subject to disciplinary action

Skateboards, longboard and bikes are not permitted on Silas’s campus.  As soon as you arrive on campus, you must get off and walk it the rest of the way.

DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP STUDENTS IN THE STAFF PARKING LOT RIGHT OUTSIDE THE MAIN OFFICE DOORS.  THIS AREA IS NOT MEANT FOR DROP OFF/PICK UP USE, AND YOU MAY BE ASKED TO MOVE YOUR CAR.  PLEASE USE ORCHARD STREET, N. 11^TH OR N. 14^TH STREET TO PICK UP AND DROP OFF. PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR CAMPUS SAFE!

Busses pick up and drop off in the pool parking lot. 

Please become familiar with the “BUS ROUTES” section of TPS’ website under the "Families” section.   There is a lot of great information and tools on this website. This is where you will go to find out if a bus is provided for you, and its route information.    If you are going to take the school bus, the student will need to register with Ms. Howell sometime during the first few weeks of school.  Ms. Howell will be available daily in the Main Office to discuss transportation with students.  It is OK to begin the school year riding the bus while you wait to meet with Ms. Howell.  Just have your most recent school ID handy in case you are asked by the bus driver. Do not leave class to discuss with Ms. Swaleson, this needs to happen during lunch or before/after school. 

Remember to check bus stop locations regularly for the first two weeks of school using the Bus Stop Lookup (search by address) as routes change often.

Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. Proper behavior is expected on all busses at all times. Any student abusing the privilege of riding the bus could have their riding privileges revoked.

Please note, if you opted into Silas from your neighborhood school, school bus transportation is not provided.

Yearbooks can be ordered online, in advance, at yearbookforever.com.  The school cannot order a yearbook for you.  To advance order, please go straight to yearbookforever.com. We do keep a few extras on hand that can be purchased in person, at the cashier’s office, at the very end of the school year.  We highly recommend ordering the yearbook mid-August through September, as that is when the advance payment discount is the biggest.  The longer you wait, the smaller the advance payment discount gets.

Questions regarding the yearbook, including senior photo and grad ads, please contact Mr. Cadena