Back-to-School Guide (Grades 9-12) | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
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Back-to-School Guide (Grades 9-12)

A Note from Principal Joy Clarke-Wells:


Dear E.L. Haynes Elementary School Families,

We’re excited to welcome students back on Monday, August 18!

To our new families—welcome to E.L. Haynes! To our returning families—welcome back! Thank you for choosing E.L. Haynes for your student. We value our partnership with families and look forward to working together to ensure your student is prepared to thrive in college, career, and life.

As you prepare for the 2025–2026 school year, please review the entire webpage for key information about the year ahead, including how we’ll support a strong start to school.

You can expect a weekly newsletter and regular updates through ParentSquare, our family communication platform (more info on how to get started is below). If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out to me directly at jclarke@elhaynes.org.

Thank you for being part of our diverse learning community. I look forward to a great year of learning and growth together!

See you soon!

Joy Clarke-Wells
Principal
E.L. Haynes High School
jclarke@elhaynes.org

Meet the Leadership Team

What’s New For School Year 2025- 2026

Updated Attendance Policy: On Time Every Day Matters!

Regular attendance is essential for academic success and student growth. E.L. Haynes requires that all students attend school daily and arrive on time. Frequent absences, tardiness, and early dismissals negatively impact instructional time and students’ learning opportunities. Our updated policy includes specific seat time requirements to determine whether a student is considered present or absent for the school day.

Secondary School Attendance – 60/40 Seat Time Policy

To be considered present for the day, students must attend at least 60% of their scheduled class periods. Failure to meet this threshold below will result in a full-day absence.

  • The student arrives after 11:55 a.m. 
  • The student leaves before 1:05 p.m.
  • The student both arrives late and leaves early, and is present for less than 60% of the school day.

Students will be permitted to attend their regularly scheduled course upon arrival; however, they will be marked absent for the day if they are not present at least 60% of the school day. 

Attendance, Grades, and Promotion

Student grading and promotion can be impacted by an accrual of unexcused absences as follows:

  • Secondary students with ten (10) unexcused absences in any class shall receive an initial written notice that they are at risk of receiving a grade of “FA” (failure due to absences) in that subject upon accumulating more than thirty (30) unexcused absences unless an exception applies.2 
  • Secondary students with fifteen (15) unexcused absences in any class shall receive an additional written warning that they are at risk of receiving a grade of “FA” (failure due to absences) in that subject upon accumulating more than thirty (30) unexcused absences.
  • Secondary students accumulating more than thirty (30) unexcused absences in a course within a full school year shall receive a failing final grade in that course with a resulting loss of course credit.3
  • Any student in any grade accumulating more than thirty (30) unexcused absences within a school year shall only be promoted to the next grade if a written justification is submitted by the Principal to the Chief Academic Officer or designee. The Chief Academic Officer or designee will meet with the school’s MTSS team and will make a final determination. 

Process for Excused Absences 

If you know your student will be absent, please send an email or submit a note upon your child’s return to school. In order to excuse an absence, the school must receive a note or email from the family or a doctor. In the case of an absence longer than three days, a doctor’s note is required. Notes and emails must be received within 5 school days of the absence. You may call the school’s front office to inform us that your child will be absent; however, this call WILL NOT excuse the absence and is for our information only. Please email excuse notes to attendance-hs@elhaynes.org.

The note/email must include the date of absence, parent name, student name, and the valid reason for absence, and be turned into the main office at the student’s campus. Forms are available at the front desk. If no documentation is submitted to the Attendance Coordinator, the absence will be considered unexcused. Reporting the absence does not automatically excuse the absence. Excused absences are granted in accordance with the following school policy. Valid reasons for absence from school include: 

  • Illness of the student or a doctor’s appointment; 
  • Exclusion due to quarantine, contagious disease, infection, infestation, or other condition requiring separation from other students for medical or health reasons; 
  • Illness or other immediate family emergency that requires the presence of the student outside the school; 
  • Death in the student’s immediate family; 
  • Necessity for a student to attend any judicial proceeding as a party or witness;
  • Observance of religious holy days; 
  • Suspension or expulsion from school by an administrator pursuant to E.L. Haynes discipline policy; 
  • Temporary closing of the school facility or suspension of classes due to severe weather, official  activities, holidays, malfunctioning equipment, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, or other conditions requiring the closing of the school facility or suspension of classes

9th Grade Bridge to High School 

We aspire to lay the foundation for your students’ High School experience in their 9th-grade school year, beginning with our Bridge to High School experience. During the first week of school, all 9th graders will have half-day special programming to acclimate them to the full High School community.  Students should arrive between 8:05am and 8:30am. They will be dismissed at 1:15 PM Monday, August 18th through Friday, August 22nd. Students, except OSSE bus riders, are expected to leave campus upon dismissal. 9th-grade students will have full days, 9:00 AM-3:45 PM, beginning on Monday, August 25th, 2025. 

Important Reminders 

School Year 2025-2026 Calendar 

We’re excited for the year ahead! Review a snapshot of our full school year calendar here. 

School Day Hours and Early Dismissal Wednesdays

This year, school hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with early dismissal on Wednesdays. Wednesday school hours are 9:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.  The building opens at 8:05 a.m. for students to eat breakfast, attend office hours, and arrive at school on time! During the first week of school, we encourage students to arrive before 8:30 to ensure they can pass through security and be on time for class. 

Student Course Schedules 

Our schedule this year is grounded in academic acceleration for all learners supported by rigor, relationships, and relevance.  Student academic schedules are up to date through the Infinite Campus and Canvas portals.  Student schedule changes will only move forward if: You are not in an AP class, foreign language, or elective you applied for/selected; You have been enrolled in a course you already completed; You notice your schedule is missing a core class or graduation requirement. 

Student Technology

Chromebooks

Students new to E.L. Haynes will receive their laptops during Orientation.  All returning students have their devices from the end of the last school year. Chromebooks are intended for use at school each and every day.  In addition to teacher expectations for Chromebook use, school messages, announcements, calendars, and schedules may be accessed using the  Chromebook.  Students are responsible for bringing their fully-charged Chromebook to all classes, unless specifically advised not to do so by their teacher. Students should store Chromebooks in their backpacks or lockers when not in use. 

Returning students should submit a Tech Ticket to techsupport@elhaynes.org if their device was misplaced, lost, or damaged over the summer. There is a three-day waiting period for replacement devices. Parents and students will be notified if there is a fee for replacement. 

Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices 

At Haynes, we believe all students need to learn self-regulation and self-management skills, particularly when it comes to their devices. Our approach aims to help students learn appropriate uses for their devices as tools for learning, not escape or distraction. Research shows that creating physical and psychological space between teens and their devices enhances focus and well-being. Therefore, students may possess personal electronic devices, such as cell phones and iPads, on Haynes property and at Haynes sponsored activities; however, students may not have cell phones out or on their person in class due to the disruption associated with loss of instructional time. 

At the beginning of each class, all cell phones must be placed in the classroom’s cell phone locker upon entry and not touched until class dismissal. Cell phone lockers will be locked by the teacher during class time. Parents will be contacted when a student does not comply with the school-wide cell phone policy. E.L. Haynes assumes no responsibility or liability for loss, theft, or damage to a device, or for the unauthorized use of any such device. 

Culture and Community: We Are All the Culture

At E.L. Haynes, culture is not something we have—it’s something we create together. Every student, family member, staff person, and community partner plays an essential role in shaping the kind of school we are. This means that how we treat one another, the values we live by, and the ways we handle challenges are all part of the culture we build—every single day.

Being part of our culture means taking responsibility for how we contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful community. It means showing up with kindness and empathy, holding each other accountable, and working through conflicts with care and honesty. In short, we are all active creators and guardians of the culture that makes E.L. Haynes is a place where everyone can learn and belong.

Our Culture Commitments

 E.L. Haynes, we believe that how students learn is just as important as what they learn. That’s why we’re deeply committed to building a school culture where every student feels safe, seen, valued, and challenged to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our goal is to ensure that all Haynes students feel a deep connection to our community and the confidence to be their best self every day.

  • Relationships First: We believe that trust and connection are at the heart of learning. Every student deserves to feel known and cared for—and that includes strong partnerships between families and staff.
  • Inclusive & Identity-Affirming Spaces: At E.L. Haynes, we celebrate the diversity of our students and staff. We intentionally create spaces where every voice is valued, and every identity is honored.
  • Celebrating Student Growth: Whether it’s academic success, creative expression, or acts of empathy and leadership, we find ways to lift up and celebrate the contributions of our students throughout the year.
  • Character & Community: We are not just preparing students for the next grade—we’re helping them become thoughtful, responsible, and compassionate people who can lead change in their communities.

CARES: Our Shared Language

Our culture work is anchored in our CARES Values:

  • Cooperation
  • Assertiveness
  • Responsibility
  • Empathy
  • Self-Control

These values guide how we learn, lead, and interact as a school community. CARES is more than a behavior system—it’s a common language that helps students, families, and staff work together to create a school that is safe, focused, inclusive, and kind.

Our Approach to Discipline & Support

At E.L. Haynes, our approach to discipline is rooted in restorative practices and the belief that every moment is an opportunity for learning and growth. We use an intervention continuum that allows us to respond to student behavior in ways that are fair, individualized, and culturally relevant. 

Rather than asking, “What rule was broken?” we ask:

  • “What happened?”
  • “What’s underneath this?”
  • “What does this student need right now to learn, reflect, and move forward?”

Discipline at Haynes is never about control or punishment—it’s about connection, accountability, reflection, and repair. We hold high expectations with high support, because we know students rise when they feel supported by adults who genuinely care.

We believe in logical consequences. Some consequences may include: 

  • T.A.B Spaces and Buddy Class: The T.A.B. (Take A Break) Space and Buddy Class provide students with structured opportunities to reflect, reset, and regain composure, with Buddy Class serving as an additional support when repeated resets are ineffective.
  • Problem-Solving Conference: A problem-solving conference is a collaborative conversation between teacher and student to understand the root cause of a persistent issue and develop a shared plan to address it.
  • Community Meeting: A community meeting is a structured group discussion that promotes shared problem-solving, respectful dialogue, and collective decision-making while reinforcing classroom rules and values.
  • Loss of Privileges: Loss of privileges is a consequence that reminds students their access to certain materials or activities is tied to meeting expectations, and they must demonstrate readiness before regaining access.
  • “You Broke It, You Fix It”: “You Broke It, You Fix It” teaches students to take responsibility for their actions by repairing harm they’ve caused—whether to people, property, or the classroom community.

Stay Connected & In the Know  

We believe authentic school-home partnerships grounded in trusting relationships and open communication equip families and teachers to ensure the success of our students. We believe that when all stakeholders consistently work to cultivate this partnership, students will have the support they need to be kind, work hard, and get smart.  We will continue to actively use ParentSquare for regular, ongoing, consistent communication with families, including weekly newsletters. 

You will receive an introductory phone call from your student’s advisor in the coming weeks. Please prioritize connecting with your student’s advisor and sharing your preferred means of communication on an ongoing basis.

Upcoming Opportunities to Connect

  • Thursday, August 14th, 5:00-7:30pm: 9th Grade and New to Haynes Student and Family Orientation (Dinner Provided)
  • Thursday, September 4th, 5:30-7:00pm: 10th and 11th Grade Family Night (Dinner Provided)
  • Tuesday, September 9th, 5:30-7:00pm: 12th Grade Family Night (Dinner Provided)
  • Wednesday, September 24th, 2:00-7:00pm:  Quarter 1 Family-Teacher Conferences

Note: Every family engagement session will be facilitated in English with simultaneous Spanish translation. All important session content will be shared in our weekly newsletter after the event. 

Download the ParentSquare App

ParentSquare is our primary family communication tool. This platform helps streamline communications between you and the school, provides automatically translated messages, has Family-Teacher Conference sign-ups, and more. You can expect to receive weekly newsletters from the leadership team as well as direct messages about your students’ progress through ParentSquare. To stay connected, please download the free app using the links below:

Download the Infinite Campus Parent App

Infinite Campus is our student information system. Infinite Campus is a powerful tool for parents to stay on top of their students’ grades and attendance. It is also the system we use for re-enrollment. As partners in your students’ education, we are committed to sharing timely updates about grades and attendance. We ask students, parents, and guardians to regularly check Infinite Campus to track progress. Learn more: Get Started: IC Student & Parent Portal. 

Note: District Name is “Haynes”

Additional Back-to-School Information

Health and Immunization Requirements

DC law requires all students to provide up-to-date immunization, health, and dental records, or proof of medical or religious exemption. Visit osse.dc.gov/immunization for additional guidance from the DC Department of Health and the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. If you have any questions about your child’s health requirements, contact Health and Wellness Director Melissa Beasley at mbeasley@elhaynes.org.

Register Now for Fall Sports

Registration for sports is now open! Students must complete registration via elhaynes-dc.finalforms.com and submit an up-to-date medical physical form in order to participate. 

If your child has already played a sport with us in the past—great! All you need to do is select the sport they want to play this coming school year once again.

Important: Each parent must re-register their child for sports participation. The system will not allow a student to register on their own. Please be sure to upload their most recent physical/medical form!


The sports we will offer this year are:

Fall: 

  • Girls Volleyball  
  • Boys V Soccer
  • Boys JV Soccer
  • Girls V Soccer
  • eSports (Boys/Girls)
  • Cross Country (Boys/Girls)

Winter

  • Cheerleading (Boys/Girls)
  • Track (Boys/Girls) 
  • Boys V Basketball  
  • Boys JV Basketball   
  • Girls V Basketball 
  • JV Wrestling (Boys/Girls) *new!* 

Spring

  • Track (Boys/Girls) 
  • Girls Flag Football *new!*  
  • Girls JV Lacrosse  

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