AKRON, Ind. -- Tippecanoe Valley High School announced new policy changes for the upcoming school year, pertaining to dress code, cell phone, attendance, and grading.

School officials say understanding these new policies fosters collaboration between parents and the school, promoting a supportive environment that enhances student learning and development.

The new cell phone policy states students are not allowed to accessor use cell phones during class periods, SSR, or VS.

Cell phones are to be stored out of sight in lockers, pockets, or bags and must be in silent mode.

If a student is caught using a cell phone during class time, a disciplinary referral will be made, and the phone must be confiscated by TVHS staff.

The new attendance policy states students can be excused by a parent for up to five school days per semester.

Further absences require official documentation or assessment by the school nurse.

School officials say failure to provide documentation after the fifth absence will count as unexcused. Unexcused absences may lead to disciplinary actions.

Officials say students are expected to dress in a clean, well-groomed, business-like manner that does not disrupt learning or compromise safety. They clarified this means shorts and skirts at least fingertip length, clothing free of excessive holes, no midriffs/cut off shirts, or inappropriate graphics.

The policy states the school reserves the right to determine suitable attire, with violations resulting in required clothing changes and potential disciplinary action.

Starting the 2025-26 school year, TVHS says they will adopt a new semester grading policy.

Officials say the new system grades will be a running total throughout the semester. The new system will have weighted totals of formative assessments at 55 percent, assignments at 30 percent, final exams at 10 percent, and midterm exams at 5 percent.

Students' grades will be calculated as a continuous, running total for the whole 18-week semester.

School officials say progress reports will be available to parents after the ninth week, the midterm exam, and before parent teacher conferences.