To Students and Parents:
Welcome to school year 2009–2010! Education is a team effort, and we know that
students, parents, teachers, and other staff members all working together can
make this a wonderfully successful year for our students.
The Centerville ISD Student Handbook is designed to provide
a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will need
during the school year. In an effort to
make it easier to use, the handbook is divided into two sections:
Section I—REQUIRED
NOTICES AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS—with notices that the district must
provide to all parents, as well as other information to assist you in
responding to school-related issues. We
encourage you to take some time to closely review this section of the handbook;
and
Section
II—INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS—organized alphabetically by topic
for quick access when searching for information on a specific issue.
Please be aware that the term “the student’s parent” is used
to refer to the parent, legal guardian, or any other person who has agreed to
assume school-related responsibility for a student.
Both students and parents should become familiar with the Centerville
ISD Student
Code of Conduct, which is a document adopted by the board and intended to
promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. That document may be found as a separate
document sent home to parents and posted on the Centerville ISD website at www.centervilleisd.net.
The Student Handbook is designed to be in harmony with board
policy and the Student Code of Conduct.
Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy
adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy or other rules that affect
Student Handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents
through newsletters and other communications.
In case of conflict between board policy or the Student
Code of Conduct and any provisions of the Student Handbook, the
provisions of board policy or the Student Code of Conduct that were
most recently adopted by the board are to be followed.
After reading through the entire handbook with your child,
keep it as a reference during this school year.
If you or your child has questions about any of the material in this
handbook, please contact the principal.
Also, please complete and return to your child’s campus the
following required forms included in this handbook or provided in the forms packet
accompanying this handbook:
1.
Parental Acknowledgment Form;
2. Student
Directory Information Form;
3. Release
of Information to Military Recruiters
and Institutions of Higher Learning Forms; and
[See Obtaining Information and Protecting
Student Rights on page 4 and Directory
Information on page 10 for more information.]
Please note that references to policy codes are included so
that parents can refer to current board policy.
A copy of the district’s policy manual is available for review in the
school office or online at www.centervilleisd.net.
This section of the Centerville ISD Student Handbook
includes several notices that the district is required to provide to you, as
well as other information on topics of particular interest to you as a parent.
In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, Centerville ISD
does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin,
gender, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and
programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of
1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
The following district staff members have been designated to
coordinate compliance with these legal requirements:
·
Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding
discrimination on the basis of sex: Superintendent
Craig Davis, Centerville ISD, 10327
N State Hwy 94, Groveton, Tx 75845, 936 642-1597.
·
Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding
discrimination on the basis of disability:
Principal Chas Brantner at the same address and phone number as listed
above..
·
All other concerns regarding
discrimination: See Superintendent Craig
Davis ( see info above).
Both experience and research tell us that a child’s
education succeeds best when there is good communication and a strong
partnership between home and school.
Your involvement in this partnership may include:
·
Encouraging your child to put a high priority on
education and working with your child on a daily basis to make the most of the
educational opportunities the school provides.
·
Ensuring that your child completes all homework
assignments and special projects and comes to school each day prepared, rested,
and ready to learn.
·
Becoming familiar with all of your child’s
school activities and with the academic programs, including special programs,
offered in the district.
·
Discussing with the counselor or principal any
questions you may have about the options and opportunities available to your
child.
·
Reviewing the requirements of the graduation
programs with your child, if your child is entering ninth grade.
·
Monitoring your child’s academic progress and
contacting teachers as needed. [See Academic Counseling on page 23
and Academic Programs on page 17.]
·
Attending scheduled conferences and requesting
additional conferences as needed. To
schedule a telephone or in-person conference with a teacher, counselor, or
principal, please call the school office at 936 642-1597 for an
appointment. The teacher will usually
return your call or meet with you during his or her conference period or before
or after school. [See Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences
on page 42.]
·
Serving as a parent representative on the
district-level or campus-level planning committees, assisting in the
development of educational goals and plans to improve student achievement. For further information, see policies at BQA
and BQB, and contact Principal Brantner.
·
Serving on the School Health Advisory Council,
assisting the district in ensuring local community values are reflected in
health education instruction. [See
policies at BDF, EHAA, FFA, and information in this handbook at School Health Advisory Council on page 35.]
·
Attending board meetings to learn more about
district operations. [See policies at BE
and BED for more information.]
Your child will not be required to participate without
parental consent in any survey, analysis, or evaluation—funded in whole or in
part by the U.S. Department of Education—that concerns:
·
Political affiliations or beliefs of the student
or the student’s parent.
·
Mental or psychological problems of the student
or the student’s family.
·
Sexual behavior or attitudes.
·
Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or
demeaning behavior.
·
Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the
student has a close family relationship.
·
Relationships privileged under law, such as
relationships with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.
·
Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of
the student or parents.
·
Income, except when the information is required
by law and will be used to determine the student’s eligibility to participate
in a special program or to receive financial assistance under such a program.
You will be able to inspect the survey or other instrument
and any instructional materials used in connection with such a survey,
analysis, or evaluation. [For further
information, see policy EF(LEGAL).]
As a parent, you have a right to receive notice of and deny
permission for your child’s participation in:
·
Any survey concerning the private information
listed above, regardless of funding.
·
School activities involving the collection,
disclosure, or use of personal information gathered from your child for the
purpose of marketing or selling that information.
·
Any nonemergency, invasive physical examination
or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered and scheduled
by the school in advance and not necessary to protect the immediate health and
safety of the student. Exceptions are
hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening
permitted or required under state law.
[See policies EF and FFAA.]
As a parent, you may inspect a survey created by a third
party before the survey is administered or distributed to your child.
You may request information regarding the professional
qualifications of your child’s teachers, including whether a teacher has met
state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject
areas in which the teacher provides instruction; whether the teacher has an
emergency permit or other provisional status for which state requirements have
been waived; and undergraduate and graduate degree majors, graduate
certifications, and the field of study of the certification or degree. You also have the right to request
information about the qualifications of any paraprofessional who may provide
services to your child.
As a parent, you have a right to review teaching materials,
textbooks, and other teaching aids and instructional materials used in the
curriculum, and to examine tests that have been administered to your child.
As a parent, you have a right to provide consent before the
district can display your child’s artwork, special projects, photographs taken
by your child, and the like on the district’s Web site, in printed material, by
video, or by any other method of mass communication.
You may review your child’s student records. These records include:
·
Attendance records,
·
Test scores,
·
Grades,
·
Disciplinary records,
·
Counseling records,
·
Psychological records,
·
Applications for admission,
·
Health and immunization information,
·
Other medical records,
·
Teacher and counselor evaluations,
·
Reports of behavioral patterns, and
·
State assessment instruments that have been
administered to your child.
[See Student Records
on page 9.]
As a parent, you may grant or deny any written request from
the district to make a video or voice recording of your child. State law, however, permits the school to
make a video or voice recording without parental permission for the following
circumstances:
·
When it is to be used for school safety;
·
When it relates to classroom instruction or a
cocurricular or extracurricular activity; or
·
When it relates to media coverage of the school.
You may remove your child temporarily from the classroom if
an instructional activity in which your child is scheduled to participate
conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs.
The removal cannot be for the purpose of avoiding a test and may not
extend for an entire semester. Further,
your child must satisfy grade-level and graduation requirements as determined
by the school and by the Texas Education Agency.
As a part of the district’s curriculum, students receive
instruction related to human sexuality. The
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is involved with the selection of course
materials for such instruction.
State law requires that any instruction related to human
sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, or human immunodeficiency virus or
acquired immune deficiency syndrome must:
·
Present abstinence from sexual activity as the
preferred choice of behavior in relationship to all sexual activity for
unmarried persons of school age;
·
Devote more attention to abstinence from sexual
activity than to any other behavior;
·
Emphasize that abstinence is the only method
that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted
diseases, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity;
·
Direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in
which abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is the most effective way
to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; and
·
If included in the content of the curriculum,
teach contraception and condom use in terms of human use reality rates instead
of theoretical laboratory rates.
As a parent, you are entitled to review the curriculum
materials. In addition, you may remove
your child from any part of this instruction with no academic, disciplinary, or
other penalties. You may also choose to
become more involved with the development of curriculum used for this purpose
by becoming a member of the district’s SHAC.
Please see the campus principal for additional information.
As a parent, you may request that your child be excused from
participation in the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Texas
flag. The request must be in
writing. State law does not allow your
child to be excused from participation in the required minute of silence or
silent activity that follows. [See Pledges of Allegiance and A Minute of Silence on page 40
and policy EC(LEGAL).]
You may request that your child be excused from recitation
of a portion of the Declaration of Independence. State law requires students in
social studies classes in grades 3–12 to recite a portion of the text of the
Declaration of Independence during Celebrate Freedom Week unless (1) you
provide a written statement requesting that your child be excused, (2) the
district determines that your child has a conscientious objection to the
recitation, or (3) you are a representative of a foreign government to whom the
United States government extends diplomatic immunity. [See policy EHBK(LEGAL).]
A noncustodial parent may request in writing that he or she
be provided, for the remainder of the school year, a copy of any written notice
usually provided to a parent related to your child’s misconduct that may
involve placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or
expulsion. [See policy FO(LEGAL) and the
Student
Code of Conduct.]
As a parent, you have a right:
·
To request the transfer of your child to another
campus or a neighboring district if your child has been the victim of a sexual
assault by another student assigned to the same campus, whether that assault
occurred on or off campus, and that student has been convicted of or placed on
deferred adjudication for that assault.
[See policies FDD(LEGAL) and (LOCAL).]
Parents of students with learning difficulties or who may
need special education services may request an evaluation for special education
at any time. For more information, see
Special Programs on page 46 and contact Principal Brantner at 936 642-1597.
If a child is experiencing learning difficulties, the parent
may contact the person listed below to learn about the district’s overall
general education referral or screening system for support services. This system links students to a variety of
support options, including referral for a special education evaluation. Students having difficulty in the regular
classroom should be considered for tutorial, compensatory, and other academic
or behavior support services that are available to all students including a
process based on Response to Intervention.
The implementation of Response to Intervention has the potential to have
a positive impact on the ability of school districts to meet the needs of all
struggling students.
At any time, a parent is entitled to request an evaluation
for special education services. Within a
reasonable amount of time, the district must decide if the evaluation is
needed. If the evaluation is needed, the
parent will be notified and asked to provide informed written consent for the
evaluation. The district must complete
the evaluation and the report within 60 calendar days of the date the district
receives the written consent. The
district must give a copy of the report to the parent.
If the district determines that the evaluation is not
needed, the district will provide the parent with a written notice that
explains why the child will not be evaluated.
This written notice will include a statement that informs the parent of
his or her rights if the parent disagrees with the district. Additionally, the notice must inform the
parent how to obtain a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards—Rights of
Parents of Students with Disabilities.
The designated person to contact regarding options for a
child experiencing learning difficulties or a referral for evaluation for
special education is Principal Chas Brantner at 936 642-1597.
If a student is receiving special education services at a
campus outside his or her attendance zone,
the parent or guardian may request that any other student residing in
the household be transferred to the same campus, if the appropriate grade level
for the transferring student is offered on that campus. [See policy FDB(LOCAL).]
Children of military families will be provided flexibility
regarding certain district requirements, including:
·
Immunization requirements.
·
Grade level, course, or educational program
placement.
·
Eligibility requirements for participation in
extracurricular activities.
·
Graduation requirements.
In addition, absences related to a student visiting with his
or her parent related to leave or deployment activities may be excused by the
district.
The Parent Involvement Coordinator, who works with parents
of students participating in Title I programs is Principal Brantner and may be contacted at 936 642-1597.
Both federal and state laws safeguard student records from
unauthorized inspection or use and provide parents and eligible students
certain rights. For purposes of student
records, an “eligible” student is one who is 18 or older OR who is attending an
institution of postsecondary education.
Virtually all information pertaining to student performance,
including grades, test results, and disciplinary records, is considered
confidential educational records.
Release is restricted to:
·
The parents—whether married, separated, or
divorced—unless the school is given a copy of a court order terminating
parental rights or the right to access a student’s education records. Federal law requires that, as soon as a
student becomes 18 or is emancipated by a court, control of the records goes to
the student. The parents may continue to
have access to the records, however, if the student is a dependent for tax
purposes.
·
District staff members who have what federal law
refers to as a “legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records. “Legitimate educational interest” in a
student’s records includes working with the student; considering disciplinary
or academic actions, the student’s case, or an individualized education program
for a student with disabilities; compiling statistical data; or investigating
or evaluating programs. Such persons
would include school officials (such as board members, the superintendent,
administrators, and principals); school staff members (such as teachers,
counselors, diagnosticians, and support staff); a person or company with whom
the district has contracted to provide a particular service (such as an
attorney, auditor, medical consultant,
or therapist); a parent or student serving on a school committee; or a parent
or student assisting a school official or staff in the performance of his or
her duties.
·
Various governmental agencies.
·
Individuals granted access in response to a
subpoena or court order.
·
A school or institution of postsecondary
education to which a student seeks or intends to enroll or in which he or she
subsequently enrolls.
Release to any other person or agency—such as a prospective
employer or for a scholarship application—will occur only with parental or
student permission as appropriate.
The principal is custodian of all records for currently
enrolled students at the assigned school.
The principal is the custodian of all records for students who have
withdrawn or graduated.
Records may be inspected by a parent or eligible student
during regular school hours. If
circumstances prevent inspection during these hours, the district will either
provide a copy of the records requested or make other arrangements for the
parent or student to review these records.
The records custodian or designee will respond to reasonable requests
for explanation and interpretation of the records. The address of the superintendent’s office is
Centerville ISD, 10327 N State Hwy
94, Groveton, Tx 75845.
The address of the principal’s office is the same.
A parent (or eligible student) may inspect the student’s
records and request a correction if the records are considered inaccurate or
otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. A request to correct a student’s record
should be submitted to the principal.
The request must clearly identify the part of the record that should be
corrected and include an explanation of how the information in the record is
inaccurate. If the district denies the
request to amend the records, the parent or eligible student has the right to
request a hearing. If the records are
not amended as a result of the hearing, the parent or eligible student has 30
school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the
information in the student’s record.
Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, contesting a
student’s grade in a course is handled through the general complaint process
found in policy FNG(LOCAL). [See Report Cards/Progress Reports and
Conferences on page 42 and Student
or Parent Complaints and Concerns on page 20 for an overview of the
process.]
Copies of student records are available at a cost of ten
cents per page, payable in advance. If
the student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches and the parents are
unable to view the records during regular school hours, one copy of the record
will be provided at no charge upon written request of the parent.
The district’s policy regarding student records found at
FL(LOCAL) is available from the principal’s or superintendent’s office or on
the district’s Web site at www.centervilleisd.net.
The parent’s or eligible student’s right of access to and
copies of student records do not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational
records—such as a teacher’s personal notes about a student that are shared only
with a substitute teacher—do not have to be made available to the parents or
student.
Please note:
Parents or eligible students have the right to file a
complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe the district is
not in compliance with federal law regarding student records. The complaint may be mailed to:
Family Policy
Compliance Office
U. S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
The law permits the district to designate certain personal
information about students as “directory information.” This “directory information” will be released
to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it.
However, release of a student’s directory information may be
prevented by the parent or an eligible student.
This objection must be made in writing to the principal within ten
school days of your child’s first day of instruction for this school year or on
another date established by the district.
See the “Notice Regarding Directory Information and Parent’s Response
Regarding Release of Student Information” included in this handbook.
The district often needs to use student information for the
following school-sponsored purposes: yearbook
and athletics.
For these specific school-sponsored purposes, the district
would like to use your child’s name, photograph, major field of study, degrees,
honors and awards received, grade level, organizations of participation, and
height (if he/she participates in athletic programs). This information will not be released to the
public without the consent of the parent or eligible student.
Unless you object to the use of your child’s information for
these limited purposes, the school will not need to ask your permission each
time the district wishes to use this information for the school-sponsored
purposes listed above.
The district is required by federal law to comply with a
request by a military recruiter or an institution of higher education for
students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings, unless parents have advised
the district not to release their child’s information without prior written
consent. A form has been attached for
you to complete if you do not want the district to provide this information to
military recruiters or institutions of higher education.
State law specifically requires the district to provide the
following information:
·
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of
the covering of the brain and spinal cord.
It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least
serious. Bacterial meningitis is the
most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for serious,
long-term complications. It is an
uncommon disease, but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent
permanent damage or death.
·
What are the symptoms?
Someone with meningitis will
become very ill. The illness may develop
over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of
hours. Not everyone with meningitis will
have the same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and
adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting,
sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or
confusion. In both children and adults,
there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots.
These can occur anywhere on the body.
The diagnosis of bacterial
meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.
·
How serious is bacterial meningitis?
If it is diagnosed early and
treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases it can be fatal or a person may
be left with a permanent disability.
·
How is bacterial meningitis spread?
Fortunately, none of the bacteria
that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the
flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air
where a person with meningitis has been.
The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they
do not live for long outside the body.
They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, sharing
drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).
The germ does not cause meningitis
in most people. Instead, most people
become carriers of the germ for days, weeks, or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s
immune system and cause meningitis or another serious illness.
·
How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?
Do not share food, drinks,
utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes.
Limit the number of persons you kiss.
While there are vaccines for some
other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used only in special
circumstances. These include when there
is a disease outbreak in a community or for people traveling to a country where
there is a high risk of getting the disease.
Also, a vaccine is recommended by some groups for college students,
particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85–90
percent). It can cause mild side
effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two
days. Immunity develops within seven to
ten days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to five years.
·
What should you do if you think you or a friend
might have bacterial meningitis?
You should seek prompt medical
attention.
·
Where can you get more information?
Your school nurse, family doctor,
and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent
sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your local health
department or Regional Department of State Health Services office to ask about
a meningococcal vaccine. Additional
information may also be found at the Web sites for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov,
and the Department of State Health Services, http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/.
Topics in this section of the handbook contain important
information on academics, school activities, and school operations and
requirements. Take a moment with your
child to become familiar with the various issues addressed in this
section. It is conveniently organized in
alphabetical order to serve as a quick-reference when you or your child has a
question about a specific school-related issue.
Should you be unable to find the information on a particular topic,
please contact Principal Brantner at 936 642-1597.
Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make
the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led and school
activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as
an individual. Absences from class may
result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional
materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid
unnecessary absences. Two state laws,
one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for course
credit, are of special interest to students and parents. They are discussed below:
State law requires that a student between the ages of six
and 18 attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction
program, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise
excused from attendance or legally exempt.
A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or
her 18th birthday is required to attend each school day until the end of the
school year and is subject to compulsory attendance laws, if the student is
under 21 years old. In addition, if a
student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester the
district may revoke the student’s enrollment.
The student’s presence on school property thereafter would be
unauthorized and may be considered trespassing.
[See FEA]
State law requires attendance in an accelerated reading
instruction program when kindergarten, first grade, or second grade students
are assigned to such a program. Parents
will be notified in writing if their child is assigned to an accelerated
reading instruction program as a result of the reading diagnosis test.
School employees must investigate and report violations of
the state compulsory attendance law. A
student absent without permission from school; from any class; from required
special programs, such as additional special instruction (termed “accelerated
instruction” by the state) assigned by a grade placement committee and basic
skills for ninth graders; or from required tutorials will be considered in
violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.
A court of law may also impose penalties against both the
student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not
attending school. A complaint against
the parent may be filed in court if the student:
·
Is absent from school on ten or more days or
parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or
·
Is absent on three or more days or parts of days
within a four-week period.
If the student is over age 18, the student’s parents shall
not be subject to penalties as a result of their child’s violation of state
compulsory attendance law. [See FEA(LEGAL)]
State law allows exemptions to the compulsory attendance
requirements for several types of absences.
These include the following activities and events:
·
Religious holy days;
·
Required court appearances;
·
Activities related to obtaining United States
citizenship;
·
Service as an election clerk; and
·
Documented health-care appointments, including
absences for recognized services for students diagnosed with autism spectrum
disorders.
In addition, a junior or senior student’s absence of up to
two days related to visiting a college or university may be considered an
exemption, provided the student receives approval from the campus principal,
follows the campus procedures to verify such a visit, and makes up any work
missed.
School employees must investigate and report violations of
the state compulsory attendance law. A
student absent without permission from school; from any class; from required
special programs, such as additional special instruction, termed “accelerated
instruction” by the state; or from required tutorials will be considered in
violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.
A court of law may also impose penalties against both the
student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not
attending school. A complaint against the
parent may be filed in court if the student:
·
Is absent from school on ten or more days or
parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or
·
Is absent on three or more days or parts of days
within a four-week period.
If the student is over age 18, the student’s parents shall
not be subject to penalties as a result of their child’s violation of state
compulsory attendance law. [See FEA(LEGAL)]
To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least
90 percent of the days the class is offered.
A student who attends at least 75 percent but fewer than 90 percent of
the days the class is offered may receive credit for the class if he or she
completes a plan, approved by the principal, that allows the student to fulfill
the instructional requirements for the class.
If a student is involved in a criminal or juvenile court proceeding, the
approval of the judge presiding over the case will also be required before the
student receives credit for the class.
If a student attends less than 75 percent of the days a
class is offered or has not completed a plan approved by the principal, then
the student will be referred to the attendance review committee to determine
whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the
student can regain credit, if appropriate.
[See policies at FEC]
In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances
for the absences, the attendance committee will use the following guidelines:
·
All absences will be considered in determining
whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. If makeup work is completed, absences for
religious holy days and documented health-care appointments will be considered
days of attendance for this purpose.
[See policies at FEB.]
·
A transfer or migrant student begins to
accumulate absences only after he or she has enrolled in the district. For a student transferring into the district
after school begins, including a migrant student, only those absences after
enrollment will be considered.
·
In reaching a decision about a student’s
absences, the committee will attempt to ensure that it is in the best interest
of the student.
·
The committee will consider the acceptability
and authenticity of documented reasons for the student’s absences.
·
The committee will consider whether the absences
were for reasons over which the student or the student’s parent could exercise
any control.
·
The committee will consider the extent to which
the student has completed all assignments, mastered the essential knowledge and
skills, and maintained passing grades in the course or subject.
·
The student or parent will be given an
opportunity to present any information to the committee about the absences and
to talk about ways to earn or regain credit.
The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to
the board of trustees by filing a written request with the superintendent in
accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL).
The actual number of days a student must be in attendance in
order to receive credit will depend on whether the class is for a full semester
or for a full year.
- Before
absences become excessive a warning letter will be sent to the parents
informing them of the accumulated absence of their childand it will
explain the consequences of the truancy laws.
- If a
student is absent for three consecutive days or longer the student must
have a note from a medical practitioner verifying the illness to be
considered an excused absence.
- Beginning
with absence number 11, all requests for an excused absence will require a
signed letter or note from a licensed medical practitioner. The note must be presented within three
days of the absence for it to be considered excused.
- An
attendance committee will review any cases where a student’s attendance
falls below the 90% of days required to attend.
- Days
may have to be made up by attending Saturday school, Summer school, or
other days as determined by the attendance committee. If the days are not made up, the student
will be denied credit for those classes.
- School
employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory
attendance law. Violations can lead
to fines of up to $500 each.
When a student must be absent from school, the student—upon
returning to school—must bring a note, signed by the parent that describes the
reason for the absence. A note signed by
the student, even with the parent’s permission, will not be accepted unless the
student is 18 or older. The note must be
turned in within 3 days of the absence.
After the 3rd day the absence will be counted as unexcused.
Upon return to school, a student absent for more than five
consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a
doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the
student’s extended absence from school. [See FEC(LOCAL).]
To obtain a driver license, a student between the ages of 16
and 18 must provide to the Texas Department of Public Safety a form obtained
from the school verifying that the student has met the 90 percent attendance
requirement for the semester preceding the date of application. The student can obtain this form at the
campus secretary’s office.
The school counselor provides students and parents
information regarding academic programs to prepare for higher education and
career choices. [For more information,
see pages 20, 23 and 24 of this handbook and policies at EIF.]
[See Academic
Counseling on page 23.]
Students in grades PK and K are recognized and receive
various honors throughout the year.
Students in grades 1 – 6 receive academic awards and honors at the end
of each semester of the school year.
Students in grades 7 – 12 receive academic awards and honors at the end
of the school year. UIL academic awards
are given out following the respective contests or at the end of the school
year. Other extracurricular and athletic
awards are generally given out at banquets at the end of the school year.
The valedictorian (highest ranking student) and salutatorian
(second highest ranking student) of the 8th and 12th
grades are recognized at graduation ceremonies at the end of the school
year.
Bullying occurs when a student or group of students directs
written or verbal expressions or physical conduct against another student and
the behavior results in harm to the student or the student’s property, places a
student in fear of harm to himself or his property, or is so severe that it
creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment.
The board has established policies and procedures to
prohibit bullying and to respond to reports of bullying. [See FFI(LOCAL).]
The district offers career and technology programs in Agricultural
Science & Technology, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Business
Technology. Admission to these programs
is based on grade level and prior course instruction.
Centerville ISD will take steps to ensure that lack of
English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in
all educational and vocational programs.
The district has established a plan for addressing child
sexual abuse. As a parent, it is
important for you to be aware of warning signs that could indicate a child may
have been or is being sexually abused.
Sexual abuse in the Texas Family Code is defined as any sexual conduct
harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as a
failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct with a
child. Anyone who suspects that a child
has been or may be abused or neglected has a legal responsibility, under state
law, for reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to
Child Protective Services (CPS).
Possible physical warning signs of sexual abuse could be
difficulty sitting or walking, pain in the genital areas, and claims of
stomachaches and headaches. Behavioral
indicators may include verbal references or pretend games of sexual activity
between adults and children, fear of being alone with adults of a particular
gender, or sexually suggestive behavior.
Emotional warning signs to be aware of include withdrawal, depression,
sleeping and eating disorders, and problems in school.
A child who has experienced sexual abuse should be
encouraged to seek out a trusted adult.
Be aware as a parent or other trusted adult that disclosures of sexual
abuse may be more indirect than disclosures of physical abuse, and it is
important to be calm and comforting if your child, or another child, confides
in you. Reassure the child that he or
she did the right thing by telling you.
As a parent, if your child is a victim of sexual abuse, the
campus counselor or principal will provide information regarding counseling
options for you and your child available in your area. The Texas Department of Family and Protective
Services (TDFPS) also manages early intervention counseling programs. To find out what services may be available in
your county, see http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Prevention_and_Early_Intervention/Programs_Available_In_
Your_County/default.asp.
The following Web sites might help you become more aware of
child sexual abuse:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index.aspx?id=2820
http://sapn.nonprofitoffice.com/
http://www.taasa.org/member/materials2.php
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/childabuse1.shtml
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/childabuse2.shtml
Reports may be made to:
The Child Protective Services (CPS) division of the Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services (1 800-252-5400 or on the Web
at http://www.txabusehotline.org).
Selection of Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be based on
course work completed from grades 9 through the end of the fifth six weeks of
grade 12. A student must have completed
at least his/her last two years of high school at Centerville High and have
taken the recommended program or higher to be eligible for Valedictorian or
Salutatorian honors.
- Valedictorian – Highest ranking scholar in the
graduating class.
- Salutatorian – Second highest ranking scholar in the
graduating class.
- Who’s Who – Honor award selected by faculty ballot.
- Beta Club – See Beta Club rules for requirements for
selection.
For computation of GPA, only those core courses which are a
part of the recommended program will be counted. This includes: Eng 1-4, W. Geography, W.
History, U.S. History, Government, Economics, Health, Speech, Algebra 1, Geometry,
Algebra 2, IPC, Biology, Chemistry, Art 1, and BEGBCIS 1. College coursework will not be counted in the
student’s GPA. Foreign language will not
be counted unless all students have the same courses under the same qualified
instructor.
For two school years following his or her graduation, a
district student who graduates in the top ten percent of his or her class
is eligible for automatic admission into
four-year public universities and colleges in Texas if the student:
·
Completes the Recommended or
Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program; or
·
Satisfies the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks
or earns at least a 1500 out of 2400 on the SAT.
Students and parents should contact the counselor or Principal
Brantner for further information about the application process and deadlines.
[For further information, see policies at EIC.]
Schedules are set at the beginning of the school year. As a general rule, only students in grades 10
– 12 will be allowed to make class schedule changes.
Schedule changes by grades 10-12 between elective courses
may be made during the first three days at the beginning of the school year and
the first three days at the beginning of the second semester.
Juniors and Seniors may make one schedule change between
elective courses (not to or from required courses, and not to advanced
technology or language courses) during each semester.
Any other schedule changes and changes from or to required
courses will generally not be allowed, but may be considered by the High School
principal on a case by case basis.
Centerville ISD students may take college courses during
their Junior and Senior years. Students
must qualify to take these courses scoring high enough on the ELA or Math TAKS
tests or the THEA test to be accepted by the college. These courses must be approved by the college
and a recommendation from the high school principal is needed. This work may be counted as dual credit
(credit at the college and credit on the student’s high school transcript).
Usually student or parent complaints or concerns can be
addressed by a phone call or a conference with the teacher or principal. For those complaints and concerns that cannot
be handled so easily, the district has adopted a standard complaint policy at
FNG(LOCAL) in the district’s policy manual. A copy of this policy may be
obtained in the principal’s or superintendent’s office or on the district’s Web
site at www.centervilleisd.net.
In general, the student or parent should submit a written
complaint and request a conference with the campus principal. If the concern is not resolved, a request for
a conference should be sent to the superintendent. If still unresolved, the district provides
for the complaint to be presented to the board of trustees.
To prepare students for an increasingly technological
society, the district has made an investment in computer technology for
instructional purposes. Use of these
computer resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s
supervision and for approved purposes only.
Students and parents will be
asked to sign a user agreement (separate from this handbook) regarding use of
these resources; violations of this agreement may result in withdrawal of
privileges and other disciplinary action.
Students and their parents should be aware that e-mail using
district computers is not private and will be monitored by district staff. [For additional information, see policies at
CQ.]
As required by law, the board has adopted a Student
Code of Conduct that prohibits certain behaviors and defines standards
of acceptable behavior—both on and off campus—and consequences for violation of
these standards. The district has
disciplinary authority over a student in accordance with the Student
Code of Conduct. Students and
parents should be familiar with the standards set out in the Student
Code of Conduct, as well as campus and classroom rules.
To achieve the best possible learning environment for all
students, the Student Code of Conduct and other campus rules will apply
whenever the interest of the district is involved, whether on or off school
grounds, in conjunction with classes and school-sponsored activities.
Corporal punishment—spanking or paddling the student—may be
used as a discipline management technique in accordance with the Student
Code of Conduct and policy FO(LOCAL) in the district’s policy manual.
As identified by law, disruptions include the following:
·
Interference with the movement of people at an
exit, entrance, or hallway of a district building without authorization from an
administrator.
·
Interference with an authorized activity by
seizing control of all or part of a building.
·
Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt
to prevent participation in an authorized assembly.
·
Use of force, violence, or threats to cause
disruption during an assembly.
·
Interference with the movement of people at an
exit or an entrance to district property.
·
Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt
to prevent people from entering or leaving district property without
authorization from an administrator.
·
Disruption of classes or other school activities
while on district property or on public property that is within 500 feet of
district property. Class disruption
includes making loud noises; trying to entice a student away from, or to
prevent a student from attending, a required class or activity; and entering a
classroom without authorization and disrupting the activity with loud or
profane language or any misconduct.
·
Interference with the transportation of students
in vehicles owned or operated by the district.
Students may not possess telecommunications devices,
including mobile telephones during schools hours or traveling on route buses to
and from home. Also, the use of mobile
telephones in locker rooms or restroom areas at any time while at school is
prohibited.
A student who uses or possesses a telecommunications device
during the school day shall have the device confiscated. For a first offense, the parent may pick up
the confiscated telecommunications device from the principal’s office. Following offenses will be dealt with as
follows:
- 2nd Offense: There will be a $15.00 fee to return the
phone and it will be returned
to a parent.
- 3rd Offense: The phone will be kept until the end of
the semester, $15.00 will be
charged, and it will be
returned to a parent.
- 4th Offense: The phone will be kept to the end of
the year, $15.00 will be
charged, and it will be returned
to a parent. The student will
receive 3 days of lunch detention.
Confiscated telecommunications devices that are not
retrieved by the student or student’s parents will be disposed of after the
notice required by law. [See policy
FNCE.]
The district will not
be responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen telecommunications devices.
Students are not permitted to possess such items as radios,
CD players, MP3 players, video or audio recorders, DVD players, games, or other
electronic devices at school, unless prior permission has been obtained from
the principal. Without such permission,
teachers will collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s
office. The principal will determine
whether to return them to students or to contact parents to pick up the
items.
Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student
Code of Conduct. The district
will not be responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen electronic device.
Students are prohibited from sending or posting electronic
messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing,
damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal.
This prohibition applies to conduct off school property if it results in
a substantial disruption to the educational environment. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring,
or sharing obscene, sexually oriented, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or
photographs will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct
and may, in certain circumstances, be reported to law enforcement.
School rules apply to all school social events. Guests attending these events are expected to
observe the same rules as students, and a student inviting a guest will share
responsibility for the conduct of his or her guest.
A student attending a social event will be asked to sign out
when leaving before the end of the event; anyone leaving before the official
end of the event will not be readmitted.
To protect other students from contagious illnesses,
students infected with certain diseases are not allowed to come to school while
contagious. If a parent suspects that
his or her child has a contagious disease, the parent should contact the school
nurse or principal so that other students who might have been exposed to the
disease can be alerted.
The school nurse or the principal’s office can provide
information from the Department of State Health Services regarding these
diseases.
The district permits high school students to take
correspondence courses—by mail or via the Internet—for credit toward high
school graduation.
[For further information, see policies at EEJC.]
Students and their parents are encouraged to talk with a
school counselor, teacher, or principal to learn more about course offerings,
graduation requirements, and early graduation procedures. Each spring, students in grades 8
through 12 will be provided information on anticipated course offerings
for the next school year and other information that will help them make the most
of academic and vocational opportunities.
To plan for the future, each student should work closely
with the counselor in order to enroll in the high school courses that best
prepare him or her for attendance at a
college, university, or training school, or for pursuit of some other type of
advanced education. The counselor can
also provide information about entrance exams and application deadlines, as
well as information about automatic admission to state colleges and
universities, financial aid, housing, and scholarships.
The school counselor is available to assist students with a
wide range of personal concerns, including such areas as social, family, or
emotional issues, or substance abuse.
The counselor may also make available information about community
resources to address these concerns. A
student who wishes to meet with the counselor should contact the principal in
person or by calling 936 642-1597.
The school will not conduct a psychological examination,
test, or treatment without first obtaining the parent’s written consent. Parental consent is not necessary when a
psychological examination, test, or treatment is required by state or federal
law for special education purposes or by the Texas Education Agency for child
abuse investigations and reports.
[For more information, refer to FFE(LEGAL) and
FFG(EXHIBIT).]
CREDIT BY EXAM—If a
Student Has Taken the Course
A student who has previously taken a course or subject—but
did not receive credit for it—may, in circumstances determined by the teacher,
counselor, principal, or attendance committee, be permitted to earn credit by
passing an exam on the essential knowledge and skills defined for that course
or subject. Prior instruction may
include, for example, incomplete coursework due to a failed course or excessive
absences, homeschooling, correspondence courses, or independent study
supervised by a teacher.
The counselor or principal would determine if the student
could take an exam for this purpose. If
approval is granted, the student must score at least 70 on the exam to receive
credit for the course or subject.
The attendance review committee may also offer a student
with excessive absences an opportunity to earn credit for a course by passing
an exam.
A student may not use this exam, however, to regain
eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities.
[For further information, see the counselor and policies
EEJA.]
CREDIT BY EXAM—If a
Student Has Not Taken the Course
A student will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit
for an academic course for which the student has had no prior instruction. This must be requested by the student and
his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) through the principal and a date for test
examination will be scheduled.
A student will earn credit with a passing score of at least
90 on the exam.
If a student plans to take an exam, the student (or parent)
must register with the principal no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled
testing date. The district will honor a
request by a parent to administer a test on a date other than the published
dates. If the district agrees to
administer a test other than the one chosen by the district, the parent must
purchase a test from a university approved by the State Board of Education.
[For further information, see EEJB(LOCAL).]
The district believes that all students learn best in an
environment free from dating violence, discrimination, harassment, and
retaliation and that their welfare is best served when they are free from this
prohibited conduct while attending school.
Students are expected to treat other students and district employees
with courtesy and respect; to avoid behaviors known to be offensive; and to
stop those behaviors when asked or told to stop. District employees are expected to treat
students with courtesy and respect.
The board has established policies and procedures to
prohibit and promptly respond to inappropriate and offensive behaviors that are
based on a person’s race, color, religion, , gender, national origin,
disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. [See policy FFH]
Dating violence occurs when a person in a current or past
dating relationship uses physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to harm,
threaten, intimidate, or control the other person in the relationship. This type of conduct is considered
harassment if the conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it
affects the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational
program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or
offensive educational environment; or substantially interferes with the
student’s academic performance.
Examples of dating violence against a student may include,
but are not limited to, physical or sexual assaults, name-calling, put-downs,
threats to hurt the student or the student’s family members or members of the
student’s household, destroying property belonging to the student, threats to
commit suicide or homicide if the student ends the relationship, attempts to
isolate the student from friends and family, stalking, or encouraging others to
engage in these behaviors.
Discrimination is defined as any conduct directed at a
student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin,
disability, or any other basis prohibited by law, that it negatively affects
the student.
Harassment, in general terms, is conduct so severe, persistent,
or pervasive that it affects the student’s ability to participate in or benefit
from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening,
hostile, or offensive educational environment; or substantially interferes with
the student’s academic performance. A
copy of the district’s policy is available in the principal’s office and in the
superintendent’s office or on the district’s Web site.
Examples of harassment may include, but are not limited to,
offensive or derogatory language directed at a person’s religious beliefs or
practices, accent, skin color, or need for accommodation; threatening or
intimidating conduct; offensive jokes, name-calling, slurs, or rumors; physical
aggression or assault; graffiti or printed material promoting racial, ethnic,
or other negative stereotypes; or other kinds of aggressive conduct such as
theft or damage to property.
Sexual harassment of a student by an employee or volunteer
does not include necessary or permissible physical contact not reasonably
construed as sexual in nature. However,
romantic and other inappropriate social relationships, as well as all sexual
relationships, between students and district employees are prohibited, even if consensual.
Examples of prohibited sexual harassment may include, but
not be limited to, touching private body parts or coercing physical contact
that is sexual in nature; sexual advances; jokes or conversations of a sexual
nature; and other sexually motivated conduct, communications, or contact.
Retaliation of a student occurs when a student receives
threats from another student or an employee or when an employee imposes an
unjustified punishment or unwarranted grade reduction. Retaliation does not include petty slights
and annoyances from other students or negative comments from a teacher that are
justified by a student’s poor academic performance in the classroom.
Retaliation against a person who makes a good faith report
of discrimination or harassment, including dating violence, is prohibited. A person who makes a false claim or offers
false statements or refuses to cooperate with a district investigation,
however, may be subject to appropriate discipline. Retaliation against a person who is
participating in an investigation of alleged discrimination or harassment is
also prohibited.
Any student who believes that he or she has experienced
dating violence, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should immediately
report the problem to a teacher, counselor, principal, or other district
employee. The report may be made by the
student’s parent. See policy FFH(LOCAL) for the appropriate districts officials
to whom to make a report.
To the extent possible, the district will respect the
privacy of the student; however, limited disclosures may be necessary to
conduct a thorough investigation and to comply with law. Allegations of prohibited conduct, which
includes dating violence, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, will be
promptly investigated. The district will
notify the parents of any student alleged to have experienced prohibited
conduct by an adult associated with the district.
In the event prohibited conduct involves another student,
the district will notify the parents of the student alleged to have experienced
the prohibited conduct when the allegations, if proven, would constitute a
violation as defined by policy.
If the district’s investigation indicates that prohibited
conduct occurred, appropriate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken
to address the conduct. The district may
take disciplinary action even if the conduct that is the subject of the
complaint was not unlawful.
A student or parent who is dissatisfied with the outcome of
the investigation may appeal in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL).
[See Dating Violence,
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation on page 24.]
Distance learning for dual credit (credit for high school
and for college) in some courses may be coordinated by the District.
Distance learning through Angelina College for dual credit
in English 1301 and 1302, and in U.S. History 1301 and 1302 (schedules will be
MW 7:35 – 9:00 a.m., and TT 7:35 – 9:00 a.m) will be available for seniors
during the 2007-08 school year. Students
must become college-eligible by scoring high enough on the Exit-Level TAKS
test, the THEA, the Accuplacer (at Angelina
College), the ACT, or the
SAT.
Centerville ISD will pay the tuition costs for eligible
seniors for these courses. Students will
be responsible for purchasing their textbooks for these courses.
Seniors should see the principal for information on testing,
registration and final class scheduling for these college courses.
Publications prepared by and for the school may be posted or
distributed, with the prior approval of the principal, sponsor, or
teacher. Such items may include school
posters, brochures, flyers, etc.
All school publications are under the supervision of a
teacher, sponsor, and the principal.
[See Directory
Information for School-Sponsored Purposes on page 11.]
Students must obtain prior approval from the principal
before posting, circulating, or distributing written materials, handbills,
photographs, pictures, petitions, films, tapes, posters, or other visual or
auditory materials that were not developed under the oversight of the school.
To be considered, any nonschool material must include the name of the
sponsoring person or organization. The
decision regarding approval will be made in two school days.
The principal has designated cross-hall bulletin board as
the location for approved nonschool materials to be placed for voluntary
viewing by students. [See policies at
FNAA.]
A student may appeal a principal’s decision in accordance
with policy FNG(LOCAL). Any student who
posts nonschool material without prior approval will be subject to disciplinary
action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Materials displayed without the principal’s
approval will be removed.
Written or printed materials, handbills, photographs,
pictures, films, tapes, or other visual or auditory materials not sponsored by
the district or by a district-affiliated school-support organization will not
be sold, circulated, distributed, or
posted on any district premises by any district employee or by persons or
groups not associated with the district, except as permitted by policies at
GKDA. To be considered for distribution,
any nonschool material must meet the limitations on content established in the
policy, include the name of the sponsoring person or organization, and be
submitted to the principal for prior review.
The principal will approve or reject the materials within two school
days of the time the materials are received.
The requestor may appeal a rejection in accordance with the appropriate
district complaint policy. [See policies
at DGBA, FNG, or GF.]
Prior review will not be required for:
·
Distribution of materials by an attendee to
other attendees of a school-sponsored meeting intended for adults and held
after school hours.
·
Distribution of materials by an attendee to
other attendees of a community group meeting held after school hours in
accordance with policy GKD(LOCAL) or a noncurriculum-related student group
meeting held in accordance with FNAB(LOCAL).
·
Distribution for electioneering purposes during
the time a school facility is being used as a polling place, in accordance with
state law.
All nonschool materials distributed under these
circumstances must be removed from district property immediately following the
event at which the materials are distributed.
The district’s dress code is established to teach grooming
and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a
student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with
the following:
·
Students shall come to school looking clean and
neat, exhibiting grooming that will not be a health or safety hazard to the
student or others.
Hair
·
Hair is to be neatly trimmed and combed. Boy’s hair will not be permitted below the
top of the eyebrow, no longer than the bottom of the earlobe, and no longer
than the bottom of the collar of a dress shirt, nor be touching the shoulders
when wearing a colarless shirt.
·
Faces must be clean shaven. Facial hair such as mustaches, beards, or
goatees is prohibited.
Earrings/Piercings/Tattoos
·
Male students may not wear earrings.
·
Girls in grades Pre-K through fourth grade may
only wear small stud type earrings – no dangling or dangling loop type will be
permitted.
·
No body piercing adornments (nose, lip, tongue,
eyebrow, etc.) on any student.
·
Tattoos will be covered at all times.
Clothes & Shoes
·
No pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing
that are lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene, or that advertise or depict
tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other substance prohibited
under policy FNCLF(L).
·
Shorts must reach the fingertips of fully extended arms; fingers extended. No biker, spandex, PE, or unhemmed shorts.
·
Skirts must be no more than 5” above the knee.
·
No tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, or
see-through clothing of any kind.
·
No excessively low cut tops or dresses and no
sleeveless shirts with excessively large armholes.
·
No waistline showing between top/shirt and
pants, even in movement.
·
Pants (waist) must be worn above the hips, no
underwear showing.
·
All belts and suspenders must be properly
fastened and not hanging anywhere.
·
Shoes must be worn at all times.
·
No hats, caps, headbands or sunglasses (unless
prescribed by doctor) in classrooms.
·
No rips, tears, or holes in clothing.
·
No bizarre items or styles that promote unique
distractions.
·
No clothing with coloring, designs, symbols, or
lettering that could be interpreted as gang related.
- Footwear traditionally worn around
the home (i.e., house shoes, slippers) or to the beach (i.e., shower
shoes, flip flop design, water shoes) will not be permitted. To further clarify this policy, a
flip-flop is defined as a backless shoe held to the foot at the big toe by
means of a thong. Further, any
shoes which have a portion that goes between the toes are unacceptable. Any shoes that produce noise, or damage
the floor are not allowed. Shoes or sandals must fit properly. Socks must
be worn with boys or girls athletic shoes. If there are any questions if a
particular shoe is not acceptable, the principal will make the final
determination.
This policy was implemented for
safety, sanitation, and distraction purposes as well as appropriateness of
dress.
Any clothing that in the principal’s judgment may reasonably
be expected to cause disruption of or interference with normal school operations
is prohibited.
Participation in school-related activities is an excellent
way for a student to develop talents, receive individual recognition, and build
strong friendships with other students; participation, however, is a privilege,
not a right.
Eligibility for participation in many of these activities is
governed by state law and the rules of the University Interscholastic League
(UIL)—a statewide association overseeing interdistrict competition. The following requirements apply to all
extracurricular activities:
·
A student who receives at the end of a grading
period a grade below 70 in any academic class—other than an advanced placement
or international baccalaureate course; or an honors or dual credit course in
English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, or a
foreign language—may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least
three school weeks.
·
A student with disabilities who fails to meet
the standards in the individualized education program (IEP) may not participate
for at least three school weeks.
·
An ineligible student may practice or
rehearse.
·
A student is allowed in a school year up to10
absences not related to post-district competition, a maximum of 5 absences for
post-district competition prior to state, and a maximum of 2 absences for state
competition. All extracurricular
activities and public performances, whether UIL activities or other activities
approved by the board, are subject to these restrictions.
·
An absence for participation in an activity that
has not been approved will receive an unexcused absence.
Please note: Sponsors of student clubs and performing
groups such as the band, choir, and drill and athletic teams may establish
standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter
than those for students in general. If a
violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by
the Student
Code of Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition to any
consequences specified by the organization’s standards of behavior.
[For further information, see policies at FM and FO.]
All
elections, other than those involving only one classroom or group, will be
carried out on previously prepared ballot forms in accordance with regular
legal practices for elections. Adequate
time for consideration will be afforded.
After tabulation, ballots will be sealed and filed in the principal’s
office. The use of money in connection
with the election to any school office is prohibited.
Materials that are part of the basic educational program are
provided with state and local funds at no charge to a student. A student, however, is expected to provide
his or her own pencils, paper, erasers, and notebooks and may be required to
pay certain other fees or deposits, including:
·
Costs for materials for a class project that the
student will keep.
·
Membership dues in voluntary clubs or student
organizations and admission fees to extracurricular activities.
·
Security deposits.
·
Personal physical education and athletic
equipment and apparel.
·
Voluntarily purchased pictures, publications,
class rings, yearbooks, graduation announcements, etc.
·
Voluntarily purchased student accident
insurance.
·
Musical instrument rental and uniform
maintenance, when uniforms are provided by the district.
·
Personal apparel used in extracurricular
activities that becomes the property of the student.
·
Parking fees and student identification cards.
·
Fees for lost, damaged, or overdue library
books.
·
Fees for driver training courses, if offered.
·
Fees for optional courses offered for credit
that require use of facilities not available on district premises.
·
Summer school for courses that are offered
tuition-free during the regular school year.
·
A reasonable fee for providing transportation to
a student who lives within two miles of the school. [See Buses
and Other School Vehicles on page 48.]
·
A fee not to exceed $50 for costs of providing
an educational program outside of regular school hours for a student who has
lost credit because of absences and whose parent chooses the program in order
for the student to meet the 90 percent attendance requirement. The fee will be charged only if the parent or
guardian signs a district-provided request form.
Any required fee or deposit may be waived if the student and
parent are unable to pay. Application
for such a waiver may be made to the principal.
[For further information, see policies at FP.]
Student groups or classes and/or parent groups may be
permitted to conduct fund-raising drives for approved school purposes. An application for permission must be made to
the principal at least 14 days before the event. [For further information, see
policies at FJ and GE.]
After the ninth grade, students are classified according to
the number of credits earned toward graduation.
Credits
Earned Classification
7 Grade 10 (Sophomore)
14 Grade 11 (Junior)
21 Grade 12 (Senior)
In grades PreKindergarten and Kindergarten, achievement is
reported to parents as:
In grades 1st – 12th, achievement is
reported to parents as:
70 – 79 C
Below 70 F (Failing)
Grades PK - 3-- Teachers will assign
work on a daily basis.
-- All grades, daily
work and tests, will count at equal strength and be
averaged together for the final grade for
the six weeks.
-- The 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd six weeks will be averaged together equally to
compute the 1st semester
average. The 4th, 5th,
and 6th six weeks will be
averaged together equally to compute the 2nd
semester average. The 1st
and 2nd semesters will be
averaged together equally to compute the year
end final average.
Grades 4 - 12 -- Teachers will give at least 8 daily assignments during the six
weeks.
-- Teachers will give at
least 3 tests during the six weeks.
-- Tests will count as
65% of the six weeks average and daily assignments
as 35%.
Grades 4 – 6 semester averages will be
calculated as listed above.
Semester Exams and Exemptions grades 7 - 12:
Grades 7 – 12 are
required to take semester exams for their classes.
As an incentive to
attend class there will be semester test exemptions
for students.
-- Students in the
7th thru 10th grades will have the option to exempt
from 3 of their
classes.
-- Students in the
11th and 12th grades may exempt from all classes.
A student may be
exempt from a test if he has a 90 or higher grade
average in that
class for the 3 six weeks period with no more than 3
absences, or,
has an 80 – 89
grade average for the 3 six weeks period with no more
than 2 absences.
Absences will be counted whether they are excused or
unexcused. If a
student misses a part of the day with a Doctor’s
appointment and
brings a note from the doctor his absence will be
counted as a
medical absence and not counted toward the semester test
exemption.
Grade averages will be computed as follows:
Exempt Student – 1st six
weeks counts as 33.34% of 1st semester
average. 2nd and 3rd
six weeks count as 33.33% each of 1st semester
average.
4th six weeks counts as 33.34% of 2nd semester
average. 5th
and 6th six weeks each count as 33.33%
of 2nd semester average.
Nonexempt Student – Each six weeks
counts as 25% of that semester’s
average and that semester’s exam counts as
25 % of that semester’s
average.
1st and 2nd Semesters will be averaged together
equally to
compute the year end final average.
To receive a high school diploma from the district, a
student must successfully complete the required number of credits and pass a
statewide exit-level exam.
The exit-level test, required for students in grade 11,
covers English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and
requires knowledge of Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, Integrated Chemistry and
Physics, English III, and early American and United States History, World
History, and World Geography. A student
who does not pass the exit-level assessment will have additional opportunities
to take the test.
The district offers the graduation programs listed
below. All students entering grade 9 are
required to enroll in the Recommended High School Program or
Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program. Permission to enroll in the Minimum
Graduation Program will be granted only if an agreement is reached among the
student, the student’s parent or person standing in parental relation, and the
counselor or appropriate administrator.
In order for a student to take courses under the Minimum Program, the
student must be at least 16 years of age; have completed at least two credits
each in English language arts, math, science, and socials studies courses that
are required for graduation; or have failed grade 9 one or more times. [See policy EIF(LEGAL).]
Students who entered the ninth grade during the 2006-07
school year must meet the following credit requirements for graduation:
·
Minimum Program 23
credits
·
Recommended Program 24 credits
·
Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program 24 credits
Beginning with the 2007–2008 school year, a student entering
the ninth grade must meet the following credit requirements for graduation:
·
Minimum Program 23
credits
·
Recommended Program 28 credits
·
Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program 28 credits
Please be aware that not all courses are offered at every
secondary campus in the district. A
student who wants to take a course not offered at his or her regular campus
should contact the counselor about a transfer or other alternatives. If the parents of at least 22 students
request a transfer for those students to take a course in the required
curriculum other than fine arts or career and technology, the district will
offer the course for the following year either by teleconference or at the
school from which the transfers were requested.
A certificate of coursework completion will be issued to a
senior student who successfully completes state and local credit requirements
for graduation but fails to perform satisfactorily on the exit-level tests.
Upon the recommendation of the admission, review, and
dismissal committee, a student with disabilities may be permitted to graduate
under the provisions of his or her individualized education program (IEP).
A student who receives special education services and has
completed four years of high school, but has not met the requirements of his or
her IEP, may participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate of
attendance. Even if the student participates
in graduation ceremonies to receive the certificate of attendance, he or she
may remain enrolled to complete the IEP and earn his or her high school
diploma; however, the student will only be allowed to participate in one
graduation ceremony.
[See FMH(LEGAL)]
Graduation activities will include 8th and 12th
Grade graduation ceremonies to be held in the Centerville High School Gymnasium
on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.
Because students and parents will incur expenses in order to
participate in the traditions of graduation—such as the purchase of
invitations, senior ring, cap and gown, and senior picture—both student and
parent should monitor progress toward completion of all requirements for
graduation. The expenses often are
incurred in the junior year or first semester of the senior year. [See Student
Fees on page 30.]
·
Under the Texas Early High School Graduation
Scholarship Program, students who complete the Recommended or
Advanced/Distinguished Achievement High School Program may earn financial
credits in varying amounts to apply toward college tuition. The amounts depend on the number of
consecutive months in which the student completed graduation requirements and the
number of early college credits earned and may be used at public or private
higher education institutions within the state.
The counselor can provide additional information about meeting the
program’s eligibility requirements.
·
Students who have a financial need according to
federal criteria and who complete the Recommended High School Program or
Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program may be eligible under the T.E.X.A.S.
Grant Program for tuition and fees to Texas
public universities, community colleges, and technical schools, as well as to
private institutions. [For further
information, see the principal or counselor and policy EJ(LEGAL).]
[See Dating Violence,
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation on page 24.]
In accordance with policies at EHAB, EHAC, and FFA, the
district will ensure that students in
kindergarten through grade 5 engage in moderate or vigorous physical
activity for at least 30 minutes per day or 135 minutes per week.
The district will ensure that students in middle school,
junior high, and high school are provided 45 minutes of physical education
activity per day to students to meet district physical education requirements
for these grades. For additional
information on the district’s requirements and programs regarding elementary,
middle, and junior high school student physical activity requirements, please
see the principal.
Information regarding the district’s School Health Advisory Council,
including the number of meetings scheduled or held during the year is available
from the principal. [See also policies
at BDF and EHAA.]
Annually, the district will conduct a physical fitness
assessment of students in grades 3–12.
At the end of the school year, a parent may submit a written request to the
principal to obtain the results of his or her child’s physical fitness
assessment conducted during the school year.
The district has adopted policies and implemented procedures
to comply with state and federal food service guidelines for restricting
student access to vending machines. For
more information regarding these policies and guidelines see the school
principal. [See policies at CO and FFA.]
The district and its staff
strictly enforce prohibitions against the use of tobacco products by students
and others on school property and at school-sponsored and school-related
activities. [See the Student
Code of Conduct and policies at FNCD and GKA.]
The district’s Asbestos Management
Plan, designed to be in compliance with state and federal regulations, is
available in the principal’s office. If
you have any questions, please contact Principal Brantner at 936 642-1597.
Pest Management Plan
The district applies only pest
control products that comply with state and federal guidelines. Except in an emergency, signs will be posted
48 hours before application. Parents who
want to be notified prior to pesticide application inside their child’s school
assignment area may contact Principal Brantner at 936 642-1597.
For more information on services for homeless students,
contact the district’s Liaison for Homeless Children and Youths, Chas Brantner,
at 936 642-1597.
Homework will be given at the discretion of the student’s
teacher. It is the student’s
responsibility to request make-up work for excused absences. Make-up work will be completed and turned in
to the teacher within three days. No
make-up work will be allowed for unexcused absences – a grade of zero will be
given.
When a teacher gives an assignment you are expected to turn
that assignment in on time. If you were absent for some reason then you are
responsible for making up that work. If you do not turn in your assignment when
it is due then the following procedure will be followed for each six weeks.
·
The first assignment not turned in on time will
be due the next day. The highest grade that can be made for that assignment
will be a 70.
·
The second assignment not turned in on time will
be graded as a 0. If the first assignment is not turned in on time it will
count as the second missed assignment.
·
The third assignment not turned in on time will
result in 3 days of after school or 1 Saturday detention. (To be determined by
the Principal) During this time the assignment will be made up and other
assignments from teachers will be assigned.
·
Assignments missed after the third will result
in other Discipline Management procedures as deemed appropriate by the
Principal. (This could include corporal punishment, suspensions, etc.)
A student must be fully immunized against certain diseases
or must present a certificate or statement that, for medical reasons or reasons
of conscience, including a religious belief, the student will not be
immunized. For exemptions based on
reasons of conscience, only official forms issued by the Texas Department of
State Health Services (DSHS), Immunization Branch, can be honored by the
district. This form may be obtained by
writing the DSHS Immunization Branch (MC 1946), P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas
78714-9347; or online at https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm. The form must be notarized and submitted to
the principal or school nurse within 90 days of notarization. If the parent is seeking an exemption for
more than one student in the family, a separate form must be provided for each
student.
The immunizations required are: diphtheria, rubeola
(measles), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis
(polio), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), and meningococcal. The school nurse can provide information on
age-appropriate doses or on an acceptable physician-validated history of
illness required by the Department of State Health Services. Proof of immunization may be established by
personal records from a licensed physician or public health clinic with a
signature or rubber-stamp validation.
If a student should not be immunized for medical reasons,
the student or parent must present a certificate signed by a U.S. licensed physician stating
that, in the doctor’s opinion, the immunization required poses a significant
risk to the health and well-being of the student or member of the student’s
family or household. This certificate
must be renewed yearly unless the physician specifies a life-long
condition. [For further information, see
policy FFAB(LEGAL) and the Department of State Health Services Web site: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/default.shtm.]
When law enforcement officers or other lawful authorities
wish to question or interview a student at school, the principal will cooperate
fully regarding the conditions of the interview, if the questioning or
interview is part of a child abuse investigation. In other circumstances:
·
The principal will verify and record the
identity of the officer or other authority and ask for an explanation of the
need to question or interview the student at school.
·
The principal ordinarily will make reasonable
efforts to notify the parents unless the interviewer raises what the principal
considers to be a valid objection.
·
The principal ordinarily will be present unless
the interviewer raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection.
State law requires the district to permit a student to be
taken into legal custody:
·
To comply with an order of the juvenile court.
·
To comply with the laws of arrest.
·
By a law enforcement officer if there is
probable cause to believe the student has engaged in delinquent conduct or
conduct in need of supervision.
·
By a probation officer if there is probable
cause to believe the student has violated a condition of probation imposed by
the juvenile court.
·
By an authorized representative of Child
Protective Services, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a law
enforcement officer, or a juvenile probation officer, without a court order,
under the conditions set out in the Family Code relating to the student’s
physical health or safety.
·
To comply with a properly issued directive to
take a student into custody.
Before a student is released to a law enforcement officer or
other legally authorized person, the principal will verify the officer’s
identity and, to the best of his or her ability, will verify the official’s
authority to take custody of the student.
The principal will immediately notify the superintendent and
will ordinarily attempt to notify the parent unless the officer or other
authorized person raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection
to notifying the parents. Because the
principal does not have the authority to prevent or delay a student’s release
to a law enforcement officer, any notification will most likely be after the
fact.
The district is required by state law to notify:
·
All instructional and support personnel who have
responsibility for supervising a student who has been arrested or referred to
the juvenile court for any felony offense or for certain misdemeanors.
·
All instructional and support personnel who have
regular contact with a student who has been convicted, received deferred
prosecution, received deferred adjudication, or was adjudicated for delinquent
conduct for any felony offense or certain misdemeanors.
[For further information, see policy GRA(LEGAL).]
For any class missed, the teacher may assign the student
makeup work based on the instructional objectives for the subject or course and
the needs of the individual student in mastering the essential knowledge and
skills or in meeting subject or course requirements.
A student will be responsible for obtaining and completing
the makeup work in a satisfactory manner and within the time specified by the
teacher. [For further information, see
policy EIAB(LOCAL).]
A student who does not make up assigned work within the time
allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.
A student will be permitted to make up tests and to turn in
projects due in any class missed because of absence. Teachers may assign a late penalty to any
long-term project in accordance with time lines approved by the principal and
previously communicated to students.
A student removed to a Disciplinary Alternative Education
Program (DAEP) during the school year will have an opportunity to complete,
before the beginning of the next school year, coursework needed to fulfill the
student’s high school graduation requirements.
The district may provide the opportunity to complete the coursework
through an alternative method, including a correspondence course, distance
learning, or summer school. The district
will not charge the student for any method of completion provided by the
district. [See policy FOCA(LEGAL).]
A student removed from the regular classroom to in-school
suspension or another setting, other than a DAEP, will have an opportunity to
complete before the beginning of the next school year each course the student
was enrolled in at the time of removal from the regular classroom. The district may provide the opportunity by
any method available, including a correspondence course, distance learning, or
summer school. [See policy FEA(LEGAL).]
Students and their parents are encouraged to discuss options
with the teacher or counselor to ensure the student completes all work required
for the course or grade level.
District employees will not give a student prescription
medication, nonprescription medication, herbal substances, anabolic steroids,
or dietary supplements, with the following exceptions:
·
Only authorized employees, in accordance with
policies at FFAC, may administer:
·
Prescription medication, in the original,
properly labeled container, provided by the parent, along with a written
request.
·
Prescription medication from a properly labeled
unit dosage container filled by a registered nurse or another qualified
district employee from the original, properly labeled container.
·
Nonprescription medication, in the original,
properly labeled container, provided by the parent along with a written
request.
·
Herbal or dietary supplements provided by the
parent only if required by the student’s individualized education program (IEP)
or Section 504 plan for a student with disabilities.
·
In certain emergency situations, the district
will maintain and administer to a student nonprescription medication, but only:
·
In accordance with the guidelines developed with
the district’s medical advisor; and
·
When the parent has previously provided written
consent to emergency treatment on the district’s form.
A student with asthma or severe allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma or
anaphylaxis medication at school or school-related events only if he or she has
written authorization from his or her parent and a physician or other licensed
health-care provider. The student must
also demonstrate to his or her physician or health-care provider and to the
school nurse the ability to use the prescribed medication, including any device
required to administer the medication.
If the student has been prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis
medication for use during the school day, the student and parents should
discuss this with the school nurse or principal.
In accordance with a student’s individual health plan for
management of diabetes, a student with diabetes will be permitted to possess
and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment while at school or at a
school-related activity. See the school
nurse or principal for information. [See
policy FFAF(LEGAL).]
A psychotropic drug is a substance used in the diagnosis,
treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication. It is intended to have an altering effect on
perception, emotion, or behavior and is commonly described as a mood- or
behavior-altering substance.
Teachers and other district employees may discuss a
student’s academic progress or behavior with the student’s parents or another
employee as appropriate; however, they are not permitted to recommend use of
psychotropic drugs. A district employee
who is a registered nurse, an advanced nurse practitioner, a physician, or a
certified or credentialed mental health professional can recommend that a
student be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner, if
appropriate. [For further information,
see policies at FFAC.]
Students who participate in competitive UIL activities
(sports) and cheerleading must have a current physical examination on file with
the school. The District schedules
physicals for students, usually during the first three weeks of school, at a
cost of $15 to the student (cost may vary).
Students who do not get a physical scheduled by the school must get one
from their own doctor at their own cost.
Each school day, students will recite the Pledge of
Allegiance to the United States
flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas
flag. Parents may submit a written
request to the principal to excuse their child from reciting a pledge.
One minute of silence will follow recitation of the
pledges. Each student may choose to
reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity during that
minute so long as the silent activity does not interfere with or distract
others. [See policy EC(LEGAL) for more
information.]
Each student has a right to individually, voluntarily, and
silently pray or meditate in school in a manner that does not disrupt instructional
or other activities of the school. The
school will not encourage, require, or coerce a student to engage in or to
refrain from such prayer or meditation during any school activity.
A student will be promoted only on the basis of academic
achievement or demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter of the course or
grade level. To earn credit in a course,
a student must receive a grade of at least 70 based on course-level or
grade-level standards.
In grades 1-8, promotion to the next grade level is based on
an overall average of 70 or above on a scale of 100 based on course-level,
grade-level standards (Texas essential knowledge and skills) and a grade of 70
or above in at least three of the following areas: language arts, math, science, and social
studies.
Grade-level advancement for students in grades 9-12 shall be
earned by course credits. [See EI policy]
In addition, at certain grade levels a student—with limited
exceptions—will be required to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and
Skills (TAKS), if the student is enrolled in a public Texas
school on any day between January 1 and April 15 and is a Texas resident during the week that the TAKS
is administered the first time.
·
In order to be promoted to grade 6, students
enrolled in grade 5 must perform satisfactorily on the mathematics and reading
sections of the grade 5 assessment in English or Spanish.
·
In order to be promoted to grade 9, students
enrolled in grade 8 must perform satisfactorily on the mathematics and reading
sections of the grade 8 assessment in English.
Parents of a student in grades 3-8 who does not perform
satisfactorily on his or her exams will be notified that their child will
participate in special instructional programs designed to improve performance. These students may be required to participate
in this instruction before or after normal school hours or outside the normal
school year.
A student in grades 5 or 8 will have two additional
opportunities to take a failed assessment.
If a student fails a second time, a grade placement committee,
consisting of the principal or designee, the teacher, and the student’s parent,
will determine the additional special instruction the student will
receive. After a third failed attempt,
the student will be retained; however, the parent can appeal this decision to
the committee. In order for the student
to be promoted, based on standards previously established by the district, the
decision of the committee must be unanimous. Whether the student is retained or
promoted, an educational plan for the student will be designed to enable the
student to perform at grade level by the end of the next school year. [See policies at EIE.]
Certain students—some with disabilities and some with
limited English proficiency—may be eligible for exemptions, accommodations, or
deferred testing. For more information,
see the principal, counselor, or special education director.
A Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) will be prepared for any
student in a middle school or beyond who did not perform satisfactorily on a
state-mandated assessment or is determined by the district as not likely to
earn a high school diploma before the fifth school year following enrollment in
grade 9. The PGP will be designed and
implemented by a guidance counselor, teacher, or other staff member designated
by the principal. The plan will, among
other items, identify the student’s educational goals, address the parent’s
educational expectations for the student, and outline an intensive instruction
program for the student. [For additional
information, see the principal and policy EIF(LEGAL).]
Because class time is important, doctor’s appointments
should be scheduled, if possible, at times when the student will not miss
instructional time.
A student who will need to leave school during the day must
bring a note from his or her parent that morning and follow the campus sign-out
procedures before leaving the campus.
Otherwise, a student will not be released from school at times other
than at the end of the school day.
Unless the principal or superintendent has granted approval because of
extenuating circumstances, a student will not regularly be released before the
end of the instructional day.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, the student
should receive permission from the teacher before reporting to the school
nurse. The nurse will decide whether or
not the student should be sent home and will notify the student’s parent.
The
parent/guardian will report to the School Secretary’s office to sign the
student out. The student will be sent
for and will report to the office. All
students will be picked up at the School Office. Students will not be allowed to leave with
anyone except their parent or guardian without written permission. This will be
verified by the administration.
Report cards with each student’s grades or performance and
absences in each class or subject are issued to parents at least once every six
weeks.
At the end of the first three weeks of a grading period,
parents will be given a written progress report if their child’s performance in
any course that is below 75, or is below the expected level of
performance. If the student receives a
grade lower than 70 in any class or subject at the end of a grading period, the
parent will be requested to schedule a conference with the teacher of that
class or subject.
Teachers follow grading guidelines that have been approved
by the superintendent] and are designed to reflect each student’s academic
achievement for the grading period, semester, or course. State law provides that a test or course
grade issued by a teacher cannot be changed unless the board determines that
the grade was arbitrary or contains an error, or that the teacher did not
follow the district’s grading policy.
[See policy EIA(LOCAL).]
Questions about grade calculation should first be discussed
with the teacher; if the question is not resolved, the student or parent may
request a conference with the principal in accordance with FNG(LOCAL).
The report card or unsatisfactory progress report will state
whether tutorials are required for a student who receives a grade lower than 70
in a class or subject.
Report cards and unsatisfactory progress reports must be
signed by the parent and should be returned to the school within 3 days.
[See Dating Violence,
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation - pages 24-26.]
Student safety on campus and at school-related events is a
high priority of the district. Although
the district has implemented safety procedures, the cooperation of students is
essential to ensuring school safety. A
student should:
·
Avoid conduct that is likely to put the student
or other students at risk.
·
Follow the behavioral standards in this handbook
and the Student Code of Conduct, as well as any additional rules for
behavior and safety set by the principal, teachers, or bus drivers.
·
Remain alert to and promptly report to a teacher
or the principal any safety hazards, such as intruders on campus or threats
made by any person toward a student or staff member.
·
Know emergency evacuation routes and signals.
·
Follow immediately the instructions of teachers,
bus drivers, and other district employees who are overseeing the welfare of
students.
The school currently provides a supplemental accident
insurance policy for students who are injured during the school day or at
school events. Soon after the school
year begins, parents will have the opportunity to purchase additional low-cost
accident insurance that would help meet medical expenses in the event of injury
to their child.
From time to time, students, teachers, and other district
employees will participate in drills of emergency procedures. When the alarm is sounded, students should
follow the direction of teachers or others in charge quickly, quietly, and in
an orderly manner.
3 bells leave the building
1 bell halt; stand at attention
2 bells return to the classroom
1 continuous bell move quietly but quickly to the
designated locations
2 bells return to the classroom
If a student has a medical emergency at school or a
school-related activity when the parent cannot be reached, the school would
need to have written parental consent to obtain emergency medical treatment,
and information about allergies to medications, foods, insect bites, etc. Therefore, parents are asked each year to
complete an emergency care consent form.
Parents should keep emergency care information up-to-date (name of
doctor, emergency phone numbers, allergies, etc.). Please contact the school nurse to update any
information that the nurse or the teacher needs to know.
Emergency school closings due to severe weather or other
factors are normally broadcast over radio stations KJCS and KYKS and over
Channel 9, KTRE television station out of Lufkin,
Texas and Channel 13 (ABC), out of Houston, Texas.
Many colleges require either the American College Test (ACT)
or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for admission. Students are encouraged to talk with the counselor
early during their junior year to determine the appropriate exam to take; these
exams are usually taken at the end of the junior year. (Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, most
students must take a standardized test, such as the Texas Higher Education
Assessment [THEA]).
Certain areas of the school will be accessible to students
before and after school for specific purposes.
Students are required to remain in the area where their activity is
scheduled to take place.
The following areas are open to students before school,
beginning at 7:30 a.m.
·
Gymnasium, for grades 6 - 12
·
Playground, for grades PK - 5
Unless the teacher or sponsor overseeing the activity gives
permission, a student will not be permitted to go to another area of the
building or campus.
After dismissal of school in the afternoon, and unless
involved in an activity under the supervision of a teacher, students must leave
campus immediately.
Faculty, staff, and administrators have full authority over
student conduct at before- or after-school activities on district premises and
at school-sponsored events off district premises, such as play rehearsals, club
meetings, athletic practices, and special study groups or tutorials. Students are subject to the same rules of
conduct that apply during the instructional day and will be subject to
consequences established by the Student Code of Conduct or any
stricter standards of behavior established by the sponsor for extracurricular
participants.
Loitering or standing in the halls during class is not
permitted. During class time, a student
must have a hall pass to be outside the classroom for any purpose. Failure to obtain a pass will result in
disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Students will only use school phones when it is absolutely
necessary. Calls will be approved by a
teacher, the school secretary, or the administration. Calls will only be made between class
periods, at break, or lunch. Calls will
be made from the school office and will be monitored.
The district participates in the National School Lunch
Program and offers students nutritionally balanced lunches daily. Free and reduced-price lunches are available
based on financial need. Information
about a student’s participation is confidential. See the school secretary to apply.
The district follows the federal and state guidelines
regarding foods of minimal nutritional value being served or sold on school
premises during the school day. [For
more information, see policy CO(LEGAL).]
The library is a learning laboratory with books, computers,
magazines, and other materials available for classroom assignments, projects,
and reading or listening pleasure. The
library is open for independent student use during scheduled times. All students have access to the library.
Student-organized, student-led noncurriculum-related groups
are permitted to meet during the hours designated by the principal before and
after school. These groups must comply
with the requirements of policy FNAB(LOCAL).
A list of these groups is available in the principal’s
office.
In the interest of promoting student safety and attempting
to ensure that schools are safe and drug free, district officials may from time
to time conduct searches. Such searches
are conducted without a warrant and as permitted by law.
Students’ desks and lockers are school property and remain
under the control and jurisdiction of the school even when assigned to an
individual student.
Students are fully responsible for the security and contents
of their assigned desks and lockers.
Students must be certain that their lockers are locked, and that the
combinations are not available to others.
Searches of desks or lockers may be conducted at any time
there is reasonable cause to believe that they contain articles or materials
prohibited by policy, whether or not a student is present.
The parent will be notified if any prohibited items are
found in the student’s desk or locker.
Vehicles parked on school property are under the
jurisdiction of the school. School
officials may search any vehicle any time there is reasonable cause to do so,
with or without the permission of the student.
A student has full responsibility for the security and content of his or
her vehicle and must make certain that it is locked and that the keys are not
given to others. [See also the Student
Code of Conduct.]
The district will use trained dogs to alert school officials
to the presence of prohibited or illegal items, including drugs and
alcohol. At any time, trained dogs may
be used around lockers and the areas around vehicles parked on school
property. Searches of classrooms, common
areas, or student belongings may also be conducted by trained dogs when
students are not present. An item in a
classroom, a locker, or a vehicle to which a trained dog alerts may be searched
by school officials.
[For further information, see policy FNF(LOCAL). Also, see Steroids, on page 47.]
The district provides special programs for gifted and
talented students, homeless students, bilingual students, migrant students,
students with limited English proficiency, dyslexic students, and students with
disabilities. The coordinator of each
program can answer questions about eligibility requirements, as well as
programs and services offered in the district or by other organizations. A student or parent with questions about
these programs should contact the school principal.
State law prohibits students from possessing, dispensing,
delivering, or administering an anabolic steroid. Anabolic steroids are for medical use only,
and only a physician can prescribe use.
Body building, muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle
bulk or strength through the use of an anabolic steroid or human growth hormone
by a healthy student is not a valid medical use and is a criminal offense.
Students participating in UIL athletic competition may be
subject to random steroid testing. More
information on the UIL testing program may by found on the UIL Web site at http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/health/steroid_information.html.
Funding is sometimes available for summer school. Students in grades K – 6 who are in need of
extra assistance for the next year are usually targeted for attendance at
summer school. Spaces are usually
limited. Contact the principal for more
information concerning summer school.
TAKS (TEXAS ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS)
In addition to routine tests and other measures of
achievement, students at certain grade levels will take state-mandated tests (such as TAKS: the Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills) in the following subjects:
·
Mathematics, annually in grades 3–11
·
