Student Handbook
by Cheryl Herring
September 13, 2007
Junction Independent School District 2007 - 2008
Signature/Acknowledgement Form
Pages i, ii, iii, iv are “explanations” of what you are signing. This is the signature/acknowledgement form which indicates your receipt of those documents.
Your signature below indicates that you have received a copy of Junction Independent School District’s:
Student Directory Information Options
JISD may publish directory information OR ______
JISD may not publish directory information ______
JISD may publish directory information with the exception of:
Student Handbook _____
Student Code of Conduct............................................................. _____
Extra Curricular Student Code of Conduct................................ _____
Electronic Communication and Data Management System Use Policy ____
Drug Testing Policy/Authorization to Administer Random Drug Tests _____
|
Consent/Opt Out Form
My student may participate in the listed activities OR _____
My student may not participate in the listed activities _____
Military Recruiter/Higher Education Information Release
JISD may release student’s information OR _____
JISD may not release student’s information _____
Corporal Punishment
JISD may administer corporal punishment to my child OR _____
JISD may NOT administer corporal punishment to my child _____
Attendance Warning Notice
I am the parent/guardian of (student)_______________________________who is in grade_________ and have received a copy of the above documents, which are enclosed in the Student Handbook. I understand and consent to the responsibilities and provisions outlined in these guidelines.
Parent’s Signature:______________________________ Date:_________
Student’s Signature:_____________________________ Date:_________
Remove or Print this page and return it to your campus office or as directed by your teacher.
Junction Independent School District
NOTICES REGARDING DIRECTORY
INFORMATION AND PARENT’S RESPONSE REGARDING RELEASE OF STUDENT
INFORMATION
State law requires the district to give you the following information:
Certain information about district students is considered directory information and will be released to anyone who follows the procedures for requesting the information unless the parent or guardian objects to the release of the directory information about the student. If you do not want Junction ISD to disclose directory information from your child's education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing within ten school days of child’s first day of instruction for this school year. This means that the district must give certain personal information (called “directory information”) about your child to any person who requests it, unless you have told the District in writing not to do so. In addition, you have the right to tell the district that it may, or may not, use certain personal information about your child for specific school-sponsored purposes. The district is providing you this form so you can communicate your wishes about these issues.
For all purposes including school-sponsored activities, Junction ISD has designated the following information as directory information:
- Student’s name
- Address
- Telephone listing
- E-mail address
- Photograph
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Dates of attendance
- Grade level
- Most recent school previously attended
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height, if a member of an athletic team
- Parents’ Name (Guardian)
- Enrollment Status
Directory information identified only for limited school-sponsored purposes remains otherwise confidential and will not be released to the public without the consent of the parent or eligible student.
Junction Independent School District
PARENT’S RESPONSE REGARDING
RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO MILITARY RECRUITERS AND INSTITUTIONS OF
HIGHER EDUCATION
Federal law requires that the district release to military recruiters and institutions of higher education, upon request, the name, address, and phone number of secondary school students enrolled in the district, unless the parent or eligible student directs the district not to release information to these types of requestors without prior written consent.
Junction Independent School District
Consent/Opt-Out
The district is required by federal law to notify you and obtain your consent or denial (opt-out) for your child to participate in certain school activities. The activities include any student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas, known as ”protected information surveys.”
- Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
- Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
- Sexual behavior or attitudes;
- Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
- Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
- Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
- Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
- Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility or to receive financial assistance under such a program.
This notice and consent/opt-out requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure, or use of student information for marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”), and to certain physical exams and screenings.
Handbook
My child and I have received a copy of the Junction Independent School District Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct for 2007-2008. I understand that the handbook contains information that my child and I may need during the school year and that all students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Code.
Student Code of Conduct
I understand and consent to the responsibilities outlined in the Junction ISD Student Code of Conduct for the 2007-2008 school year.
I also understand and agree that my child shall be held accountable for the behavior and consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct at school and at school-sponsored and school-related activities, including school-sponsored travel, and for any school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location.
We acknowledge that we are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the Junction ISD STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT for the 2007-2008 school year,and further acknowledge receiving a copy of the Code on the date indicated on the “acknowledgement page” of this handbook.
Electronic Communication and Data Management System Acceptable Use Policy Acknowledgement
I have read and agree to comply with all rules and policies concerning the use of the Junction ISD computer equipment and its electronic communication and data management systems. I declare that I have read and understood the Junction ISD Electronic Communication and Data Management System Acceptable Use Policy, and I agree to abide by the provisions of that policy. In consideration for the privilege of using the District’s Electronic Communication and Data Management System, and in consideration for having access to the public networks, I hereby release the District, its operators and any institutions with which they are affiliated from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from any use of, or in ability to use, the system, including, without limitation, the type of damages identified in the District’s Acceptable Use Policy and its other policies and administrative regulations relating to the system. In addition, I acknowledge being aware of the District’s monitoring of electronic mail and other forms of electronic communications, and I expressly consent to such monitoring.
Attendance Warning Notice
According to state law, TEC, Sec 25.095, a school district shall notify a student’s parent in writing at the beginning of the school year that if the student has unexcused absences from school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year or on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period:
1) the student’s parent is subject to prosecution under Section 2.093; and
2) the student is subject to prosecution under Section 25.094 or to referral to a juvenile court in a county with a population of less than 100,000 for conduct that violates that section.
Extra Curricular Student Code of Conduct
I have read the Junction ISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct and agree adhere to these rules as a condition for my voluntary participation in Junction ISD extracurricular activities. I understand that failure to do so will result in disciplinary measures related to my extracurricular participation.
I understand the consequences that my child will face if he or she fails to adhere to these rules and agree to such terms.
Drug Testing Policy
I have read the Junction ISD Extracurricular Code of Conduct and agree adhere to these rules as a condition for my voluntary participation in Junction ISD extracurricular activities. I understand that failure to do so will result in disciplinary measures related to my extracurricular participation.
I understand the consequences that my child will face if he or she fails to adhere to these rules and agree to such terms.
Junction Independent School District
Student Handbook
2007-2008
Contents
Absences/Attendance................................................................................ 14
Academic Programs.................................................................................. 16
Attendance Warning Notice Acknowledgement............................................... 5
Career and Technology Programs............................................................... 17
Class Rank/Top Ten Percent/Highest Ranking Student................................... 17
College Course......................................................................................... 18
College Day.............................................................................................. 18
Complaints and Concerns........................................................................... 18
Computer Resources................................................................................. 19
Conduct................................................................................................... 19
Conferences............................................................................................. 52
Consent Opt/Out Acknowledgement............................................................. 4
Contagious Diseases/Conditions.................................................................. 20
Corporal Punishment................................................................................. 19
Correspondence Courses............................................................................ 22
Counseling............................................................................................... 22
Credit by Exam......................................................................................... 23
Directory Information Release...................................................................... 3
Disruptions............................................................................................... 19
Distance Learning...................................................................................... 23
Distribution of Published Materials or Documents.......................................... 24
Dress Code............................................................................................... 25
Drug Testing Policy................................................................................... 26
Drug Testing Policy Acknowledgement.......................................................... 5
Dual Credit Courses........................................................................... 18 & 24
Electronic Communication and Data Management System Acknowledgement..... 5
Electronic Communication and Data Management System Policy..................... 27
Exam Exemption Policy.............................................................................. 33
Explanations of Acknowledgement Forms................................................... 3-5
Extra-Curricular Student Code of Conduct Acknowledgement........................... 5
Extra-Curricular Activities, Clubs, Organizations............................................ 34
Extra-Curricular Policy............................................................................... 35
Fees........................................................................................................ 38
Fire Drills................................................................................................. 53
Fund-Raising............................................................................................ 38
Glossary................................................................................................... 62
Grade Classification................................................................................... 39
Grading Policies........................................................................................ 39
Graduation............................................................................................... 42
Graduation Expenses................................................................................. 43
Handbook Acknowledgement...................................................................... 4i
Harassment.............................................................................................. 44
Health Related Matters............................................................................... 45
Honor Roll............................................................................................... 17
Immunization........................................................................................... 46
Law Enforcement Agencies......................................................................... 47
Leaving Campus....................................................................................... 48
Make-up Work.......................................................................................... 48
Medicine at School.................................................................................... 49
Parental Involvement............................................................................ 10-14
Pledges of Allegiance and a Minute of Silence............................................... 50
Prayer...................................................................................................... 50
Preface...................................................................................................... 9
Progress Reports....................................................................................... 52
Promotion and Retention........................................................................... 50
Radios, CD players, Cell Phones, and Other Electronic Devices and Games...... 20
Release of Students From School................................................................ 52
Report Cards............................................................................................ 52
Safety...................................................................................................... 53
School Facilities........................................................................................ 54
Searches.................................................................................................. 55
Signature/Acknowledgement Form............................................................... 2i
Social Events............................................................................................ 20
Special Programs...................................................................................... 55
Standardized Testing................................................................................. 56
State Mandated Tests................................................................................. 56
Steroids................................................................................................... 56
Student Code of Conduct Acknowledgement.................................................. 4
Student Code of Conduct........................................................................... 64
Student Records........................................................................................ 56
Summer School........................................................................................ 59
Tardiness................................................................................................. 59
Textbooks................................................................................................ 59
Transfer Students.............................................................................. 18 & 59
Transportation.......................................................................................... 60
Valedictorian/Salutatorian.......................................................................... 17
Vandalism................................................................................................ 60
Video Cameras......................................................................................... 61
Visitors to the School................................................................................. 61
Withdrawing from School........................................................................... 61
Preface
To Students and Parents:
Welcome to school year 2007–2008. Education is a team effort, and we know that students, parents, teachers, and other staff members all working together will make this a successful year for our students.
The Junction 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.
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 must be familiar with the Junction ISD Student Code of Conduct, required by state law and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. That document may be found as an attachment to this handbook.
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 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 student handbooks, the provisions of board policy or the Student Code of Conduct that were most recently adopted by the board are to be followed.
We encourage parents to review the entire handbook with their children and 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 a teacher, the counselor, or the principal. Also, please complete and return the signature/acknowledgment form” at the front of the handbook.
[See Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights and Directory Information for more information.]
Please note that references to alphabetical 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.junctionisd.net.
In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, Junction 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 Superintendent of Schools has been designated to coordinate compliance with these legal requirements. The Superintendent may be reached at 325 446-3580.
Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of sex;
Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of disability and all other concerns regarding discrimination.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Working Together
Both experience and research tell us that a child’s education succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between home and school, a partnership that thrives on communication. 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. Ensure that your child completes all homework assignments and special projects. Be sure your child 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.
• Discuss 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 you child is entering ninth grade.
• 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 high school office at 446-3326, middle school at 446-2464 and elementary at 446-2055 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.]
• Becoming a school volunteer. (For further information, see policy GKG and contact the campus offices).
• Offering to serve 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.
• Offering to serve on the School Health Advisory Council, assisting the district in ensuring local community values are reflected in health education instruction. [See policies BDF, EHAA, FFA and School Health Advisory Council.
• Attending board meetings to learn more about district operations. [See policies BE and BED for more information.]
Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights
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.]
“Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities
As a parent, you also 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 non-emergency, 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.
Limiting the display of your child’s artwork, projects, and other special work products:
As a parent, if you choose that your child’s artwork, special projects, photographs, and the like not be displayed to the community on the district’s Web site, in printed material, by video, or by any other method of communication, you must notify the principal in writing.
Requesting Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Staff:
• You may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers, including whether the 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 the 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.
• To inspect a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed to your child.
Accessing Student Records
• To review your child’s student records when needed. 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.]
• As a parent you may grant or deny any written request from the district to make a videotape or voice recording of your child. State law, however, permits the school to make a videotape 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 co-curricular or extracurricular activity; or
• When it relates to media coverage of the school.
Removing a Student Temporarily from the Classroom
• To 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.
Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U. S. and Texas Flags and Declaration of Independence
• To 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 and policy EC.]
• To 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]
Requesting Notices of Certain Student Misconduct
• A non-custodial 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 misconduct that may involve placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or expulsion. See policies FL(LEGAL) and (LOCAL), FO(LEGAL), and the Student Code of Conduct.
Requesting Transfers for your Child – as a parent you have a right:
• To request the transfer of your child to another classroom or campus if your child has been determined by the board or its designee to have been a victim of bullying as the term is defined by Education Code 25.0341. Transportation is not provided for a transfer to another campus. See the superintendent or designee for information. [See policy FDB]
• To request the transfer of your child to attend a safe public school in the district if your child attends school at a campus identified by TEA as persistently dangerous or if your child has been a victim of a violent criminal offense while at school or on school grounds. [See policy FDD(LOCAL)]
• 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 on 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 policy FDD(LOCAL)]
• Parents of Students with Disabilities 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, contact Superintendent, Dr. Renee Schulze at 325 446-3580.
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 support services that are available to all 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 evaluation is needed, the parent will be notified and asked to provide 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 the superintendent at 446-3580.
SECTION II: INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance is essential for the 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 in the following sections:
Compulsory Attendance
State law requires that a student between the ages of 6 and 18 attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction programs, extended year programs, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise legally exempt or excused.
A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her eighteenth birthday is required to attend each school day. If a student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester, however, the district may revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s presence on school property thereafter would be unauthorized and may be considered trespassing.
If kindergarten, first grade, or second grade students are assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program under state law, compulsory attendance applies to attendance in the reading 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 the 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.
Attendance for Credit
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 fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may be referred to the attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit.
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 health-care appointments will be considered days of attendance for this purpose. [See policy 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.
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.
• Parent’s Note After an Absence
Students must provide the campus office with a note from their parent/guardian with the date, reason for absence and parent’s/guardian’s signature within two days of the student’s absence. After a two-day period the absence will remain as unexcused. A doctor’s note is required or an unexcused absence will result after the sixth absence. A note signed by the student, even with the parent’s permission, will not be accepted unless the student is 18 or older.
A student absent for more than 5 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. (FEC Local).
A note does NOT dictate an excused absence.
Driver License Attendance Verification
To obtain a driver license, a student between the ages of 16 and 18 must annually 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 office.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The school counselor provides students and their parents information regarding academic programs to prepare for higher education and career choices.
CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
The district offers career and technology programs in technology, vocational agriculture, and family and consumer science.
Junction 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.
CLASS RANK / TOP TEN PERCENT / HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT
Class Rank – Middle School:
A student’s class rank is determined by grade point average considering all grades except local credit courses. Students must be enrolled by the third week of the first six weeks of the year to be eligible for highest ranking student.
Honor Roll:
The “A” honor roll is composed of any student who takes eight separate subjects and who makes all “A’s” at the end of each grading period. The “B” honor rolls composed of any student who takes eight separate subjects and who makes a combination of “A’s” and “B’s” at the end of each grading period.
Class Rank – High School
A student’s class rank is determined by grade point average considering all grades except local credit courses. *Grades earned in correspondence courses, concurrent enrollment courses, distance-learning courses, and credit by examination with or without prior instruction shall be used in the determination of class rank. ** Concurrent grades for second semester, will be obtained by counselor from professors for computation on GPA, concerning valedictorian, salutatorian and the “top ten” graduating seniors of JHS after the fifth six – weeks. Beginning in the fall of 1999 courses taken prior to the 9th grade will appear on student transcripts and credit will be given; however, grades earned will not be included when calculating a student’s high school grade point average *or class rank. Students must be enrolled by the third week of the first six weeks of their junior year to be eligible for valedictorian and salutatorian.
For two school years following their graduation, district graduates who ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class are eligible for admission into four-year public universities and colleges in Texas. Students and parents should contact the counselor or principal for further information about how to apply and the deadline for application.
[For further information, see policies at EIC.]
Valedictorian/Salutatorian:
The valedictorian and salutatorian shall be the eligible students with the highest and second highest ranking as determined in accordance with this policy using the weighted grading scale. To be eligible for valedictorian/salutatorian honors, a student must be enrolled in the District by the end of the first three weeks of the first semester of the junior year. The student must then remain enrolled continuously for the last four semesters. Students who graduate early are not eligible to the valedictorian or salutatorian.
If the grade point averages of the top two students are tied, co-valedictorians shall be recognized, if there is a tie for salutatorian, all of those whose scores are tied shall be recognized.
Transfer Students:
A student who transfers into the District shall receive the numerical grade earned in courses at the sending district. A student who transfers into the District’s high school with higher-level course credits shall receive similar credits counted toward the GPA according to the list of higher-level courses offered in the District and the weighted grade point scale used in the District. Letter grades not accompanied by a conversion scale from the sending district shall be recorded as follows:
Middle & High School Elementary
A 95 E 95
B 85 S 85
C 75 N 75
D 70 U 65
F 60
Students who transfer into JHS during their senior year will be allowed to graduate under previous school requirements if they have never attended JHS.
College Course/ Dual Credit Courses
Junction High School will follow Howard College policies for dropping courses, tuition refunds, and grades. This applies to al JHS concurrent course. Be sure to check with the counselor on these issues as they change often.
COLLEGE DAY – High School
Seniors are allowed one day each semester during their senior year to visit a college. This day will count as a field trip. Students must prearrange this absence with the office at least one week in advance. Work should be turned in prior to the absence or the day they return. The student must obtain documentation from the college on the day of their visit. If documentation is obtained, these absences will not be counted against exemptions.
COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS
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
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.
COMPUTER RESOURCES
To prepare students for an increasingly technological society, the district has made a substantial investment in computer technology for instructional purposes. Use of these resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s supervision and for approved purposes only. Students and their parents will be asked to sign a user agreement 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 may be monitored by district staff.
[For additional information, see policy CQ.]
CONDUCT
Applicability of School Rules
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 the standards. Students need to 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, on or off school grounds, in conjunction with classes and school-sponsored activities. The district has disciplinary authority over a student in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Corporal Punishment
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.
Disruptions
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 profane language or any misconduct.
• Interference with the transportation of students in district vehicles.
Radios, CD Players, Cell Phones, and Other Electronic Devices and Games
Students are not permitted to possess such items as pagers, radios, CD players, tape recorders, camcorders, DVD players, cameras, electronic devices or games, or telecommunications devices with text messaging 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 the items at the end of the day for students to take home or whether parents will be contacted to pick up the items.
For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess cell phones that do; however, cell phones must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during testing.
Social Events
School rules apply to all school social events. Guests attending these events are expected to observe the same rules as students, and the person inviting the 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.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES / CONDITIONS
To protect other students from contagious illnesses, students infected with certain diseases are not allowed to come to school while contagious, this includes head lice. Once live head lice are detected, students must check in with the nurse prior to returning to school. If a parent suspects that his or her child has a communicable or 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.
Bacterial Meningitis
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 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/.
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
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 policy EEJC.]