Model Student Handbook 2002-2003: Word

PREFACE

TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS

Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year! We are looking forward to a GREAT year. For this to happen, we all have to work together: students, parents and teachers. This Student Handbook is designed to help us do that.

The Garden City Elementary School Student Handbook contains information that both students and parents are likely to need during the school year.

Throughout the handbook the term “the student’s parent” is used to refer to the parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student.

Students and parents also need to be familiar with the Glasscock County ISD Student Code of Conduct which is required by state law and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for positive learning. This 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 is an ongoing process. Changes in policy that affect Student Handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications.

In case of a 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 most recently adopted by the Board are to be followed.

We strongly recommend that you review the entire handbook with your child and keep it as a reference during this school year. Also, please complete and return the acknowledgment form, so that we have a record of your choices listed there.

NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE

Glasscock County ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, 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 requirements:

Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding sex discrimination

Steve Long, Superintendent 432-354-2230

Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding disability discrimination:

Ken Hoskins, K-Principal 432-354-2244

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Soon after school opens, parents will have the opportunity to purchase low-cost accident insurance that will help in meeting medical expenses in the event of injury to your child.

Except for the purchase of insurance against bodily injury sustained by students while training for or engaging in interscholastic athletic competition or while engaging in school-sponsored activities on a school campus, the District, under state law, cannot pay for medical expenses associated with a student’s injury.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION

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 ensure 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 safety hazards, such as intruders on campus and 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.

ADMISSIONS

Any student from the ages of 5 to 18, who resides within the district or who has been approved as a transfer student and has not already received a diploma or certificate of completion, is eligible to enroll in Glasscock County ISD.

AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION

If a student is assigned to after school detention (ASD), the student can serve the infraction on the day assigned or on the next day that ASD is held. Parents are expected to pick students up from ASD. Failure to show up on the date assigned will result in “1” additional day. The second time that a student fails to show up for ASD, further disciplinary actions will be taken.

After School Detention days will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:05-5:00 in room 38. There will always be a note sent home explaining why the student was assigned and what day that student needs to stay after school.

APPLYING SCHOOL RULES

To achieve the best possible learning environment for all of our students, the Student Code of Conduct and other campus rules of behavior will apply whenever the interest of the District is involved, on or off school grounds, in conjunction with or independent of classes and school-sponsored activities. The District has disciplinary authority over a student:

During the regular school day and while a student is going to and from school on District transportation.

Within 300 feet of school property.

While a student is in attendance at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location.

For any school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location.

When retaliation against a school employee or volunteer occurs or is threatened, regardless of time or location.

When a student commits a felony, as described by Texas Education Code 37.006.

When criminal mischief is committed on or off school property or at a school-related event.

As required by law, the District has developed and adopted a Student Code of Conduct that prohibits certain behaviors and establishes 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.

ASBESTOS PLAN

There is an Asbestos Plan on file in the superintendent’s office.

ATTENDANCE

Regular school attendance is essential for the student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led activities, to build each day’s learning on that of the previous day, and to grow as an individual. Two state laws, one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for course credit, are of special interest to students and parents.

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, except those for religious holy days and documented health care appointments for which routine make-up work has been completed, will be reviewed.

For a student transferring into the District after school begins, including a migrant student, only those absences after enrollment will be considered.

In reaching consensus about a student’s absences, the committee will attempt to ensure that its decision is in the best interest of the student.

The committee will consider whether the absences were for reasons which the student or the student’s parent could exercise any control.

The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documentation expressing reasons for the student’s absences.

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, parent, or other representative 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.

If credit is lost because of excessive absences, the attendance committee will decide how the student may regain credit. The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the District’s Board of Trustees by filing a written request with the Superintendent.

The actual number of days a student must attend in order to receive credit will depend on whether the class is for one semester or for a full year.

ATTENDANCE (COMPULSORY)

The state compulsory attendance law requires that:

“A student between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school and District-required tutorial sessions unless the student is otherwise legally exempted or excused. A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her eighteenth birthday is required to attend each school day. However, if a student 18 years