Pritchard
Junior
High
Student Handbook
2008 - 2009
Pritchard Junior High will provide all students with
an exemplary education that leads to academic excellence, lifelong learning,
and responsible citizenship.
Core Beliefs
Responsible citizenship is based on respect for
one’s self, family, community and country.
Successful education is based on working
relationships between students, teachers, parents, and community.
SECTION I
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Obtaining Information and Protecting
Student Rights
“Opting Out” of Surveys
and Activities
As a parent, you also have a right:
REPORT CARDS / PROGRESS REPORTS AND
CONFERENCES
STATE-MANDATED ASSESSMENT TESTS
STUDENT OR PARENT COMPLAINTS AND
CONCERNS
RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL
SECTION II CURRICULUM-RELATED
INFORMATION
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS,
AND ORGANIZATIONS
SECTION III
GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS
Routine and In-Depth Makeup Work
Assignments
DAEP or In-School Suspension Makeup
Work
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES / CONDITIONS
School Health Advisory Council
Services for the Homeless and for
Title I Participants
Services for Students with
Disabilities
Radios, CD Players, Cell Phones, and
Other Electronic Devices and Games
Bullying or Taunting Behaviors
Harassment on the Basis of Race,
Color, Religion, National Origin, or Disability
Sexual Harassment / Sexual Abuse
Notification of Law Violations
DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS
OR DOCUMENTS
Nonstudent Nonschool Materials
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS / HEALTH
SCREENINGS
PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MINUTE
OF SILENCE
Drills: Fire, Tornado, and Other Emergencies
Emergency Medical Treatment and
Information
Emergency School-Closing Information
Use By Students Before and After
School
Conduct Before and After School
Meetings of Noncurriculum-Related
Groups
Buses and Other School Vehicles
CITIZENSHIP
GUIDELINES...............................................................................................................................33
GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE USE OF
BELLS I.S.D. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
STUDENT AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION
IN AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
WELCOME TO PJH!
Dear
Students and Parents:
Welcome
to 2008-2009 school year! For this
new year to be successful for your child, we must all work together: students,
parents, teachers, and other school staff members.
The
Pritchard Junior High 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 three sections:
Section
I—IMPORTANT
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS—with information all parents will need about
assisting their child and responding to school-related issues;
Section
II—CURRICULUM-RELATED
INFORMATION—providing information to students and their parents about
graduation programs, required courses and extracurricular and other activities;
and
Section
III—GENERAL
INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS—describing school operations and
requirements such as safety procedures, the dress code, and fees that may be
charged.
Each
section has a Quick Reference component to serve as a guide for day-to-day
questions that may arise.
Please
be aware that 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.
Both
students and parents must be familiar with the Bells I.S.D. Student Code of
Conduct, required by state law and intended to promote school safety and an
atmosphere for learning.
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 strongly recommend that parents 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 parental acknowledgment and
consent/opt-out forms so that we have a record of your choices.
Please note that references to alphabetical policy
codes are included so that parents can refer to current policy. A copy of the District’s policy
manual is available in the school Administration office.
SECTION I
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
This
section of the Pritchard Junior High Student Handbook includes information on
topics of particular interest to you as a parent.
QUICK
REFERENCE:
Where to look when you need
information about…
§ Parental involvement page 6
§ Grading guidelines page 8
§ Report cards/progress reports and conferences page 8
§ State-mandated assessment testing page 9
§ Medicine at school page 9
§ Psychotropic drugs page 10
§ Steroids page 10
§ Student records page 10
§ Student or parent complaints and concerns page 11
§ Release of students from school page 11
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.
§ 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 903-965-4835 for an appointment. A teacher will usually return your call or meet with you during his or her conference period or before or after school.
§ 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, and contact the principal at 903-965-4835.
§ 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 and EHAA]
§ Attending Board meetings to learn more about District operations. Board Meetings are typically held on the third Monday of each month in the Administration building. Notice of meeting time and place are posted at the Administration office [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.] Because our district is constantly
searching for ways to improve the services we provide our students, your child
may be asked to voluntarily complete an anonymous survey relating to Character
Education. These surveys are strictly voluntary. The results will be used to
create character education curriculum that is specific to the needs of our
students. If you wish to opt your child out of participating in the character
education surveys please provide a written notice to the Junior High Office.
“Opting Out” of
Surveys and Activities
As
a parent, you also have a right to receive notice and opt your child out of
participating in:
§ Any survey concerning the private information listed above, regardless of funding.
§ School activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected 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.
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 any other method of communication, you must notify the
principal in writing.
As a parent, you also have a
right:
§ To 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.
§ 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.
§ 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, and
§ To 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 cocurricular or extracurricular activity; or when it relates to media coverage of the school.
§ 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.
§
To request that your child be excused from
participation in the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the
§ 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]
§ To request in writing, if you are a noncustodial parent, that you 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.
GRADING GUIDELINES
In
grades 7-8, classroom grades are based on a 100 point scale. In order to gain
credit for a class a student must maintain an average score of at least 70.
Achievement is reported to parents as:
90-100
Excellent
80-89
Good
75-79 Average
70-74 Below
Average
0-69 Failing
REPORT
CARDS / PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES
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. Students
will receive progress reports from each teacher on Wednesday following the
third week of the reporting period. The progress report will include grades
earned on daily work and tests to the end of the third week. A written
unsatisfactory progress report will be mailed to the student’s home if
the student’s performance in any course is 75 or below, or is below the
expected level of performance.
If a student is not passing a class or
subject, it is highly recommended that the parent request a conference with the
teacher of that class or subject early in the grading period (if the teacher
has not already done so). Teachers follow grading guidelines approved by the Superintendent that have
been 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.] 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).
According
to state law (Texas Education Code 29.084), tutorials are REQUIRED for
a student who receives a grade lower than 70 in a subject for the six week
grade reporting period. Students who are not failing but would like to attend
tutorials are welcome to do so. PJH offers tutorials during Advisory Period and
before or after school as arranged with individual teachers. Please contact the
PJH office or the classroom teacher at 903-965-4835 if you need more
information regarding tutoring.
STATE-MANDATED ASSESSMENT TESTS
Students
at certain grade levels will take state assessment tests (such as TAKS) in the
following subjects, as well as routine testing and other measures of
achievement:
§ Mathematics, annually in grades 7 & 8
§
§ Writing, including spelling and grammar, in grade 7
§ Social studies in grade 8
§ Science in grade 8
§ Any other subject and grade required by federal law. [See policy EKB.]
Under the Student Success Initiative (SSI) requirements, 8th grade students are required to pass the grade 8 reading and mathematics tests to be promoted to ninth grade.
MEDICINE AT SCHOOL
District
employees will not give a student prescription medication, nonprescription
medication, herbal substances, anabolic steroids, or dietary supplements, with
the following exceptions:
§ The school secretary or principal, in accordance with policy FFAC, may administer:
· Prescription medication provided by the parent, along with a written request, and in the original, properly labeled container.
· 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 provided by the parent along with a written request, and in the original, properly labeled container.
· Herbal or dietary supplements provided by the parent 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 who has written authorization from his or her parent and
physician or other licensed health-care provider may be permitted to possess
and use prescribed asthma medication at school or school-related events. The student and parents should see the
school nurse or principal if the student has been prescribed asthma medication
for use during the school day.
Students
who are at-risk for anaphylactic reactions, which are sudden, severe allergic
reactions, may self-administer medication at school or school-related events
with written authorization from his or her parent and signed by a physician or
other licensed health-care provider that states:
- That the student is
at-risk for sudden, severe allergic reactions and is capable of
self-administering anaphylaxis medication,
- The name and purpose of
the medication
- The prescribed dosage
of the medication
- The times at which or
circumstances under which the medicine may be administered; and
- The period for which
the medicine is prescribed.
PSYCHOTROPIC
DRUGS
Teachers
and other District employees may discuss a student’s academic progress or
behavior with the student’s parents or another employee as appropriate. In addition, 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.
“Psychotropic drug” means a substance used in the diagnosis,
treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication and
intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior. It is commonly described as a mood- or
behavior-altering substance. [For further information, see policies at FFAC.]
STEROIDS
Parents
and students should be aware that 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.
Under
state law, bodybuilding, 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.
STUDENT RECORDS
Both
federal and state law 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. The law specifies that
certain general information about Bells I.S.D. students is considered
“directory information” and will be released to anyone who follows
procedures for requesting it. That
information includes:
§ A student’s name, address, telephone number, and date and place of birth.
§ The student’s photograph, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams.
§ The student’s dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status, honors and awards received in school, and most recent school previously attended.
§ The student’s e-mail address.
Release
of any or all directory information regarding a student 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
the child’s first day of instruction for this school year. [See the acknowledgement form attached
to this handbook.] 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 parental rights have been legally terminated and if the school is given a copy of the court order terminating these rights. Federal law requires that, as soon as the student becomes eligible, control of the records goes to the student. However, the parents may continue to have access to the records if the student is a dependent for tax purposes.
§ District staff members who have what federal law defines as a “legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records. Such persons would include school officials (such as Board members, the Superintendent, and principals), school staff members (such as teachers, counselors, and diagnosticians), or an agent of the District (such as a medical consultant).
§ Various governmental agencies or in response to a subpoena or court order.
§ A school to which a student transfers 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 District must 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. 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 effectively prevent inspection during these hours, the
District will either provide a copy of the requested records, or make other
arrangements for the parent or student to review the requested 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 Post Office Box 7, Bells,
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 District’s policy regarding student records is available from
the principal’s or Superintendent’s office.
The
parent’s or eligible student’s right of access to and copies of
student records does not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational
records—such as teachers’ 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.
STUDENT OR PARENT COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS
Usually
student or parent complaints or concerns can be addressed simply—by a
phone call or a conference with the teacher. 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 most circumstances in which a complaint involves a problem with a
teacher, the student or parent shall be expected to discuss the matter with the
teacher before requesting a conference with the principal at Level One. Before
initiating a formal complaint under this policy, students or parents are
encouraged to resolve concerns by scheduling a conference with the principal or
other appropriate administrator. If unresolved, a written complaint and 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.
RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL
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
will not be released from school at times other than at the end of the school
day except with permission from the principal or designee and according to the
campus sign-out procedures. Unless
the principal has granted approval because of extenuating circumstances, a
student will not regularly be released before the end of the instructional day.
A student who will need to leave school during the day must bring a note from
his or her parent that morning. A
student who becomes ill during the school day should, with the teacher’s
permission, report to the school office.
The school nurse or principal will decide whether or not the student
should be sent home and will notify the student’s parent.
Withdrawing
from School
A
student under 18 may be withdrawn from school only by a parent. The school
requests notice from the parent at least three days in advance so that records
and documents may be prepared. A
withdrawal form may be obtained by the parent from the principal’s
office. On the student’s last day, the withdrawal form must be presented
to each teacher for current grade averages and book clearance; to the librarian
to ensure a clear library record; to the clinic for health records; to the
counselor for the last report card and course clearance; and finally, to the
principal. A copy of the withdrawal
form will be given to the student and a copy placed in the student’s
permanent record. A student who is 18 or older, who is married, or who has been
declared by a court to be an emancipated minor, may withdraw without parental
signature.
SECTION II
CURRICULUM-RELATED INFORMATION
This
section of the handbook contains pertinent requirements for academics and
activities. Much of this
information will also be of interest to your parents and should be reviewed
with them—especially if you are entering 9th grade or are a transfer
student. The section includes
information on graduation programs and requirements; options for earning course
credit; extracurricular activities and other school-related organizations; and
awards, honors, and scholarships.
QUICK
REFERENCE:
Where
to look when you need help with…
§ Awards and honors page 12
§ Citizenship Grades page 12
§ Class schedules page 13
§ Computer resources page 13
§ Extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations page 13
§ Field Trips page 14
§ Homework and No Zero Zone page 14
§ Honor Roll page 14
§ Promotion and Retention page 14
§ Special programs page 14
§ Summer school page 15
§ Textbooks page 15
AWARDS AND HONORS
An
awards assembly for seventh and eighth grade students will be held at the end
of the school year. Parents of students who will be receiving an award will be
notified in advance so they will have an opportunity to make arrangements to
attend.
CITIZENSHIP GRADE
Every
six weeks each student will be given a citizenship grade for each class. A mark
will be given by the teacher when a student does not meet the following
expectations:
1. Prepared
for class
2. In
assigned area
3. Consumes
gum, food, or candy as allowed by teacher
4. Respectful
in a way that does not interfere with other students’ learning
Each student begins each six weeks
with an E (Excellent) in citizenship. Citizenship grading will start over every
six weeks.
Citizenship grading guidelines:
E for Excellent = 1-2 marks
S for Satisfactory = 3–5
marks
N for Needs Improvement = 6 or more
marks
Consequences:
3
marks = a letter mailed home to parents
5
marks = a writing assignment in addition to the regular classroom assignment.
10
marks = one day of ISS
>10 marks = referral to the
Teacher Committee
Citizenship
writing assignments will be due by 8:00 a.m. on the next school day.
Assignments must be turned in to the PJH Principal. If the principal is
unavailable the assignment should be turned in to the PJH Secretary. Failure to
return the assignment by the due date will result in additional consequences.
*For
more details please see attached PJH Citizenship Guidelines.
CLASS
SCHEDULE
COMPUTER RESOURCES
To
prepare students for an increasingly computerized 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 (provided in the back
of 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 electronic
communications—e-mail—using District computers are not private and
may be monitored by District staff. [For additional information, see policy
CQ.]
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS
Participation
in school and 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 as well as 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 a class identified as honors or advanced by either the State Board of Education or by the local Board of Trustees, 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 to ten absences not related to post-district competition, a maximum of five absences for post-district competition prior to state, and a maximum of two 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.
§ A student who misses a class because of 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. [For further information, see policies FM and FO.]
FIELD TRIPS
Throughout the
year students may be provided the opportunity to attend field trips that
enhance classroom instruction or promote the development of the student as a
good citizen. The principal may provide guidelines that students must meet to
be eligible to attend field trips that enhance the basic educational program
but are not required as a part of the basic educational program. Standards for
attendance on non-mandatory field trips may include but are not limited to
classroom grades, citizenship grades, and disciplinary record. Contact the PJH
office with questions regarding requirements for specific field trips. All
students will attend field trips that are required as a part of the basic
educational program. Fees shall not be assessed for field trips that are required as part of a basic
educational program.
HOMEWORK and ASSIGNMENTS
Junior
High students should expect homework on a regular basis. Students are responsible
for completing and turning in all assignments given by classroom teachers.
HONOR ROLL
Students earning a grade average of 92 or
greater with no grade less than 90 will be placed on the Superintendent’s
Honor Roll.
Students earning a grade average of 90 or
greater with no grade less than 80 will be placed on the Principal’s
Honor Roll.
PROMOTION AND RETENTION
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.
To be promoted to the next grade, Junior High students must have an average of
70 or above at the end of the year in at least three of the following subjects:
Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.
Students in
grades 7-8 who are not promoted shall be retained in the same grade or placed
in an alternative educational program. No student shall be retained more than
once in grades 5-8 unless a committee of the student’s teacher(s) approve
and the parent(s) agree because of special circumstances. In addition, students at
certain grade levels will be required to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge
and Skills (TAKS) as a further requirement for promotion:
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 test 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
identify the student’s educational goals and include consideration of the
parent’s educational expectations for the student. [For additional information, see the
counselor and policy EIF.] Students in grade 11 must pass the secondary
exit-level assessment in English language arts, mathematics, social studies,
and science in order to receive a diploma.
A student who does not pass the exit-level assessment will have
additional opportunities to take the test. 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.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
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 Administration office at 903-965-7721.
Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have
Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education
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 their rights if they disagree
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
PJH Principal at 903-965-4835.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Pritchard
Junior High may offer a summer session. Students wishing to make-up a course in
which credit was not earned during the regular session may attend summer school
in another district. The principal or the counselor must approve enrollment in
summer school prior to enrollment.
TEXTBOOKS
State-approved
textbooks are provided free of charge for each subject or class. Books must be covered by the student, as
directed by the teacher, and treated with care. A student who is issued a damaged book
should report the damage to the teacher.
Any student failing to return a book issued by the school loses the
right to free textbooks until the book is returned or paid for by the
parent. The student will be
provided textbooks for use at school during the school day only.
SECTION III
GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS
Topics
in this section of the handbook contain important information regarding school
operations and requirements.
Included are provisions such as student health and safety issues; fees;
the school’s expectations for student conduct (other than Student Code of
Conduct requirements); use of facilities, such as the cafeteria, library, and
transportation services; and emergency closings. For additional information or questions
you may have, please see the principal.
QUICK REFERENCE:
Where
to look when you need information about…
§ Attendance page 16
§ Make up work page 16
§ Communicable diseases/conditions page 17
§ Health-related matters page 18
§ Freedom from Discrimination page 18
§ Conduct page 20
§ Law enforcement agencies page 22
§ Distribution of published materials or documents page 23
§ Dress and grooming page 24
§ Student fees page 25
§ Fund-raising page 26
§ Immunization page 26
§ Physical examinations/health screenings page 26
§ Pledges of allegiance and a minute of silence page 26
§ Prayer page 26
§ Safety page 26
§ Emergency school-closings information page 27
§ School facilities page 27
§ Searches page 29
§ Transportation page 29
§ Videotaping of students page 30
§ Visitors to the school page 30
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. 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. Each is discussed in the following
sections:
Compulsory
Attendance
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 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 is then unauthorized and
may be considered trespass. School employees must investigate and report
violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent from school without
permission from any class; from required special programs, such as additional
special instruction (termed “accelerated instruction”) assigned by
the grade placement committee and basic skills for ninth graders; or from
required tutorials will be considered in violation of the law and subject to
disciplinary action. A school-aged student’s deliberately not attending
school may also result in assessment of penalties by a court of law against
both the student and his or her parents.
A complaint against the parent may be filed in the appropriate 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.
Tardies
In
order to receive the full benefit of classroom instruction it is imperative
that students attend class for the entire class period. The PJH Tardy Policy
will be sent home to parents during the first week of school.
MAKEUP WORK
Routine
and In-Depth Makeup Work Assignments
Students absent from school will be allowed to make
up work missed in order to meet the minimum requirements of attendance
accounting. On the day of the student’s return to school the student will
obtain, from the teacher, a schedule of make-up work listing the assignments
and their due date. Teachers
may assign a late penalty to any project in accordance with time lines approved
by the principal and previously communicated to students. A student will be
responsible for obtaining and completing the make-up work in a satisfactory
manner and by the due date provided by the teacher. [See policy EIAB] 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 given one day to
make up assignments for every one day the student was absent: for example, a
student who is absent for two days will have two days to make up the missed
assignments.
For
any class missed, the teacher may assign the student make-up 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. Make-up work for an excused absence
that is completed in accordance with the due dates specified by the teacher
will be graded on a 100% basis. Make-up work for an unexcused absence that is
completed in accordance with the due dates specified by the teacher will be
graded on a 75% basis. Students missing school for
non-extenuating circumstances may be subject to disciplinary action, which may
include
DAEP or In-School Suspension
Makeup Work
A student
removed to a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) or in-school
suspension (ISS) during the school year will be provided with appropriate
classroom assignments for each class the student is enrolled in. The student is
responsible for completing all assignments for classes while in DAEP or ISS.
Failure to complete all assignments may result in additional days of DAEP or
ISS. Students in DAEP or ISS may also be required to complete additional
assignments given by the principal in the core subject areas.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES / CONDITIONS
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 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 Texas Department of
Health regarding these diseases.
Bacterial
Meningitis
State
law 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 Texas
Department of Health 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 Texas Department of Health,
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us.
HEALTH-RELATED MATTERS
School
Health Advisory Council
Information
regarding the District’s School Health Advisory Council, including the
number of meetings scheduled or held during the year, and information regarding
vending machines in District facilities and student access to the machines is
available from the principal. [See
also policies BDF and EHAA.]
Other
Health Related Matters
The
District and its staff strictly enforce prohibitions against the use of tobacco
products by students and others on school property or at school-sponsored or
school-related activities. [See the
Student Code of Conduct and policy GKA.]
FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION
The
District believes that all students learn best in an environment free from
harassment and that their welfare is best served when they can work free from
discrimination. Students are
expected to treat other students and District employees with courtesy and
respect; to avoid any 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, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, age, or disability. [See
policy FFH] Prohibited 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; 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.
Examples
of prohibited discrimination may include, but are not limited to, derogatory
language directed at a person’s religious beliefs or practices, accent,
skin color, or need for accommodation; bullying, threatening or intimidating
conduct; name-calling or slurs, taunting, teasing (even when presented as
“jokes”), or rumors; aggression or assault; graffiti or printed
material promoting racial, ethnic, or other negative stereotypes; or aggressive
conduct such as theft or damage to property. Examples of prohibited sexual harassment
may include 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.
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, all romantic and
inappropriate social relationships, as well as all sexual relationships,
between students and District employees are prohibited, even if consensual.
Any
student (or the student’s parent) who believes that he or she has
experienced prohibited harassment should immediately report the problem to a
teacher, counselor, principal, or other District employee.
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 will be promptly investigated. The District will notify the parents of
any student alleged to have experienced prohibited harassment by an adult
associated with the District, or by another student, when the allegations, if
proven, would constitute “sexual harassment” or “other prohibited
harassment” as defined by District policy.
If
the District’s investigation indicates that prohibited harassment
occurred, appropriate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken to
address the harassment. The
District may take disciplinary action even if the conduct that is the subject
of the complaint did not rise to the level of harassment prohibited by law or
policy.
Retaliation
against a person who makes a good faith report of prohibited harassment is
prohibited. However, a person who
makes a false claim or offers false statements or refuses to cooperate with a
District investigation may be subject to appropriate discipline.
A
student or parent who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation may
appeal in accordance with policy FNG.
In
its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, the District makes the following
statements:
The following District staff
members have been designated to coordinate compliance with these requirements:
§
Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding
discrimination on the basis of sex:
Name: Joe
D. Moore
Position: Superintendent
Address:
Telephone: (903) 965-7721
§
Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding
discrimination on the basis of disability:
Name: Joe
D. Moore
Position: Superintendent
Address:
Telephone: (903) 965-7721
Services for the Homeless
and for Title I Participants
Other designated staff you
may need to contact include:
§ Liaison for Homeless Children and Youths, who coordinates services for homeless students and Parent Involvement Coordinator, who works with parents of students participating in Title I programs:
Name: Tricia
Meek
Position: Curriculum Director
Address:
Phone: (903) 965-7721
Services
for 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, see page 11 and
contact Martha Wilson at 903-965-7721.
CONDUCT
Applicability
of School Rules
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. To achieve the best possible learning
environment for all 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 in accordance with the
Student Code of Conduct.
Social
Events
School
rules apply to school social events to which a student brings a guest. Guests are expected to observe the same
rules as students attending the event, and the person inviting the guest will
share responsibility for the conduct of the guest. A student attending a social event must
be checked out by a parent if leaving before the end of the event; anyone
leaving before the official end of the event will not be readmitted.
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.
Detention
Teachers
or the principal may assign detention for students that choose to behave in an
unacceptable manner or refuse to do assigned academic work. This detention may
be before school, during break, after school, or
Saturday School
Students
may be assigned to
Disruptions
In
order to protect student safety and sustain an educational program free from
disruption, state law permits the District to take action against any
person—student or nonstudent—who:
§ Interferes with the movement of people in an exit, an entrance, or a hallway of a District building without authorization from an administrator.
§ Interferes with an authorized activity by seizing control of all or part of a building.
§ Uses force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent participation in an authorized assembly.
§ Uses force, violence, or threats to cause disruption during an assembly.
§ Interferes with the movement of people at an exit or an entrance to District property.
§ Uses force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent people from entering or leaving District property without authorization from an administrator.
§ Disrupts 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.
§ Interferes 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 iPods, radios, CD players, tape
recorders, camcorders, DVD players, cameras, or electronic devices or games at
school, unless prior permission has been obtained from the principal. Without
such permission, teachers will collect the item and turn it in to the
principal’s office. The
principal will determine whether to return the item at the end of the day for
the student to take home or whether the parent will be contacted to pick up the
item. Any disciplinary action will
be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. For certain items, such as cell phones
and pagers, in which a third party retains a legal right of ownership, an
administrative fee may be charged.
[See policy FNCE.]
Cell
phones must be turned off and kept out of sight during regular school hours
(7:30-3:35). Any cell phones that are used, seen, or heard during school hours
will be confiscated. The student
will be required to pay a $10 fee to get the phone back.
Bullying
or Taunting Behaviors
Students
must not participate, either individually or in a group, in bullying or
taunting behaviors toward another student. Such behaviors may include repeated
teasing or ridicule, name-calling, threats, theft, gossip and rumors, or
physical intimidation of any kind.
A substantiated complaint against a student will result in disciplinary
action, according to the nature of the offense and the Student Code of Conduct.
Harassment
on the Basis of Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, or Disability
Students
must not engage in harassment behaviors motivated by race, color, religion,
national origin, or disability directed toward another student. Students are
expected to treat other students and District employees with courtesy and
respect; to avoid any behaviors known to be offensive; and to stop these
behaviors when asked or told to stop. The District encourages parental and
student support in its efforts to address and prevent harassment in any form in
the public schools. Students and/or
parents are encouraged to discuss their questions or concerns about the
expectations in this area with a teacher, counselor or principal. A student who
believes he or she has been harassed by another student or by a District
employee is encouraged to report the incident to the principal. The allegations
will be investigated and addressed.
A substantiated complaint against a student will result in disciplinary
action, according to the nature of the offense and the Student Code of Conduct.
The student or a parent may appeal the decision of the principal regarding the
outcome of the investigation in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL). [See also policy FNCL.]
Sexual
Harassment / Sexual Abuse
Students
must not engage in unwanted and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a
sexual nature directed toward another student or a District employee. This prohibition applies whether the
conduct is by word, gesture, or any other sexual conduct, including requests
for sexual favors. All students are
expected to treat other students and District employees with courtesy and
respect, to avoid any behaviors known to be offensive, and to stop these
behaviors when asked or told to stop. The District will notify the parents of
all students involved in sexual harassment by students when the allegations are
not minor, and will notify parents of any incident of sexual harassment or
sexual abuse by an employee. To the
greatest extent possible, complaints will be treated as confidential. Limited disclosure may be necessary to
complete a thorough investigation. A complaint alleging sexual harassment by
another student or sexual harassment or sexual abuse by a staff member may be
presented by a student and/or parent in a conference with the principal or
designee or with the Title IX coordinator, Mr. Joe Moore. The student or parent
may appeal the decision regarding the outcome of the investigation in
accordance with policy FNCJ(LOCAL).
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Questioning of Students
When
law enforcement officers or other lawful authorities wish to question or
interview a student at school:
§ 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.
§ The principal will cooperate fully regarding the conditions of the interview, if the questioning or interview is part of a child abuse investigation.
Students Taken Into Custody
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.
§ To comply with a properly issued directive to take a student into custody.
§ 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.
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
custody action, notification will most likely be after the fact.
Notification of Law
Violations
The
District is also 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 adjudicated of delinquent conduct for any felony offense or certain misdemeanors.
[For
further information, see policy GRA.]
DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS OR DOCUMENTS
School Materials
Publications
prepared by and for the school may be posted or distributed, with prior
approval by the principal, sponsor, or teacher. Such items may include school posters,
brochures, murals, etc. The PJH school newsletter and the yearbook are
available to students. All school publications are under the supervision of a
teacher, sponsor, and the principal.
Student Nonschool
Unless
a student obtains specific prior approval from the principal, written
materials, handbills, photographs, pictures, petitions, films, tapes, posters,
or other visual or auditory materials over which the school does not exercise
control may not be posted, sold, circulated, or distributed on any school
campus. To be considered, any nonschool material must include the name of the
sponsoring organization or individual.
The decision regarding approval will be made in two school days. The
principal has designated the Commons as the location for approved nonschool
materials to be placed for voluntary viewing by other students. See FNAA. The
student may appeal the principal’s decision in accordance with policy
FNG(LOCAL). Any student who posts
material without prior approval will be subject to disciplinary action in
accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Materials displayed without this
approval will be removed.
Nonstudent Nonschool
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
policy GKDA. To be considered, any nonschool material must meet the limitations
on content established in the policy, include the name of the sponsoring
organization or individual, and be submitted to the principal for specific
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 policy 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).
§ 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.
DRESS AND GROOMING
The District's dress code is established
to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize safety hazards.
Students are expected to use good judgment when dressing for school and to wear
appropriate clothing. Students and parents may determine a student's personal
dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the PJHS dress
code:
Pritchard Junior High Dress Code
Revised May 18, 2007
INTRODUCTION
It is impossible to list every possible detail of dress and grooming. The principal of each campus will make final decisions regarding what is acceptable and appropriate, taking into consideration the ages and activities of the students.
Students should dress in a way that does not disrupt the
learning process at
From time to time “fads” show up on our campuses. We are not listing these, nor are we trying to make a regulation to cover all problems that may arise. If a fad becomes distracting, it will be eliminated.
VIOLATIONS
1st Warning: If a student’s clothing or grooming violates the dress code, the student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school. Alternative clothing will be provided if needed. Students will not be allowed to go home to change. If the problem cannot be corrected, the student will be assigned to in-school suspension for the rest of the day.
2nd Warning: Same as 1st warning, plus 1 break detention.
3rd Warning: Disciplinary action will be taken at the discretion of the administrative staff, taking into account the nature of the violation and the student’s attitude.
OVERALL APPEARANCE
·
No excessively tight clothing
·
No excessively saggy clothing
·
No visible underwear
·
No garments designed as underwear worn as
outerwear
·
No sleepwear. Pajamas or house shoes may be worn only
on specific school-sponsored Spirit Days.
·
No apparel from other high schools except letter
jackets. (Items such as workout
outfits or uniforms normally belonging to another school will be confiscated
and returned to that school.)
· Nothing that is obscene or suggestive or that advertises alcoholic beverages, drugs, or tobacco products (etc.)
HEAD, FACE, AND HAIR
·
No hats, caps, headbands, hoods (etc.) or
sunshades inside the building. Hats
and caps should not be brought into the buildings.
·
No facial hair; no sideburns past the earlobes
·
Boys’ hair: must not extend past the bottom of the
shirt collar, below the earlobes, or below the eyebrows; no ponytails, braids,
or buns.
·
No symbols cut into the hair.
·
No extreme haircuts.
·
No unnatural hair coloring or distracting cuts
and styles.
·
Hair must be clean, well-groomed, and out of the
eyes.
TOPS, SHIRTS, BLOUSES
·
Shirts, tops, or blouses must cover the top of
the bottom garment so that no skin is visible at the waist during normal school
activities.
·
No tank tops, sleeveless tops, mesh shirts,
spaghetti straps, see-throughs, low-cut or revealing outfits.
·
Cap sleeves must cover the shoulder and extend
over the top of the arm.
SHORTS, PANTS, SKIRTS
· No mesh shorts.
·
Shorts must be knee-length style.
·
Shorts and pants must fit properly and be in
good repair with no holes, cuts, rips, tears or ragged/frayed edges.
·
Cut-offs must meet all of the above guidelines
and have sewn hems with no ragged or frayed edges.
·
Pants and shorts may not be worn below the
natural waistline and must cover the hipbone.
·
A belt must be worn when appropriate.
·
Skirts must be the same length as knee-length
style shorts.
FOOTWEAR
· Shoes appropriate for the activity must be worn at all times.
· Shoes with roller skates are not allowed.
· No house shoes.
·
ACCESSORIES
·
No chains, wallet chains, dog collars, or spiked
collars/wristbands
·
Tattoos must be covered and hidden at all times.
·
No body piercing. (Exception: girls may have pierced ears.)
·
No earrings on boys.
·
No gauging.
STUDENT FEES
Materials
that are part of the basic educational program are provided with state and
local funds and are 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.
§ Personal physical education and athletic equipment and apparel.
§ Voluntarily purchased pictures, publications, class rings, yearbooks, graduation announcements, etc.
§ 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.
§ Student identification cards.
§ Fees for lost, damaged, or overdue library books.
§ 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.
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 policy FP.]
FUND-RAISING
Student
clubs or classes, outside organizations, and/or parent groups occasionally may
be permitted to conduct fund-raising drives for approved school purposes. An application for permission must be
made to the principal at least 1 month before the event. All fund-raising
projects shall be subject to the approval of the Board. [For further
information, see policies FJ and GE.]
IMMUNIZATION
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 Health,
Immunization Division, can be honored by the District. The immunizations required are:
diphtheria, rubeola (measles), rubella, mumps, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae
type B, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox).
The school nurse can provide information on age-appropriate doses or on an
acceptable physician-validated history of illness required by the Texas
Department of Health. Proof of
immunization may be 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
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS / HEALTH SCREENINGS
Students
in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 shall be screened for vision and
hearing problems annually at any time during the reporting year prior to May
31. A student desiring to participate in the UIL athletic program shall submit
annually a statement from a health care provider authorized under UIL rules indicating
that the student has been examined and is physically able to participate in the
athletic program. Forms for the physical exam are available in the office or
from the coaches.
PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MINUTE OF SILENCE
PRAYER
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
require, encourage, or coerce a student to engage in or to refrain from such
prayer or meditation during any school activity.
SAFETY
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.
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
their child.
Drills: Fire, Tornado, and Other Emergencies
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.
Fire Drill Bells
3 bells leave
the building
1 bell halt;
stand at attention
2 bells return
to the classroom
Tornado Drill Bells
1 continuous bell move
quietly but quickly to the designated locations
2 bells return
to the classroom
Lockdown Procedure
“Lockdown” will be announced over the
intercom. All students must go immediately to the closest classroom and follow
directions given by the teacher. It is essential that all students and staff
are silent during lockdown situations. An administrator will alert teachers and
students when they may return to normal routines.
Emergency Medical Treatment
and Information
If
a student has a medical emergency at school or a school-related activity when
the parent cannot be reached, the school will 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-Closing Information
In
the event of severely inclement weather or mechanical breakdown, the school may
be closed or starting time delayed. School closing, delayed starting times, or
early dismissal will be announced over radio station 93.1 FM or Channel 12,
KXII TV. If no report is heard, it can be assumed that school will be in
session. Please do not call the school, phone lines must be kept open for
emergencies.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
Use By
Students Before and After School
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
Junior High commons area will be accessible to students in the morning before
school beginning at 7:30 a.m. Students arriving prior to 7:30 a.m. will need to
wait in the High School commons area.
§
Certain
school activities, such as athletic or band practices, may take place before or
after school hours. 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.
Conduct Before and After
School
Teachers
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 rehearsal, club meetings, athletic practice,
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 code of conduct for extracurricular
participants established by the sponsor in accordance with Board policy.
Loitering or standing in the halls between classes 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.
Cafeteria
Services
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. Contact
the junior high office for an application to the program. 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.]
Computer
Lab
Pritchard Junior High has a
computer lab located in Room 202. The computer lab will be used for Technology
Applications classes and by the content area teachers when available and as
needed. Students will not be allowed in either computer lab unless under the
direct supervision of the teacher or other appropriate school personnel.
Library
The
library is a learning laboratory with books, magazines, and other materials
available for classroom assignments, projects, and reading or listening
pleasure. The library is open for
student use with a teacher permit.
Meetings of
Noncurriculum-Related Groups
Students
are permitted to meet with noncurriculum-related groups during the hours
designated by the principal before and after school. These groups must comply with the
requirements found in policy FNAB.
Asbestos
Management
The District’s
asbestos management plan, designed to be in compliance with state and federal
laws, is available in the Administration Office.
Pest Control Information
The
District periodically applies pesticides inside buildings. 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(ren)’s school assignment area may contact Cindy Moore in the
Junior High Office .
Vandalism
The
taxpayers of the community have made a sustained financial commitment for the
construction and upkeep of school facilities. To ensure that school facilities can
serve those for whom they are intended—both this year and in the coming
years—littering, defacing, or damaging school property is not
tolerated. Students will be
required to pay for damages they cause and will be subject to criminal
proceedings as well as disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Student
Code of Conduct.
SEARCHES
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. Trained
dogs may be used to conduct random searches.
Students’
Desks and Lockers
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 the assigned
desks and lockers. Students must be certain that the locker is locked, and that
the combination is 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 District 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
on Campus
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 presence 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.][For further information, see policy FNF.]
TRANSPORTATION
School-Sponsored
Students
who participate in school-sponsored trips are required to use transportation
provided by the school to and from the event. The principal, however, may make an
exception if the parent makes a written request that the student be released to
the parent or to another adult designated by the parent.
Buses and Other School
Vehicles
The
District makes school bus transportation available to all students living two
or more miles from school. This
service is provided at no cost to students. Bus routes and any subsequent changes
are posted at the school. Further
information may be obtained by calling the Junior High office. See the Student
Code of Conduct for provisions regarding transportation to the disciplinary
alternative education program. Students are expected to assist District staff
in ensuring that buses remain in good condition and that transportation is
provided safely. When riding in
District vehicles, students are held to behavioral standards established in
this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. Students must:
§ Follow the driver’s directions at all times.
§ Enter and leave the bus or van in an orderly manner at the designated stop nearest home.
§ Keep feet, books, band instrument cases, and other objects out of the aisle.
§ Not deface the bus, van, or its equipment.
§ Not put head, hands, arms, or legs out of the window, hold any object out of the window, or throw objects within or out of the bus or van.
§ Be seated while the vehicle is moving.
§ Wait for the driver’s signal upon leaving the bus or van and before crossing in front of the vehicle.
§ When students ride in a District van or passenger car, seat belts must be fastened at all times.
Misconduct
will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; bus-riding
privileges may be suspended.
Prior to Loading
Students
are to wait for the bus at the assigned stop in an orderly manner until the bus
comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter. Students will refrain from
harassment of the public, or damage to private or public property at the
designated stop.
While on the Bus
§
Students should board and leave the bus in an orderly manner.
§
Students should move promptly to their seats, which may be assigned by
the driver.
§
Students should remain seated until they reach their destination.
§
Students will not be allowed to eat or drink on the bus. Litter should
be picked up and
placed in the proper
disposal receptacle.
§
Students will keep all objects out of the aisles.
§
Tobacco products are prohibited on school buses.
§
In case of an emergency all students will remain on the bus unless
otherwise directed
by the driver.
Leaving the Bus
§
Students will remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
§
If you must cross the street or road after getting off of the bus, walk
ahead of the bus
about 5 steps, look to the driver of the bus for a
signal to cross, then walk all the way across the road after looking carefully
in both directions.
§
Bus drivers will not discharge riders at any place other than the
regular bus stop at
the home or at school, unless a student becomes a
threat to the safety of the driver and/or passengers on the bus. In such a
case, the student will be discharged at a nearby residence and parents and/or
law enforcement agents will be contacted.
Misconduct
will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; bus-riding
privileges may be suspended.
VIDEOTAPING OF STUDENTS
For
safety purposes, video/audio equipment will be used to monitor student behavior
on buses. Students will not be told when the equipment is being used. The
principal will review the tapes routinely and document student misconduct. Discipline will be in accordance with
the Student Code of Conduct. A parent who wants to view a
videotape of the incident leading to the discipline of his or her child may
request access in accordance with policy FL in the District's policy manual.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
General Visitors
Parents
and others are welcome to visit District schools. For the safety of those within the
school and to avoid disruption of instructional time, all visitors must first
report to the principal’s office. Visits to individual classrooms during
instructional time are permitted only with approval of the principal and teacher
and so long as their duration or frequency does not interfere with the delivery
of instruction or disrupt the normal school environment. All visitors are
expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct;
disruptive behavior will not be permitted.
GLOSSARY
Accelerated
instruction is an intensive supplemental program designed to address the needs
of an individual student in acquiring the knowledge and skills required at his
or her grade level.
ARD is the admission, review,
and dismissal committee convened for each student who is identified as needing
a full and individual evaluation for special education services. The eligible
student’s parents are part of the committee.
Attendance
Review Committee is responsible for reviewing a student’s absences when the
student’s attendance drops below 90 percent of the days the class is
offered. Under guidelines adopted by the Board, the committee will determine
whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences and whether the
student needs to complete certain conditions to master the course and regain
credit lost because of absences.
DAEP stands for a disciplinary
alternative education program, a placement for students who have violated
certain provisions of the Student Code of Conduct. The DAEP will be separated from students
not assigned to the program. It
will focus on English language arts, mathematics, science, history, and
self-discipline, and provide for students’ educational and behavior
needs, as well as supervision and counseling.
FERPA refers to the federal
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act that grants specific privacy
protections to student records. The
law contains certain exceptions, such as directory information, unless the
student’s parent or a student 18 or older directs the school not to
release directory information.
IEP is the written record of
the Individualized Education Program prepared by the ARD committee for a
student with disabilities who is eligible for special education services. The IEP contains several parts such as a
statement of the student’s present educational performance; a statement
of measurable annual goals, with short-term objectives; the special education
and related services and supplemental aids and services, and program
modifications or support for school personnel; a statement regarding how the
student’s progress will be measured and how the parents will be kept
informed; modifications to state or districtwide tests, etc.
ISS refers to in-school
suspension, a disciplinary technique for misconduct found in the Student Code
of Conduct. Although different from
out-of-school suspension and placement in a disciplinary alternative education
program (DAEP), ISS removes the student from the regular classroom.
NCLBA is the federal No Child
Left Behind Act of 2001 that, along with other requirements for schools,
provides for parent information and opportunities for “opting”
their students out of certain activities or surveys.
Personal
Graduation Plan (PGP) is a new state requirement for any student in middle school or higher
who fails a section on a state-mandated assessment test or is determined by the
District as not likely to earn a high school diploma before the fifth school
year after he or she begins grade 9.
Section
504 is the
federal law that prohibits discrimination against a student with a disability,
requiring schools to provide opportunities for equal services, programs, and
participation in activities. Unless
the student is determined by an ARD committee to be eligible for special education
services, appropriate regular educational services will be provided.
State
assessment tests are required of students at certain grade levels and in specified
subjects. Successful performance is
a condition of promotion and the grade 11 exit-level test is a condition of
graduation. Students have multiple
opportunities to take the tests.
Alternate
assessment tests, developed by the state, may be given to students in special education
and students identified as limited English proficient.
Student
Code of Conduct, developed with the advice of the District-level committee and adopted
by the Board, identifies the circumstances, consistent with law, when a student
may be removed from the classroom or campus. It also sets out the conditions that
authorize or require the principal or another administrator to place the
student in a disciplinary alternative education program. It outlines conditions for out-of-school
suspension and for expulsion, and states whether self-defense is a
consideration in suspension, DAEP placement, or expulsion. The Student Code of Conduct also
addresses notice to the parent regarding a student’s violation of one of
its provisions.
TAKS is short for the Texas
Assessment of Knowledge and Skills the state’s current standardized achievement
test given to students in certain grade levels and subjects in grades
3–11.
UIL refers to the University
Interscholastic League, the statewide voluntary non-profit organization that
oversees educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests.
PJH CITIZENSHIP GUIDELINES
Procedures:
· Students
begin each six weeks with a 100 in citizenship.
· When
a student breaks a rule, the teacher records the mark by placing the number of the
rule(s) broken in the appropriate week’s box on the teacher’s
record sheet.
· At
the end of the six weeks, teachers count off five (5) points for each mark and
place the student’s citizenship grade on the student’s report card.
· Teachers
keep a copy of the record sheet and send a photocopy to the office.
· Major
offenses are referred to the office.
Consequences:
· Three
(3) marks (85%) = a letter is mailed to the student’s parents.
· Six
(6) marks (70%) = a writing assignment is due to the principal by the first
bell the following school day
· Seven
(7) marks (65%) = a student may not be permitted to attend field trips
· Ten
(10) marks (50%) = a writing assignment and two days ISS are both assigned
· Eleven
(11) or more marks = the student is referred to the Teacher Committee
Three Ps of
PJH
- Be Prompt – in
seat and on-task
- Be Prepared –
have all supplies (no backpacks)
- Be Polite –
display appropriate behavior
PJH Classroom Rules
- Prepared for Class.
- On-Task Behavior
– in seat at appropriate times, etc.
- Gum, food or candy
– use as permitted by teacher
- Respectful of the
Learning of Others.
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 a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one
or more of the following eight areas, known as "protected information
surveys."
1.
Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student's parent;
2.
Mental or psychological problems of the student or student's family;
3.
Sex behavior or attitudes;
4.
Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5.
Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family
relationships;
6.
Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers,
doctors, or ministers;
7.
Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or
parents; or
8.
Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
This
requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure, or use of student
information for marketing purposes ("marketing surveys"), and certain
physical exams and screenings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PJH
currently does not have any surveys scheduled for the this school year.
However, before surveys are given to the student parents will be notified and
provided the option of opting out.
GUIDELINES FOR
ACCEPTABLE USE OF BELLS I.S.D. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
The
With access to computers and people all of over the world comes
the potential availability of material that may not be considered to be of
educational value in the context of the school setting. Bells ISD firmly
believes that the value of information, interaction and research capabilities
available outweighs the possibility that users may obtain material that is not
consistent with the educational goals of the district.
Proper behavior, as it relates to the use of computers, is no
different than proper behavior in all other aspects of Bells ISD activities.
All users are expected to use the computers and computer networks in a
responsible, ethical and polite manner. This document is intended to clarify
those expectations as they apply to computer and network usage and is
consistent with District Policy CQ (Local).
Definition
of District Technology Resources
The
District’s computer systems and networks are any configuration of
hardware and software. The systems and network include all of the computer
hardware, operating system software, application software, stored text, and
data files. This includes electronic mail, local databases, externally accessed
databases (such as the Internet), CD-ROM, optical media, clip art, digital
images, digitized information, communications technologies, and new
technologies as they become available.
ACCEPTABLE USE
The District’s technology resources will be used only for
learning, teaching and administrative purposes consistent with the
District’s mission and goals. The District will make training available
to all users. All training in the use of the District’s system will
emphasize the ethical use of this resource. Software of external data may not
be placed on any computer, whether stand-alone or networked to the District’s
system, without permission from the Superintendent or designee.
Other
issues applicable to acceptable use are:
1.
Copyright: All users are expected to
follow existing copyright laws, copies of which may be found in the
2.
Supervision and permission: Student use of
the computer and computer network is only allowed when supervised or granted
permission by a staff member.
3.
Attempting to log on or logging on to a
computer or email system by using another’s password is prohibited.
Assisting others in violating this rule by sharing information or passwords is
unacceptable.
4.
Improper use of any computer or the
network is prohibited. This includes the following:
·
Using racist, profane or obscene language
or materials
·
Using the network for financial gain,
political or commercial activity
·
Attempting to or harming equipment,
materials or data
·
Using the network to access material that
the school district considers inappropriate
·
Knowingly placing a computer virus on a
computer or the network
·
Using the network to provide addresses or
other personal information that others may use inappropriately
·
Accessing of information resources, files
and documents of another user without their permission
System
Access
Access to
the District’s network systems will be governed as follows:
1.
Students will have access to the
District’s resources for class assignments and research with their
teacher’s permission and/or supervision.
2.
Teachers with accounts will be required to
maintain password confidentiality by not sharing the password with students or
others.
3.
With the approval of the immediate
supervisor, district employees will be granted access to the District’s
system.
4.
Any system user identified as a security
risk or having violated District Acceptable Use Guidelines may be denied access
to the District’s system. Other consequences may also be assigned.
Individual
User Responsibilities
The
following standards will apply to all users of the District’s computer
network systems.
1.
The individual whose name a system account
is issued will be responsible at all times for its proper use.
2.
The system may not be used for illegal
purpose, in support of illegal activities, or for any other activity prohibited
by District guidelines.
3.
System users may not use another
person’s system account without written permission from the campus
coordinator or principal, as appropriate.
4.
System users assigned email accounts are
asked to purge electronic mail or outdates files on a regular basis.
5.
System users are responsible for making
sure they do not violate any copyright laws.
Vandalism
Prohibited
Any
malicious attempt to harm or destroy District equipment or materials, data of
another user of the District’s system, or any of the agencies or other networks
to which the District has access is prohibited. Deliberate attempts to degrade
or disrupt system performance may be viewed as violations of District
guidelines and, possibly, as criminal activity under applicable state and
federal laws, including the Texas Penal Code, Computer Crimes, Chapter 13. This
includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses.
Vandalism
as defined above will result in the cancellation of system use privileges and
possible prosecution, and will require restitution for costs associated with
system restoration, hardware, or software.
Forgery Prohibited
Forgery or attempted forgery of
electronic messages is prohibited. Attempts to read, delete, copy or modify the
electronic mail of other system users or deliberate interference with the
ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail is prohibited.
Information Content/Third Party
Supplied Information
System
users and parents of students with access to the District’s system should
be aware that use of the system may provide access to other electronic
communications systems outside the District’s network that may contain
inaccurate and/or objectionable material.
A student
bringing prohibited materials into the school’s electronic environment
will be subject to suspension and/or a revocation of privileges on the
District’s system and will be subject to disciplinary action in
accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
An
employee knowingly bringing prohibited materials into the school’s electronic
environment will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with
District’s policy.
Network
Etiquette
System
users are expected to observe the following network etiquette:
1.
Use appropriate language: swearing,
vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs, and any other inflammatory language are
prohibited.
2.
Pretending to be someone else when
sending/receiving messages is prohibited.
3.
Transmitting obscene messages or pictures
is prohibited.
4.
Revealing such personal information as
addresses or phone numbers of users or others is prohibited.
5.
Using the network is such a way that would
disrupt the use of the network by other users is prohibited.
6.
Be considerate. For example, messages
typed in capital letters are the computer equivalent of shouting and are
considered rude.
Termination/Revocation
The
District may suspend or revoke a system user’s access to the
District’s system upon violation of District policy and/or administrative
regulations regarding acceptable use.
Termination
of an employee’s account or of a student’s access will be effective
on the date the principal or campus coordinator receives notice of user
withdrawal or of revocation of system privileges, or on a future date if so
specified in the notice.
Consequences
of Improper Use
Improper or unethical use may result in disciplinary actions
consistent with the existing Student Discipline Policy and, if appropriate, the
Texas Penal Code, Computer Crimes, Chapter 33, or other state and federal laws.
This may also require restitution for costs associated with system restoration,
hardware, or software.
Monitored
Use
Electronic mail transmissions and other use of the electronic
communications system by students and employees shall not be considered
confidential and may be monitored at any time by designated District staff to
ensure appropriate use for educational or administrative purposes.
Disclaimer
of Liability
The District shall not be liable for users’ inappropriate
use of electronic communication resources or violations of copyright
restrictions, users’ mistakes or negligence, or costs incurred by users.
The District shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy or usability of
any information found on the Internet.