2012-2013 parent student handbook

7/31/2019 2012-2013 Parent Student Handbook

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and STUDENT CODE of CONDUCT

PARENT/STUDENT

HANDBOOK201

2-

2013


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FOUNDED IN 1998ResponsiveEd

is now one o

the largest charter school districts in Texas,with 50+ campuses across texas serving

over 7,200students in 2010, more than 80 percent of ResponsiveEd schools

earned the top academic ratings

given by the texaseducation agency.


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WELCOME

DearStudentsandParents,

OnbehalfoftheCampusDirector,teachers,andotherschoolstaff,welcome!Wewishthisyeartobeanespeciallyproductiveexperienceforeachstudent.Forthistohappen,weallhavetoworktogether:students,parents,andstaff.ThisParent/StudentHandbook(Handbook)isdesignedtohelpusaccomplishthatgoal.

ThisHandbookcontainsinformationthatbothstudentsandparentsneedforreferenceduringtheschoolyear.ThroughoutthisHandbookyouwillnoticesymbolsthatindicatewhetherapolicyappliesonlytostudentsatcertaingradelevels.[E]appliestogradesK5,[M]appliestogrades68,and[H]

appliestogrades912.Ifthereisnosymbolnexttoastatement,thenitappliestoALLSTUDENTS.Wehaveattemptedtomakethelanguageasstraightforwardaspossible;however,acoupleofwords

shouldbedefined.Pleasebeawarethatthetermparentisusedtorefertotheparent,legalguardian,orotherpersonwhohasagreedtoassumeaschoolrelatedresponsibilityforastudent.Also,thetermcampusisusedtorefertoschoolpropertyaswellasthegeographicareawithin300feetofschoolpropertyasmeasuredfromanypointontherealpropertyboundaryline.Thus,toprohibitanactivityoncampusistoprohibittheactivityonschoolpropertyandwithin300feetofschoolproperty.

ThisHandbookisdividedintosixsections.Thefirstsectionincludesgeneralinformationregardingschoolpolicyandprocedures.Thesecondsectionprovidesimportanthealthandsafetyinformation.Thethirdsectionprovidesinformationaboutacademicsandgrading.ThefourthsectionistheStudentCodeofConduct.BothstudentsandparentsneedtobefamiliarwiththeStudentCodeofConduct,whichisrequiredbystatelawandintendedtopromoteschoolsafetyandanatmosphereforlearning.Inadditiontoitsinclusioninthisdocument,itisalsopostedontheschoolwebsite.Thefifthsectionisespeciallyforparents,withinformationregardingparentalrights.Finally,thesixthsectioncontainsimportantnoticesregardingstudentinformation,computerresources,electroniccommunicationdevices,andtheschoolgrievancepolicy.

ThisHandbook,whichwasadoptedbytheBoardofTrusteesonMay24,2012,isdesignedtobeinharmonywithBoardPolicy.PleasebeawarethatthisHandbookisupdatedyearly,whilepolicyadoptionandrevisionmayoccurthroughouttheyear.ChangesinpolicythataffectHandbookprovisionswillbemadeavailabletostudentsandparentsthroughnewsletters,theschoolwebsite,andothercommunications.In

caseofconflictbetweenBoardPolicyandanyprovisionofthisHandbook,theprovisionthatwasmost

recentlyadoptedbytheBoardofTrusteeswillbefollowed.

PleasereviewthisentireHandbookandkeepitasreferenceduringthisschoolyear.Pleasetakethetimetolookovertheinformationprovided.IfyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthematerialinthisHandbook,pleasecontactyourCampusDirector.Understandingthisinformationwillassistyouinthepathtosuccess.Sincerely,CharlesCookSuperintendent


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TABLEOFCONTENTS

SectionI:GeneralPoliciesandProcedures

AttendancePolicy.................................................................1CellPhonesandOtherElectronicDevices................2ChangeofAddressorTelephoneNumber................3CheckAcceptancePolicy...................................................3ClosedCampus......................................................................3ClubsandOrganizations...................................................3ConferenceswithTeachers

andCampusDirector.................................................4Deliveries.................................................................................4DistributionofMaterialsorDocuments....................4DressCode...............................................................................4EnrollmentofNewStudents...........................................6Fees.............................................................................................7LeavingCampusduringtheSchoolDay.....................8

Lockers......................................................................................8LostandStolenItems.........................................................8Meals..........................................................................................8MessagesforStudents........................................................9NoticeofNonDiscrimination.........................................9ParkingRegulations[H]....................................................9

PledgeofAllegiance/MinuteofSilence...................10ReligiousExpression........................................................10RespectforAll.....................................................................10SchoolCalendar..................................................................11SchoolDaySchedule........................................................11

SchoolFacilitiesUse.........................................................11SchoolFunctions................................................................11SchoolSponsoredTrips..................................................11Skateboards..........................................................................11StudentSpeakersatSchoolEvents............................11Tardiness...............................................................................13Telephone..............................................................................13TransferswithintheResponsiveEd

CommunityofSchools............................................13Transportation....................................................................14UseofStudentsImage/Information.........................15Visitors....................................................................................15Withdrawals.........................................................................15

SectionII:HealthandSafety

InformationAsbestosManagementPlan..........................................16

BacterialMeningitis..........................................................16ChildAbuseReportingandInvestigations.............17CommunicableDiseases.................................................18DyslexiaandRelatedDisorders..................................18EmergencyMedicalTreatment...................................18FireandDisasterDrills....................................................18

HealthCareAppointments............................................18IllnessduringSchoolHours..........................................18Immunizations....................................................................18Injuries/AccidentInsurance.........................................20InterrogationsandSearches.........................................20


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LawEnforcementAgencies...........................................20MedicationPolicies...........................................................21PhysicalRestraint.............................................................22

SurveillanceCameras/VideoRecordings...............22

SectionIII:AcademicsandGrading

ClassRank/TopTenPercent[H]................................23ClassificationofStudents[H].......................................23CollegeDays[H].................................................................23CollegeRequirements[H].............................................24CreditbyExamination[H].............................................24

GraduationExpenses[H]...............................................24GraduationPrograms[H]..............................................24GraduationRequirements[H].....................................25HonorGraduateCertificate[H]...................................25PhysicalEducation............................................................25PromotionRequirements[E][M]..............................26

ReportCards........................................................................26SpecialNeedsStudents...................................................26StateAssessments.............................................................27StudentSuccessTeam.....................................................29Textbooks.............................................................................29Transcripts...........................................................................29Tutorials................................................................................29

Valedictorian/Salutatorian[H]...................................29

SectionIV:StudentCodeofConductPreface....................................................................................31ResponsibilitiesofStaff,Parents, andStudents...............................................................32

Jurisdiction...........................................................................32CodeofConductViolations...........................................33OffensesandConsequences..........................................38

Conferences,Hearings,andAppeals.........................40SuspensionProcess...........................................................40ExpulsionProcess..............................................................40Suspension/ExpulsionRequirements forSpecialEducation...............................................41EmergencyRemoval.........................................................41PlacementofStudentswithDisabilities..................41

SectionV:

Parental

Rights

SurveysandActivities.....................................................42RequestingProfessionalQualifications ofTeachersandStaff...............................................42

AppendixAnnualNoticeofParentandStudentRights (AnnualFERPAConfidentialityNotice)..........43ComputerResources,WebLearningTools,

andNetworkServicesAcceptable UseGuidelines............................................................46ElectronicCommunicationDevice CommitmentPolicy.................................................49StudentorParentComplaintsandConcerns........49


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ResponsiveEducationSolutionsNoticeofAppeal:ClassCreditAttn:SuperintendentP.O.Box292730Lewisville,Texas75029

TheappealwillthenbeplacedontheagendaofthenextregularlyscheduledBoardmeeting.TheSuperintendentordesigneeshallinformthestudentorparentofthedate,time,andplaceofthemeeting.

ExcusedandUnexcusedAbsences

Thefollowingabsencesareconsidered

excusedabsences:1. personalillnessesthatdonotexceed

threeconsecutivedays(Illnessesthatextendbeyondthreedayswillrequirea

doctor'snote.);2. familyemergency;3. observingreligiousholydays;4. juvenilecourtproceedingdocumentedby

aprobationofficer;5. appearingatagovernmentalofficeto

completepaperworkrequiredinconnectionwiththestudentsapplicationforUnitedStatescitizenship;

6. takingpartinstudentsUnitedStatesnaturalizationoathceremony;

7. documentedhealthcareappointment,ifthestudentbeginsclassesorreturnsto

schoolonthesamedayastheappointment;8. servingasanelectionclerk;9. requiredscreening,diagnosis,and

treatmentforMedicaideligiblestudents;10. documentedcollegevisitbyajunioror

seniorstudent(seeCollegeDays[H],p.23);or

11. temporaryabsenceresultingfromanycauseacceptabletotheCampusDirector.

Anyabsencenotlistedabovewillbe

consideredanunexcusedabsence.Examplesof

unexcusedabsencesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,classcuts,cartrouble,oversleeping,personalbusiness,vacation,etc.

RequiredDocumentationofAbsences

Whenastudentmustbeabsentfromschool,it

istheparentsresponsibilitytocalltheschoolofficeeachdaytoexplainthereasonforthestudentsabsence.Uponreturningtoschool,the

studentmustbringanotetotheschooloffice,signedbytheparent,whichdescribesthereasonfortheabsence.Inordertoexcusetheabsence,thenotemust:

1. besubmittedtotheschoolofficewithintwoschooldaysofthestudentsreturnto

school,and2. describeanacceptablereasonfortheabsence(seeExcusedandUnexcusedAbsencesp.2).

NotificationtoParents

Theschoolwillnotifytheparentbymail

whenthestudentisabsentfromschool,withoutexcuse,onthreedaysorpartsofdayswithinafourweekperiod.Thenoticewillinformtheparentof,amongotherthings,theneedforaconferencebetweentheparentandthe

AttendanceOfficer/CampusDirectortodiscusstheabsences.

DriversLicenseAttendanceVerification

Toobtainorrenewadriverslicense,astudentunder18yearsofagemustannuallyprovidetotheTexasDepartmentofPublicSafetyaformobtainedfromtheschoolverifyingthatthestudenthasmetthe90percentattendancerequirementforthesemesterprecedingthedateofapplication.EligiblestudentscanobtaintherequiredVerificationofEnrollment(VOE)form

fromtheschooloffice.TheschoolwillissueaVOEformforany

transferstudentthatistransferringwithnomorethanthreeabsencesfortheprevioussixweeks.

CellPhonesandOtherElectronicDevices

Possessionanduseofcellphones,computers,andotherdevicescapableofelectroniccommunicationsatschoolisaprivilegenotaright.Possessionanduseofsuchdevicesatschoolor

schoolrelatedeventsoractivitiesshallbesubjecttoschoolapprovalandregulations.Anysuchdevicesmaybeconfiscated,poweredonandsearchedbyschoolofficialsifthereisareasonablecausetobelievethatthedeviceshavebeenusedinthetransmissionorreceptionofcommunicationsprohibitedbylaw,policy,orregulation(seeTelecommunicationsorOtherElectronicDevices,p.37).


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ChangeofAddressorTelephoneNumber

Whentheaddressortelephonenumberofa

studenthasbeenchanged,itistheresponsibilityoftheparenttonotifytheschooloffice

immediately.Proofofresidencyatthenewaddressmayberequired.

CheckAcceptancePolicy

Allpersonalcheckswrittentotheschoolmustincludethecurrentaddressandphonenumberoftheaccountholder.Theaccountholdersnameshouldalsobelegibleandprintedonthecheck.

Intheeventthatacheckwrittentotheschool

isreturnedunpaidbythebank,theaccountholderagreesthattheschoolmaycollectareturncheck

feeof$30plusapplicablesalestax.Theschoolmaycontractwithacollectioncompanyinanefforttoredeemreturnedchecks.Theuseofacheckforpaymentistheaccountholdersacknowledgementandacceptanceofthispolicyanditsterms.

ClosedCampus

Theschooloperatesontheclosedcampusconcept.Specifically,thismeansthatstudentsarenotallowedtoleavecampusforanyreasonduring

theschoolday,includingduringmealperiods,withoutfirstobtainingpermissionfromtheschooloffice(seeLeavingCampusduringtheSchoolDay,p.8).

ClubsandOrganizations

Participationinschoolsponsoredactivitiesisanexcellentwayforastudenttodeveloptalents,receiveindividualrecognition,andbuildstrongfriendshipswithotherstudents;participation,however,isaprivilege,notaright.

Allstudentsareencouragedtoparticipateandtakeanactivepartinstudentclubsandorganizations.

Eligibility

Eligibilityforparticipationinmanyofthese

activitiesisgovernedbystatelawandtherulesoftheUniversityInterscholasticLeague(UIL)a

statewideassociationoverseeinginterdistrictcompetition.Ifastudentisinvolvedinanacademic,athletic,ormusicactivitygovernedbyUIL,thestudentandparentareexpectedtoknowandfollowallrulesoftheUILorganization.

Thefollowingrequirementsapplytoallextracurricularactivities:1. Astudentwhoreceivesattheendofa

gradingperiodagradebelow80inanyacademicclassotherthananAdvancedPlacementorInternationalBaccalaureatecourse;oranhonorsordualcreditcourseinEnglishlanguagearts,mathematics,science,socialstudies,economics,oralanguageotherthanEnglishmaynotparticipateinextracurricularactivitiesforatleastthreeschoolweeks.Studentsenrolledinhonorsmusthaveagradeof

70orhigherattheendofagradingperiodforeligibilitypurposesonly.2. Astudentwithdisabilitieswhofailsto

meetthestandardsintheindividualizededucationprogram(IEP)maynotparticipateforatleastthreeschoolweeks.

3. Anineligiblestudentmaypracticeorrehearse.

4. Astudentregainseligibilityafterthesevencalendardaywaitingperiodhasendedfollowingagradingperiodorthethreeschoolweekevaluationperiod

whentheCampusDirectorandteachersdeterminethatthestudenthasearnedapassinggrade(80orabove)inallclasses,otherthanthosethatareexempted.

5. Onlystudentsenrolledfulltimeattheschoolmayparticipateinschoolrecognizedclubsandorganizations.

6. Writtenparentalpermissionisrequiredinorderforastudenttoparticipateinanyclubororganizationthatisnotrequiredforaparticularcourseordoesnotresultinacademiccredit.

Code

of

Conduct

Sponsorsofstudentclubsandorganizations

mayestablishstandardsofbehaviorincludingconsequencesformisbehaviorthatarestricterthanthoseforstudentsingeneral.Ifaviolationisalsoaviolationofschoolrules,theconsequencesspecifiedbytheStudentCodeofConductorbylocalpolicywillapplyinadditiontoany


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consequencesspecifiedbytheorganizationsstandardsofbehavior.

Forastudenttobeeligibletoserveasaclub

ororganizationofficer,heorshemustbepassinginallsubjects.Unsatisfactoryconductwhilein

officeand/orfailuretorendersatisfactoryserviceshallbeconsideredgroundsforremovalfromsaidoffice.RemovalfromofficeshallbeatthediscretionofthestaffsponsoroftheclubororganizationwiththeapprovaloftheCampusDirector.

NewClubsorOrganizations

Studentsdesiringtoformanewclubor

organizationshallsubmitawrittenrequesttotheCampusDirectorattheschooloffice,containingthefollowingmandatoryelements:

1.

astatementoftheclubsororganizationspurposes,goals,andactivities;2. signaturesofaminimumof10students

whowishtoparticipateintheclubororganization;

3. ifparticipationintheclubororganizationisnotrequiredforaparticularcourseordoesnotresultinacademiccredit,writtenparentalpermissionofeachstudentsignatorytoparticipateintheclubororganization;

4. writtenagreementofateacherwhohasagreedtoserveasthestaffsponsorfor

theclubororganization;5. adescriptionofanyfundingorotherassistancereceivedfrom,oraffiliationwith,anynonstudentgroups;and

6. ascheduleofitsproposedmeetingtimes.Fundraising

TheCampusDirectormustapproveanyplan

oractivityusedbyaclubororganizationformakingmoney.Onlyactivitiesthatraisemoneythroughpaymentofadmissionsorwherevalueisreceivedformoneypaidmaybeconducted.No

advertisingwillbesoldwithouttheapprovaloftheCampusDirector.

Meetings

Onlyschoolrecognizedstudentclubsand

organizationsarepermittedtomeetonschoolpropertyduringnoninstructionaltime.

Yearbook

Onlyschoolrecognizedclubsand

organizationswillbefeaturedintheyearbook.

ConferenceswithTeachersand

CampusDirector

BecausetheCampusDirectorandteachers

arebusyservingstudentsduringtheschoolday,theyareunabletoaccommodateunscheduledtelephonecallsorinpersonconferences.WhenparentsfeelitadvisabletocontacttheCampusDirectororteacherspersonally,theyareencouragedtoleavetheirtelephonenumberswiththeschoolofficeinorderthattheCampusDirectororteachermayreturnthecalllater.Personalconferencesarewelcomeifatelephoneconversationdoesnotproveadequate.To

scheduleaninpersonconferencewiththeCampusDirectororateacheratamutuallyconvenienttime,pleasecalltheschoolofficeforanappointment.ParentsmayalsocommunicatewiththeCampusDirectorandteachersviaemailregardingschoolrelatedbusiness.

Deliveries

Packagessuchasflowers,balloons,etc.,shouldnotbedeliveredtotheschoolforstudents.Thesewillnotbedeliveredtotheclassroom.

Distributionof

Materials

or

Documents

Onlypublicationsrelatingtoschoolsponsoredactivitiesorschoolrecognizedclubsandorganizationsmaybepostedordistributed.Thepublication,aswellasthetimeandlocationofitspostingordistribution,mustbesubmittedtotheCampusDirectorforreviewandapproval.

DressCode

Theschooldresscodeisestablishedtoteachgroomingandhygiene,topreventdisruption,andtominimizesafetyhazards.Studentsandparentsmaydetermineastudentspersonaldressandgroomingstandards,providedthattheycomplywiththisdresscode.

Inordertomaintainanorderlyenvironment,allstudentsshallberequiredtomeettheminimumexpectationsoftheschooldresscode.


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Dressandclothingthatundulyattractstheattentionofotherstudentsoftenprecipitatecommentsand/orotherreactionsthataredisruptive.

Safety,generalhealth,andhygienearefactors

thatarealsoconsideredintheestablishmentofthisdresscode.Theprovisionsofthisdresscodeshallbeenforcedequallywithregardtoallstudentstowhomtheprovisionsapply.

Thefollowingcriteriaforastudentspersonaldressandgroomingstandardsprovidetheminimumrequirements.RefertotheCampusHandbookSupplementforadditionaldresscoderequirements.

SchoolUniforms

TheBoardofTrusteeshasdeterminedthatschooluniformsimprovethelearningenvironmentattheschool.Assuch,eachschoolhasbeenauthorizedtoadoptrulesthatrequirestudentstowearschooluniforms.RefertotheCampusHandbookSupplementforinformationregardingwhethertheschoolrequiresschooluniformsand,ifso,theapplicableguidelines.

Exemption

Wherestudentsarerequiredtowearschool

uniforms,parentsmaychoosetoexempttheir

studentfromtherequirementtowearuniformsbyprovidingawrittenrequesttotheCampusDirectorattheschooloffice,statingabonafidereligiousorphilosophicalobjectiontotherequirement.

GeneralCriteria

Astudentspersonaldressandgrooming

standardsshallnot:1. leadschoolstafftoreasonablybelieve

thatsuchdressorgroomingwilldisrupt,interferewith,disturb,ordetractfrom

schoolactivities;or2. createahealthorotherhazardtothestudentssafetyortothesafetyofothers.

SpecificCriteria

1. Clothingcontainingoffensiveslogans,symbols,orothersuggestiveorcontroversialdesignsisnotallowed.

2. Clothingdepictingdrugs,alcohol,tobaccoproducts,orviolenceisnotallowed.

3. Startling,unusual,orimmodestattireofanysortisnotallowed.Fadsinhairstyles,clothing,oranythingdesignedtoattractattentiontotheindividualortodisrupttheorderlyconductoftheclassroomorcampusisnotallowed.

4.

Hairistobecleanandwellgroomed.Unusualcoloring(e.g.,red,blue,purple,etc.)orexcessivehairstyles(e.g.,tails,designs,puffs,etc.)arenotallowed.

5. Words,symbols,ordesignsshavedinhair(includingfacialhairandeyebrows)arenotallowed.

6. Clothingandotherarticlesthatareconsideredgangrelatedarenotallowed.

7. Extremelybaggyclothingisnotallowed.Pants,shorts,etc.,arenottobewornbelowthewaistlineandshouldbe

appropriatelysized.8. Shortsmaybeworn,butmustreachatleastfingertiplength.Tightfittingshortsorshortshortsarenotallowed.

9. Tongueringsandvisiblebodypiercings,otherthanearrings,arenotallowed.Danglingearringsarenotallowed.Spacersinplaceofpiercedearringsarenotallowed.Nogaugesmaybeworninpiercedears.

10. Visibletattoosandbodyartarenotallowed.

11. Cutoffs,boxershorts,pajamabottoms,bikeshorts,shortleggingsasoutergarments,etc.,arenotallowed.

12. Hats,scarves,bandanas,haircoverings,sweatbands,orhoodedshirtsarenotallowedexceptundercircumstancesdesignatedbytheCampusDirector.

13. Torn,ripped,orcutclothingisnotallowed.

14. Trenchcoatsanddustersarenotallowed.15. Grillsortemporarydecorationsonteeth

arenotallowed.16. Chains,handcuffs,jewelry,oraccessories

thatsuggestweaponryarenotallowed.

17.Studentsaretowearappropriateshoesorsandalsatalltimes.Houseshoesandshoeswithwheelsarenotallowed.

18. Excessivemakeupisnotallowed.

Boys:AdditionalGuidelines1. Shirtsaretohavesleeves.2. Mustaches,beards,andotherfacialhair

mustbekeptneatandtrimmed.


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Girls:AdditionalGuidelines1. Apparelthatistootightortooshortto

preventmodestyisnotallowed.2. Lowcutapparelisnotallowed.3. Girlsaretowearsufficient

undergarments.

4.

Thefollowingareunacceptable:clothingdesignedwithshoulderstrapslessthanthreeincheswide,baremidriffs,halters,orbarebacks.

EnforcementProcedures

Ifthestudentsdressorgroomingis

inappropriateorobjectionableundertheseprovisions,theCampusDirectorordesigneeshallrequestthestudenttomakeappropriatecorrections.Ifthestudentrefuses,theCampusDirectorordesigneeshallnotifythestudents

parentandrequestthattheparentmakethenecessarycorrection.Ifboththestudentandparentrefuse,theCampusDirectorshalltakeappropriatedisciplinaryaction,includingremovalfromschooluntilthestudentisincompliancewiththedresscode.DecisionsoftheCampusDirectorordesigneeregardingdressandgroomingareconsideredfinal.Failuretocomplywiththedresscodewillresultindisciplinaryaction.

EnrollmentofNewStudents

Admissionandenrollmentofstudentsshallbeopentoanypersonwhoiseligibleforadmissionbasedonlawfulcriteriaidentifiedintheschoolscharter,e.g.,qualifyingresidencyanddisciplinaryhistory.Thetotalnumberofstudentsenrolledintheschoolshallnotexceedthenumberofstudentsapprovedintheschoolscharterorsubsequentamendments.Applicationsforadmissionshallbeduebyareasonabledeadlinetobeseteachyearbytheschooli.e.,thecloseoftheopenenrollmentperiod.Lottery

(NotApplicable

to

Premier

High

Schools)

Ifthenumberofeligibleapplicantsdoesnot

exceedthenumberofvacancies,thenalleligibleapplicantswhohavetimelyappliedduringtheopenenrollmentperiodwillbeofferedadmission.Iftherearemoreeligibleapplicantsthanavailablespacesinaclass/grade/school,thenalotterywillbeconductedatatimesetbytheschooleachyear.Aname(ornumberassignedtoaname)willbe

drawnforeachvacancythatexists,andeachapplicantwhosename(ornumber)isdrawnwillbeofferedadmission.Theremainingnameswillthenbedrawnandplacedonawaitinglistintheorderinwhichtheyweredrawn.

Notificationofadmissionwillbemadebytelephone,email,orU.S.PostalService.Failureofaparenttorespondwithin48hoursofthedateofthetelephonecalloremail,orwithinthreebusinessdaysofapostmarkedletter,willforfeithisorherpositioninthelottery.Parentsshouldcalltheschoolimmediatelyuponreceiptofthenoticeinordertopreservetheirstudentspositioninthelottery.

Ifavacancyarisesbeforethecommencementoftheschoolyear,theindividualonthewaitinglistwiththelowestnumberassignmentwillbe

offeredadmissionandthenremovedfromthewaitinglist.Ifanapplicationisreceivedaftertheopenenrollmentperiodhaspassed,theapplicantsnamewillbeaddedtothewaitinglistbehindthenamesoftheeligibleapplicantswhotimelyapplied.Exceptions

Federalguidelinespermittheschooltoexemptfromthelotteryprocessstudentswhoarealreadyadmittedunderthecharter,siblingsofstudentsalreadyadmittedunderthecharter,and

childrenofthechartersfounders,teachers,andstaff.

ResidencyInformation

Tobeeligibleforcontinuedenrollmentintheschool,theparentmustshowproofofresidencyatthetimeofenrollment.Failuretocomplywiththisrequirementwillresultintheimmediateinitiationofprocedurestoexcludestudentsfromenrollment.

Residencymaybeverifiedthrough

observation,documentation,andothermeans,including,butnotlimitedto:1. arecentlypaidrentreceipt,2. acurrentleaseagreement,3. themostrecenttaxreceiptindicating

homeownership,4. acurrentutilitybillindicatingtheaddress

andnameoftheresidenceoccupiers,5. mailingaddressesoftheresidence

occupiers,


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6. visualinspectionoftheresidence,7. interviewswithpersonswithrelevant

information,or8. buildingpermitsissuedtoaparentonor

beforeSeptember1stoftheschoolyearinwhichadmissionissought(permitswill

serveasevidenceofresidencyfortheschoolyearinwhichadmissionissoughtonly).

Falsificationofresidenceonanenrollment

formisacriminaloffense.DisciplinaryHistory

Asprovidedintheschoolscharter,theschool

mayexcludeastudentfromadmissionwhohasadocumentedhistoryofacriminaloffense,juvenilecourtadjudication,ordisciplineproblemsunder

SubchapterA,Chapter37,oftheTexasEducationCode.TheschoolshallexcludeastudentfromadmissionwhohasadocumentedhistoryofanoffenselistedinSection37.007(a),(d),or(e)oftheTexasEducationCode.Assuch,ifitislaterdiscoveredthatthestudentfailedtodiscloseadocumentedhistoryofacriminaloffense,juvenilecourtadjudication,ordisqualifyingdisciplineproblems,theschoolwillimmediatelyinitiateprocedurestoexcludethestudentfromadmission.

StudentInformation

Anystudentadmittedtotheschoolmusthaverecordssuchasreportcardand/ortranscriptfromthepreviousschoolattendedtoverifyhisorheracademicstanding.Verificationofresidencyandcurrentimmunizationrecordsarealsorequired.EverystudentenrollingintheschoolforthefirsttimemustpresentdocumentationofimmunizationsasrequiredbytheTexasDepartmentofStateHealthServices.

Nolaterthan30daysafterenrollingintheschool,theparentandschooldistrictinwhichthe

studentwaspreviouslyenrolledshallfurnishrecordswhichverifytheidentityofthestudent.Theserecordsmayincludethestudentsbirthcertificateoracopyofthestudentsschoolrecordsfromthemostrecentlyattendedschool.

Theschoolforwardsastudentsrecordson

requesttoaschoolinwhichastudentseeksorintendstoenrollwithoutthenecessityoftheparentsconsent.

ProvidingFalseInformation

ApersonwhoknowinglyfalsifiesinformationonaformrequiredforenrollmentofastudentintheschoolmaybeguiltyofanoffenseunderSection37.10oftheTexasPenalCode.

NonDiscrimination

Itisthepolicyoftheschooltoprohibitdiscriminationinstudentadmissiononthebasisofsex,nationalorigin,ethnicity,religion,disability,academic,artistic,orathleticability,orthedistrictthestudentwouldotherwiseattendinaccordancewiththeTexasEducationCode.

Fees

Materialsthatarepartofthebasic

educationalprogramareprovidedwithstateandlocalfundsatnochargetoastudent.Astudent,however,isexpectedtoprovidehisorherownpencils,paper,pens,erasers,notebooks,calculators,headsets,etc.,andmayberequiredtopaycertainotherfeesordeposits,includingpaymentof:

1 afeeformaterialsforaclassprojectthatthestudentwillkeep,ifthefeedoesnotexceedthecostofmaterials;

2. membershipduesinvoluntarystudentclubsororganizationsandadmissionfeestoextracurricularactivities;

3. asecuritydepositforthereturnofmaterials,supplies,orequipment;4. afeeforpersonalphysicaleducationand

athleticequipmentandapparel,althoughastudentmayprovidethestudentsownequipmentorapparelifitmeetsreasonablerequirementsandstandardsrelatingtohealthandsafety;

5. afeeforvoluntarilypurchaseditems,suchasstudentpublications,classrings,pictures,yearbooks,graduationannouncements,etc.;

6. afeeforvoluntarystudenthealthandaccidentbenefitplan;7. areasonablefee,nottoexceedtheactualannualmaintenancecost,fortheuseofmusicalinstrumentsanduniformsownedorrentedbytheschool;

8. afeeforitemsofpersonalapparelusedinextracurricularactivitiesthatbecomethepropertyofthestudent;

9. aparkingfee;10. afeeforastudentidentificationcard;


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11. afeeforadrivertrainingcourse,nottoexceedtheactualcostperstudentintheprogramforthecurrentschoolyear;

12. afeeforanoptionalcourseofferedforcreditthatrequirestheuseoffacilitiesnotavailableoncampusorthe

employmentofaneducatorwhoisnotpartoftheschoolsregularstaff;13. afeeforsummerschoolcoursesthatare

offeredtuitionfreeduringtheregularschoolyear;

14. areasonablefeefortransportationofastudentwholiveswithintwomilesofthecampus;

15. areasonablefee,nottoexceed$50,forcostsassociatedwithaneducationalprogramofferedoutsideofregularschoolhoursthroughwhichastudentwhowasabsentfromclassreceivesinstruction

voluntarilyforthepurposeofmakingupthemissedinstructionandmeetingthelevelofattendancerequiredforclasscredit,solongasthefeewouldnotcreateafinancialhardshipordiscouragethestudentfromattendingtheprogram;

16. afeeforlost,damaged,oroverduetextbooks,librarybooks,technologicalequipment,andacademiccurriculummaterials;or

17. afeespecificallypermittedbyanyotherstatute.

RefertotheCampusHandbookSupplementforadditionalinformationregardingtheamountandmethodofcollectingspecificfees.

LeavingCampusduringtheSchoolDay

Astudentwhowillneedtoleavecampusduringthedaymustsubmitanotetotheschoolofficefromhisorherparentwhichprovidesthefollowinginformation:

1. studentsname,2. reasonforstudentsneedtoleave

campus,

3. timestudentwillneedtobegonefromcampus,4. phonenumberwhereparentmaybe

reachedtoconfirmparentspermission,5. parentsname,and6. parentssignature.Nostudentwillbepermittedtoleavecampus

beforetheschoolofficeconfirmsthestudents

needtoleavecampuswiththestudentsparentbyphone.

Studentswhofailtocheckin/outbefore

leavingand/orreturningtocampuswillbeconsideredtruantfromanyinstructionalhours

missed.Studentswillnotbeallowedtoleaveinthe

custodyofanypersonnotnamedontheStudentRegistrationCard.Photoidentificationisrequired.

Doctorsappointmentsshouldbescheduled,if

possible,attimeswhenthestudentwillnotmissinstructionaltime.

Lockers

Ifprovided,lockersremainunderthejurisdictionoftheschoolevenwhenassignedtoanindividualstudent.Theschoolreservestherighttoinspectalllockers.Astudenthasfullresponsibilityforthesecurityofthelockerandisresponsibleformakingcertainthatitislockedandthatthecombinationisnotavailabletoothers.Lockersearchesmaybeconductedatanytime,whetherornotthestudentispresent.ThedecisiontoassignlockersrestswiththeCampusDirector.

LostandStolenItems

Allarticles,includingbooks,foundoncampus

shouldbetakentotheschooloffice.Allarticlesnotclaimedattheendoftheschoolyearwillbedisposedofthroughproperchannels.Studentsarenottobringelectronicentertainmentdevicesandotherpersonalitemstoschool.Theschoolisnotresponsibleforlostorstolenitems.

Meals

TheschoolservesbreakfastorbreakfastandlunchthroughparticipationintheNational

BreakfastandSchoolLunchProgram.TexasDepartmentofAgriculture(TDA)andUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)guidelinesarefollowedtomeetthenutritionalneedsforallstudents.Menus

Menusmaybeobtainedattheschooloffice.


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PaymentforMeals

Studentsareencouragedtopurchasemeals

fromtheschoolinadvance.Paymentsmaybemadetothestudentsaccountweekly,monthly,oryearly.Seetheschoolofficeforacceptable

methodsforpayment.StateMandatedNutritionGuidelines

TDApolicyplacesstrictlimitsonanyfoodor

drinkprovidedorsoldtostudents,otherthanthroughtheschoolsFoodandNutritionServices.Elementaryschoolstudentsmaynothaveaccesstocandyoranyotherfoodofminimalnutritionalvalueduringtheschoolday.Middleschoolandhighschoolstudentsalsohaverestrictionsduringmealperiods.Thespecificpolicymaybeobtainedattheschoolofficeoronlineat

www.agr.state.tx.us.

FreeandReducedCostMeals

Theschoolsendsapplicationsforfreeor

reducedcostmealstothestudentshomeatthebeginningofeachschoolyear.Applicationsmustbecomplete,listingallmembersofthehouseholdandfamilyincome.Shouldthefamilyincomestatuschange,assistancemayberequestedatanytimeduringtheschoolyear.Onlyoneapplicationforeachhouseholdisrequired.Completedapplicationsshouldbereturnedtotheschool

office.

MessagesforStudents

Itisnotpossibletoreceiveanddelivertelephonemessagesand/orsuppliestostudentswithoutinterruptingclassesandinterferingwiththelearningenvironmentthattheschoolstaffworkssohardtomaintain.Inthecaseofanemergency,theschoolofficeshouldbecontactedforassistance.

NoticeofNonDiscrimination

Theschool,asanequalopportunity

educationalproviderandemployer,doesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,religion,sex,nationalorigin,disability,and/orageineducationalprogramsoractivitiesthatitoperatesorinemploymentdecisions.TheschoolisrequiredbyTitleVIandTitleVIIoftheCivilRightsActof1964,TitleIXoftheEducationAmendments

of1972,Section504oftheRehabilitationActof1973,theAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct,andtheAgeDiscriminationActof1975,asamended,aswellasBoardPolicynottodiscriminateinsuchamanner(notallprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms).

ParkingRegulations[H]

Beingabletobringavehicleoncampusisaprivilege.Theschoolisnotresponsiblefordamagetoavehiclethatoccurswhileitisoncampus.Astudenthasfullresponsibilityforthesecurityofhisorhervehicleandmustmakecertainthatitislockedandthatthekeysarenotgiventoothers.Permissionisrequiredforanystudentwhofindsitnecessarytogotohisorhervehicleduringtheschoolday.

Vehiclesparkedoncampusareunderthejurisdictionoftheschool.Schoolofficialsmaysearchanyvehicleanytimethereisreasonablecausetodoso,withorwithoutthepresenceofthestudent.Acopyofstudentsdriverslicenseandinsurancemustbeonfileintheschooloffice.ParkingFee

Studentswhodrivetocampusmustparkin

designatedstudentparkingareas.Studentsmayberequiredtopurchaseaparkingstickerfromtheschoolofficeeachyear.Ifrequired,thefailureto

purchaseaparkingstickerwillbeconsideredaparkinginfractionandwillresultinappropriatedisciplinaryaction.RefertotheCampusHandbookSupplementforadditionalinformation.

OperationofMotorVehiclesonCampus

Anylaworordinanceregulatingtrafficona

publichighwayorstreetalsoappliestotheoperationofavehicleoncampus.Inadditiontopotentialcitycitationsforviolationofmotorvehicletrafficlawsorordinances,studentswillreceiveawarningandreferraltotheCampus

Directorsofficeforthefollowingviolations:1. parkinginafirelane,2. failuretoparkinadesignatedstudent

parkingarea,3. jumping(drivingover)acurb,4. doubleparking,5. parkinginahandicappedspaceor

walkway,6. parkinginacrosswalkorramp,


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7. ignoringinstructionsfromschoolstaffmonitoringtheparkinglot,or

8. parkingonawatersprinkler.

Astudentwhohashadparkingprivilegesrevokedmayhavehisorhercartowedatthe

studentsexpense.

PledgeofAllegiance/MinuteofSilence

Asrequiredbystatelaw,eachschoolday,studentswillrecitethePledgeofAllegiancetotheUnitedStatesflagandthePledgeofAllegiancetotheTexasflag.ParentsmaysubmitawrittenrequesttotheCampusDirectorattheschoolofficetoexcusetheirstudentfromrecitingapledge.

Oneminuteofsilencewillfollowrecitationof

thepledges.Duringtheoneminuteperiod,each

studentmaychoosetoreflect,pray,meditate,orengageinanyothersilentactivitythatisnotlikelytointerferewithordistractothers.Statelawdoesnotallowstudentstobeexcusedfromparticipationintherequiredminuteofsilence.

ReligiousExpression

StudentExpressionofReligiousViewpoints

Theschoolshalltreatastudentsvoluntary

expressionofareligiousviewpoint,ifany,onanotherwisepermissiblesubjectinthesamemanner

theschooltreatsastudentsvoluntaryexpressionofasecularorotherviewpointonanotherwisepermissiblesubjectandmaynotdiscriminateagainstthestudentbasedonareligiousviewpointexpressedbythestudentonanotherwisepermissiblesubject.ReligiousExpressioninClassAssignments

Studentsmayexpressthestudentsbeliefs

aboutreligioninhomework,artwork,andotherwrittenandoralassignmentsfreefromdiscriminationbasedonthereligiouscontentof

thestudentssubmission.Homeworkandclassroomworkshallbejudgedbyordinaryacademicstandardsofsubstanceandrelevanceandagainstotherlegitimatepedagogicalconcernsidentifiedbytheschool.Studentsmaynotbepenalizedorrewardedonaccountofreligiouscontent.Ifateachersassignmentinvolveswritingapoem,theworkofastudentwhosubmitsapoemintheformofaprayer(forexample,a

psalm)shouldbejudgedonthebasisofacademicstandards,includingliteraryquality,andnotpenalizedorrewardedonaccountofitsreligiouscontent.FreedomtoOrganizeReligiousGroupsand

Activities

Studentsmayorganizeprayergroups,

religiousclubs,seeyouatthepolegatherings,andotherreligiousgatheringsbefore,during,andafterschooltothesameextentthatstudentsarepermittedtoorganizeothernoncurricularstudentactivitiesandgroups.Religiousgroupsmustbegiventhesameaccesstoschoolfacilitiesforassemblingasisgiventoothernoncurriculargroups,withoutdiscriminationbasedonthereligiouscontentofthegroupsexpression.Ifstudentgroupsthatmeetfornonreligious

activitiesarepermittedtoadvertiseorannouncethegroupsmeetings,forexample,byadvertisinginastudentnewspaper,puttingupposters,makingannouncementsonastudentactivitiesbulletinboardorpublicaddresssystem,orhandingoutleaflets,schoolauthoritiesmaynotdiscriminateagainstgroupsthatmeetforprayerorotherreligiousspeech.Schoolauthoritiesmaydisclaimsponsorshipofnoncurriculargroupsandevents,providedtheyadministerthedisclaimerinamannerthatdoesnotfavorordisfavorgroupsthatmeettoengageinprayerorotherreligiousspeech.

PrayerEachstudenthasanabsoluterightto

individually,voluntarily,andsilentlyprayormeditateinschoolinamannerthatdoesnotdisrupttheinstructionalorotheractivitiesoftheschool.Theschoolwillnotrequire,encourage,orcoerceastudenttoengageinorrefrainfromsuchprayerormeditationduringanyschoolactivity.

RespectforAll

Theschoolhasadiversestudentpopulationandstrivestomaintainanenvironmentofrespectandacceptance.Studentsmustnotengageinharassingbehaviorsmotivatedbyethnicity,gender,color,religion,nationalorigin,ordisabilitydirectedtowardanotherstudent.

Studentsareexpectedtotreatotherstudentsandschoolstaffwithcourtesyandrespect,to


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avoidanybehaviorsknowntobeoffensive,andtostopthesebehaviorswhenaskedortoldtostop.

SchoolCalendar

Theschooloperatesaccordingtotheannually

Boardadoptedschoolcalendar.RefertotheCampusHandbookSupplementforproceduresrelatingtotheannouncementofschoolclosingsintheeventofbadweather.Holidaysmaybeusedasschoolmakeupdaysfordayslostduetobadweather.Thelatestchangestothecalendarwillbeavailableontheschoolwebsite.

SchoolDaySchedule

RefertotheCampusHandbookSupplementforinformationregardingtheschooldayscheduleandwhethersupervisionofstudentsbeforeor

afterschoolisavailable.

SchoolFacilitiesUse

Certainareasofthecampuswillbeaccessibletostudentsbeforeandafterschoolforspecificpurposes.Studentsarerequiredtoremainintheareawheretheiractivityisscheduledtotakeplace.Unlesstheschoolstaffmemberoverseeingtheactivitygivespermission,astudentwillnotbepermittedtogotoanotherareaofthecampus.Unlessinvolvedinanactivityunderthesupervisionofschoolstaff,studentsmustleave

campusonceschoolisdismissed.

SchoolFunctions

Studentsareheldresponsiblefortheirconductwhileinattendanceatanyschoolfunction.Astudentwhoisoncampusorinattendanceatanyschoolfunctionatanyplace,nightorday,issubjecttoallregulationsoftheschoolandwillbegovernedaccordingly.Studentidentificationcardsmayberequiredtoattendsomeschoolfunctions.

SchoolSponsored

Trips

Manyschoolsponsoredtripsaremadeeach

yearforthevariousactivitiesinwhichstudentsparticipate.Thefollowingregulationsgoverntripssponsoredbytheschool:

1. Studentsmissingschoolwhenonaschoolsponsoredtriparenotcountedabsent,butarerequiredtomakeupthe

workmissed.Arrangementsshouldbemadewitheachteacherformakeupworkbeforethetripismade.

2. Studentsmusttaketheresponsibilityofobservingallsafetyrules.

3. StudentsmakingaschoolsponsoredtripareunderthesupervisionofasponsorandareexpectedtofollowtheschoolStudentCodeofConductanddresscode.

4. Studentsmaynotmissanyclassmorethan10timeswithintheschoolyear,unlesstheyareparticipatingincompetitionbeyondthedistrictlevel.

Skateboards

Studentsarenotpermittedtousetheirskateboards,scooters,and/orrollerbladesoncampusatanytime.Ifastudentisusinganyof

theaboveinstrumentsasameansoftransportationtoorfromschool,heorshemustwalkandcarrytheskateboard,scooter,and/orrollerbladeswhileoncampus.Skateboards,scooters,orrollerbladesshouldbekeptinalocker,orotherdesignatedplaceapprovedbyateacherortheCampusDirector,untiltheendoftheschoolday.

StudentSpeakersatSchoolEvents

StudentSpeakersatNonGraduationEvents

Theschoolherebycreatesalimitedpublicforumforstudentspeakersatallschooleventsatwhichastudentistopubliclyspeak.Foreachspeaker,theschoolshallsetamaximumtimelimitreasonableandappropriatetotheoccasion.Studentspeakersshallintroduce:

1. athleticeventsdesignatedbytheschool;2. openingannouncementsandgreetingsfor

theschoolday;and/or3. anyadditionaleventsdesignatedbythe

school,whichmayinclude,withoutlimitation,assemblies,andpeprallies.

Theforumshallbelimitedinthemannerprovidedbythissection.

Onlythosestudentsinthehighesttwogradelevelsoftheschoolandwhoholdoneofthefollowingpositionsofhonorbasedonneutralcriteriaareeligibletousethelimitedpublicforum:studentcouncilofficers,classofficersofthehighestgradelevelintheschool,captainsof


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theschoolssportsteams,andotherstudentsholdingpositionsofhonorastheschoolmaydesignate.

Aneligiblestudentshallbenotifiedofthe

studentseligibility,andastudentwhowishesto

participateasanintroducingspeakershallsubmitthestudentsnametotheschoolofficeduringanannouncedperiodofnotlessthanthreedays.Theannouncedperiodmaybeatthebeginningoftheschoolyear,attheendoftheprecedingschoolyearsostudentspeakersareinplaceforthenewyear,or,iftheselectionprocesswillberepeatedeachsemester,atthebeginningofeachsemesterorattheendoftheprecedingsemestersospeakersareinplaceforthenextsemester.Thenamesofthevolunteeringstudentspeakersshallberandomlydrawnuntilallnameshavebeenselected,andthenamesshallbelistedintheorder

drawn.Eachselectedstudentwillbematchedchronologicallytotheeventforwhichthestudentwillbegivingtheintroduction.Eachstudentmayspeakforoneweekatatimeforallintroductionsofeventsthatweek,orrotateaftereachspeakingevent,orotherwiseasdeterminedbytheschool.Thelistofstudentspeakersshallbechronologicallyrepeatedasneeded,inthesameorder.Theschoolmayrepeattheselectionprocesseachsemesterratherthanonceayear.

Thesubjectofthestudentintroductionsmustberelatedtothepurposeoftheeventandtothe

purposeofmarkingtheopeningoftheevent,honoringtheoccasion,theparticipants,andthoseinattendance,bringingtheaudiencetoorder,andfocusingtheaudienceonthepurposeoftheevent.Thesubjectmustbedesignated,astudentmuststayonthesubject,andthestudentmaynotengageinobscene,vulgar,offensivelylewd,orindecentspeech.

Foraslongasthereisaneedtodispelconfusionoverthenonsponsorshipofthestudentsspeech,ateacheventinwhichastudentwilldeliveranintroduction,adisclaimershallbe

statedinwrittenororalform,orboth,suchas,Thestudentgivingtheintroductionforthiseventisavolunteeringstudentselectedonneutralcriteriatointroducetheevent.Thecontentoftheintroductionistheprivateexpressionofthestudentanddoesnotreflecttheendorsement,sponsorship,position,orexpressionoftheschool.

Certainstudentswhohaveattainedspecialpositionsofhonorintheschoolhavetraditionallyaddressedschoolaudiencesfromtimetotimeasatangentialcomponentoftheirachievedpositionsofhonor,suchasthecaptainsofvarioussportsteams,studentcouncilofficers,classofficers,

homecomingkingsandqueens,promkingsandqueens,andthelike,andhaveattainedtheirpositionsbasedonneutralcriteria.Nothinginthispolicyeliminatesthecontinuationofthepracticeofhavingthesestudents,irrespectiveofgradelevel,addressschoolaudiencesinthenormalcourseoftheirrespectivepositions.Theschoolshallcreatealimitedpublicforumforthespeakersandshalltreatastudentsvoluntaryexpressionofareligiousviewpoint,ifany,onanotherwisepermissiblesubjectinthesamemannertheschooltreatsastudentsvoluntaryexpressionofasecularorotherviewpointonanotherwise

permissiblesubjectandmaynotdiscriminateagainstthestudentbasedonareligiousviewpointexpressedbythestudentonanotherwisepermissiblesubject.StudentSpeakersatGraduation

Theschoolherebycreatesalimitedpublic

forumconsistingofanopportunityforastudenttospeaktobegingraduationceremoniesandanotherstudenttospeaktoendgraduationceremonies.Foreachspeaker,theschoolshallsetamaximumtimelimitreasonableandappropriate

totheoccasion.Theforumshallbelimitedinthemanner

providedbythissection.

Onlystudentswhoaregraduatingandwhoholdoneofthefollowingneutralcriteriapositionsofhonorshallbeeligibletousethelimitedpublicforum:studentcouncilofficers,classofficersofthegraduatingclass,thetopthreeacademicallyrankedgraduates,orashorterorlongerlistofstudentleadersastheschoolmaydesignate.Astudentwhowillotherwisehaveaspeakingrole

inthegraduationceremoniesisineligibletogivetheopeningandclosingremarks.Thenamesoftheeligiblevolunteeringstudentswillberandomlydrawn.Thefirstnamedrawnwillgivetheopeningandthesecondnamedrawnwillgivetheclosing.

Thetopicoftheopeningandclosingremarksmustberelatedtothepurposeofthegraduationceremonyandtothepurposeofmarkingthe


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openingandclosingoftheevent,honoringtheoccasion,theparticipants,andthoseinattendance,bringingtheaudiencetoorder,andfocusingtheaudienceonthepurposeoftheevent.

Inadditiontothestudentsgivingtheopening

andclosingremarks,certainotherstudentswhohaveattainedspecialpositionsofhonorbasedonneutralcriteria,including,withoutlimitation,thevaledictorian,willhavespeakingrolesatgraduationceremonies.Foreachspeaker,theschoolshallsetamaximumtimelimitreasonableandappropriatetotheoccasionandtothepositionheldbythespeaker.Forthispurpose,theschoolcreatesalimitedpublicforumforthesestudentstodelivertheaddresses.Thesubjectoftheaddressesmustberelatedtothepurposeofthegraduationceremony,markingandhonoringtheoccasion,honoringtheparticipantsandthose

inattendance,andthestudentsperspectiveonpurpose,achievement,life,school,graduation,andlookingforwardtothefuture.

Thesubjectmustbedesignatedforeachstudentspeaker,thestudentmuststayonthesubject,andthestudentmaynotengageinobscene,vulgar,offensivelylewd,orindecentspeech.Theschoolshalltreatastudentsvoluntaryexpressionofareligiousviewpoint,ifany,onanotherwisepermissiblesubjectinthesamemannertheschooltreatsastudentsvoluntaryexpressionofasecularorother

viewpointonanotherwisepermissiblesubjectandmaynotdiscriminateagainstthestudentbasedonareligiousviewpointexpressedbythestudentonanotherwisepermissiblesubject.

Awrittendisclaimershallbeprintedinthegraduationprogramthatstates:

Thestudentswhowillbespeakingatthegraduationceremonywereselectedbasedonneutralcriteriatodelivermessagesofthestudentsownchoices.Thecontentofeachstudentspeakers

messageistheprivateexpressionoftheindividualstudentanddoesnotreflectanypositionorexpressionoftheschool;theschoolsemployees,administration,orboardoftrustees;ortheviewsofanyothergraduate.Thecontentsofthesemessageswerepreparedbythestudentvolunteers,andtheschoolrefrainedfromanyinteractionwithstudentspeakers

regardingthestudentspeakersviewpointsonpermissiblesubjects.

Tardiness

Studentswhoarelatetoclassaredesignated

tardyandwillbeassigneddisciplinaryconsequencesiftheyaretardy,withoutanacceptableexcuse,onfourormoredayswithinaperiodof45rollingschooldays.Egregioustardinesse.g.,arrivingtoschoolafterattendancehasbeentakenwillbeclassifiedasanabsenceforthepurposeofcompulsoryattendanceenforcementifunexcused.

Nearlyalltardinessisavoidableandis

excusableonlyincasesofillnessoremergency.Togetanexcusedtardyslip,thestudentsparentmustreporttotheschoolofficetheemergency

whichcausedthedelay.

Telephone

Becauseofthetremendousamountofessentialbusinessthatmustbetransactedovertheschoolofficetelephones,studentsarerequestednottoaskforuseofthetelephoneexceptinemergencies.Theschoolofficestaffwilldelivermessagesincasesofemergency.Notollcallsfromofficetelephonesaretobemadebystudents.

Transferswithin

the

ResponsiveEd

CommunityofSchools

Parentsofstudentsunder18yearsofageandstudents18yearsofageandoldermayrequestatransfertoanotherResponsiveEdcommunityschooloperatedunderthesamecharterbysubmittingaStudentTransferRequestFormtotheCampusDirectorattheschooloffice.AStudentTransferRequestFormmaybeobtainedattheschooloffice.TransferWindow

Transferrequestsareacceptedannuallyinthe

schoolofficeandmustbereceivedduringthetransferwindowforconsideration.ThetransferwindowbeginsonthesecondTuesdayinFebruaryuntilthesecondTuesdayinMay.

Ingeneral,transferrequestswillnotbeconsideredoutsidethetransferwindowexceptfor


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newResponsiveEdemployeeswithintheirfirstmonthofemploymentandthosewhomoveduringthecourseoftheschoolyear.TheCampusDirectorreservestherighttomakeexceptionsinextenuatingsituations.

NotificationofthedecisionforatransferrequestwillbecommunicatedinwritingbyJune15.

Theschoolmaydelayadecisionwhentheschooldeterminesadelayisnecessarytoproperlyconsiderrelevantinformationandoperationalneeds.

ConsiderationsofTransferRequest

UponreceiptoftheStudentTransferRequest

Form,theCampusDirectorsofthesendingand

receivingschoolswillconsiderthefollowingfactorswhenapprovingtransfers:1. overcrowdingatthesendingand

receivingschools;2. sizeofthesendingandreceivingschools;3. lengthoftimeforwhichthetransferis

requested(Thestudentmustintendtoremainforthefullyear.);

4. studentattendancehistory;5. studentdisciplinehistory;6. studentacademicperformance;7. whetherthestudentisachildofa

ResponsiveEdemployee;and

8.

extenuatingcircumstancesasdeterminedonacasebycasebasis.LengthofApprovedTransfers

Onceatransferisgranted,thestudentwill

transferasafulltimestudenttotherequestedschool.Theparentmayelectaonetimeoptiontorequestatransferreturningtothestudent'ssendingschoolattheendofthesemester(Grades912)ortheendoftheyear(Grades18).

ReasonsforTransferRevocation

Anapprovedtransferrequestisaprivilege.ThesetransfersmayberevokedbythereceivingCampusDirectorforanyofthefollowingreasons:

1. studentbecomesadisruptiontoschooloperations;

2. studentbecomesadetrimenttothelearningofotherstudents;

3. studenthaspersistentdisciplinaryorattendanceproblems;

4. lackofparentalcooperationandsupport;5. changesinthefacilityand/or

instructionalcapacityatthereceivingschool;

6. falsificationofresidence,transfer,orenrollmentdocuments;or

7.

otherrelevantfactorsasdeterminedbytheCampusDirector.

Onceatransferisrevoked,thestudentmustreturntohisorhersendingschool.ExceptwhendeemednecessarybytheCampusDirector,nofurthertransferrequestwillbegrantedforthisstudent.

Appeals

Decisionsregardingstudenttransfersmaybeappealedinaccordancewiththeschoolgrievance

procedure(seeStudentorParentComplaintsandConcerns,p.49).

Transportation

Studentswhoparticipateinschoolsponsoredtripsmayberequiredtorideaschoolvehicle(i.e.,avehicledrivenforschoolrelatedbusinessorowned,leased,orrentedbytheschool).TheCampusDirector,however,maymakeanexceptioniftheparentpersonallyrequeststhatthestudentbepermittedtoridewiththeparent,oriftheparentpresentspriortothedayofthe

scheduledtripawrittenrequestthatthestudentbepermittedtoridewithanadultdesignatedbytheparent.

Ridingaschoolvehicleisaprivilege.School

vehicledrivershavetheauthoritytomaintaindisciplineandrequireseatingcharts.Whenridingaschoolvehicle,studentsareheldtobehavioralstandardsestablishedinthisHandbookandtheStudentCodeofConduct.Studentsmust:

1. followthedriversdirectionsatalltimes;2. enterandleavethevehicleinanorderly

manner;

3. keepfeet,books,instrumentcases,andotherobjectsoutoftheaisle;4. notdefacethevehicleoritsequipment;5. notputhead,hands,arms,legs,orany

objectoutofanywindow;and6. waitforthedriverssignalinorderto

leaveorcrossinfrontofthevehicle.

Onlydesignatedstudentsareallowedtorideinthevehicle.Studentsmayneitherridethe


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SECTIONII

HEALTHANDSAFETYINFORMATION

Studentsafetyoncampusandatschoolrelatedeventsisahighpriorityoftheschool.

Althoughtheschoolhasimplementedsafetyprocedures,thecooperationofstudentsisessentialtoensureschoolsafety.Astudentshould:

1. avoidconductthatislikelytoputthestudentorotherstudentsatrisk;

2. followthebehavioralstandardsinthisHandbook,includingtheStudentCodeofConduct,aswellasanyadditionalrulesforbehaviorandsafetysetbytheCampusDirector,teachers,orschoolstaff;

3. remainalerttoandpromptlyreporttoschoolstaffsafetyhazards,suchas

intrudersoncampusandthreatsmadebyanypersontowardastudentorschoolstaff;

4. knowemergencyevacuationroutesandsignals;and

5. immediatelyfollowtheinstructionsofschoolstaffwhoareoverseeingthewelfareofstudents.

AsbestosManagementPlan

TheschoolhaseveryfacilityinspectedforasbestosbeforeusebyalicensedAsbestosHazardEmergencyResponseAct(AHERA)inspector.AnAsbestosManagementPlaniscreatedfortheschoolinaccordancetofederalregulationsbyAHERA.ParentsmayviewtheAsbestosManagementPlanbycontactingtheschooloffice.

BacterialMeningitisWhatismeningitis?

Meningitisisaninflammationofthecovering

ofthebrainandspinalcord.Itcanbecausedby

viruses,parasites,fungi,andbacteria.Viralmeningitisismostcommonandtheleastserious.Bacterialmeningitisisthemostcommonformofseriousbacterialinfectionwiththepotentialforserious,longtermcomplications.Itisanuncommondisease,butrequiresurgenttreatmentwithantibioticstopreventpermanentdamageordeath.

Whatarethesymptoms?

Someonewithmeningitiswillbecomeveryill.Theillnessmaydevelopoveroneortwodays,butitcanalsorapidlyprogressinamatterofhours.Noteveryonewithmeningitiswillhavethesamesymptoms.

Studentsandadultswithmeningitismayhave

asevereheadache,hightemperature,vomiting,sensitivitytobrightlights,neckstiffnessorjointpains,anddrowsinessorconfusion.Inbothstudentsandadults,theremaybearashoftiny,redpurplespots.Thesecanoccuranywhereonthebody.

Thediagnosisofbacterialmeningitisisbased

onacombinationofsymptomsandlaboratoryresults.Howseriousisbacterialmeningitis?

Ifitisdiagnosedearlyandtreatedpromptly,

themajorityofpeoplemakeacompleterecovery.Insomecasesitcanbefatalorapersonmaybeleftwithapermanentdisability.Howisbacterialmeningitisspread?

Fortunately,noneofthebacteriathatcause

meningitisareascontagiousasdiseaseslikethecommoncoldortheflu,andtheyarenotspreadbycasualcontactorbysimplybreathingtheairwhereapersonwithmeningitishasbeen.Thegermslivenaturallyinthebackofournosesandthroats,buttheydonotliveforlongoutsidethebody.Theyarespreadwhenpeopleexchangesaliva(suchasbykissingandsharingdrinkingcontainers,utensils,orcigarettes).

Thegermdoesnotcausemeningitisinmost

people.Instead,mostpeoplebecomecarriersofthegermfordays,weeks,orevenmonths.Thebacteriararelyovercomethebodysimmunesystemandcausemeningitisoranotherseriousillness.


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Howcanbacterialmeningitisbeprevented?

Studentsshouldnotsharefood,drinks,

utensils,toothbrushes,orcigarettes.Studentsshouldlimitthenumberofpersonstheykiss.Whiletherearevaccinesforsomeotherstrainsof

bacterialmeningitis,theyareusedonlyinspecialcircumstances.Theseincludeadiseaseoutbreakinacommunityorforpeopletravelingtoacountrywherethereisahighriskofgettingthedisease.Also,avaccineisrecommendedbysomegroupsforcollegestudents,particularlyfreshmenlivingindormsorresidencehalls.Thevaccineissafeandeffective(8590percent).Itcancausemildsideeffects,suchasrednessandpainattheinjectionsitelastinguptotwodays.Immunitydevelopswithinseventotendaysafterthevaccineisgivenandlastsforuptofiveyears.

What

should

students

do

if

they

think

they

or

a

friendmighthavebacterialmeningitis?

Studentsshouldseekpromptmedical

attention.Wherecanstudentsgetmoreinformation?

Afamilydoctorandthestaffatthelocalor

regionalhealthdepartmentofficeareexcellentsourcesforinformationonallcommunicablediseases.ParentsandstudentsmayalsocallthelocalhealthdepartmentorRegionalTexas

DepartmentofHealthofficetoaskaboutmeningococcalvaccine.AdditionalinformationmayalsobefoundatwebsitesfortheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(http://www.cdc.gov)andtheTexasDepartmentofStateHealthServices(http://www.dshs.state.tx.us).

ChildAbuseReportingandInvestigationsReportingProcedures

StudentswhobelievetheyarethesubjectsofsexualabuseorothermaltreatmentshouldreporttheincidentimmediatelytoateacherortheCampusDirector.

Ifaparenthascausetobelievethatastudent

hasbeenormaybeabusedorneglectedatschool,theparentshallimmediatelynotifytheCampusDirectorattheschoolandmakeanoralreportto

ChildProtectiveServicesat1.800.252.5400orthelocalPoliceDepartmentat911.

AparentmayalsocalltheschoolsCrisis

AbusePreventionHotlineat972.316.4530forassistance.

CounselingServicesStudentsaffectedbysexualabuseorother

maltreatmentwillbereferredtoacounselor,asocialworker,oranothermentalhealthprofessional.

AdditionalInformation

Additionalinformationregardingsexual

abuseandothermaltreatmentofchildren,includingpreventiontechniquesandknowledgeof

likelywarningsignsindicatingthatachildmaybeavictimofsexualabuseorothermaltreatment,maybefoundatthefollowingTexasEducationAgencywebsite:http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index.aspx?id=2820.

StaffTraining

Allmembersoftheschoolstaffaretrainedannuallyinchildabuseawarenessandreportingprocedures.

StudentInterviewsatSchool

Theschoolcooperateswithofficialchildabuseinvestigatorsasrequiredbylaw.TheschoolmaynotinterferewithaninvestigationofareportofchildabuseorneglectconductedbytheTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices(DFPS).Theschoolshallpermittheinvestigatortoconducttherequiredinterviewwiththestudentatanyreasonabletimeattheschool.Theschoolmaynotrequiretheinvestigatortopermitschoolstafftobepresentatastudentinterviewconductedatschool.

Notification

of

Parents

Investigationsatschoolmaybeconductedbyauthorizedlawenforcementorstateagencieswithoutpriornotificationorconsentofthestudentsparentsifnecessary.


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CommunicableDiseases

Toprotectotherstudentsfromcontagiousillnesses,studentsinfectedwithcertaindiseasesarenotallowedtocometoschoolwhilecontagious.Parentsofastudentwitha

communicableorcontagiousdiseaseshouldphonetheschoolofficesothatotherstudentswhomighthavebeenexposedtothediseasecanbealerted.

DyslexiaandRelatedDisorders

Fromtimetotime,studentsmaybetestedand,whereappropriate,treatedfordyslexiaandrelateddisordersinaccordancewithprograms,rules,andstandardsapprovedbytheState.Parentswillbenotifiedshouldtheschooldetermineaneedtoidentifyorassesstheir

studentfordyslexiaandrelateddisorders.

EmergencyMedicalTreatment

Ifastudenthasamedicalemergencyatschooloraschoolrelatedactivityandtheparentcannotbereached,schoolstaffwillseekemergencymedicaltreatmentunlesstheparenthaspreviouslyprovidedawrittenstatementdenyingthisauthorization.Therefore,parentsareaskedeachyeartocompleteanEmergencyCareConsentForm,whichincludesinformationabouttheirstudentsallergiestomedications,etc.

Parentsshouldkeepemergencycareinformationcurrent(e.g.,nameofdoctor,emergencyphonenumbers,allergies,etc.).Pleasecontacttheschoolofficetoupdateanyinformation.

FireandDisasterDrills

Firedrillsareconductedfortwopurposes:1. totrainstudentstoleavethebuilding

orderlyandquicklyincaseofanemergencyalarm,and

2. toteachselfcontrolintimesofemergency.

Whenthefirealarmissounded,allstudents

shouldimmediatelywalkoutoftheroomandproceedtothedesignatedexit.Theyshouldwalkinanorderlymanner,withnotalkingorpushing.Whenthestudentsreachthesafetyzonedesignatedbytheteacher,theyshouldfacethebuildingbutremaininline.

Inadditiontofiredrills,disasterdrillsmayalsobeconducted.RefertotheCampusHandbookSupplementforspecificproceduresrelatingtofireanddisasterdrills.

HealthCareAppointments

Astudentmaybeexcusedforatemporary

absenceresultingfromavisittohealthcareprofessionalsifthatstudentbeginsclassesorreturnstoschoolonthesamedayoftheappointment.Anotefromthehealthcareprofessionalmustbeprovidedtotheschoolofficeuponreturnofthestudenttoschool.Studentswhoseabsencesareexcusedforthesereasonsmaynotbepenalizedforthatabsenceandwillbecountedasifthestudentattendedschoolforattendancepurposes.Thestudentwillbeallowedareasonabletimetomakeupthemissedschool

work.

IllnessduringSchoolHours

Astudentwhobecomesillduringschoolhoursistoreporttotheteacher,whowillthensendhimorhertotheschooloffice.Thestudentsparentwillbecontacted.Nostudentisallowedtogohomewithouttheparentbeingnotified.Studentsarenottocallparentsfrompayphonesorcellphonesaskingtogohome;suchcallsaretobemadefromtheschoolofficebyschoolstaff.

Studentsshouldstayhomefromschoolduetoillnessifanyofthefollowingarepresent:

1. feverof100degreesFahrenheitorhigherinthepast24hours;

2. vomitingand/ordiarrheainthepast24hours;

3. itchy,redeyeswithdischarge;4. unknownrash;5. ringworm(untiltreatmenthasbeen

started);6. headliceornits;or7. jaundice.

Toprotectstudentsatschool,studentsassessedwithanyofthesignsandsymptomslistedabovewillbesenthome.

Immunizations

TheStateofTexasrequiresthateverychildinthestatebeimmunizedagainstvaccinepreventablediseasescausedbyinfectiousagents


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inaccordancewithanestablishedimmunizationschedule.

Todeterminethespecificnumberofdoses

thatarerequiredforyourstudent,pleaseread20122013TexasMinimumStateVaccine

RequirementsforStudents.ThisdocumentandmoreinformationaboutschoolvaccinerequirementsareavailableattheTexasDepartmentofStateHealthServices(DSHS)ImmunizationBranchwebsite:www.ImmunizeTexas.com(clickontheSchoolRequirementslink,thenMainPagelink).

Proofofimmunizationmaybepersonal

recordsfromalicensedphysicianorpublichealthclinicwithasignatureorrubberstampvalidation.

ProvisionalEnrollment

Astudentcanbeenrolledprovisionallyfornomorethan30daysifheorshetransfersfromoneTexasschooltoanother,andisawaitingthetransferoftheimmunizationrecord.

Astudentmaybeenrolledprovisionallyifthe

studenthasanimmunizationrecordthatindicatesthestudenthasreceivedatleastonedoseofeachspecifiedageappropriaterequiredvaccine.Toremainenrolled,thestudentmustcompletetherequiredsubsequentdosesineachvaccineseriesonscheduleandasrapidlyasismedicallyfeasible

andprovideacceptableevidenceofvaccinationtotheschool.Theschoolshallreviewtheimmunizationstatusofaprovisionallyenrolledstudentevery30daystoensurecontinuedcomplianceincompletingtherequireddosesofvaccination.If,attheendofthe30dayperiod,astudenthasnotreceivedasubsequentdoseofvaccine,thenthestudentisnotincomplianceandtheschoolshallexcludethestudentfromschoolattendanceuntiltherequireddoseisadministered.

ExclusionsfromImmunizationRequirements

Exclusionsfromimmunizationrequirementsareallowableonanindividualbasisfor:

1. medicalreasons;2. reasonsofconscience,includinga

religiousbelief;and3. activedutywiththearmedforcesofthe

UnitedStates.

Toclaimanexclusionformedicalreasons,thestudentmustpresentastatementsignedbythestudent'sphysician(M.D.orD.O.),dulyregisteredandlicensedtopracticemedicineintheUnitedStateswhohasexaminedthestudent,inwhichitisstatedthat,inthephysician'sopinion,the

vaccinerequiredismedicallycontraindicatedorposesasignificantrisktothehealthandwellbeingofthestudentoranymemberofthestudent'shousehold.Unlessitiswritteninthestatementthatalifelongconditionexists,theexemptionstatementisvalidforonlyoneyearfromthedatesignedbythephysician.

Toclaimanexclusionforreasonsof

conscience,includingareligiousbelief,asignedDSHSaffidavitmustbepresentedbythestudentsparent,statingthatthestudent'sparentdeclinesvaccinationsforreasonsofconscience,including

becauseoftheperson'sreligiousbeliefs.Theaffidavitwillbevalidforatwoyearperiod.Informationforobtaininganaffidavitforexclusionfromimmunizationrequirementsisavailableatwww.ImmunizeTexas.com(clickontheSchoolRequirementslink,thenMainPagelink).TheofficialDSHSaffidavitformmustbenotarizedandsubmittedtotheschooloffice.Theformmustbesubmittedwithin90daysfromthedateitisnotarized.TheschoolwillacceptonlyofficialaffidavitformsdevelopedandissuedbytheDSHS.Nootherformsorreproductionswillbeallowed.Thestudentwhohasnotreceivedthe

requiredimmunizationsforreasonsofconscience,includingreligiousbeliefs,maybeexcludedfromschoolintimesofemergencyorepidemicdeclaredbythecommissionerofpublichealth.

Toclaimanexclusionforarmedforces,the

studentmustprovethatheorsheisservingonactivedutywiththearmedforcesoftheUnitedStates.

ImmunizationRecordsReporting

Theschoolsrecordofastudents

immunizationhistory,whileprivateinmostinstances,maybeinspectedbytheTexasEducationAgency,localhealthdepartments,andtheDSHSandtransferredtootherschoolsassociatedwiththetransferofthestudenttothoseschools.


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Injuries/AccidentInsurance

Theschoolisnotresponsibleformedicalcostsassociatedwithastudentsinjury.Atthebeginningofeachschoolyear,theschooldoesmakeavailable,however,anoptional,lowcost

studentaccidentinsuranceprogramtoassistparentsinmeetingmedicalexpenses.Aparentwhodesirescoverageforhisorherstudentwillberesponsibleforpayinginsurancepremiumsandsubmittingclaims.

InterrogationsandSearches

Studentsshallnotplace,keep,ormaintainanyarticleormaterialprohibitedbyschoolpolicyorthatwouldleadschoolofficialstoreasonablybelievethatitwouldcauseasubstantialdisruptionatschoolorataschoolsponsoredor

schoolrelatedfunction.CampusDirectorsandteachershavetherighttoquestionstudentsregardingtheirconductortheconductofothers.

Schoolstaffmaysearchastudentsouter

clothing,pockets,orpropertybyestablishingreasonablesuspicionorsecuringthestudentsvoluntaryconsent.However,consentobtainedthroughthreatofcontactingparentsorthepoliceauthoritiesisnotconsideredtobevoluntarilygiven.

Studentlockers,desks/offices,backpacks,

vehiclesparkedoncampus,andanyotherareathatisownedorjointlycontrolledbytheschool,areunderthejurisdictionoftheschool.Assuch,theymaybesearchedanytimethereisreasonablecausetobelievethattheycontainarticlesormaterialsprohibitedbyschoolpolicy,withorwithoutthepresenceofthestudent.Theparentwillbenotifiedifanyprohibiteditemsarefoundinthestudentspossession.

RandomDrugSearches[M][H]

Inordertoensureadrugfreelearning

environment,theschoolconductsrandomdrugsearchesoftheschoolfacilities.Theschoolmayusetraineddogstoalertschoolofficialstothepresenceofprohibitedorillegalitems,includingdrugsandalcohol.Atanytime,traineddogsmaybeusedaroundlockersandtheareasaroundvehiclesparkedoncampus.Searchesofclassrooms,commonareas,orstudentbelongingsmayalsobeconductedbytraineddogswhen

studentsarenotpresent.Aniteminaclassroom,alocker,oravehicletowhichatraineddogalertsmaybesearchedbyschoolofficials.

LawEnforcementAgencies

Proceduresfor

Law

Enforcement

Interviews

Thefollowingproceduresshallbefollowedwhenlawenforcementofficersandotherlawfulauthoritieswanttoquestionorinterviewastudentattheschool:

1. Theschoolshallverifyandrecordtheidentityoftheofficialandrequestanexplanationoftheneedtoquestionorinterviewthestudentatschool.

2. Theschoolshallmakereasonableeffortstonotifythestudentsparent.

3. Unlessprohibitedbylaworwhenthestudenthasbeenarrestedortakenintopolicecustody,aschoolstaffmembershallbepresentduringthequestioningorinterview.

Whentheinvestigationinvolvesallegationsof

childabuse,specialrulesapply(seeChildAbuseReportingandInvestigations,p.17).

ProceduresforAssumingCustodyofStudent

Theschoolshallpermitastudenttobetakenintocustody:

1. pursuanttoanorderofthejuvenilecourt;2. pursuanttothelawsofarrest;3. byalawenforcementofficerifthereis

probablecausetobelievethestudenthasengagedinconductthatviolatesapenallaw,delinquentconductorconductinneedofsupervision,orconductthatviolatesaconditionofprobationimposedbythejuvenilecourt;

4. byaprobationofficerifthereisprobablecausetobelievethestudenthasviolatedaconditionofprobationimposedbythejuvenilecourt;

5. pursuanttoaproperlyissueddirectivetoapprehend;or6. byanauthorizedrepresentativeofthe

TexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices(DFPS),alawenforcementofficer,orajuvenileprobationofficer,withoutacourtorder,undertheconditionssetoutinSection262.104oftheTexasFamilyCoderelatingtothestudentsphysicalhealthorsafety.


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MedicationPolicies

AllMedication

Medicationshouldbeadministeredathome

wheneverpossible.Theschoolmustreceivea

writtenrequestfromtheparenttoadministermedicationduringschoolhours(includingacetaminophen,aspirin,ibuprofen,etc.).Thisrequestmustbesubmittedannuallyandisactiveonlyforthecurrentschoolyear.

Allmedicationsmustbepresentedinan

originalcontainer,beproperlylabeled,andmustbecheckedintotheschoolofficeuponarrivaloncampus.FailuretocomplywiththemedicationpolicywillresultinaCodeofConductviolation.

Parentsmayprovidenomorethanatwo

weekssupplyofmedicationatatime,excludinginhalers.Pleasenotethatmostpharmacieswillprovidefamilieswithanextraempty,butlabeled,containerforuseatschool.

PrescriptionMedication

Prescriptionmedicationadministeredduring

schoolhoursmustbeprescribedbyaphysicianoradvancednursepractitioner(ANP)andfilledbyapharmacistlicensedintheStateofTexas.

Prescriptionmedicationlabelsmustinclude

thestudentsnameandinstructions,andbeclearlylegible.WritteninstructionsfromaphysicianorANP

arerequiredandmustincludethefollowinginformation:

1. nameofthestudent,2. nameofthemedication,3. reasonthemedicationisbeinggiven,4. specificamounttobegiven,5. timethemedicationistobegiven,and6. themethodusedtoadministerthe

medication.

ChangestodailymedicationsrequirewritteninstructionfromthephysicianorANPandwrittenpermissionfromtheparent.Parentsareresponsibleforadvisingtheschoolofficethatamedicationhasbeendiscontinued.

AsthmaandAnaphylaxisMedication

Asthmaandanaphylaxisarelifethreatening

conditions,andstudentswiththoseconditionsmaybeallowedtopossessandselfadministerprescriptionmedicationsforthoseconditions

duringtheschooldayoratschoolrelatedevents.StudentpossessionandselfadministrationofasthmaoranaphylaxismedicationatschoolrequirethestudenttodemonstratehisorherabilitytoselfadministerthemedicationforthephysicianorlicensedhealthcareproviderandtheCampusDirector.Requirementsalsoincludewrittenauthorizationfromthestudentsparentandphysicianorotherlicensedhealthcareprovideronfileintheschoolofficeindicatingthestudentiscapableofindependentlyadministeringhisorherownasthmaoremergencyanaphylaxismedication.Withthesesafeguardsinplace,the

studentmaypossessandselfadministerhisorherprescribedmedicationathisorherdiscretionduringschoolhoursoratschoolrelatedevents.

Writtenauthorizationstoselfadministerasthmaoranaphylaxismedicationshouldbeupdatedannuallyunlessotherwiseindicatedbythephysician.

Medicationinastudentspossessionmustbeinanoriginalcontainerwithaprescriptionlabel.Pleasenotethatmostpharmacieswillplacealabelontheinhalerdeviseuponrequest.

DiabetesManagement

Studentswithdiabetesmaypossessequipmentandmedicationusedinthetreatmentofdiabetesduringtheschooldayandatschoolrelatedeventsgivencertainconditions.AccordingtoTexasHealthandSafetyCodeChapter168,adiabetesmanagementandtreatmentplanmustbedevelopedandimplementedbythestudentsparentandthephysicianresponsibleforthestudentsdiabetestreatment.Thisplanmustevaluatethestudentsabilitytomanagediabetes

andhisorherlevelofunderstandingofdiabetesandmustbesignedbytheparentandphysicianresponsibleforthestudentsdiabetestreatment.Anindividualhealthplanmustbeimplementedbytheschoolandmustincorporatecomponentsofthestudentsdiabetesmanagementandtreatmentplan.Inaccordancewiththestudentsindividualizedhealthplan,whichincorporatesthediabetesmanagementandtreatmentplansignedbytheparentandphysicianthatindicatesthe


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studentsabilitytomanagediabetesandhisorherlevelofunderstandingofdiabetes,aschoolshallpermitastudenttoattendtothemanagementandcareofhisorherdiabetes,whichmayinclude:

1. performingbloodglucoselevelchecks;2. administeringinsulin;3.

treatinghypoglycemiaandhyperglycemia;

4. possessingnecessarymonitoringandtreatmentequipmentdesignedfordiabetescare;and

5. attendingtothemanagementofhisorherdiabetesintheclassroom,inanyareaoftheschoolgrounds,oratanyschoolrelatedactivity.

PhysicalRestraint

Schoolstaffmay,withinthescopeoftheir

duties,useandapplyphysicalrestrainttoastudentthattheyreasonablybelieveisnecessaryinorderto:

1. protectaperson,includingthepersonusingphysicalrestraint,fromphysicalinjury;

2. obtainpossessionofaweaponorotherdangerousobject;

3. protectpropertyfromseriousdamage;4. removefromaspecificlocationastudent

refusingalawfulcommandofschoolstaff,includingaclassroomorotherschoolproperty,inordertorestoreorderor

imposedisciplinarymeasures;5. restrainanirrationalstudent;or6. preventstudentfromfleeingwhenfleeing

wouldputotherstudentsorothersindanger.

SurveillanceCameras/Video

Recordings

Forsafetypurposes,includingthemaintenanceoforderanddiscipline,surveillancecamerasmaybeusedtomonitorstudentbehaviorinclassrooms,onschoolvehicles,andschool

commonareas.Videorecordingsmaybereviewedroutinelytodocumentstudentmisconductandusedbyschoolstaffwheninvestigatinganincident.TapesandothervideorecordingswillnotbeavailableforparentviewingduetotheFamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct(FERPA).


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SECTIONIII

ACADEMICSANDGRADING

ClassRank/TopTenPercent[H]

Finalclassrankwillbedeterminedattheendofthefifthsixweeksofthesenioryear.

Studentswhoareinthetop10percentoftheirgraduatingclassareeligibleforautomaticadmissiontoanypublicuniversityinTexasunderadmissionspolicies.

Tobeeligibleforautomaticadmission,astudentmust:

1. graduateinthetop10percentofhisorherclass;

2. graduateontheRecommendedorDistinguishedProgram;

3. enrollincollegenomorethantwoyearsaftergraduatingfromhighschool;and

4. submitanapplicationtoaTexaspublicuniversityforadmissionbeforetheinstitution'sapplicationdeadline(checkwiththeuniversityregardingspecificdeadlines).

Studentsadmittedthroughthisroutemaystill

berequiredtoprovideAmericanCollegeTest(ACT)orScholasticAptitudeTest(SAT)scores,althoughthesescoresarenotusedforadmissionspurposes.StudentsmustalsotaketheTexasHigherEducationAssessment(THEA)test,unlessexemptedfromthetestrequirement.CheckwiththeadmissionsofficeregardingTHEA,SAT,andACTrequirements.

Afterastudentisadmitted,theuniversitymayreviewthestudent'shighschoolrecordstodetermineifthestudentispreparedforcollegelevelwork.Astudentwhoneedsadditionalpreparationmayberequiredtotakeadevelopmental,enrichment,ororientationcourseduringthesemesterpriortothefirstsemesterofcollege.

Admissiontoauniversitydoesnotguaranteeacceptanceintoaparticularcollegeofstudyordepartment.Rememberthatstudentsmaynotbeadmittedeveniftheyareeligibleiftheydonotmeettheadmissiondeadline.

ClassificationofStudents[H]

Theclassificationofastudentdependsuponthenumberofunitsearnedandnotuponthenumberofyearsspentinhighschool.

StudentswhoenteredGrade9duringthe20062007schoolyearareclassifiedbasedontheseunitsofcredit:

Sophomore: 6unitsofcredit Junior: 13unitsofcredit Senior: 19unitsofcredit

StudentswhoenteredGrade9duringthe

20072008schoolyearareclassifiedbasedontheseunitsofcredit:

Sophomore: 7unitsofcredit Junior: 13unitsofcredit Senior: 19unitsofcredit

CollegeDays[H]

Highschoolstudentswhomeetthefollowingcriteriawillbeallowedtohavetwoexcuseddaysofabsenceforacollegevisitduringtheirjunioryearandtwoexcuseddaysofabsenceforacollegevisitduringtheirsenioryear:

1. ThestudentmusthavepassedtherequiredpartsoftheTAKStestforthepreviousyear.

2. Thestudentmustbeontracktograduateontime.

3. Thestudentmustbeclassifiedasajuniororseniorbaseduponcreditsearned.

4. Thestudentmustbepassingallcoursework.

5. Thestudentmusthavenotruancyorotherattendanceproblems.

Studentsmustsubmitawrittenrequesttothe

schoolofficeatleasttwodayspriortothedayrequestedforacollegevisitsothateligibilitycriteriaforanexcuseddayofabsencecanbeverifiedandapprovalgrantedpriortothestudentparticipatinginacollegevisit.Approvalwillnotbegrantedforacollegevisitonadaywhenmajorexamsarescheduled,andnopartialdayswillbeapproved.


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Thestudentwillberequiredtomakeupanyworkmissed,butwillnotbechargedwithanabsenceifofficialdocumentationofthevisitisreceivedbytheschoolofficewithinoneweek.Officialdocumentationwillbe:

1. aletteronthecollegeofficialletterheadgivingthestudentsname,date,andreasonforvisit;and

2. anofficialvisitationformfromthecollegedatedwithstudentnameandsignedbyacollegeofficial.

Ifthecollegevisitcannotbemadeonthedate

specifiedontheapprovedwrittenrequest,anewrequestmustbesubmittedforconsideration.

CollegeRequirements[H]

MostcollegesrequireeithertheAmerican

CollegeTest(ACT)ortheScholasticAptitudeTest(SAT)foradmission.Studentsareencouragedtotalkwithschoolstaffduringtheirjunioryeartodeterminetheappropriateexamtotake,asentranceexamsareusuallytakenattheendofthejunioryear.PriortoenrollmentinaTexaspubliccollegeoruniversity,moststudentsmustalsotakeanassessmenttest,suchastheTexasHigherEducationAssessment(THEA)test.

CreditbyExamination[H]

IfaStudent

Has

Prior

Instruction

Astudentwhohaspreviouslytakenacourse

orsubjectbutdidnotreceivecreditforitmay,incircumstancesdeterminedbytheteacher,CampusDirector,orAttendanceCommittee,bepermittedtoearncreditbypassinganexamontheessentialknowledgeandskillsdefinedforthatcourseorsubject.Priorinstructionmayinclude,forexample,incompletecourseworkduetoafailedcourseorexcessiveabsences,anonaccreditedpublicorprivateschool,correspondencecourses,orindependentstudy

supervisedbyateacher.TheCampusDirectorwilldetermineifthestudentcantakeanexamforthepurposeofrecoveringlossofcreditinaparticularsubjectorcourse.Ifapprovalisgranted,thestudentmustscoreatleast70ontheexamtoreceivecreditforthecourseorsubject.TheAttendanceCommitteemayalsoofferastudentwithexcessiveabsencesanopportunitytorecovercreditforacoursebypassinganexam.

IfaStudentHasNotHadPriorInstruction

Astudentwillbepermittedtotakeanexamto

earncreditforanacademiccourseforwhichthestudenthashadnopriorinstruction.Astudentwillearncreditwithapassingscoreofatleast90

ontheexam.

GraduationExpenses[H]

Becausestudentsandparentswillincurgraduationexpensessuchasthepurchaseofinvitations,seniorring,capandgown,seniorpictures,etc.bothstudentsandparentsshouldmonitorprogresstowardcompletionofallrequirementsforgraduation.

GraduationPrograms[H]

AllstudentsenteringGrade9duringthe20072008schoolyearandthereafterarerequiredtoenrollintheRecommendedHighSchoolProgramorDistinguishedAchievementHighSchoolProgram.

MinimumHighSchoolProgram

AstudentmaybepermittedtotaketheMinimumHighSchoolProgramiftheparentandCampusDirectoragreeinwriting,signedbyeachparty,thatthestudentshouldbepermittedtotakecoursesundertheMinimumHighSchoolProgram

andthestudent:1. isatleast16yearsofage;2. hascompletedtwocreditsrequiredfor

graduationineachsubjectofthefoundationcurriculum;or

3. hasfailedtobepromotedtothetenthgradeoneormoretimesasdeterminedbytheschool.

Astudenthastherighttoreenrollinthe

RecommendedHighSchoolProgramatanytime.CreditRequirements

StudentswhoenteredGrade9duringthe

20072008schoolyearandthereaftermustmeetthefollowingcreditrequirementsforgraduation:

1. Minimum 22credits2. Recommended 26credits3. Distinguished 26credits


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StudentswhoenteredGrade9duringthe20042005,20052006,or20062007schoolyearmustmeetthefollowingcreditrequirementsforgraduation:

1. Minimum 22credits2. Recommended 24credits3.

Distinguished 24credits

GraduationRequirements[H]

Toreceiveahighschooldiplomafromtheschool,astudentmustsuccessfullycompletetherequirednumberofcredits,passastatewideexitlevelexam,andmeetallattendancerequirements.Thegrade11exitleveltest,requiredforstudentsingrade11,coversEnglishlanguagearts,mathematics,science,andsocialstudiesandrequiresknowledgeofAlgebraI,Geometry,Biology,IntegratedPhysicsandChemistry,English

III,andUnitedStatesHistory.

StudentswithDisabilities

UpontherecommendationoftheAdmission,

Review,andDismissal(ARD)Committee,astudentwithdisabilitieswhoisreceivingspecialeducationservicesmaybepermittedtograduateundertheprovisionsofhisorherIndividualizedEducationProgram(IEP).

Astudentwhoreceivesspecialeducationservicesandhascompletedfouryearsofhigh

school,buthasnotmettherequirementsofhisorherIEP,mayparticipateingraduationceremoniesandreceiveacertificateofattendance.Evenifthestudentparticipatesingraduationceremoniestoreceivethecertificateofattendance,heorshemayremainenrolledtocompletetheIEPandearnhisorherhighschooldiploma;however,thestudentwillonlybeallowedtoparticipateinonegraduationceremony.

HonorGraduateCertificate[H]

Therecipientofthishonormust:

1. beenrolledinaminimumofthreeconsecutivecalendarsemesterspriortograduationandmeetstateandschoolattendancerequirements;

2. begraduatingundereithertheRecommendedorDistinguishedGraduationProgram;and

3. bethehighestrankinggraduatewiththehighestgradepointaverage(GPA)ofall

studentsmeetingtheaforementionedcriteriabutnotlessthanacumulative3.3GPA.Indetermininggradepointaverage,undernoconditionwilltheGPAberoundedup.

Allcalculationsforthishonorwillbeconductedattheendofthespringsemester(beforegraduation)eachschoolcalendaryear.Aneligiblestudentmusthaveattendedatleastoneofthecalendarsemestersduringtheschoolyearthatthehonorisgranted.

PhysicalEducation

RequirementsK8[E][M]

AllstudentsingradesK5mustengageinat

least135minutesofphysicalactivityeachweekas

partofthephysicaleducationcurriculum.Studentsingrades68mustengageinatleast135minutesofphysicalactivityeachweekforatleastfoursemestersduringthosegradelevelsaspartoftheschoolsphysicaleducation.

Requirements912[H]

Studentsarenowrequiredtocompleteonly

onecreditinphysicaleducation(P.E.)andarenolongerrequiredtocompletetheFoundationsofPersonalFitnesscourseaspartofthatcredit.StudentsmaycontinuetouseFoundationsof

PersonalFitnesstofulfillonehalf(.5)creditoftheironetotalcreditofphysicaleducationrequiredforgraduation.

PhysicalEducationExemption

Shorttermexemptionfromphysical

educationispossibleforstudentswhohavephysicalhandicaps,illnesses,orotherincapacitiesthataphysiciandeemssevereenoughtowarrantexemptionorsevereenoughtowarrantmodifiedactivityinsuchclasses.Eachcaseishandledonanindividualbasisasfollows:

1. Eachrequestforexemptionorformodifiedactivitymustbeaccompaniedbyaphysicianscertificate.Suchcertificatesarehonored,butmustberenewedeachyear.

2. Whenthecertificatewillallowmodifiedactivitiesinclass,thestudentshouldremaininphysicaleducationclass.Theteachersadjusttheactivitiesofthestudenttothedisability.


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3. Anexemptedstudentmaybeadmittedtoregularphysicaleducationactivitiesonlyuponpresentationofawrittenstatementfromthesamephysicianwhosignedtheoriginalexemption.

Physical

Education

Substitutions

[M]

[H]

Beginningwithenteringninthgradersinfall

2010,studentswhoreceivepriorapprovalcanearnamaximumoffourstatecreditsforphysicaleducationthroughsubstitutionofappropriateprivateorcommerciallysponsoredphysicalactivityprovidedthattheprogrammeetsschoolcriteria.QuestionsregardingtheprocessofyearlyapprovalshouldbeaddressedtotheCampusDirector.PhysicalFitnessAssessment

Exceptforstudentsforwhom,asaresultofdisabilityorotherconditionidentifiedinlaw,assessmentisinappropriate,theschoolwillassessthephysicalfitnessofstudentsannually.

PromotionRequirements[E][M]

Astudentmaybepromotedonthebasisofacademicachievementand/ordemonstratedproficiencyinthesubjectmatterofthecourseorgradelevel.Toearncreditinacourse,astudentmustreceiveagradeofatleast70and

successfullycompleteallassignedcoursework.Inaddition,atcertaingradelevelsastudentwithlimitedexceptionswillberequiredtopassthestatemandatedassessmenttest.

ReportCards

Astudentmaybepromotedonlyonthebasisofacademicachievementordemonstratedproficiencyinthesubjectmatterofthecourseorgradelevel.Toearncredit,astudentmustdemonstratemasteryongradelevelstandardsandmeetschoolrequirementsforattendance.In

addition,studentsatcertaingradelevelswillberequiredtopassthestatemandatedassessmenttestasafurtherrequirementforpromotion.

Gradingscalesareasfollows:1. A=90%to100%2. B=80%to89%3. C=70%to79%4. F=69%andbelow

Reportcardsofstudentgradesorperformanceandabsencesareissuedtoparentsatleastonceeverysixwee