HALLETTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK 2015 – 2016
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HALLETTSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL INFORMATION ____________________________________________________________________________________ Board of Education 302 N. Ridge Hallettsville, Texas (361) 798-2242 (361) 798-5902 – fax
Todd Schindler – President Robert Lundy – Vice President 77964 Marna Klimetcek – Secretary Paul Cook – Member Susie Seay – Member William Gerke – Member Chris Ranly – Member ____________________________________________________________________________________ Central Administration 302 N. Ridge Hallettsville, Texas 77964 (361) 798-2242, ext. 400 (361) 798-5902 – fax
Dr. JoAnn Bludau – Superintendent Dr. Mandy Bucek – Curriculum Director Tommy Psencik – Athletic Director Todd Armstrong – Technology Director Sheryl Mikeska – Superintendent’s Secretary ____________________________________________________________________________________ Hallettsville Elementary School 308 N. Ridge Jason Harris – Principal Hallettsville, Texas 77964 Ginny Janak – Assistant Principal (361) 798-2242 ext. 100 Trina Patek – Counselor (361) 798-4349 fax Misty Targac – Secretary ____________________________________________________________________________________ Hallettsville Junior High School 410 S. Russell Sophie Teltschik – Principal Hallettsville, Texas 77964 Aaron Etzler – Counselor (361) 798-2242 ext. 200 Gail Tesch - Secretary (361) 798-3573 fax ____________________________________________________________________________________ Hallettsville High School 200 N. Ridge Hallettsville, Texas 77964 (361) 798-2242 ext. 300 (361) 798-9297 fax
Darrin Bickham – Principal Scott Cottenoir – Assistant Principal Dena Strauss – Counselor Geraldine Dornak – Registrar Darlene Barcak – Secretary
Hallettsville Independent School District Mission Statement The mission of Hallettsville Independent School District, HISD exists to educate and empower healthy, self-sufficient citizens who promote integrity, creativity, and continual learning.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INFORMATION……………………………………………………………………..2 TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………………3 NOTE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS………………………………………………………4 ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT…………………………………………………………………...6 ADDRESS CHANGE ........................................................................................................ 6 ASSEMBLIES AND PEP RALLIES .................................................................................. 6 ATTENDANCE ................................................................................................................. 6 ATTENDANCE FOR DRIVERS LICENSE ........................................................................8 PERFECT ATTENDANCE ................................................................................................ 8 CAFETERIA ...................................................................................................................... 8 CAMPUS HOURS ............................................................................................................ 9 CLOSED CAMPUS………………………………………………………………………………9 CELL PHONE/TELEPHONE USE .................................................................................... 9 CHEATING/ PLAGIARISM/ ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ................................................ 10 CHEERLEADER/MASCOT ............................................................................................ 10 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS .................................................................................... 10 COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS .................................................................................. 10 CONDUCT ...................................................................................................................... 10 COMPUTER USE ON CAMPUS .................................................................................... 11 CONFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 11 COUNSELING ................................................................................................................ 12 DELIVERY OF FLOWERS, ETC. ................................................................................... 12 DETENTION ................................................................................................................... 12 DRESS CODE..................................................................................................................12 DRILLS – FIRE, TORNADO, AND OTHER EMERGENCY DRILLS .............................. 12 DRUG TESTING ............................................................................................................. 13 EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING ............................................................................... 13 EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND INFORMATION……………………………13 EXAM EXEMPTIONS.......................................................................................................13 FEES .............................................................................................................................. 14 FUNDRAISING ............................................................................................................... 14 GRADING POLICY ......................................................................................................... 14 HEALTH SERVICES ...................................................................................................... 15 HONOR ROLL ................................................................................................................ 15 ISS/DAEP PLACEMENT ................................................................................................ 16 LATE WORK ................................................................................................................... 16 LIBRARY SERVICES ..................................................................................................... 16 LOST AND FOUND ........................................................................................................ 17 PERSONAL ELECTRONIC USE/LOSS/THEFT ............................................................ 17 PROM DRESS CODE .................................................................................................... 18 PROMOTION AND RETENTION ................................................................................... 18 PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF NONDISCRIMINATION .................................................... 18 SPECIAL PROGRAMS ................................................................................................... 19 STARR…………………………………………………………………………………………...20 TARDIES………………………………………………………………………………………...20 TEXTBOOKS .................................................................................................................. 20 THEFT/DAMAGE of SCHOOL and PERSONAL PROPERTY ....................................... 21 TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................... 21 TUTORIAL……………………………………………………………………………………….21 VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL ......................................................................................... 21 Revision of this document ............................................................................................... 21
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To the Students and Parents: Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! Everyone, including the students, parents, teachers, and all school staff must work together, as a team to build a relationship based on mutual expectations for achievement and behavior. This student handbook is designed to assist us in fulfilling our responsibility. The Hallettsville High School Student Handbook contains information that both students and parents are likely to need during the school year. Please be aware that the term “the student’s parent” is used to refer to the parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student. Both students and parents must be familiar with the Hallettsville ISD Student Code of Conduct required by state law and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. That document is found in the HISD Student/Parent Handbook. The student handbook is designed to be in harmony with Board policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policies, that affect student handbook provisions, will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications. In case of conflict between the Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct and any provisions of the student handbook, the provisions of Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct that were most recently adopted by the Board are to be followed. We strongly recommend that parents review the entire handbook with their child and keep it as a reference during the school year. If you or your child has questions about any of the material in the handbook, please contact a teacher, the counselor, or the principal. A link to the HISD Board Policy Manual is available from the district website to help answer specific questions that might arise. Please contact Darrin Bickham, Hallettsville High School Principal, for assistance at 361-798-2242, ext. 300. Also, please complete and return all pertinent paperwork given to your child. A child’s education succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between the home and school, a partnership that thrives on communication. Your involvement in this partnership may include: •
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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. Be sure your child comes to school each day prepared, rested, and ready to learn. Becoming familiar with all of your child’s school activities and with the academic programs, including special programs offered in the District. Discuss with the counselor or the principal any questions you may have about 4
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the options and opportunities available to your child. Monitor your child’s academic progress and contact teachers as needed. 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 361-798-2242, ext. 300 for an appointment. A teacher will return your call or meet with you during his or her conference or at a mutually convenient time before or after school. Becoming a school volunteer. Chaperoning field trips. Offering to serve as a parent representative on the District-level or campuslevel planning committees assisting in the development of education goals and plans to improve student achievement.
On behalf of the faculty and staff at Hallettsville High School, we look forward to being a part of your child’s educational experience. If questions or concerns arise, please call the school office at 361-798-2242, ext. 300. Go Brahmas! Sincerely, Darrin Bickham, Principal Hallettsville High School
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Academic Achievement We expect all students to achieve academically to the best of their abilities. We will strive to offer a solid core curriculum and a variety of electives to help students make good choices when selecting a course of study for the future. Progress reports will be mailed home after three weeks. Report cards will be mailed home at the end of each six weeks. Parents wishing to set up a parent-teacher conference should call the school office at 361-798-2242, ext. 300. Address Change Students and parents are requested to notify the school office when there are changes in addresses or phone numbers during the school year. Updated records are important and we encourage your help. Assemblies and Pep Rallies Assemblies and pep rallies are normally held in the gym. Students will sit in areas designated for their grades. Students will be expected to follow the campus-classroom discipline management plan and the student code of conduct when attending assemblies and pep rallies. Students who violate the rules may be barred from attending future assemblies or pep rallies. Attendance Regular, punctual 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. 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. School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent from school without permission from any class or from required special programs will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary action. 6
Truancy 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 for three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period. Attendance for Credit To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. A student, who attends fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered, will not receive credit for the course. The student may be referred to the attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for absences and how the student can regain credit. Parents may be called when students are absent. When students return to school from an absence, they must bring a note written and signed by the parent giving the reason for the absence within three school days. The absence will be excused or unexcused based on the reason given. If the student fails to bring a note, the absence will be considered unexcused, which may cause a point deduction on any work missed during the absence. Medical appointments should be made for after school or Saturdays, if possible. These absences will be excused if the student brings a note from the doctor’s office and if the length of the absence is reasonable for the amount of time it should take to travel to the appointment, see the doctor, and return to school. If the student misses more than 15 minutes of the class period, he/she will not be counted present for that class period. The absence may be excused or unexcused. Excused Absences The following are considered excused absences: • Illness of the student. • Family emergencies (principal’s discretion) or a death in the family. • Medical appointment with a doctor’s note. • Severe weather conditions, which make travel dangerous. Any questions or unclear circumstances regarding absences will be referred to the principal. If a student does not comply with the attendance policies laid out by the district, the student may be assigned to attend Saturday School to make up attendance. A fee of $25.00 per day may be assessed for a student to attend Saturday school. Failure to pay the fee may result in no credit for the day. Make Up Work School missed during an excused absence may be made up. It is the responsibility of the student to contact his/her teacher concerning missed assignments within two school days after returning to school. The work will be due within a reasonable time to be determined by the teacher. Work missed during an unexcused absence may be made up under the same rules, but points may be deducted. 7
Parents may request homework assignments by calling the Hallettsville High School office. Assignments must be requested by 10:00am and picked up by 4:00pm in the office. Attendance for Driver License Students who wish to obtain a driver’s permit or license must provide The Texas Department of Public Safety with a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) Form for Driver’s License Purposes. This form must be obtained from the high school principal’s office. Students must have been in attendance for the required 90% of a particular semester. If a student misses more than 10% of a semester (Example…semester is 85 days in length, student must have no more than 8 days absent) the VOE will not be awarded, regardless of if attendance makeup was completed and credit was awarded. The student must successfully complete a full semester with absences not to exceed 10% of the total days in the semester immediately prior to the issuance of the VOE. (For example, if a student wants to obtain his/her VOE in January through May, attendance from the fall semester is reviewed.) Students who exceed the maximum allowable absences due to extenuating circumstance, such as surgery (with doctor’s note), may have their absences reviewed by the attendance committee. The student’s attendance for the previous semester will be the determining factor, unless the student’s attendance in the current semester is already in violation of the attendance law. Perfect Attendance In order to receive a perfect attendance certificate, a student must be present for the 9:30am accounting for ADA (Average Daily Attendance). Cafeteria The District participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers free and reduced price lunches and breakfasts based on student’s financial need. All information will remain confidential. Applications will be available during schedule pick up before school begins. Applications will also be available the first day of school. The forms need to be returned as soon as possible. Students who qualified last year for free or reduced meals must fill out new applications each year. Hallettsville High School has both a snack bar and a cafeteria lunch line for students. Hallettsville ISD policy limits cafeteria charges to two days. After the second day, the student will be given a sack lunch consisting of a sandwich and a carton of milk. After the third day, the student will be responsible for bringing a lunch from home until charges are cleared. Pre-payment of meals is encouraged and accepted for the cafeteria lunch line before school each day. Pre-payment and charging are not allowed in the snack bar at any time.
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Lunch Procedures Hallettsville High School is a closed campus. Students may not leave campus for lunch nor are they allowed to have food brought to them from outside sources. Parents are strongly discouraged from picking up their students for lunch. After finishing the meal, students will clean their table area, place their chairs under the tables, and place straws, napkins, silverware, and trays in the designated area. Campus Hours School starts each morning at 7:50am each day and ends each day at 3:40pm. Students should not arrive at school before 7:30am. Students arriving prior to 7:30am will not be supervised. Students may report to the cafeteria if they wish to eat breakfast. 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/practice is scheduled to take place. This includes scheduled tutoring sessions. Closed Campus Hallettsville High School is a closed campus and students are not allowed to leave the campus during the instructional day unless absolutely necessary. A parent or legal guardian must send a note or come by the office to give permission for the student to leave campus during the school day. If the student returns to school during the same day, the parent or student must sign the student in. This procedure is very important for the safety of your child and the security of our school. Cell phones and Telephone Use Cell phone use is not allowed during the instructional day. The only exception to this is during their assigned lunch period. Therefore, students who must contact a parent will be allowed to use the phone in the office. Students should limit their use of the school phone to passing periods, lunchtime, or before and after school. Abuse of the phone privilege will result in the loss of that privilege. Cell phones should not be visible or powered on during the school day, including the charging of a cell phone. The school day begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 3:40 p.m. A phone on silent or vibrate is considered powered on. Violation of this policy will result in the confiscation of the phone. If a student must make phone contact during these hours, again he/she should come to the office to use the school phone. If a student’s phone is taken up by a teacher or administrator, the student will be assessed a fee of $15:00 and the student or the student’s parent can pick the phone up at the end of the school day when the fee is paid. If a student’s phone is taken a second time a parent or guardian ONLY may retrieve it.
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Cheating/Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty Plagiarism is the use of another person’s original ideas or writing as one’s own without giving credit to the true author. Plagiarism is considered cheating, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action as well as receive a zero on the work in question and a “U” in conduct. Cheerleader and Mascot All cheerleaders and mascots must abide by the rules outlined in the cheerleading constitution. Additionally, cheer uniforms worn during the school day must conform to the school’s dress code policy. Clubs and Organizations Student organizations are an opportunity for students to participate in more activities outside the classroom. Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations. These rules and regulations should be communicated to the student and parent at the first of the school year. There are numerous clubs/organizations at HHS for students to choose from. Students will receive information on each of these clubs/organizations from the club sponsors and daily announcements. Board policy denotes 15 absences from each class as the maximum number of days allowed for extracurricular activities. Please monitor your absences so as not to exceed the maximum allowable days. Excessive days will have to be considered by the principal and/or the attendance committee and options for making up those days will be determined. Complaints and Concerns Usually student or parent complaints or concerns can be addressed with a phone call or a conference with a teacher. For those complaints and concerns that cannot be handled so easily, please refer to the Hallettsville ISD Student/ Parent Handbook for the District’s complaint policy. 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 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. Not every violation of appropriate conduct can be predicted or listed, therefore the principals must have the ability to consider each offense on an individual basis and determine an appropriate consequence.
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Social Events School rules apply during school related events. Guests are expected to observe the same rules as students attending the event, and the person inviting the guest could share responsibility for the conduct of their guest. Basic Rules of Conduct at HHS • Students will follow all classroom, campus, and district rules as outlined by their teachers, principal, and District policy. • When changing classes, students will go directly to class without loitering in the halls. • Students will not engage in loud talking, pushing, shoving, horseplay, running or other unacceptable physical contact. • When students enter the classroom, they are expected to have all necessary materials, go to their assigned seats, and prepare for class quietly. • At the end of class, students will remain seated in the classroom until dismissed by the teacher. • Students will be respectful to all staff members and all students at all times. Hallettsville High School students are expected to maintain a high standard of personal behavior at all times in all areas, including their personal appearance, their classroom behavior, their behavior on school transportation, their interactions with other students and teachers, and their respect for school property. Students who have persistent or serious misbehavior will be sent to the office and appropriate actions will be taken. These actions may include, but are not limited to, lunch detention, removal to ISS (inschool suspension), DAEP (disciplinary alternative education program), suspension, or expulsion. See ISS/DAEP section of this handbook for more information. Computer Use on Campus Computers are available for student use on campus before, during and after school. Students may temporarily, checkout a laptop for school use from the library as available. Specific information regarding computer use will be discussed with the student. Misuse of this privilege will result in limited use of the computer. Students are to maintain control and possession of the laptop issued to them at all times. This includes what is viewed, downloaded, or saved to their computer. Leaving the laptop unattended opens the opportunity for theft and/or damage by other students. The student and parent are responsible for theft or damage, by others, while the computer is unattended. The student and parent are also responsible for damage to the computer, while in their possession, even if the damage is unintentional. Conferences Students and parents may expect teachers to request a conference if the student is not maintaining passing grades or achieving the expected level of performance, if the student presents any other problem to the teacher, or in any other case the teacher considers necessary. A student or parent who wants information or wants to raise a question or concern should confer with the teacher. A parent who wishes to confer with a teacher may call the office at 361-798-2242, ext. 300 for an appointment during the teacher’s conference period or at another mutually convenient time. If an agreement between the teacher and the student or parent is not reached, then the student or 11
parent should contact the counselor or principal. If the issue has still not been resolved, please make an appointment with the principal. Counseling Counseling services will be provided individually and/or in a group setting. Classroom guidance and education sessions are also provided in the areas of testing, scheduling, career preparation, and health and safety concerns. The counselor will be available to discuss academic as well as personal problems with both students and parents. Deliveries The delivery of flowers, balloons, and any other items that may interrupt the classroom atmosphere will not be allowed on the HHS campus. This includes birthdays, Valentine’s day, etc. Detention Lunch Detention will be held Monday through Friday. Students who do not complete detention satisfactorily will be assigned ISS. Dress Code Failure to follow the dress code will result in disciplinary action. The student will be given the opportunity to correct the dress code violation. If the student is unable to correct the violation, s/he will go to the ISS room for the remainder of the school day. This is not a disciplinary assignment. However, if the student refuses to correct the dress code violation, s/he will be assigned to ISS for non-compliance/insubordination. High School Consequences for failure to dress according to the dress code: 1st Offense – The student shall be given the opportunity to correct the problem at school. If not corrected, the student shall be assigned to In-School Suspension (ISS) for the remainder of the day or until a parent or designee brings an acceptable change of clothing to the school. 2nd Offense - same as above, with the addition of assignment to after school detention. 3rd Offense and Subsequent Offenses – same as above, with the addition of assignment to In-School Suspension for no less than one day. Drills – Fire, Tornado and other Emergency Drills Students, teachers, and other district employees will participate in frequent drills of emergency procedures. When the alarm is sounded, students must follow the directions of teachers, administrators, or marshals quickly and in an orderly manner. These expectations will be addressed during the first week of school during homeroom. Fire evacuation routes are posted in each classroom. Any student who does not comply with the expectations for drills and emergency situations will be disciplined.
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Drug Testing The District requires drug testing of any student in grades 9-12 who chooses to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities. School-sponsored extracurricular activities for which testing is required include athletics and band. A student participating in these activities shall be tested for the presence of illegal drugs and alcohol randomly throughout the school year. [See FNF(LOCAL)] Consequences of positive test results shall be cumulative through the student’s enrollment in high school. Consequences shall be in accordance with law and administrative regulations as detailed in each programs extracurricular standards of behavior. [See FO(LOCAL)] Emergency School Closing The District may close schools because of bad weather or emergency conditions. When such conditions exist, the Superintendent will make the official decision concerning the closing of the District’s facilities. When it becomes necessary to close, open late, or to release students early, school officials will notify the local radio stations as well as post the information on the district website – www.hisdbrahmas.org., and the automated calling/texting system. 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, 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 office or school nurse to update information. Exam Exemptions An exemption policy has been implemented to reward students for good attendance, grades and behavior. Seniors can exempt up to three exams. Students meeting the following criteria may exempt their semester or final exam in a particular class; however, they may not exempt both the semester and final exam in the same class. Students who have had unexcused absences, ISS, OSS, or DAEP will not be eligible for exemptions. # of Excused Absences 0-1 2 3
Average in Class 80 or above 85 90
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Fees Materials that are part of the basic educational program are provided without charge to the students. Students are expected to provide their own supplies of pen, paper, erasers, notebook, and may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including: • • • • • • • •
Additional art supplies. Materials for class projects the student will keep. Personal physical education and athletic equipment and apparel. Voluntary purchases of pictures, publications, yearbooks, clothing, etc. Voluntary purchased student accident insurance. Musical instrument rental or purchase. Fees for lost, damaged, overdue books and/or laptops and related items. Personal apparel used in extracurricular activities that become the property of the student.
Fundraising 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 ten days prior to the event. Except as approved by the Superintendent, outside fund-raising is not permitted on school property. Grading Policy For each six-week grading period, tests/major assignments will count as 60% of the grade and class work/homework will count as 40% of the grade. Semester grades will be determined by averaging the semester exam grade with the average of the three six week grading periods. • A grade of lower than 50 CAN be given for a six weeks average, semester average, or year average. • If a failing grade on a semester exam causes the student to fail that semester then the student must be offered the option of retesting. • A grade higher than 100 CANNOT be given for any report card grade. For extra credit opportunities, drop a low grade or give an extra grade. Do not allow grades to go above 100 at the end of the grading period. • A grade may be penalized for cheating, plagiarism, and unexcused absence, but not for misconduct. The result will be a zero. • ISS/DAEP days are not absences. Grades cannot be penalized. • Suspended students will have the number of days suspended to complete work or tests that were assigned during the suspension period. • Follow the deadline for submitting grades. If you are late with grades it puts the entire campus behind on sending out reports.
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If extenuating circumstances arise, such as absences due to death, illness or surgery that cause a student to be unable to complete work in time for the deadline to submit grades, an incomplete may be given. All incomplete grades must be cleared by the end of the second week of the next six weeks. Teachers must notify the office when grades for the incomplete work have been completed. All extracurricular “I’s” must be cleared by the end of the 1st week. Late work acceptance will be at the discretion of the teacher. Teachers will provide in writing to the students and parents their late work policy within the first week of school. Modifying instruction for mainstreamed special education students, ESL students, Section 504 students, and “at-risk” is not an option for educators. Keep in mind that it is the instruction that is modified. It is important that we plan and document the modifications. If a modification/accommodation is checked, the teacher must provide the modification/accommodations consistently. This does not mean that other modifications/accommodations cannot be used. At the end of the first three weeks of a grading period, progress reports will be sent to all students. Progress reports will be generated from the office. There will be grade checks at the end of each six weeks. Teachers will be given the opportunity to make individual comments through the computer program. Report cards are mailed home on the Wednesday that follows the final day of a six weeks period. If a student receives a grade less than 70, you should request a conference. At the end of the six weeks teachers will turn in signed grade verification sheets to the PEIMS clerk. Teachers will fill out a grade change form and submit it to the PEIMS clerk for any incorrect grades or incomplete grades that have been rectified. A grade of 68 or 69 at the end of a grading period is questionable but allowable. The teacher is responsible for assigning the grade. A minimum of 6 daily work grades and a minimum of 3 test grades (different assignment) are required per 6 weeks. Any tests/project that = more than 1 test grade must have prior principal approvals. Also, any daily grade that = more than 1 daily grade must have prior principal approval. Health Services Hallettsville High School provides important services for the health and well being of students. However, the District nurse is shared equally among the three campuses, and facilities for caring for sick students are limited at school. Consequently, parents should keep children at home if symptoms include any of the following: fever of 100 degrees or higher; suspicion of contagious disease; or vomiting and/or diarrhea. HISD does not dispense fever reducing or pain reducing medication to students unless an appropriate form has been completed. When it is necessary for a student to take prescription medication at school, proper procedures must be followed. According to state regulations and HISD policy, school employees may administer medication to a student only if the following conditions are met: •
The district has received a written request to administer the medication from the parent, legal guardian, or other person having legal control over the student. 15
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The prescription medication to be administered appears to be in the original container and is properly labeled with the student’s name, prescribed dosage, and other pertinent information.
NOTE: Medication without written instructions from parent/guardian or that has been sent in an improperly labeled container will NOT be administered to students. Honor Roll Students attending Hallettsville High School may be eligible to achieve Honorable Mention, Honor Roll or Highest Honors. Each six weeks honor roll is calculated using the grades from all 8 periods. In order to achieve the highest honors, students must be taking at least one Pre-AP or AP class and have all A’s. Honor Roll = no grades less than 90 and no conduct grade less than S. Honorable Mention = 90’s and no more than two 80’s and no conduct grade less than an S-.
ISS/DAEP Placement Students whose behavior falls outside of the student code of conduct policy, to a serious or persistent nature, may be assigned to ISS or DAEP, both of which are supervised by a certified teachers and an assigned coordinator. Students assigned to ISS will use the textbooks and materials provided by the ISS instructor. No book bags, cell phones, snacks, drinks, etc. will be allowed into the ISS room. Purses will be turned in to the ISS teacher and will be secured. Teachers will submit all assignments for students assigned to ISS/DAEP. Assignments will be taken to the ISS/DAEP teacher who will supervise their completion. Completed work will be returned to the student’s teachers for grading. No point deduction is made from a student’s work because he/she is in ISS/DAEP. Hours Students assigned DAEP will report directly to the DAEP room by 8:30 am. Students assigned to DAEP are dismissed at 3:00 pm and MUST leave campus by 3:10 pm. In the event a student fails to leave campus by 3:10 pm, the student will be assigned to ISS for an additional day. Transporting for special purpose It may be necessary for the principal, counselor, or another designated staff member to transport these students for emergencies or other school related circumstances. Parents should contact the principal’s office if they have questions or concerns. Not allowed on school property Students sent to ISS/DAEP will not be allowed to attend or participate in school functions while they are removed from the regular school setting. Students assigned to DAEP are not allowed on school property except to attend class during their assigned placement in DAEP. The complete Student Code of Conduct as well as the rules for 16
ISS/DAEP are available in the HISD Student/ Parent Handbook which is available on the district website. Late Work Late work acceptance will be at the discretion of the teacher. Teachers will provide their late work policy to students and parents, in writing, by the first week of school. All policies regarding late work must be approved by the campus principal. Library Services The library is a learning laboratory with books, computers, magazines, and other materials available for classroom assignments, projects, and reading pleasure. The library is open for student use before school beginning at 7:45 am, during the school day with teacher permission and after school until 3:40 p.m. Materials will be checked out from the library for a period of two weeks with one additional two-week renewal, or overnight in the case of certain books or materials. Late materials will result in a fine of ten cents per school day on two-week items and twenty-five cents per school day on overnight items. Lost or damaged materials are the responsibility of the student and must be paid. Unpaid fines will result in loss of library privileges. Lost and Found Each year students misplace personal items at school. Please write your child’s name on all personal items (coats, jackets, etc.) brought to school. Students are asked to report missing items to the principal’s office as soon as possible. Students who find items not belonging to them are asked to bring them to the principal’s office as soon as possible, where they will be kept until the end of the school year if the owner cannot be determined. Students must ask the school secretary or principal in order to claim a lost item. Unclaimed items will be disposed of or donated to a charitable agency if not claimed within a reasonable period. Personal Electronics Use/Loss/Theft The following items are not allowed during and between classes: radios, headphones, CD players, CD’s, games, iPods/MP3s, or any other item not intended for instructional use. These items will be confiscated and may be held in the principal’s office until the end of the school year, when they will be returned to the students. Parents may pick up such items from the principal at any time. Please note, large amounts of cash, expensive jewelry, or personal items of sentimental value should not be brought to school. The loss or theft of any of these items will not be investigated. Note—The use of the above items on extracurricular trips will be left to the discretion of the club sponsor, but the loss or theft of the items will not be investigated. Please refer to the District Student Handbook for specific rules regarding cell phones on campus.
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Prom Dress Code Girls • Dresses should be no shorter than fingertip length (arms to side and fingers extended). • Slits should follow the same measurement. • No cutouts in the front, on the sides, or at the middle. • The back of the dress should cover appropriately. (Tattoos must be covered) • A faculty member will be appointed by the principal to advise on the appropriateness of each dress. When in doubt take a picture of the dress on your person and bring or submit it to the advisor for final approval. Boys • • • • • •
Tuxedo or suit is preferred. At minimum, boys should have a shirt and tie. Jeans will be allowed, but they must be black or another very dark color. Boots or shoes should be cleaned and polished. Top hats and dress cowboy hats will be allowed. Canes are allowed.
Dates • Dates should be of high school age. • If the date is not a high school student, he or she must be approved by the principal. Prom Miscellaneous •
• •
Alcohol and other drugs are prohibited. (Anyone with alcohol on his/her breath or other drug indicators will not be allowed to enter and will be assigned to the DAEP. If the person is already inside, he/she will be asked to leave and will be assigned to the DAEP) Once you leave the prom, you will not be allowed to re-enter. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the prom and will be followed with school discipline.
Promotion and Retention A student will be promoted only on the basis of earned credits toward completion of a minimum, recommended, or distinguished program. To earn a full credit in a course, a student must receive a year-end grade of at least 70 based on course-level standards. Parents of students who do not perform satisfactorily will be notified that their child will participate in special instructional programs designed to improve performance. The Principal can make these programs mandatory. Failure to attend will result in disciplinary action. 18
If the student continues to fail, an intervention committee, consisting of the principal or designee, the teacher, and a student’s parent, will determine the additional special instruction the student will receive. Grade Classification After the ninth grade, students are classified according to the number of credits earned toward graduation. The following classifications will be used: Credits 6 12 18
Classification Grade 10 (Sophomore) Grade 11 (Junior) Grade 12 (Senior)
Public Notification of Nondiscrimination Hallettsville ISD offers career and technology education programs in agricultural science, business, trade and industrial, and family and consumer science. Admission to these programs is based on age appropriateness, interest and aptitude, and class space availability. It is the policy of Hallettsville ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. It is the policy of Hallettsville ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Hallettsville ISD will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all education and vocational programs. For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Superintendent’s office at (361) 798-2242. 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 for each program can answer questions about eligibility requirements. For more information contact the school principal. Special Education A student may be referred for evaluation for special education services at any time. The campus counselor serves as the contact person for any educational concerns. The 19
campus Student Support Teams are charged with responsibility for determining interventions or supports for students who are having difficulty. A referral for full or individual evaluation will be done if there is a belief that the student has a disability and a need for specialized designed instruction and related services that can only be provided through special education. Information regarding the rights of students with disabilities may be obtained from the principal’s office. STAAR Students who are unsuccessful on the STAAR exam will be required to attend additional instruction through tutoring, STAAR remediation courses, and/or summer STAAR courses. Failure to attend mandatory tutoring sessions may result in disciplinary action.
Tardies Students are expected to move directly from one class to the next without loitering. If a student is more than 15 minutes late to a class, that student will be counted absent for the class period. All additional tardies will meet with increasing consequences. The following is a list of consequences for tardies per semester:
1st Tardy 2nd Tardy 3rd Tardy 4th Tardy 5th Tardy 6th Tardy 7th Tardy 8th Tardy 9th Tardy 10th Tardy
Lunch detention Lunch detention Lunch detention Lunch detention Lunch detention ISS ISS ISS ISS Additional disciplinary action will occur
Changes may be made to the tardy policy at the administrator’s discretion. 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 librarian upon receipt of the book, and the student should complete a damage form. Any student who damages or fails to return his/her textbook or returns a damaged textbook will be fined the cost of the textbook. Replacement fees must be paid before taking exams, receiving final course grades, or withdrawing to attend another school. Refunds will be given for lost textbooks that have been found. 20
Students will be issued a take-home set of textbooks for their core subjects. Students and parents will be responsible for the care and safe return of textbooks at the end of the year. Theft/Damage of School and Personal Property If the student chooses to leave items unsecured, he/she will be responsible for replacement in the event the item is lost/stolen/damaged. Transportation The District makes school bus transportation available to students. This service is provided at no cost to students. Bus routes and any subsequent changes are available at the school. Students are expected to assist District staff in ensuring that buses remain in good condition and that transportation is provided safely. When riding school buses, students are held to the District’s Code of Conduct – This includes dress code, items carried by the student, respect for the driver and school property. The campus assistant principal will handle any bus-related discipline problems. Serious or repeated offenses will result in the suspension of bus privileges. Tutorials Tutorials will be held each morning from 7:40am - 7;50am and each afternoon after 3:40pm. Student may be assigned to attend a tutorial session by their teacher and should follow this assignment. Failure to attend an assigned tutorial will result in the assignment of a detention and/or ISS depending on the specifics of the infraction. Students will still be responsible for making up the teacher assigned tutorial. Visitors to the School 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 office. Visitors include parents, salespersons, and anyone else who is not a member of the High School staff. Students from other schools who may be friends or relatives of your child are not allowed to visit them at school at any time. Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time are permitted only with approval of the principal and teacher and so long as the 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. ****Note—Revision of this document Revision of this document will be at the discretion of the changing needs of our educational community as determined by the Administration of Hallettsville High School and/or Hallettsville ISD.
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