Policies
not polishing... policies!!!
by Billy Massey
March 10, 2005
ROYAL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
In an effort to comply with and meet the student attendance standard (90%), academic standard of AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress), and the high school graduation standard (75%) established by the new federal mandate, No Child Left Behind, the following attendance regulations have been established for Royal Valley High School.Each student may have four (4) unexcused absences per semester in each hour without penalty. If a student has five (5) or more unexcused absencesper class during the semester, he/she will be placed on attendance probation in those classes. Attendance probation means that a student maylose credit in those classes in which he/she has poor attendance. Theadministration will meet with the student and send a letter to his/her parents explaining the attendance probation period, expected studentbehavior, and the appeals process. While on attendance probation, studentswill not be allowed to participate in non-academic field trips which take place during the school dayA student who has been placed on attendance probation must request, in writing to the building principal, a formal hearing to appeal his/her no-credit status. This appeal must be made no sooner than four (4) weeks prior to the end of the semester. Each student will present his/her evidence for credit reinstatement to the Appeal's Board. The Attendance Appeal's Board will consist of a teacher of the student's choice, three (3)Governance Board teachers and a high school building administrator. In order for the Attendance Appeal's Board to approve credit reinstatement,evidence of overwhelming improvement must have taken place since the inception of the attendance probation. The Attendance Appeal's Board will take into consideration the following:•number of absences a student had before and after he/she wasplaced on attendance probation•reasons for being absent before and after being placed on attendanceprobation•make-up work history in probationary classes•attendance and behavior grade in probationary classes•grades in all classesThe administration may waiver the Attendance Appeals hearing for those students with special circumstances. These include, but are not limited to, the following situations: Section 504's, surgeries, monitored home illness, and minor attendance violations (six (6) or less). An informal appeal's process will take place with the administration, student and parent. The same evidence described above will be used to determine credit reinstatement.
EXCUSED ABSENCES The following will be considered excused absences:1.Any absence for a school sponsored activity2.Any absence documented by a doctor, dentist, court personnel, orregistrar at a post-secondary school (maximum of three (3) days per year limited to juniors and seniors). Verification of these absencesmust be made within five (5) days following the student's return toschool or the absence becomes unexcused.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES An unexcused absence is any absence not considered an excused absence.When a student feels exceptional or unique circumstances exist and an absence has been judged unexcused, an appeal may be made to the high school administration.ATTENDANCE
INCENTIVES All students will have the opportunity to opt out of a class final at the end of the semester if they meet the following attendance criteria:a)Going into semester finals, a student has an "A" average and two (2) or lessunexcused absences, orb)Going into semester finals, a students has a "B" average and one (1) or nounexcused absences, orc)Going into semester finals, a student has a "C" average and zero (0) unexcusedabsences.No full time student may opt out of more than four (4) finals in a semester and no more than two (2) core courses. No part time student may opt out of more than one-half of his/her finals in a semester and no more than one (1) core course. Core courses include math, science, social science and English.Tardies will be tied to the finals opt out program. Three (3) unexcused tardies in any class will equal one (1) unexcused absence, six (6) unexcused tardies in any class will equal two (2) unexcused absences, and nine (9) unexcused tardies in any class will equal three (3) unexcused absences. A student with nine (9) or more tardies in any class is ineligible to opt out of finals in that semester.
TARDY POLICY Excused TardiesExcused tardies are those excused by school personnel (yellow pass or phone call to student's teacher). Excused tardies will be given tostudents who are detained by school personnel for school related business or are late to class due to breakdowns in the daily operationof the school day.Unexcused TardiesTardies given when a student is not in his/her assigned classroom/seat when the tardy bell rings. Unexcused tardies will be documentedby the classroom teacher and be integrated as a component of an individual student's attendance and behavior grade.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE It shall be the responsibility of parents/guardians to determine the suitability of their child's appearance while attending school and/or school related activities. The school reserves the right to restrict the activity of the student around shop machinery or in any other situations where the student's health or safety is directly related to the manner of dress. Clothing and appearance shall be neat and clean. Shorts of an appropriate length are acceptable and shoes must be worn. Tank tops can only be worn with a T-shirt underneath; all shirts, tops, and clothing must cover the student's torso, midriff, and shoulders. Shirts and tops that do not cover the full stomach and back of the student should not be worn to school. Hats are not to be worn at school during the regular school day. Students are not allowed to wear sagging pants to school. Students are not allowed to wear clothing judged by the school to be nightwear (pajamas, slippers, etc.). Clothing judged by the school to be indecent, suggestive, having any reference by word or influence to illegal drugs, alcohol, gang activity and/or symbols (swastika, iron cross and stars and bars)will not be allowed. Students will not be allowed to wear clothing having any reference to illegal drugs, alcohol, gang activity and/or symbols (swastika, iron cross and star and bars) to any school activity.
DISCIPLINE CODE The following section applies to all students. Students who violate the rules and regulations are subject to the penalties described, including detention, suspension, expulsion and any other forms of makeup, punishment, or restitution assigned by the administration. Conduct of students away from school grounds is subject to school discipline if it directly affects the good order, efficiency, management, or welfare of the school.The penalties given are guidelines by which the students may familiarize themselves with possible consequences. Although most violations have a specific penalty assigned to them, a student may be subject to a more severe penalty if the act is severe or excessive in nature or if the student has received previous warnings.
MINOR INFRACTIONS The following act(s) will result in administrative disciplinary action as noted for first, second, and third offenses.A - warningB - detentionC - 1-3 day(s) in or out of school suspensionD - 3-5 days in or out of school suspension with parental conferenceE - will be asked to change attire or sent home to change - Friday School
OFFENSE 1st, 2nd, 3rd1.Possession or use of tobacco products in any formBFC2.Public display of affectionABF3.Obscene or profane language or gesturesBFC4.Missed detentionBFC5.Leaving school without permissionBFC/D6.In the halls or parking lot without a passABF7.Throwing of snowballsABF8.Throwing of water balloons or the discharge of water gunsABF9.Violation of dress codeA&EB&EF&EIf acts exceed a third violation during a semester, the student may refer to Suspension and Expulsion Policy, No. 8 under "repeated breaking of school rules."
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION POLICY 1.The Principal and Assistant Principal have authority from the Board of Education of USD #337 to suspend or expel any student guilty of gross misconduct or persistent disobedience when such suspension or expulsion is in the best interest of the school.2.A short term suspension is not to exceed ten (10) school days.3.Long term suspensions are not to extend past the end of the current semester. 4.Parents will be notified that a student has been suspended by written notification specifyingreasons for suspension in accordance with the policy as set forth in the Board of EducationPolicy Handbook. Hearings will be set up for the student, parents and school personnel asset forth in Board Policy.5.Any student suspended from school has to make up the work missed during his/her absence.6.Students are not allowed to attend any school activities (home or away) or be on schoolproperty during the suspension.7.The following violations may result in a one (1) to five (5) day suspension (in school orout of school). A parental conference may be required for readmission. Conditions for reinstatement may include, but are not limited to probationary status ( e.g.a student may be required to report for weekly conferences with administrators or staff),time limits for restitution, or special projects.a.Engaging in disorderly conduct by word or overt act which is likely to, or in fact does,disrupt normal school activities or damage or destroy school property and/or studentproperty.b.Any act of vandalism.c.Temper tantrums which disrupt class.d.Any student who engages in discriminatory insults, intimidation, hazing or harassment shall be reprimanded. In appropriate cases, other or further action may be taken.e.Open defiance involving refusal to conform to the rules and regulations and loud and boisterous conduct which disturbs orderly, efficient and disciplined continuity of class.f.Willful or deliberate disobedience.g.Forging names to documentation for attendance validation.h.Theft of student, staff, or school property.i.Discharge or possession of fireworks or bottle rockets on school property.j.Misbehavior such as extortion or intimidation.k.Possession or use of alcohol.l.Repeated violations of school rules.8.The following violations may result in a short term suspension of up to ten (10) days:a.Infractions involving weapons.b.Infractions involving drug possession, use, or sale.c.Behavior which results in or is substantially likely to result in, injury to the student or others. 9.Rules of conduct will be maintained and enforced at all home and away school sanctionedactivities.
DETENTION PROCEDURE 1.Detention will consist of 60 minutes of supervised study.2.Detentions assigned by the office will be served from 3:15 - 4:153.Students must remain seated.4.Students should work on class assignments or bring something to read.5.Students will not be allowed to sleep.6.Students will not be allowed to talk to each other.7.Students will be assigned seats.8.No food or drink is allowed.9.Failure to comply with the rules will result in increased detentions, suspensions, or Friday School.10.Students will need to make the necessary transportation arrangements to get home.11.Students assigned detentions will not be allowed to attend practice or activities unless theyoccur after detention is over.12.Detention will be served on Wednesday of each week.A teacher may assign a detention to be served with that teacher. Such a detention is not a part of the office records for detentions. If a student fails to appear or cooperate with the teacher, thedetention will be transferred to the office.
IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION (ISS) It is the school's responsibility to insure that each student has the opportunity to learn in the proper environment. At times, the administration may find it necessary to issue In-School Suspensions for serious or repeated violations of the rules of conduct. In-School Suspension is one way of trying to impress on the student that poor behavior is not the accepted standard of this school district. If a student is placed in In-School Suspension, the following procedures will apply:1.The parents of the student will be notified.2.The student will report to the main office at 8:18 A.M.3.The student will eat lunch in the ISS room.4.Communication will be monitored and restricted to specific educational goals for that day.5.Teachers will provide verbal/written assignments for the student.6.The student will be responsible for all material covered in class during the time the studentis in ISS. The student will not be allowed any "make-up" time for work assigned during ISS.7.Time in ISS will range from 1/2 day to five (5) days. 8.Students not fully cooperating will face Out-of-School Suspension.9.The student will not be allowed to attend or participate in any school activity on the day that ISS was served.
