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RVHS Student Handbook

2011-2012

ROYAL VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Royal Valley Public Schools is to ensure that each student is actively engaged in learning and is mastering all defined essential outcomes.

ROYAL VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

VISION STATEMENTS

• Each staff member will make a commitment to each student’s educational success.

Each staff member will actively participate in professional collaboration focused on student learning.
Each staff member will set high expectations for both instruction and learning.
Each staff member will use research based effective schools instructional practices.
Each staff member will engage in periodic, ongoing evaluation of student learning
Each staff member will implement a viable and defined curriculum
Each staff member will be provided quality staff development time and support

ROYAL VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GOAL

By 2012, ninety-five percent (95%) of all tested students will score “Meets Standards” or “Above” on the Kansas State Reading, Math, Social Science, and Science assessments.

Royal Valley Public Schools

STUDENT VISION STATEMENTS

In the final analysis, the effectiveness of any school is assessed on the basis of the conduct, character, and achievement of its students. At Royal Valley High School, students will:

Accept responsibility for their learning, decisions, and actions.
Develop the skills to become more self-directed learners as they make the transition from freshmen through senior year.
Become actively engaged in and give their best effort to academic and co-curricular pursuits.
Contribute to school and community service.
Conduct themselves in a way that contributes to a safe and orderly atmosphere and ensures the rights of others.
Are considerate of others – staff, fellow students, visitors, etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Address	101 E. 1st Street, Hoyt, KS 66440
Telephone Number	785-986-6251
Toll-Free Number	877-434-2741
Fax	785-986-6479
Building Hours	7:30 am to 3:30 pm
ACT School Code	171-400
USD #337 Web site	www.rv337.com
School Safe Help Line	800-41-VOICE Ext. 359 (800-418-6423)

SCHOOL FIGHT SONG

Royal Valley, Royal Valley

Watch those Panthers fight.

Put the ball right through the goal

And we will win tonight.

Royal Valley, Royal Valley

Lead us on to fame.

Fight, Panthers Fight.

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Win this game!

Hey!

2011 - 2012 STAFF MEMBERS

Adams, Bill	Math
Allen, Stephanie	English/Speech
Alley, Brad	Social Science
Arnold, Sharon	Gifted Facilitator
Bryan, Kellie	IRC Aide
Callaghan, Jaime	Psychologist
Carey, Penny	Secretary
Carey, Will	Tech Assistant
Collins, Jennifer	Nurse
Cyphers, Janet	IRC
Diamond, Jay	Custodian
Dillner, Dennis	Custodian
Dillner, Lana	IRC Aide
Donaldson, Pat	CTC/Psychology
Evans, Anita	Title VII/Physical Education
Gordon, April	IRC Aide
Grider, Jason	Physical Education
Griffiths, Teri	Business/CTC
Gustin, Chris	Business
Hoch, Charlie	Vocational Technology/Drivers Ed
Holloman, Jim	Principal
Holloman, Melissa	English
Holthaus, Kenny	Social Science
Jennings, Emily	English
Kellogg, Laura	IRC
Kern, Rick	Math
Lambrecht, Brenda	Library Aide
Litherland, Monique	Family & Consumer Science
McClane, William	Physical Education/Health
Marable, Bailey	Art
Moore, Scott	IRC
Montgomery, W. D.	Custodian
Murray, Denise	Secretary
Nimz, Charlie	Assistant Principal
Nottingham, John	Instrumental Music
Phillips, Chad	Custodian
Pugh, Russell	Custodian
Rottinghaus, Dawn	Science
Simpson, Jenny	IRC Aide
Snyder, Laura	Vocal Music
Sorensen, Gary	Counselor
Swank, Brenda	Pianist
Switzky, Dennis	Science
Switzky, Stephanie	English/Publications
Temple, Taryn	Spanish
Throssell, Kevin	Custodian
Visocsky, Denise	Math
Wall, Larry	Science
Williamson, Barb	Library
Winter, Lori	Secretary/Band Para

MAIN OFFICE BUSINESS

• The office personnel cannot cash personal checks.

• The office personnel cannot make change for denominations larger than $10.00.

• Students may not get change during class periods. The office personnel will make change before and after school and during lunches and breaks.

• Students may deposit money in their lunch accounts before and after school and during lunch periods and breaks.

PURPLE & WHITE SCHEDULES

Purple (A) days (1, 2, 3, 4) will meet on the following days:

August 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, and 31

September 2, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 27, and 29

October 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26, and 28

November 1, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18, 22, and 29

December 1, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, and 21

January 4, 6, 10, 12, 17, 19, 23, 25, 27, and 31

February 2, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 21, 23, 27, and 29

March 2, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 27, and 29

April 2, 4, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25, and 27

May 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, and 15

White (B) days (1, 2, 3, 4) will meet on the following days:

August 18, 22, 24, 26, and 30

September 1, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 26, 28, and 30

October 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 25, 27, and 31

November 2, 9, 11, 15, 17, 21, 28, and 30

December 2, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, and 20

January 5, 9, 11, 13, 18, 20, 24, 26, and 30

February 1, 3, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, 22, 24, and 28

March 1, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 26, 28, and 30

April 3, 5, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26, and 30

May 2, 4, 8, 10, and 14

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

Students shall be classified at the beginning of the school year according to the number of credits they have earned.

Senior	21 or more credits
Junior	14 to 20.75 credits
Sophomore	7 to 13.75 credits
Freshman	0 to 6.75 credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Seniors are required to have a total of twenty (26) credits in order to graduate. No senior will be allowed to participate in graduation exercises unless he/she has fulfilled all graduation requirements. The general department requirements are as follows:

Class of 2012-2014	Class of 2015 and Beyond
4 credits of English	4 credits of English
3 credits of Social Science	3 credits of Social Science
3 credits of Science	3 credits of Science
3 credits of Math	3 credits of Math
1 credit of Fine Arts	1 credit of Fine Arts
0.5 credit of Health	0.5 credit of Health
0.5 credit of Physical Education	0.5 credit of Physical Education
11 elective credits	2 credits from CaTE Pathway Courses
	9 elective credits
26 TOTAL REQUIRED	26 TOTAL REQUIRED

STUDENT DEBT/GRADUATION

Graduation exercises will be under the control and direction of the building principal. Students who are found to be in good standing will be allowed to participate in graduation activities. Good standing is defined to be no disciplinary action pending and all district debts paid.

PART-TIME STUDENT PROGRAM

The Part-Time Student Program applies only to seniors who are on schedule to graduate in eight semesters and who, at the completion of their seventh semester, are one and one-half credits away from meeting USD #337 graduation requirements. No special course(s) will be scheduled or arranged to enable students to participate in the Part-Time Student Program.

The following criteria and activity limitations govern those who participate:

• The student must be in a position to graduate without complications.

• The student must file an application with the high school principal.

• Seniors who need less than full time enrollment to complete credit requirements will be allowed to enroll in only those classes necessary to fulfill USD #337 graduation requirements.

• To participate in athletics/activities, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of five classes.

• The Part-Time Enrollment Contract must be signed by the student and his/her parent/guardian and approved by the principal before the first day of the second semester of the student's senior year.

• The student's academic status shall be reviewed by the counselor at the end of the first semester. At that time the district can void the contract if the counselor and/or administration deem full time attendance necessary.

EARLY GRADUATION

Early graduation of students from Royal Valley shall be considered on a case by case basis and be at the discretion of the Board of Education.

In the event the Board approves early graduation in a "special case" circumstance, the student may participate in the graduation ceremony if all requirements for graduation have been met. However, the student will not be eligible for end-of-year senior activities except as an invited guest or for valedictorian or salutatorian recognition because such recognition is based on eight semesters of attendance.

GPA CALCULATION

The grade point average shall be computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the number of subjects taken. Points shall be computed on the following basis: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0 and Incomplete = 0. When an incomplete grade is changed, the grade point average shall be recalculated. “Incomplete” is not a passing grade. Plus and minus marks shall be ignored while computing the grade point average.

HONOR ROLL

Any student, grades 9 - 12, who is enrolled FULL TIME may qualify for a nine weeks or semester honor roll. The honor roll will have three categories. These categories are as follows:

Principal's Honor Roll	4.0
Staff Honor Roll	3.70-3.99 GPA
Panther Honor Roll	3.30-3.69 GPA

ACADEMIC AWARDS AND LETTERS

Academic letters will be awarded after the completion of the first, third, fifth and seventh semesters. These letters will be presented at the Spring Awards Program.

Cumulative grade point average will be used to determine who letters. First time recipients will receive a chenille letter plus a bar or a star. Second, third, and fourth time recipients will receive only a bar or a star. Freshmen will be awarded "provisional letters" during their first year of high school. The provisional letter will be replaced with a permanent letter for the second year if the required GPA is maintained. A certificate will be awarded for the provisional letter. In order to encourage students to take classes seriously and to do their best as well as to assist students who become academically “at risk,” the following program will be used.

HIGH HONORS 3.75 - 4.0 GPA (Gold Star)

HONORS 3.50 - 3.74 GPA (Gold Bar)

All graduates who have maintained a 3.50 GPA or higher through eight semesters will be recognized at graduation with HONORS or HIGH HONORS medallions.

The students in the graduating class with the highest and second highest GPA for eight semesters shall be designated valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

EXTRA HELP POLICY

In order to encourage students to take classes seriously and to do their best as well as to assist students who become academic “at risk,” the following program will be used.

If a student is failing or in danger of failing any class (as determined by teacher referral) he/she will be required to attend before/after school or Seminar help sessions with that teacher once a week for 30 minutes. Students may also take advantage of our after school tutoring sessions to fulfill their extra help obligation with teacher permission. Students placed on extra help status will be obligated to receive extra help for a minimum of four weeks or until they reach a grade of 70% in that class. Students can only be removed from extra help status by teacher permission.

If a student chooses not to fulfill their extra help obligations, he/she will be not be able to attend extra curricular activities as a spectator or participant (including practices and competitions). This includes all sport and non-sport activities including dances. They may become eligible to attend once they make up all the time they have missed. The students who choose not to fulfill their extra help obligations may be mandated to stay for after school tutoring to make up missed time.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Academic dishonesty is not acceptable. Cheating, defined as copying another student's work and claiming it as your own, and plagiarism, defined as the use of another person's original ideas or writing without giving credit to the true author, are both prohibited practices. Materials taken from electronic sources are covered by this policy.

A student who engages in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to the loss of credit for the work in question, as well as other disciplinary measures.

Cheating

Cheating is the unauthorized use of information or study guides in any academic exercise. The methods of cheating are varied and well known. Cheating includes:

• Copying from others during a test.

• Sharing answers for a take-home examination.

• Using illegal notes during an examination.

• Taking an examination for another student.

• Tampering with an examination after it has been corrected, then returning it for more

credit than deserved.

• Submitting substantial portions of the same academic work for credit in more than one

course without consulting the second teacher (and the first teacher if the courses are

concurrent).

• Allowing others to do the research and writing of an assigned paper (for example, using

the services of a commercial term paper company).

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is academic theft. It refers to the use of another's ideas or words without proper attribution or credit. An author's work is his/her property and should be respected by documentation. Credit must be given:

• For every direct quotation.

• When a work is paraphrased or summarized in whole or in part in your own words.

• For information that is not common knowledge. (It appears in several sources about

the subject.)

OFFICE, ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY TEACHER AIDE

Elementary, Secondary and Office Aides must be approved by the high school administration.

TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM WASHBURN TECH

A student wanting to ride with another student or drive to Washburn Tech must have a permission form signed by the parents of the student driving the vehicle and the parents of the student wanting to ride in the vehicle. If a student does not have the signed permission forms, he/she must use school provided transportation. In order to drive to Washburn Tech, the student must possess a legal Kansas driver's license. A student with a learner's permit is not legally authorized to drive to Washburn Tech.

STATE OF KANSAS ATTENDANCE POLICY

Under the state's compulsory attendance law, students age 18 and under are required to attend school. Under Kansas law, if a student who is 16 or 17 decides to stop attending school, the student and his/her parent (or person acting as parent) must attend a final counseling session at the school. At that time, a disclaimer designed to encourage the student to remain in school or to pursue other educational alternatives will be presented to and signed by both the student and parent. The disclaimer will include information regarding the academic skills the student has not achieved, the difference in future earning power between a high school graduate and a dropout, and listing of available educational alternatives. If a student has more than three unexcused absences in a semester, the school district is required to notify the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (if the student is age 14 or under) or the district court (if the student is over 14).

Kansas law requires a child to attend school until he/she has attained the age of eighteen (18) years. After age eighteen, there is no law that requires his/her attendance in high school. At that time, high school attendance becomes a matter of choice; student may attend school as long as he/she is willing to conform to and obey the rules and regulations of the school.

TRUANCY

A student under eighteen years of age or in Special Education is truant when he/she is inexcusably absent from three (3) consecutive school days, a total of five (5) school days during one semester, or seven days in a school year, whichever comes first. Students who are under the compulsory school attendance law can expect legal truancy notices to be delivered to their parents by the County Attorney's office and subsequent court action taken if the truancy problem is not resolved.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE - A STUDENT/PARENT RESPONSIBILITY

The primary responsibility of attendance rests with the student, although parents are also responsible for instilling and promoting good attendance. The administration and faculty at Royal Valley High School believe there is a high correlation between regular attendance and success in school. The school program cannot reach students who are not present. The contact of students with one another in the classroom and their participation in well planned instructional activities, including the contributions of teachers, are all vital elements in the student's academic progress.

If a student is absent from class, the learning experience is disrupted and continuity in the educational process is impaired for that student. The benefits of regular classroom instruction include class discussions, teacher presentations, and student participation. Many of these benefits are lost during extended absences and cannot be entirely regained even by receiving extra after-school instruction or by completing the make-up work. Students who miss school frequently are usually unable to pass their courses, or if they pass at all, become marginal students.

REPORTING ABSENCES

The following procedures will be used in checking and recording attendance. Students and parents are asked to familiarize themselves with these procedures and follow them during the year.

Regular attendance is expected of all students. Parents/guardians are responsible for contacting the school by 10:00 AM on the day of the absence. When calling, parents/guardians should state the following:

• WHO THEY ARE

• WHO WAS ABSENT

• REASON FOR THE ABSENCE

If the office has not received a phone call by 10:00 AM validating a student's absence, the high school secretary will contact the parent/guardian.

All students must sign IN at the office when coming late to school. They must also sign OUT at the office if leaving before 3:20 PM. A TELEPHONE CALL OR PERSONAL CONTACT is needed from a parent/guardian before a student will be permitted to leave early.
The student is responsible for getting all missed assignments from his/her teachers.

MAKE-UP WORK

It is the responsibility of students to obtain the necessary information from their teachers with respect to making up schoolwork not completed during absences. Students are encouraged to see their teachers during Seminar to find out what they missed. Make-up work must be completed immediately after the student returns to school. Advanced assignments, such as papers, projects, and presentations, but not including tests, will be due on the day assigned unless other arrangements are made prior to the due date. RVHS make-up policy is as follows:

If a student misses one class period, he/she has one class period after returning to the missed class to complete the make-up work.

If a student misses two consecutive class periods, he/she must meet with his/her teacher (on his/her first day back to the class(es) missed) to determine when make-up work must be completed.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

The following will be considered excused absences:

• Any absence documented by a parent or guardian

Any absence for a school sponsored activity

• Any absence documented by a doctor, dentist or court personnel

• College visits – two (2) for seniors and one (1) for juniors. For these absences to be excused,

students must meet the following criteria:

Make arrangements with the counselor one week prior to the visit.
Must have a 90% attendance rate.
Must have schoolwork completed and signed off by teachers prior to the visit.
May go on college visits from October 1 through December 1, first semester and February 1 through April 30, second semester. Juniors may go on visits during second semester only.
Must present validation of the visit (documented by the college) to the counselor upon return to school.

Students who do not follow this procedure will be assessed an unexcused absence for the day.

USD #337 BOE policy allows the administration to determine the acceptability and validity of excuses presented by parent(s) and/or the student.

Verification of these absences must be made within five days following the student’s return to school 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. If a student has excessive unexcused absences in a class, he/she may lose credit in that particular class.

Royal Valley High School does not recognize skip days. Skip days (senior or otherwise) are considered unexcused absences and school work from those days cannot be made up.

TARDY POLICY

Excused Tardies Excused tardies are those excused by school personnel (yellow

pass or phone call to student's teacher). Excused tardies will be

given to students who are detained by school personnel for school

related business or are late to class due to breakdowns in the daily

operation of the school day.

Unexcused Tardies Tardies given when a student is not in his/her seat when the tardy bell rings. Unexcused tardies will be documented by the classroom teacher and be integrated as a component of an individual student's attendance and behavior grade. If a student accumulates excessive tardies for the semester, the following penalties will result:

1-2 tardies	Student notified and parent letter sent home
3-5 tardies	Parent letter sent, assigned 1-2 hour detention, behavior contract written
6+ tardies	Parent contact, behavior intervention plan, assigned one 1/2 day ISS

Late to School Any student who habitually reports to school late without a valid excuse will have their parents notified and will be subject to disciplinary action from the administration.

SEMINAR

Welcome to Seminar. This is a great opportunity for all of you to have time to receive help from teachers during the school day, to make up tests and labs or to organize your daily assignments. It is your responsibility to make sure that you use this time wisely.

Policies and Procedures of Seminar:

Remember that Seminar meets every day. The attendance/tardy policy applies to Seminar.
Bring homework to work on or bring a book to read. Come to Seminar prepared!
Teachers will not release students from Seminar until 9:50 AM each day.
To leave Seminar, you must have a purple appointment pass from the teacher/counselor you going to see during Seminar. Appointment passes must be obtained from your teacher or counselor prior to Seminar period that day.
Students must also have their purple seminar sheet with them when they leave Seminar to go to another room. This sheet is their pass to be in the hall. The purple log sheet must be filled out correctly with date and destination prior to leaving the seminar room.
The receiving teacher/counselor must fill in the time in and time out boxes on the sheet prior to the student leaving their room.
All students must report back to their seminar room by 10:30 AM. Failure to do so without written or verbal permission from the staff member that detained you may result in losing Seminar privileges.
Students have 3 minutes to move from their Seminar room to their destination.
If there is a scheduled assembly during Seminar, it is expected that you attend.
If there is a scheduled class/club meeting during Seminar that you are affiliated with, it is expected that you attend. (unless a student hasn’t fulfilled their extra help obligations)
If a block of Seminar time has been scheduled for one of your academic classes, state assessment prep or mandatory reading or math review, you are required to attend.
Failure to be in your assigned room during Seminar, failure to return to your Seminar at the instructed time or misuse of the pass privilege will result in a suspension of those privileges.

Appropriate Activities for Seminar:

• Working on homework quietly.

• Peer tutoring or working on an assignment collaboratively.

• Test and quiz make-ups.

• Reading books, newspapers and magazines quietly.

Inappropriate Activities for Seminar:

• Sitting on the desks and tables.

• Eating snacks or drinking pop.

• Card playing and board or electronic game playing.

• Loud, obnoxious, or disruptive behavior of any kind.

• Sleeping.

• Playing computer games or checking e-mail in the Seminar classroom.

• Listening to personal CD’s, IPOD’s, MP3 players or other musical devices.

• Cleaning lockers.

Grades:

Students can earn academic credit for Seminar. Seminar will be graded on a pass-fail grading scale. Credit will be based on a student's appropriate use of Seminar time and adherence to Seminar rules. The credit will appear on each student's grade card, however, the grade will not be figured into the student's GPA. One-quarter credit may be earned each semester by receiving a passing grade. The grading scale for Seminar is as follows:

70% or above - P (Pass) 69% or below - F (Fail)

Daily credit for each Seminar period will be kept in the Seminar teacher's grade book. General criteria used in determining Seminar grades will be based on the following:

• Attendance

• Bringing all materials

• Following hall pass rules

• Using time productively

• Exhibiting appropriate behavior

If a student has excessive absences in Seminar, he/she will lose credit.

Individual Seminar teachers may require additional requirements.

ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION ATTENDANCE POLICY

• If a student is absent from school on the day of a school activity, he/she will not be allowed

to participate in after school activities that day.

• If a student checks out of school during the day of a school activity, he/she will not be

allowed to participate in after school activities that day.

• If a student is absent from school but returns before 11:00 AM and remains in school for the

rest of the day, he/she will be allowed to participate in activities that day.

• Documented doctor appointments, funerals, college visits, court appearances, and school

sponsored activities are not part of this policy.

• Before leaving on a school activity in which a student will miss two whole class periods or more, a student must have filled out the Pre-Absent Sheet for School Activities. The teachers of the classes the student will be missing must sign this sheet. The signed assignment sheet must be given to the school sponsor before the student is released from school. If a teacher chooses not to sign the pre-absence form, the student will not go on the trip.

• This policy is not just for athletes but covers participation in all school activities.

NHS MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

To be eligible for membership in the Royal Valley High School National Honor Society, students must meet the following criteria:

• Students must have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

• Students must be juniors or seniors.

• Interested, eligible students must complete and submit to the Faculty Council an informational form applying for membership in the National Honor Society.

• Foreign exchange students are not eligible for membership in the National Honor Society.

Students eligible for induction into National Honor Society must have 85% of the total points possible from the faculty ballots.

SCHOOL PROPERTY

A student is responsible for the full replacement cost of lost or damaged school property assigned to the student. School property lost or damaged by a student will be paid under the following categories:

• Vandalism - payment of all charges including labor, plus suspension.

• Damage or destruction unintentional but due to a student violation of a rule, regulation, policy or direction of one in authority - payment of all charges including labor. Other disciplinary measures may be considered.

USER EXPECTATIONS FOR THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY

Users will respect the privacy of other individual's login name, password and data.

Examples of Violations:

• Accessing a user i.d. or network directory other than your own

• Changing the system setup in the Mac/Windows/DOS environment

Consequences:

1^st Warning

2^nd Detention

3^rd 1-5 day out of school suspension

Users will access and create information appropriate for the educational environment.

Examples of Violations:

• Creating obscene files, folders or directories

• Creating explicit files within software programs

• Accessing educationally inappropriate areas within public networks

Bypassing the district’s required internet filtering system
Connecting a personal Wi-Fi device to the district network.

Consequences:

1^st Warning

2^nd Detention

3^rd 1-5 day out of school suspension

Users will respect software developer's copyright on software, CD-ROM and manuals

Consequences:

1^st Confiscation/Elimination of materials and 1 hour detention

2^nd Confiscation/Elimination of materials and 2 hour detention

3^rd 1-5 day out of school suspension

Users will use hardware and peripherals for their intended purposes.

Examples of Violations:

• Destruction, theft and/or vandalism of computer hardware and furniture

• Use or abuse of computer hardware beyond intended purposes

Consequences:

Pay for damage and/or replacement costs and enforcement of school policy on vandalism

STUDENT PRIVACY RIGHTS

Identifiable student images shall not be posted on district or school web sites without prior written permission from the student and, if under 18, the student's parents or guardian. The mailing address, telephone number or other personally identifiable information about any student shall not be posted on district or school web sites.

E-MAIL AND COMPUTER USAGE - USD #337 POLICY

Students shall have no expectations of privacy when using district e-mail or computer systems. E-mail messages shall be used only for approved educational purposes. Students must use appropriate language in all messages. Students are expected to use the system following guidelines approved by teachers or the administration.

Any e-mail or computer application or information in district computers or computer systems is subject to monitoring by the staff and/or administration. The school retains the right to duplicate any information created by students in a computer system or on any individual computer. Students who violate these rules or any other classroom rules relating to computer use are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school.

COPYRIGHT MATERIAL POSTED ON WEB SITES

Any original materials created by students are owned by those students. Original materials will not be posted on district or school web sites without prior written permission of the student who created the work. The Webmaster shall be in charge of monitoring permission to post copyright materials.

DOWNLOADING COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS

Students and staff shall not download copyrighted materials without prior, written permission being obtained from the author or creator of the material in question. See BOE Policy ECH for "fair use exceptions" which may allow for limited use of copyrighted materials.

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY USD #337

DISTRICT-PROVIDED ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC INFORMATION, SERVICES, AND NETWORKS

The Royal Valley School District provides access for students and staff to state of the art computer technology, electronic mail and the World Wide Web via the Internet – a worldwide network of networks. All users share responsibility for using the District’s computer facilities and network access in an effective, efficient, and ethical manner consistent with the objectives of K-12 education. Access is a privilege, not a right, and it entails responsibility and accountability by users; therefore, all users must agree that they will comply with these guidelines in accordance with Kansas Statute 21-3755 and Board Policies IIBG and IIBGA.

DISTRICT INTERNET AND E-MAIL RULES

Individual users of District computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over these networks. It is presumed that users will comply with District standards and will honor the agreements they have signed to this effect. In addition, the District has taken steps to restrict individual access to controversial materials. These steps include the development of acceptable use guidelines and teacher supervision of students. However, even with these safeguards in place, there is no guarantee that individuals will not be able to access materials which may be objectionable. Beyond the clarification of such standards and implementation of reasonable safeguards, the District is not responsible for restricting, monitoring, or controlling the communications of individuals utilizing the network.

Communications over the networks should not be considered private or confidential. Network supervision and maintenance may require review and inspection of directories or messages to maintain system integrity. Messages may be diverted accidentally to a destination other than the one intended or may be intercepted by third parties. Privacy in these communications is not guaranteed. The District also reserves the right to access stored records or messages in cases where there is reasonable suspicion to expect wrongdoing or network misuse.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Ultimately, parents and guardians of students are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Toward that end, the Royal Valley School District makes the District’s complete Internet policies and procedures available on request for review by all parents, guardians, and other members of the community and provides parents and guardians the option of requesting for their minor children alternative activities not requiring Internet use. Outside of school, parents and guardians of students are encouraged to exercise the same guidance of Internet use as they exercise with information sources, such as television, telephones, radio, movies, and other possible offensive media.

PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following uses of external storage devices and/or District-provided Internet, network, and email access are not permitted:

to access, upload, download, transport, or distribute pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material;
to transmit obscene, abusive, insulting, harassing, sexually explicit, or threatening language;
to use another’s password or allow someone else to use your password;
to intentionally introduce malicious code or viruses into any computer resource;
to use the network for commercial purposes, including, but not limited to, Internet gambling, solicitation or advertising without prior authorization;
to knowingly violate any local, state or federal statute;
to disseminate personally identifiable student records or information when such records are protected by law, including K.S.A. 72-6214, the Family and Education Rights Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
to vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;
to install, copy or remove software on District-owned computers without prior authorization;
0. to access another individual’s or organization’s materials, information or files without permission;
1. to violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another without permission; and
2. to use personal technology devices such as personal laptops, cell phones, music players, etc. to connect to district networks.

SANCTIONS

Any violation of this policy may result in loss of District-provided access to the Internet and/or email. Additional disciplinary action may be determined at the building (as defined in individual building handbooks) or District level in keeping with existing procedures and practices regarding inappropriate language or behavior. When and where applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

DISCLAIMER

The District makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the network access it is providing. The District will not be responsible for:

any damages users suffer, including, but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, interruptions in service or computer viruses;
the accuracy, nature, or quality of information stored on District hard drives or servers;
the accuracy, nature, or quality of information gathered through District-provided Internet access;
property used to access District computers or networks for District-provided Internet access; or
any unauthorized financial obligations resulting from District-provided access to the Internet.

STAFF AUTHORITY

Students are under the authority of any staff member (teachers, secretaries, substitute teachers, bus drivers, custodians, cooks and paras) at any Royal Valley High School sponsored activity. Students who are insubordinate to a staff member or who create any disturbance which restricts or affects their own learning process or that of other members of the class or any activity are subject to immediate disciplinary measures.

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 make-up, 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.

The following act(s) will result in administrative disciplinary action as noted for first, second, and third offenses.

A	warning
B	1 hour detention
C	2-3 hour detention
D	1-3 day(s) in or out of school suspension
E	3-5 days in or out of school suspension
F	will be asked to change attire or sent home to change

Offense	1st	2nd	3rd
Possession or use of tobacco products in any form	B	C	D
Public display of affection	A	B	C
Disruption of class or school	B	C	D/E
Obscene or profane language, gestures, pictures	B	C	D
Missed detention	B	C	D
Leaving school without permission	B	C	D/E
Leaving class without permission	B	C	D/E
In the halls or parking lot without a pass	A	B	C
Violation of dress code	A/F	B/F	C/F
Bullying Behavior	B	C	D/E

If acts exceed a third violation during a semester, the student may refer to Suspension and Expulsion Policy, No. 7 under "repeated violations of school rules.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION POLICY

The Kansas law authorizes suspension or expulsion for the following reasons:

• Willful violation of an published regulation for student conduct adopted or approved by the

board of education

• conduct which substantially disrupts, impedes, or interferes with the operation of the school.

• conduct which endangers the safety of others at school, on school property, or at a school-

supervised activity

• conduct which substantially impinges upon or invades the rights of others at school, on

school property, or at a school-supervised activity

• conduct which would constitute a commission of a felony by an adult under state law

• conduct which would constitute the commission of a misdemeanor by an adult under state

law, but only if such conduct occurs at school, on school property, or at a school-supervised

activity

• disobedience of a order of a teacher, peace officer, school security officers, or other school

authority when such disobedience can reasonably be anticipated to result in disorder,

disruption, or interference with the operation of the school

• disobedience of an order of a teacher, peace officer, school security officer, or other school

authority when such disobedience can reasonably be anticipated to result in substantial and

material impingement upon or invasion of the rights of others

RVHS Suspension Policies and Prodecures:

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 specifying reasons for suspension in accordance with the policy as set forth in the Board of Education Policy Handbook. Hearings will be set up for the student, parents and school personnel as set 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 school property during the suspension.

7. The following violations may result in a one (1) to ten (10) day suspension (in school or out 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.

• 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 student property.

• Fighting.

• Any act of vandalism.

• Temper tantrums which disrupt class.

• Any student who engages in discriminatory insults, intimidation, bullying, hazing or harassment shall be reprimanded. In appropriate cases, other or further action may be taken.

• 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.

• Willful and deliberate disobedience.

• Forging names to documentation for attendance validation.

• Theft of student, staff or school property.

• Discharge or possession of fireworks or bottle rockets on school property.

• Misbehavior such as extortion or intimidation.

• Possession or use of alcohol.

• Repeated violations of school rules.

The following violations may result in a short term suspension of up to ten (10) days:

• Infractions involving weapons.

• Infractions involving drug possession, use or sale.

• Behavior which results in or is substantially likely to result in injury to the student or others.

Rules of conduct will be maintained and enforced at all home and away sanctioned activities.

DETENTION PROCEDURE

• Detention will consist of 60 - 180 minutes of supervised study.

• Detentions assigned by the office will begin promptly at 3:25 PM.

Any student reporting to detention after 3:35 PM is considered to be a no show and will not be allowed to serve his/her detention time that day.

• Students must remain seated.

• Students should work on class assignments or bring something to read.

• Students will not be allowed to sleep.

• Students will not be allowed to talk to each other.

• Students will be assigned seats.

• No food or drink is allowed.

• Failure to comply with the rules will result in increased detentions or a suspension.

• Students will be responsible for their own transportation home.

• Students assigned detentions will not be allowed to attend practice or activities unless they occur after detention is over.

• 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, the detention 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:

• The parents of the student will be notified.

• The student will report to the main office at 8:13 AM.

• The student will eat lunch in the ISS room.

• Communication will be monitored and restricted to specific educational goals for that day.

• Teachers will provide verbal/written assignments for the student.

• The student will be responsible for all material covered in class during the time the student is in ISS. The student will not be allowed any "make-up" time for work assigned during ISS.

• Time in ISS will range from 1/2 day to five (5) days.

• Students not fully cooperating will face Out-of-School Suspension.

WEAPONS POLICY

A student shall not knowingly possess, handle, or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon on the school grounds or off the school grounds at a school activity, function or event.

This policy shall include any weapon, any item being used as a weapon or destructive device, or any facsimile of a weapon.

Possession of a firearm shall result in expulsion from school for a period of one year (186 school days), except that the superintendent may recommend that this expulsion requirement be modified on a case-by-case basis under the provisions of Board Policy JDC (probation). When possession of a firearm involved a special education student, the guidelines set forth in Part B of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) shall be followed.

Students violating this weapons policy shall be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and, if a juvenile, SRS.

Senate Bill 38 provides for supervision or revocation of driving privileges of students aged 13 or older who have been given long-term suspension or expelled for

• possession of a weapon

• use, sale or distribution of a drug or controlled substance

• behavior resulting in or substantially likely to have resulted in serious bodily harm

School administrators are required to give written notice to the local law enforcement agency within three days of the suspension or expulsion. Upon receipt of the notice, the local law enforcement agency will report to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

As used in this policy, the term "destructive device" means any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or other device similar to any of these devices.

KANSAS SCHOOL SAFETY & SECURITY ACT

According to the Kansas School Safety & Security Act (H.B. No. 2821), any school employee who knows or has reason to believe that a student has committed an act which constitutes the commission of a felony or misdemeanor must report that act to the appropriate state or local law enforcement agency.

ITEMS INAPPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOL

Students may not have any personal music players, personal digital cameras, electronic games, laser lights, etc. out during the school day. All of these items will remain in the student lockers from the time first bell rings until 3:20 PM. The unauthorized use/posession of this equipment will result in the following disciplinary action:

1^st Offense: Students will be required to leave this type of equipment in the main office until school is dismissed for the day. Parents will be notified and the equipment returned to the student.

2^nd Offense: Students will be assigned a detention, and may not pick up the device from the office until the detention time has been served.

3^rd Offense: The student will receive an out of school suspension and the parent will be asked to come to the school to retrieve the device.

Cigarette lighters, pocketknives, and skate boards should not be brought to school. Cigarette lighters will be confiscated and not returned to the student; pocket knives and skate boards will be confiscated and returned to the student's parent.

CELL PHONE POLICY

No cell phones are to be used during the school day. Students are free to use the phone in the front office as needed. Cell phones have proven to be a major disruption to the learning process at our school. This information is covered by teachers, administrators and other staff members, and is posted in the student handbook and on our school website. Therefore use/possession of a cell phone during the school day will be viewed as a defiance of authority.

Students should leave their cell phones in their lockers and turned off during the school day. The school day begins when the first bell rings and ends at 3:20 PM.

1^st Offense: Student will surrender the phone to school personnel. The phone will be kept in the front office until the end of the school day. A 2 hour detention will be assigned.

2^nd Offense: The student will receive an out of school suspension and the parent will be asked to come to the school to retrieve the cell phone

NUTRITION BREAK

All students must remain in the commons or on the sidewalk in front of the high school building during nutrition break. The parking lots, RV Gymnasium, Royal Valley Elementary, the old gym, the stadium and the patio area between the main building and the tech./music building are all "off limits" during the 7-minute nutrition break. The serving window will close at 9:45 AM

CAFETERIA

The cafeteria, in addition to being a lunch room, is also a place where good human relations can be developed, and here each student is expected to practice the general rules of good manners which one would expect to find in the home or displayed in a public eating establishment. Juniors and seniors will be allowed to go first in the lunch line.

When signing up for the hamburger or pizza bar, students should sign up in the kitchen by 8:13 AM and indicate on the sheet which LUNCH HOUR they have.

LUNCH PERIOD

All students must remain in the commons or on the sidewalk in front of the high school building during lunch period. The parking lots, RV Gymnasium, Royal Valley Elementary, the old gym, the stadium and the patio area between the main building and the tech./music building are all "off limits" during the 20-minute lunch periods.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Public displays of affection are not appropriate behavior for school. The placing of the arm around the waist or over the shoulder or the holding of hands will be permitted, but other forms of affection (such as kissing) will not be tolerated.

STUDENT GUEST POLICY

Parents are always welcome at Royal Valley High School. All visitors must come to the office for a visitor's pass. Former students and graduates of RVHS are requested not to visit teachers while classes are in session. The school is of the opinion that guests disrupt the learning process and we discourage our students from bringing outside guests to school. Students desiring guests to visit school must obtain approval from the office. Visitation, if approved, is allowed only during the host student's lunch period.

TRESPASSERS: The school campus is for RVHS students, staff, and parents. Visitors must be authorized through the principal's office. In order to insure the safety of all of our students, trespassers will not be allowed on campus. The police will be called and charges will be filed.

LOCKERS

Students will be assigned a locker with a lock on it at enrollment. Only school locks are permitted on the lockers. Students are expected to use the school lock on their lockers. No charge is made for the lock, but if a lock is lost or not returned, a replacement fee of $8.00 will be assessed. Replacement fees for PE lockers will be $8.00. A school official will remove any lock not issued by the school. Lockers are to be kept neat and clean. At the end of the school year, each locker will be inspected, and the student will pay for any damage done to a locker. There will be a $5.00 replacement fee if a locker plate is damaged or removed.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE - SCHOOL FACILITIES

Students have limited control over their lockers, desks and other assigned areas for the storage of property. Lockers, desks and such other assigned areas are the property of the Royal Valley Public Schools.

Lockers, desks and such other storage areas and the contents thereof shall be subject to inspection and search by school officials at any time without prior notice if there is reasonable suspicion that such will produce evidence of violations of law or of school rules, or that lockers may contain property which school officials reasonably believe may be intended for use in a manner disruptive to the orderly operation of the school. If feasible and if an investigation will not be jeopardized, a reasonable effort will be made by school officials to have affected students present when their lockers, desks and other assigned areas and contents are searched.

SEARCH OF THE PERSON OR OF PROPERTY

IN POSSESSION OF STUDENTS

School officials may search students or personal property in their possession or under their control, including motor vehicles on school grounds, if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the search will produce evidence of violations of law or school rules. The school administration may contact local law enforcement agencies to assist in these searches. General exploratory searches without individualized reasonable suspicion will not be conducted. Such searches shall not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the suspected infraction.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Each student must assume the responsibility of taking care of his/her own possessions. Since each student is provided a locker, there should be a minimum of lost and misplaced articles. The following suggestions are made to help prevent losses and to aid in the recovery of lost items:

• Place name in all books, notebooks, purses, billfolds and wearing apparel, etc., so that such articles may be returned when found.

• Do not bring unnecessary items to school such as electronic games and/or equipment.

• Take care of possessions and books. Do not leave them in the classrooms, the hallways, or in the locker rooms.

• Bring no more money than is necessary to school. If it is necessary to bring a large sum of money to school, check it into the office for the day.

• Keep locker combination a secret. If others know your locker combination, then your locker will not be a safe place to keep valuables.

• If the lock is broken or will not work properly, please report it to the office immediately.

• Students in physical education classes should lock all possessions in their PE lockers during class time.

• If items such as billfolds, purses, glasses, rings, textbooks, etc., are found, please take them to the office right away.

• For lost items, check in daily at the office where the lost and found is located. If a valuable item is lost, report it to the office or to a teacher immediately.

• Unclaimed items may be disposed of at the end of each semester

TEXTBOOKS

All basic textbooks are loaned to students for their use during the school year. Textbooks are to be kept clean and handled carefully. Students should write their name and grade on the book label. If a book is lost, stolen, or damaged, the student will be required to pay a replacement fee.

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. All shirts, tops, and clothing must cover the student's torso, midriff and chest. Shirts and tops that do not cover the full stomach and back of the student should not be worn to school. GIRLS: Halter tops, thin strap tank tops, or any shirt or top that shows any portion of your bra should not be worn. BOYS: Sleeveless shirts should not be worn. Hats are not to be worn at school during the regular school day. Students are not allowed to wear clothing judged by the school to be nightwear (pajamas, sleep pants, 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 at school or at any school activity.

LEAVING THE BUILDING

If it becomes necessary during the school day for a student to leave the school grounds, he/she must obtain permission from the office and he/she MUST SIGN OUT. The office requires that the parent/guardian telephone or make personal contact with the office personnel before a student may sign out.

Permission to go to the parking lot must be obtained from the office who will issue a special TO PARKING LOT pass.

A student may not leave the school grounds with anyone else after school begins unless permission is obtained from the office. Once a student arrives on school grounds they are to stay on school grounds unless they are given permission to leave, check out at the office, or the final bell rings to dismiss them. (This applies even before the first bell rings)

ILLNESS AND ACCIDENT POLICY

• When students become ill at school, they must report to the office. Parents/Guardians

will be notified by school personnel if the student is too ill to remain at school.

• All accidents are to be reported to the office immediately so that an accident report may be

completed. Following any serious accident, parents/guardians will be notified immediately.

• Parents are requested to report to the school office when their students have been diagnosed

with a contagious illness such as chicken pox, strep infection, or mononucleosis.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONS

• Each student must have the required immunizations before entering Royal Valley High

School.

• Before a student athlete is permitted to report for practice in a sport, he/she must have a physical examination or health review documented by a completed, current physical examination form furnished by the school. The form requires the signatures of both student and parent or guardian.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

When students are required to take medication at school, those people who observe or store the medication must observe the following rules:

• Prescription medicine must be in the original container and be prescribed by a doctor. Information concerning the amount and frequency of the dosage must accompany the medicine. Because schools do not administer medication, the school personnel will only observe and record that the medication was taken.

• For non-prescription or "over-the-counter" medications, the medicine should be in the original container and must be accompanied by a permission note from the parent. Because schools do not administer medication, the school personnel will only observe and record that the medication was taken. If school personnel observe misuse, a doctor's permission may be required. The person observing the dosage of medication will also record non-prescription medicines.

• Parents/guardians may come to the school to administer the medications if they choose.

TELEPHONE USAGE

In the event of an emergency, a student may only use the phone in the main office. Students will not be allowed to use the phone in a teacher's classroom.

NATIONAL TESTING DATES

Test Dates have been announced for the 2011 - 2012 school year. The PLAN test is taken during the sophomore year, the PSAT during the junior year and the ACT may be taken during the junior and/or senior years.

ACT TEST DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINE

September 10, 2011 August 12, 2011

October 22, 2011 at RVHS September 16, 2011

December 10, 2011 at RVHS November 4, 2011

February 11, 2012 at RVHS January 13, 2012

April 14, 2012 at RVHS March 9, 2012

June 9, 2012 May 4, 2012

PSAT TEST DATE PLAN TEST DATE

October 12, 2011 October 19, 2011

LIBRARY

Any student wanting to go to the library during Seminar must first obtain a pass from the librarian. This pass must be obtained in advance and outside of class time. A student wanting to use the library during class time should obtain a pass from his/her teacher and present the pass to the librarian upon leaving.

The library will loan books to any Royal Valley student for a two-week period. They may be renewed for an additional two weeks unless they have been placed on reserve. Students will be notified in writing if they have overdue books.

General Library Rules

• Absolutely no food or drinks are allowed in the library at any time.

• Books are not to be taken from the library without checking them out.

• Reference books may be checked out overnight during the last period of the day.

• Library hours will be from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. If a student needs to work in the library after 3:30 PM, he/she must make arrangements with the librarian ahead of time.

• During class time, each student entering the library must have a pass and must return to his/her class before the hour is over. Arrival and return time will be noted on the pass.

HOMECOMING/KING & QUEEN OF COURTS CANDIDATES

All senior boys and girls enrolled at Royal Valley High School will be eligible for King/Queen candidacy if they have met the following criteria:

• The student must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA through six semesters.

• The student must be a participating member of a sport, club or organization at Royal Valley.

(Homecoming-Fall, King & Queen of Courts-Winter)

The student must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 classes.

• The student must have at least 21 credits.

• The student must be a member in good standing with the team, club, organization and school.

• The student must have attended Royal Valley for both semesters his/her junior year.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ACTIVITIES

Any student may participate in the activities program provided he/she meets the requirements of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and the requirements of Royal Valley High School. Student participation in the activities program is a privilege earned by behaving in an appropriate manner and acceptable academic performance. When students fail in any of these areas, the privilege of participation is jeopardized.

LEAGUE AFFILIATION

Royal Valley High School is a member of the Big Seven League. Other league members are Hiawatha, Holton, Jeff West, Nemaha Valley, Perry-Lecompton, Sabetha and Santa Fe Trail.

ELIGIBILITY RULES

To be eligible to compete in a high school interscholastic activity, a student must be currently enrolled in five subjects at Royal Valley High School, have passing grades in at least five subject for the preceding semester and have a current physical form on file.

Any athlete who quits or is dismissed from a team prior to the end of the season will not be allowed to use school facilities to work out after school for the next sport season. All equipment issued to athletes must be returned to the head coach prior to participating in the next sport season.

TRANSPORTATION

The school usually plans for and provides transportation to school-sponsored activities. Students are expected to ride to and from the activity as a group. A personal contact with the coach/sponsor is required of the parent/guardian in order for a student not to travel in school vehicles.

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM PRACTICES NOT

LOCATED AT THE PRIMARY ATTENDANCE SITE

A student wanting to ride with another student or drive to practices must have a permission form signed by the parents of the student driving the vehicle and the parents of the student wanting to ride in the vehicle. If a student does not have the signed permission forms, he/she must use school provided transportation. In order to drive to practices, the student must possess a legal Kansas driver’s license. A student with a learner's permit is not legally authorized to drive to practices.

ACTIVITY REGULATIONS ON SCHOOL PREMISES

Student Conduct - USD #337 Policy

As a condition of continued enrollment in the district, students shall abide by the terms of this policy.

Students shall not unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use illicit drugs, controlled substances or alcoholic beverages on school district property or at any school activity. Any student violating the terms of this policy will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement officials and will be subject to the following sanctions:

First Offense A first time violator shall be subject to the following sanctions:

• A punishment up to and including short-term suspension

• Suspension from all student activities for a period of not less than one month

Second Offense A second time violator shall be subject to the following sanctions:

• A punishment up to and including long-term suspension

• Suspension from all student activities for a period of not less than one semester or four months

• A student placed on long-term suspension under this policy may be readmitted on a probationary status if the student agrees to complete a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Names of acceptable programs are on file with the BOE clerk.

Third & Subsequent Offenses A student who violates the terms of this policy for the third and any subsequent violations shall be subject to the following sanctions:

• A punishment up to and including expulsion from school for the

remainder of the school year

• Suspension from participation and attendance at all school activities for

the year

• A student who is expelled from school under the terms of this policy may

be readmitted during the term of the expulsion only if the student has completed a drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation program at an acceptable program.

Students who are suspended or expelled under the terms of this policy will be afforded the due process rights contained in board policies and Kansas statutes, K.S.A. 72-8901 et seq. Nothing in this policy is intended to diminish the ability of the district to take other disciplinary action against the student in accordance with other policies governing student discipline. In the event a student agrees to enter into and complete a drug or rehabilitation program, the cost of such program will be borne by the student and his/her parents. Drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation programs are available for students of the district.

A list of available programs along with names and addresses of contact persons for these programs is on file with the BOE clerk. Parents or students should contact the directors of the program to determine the cost and length of the programs.

ACTIVITY REGULATIONS OFF SCHOOL PREMISES

Students who participate in interscholastic athletics or school sponsored activities are prohibited from using tobacco in any form, alcoholic beverages of any kind, including beer or any drug or a controlled substance other than those prescribed by a physician. This applies to an athlete off school premises. Possession of alcoholic beverages of any kind or any drug or controlled substance other than those prescribed by a physician shall constitute use. Violations observed by a faculty member/administrator or any other reasonable proof of the act would be sufficient cause for disciplinary action.

Violations of the training rules will result in disciplinary action as follows:

First Offense The student will be suspended from competition for one week (seven)

calendar days. This must include at least one contest in which the student

ordinarily would have participated.

Second Offense If alcohol/drugs are involved in the first or second offense, dismissal from all

team activities for the remainder of the season will occur. The student will be

eligible for the next sport season, provided that he/she receives an evaluation

and, if necessary, treatment from an approved drug and chemical dependency

agency.

Disciplinary action in conjunction with this policy will be administered by the head coach, athletic director and building administrator. Offenses must occur during a sport's season. Offenses and penalties, however, accumulate during the school year but do not carry over to the next school year.

SCHOOL DANCES

DANCES: Dances are provided throughout the school year as social activities for RVHS

students. Class organizations and clubs may sponsor these activities. All high

school dances following school activities must end by 11:30 PM. Attendance at dances is limited to Royal Valley High School students and their approved guests. Students leaving the dance may not return. To enter the dance late, a student must have made prior arrangements with the dance sponsor or administration.

GUESTS: A "guest" is defined as one's date to a school-sponsored dance that does not attend Royal Valley High School. All dates must be signed up in advance in the office prior to the activity and must complete and submit the guest approval form to the administration at least one day before the dance. All guests are subject to approval by the administration. The date must be accompanied by the RVHS student at the time admission to the activity is sought; some form of identification may be requested of the guest. No middle school students are allowed at high school dances.

NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE - TITLE VII

It is the intent of the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 337 to comply with Title VII of the Education Amendment of 1972 (P.L. 92-318), as amended. Unified School District No. 337 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex in employment, educational programs, or other activities in which it operated and is required by Title VII not to discriminate. The Title VII Coordinator for Unified School District No. 337 is John Rundle, Superintendent, Box 219, Mayetta, KS 66509; telephone (785) 966-2246.

TITLE VII GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

STEP 1: The complainant will contact the principal of the school involved and try to resolve the

complaint at that level on an informal basis. On matters involving adopted district

policies or practices, the complainant will contact the Superintendent of Schools.

STEP 2: If the complaint is not resolved at Step 1, then the complainant may file a written

complaint with theTitle VII coordinator. A hearing will be scheduled which will be

held within fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt of the written complaint. The

findings of this hearing will be filed in writing with a copy being made available to

the complainant.

STEP 3: If the complaint is not resolved in Step 2, then the complainant may appeal in writing

to the Board of Education. A hearing will be scheduled within thirty (30) calendar

days with the Board of Education. The findings of this hearing will be filed in writing

with a copy being made available to the complainant. The findings of this hearing

will be considered final.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT - USD #337 POLICY

Sexual harassment is not tolerated in the school district. Sexual harassment of employees or students of the district, by board members, administrators, certified and support personnel, students, vendors, or any others having business or other contact with the school, is strictly prohibited.

Definitions of Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment may include, but not be limited to:

• Sexually oriented communication, including sexually oriented verbal “kidding” or harassment or abuse;

• Subtle pressure or requests for sexual activity;

• Persistent unwelcome attempts to change a professional relationship into a personal, social

sexual relationship.

Creating a hostile environment, including the use of:

• Innuendoes or overt or implied threats;

• Unnecessary touching of an individual, e.g., patting, pinching, hugging, repeated brushing

against another person’s body;

• Requesting or demanding sexual favors accompanied by an implies or overt promise of

preferential treatment with regard to a student’s grades or status in any activity;

• Sexual assault or battery as defined by current law.

Any student who believes he/she has been subjected to sexual harassment should discuss the problem with his/her principal or another certified staff member. Initiation of a sexual harassment complaint will not cause any adverse reflection on the student. The initiation of a student’s complaint shall not adversely affect the job security or status of any employee or student until a finding of fact determines that improper conduct occurred. Confidentiality shall be maintained throughout the complaint procedure.

RACIAL HARASSMENT

Racial harassment is not tolerated in the school district. Racial harassment of employees or students of the district, by board members, administrators, certified and support personnel, students, vendors, or any others having business or other contact with the school, is strictly prohibited.

Definitions of Racial Harassment: Racial harassment is racially motivated conduct which:

• Affords a student different treatment, solely on the basis of race, color or national origin,

in a manner which interferes with or limits the ability of the student to participate in or

benefit from the services, activities or programs of the school;

• Is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of creating

a hostile academic environment;

• Is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of

interfering with a student’s academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from

the services, activities or programs of the school.

Racial harassment may result from verbal or physical conduct or written, graphic material.

Any student, who believes he or she has been subject to racial harassment or has witnessed an act of alleged racial harassment, should discuss the alleged harassment with the building principal, or another administrator, the guidance counselor, or another certified staff member. Any school employee who receives a complaint of racial harassment shall report the complaint to the building administrator. If the building administrator is the alleged harasser, the complaint shall be reported to the district compliance coordinator. Confidentiality shall be maintained throughout the complaint process.

False or malicious complaints of racial harassment may result in corrective or disciplinary action against the complainant.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Bullying on USD #337 property, in a USD #337 vehicle or at any USD #337-sponsored activity or event is prohibited.

As used in the district policy, the following definitions apply:

• “Bullying” means: Any intentional gesture or ay intentional written, verbal or physical

act or threat that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating,

threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or staff member that a

reasonable person, under the circumstances, knows or should know will have an effect of:

harming a student or staff member, whether physically or mentally
damaging a student’s or staff member’s property
placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of harm to the student or staff member
placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to the student’s or staff member’s property

• “School vehicle” means any school bus, school van, other school vehicle and private vehicle used to transport students or staff members to and from school or any school-sponsored activity or event.

HAZING/HARASSMENT/INTIMIDATION/BULLYING/MENACING

The board is committed to providing a positive and productive learning and working environment. Hazing, harassment, intimidation, menacing or bullying by students, staff or third parties is strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated in the district.

Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion. Staff whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal. Third parties whose behavior is found to be in violation shall be subject to appropriate sanctions as determined and imposed by the superintendent or board.

Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials.

CHILD ABUSE - USD #337 POLICY

Any employee of the district, who has reasonable cause to know, observe, or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, will immediately report this fact to the local Social Rehabilitation Services (SRS) for them to investigate. The SRS number is 1-800-922-5330. If SRS cannot be reached, then local law enforcement should be contacted.

If the student suspected of being abused is Native American, the employee should report this to Prairie Band Potawatomi Social Services (PBPSS). The PBPSS number is (785) 966-2932. If PSPSS cannot be reached, the local SRS office should be contacted. If the local SRS cannot be reached, then local law enforcement should be contacted.

School employees will not contact the child’s family or any other persons to determine the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect. It is not the responsibility of the school employees to prove that the child has been abused or neglected.

SRS ACCESS TO STUDENTS ON SCHOOL PREMISES

The building principal is authorized to act in loco parentis to protect the interests of the student when allowing a student to be interviewed by SRS representatives on school premises.

COOPERATION BETWEEN SCHOOL AND AGENCIES

Schools, SRS, and law enforcement agencies shall cooperate with each other in the investigation of reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. To the extent that safety and practical consideration allow for law enforcement officers on school premises for the purposes of investigating a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, the officer shall not be in uniform.

L ICE INFESTATION PROCEDURE

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Jackson County Health Department emphasize that a student be excluded from the classroom if he/she is infested with head lice. The school complies with this requirement by the following procedure:

• If there is suspicion of infestation of a student, he/she is examined by an office staff

member or the school’s health nurse • If the child has head lice, the students will be removed from the classroom. It is also common practice to check other students in the classroom if there is suspicion of more infestation.

• The parent of the infested student is immediately notified and requested to pick up the child.

• The child must be treated with an adequate insecticide and/or medicated shampoo.

• All nits must be removed from the hair with a fine-tooth comb. Lice and nits must also be eliminated from the home environment and clothing

Infestation

• After the student has been effectively treated, he/she may return to school. The student and parent must first report to the school office before the student is readmitted to school.

School personnel may do follow-up checks on students who have previously had head lice. The purpose of the follow-up checks is to make certain the student is not re-infested.

NONDISCRIMINATION - USD #337 POLICY

The district shall maintain a learning environment free from discrimination, insult, intimidation, or harassment due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability.

Any incident of discrimination in any form shall promptly be reported to a teacher, the principal or other appropriate school official for investigation and corrective action by the compliance officer.

Any student who engages in discrimination may be reprimanded and counseled to refrain from such conduct. Any student who continues to engage in discriminatory conduct shall be disciplined. Any student who engages in discriminatory behavior may be disciplined in a manner deemed appropriate by the administration, up to and including suspension or expulsion from school.