Secondary Student Handbook
and Code of Student Conduct
School Year 2012-20132013-14
Hattiesburg High School
Burger Middle School
Bethune Alternative Center
Motto: Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders
Published by
Hattiesburg Public School District
P. O. Box 1569 * 301 Mamie Street * Hattiesburg, MS 39401
www.hattiesburgpsd.com
The Hattiesburg Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, color, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.
FOREWORD
Welcome to a great new year in the Hattiesburg Public School District. Every effort is being made to ensure that you receive a high quality, meaningful educational experience.
This handbook is published to serve as a guide for secondary students and their parents. Within these pages, you will find important information and instructions which will be beneficial to you. Should you need additional information, please contact your building principal.
Again, let me say welcome and wish you a pleasant and productive school year.
Mr. James Q. Bacchus, Superintendent
Hattiesburg Public School District
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
REQUIRED READING
This handbook contains information on all aspects of secondary life in Hattiesburg Public Schools Secondary Education, including a variety of required legal notifications. All students enrolled in our schools will be issued a personal copy of the handbook and will be expected to read the book and keep it for future reference. In addition, all parents are required to read the handbook so that they are aware of all school policies and will thereby become more informed partners in our educational process.
Alternative Center Students will be furnished additional and more detailed student information and requirements.
Not every situation which could arise during a school year can be anticipated, thus there may be times when this handbook will not provide specific guidance. In those cases, building principals are empowered to make decisions which are consistent with fairness to students and parents, and also address discipline, order, and a safe learning environment.
TABLE OF CONTENTSAcademic Policies 12
Graduation Requirements / 13
State-Mandated Testing Requirements / 13
Diploma and GED / 14
Senior Options / 17
Tech Prep / 18
Grade Classification / 19
Course Options / 19
Summer School/Extended Year / 19
Mississippi Scholars / 20
College Entrance Requirements for Mississippi / 21
NCAA Eligibility Requirements / 22
Academic Honors and Grading / 23
Pre-AP and AP Courses / 24
Course Offerings / 25
ADMISSION/WITHDRAWAL / 29
Transfer from Other District / 30
Residency / 30
Affidavit of Residency / 31
Secondary Admission / 31
Cumulative Record Request / 32
Withdrawal Procedure / 32
Advertising and Fund Raising / 32
Compulsory School Attendance / 32
Attendance Policies / 33
Homebound Services / 34
Request for Homework Assignment / 34
Dismissal from School / 34
Tardiness to School / 35
Tardiness to Class (Grade 712) / 35
Late Entrance / 35
Perfect Attendance / 35
Damages to School Property / 35
Cellular Phones, Radios, or Electronic Devices / 36
Sexual Harassment / 36
Hazing / 36
DISCRIMINATION/COMPLIANCE
Grievance Procedure / 37
INTERVIEWS AND SEARCHES BY SCHOOL OFFICIAL
Searches / 37
School Safety / 38
Drug-Free Schools Policy / 38
GunFree Schools / 38
Reporting Guns/Weapons / 38
Drug and Alcohol Policy / 39
Drug Screening – Extracurricular Activities / 42
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Crisis Management Plan / 44
Extreme Weather / 44
Fire / 44
First Aid and Medication / 44
Student Medical Care / 45
Student Medication / 45
Exclusion from School / 45
Student Accident Insurance / 45
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Honor Clubs / 46
Athletics and Activities / 46
Extracurricular Honor Points (912) / 49
GRADING/TESTING POLICIES
School Achievement / 49
Reporting / 50
Report Cards / 50
Cheating / 50
GENERAL POLICIES
Identification Cards / 50
Secondary Standardized Dress Policy / 50
Changes of Address/Phone Number / 51
Pregnancy / 52
Driver’s License / 52
Personal Property / 52
Names in School Publications (FERPA) / 52
Student Records / 52
Interviews/Releases / 53
Room Passes / 53
Student Visitation / 53
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Title I-Parent Involvement Policies / 54
SERVICES/OPERATIONS
Food Services / 57
Guidance/Counseling / 57
Library / 58
PTA / 58
Textbooks / 58
Transportation / 58
Telephone / 59
School Days/Supervision Hours / 59
SCHOOL FACILITIES
Care / 59
Parking / 59
HHS/Parking / 59
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
Section II: Parental Responsibility / 60
Section III: Three Tier Intervention System / 61
Section IV: Behavioral Interventions / 62
Section V: Elementary Policies / --
Section VI: Secondary Policies / 62
Discipline Ladder Steps/Consequences / 63
Alternative for Suspension / 66
Damages / 66
Hazing / 67
Bullying / 67
Gangs / 68
Suspension/Expulsion/Reassignment / 69
Threats/Serious Crimes / 70
Return from Incarceration / 70
Appeals / 71
ISI and Detention (Secondary) / 71
Bus Violations / 71
2013-2014 Academic Year Calendar
July 25-26 ...... New Teacher Orientation
July 29-31 ...... New Teacher Professional Development
August 1 ...... Convocation/School Site Professional Development (First Day for Teachers)
August 2 ...... School Site Professional Development
August 5 ...... District Professional Development
August 6 ...... School Site Professional Development
August 7 ...... Students Report/First Term Begins
September 2 ...... Labor Day Holiday
September 12 ...... Progress Reports
September 16-27 ...... SATP Online Retest/New & Old Framework/First Time P/P Tests
October 7-11 ...... First Nine Weeks Exams
October 11 ...... First Nine Weeks Ends
October 14 ...... Second Nine Weeks Begins
October 21 ...... Professional Development/Parent Report Card Pick up
October 22-23 ...... English II Writing Retest/Make-up
November 14 ...... Progress Reports
November 25-29 ...... Thanksgiving Holidays
December 3-17 ...... SATP Online Retest/New and Old Framework
December 16-20 ...... Second Nine Weeks Exams
December 20 ...... * Second Term Ends/60% Day
December 23-31 ...... Christmas Holidays
January 1-3 ...... Christmas Holidays
January 6 ...... Professional Development/Student Holiday
January 7 ...... Students Report/Third Term Begins
January 14 ...... Report Cards
January 20 ...... School Holiday/Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
January 28 ...... NAEP Window Opens
February 4-5 ...... English II Writing Retest/Make-up
February 6 ...... Progress Reports
February 17 ...... Professional Development/Student Holiday
March 3-7 ...... Third Nine Weeks Exams
March 7 ...... NAEP Window Opens/Third Term Ends
March 10-14 ...... Spring Break
March 17 ...... Fourth Nine Weeks Begins
March 17-28 ...... SATP Online Retest/P/P/New & Old Framework
March 27 ...... Report Cards
April 1 ...... WIDA Window Opens
April 7 ...... CPAS Window Opens
April 17 ...... Progress Reports
April 18 ...... Good Friday
April 21 ...... Easter Holiday
April 28-May 2 ...... 8th Grade Science Test
April 29 ...... Annual Recognition
May 5-9 ...... 5th Grade Science Test
May 5-12 ...... SATP Paper Pencil
May 13-16 ...... MCT2 Test/Make-up
May 19-22 ...... Fourth Nine Weeks Exams
May 20 ...... Retirement Recognition
May 22 ...... * Fourth Term Ends/60% Day
May 23 ...... Professional Development/Last Day for Teachers
Graduation
2012-132013-14 Academic Year Calendar
July 1 ………. Begin School Year – 2012-132013-14
July 27-31 Professional Development- New Teachers
August 1 Convocation/ School Site Professional Development (First Day for Teachers)
August 4-5 School Site Professional Development/Classroom Preparation
August 6 Students Report/First Term Begins
August 31 Early Release Day/Professional Development
September 3 Labor Day Holiday
September 6 Progress Reports
September 12-13 SATP Writing Retest/Make-up
September 17-21 SATP Online, P/P Retest-Make-up
September 24…………………………………… SATP Makeup
October 2-5 1st 9 Weeks Testing
October 5 First Term Ends
October 8 Second Term Begins
October 12 ……………………………………... Early Release Day/Professional Development
October 15 …………………………………….. Fall Break
October 1 Parent Report Card Pick-up/Professional Development/Student Holiday
November 29-30 SATP Writing Retest/Make-up
November 8 Progress Reports
November 27-28 Mock Writing Assessment
November 19-23 Thanksgiving Holidays
December 18-21 2nd 9 Weeks Testing
December 21 Second Term Ends /60% Day*
December 24-31--January 1-4 Christmas Holidays
January 7 Professional Development/Student Holiday
January 8 Students Report/Third Term Begins
January 15 Report Cards Sent Home
January 21 School Holiday/Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
February 7 Progress Reports
February 6-7 ……………………………………. Mock Writing Assessment
February 15 Early Release Day
February 18 Professional Development/Student Holiday
February 28/March 1 Grade 4/7 Writing Test / Make-up
March 5-8 3rd 9 Weeks Testing
March 6-7 ………………………………………. SATP Writing Retest/Make-up
March 8 Third Term Ends
March 11-15 Spring Break
March 18 Fourth Term Begins
March 21-22 SATP Writing Primary Admin/Retest / Make-up
March 18-22 SATP Online Retest / Make-up
March 28 Parent Report Card Pick-up/Professional Development/Student Holiday CPAS II Testing
March 29 ………………………………………… Good Friday
April 2-30 WIDA Assessment Window Opens
April 1 Easter Holiday
April 1-30 ………………………………………. WIDA Assessment Window Opens
April 8-26 CPAS Window Opens
April 19 Early Release Day/Professional Development
May 1-2 Grades 5, 8 Science Test / Make-up
May 6-10 SATP Primary Administration /Retest
May 13 SATP Make-up
May 14-17 MCT Test / Make-up
May 20-23 4th 9 Weeks Testing
May 23 Fourth Term Ends/60% Day*
May 24 Professional Development/Last Day for Teachers
May 27 Graduation
Note: *Denotes 60% Days.
P/P Denotes Paper/Pencil
March 29/April 1 will be used as inclement weather days
OUR MOTTO
Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders!
OUR VISION
The Hattiesburg Public School District is a model teaching and learning community that graduates productive and caring citizens who are prepared to succeed.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Hattiesburg Public School District is to educate all students to become productive citizens of a dynamic, global community.
GOALS
1. Academic Achievement: Every child is supported and nurtured with a systemic process to reach their full potential.
2. Parent and Community Engagement: School, parents and the community function as a team to support a learning community.
3. Safe and Orderly Schools: Maintain a learning environment that is conducive to high performing schools.
4. Accountability: Employ effective and efficient accountability systems that evaluate the academic, operation and fiscal performance of the school district.
DISTRICT BELIEFS
· We believe in ALL children achieving at high global academic standards.
· We believe students are the central focus of all school district activities. We value and have high expectations for them.
· We believe that our staff is the core of the district. We value, support, and expect high levels of performance from them.
· We believe in providing a physically and psychologically safe learning and working environment.
· We believe in cultivating leadership in educational matters throughout the district and community.
· We believe in strategically allocating resources to enable students to learn at high levels.
· We believe in providing a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities and experiences for our students.
District Beliefs
We believe that students are the central focus of all school district activities. We value and have high expectations for them.
We believe that our staff is the core of the district. We value, support, and expect high levels of performance from them.
We believe in providing a physically and psychologically safe learning and working environment.
We believe in cultivating leadership in educational matters throughout the district and community.
We believe in strategically allocating resources to enable students to learn at high levels.
We believe in providing a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities and experiences.
District Goals
Increase student academic achievement
Provide safe and orderly schools
Increase parent/community involvement
Employ effective and efficient Systems
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Hattiesburg Public School District
whose hallmark is commitment to diversity, quality, and continuous improvement,
in partnership with an engaged and supportive community,
is to enable all of our students,
through innovative teaching in a safe, nurturing environment,
to become
creative analytical thinkers, self-directed lifelong learners,
and effective communicators who are
productive citizens of a dynamic, global community.
District Administration
Board of Trustees
Marcus Cathey, President
Mary Williams, Secretary
Ann Chapman
David Garraway
Stella Mackabee
Superintendent’s Cabinet:Assistant Superintendent for Academics/C&I
Edna R. Thomas, Ph.D. / Executive Director of School Operations
Teresa Poole, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Financial Services
Frank Aderholdt, MBA, CPA / Executive Director of Student Support
Alan Oubre, Ph.D.
Director of Technology
Mr. Ross Randall / Director of Public Relations
Mr. Jas N Smith
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
District Curriculum and Instructional StaffDirector of Federal Programs
Vicki Kibodeaux, Ph.D. / Executive Director of
Exceptional Children
Mrs. Deborah Martin
Director of Career and Technical Education
Johnny Simpson, Ed.D. / Director of Assessment and Instructional Support
______
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Hattiesburg High School (9-12)
301 N. Hutchinson Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-544-0811
Fax: 601-582-2524
Mr. Robert Sanders, Principal
Assistant Principals:
Mr. Parker Nelson
Dr. Cassundra Peyton-Brown
Dr.Dr. Kesia Pope
Mr. David Graves
Deborah Bradley-Smith
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
N. R. Burger Middle School (7-8)
174 W. S. F. Tatum Blvd
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-582-0536
Fax: 601-582-0572
Robert Williams, Ph.D., Principal
Assistant Principals:
Ms. Andrea Short
Ms. Tonsa Vaughn
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mary Bethune Alternative Center
610 Dumas Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-584-6311
Fax: 601-583-7322
Vanessa Holmes-Lofton, Ed.D., Interim Principal
ACADEMIC POLICIES
The district offers a comprehensive program that meets both state and college preparatory requirements. In order for the district to meet the accreditation guidelines established in Mississippi Public Schools Accountability Standards and meet district requirements for graduation, the following schedule of units required for graduation from the Hattiesburg Public School District will be followed.
Hattiesburg High School Graduation Pathways
CURRICULUM AREA / Career Pathway OptionCarnegie Units &
Required Courses / Traditional Pathway Option
Carnegie Units & Required Courses / District Pathway Option
Carnegie Units & Required Courses
ENGLISH / 41 / 41 / 41
MATHEMATICS / 42
Algebra I / 42
Algebra I / 42
Algebra I
SCIENCE / 43
Biology I;
Physical Science or Chemistry / 43
Biology I;
Chemistry / 33
Biology I;
SOCIAL STUDIES / 44
½ Mississippi Studies
½ World Geography
1 World History
1 U.S. History
½ U.S. Government
½ Applied Economics / 44
½ Mississippi Studies
½ World Geography
1 World History
1 U.S. History
½ U.S. Government
½ Applied Economics / 33
½ Mississippi Studies
1 World History
1 U.S. History
½ U.S. Government
HEALTH / ½
Comprehensive Health or Family and Individual Health / ½
Comprehensive Health or Family and Individual Health / ½
Comprehensive Health or Family and Individual Health
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / ½5
P.E. / ½5
P.E. / ½
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY / 16
Computer Discovery/ICT2
or
½ Keyboarding and
½ Computer Applications / 16
Computer Discovery/ICT2
or
½ Keyboarding and
½ Computer Applications / 16
Computer Discovery/ICT2
or
½ Keyboarding and
½ Computer Applications
THE ARTS / 1
Any approved 500.00 level courses. / 1
Any approved 500.00 level courses. / 1
Any approved 500.00 level courses.
ELECTIVES / 7 / 7 / 4
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED / 26 / 26 / 21
**Footnotes