COCKE COUNTY
HIGH SCHOOL
“Fighting Cocks”
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Cocke County High School
216 Hedrick Drive
Newport, TN 37821
Dr. Marvin Stewart, Principal
Gail Burchette, Asst. Principal, CTE Director
Michael Short, Asst. Principal, Curriculum Coordinator
Allan Weinberg, Asst. Principal, Athletic Director
Dustin Morrow, Teacher, Administrator
2015-2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...1
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...2
CCHS Mission, Beliefs and Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………...3
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements and Graduation Activities……………………………………………………….4
Special Recognition at Graduation and Grading……………………………………………………………………………...5
Letter From Attendance Supervisor and Juvenile Court………………………………………………………………………6
School Board Attendance Policy for Secondary Schools/Obtaining a Driver’s License……………………………………..7-10
Tardy Policy and School Principles…………………………………………………………………………………………...11
Glossary of Consequences, Prohibited Items, and Public Displays of Affection……………………………………………..12
Cell Phones…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13
Board Policy on Discrimination/Harassment/Bullying & Intimidation……………………………………………………….14
Zero Tolerance and Non-Discrimination……………………………………………………………………………………....15
Bell Schedules………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16
Extracurricular Opportunities………………………………………………………………………………………………….17
Bus Policy and Dress Code…………………………………………………………………………………………………….18
Student ID Cards, Lockers, Student Parking, Medication at School, and Opt Out…………………………………...... 19
Visitors and Telephone Use………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 20
Information Guide……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...21
Federal Guidelines for School Lunch/Competitive Food Policy………………………………………………………………22
School Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..23
CCHS Handbook – 2
Mission Statement
The mission of Cocke County High School is to lay a foundation for lifelong learning and to prepare students with the intellectual and social skills to become contributing and responsible citizens engaged in careers in keeping with their abilities and opportunities.
Our Beliefs
§ Student learning is the chief priority for the school.
§ Clear goals and high expectations for student achievement should guide the development
of the curriculum and the design of instructional strategies and learning activities.
§ Students need not only to demonstrate their understanding of essential knowledge and skills
but also to be actively involved in solving problems in meaningful contexts and producing
quality work.
§ Students learn in different ways and should be provided with a variety of instructional
approaches to support their learning.
§ Carefully constructed assessment tools, representing a variety of domains, are essential to
ensure that students have the necessary skills and attitudes for future endeavors.
§ Instructional decisions should be based on assessment data which is aligned to standards
based curriculum.
§ Cultural awareness increases not only students’ understanding, but also their respect of
different peoples and cultures.
§ Each student is a valuable individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual
needs.
§ Mutual respect among and between students and staff fosters positive relationships.
§ A safe, physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.
§ Parents and the community share the responsibility with teachers and administrators for
advancing the school's mission.
§ The role of the educator is unsurpassed in importance. Students should be provided with
caring and dynamic educators, knowledgeable in their fields of instruction.
§ The commitment to continuous improvement is imperative if our school is going to enable
students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.
§ Effective school-based decision-making and policy development involves collaboration
among staff, students, parents, and community members.
Vision Statement
Cocke County High School will be known as an example of educational excellence that
· produces graduates who have the skills, abilities, and attitudes to succeed as productive citizens
· develops a mindset for life-long learning
· demonstrates high standards and expectations for all school personnel
· maximizes the use of all resources available to the school
· fosters goals and values which are embraced by all stakeholders
· recognizes and rewards superior performance
All members of the CCHS community will support each other in the pursuit of these common goals; will be respectful of themselves and each other, of their school, and of education itself; and will strive to meet the needs of all students and to challenge all students.
CCHS Handbook – 3
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
As part of the Tennessee Diploma Project, requirements for freshmen entering high school starting the 2009-2010 school year and beyond are on a one-path high school curriculum at CCHS. In order for these students to graduate with a Cocke County High School regular diploma, they must also successfully attain a minimum of 28 credit requirements (see below).** There are no “exit” exam requirements for these students.
CCHS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS(for students entering 2009-2010 school year and later)
Subjects / Credits
English / 4
Math* (Must complete Alg. 1, Alg. 2, Geometry, and one higher math. Must take a Math course each year.) / 4
Science* (Must complete Biology, Chemistry/Physics, and one other lab science) / 3
World History / 1
Economics/Personal Finance (Marketing may be used to replace Economics) / 1
U.S. Government (Fulfilling 3 credits of ROTC substitutes.) / 1
American History / 1
Wellness (Fulfilling 2 credits in ROTC substitutes.) / 1
Physical Education (Fulfilling 1 credit in ROTC substitutes. Substitution also allowed for school sport/act.) / 1
Foreign Language (must be same language) / 2
Visual/Performing Fine Arts / 1
Program of Study / 3
Electives / 5
TOTAL TO GRADUATE / 28
* Requirements may slightly vary for students who receive Special Education services as dictated through an IEP. Number of credits needed for graduation may also fluctuate for students who transfer in based on credits that student was able to earn at previous school(s).
Graduation Activities
Students who have met all graduation requirements on the day of graduation may participate in graduation activities. If extenuating circumstances exist at any school, the matter may be presented to the campus principal prior to graduation activities. The campus principal may remove the privilege of participating in the graduation ceremony for disciplinary actions occurring in the second semester of the year in which graduation takes place.
Students are expected to participate in all graduation activities. Graduation apparel shall be determined by the administration of each school and shall be the personal expense of each student, except for students who are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch prices. In such cases, the school shall assume responsibility for payment of fees, provided, however, that the school shall not be responsible for the expense of graduation apparel if it consists only of the student’s personal clothing. All other graduation expenses shall be the responsibility of the Board.
Graduation ceremonies shall be physically accessible to all students, their parents and/or guardians, and other interested citizens.
Students who do not wish to participate in graduation activities shall make this known to the school principal at least five (5) days prior to the day of graduation.
There shall be no sponsorship of a baccalaureate service or other activity which is religious in nature by the Board or its employees, and no school funds, including paid staff time, will be used for such activities.
Students graduating with distinction will be recognized at graduation.
CCHS Handbook – 4
Special Recognition at Graduation
“Diploma with STATE Distinction” Graduate
Students will be recognized as graduating with STATE DISTINCTION by attaining a “B” (3.0) unweighted cumulative Grade Point Average by the end of their 7th semester AND completing at least one of the following:
-Earn a nationally recognized industry certification
-Participate in at least one of the Governor’s Schools
-Participate in one of the state’s All-State Musical organizations
-Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
-Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two AP Exams
-Attain a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT
-Successfully complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
-Earn twelve or more semester hours of transcripted post-secondary credit (thru Dual Enrollment)
-Other that may be deemed appropriate by the local LEA
Also as part of the TN Diploma Project, high school students will now be recognized at graduation with the following honors. Such honors will also be noted on the student’s high school transcript.
“STATE Honors Diploma” Graduate
Students who scored at or above all of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT (or equivalent on the SAT) will graduate with STATE HONORS. The ACT benchmarks are as follows: English = 18, Math = 22, Reading = 22 and Science = 23.
Grading:
Each school course lasts for at least one term (or “semester” which equals approximately 18 weeks), ending with a final examination. These final exams normally are given the last two days of each term (exceptions include, but are not limited to, End-Of Course testing). Eleventh grade students take the ACT. End-of-Course exams are given at the completion of the applicable course.
Progress reports are issued at four-and-one-half weeks and thirteen weeks (the mid-point of each nine-week period). Grade cards are issued every nine weeks. The grading scale for all CCHS students follows that which is recommended by the state of Tennessee for high schools (see below).
CCHS Grading Scale:
A = 93 -100
B = 85 - 92
C = 75 - 84
D = 70 - 74
F = 0 – 69
I = Incomplete (If given as a final grade, student must make up the state EOC exam for credit/grade to be issued.)
X = No Credit
Beginning with the incoming class of 2010-2011, student grade point averages are figured on both an unweighted 4.0 scale and a weighted 5.0 scale (used to determine class rank). Dual enrollment and advanced placement courses receive one extra point and honors courses receive an extra one-half point when calculating averages.
Questions concerning grades should be addressed to the teacher assigning the grade. If a change is to be made, the teacher will notify the person needed to make such a change in the school’s computer database.
CCHS Handbook-5
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:
Welcome to the beginning of another school year. We hope you had an enjoyable summer break from school and that you have begun another productive school year. This letter is written to stress to you the importance of attending school.
We take compulsory school attendance very seriously. Tennessee law requires that children under age eighteen attend school. It is the parent and/or guardian’s responsibility to insist that the child attend school. Truancy is defined as an absence for an entire school day, a major portion of the school day or the major portion of any class, study hall or activity during the school day for which the student is scheduled. Make-up work should be completed within the number of days after the absence the school policy gives you. Even authorized absences may become excessive, and if the child is not in school regularly, he or she is missing valuable instruction time.
Parents/Guardians/Students you will be receiving a call after every absent, tardy or dismissal from school. Please contact the school to have meaningful communications with them in order to determine the underlying cause(s) of the absences. If the absences are unexcused remember the compulsory school attendance law. Contact should be made with the school to develop an attendance plan.
Children who do not attend school are unruly and may be placed into state custody to receive an education. The parents of these children may be fined and/or incarcerated. Any parent, guardian or other person who has control of a child, or children, and who violates the compulsory school attendance law commits educational neglect. Educational Neglect is a Class C Misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of a $50.00 fine and up to thirty (30) days in jail for each day of unauthorized absence beyond the fifth (5th) unauthorized absence. In addition, a Show Cause Order for Contempt may issue for those who have been to court on these same issues in the past.
If your child is expelled from school for any reason, your child is still subject to the compulsory school attendance law, if under the age of eighteen. It becomes the parent’s obligation to obtain and pay for a private educational program for the child. If this is not done, the child may be placed into state custody.
This letter is not intended to single out any person and is not for the majority of parents or their children. It is a reminder to those who do not see the importance of attending school and behaving appropriately while there.
If you begin to experience a problem with your child attending school, please contact the Attendance Supervisor, Dennis Balch or your Juvenile Court Youth Services Officers, Jennifer Shelton or Martha Newman. They have resources and advice that may be beneficial. It is our goal for children and parents to not be petitioned to court or arrested. We believe in utilizing preventive measures before the matter goes too far.
May each of you have a safe and productive school year.
Sincerely,
Dennis Balch Jennifer Shelton
Cocke County School System Cocke County Juvenile Court
423-623-7821 ext. 20 423-623-9291
Parent/Guardians Signature: ______
CCHS Handbook-6
Attendance Policy for Cocke County Secondary Schools
Cocke County Board of Education
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Monitoring:
Review: Annually, in April
Descriptor Term: Attendance
Descriptor Code: Issued Date:
6.200 07/10/14
Rescinds: Issued:
6.200 01/16/14
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Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present
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each day school is in session
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The attendance supervisor shall oversee the entire attendance program which shall include:1
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1. All accounting and reporting procedures and their dissemination;
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2. Alternative program options for students who severely fail to meet minimum attendance
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requirements;
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3. Ensuring that all school age children attend school;
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4. Providing documentation of enrollment status upon request for students applying for new
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or reinstatement of driver's permit or license; and
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5. Notifying the Department of Safety whenever a student with a driver's permit or license
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withdraws from school.2
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Student attendance records shall be given the same level of confidentiality as other student records. Only
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authorized school officials with legitimate educational purposes may have access to student information
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without the consent of the student or parent/guardian.3
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Absences shall be classified as either authorized or unauthorized as determined by the principal or his/her