Administrative and Student Support Team

STUDENT HANDBOOK

2017-2018

Oscar Dean Wyatt High School

We are Wyatt Nation!

Administrative and Student Support Team

Principal

Mr. Mario Layne

Language Center Principal

Mr. Keith Christmas

Assistant Principal

Mr. Corey Shepard–9th Grade

Mr. Godswill Barrah–10th Grade

Mrs. Quanda Collins–11th Grade

Mrs. Kelley McLean – 12th Grade

Counselors

Mrs. Tynisha Lane– 9th Grade

Mrs. Ivis Ashford- 10th Grade

Mrs. Sherrie Jackson–11th Grade

Mrs. Brandi Williams–12th Grade

Mrs. Karen Brooks- Acceleration Counselor

Crisis Intervention Specialist

Mrs. Karen Gordon

Stay-in-School Coordinator

Mr. Kenric Collins

Student On-Campus Support (SOS) Team

Ms. Lajeania Allums-Young

Mr. Khada Bhandari

Mrs. Nareida Evans

Ms. Adriana Lara

GENERAL SCHOOL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

Main Office(817)815-8000

Office Fax(817) 815-5050

Assistant Principals(817) 815-8093

Counseling Office(817) 815-8031

Attendance Office(817) 815-8009

Nurse’s Office(817) 815-8020

Programs of Choice(817) 815-8038

SpEd. Department(817) 815-8026

Athletics(817) 815-8083

Band Office(817) 815-8063

Go Center(817) 815-8037

S.O.S. Office(817) 815-8024

Important Dates for FWISD Students

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER / JANUARY
8/7-8/9
Registration
8/21 First Day
8/26 SAT / 9/4 NO School
9/9 ACT
9/9 Saturday
School
9/13 Progress
Reports
9/23 Saturday
School
9/29 End of 1st
Six Weeks / 10/7 SAT
10/9 NO School
10/11 Report
Cards
10/11 PSAT for
10th/11th
10/25 Progress
Reports
10/28 ACT
10/28 Saturday
School
Hispanic Heritage Month / 11/3 End of 2nd
Six Weeks 11/4 SAT
11/11 Saturday
School
11/15 Report
Cards
11/20-11/24
NO School
Thanksgiving
Break
Native American Heritage Month / 12/2 SAT
12/4-12/8 STAAR Retest
12/6 Progress
Reports
12/9 ACT
12/16 Saturday
School
12/21 Last Day
of Fall
Semester
12/22-12/29
NO School
Winter Break / 1/1-1/8
NO School
Winter Break
1/9 First Day of
Spring
Semester
1/15 NO School
1/17 Report
Cards
1/27 Saturday
School
FEBRUARY / MARCH / APRIL / MAY / JUNE / JULY
2/2 NO School
2/7 Progress
Reports
2/10 ACT
2/17 Saturday
School
2/23 End of 4th
Six Weeks
African American
History Month / 3/7 SAT for
11th
3/7 Report
Cards
3/10 SAT
3/12-3/16
NO School
Spring Break
3/26 Progress
Reports
3/30 NO School
Women’s History Month / 4/7 Saturday
School
4/10 STAAR
English I
4/12 STAAR
English II
4/13 End of 5th
Six Weeks
4/14 ACT
4/21 Saturday
School
4/25 Report
Cards / 5/5 SAT
5/7 STAAR
Algebra I
5/8 STAAR
Biology
5/9 STAAR
US History
5/16 Progress
Reports
5/19 Saturday
School
5/28 NO School
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month / 6/1 Last Day of
School
6/2 SAT
6/4 Snow Day
(if needed)
6/5 Snow Day
(if needed)
6/9 ACT / 7/14 ACT

WYATT IS AN AVID SCHOOLWIDE CAMPUS

What is AVID?

AVID is an approach to instruction, school culture, systems and leadership that focuses on preparing students for college, career and community leadership. Wyatt High School aims to provide an academic and socioemotional environment for students that inspires them to strive for greatness in their lives.

Why is O.D. Wyatt High School taking AVID strategies/expectations School-wide?

AVID School wide provides our educators withtrainingandmethodologiesthat develop students’ critical thinking, literacy, and math skills across all content areas andthroughout the entire campus. Simply put, AVID trains educators to use research‐based strategies and practices in order to prepare students for success in high school, college, and a career, especiallystudents traditionally underrepresentedin higher education.

So what does school wide AVID look like?

School wide AVID at the secondary level doesn’t mean thatallstudents are enrolled in an AVID Elective class. What it does mean is that all students thrive in an environment where academic expectations are held high; inquiry-based pedagogy and collaboration are evidenced in all classrooms; systems and structures focus on the needs of students; and campus leadership has cultivated a culture of college readiness and success for all students.
When stepping onto a campus where AVID is school wide, it is not uncommon to seeallstudents taking Cornell notes; using some form of binder, agenda planner, or other organizational/data collection tool; and engaging in collaborative, dynamic academic activities in classrooms facilitated by AVID-trained teachers. Students have open access to rigorous courses like honors, advanced math, Advanced Placement®, and dual enrollment. Moreover, academic support structures are offered so thatallstudents have opportunities to thrive.

What Expectations changes for students with AVID School wide?

For the 2017-2018 school year, Wyatt High School is implementing the use of AVID binders school-wide to promote the level of organization necessary to be a successful high school and college student. Supplies include:

• 3’ Binder With Viewer
• Zippered Pouch
• Pens (blue or black), pencils
• 8 One Subject, Wide-rule Spiral Notebooks

All students are required to bring and use their binder and supplies every day in class. Teachers will check binders for organization, neatness and content for a grade. Within the first few weeks of school, lessons will be taught about the structure, importance and purpose of binders. We will also have opportunities for students to be able to decorate and personalize their binder.

For more information on AVID please visit and click on the Secondary Tab. Thank you for your support as we prepare our kids to be high school and beyond!

Academic Requirements

Credits by Grade Level (as of 1st day of school)

9th: 0-5.511th: 12-18.5

10th: 6-11.5 12th:19+

Graduation Plan Requirements

At the May 13, 2014 school board meeting, the FWISD Board of Education approved the new graduation plans for all students entering high school beginning the 2014-2015 school year.
The new plan creates One Foundation Program with options:

• Foundation Graduation plan requiring 22 credits
• Foundation Graduation plan with Endorsement requiring 26 credits
• Foundation Graduation plan with Distinguished Level of

Achievement requiring 26 credits
AND prescribes the Foundation Graduation plan with Endorsement and Distinguished Level of Achievement as the graduation plan for all students (26 credits).

• Requires all student to take English I, English II, English III, and allows students to select any course from the State approved

advanced English course options for the fourth required credit of English.

• Requires all student to take Speech and Health
• Requires all students to take four credits of social studies.
• Requires students graduating with the Distinguished Level of Achievement plan to take Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Students will select an advanced math course to satisfy the fourth required credit of Math for their endorsement.
• Requires students graduating with the Distinguished Level of Achievement plan to take science course (one of those two credits will satisfy the fourth required credit of Science for their endorsement.)
• Requires all students to take two credits of Languages Other than English.
• Requires all students to take Physical Education and Fine Arts.

Students must pass all of the following EOC exams to graduate: Biology, English I, Algebra I, English II, and United States History

Attendance Policy

A student is eligible to receive credit in a class if he/she attends at least 90% of the days.

1.Periods 1 & 5: Students may not exceed 8 absences duringthe first semester or 9 absences during the second semester.

1. Periods 2A, 3A, 4A, 6B, 7B, & 8B: Students may not exceed 4 absences during the first semester or 5 absences during the second semester.

Note: For students in attendance at least 75% of the class days but less than 90% of the class days, an attendance appeals committee appointed by the Principal may award student credit due to extenuating circumstances for the absences (Refer to section titled, “Extenuating Circumstances”). Appeals must be submitted in writing to the committee no later than September 27, 2017 to appeal Spring 2017 excessive absences and no later than February 21, 2018 for Fall 2017 excessive absences Students are expected to makeup all absences and must complete academic work for each class absence to be recovered under the law.

Absences and Excuses

Absences that are not excused by law or policy and absences that are not for approved extracurricular activities shall be designated as unexcused, even if the student has parental permission to be absent.

Absences that do not count towards the 90% rule and must be excused by the District are as follows:absence for observance of a religious holy day; for attending a required court appearance; to appear at a governmental office to complete paperwork required in connection with the student's application for United States citizenship; to take part in a United States naturalization oath ceremony; for service as an election clerk; ordered by a court under Chapter 262 or 263, Texas Family Code, if the child is in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS); or a temporary absence for the purpose of an appointment with a health care professional for the student or the student's child if the student attends school the day of the appointment for any amount of time.

Other acceptable forms of documentation for excusing absences that do count against the 90% rule include and may be considered as part of a truancy hearing: health-care documentation where the student misses the entire school day; funerals/death in immediate family; court documentation; and a parent note approved by the principal or assistant principal (limited to (3)THREE parent notes per semester).

The Attendance Office must receive all absences documentation in writing within (5) five school days of the student’s return.

Exceptions/Extenuating Circumstances

The District has established the following as extenuating circumstances:

1. Board-approved extracurricular activity or public performance subject to limitations in Board Policy FDD. (A total of 10 days)
2. Required screening, diagnosis, and treatment for Medicaid-eligible students.
3. Approved college visitation for a maximum accumulation of three days. (Juniors and Seniors only)

1. Suspension from school for one to three days for a serious disciplinary infraction.
2. Days missed as a runaway when reported to the police and given a case number.
3. Absence of a teen-parent due to caring for his/her child.

Attendance Recovery

A student can receive credit for absences if he/she attends attendance recovery. All students must arrive on time to be admitted and attend the entire session. Students must be passing the class for which they are attempting to recover credit for attendance AND be in attendance for at least 75% of the class days. A student may make up a total of FIVEabsences per session. Attendance recovery during Saturday School is from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students must arrive at 7:45 a.m. and enter through the front doors only. Students must be appropriately dressed and should bring their laptops and any school work they have.

Saturday School Dates for Attendance Recovery
September 9 / For Spring 2017 / January 28 / For Fall 2017
September 23 / For Spring 2017 / February 17 / For Fall 2017
October 28 / For Fall 2017 / April 7 / For Spring 2018
November 11 / For Fall 2017 / April 21 / For Spring 2018
December 16 / For Fall 2017 / May 19 / For Spring 2018

Truancy

A student who is absent from school or class without parents' or guardians' knowledge or consent will be considered truant. Teachers may apply a maximum of a ten-point penalty for make-up work and, as a consequence, the student will be subject to disciplinary consequences. Students can and will be prosecuted for Failure to Attend School (TEC 25.094)

Early Dismissals

Early dismissals through the attendance office are mandatory when leaving

and/or returning to school. The person picking up the student MUST present an appropriate identification in the Attendance Office in order to for the school to release the student. Persons not on the student’s emergency contact list will not be allowed to pick up a student. There will be NO EARLY DISMISSALS after 3:00 p.m. Students that do not sign out through the attendance office will be considered truant and marked as CUT.

Automobile Use

The operation of automobiles and other vehicles by students on school premises shall be under the supervision of the school administration. Any student who operates a vehicle in an unsafe or disruptive manner shall be subject to disciplinary action.

1. A proper vehicle registration card and proof of insurance must be with the student and be presented upon request to the appropriate school personnel or police.
2. Students must park in designated student parking areas only (between two white lines) and on the west side of the campus ONLY.
3. Speeding and/or reckless driving may result in immediate suspension of campus parking privileges.

Disciplinary options include, but are not limited to:

1. Withdrawal of parking privileges.
2. A citation from campus police.
3. Disciplinary action from school administrators.

A student may not leave school during school hours or return to the vehicle for any reason without the permission of a school administrator, or unless accompanied by a teacher/campus security.

All students are encouraged to keep their vehicles clean and clear of any prohibited or dangerous items in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and FWISD Board policy. Students are expected to operate vehicles in a safe and non-disruptive manner.

Bus Conduct

Students who live outside a two-mile radius from school are eligible to ride the school bus. Students must conduct themselves in a lawful and orderly manner at all times. Any student who violates standards of conduct while on school transportation may be denied transportation services and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Change of Address or Telephone

Parent/guardian must inform the attendance office or data clerk office when there is a change in the student’s address, emergency contacts, or phone numbers. Parent must present new proof of address within 30 days of moving to ensure the student is not withdrawn from school. All changes must be made by the parent or guardian in person.

Dress Code 2017-2018

O.D. Wyatt High School believes that proper etiquette and good grooming are a definite part of the educational process. Students must wear neat, clean, appropriate clothing to school, practices, and all school functions. Any extreme in clothing, jewelry, or appearance that may disrupt the normal operations of the school’s learning environment will not be tolerated. Students are expected to be in dress code when they arrive at school, beginning with the first day of school. The school principal or administration reserves the right to determine if attire is a distraction to the educational environment as well as determine the method of behavior correction.

Students must adhere to the following standard of dress guidelines:

·Clothing may not have any holes, tears or cuts above the fingertip length with arms extended.

·Dresses, shorts, skirts and skorts (including any slits) shall be no shorter than fingertip length with arms fully extended – in the front and back - while standing.

·No sleepwear, pajamas, or flannel drawstring pants can be worn to school.

·No bras or sports bras should ever be exposed. An outer covering is required at all times.

·All shirts, tops, and dresses must have sleeves (cover the top of the shoulder completely)

·No midriff shirts or blouses that leave the abdomen or back exposed, halter tops, tube tops, tank tops, tops with spaghetti straps, excessively low cut tops,

·

and see-through shirts. All shirts must completely cover the top of the shoulder, the abdomen and the back.

·There should be no hats or any type of head covering worn in the building, except for verified religious clothing.

·Leggings or jeggings may only be worn with an appropriate length shirt/short/skirt/dress over them that fully covers the rear to fingertip length with arms fully extended. NO tights may be worn as outerwear – appropriate length shorts, skirts or dresses must be worn over tights.

·Pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing that are lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene, or advertise, depict, or represent tobacco product, alcoholic beverages, drugs or any other substance prohibited by FWISD policies will not be permitted.

·Wearing apparel or personal items with symbols that are gang related, or attire that can be considered gang related will not be permitted. Bandanas, do-rags, colored beads, colored shoe strings, towels, jewelry, insignias, or any item worn hanging from the body that would indicate gang affiliation will be confiscated and disciplinary action will be taken.

·No sagging pants.

·No chains, body piercings, spiked jewelry or accessories that could be classified as dangerous or as a weapon may be worn or brought to school.

·No house shoes, or aquatic shoes will be permitted

·No combs or sunglasses allowed to be worn inside the buildings.

·Clothing that is considered too revealing or inappropriate for school will not be permitted and is at the discretion of the administration to determine appropriate dress.

Exceptions to the dress code may be made by the principal or school administration on spirit days or other “dress up” days.

Electronic Devices

In accordance with the Fort Worth ISD Student Code of Conduct, the use of cell phones, IPODS, MP3, CD players and any other electronic devices are strictly prohibited at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School. Cell phones MUST remain off, not in use, and not be visible during school hours – including passing periods. Students are permitted to use electronic devices before school, during their lunch, or after school. If a cell phone or any other electronic device is seen or heard by a school employee, it will be confiscated. Cell phones are subject to a $15.00 fee before it is returned. The school is not responsible for any item lost, damaged, or held after 30 days. Parents may be required to pick up the device. Students are to surrender their electronic devices when the policy is violated. Failure to surrender the device will result in disciplinary consequesnces.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are prohibited in classrooms and outside of the cafeteria. The only exception is that students may have water bottles with lids.

Hall Passes

If a student leaves the classroom for any reason, an official school hall pass must be used. Any student in the hall without a pass will be returned to class and may face disciplinary actions. If a student needs to go to the nurse, he/she must first go to class, produce his/her ID, and get a Nurse’s pass from the teacher. Students will only be allowed to leave class for an emergency. No hall passes will be issued

during the first 20 minutes or last 20 minutes of class or anytime during 3rd period except for emergencies.