Agriculture & Science

Early College

Student/Parent Handbook

2017-2018

Agriculture & Science Early College

158 Raider Road

Olin, North Carolina 28660

Phone: 704.876.4056

Fax: 704.876.4973

OFFICE STAFF

Billy Wells ~ Principal

Tennille Kilby Cates ~ Counselor

Libby Hill ~Bookkeeper/Data Manager/Attendance

Allison Snyder~ Mitchell College College Liaison

Dianne Braddock ~ District Learning Advisor

Office Contact Information

Phone: 704.876.4056

Fax: 704.876.4973

The Iredell-Statesville School System encourages all students and parent/guardians to select the strongest possible academic courses. During registration, parents/guardians have the right to question or to challenge any placement of their student in any class. The Iredell-Statesville School System does not discriminate in class enrollment on the basis of gender, creed, race, national origin, handicapping condition or family circumstances.

BELL SCHEDULES

ASECoperates on a four-period day, which will meet the requirements of the State of North Carolina's Basic Education Plan providing five and one half hours of instructional time.

****Students should not arrive to school before 7:45 am unless prior approval has been arranged with a supervising teacher****

Bell Schedule

1st block / 8:10 – 9:35 am
2nd block / 9:40 – 11:05 am
ASEC Lunch block / 11:05 – 11:30 am
Focus / 11:30 – 11:55 am
3rd block / 12:00 – 1:25 pm
4th block / 1:30 – 2:55 pm
Seminar / 2:55 - 3:15 pm

*** Any time a student has down time, the student must report to DLA and work during that period until their next class begins. ***

Early Release Friday Schedule

1st block / 8:10 – 9:05 am
2nd block / 9:10 – 10:05 am
3rd block / 10:10 – 11:05 am
ASEC Lunch block / 11:05 – 11:30 am
4th block / 11:35 – 12:45 am

Early Release Dismissal at 12:45 pm

On ER days, Students participating in NIHS classes are required to report to DLA lab for any down time that exists between classes. Students are not allowed to leave campus unless they are signed out by a parent.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

The Iredell-Statesville School System requires 28 units of credit for graduation (or 4 units less than the total number of courses available to take in four years). Graduation requirements are based on the year the student enters the ninth grade.

Promotion Policy

Promoted to: / 10th Grade / 11th Grade / 12th Grade / Graduate
Credits needed: / 6 / 12 / 20 / 28

GRADE/GPA SCALE FOR THE IREDELL-STATESVILLE SCHOOL SYSTEM

Grade / Low / High / GPA
A / 90 / 100 / 4.0
B / 80 / 90 / 3.0
C / 70 / 79 / 2.0
D / 60 / 69 / 1.0
F / 0 / 59 / 0

GPAs no longer augmented

Weights:Incoming 2015-16 Freshmen and beyond… Honors weight adds .5 quality point. All other students stay the same… Honors weight adds 1 quality point

Questions concerning extended school day, credit recovery, and time recovery should be addressed through the guidance department.

ACCIDENTS

Any accident involving personal injury that occurs at school must be reported to the main office whether the student involved has school insurance or not. An accident report must be completed. Any accident relating to participation in after-school activities, and sports (including cheerleading) should likewise be reported in the main office and insurance forms initiated.

ADVISING MONTHS for High School and College

October and April are advising months for high school and college. Students are required to meet with the high school counselor and college liaison during these months. Students will not be able to register for the upcoming semester if they have not met with both advisers. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule and participate in their advising appointments each semester. Information about advising will be shared in school meetings and the school newsletter.

Attendance Records

School officials will keep an accurate record of attendance, including accurate attendance for absences and tardies or lates in each class. Such records will be maintained by the classroom teacher, staff, principal and PowerSchool attendance. Attendance records will be used to enforce the Compulsory Attendance Law of North Carolina. If truancy is suspected, the case must be investigated by school personnel and may be referred to the school social worker. Violations of the Compulsory Attendance Law will be reported pursuant to legal requirements. Attendance will be recorded in PowerSchool each block. Absences and tardies or lates will both be documented by teachers and staff in PowerSchool.

Attendance Standard

A student must attend school 50 percent of the school day in order to be counted present for the entire day. Also, a student must attend a specific class a minimum of 50 percent of the period in order to be counted present for the class.

ABSENCE NOTES and CODES

Parental or physician written explanation of absences must be presented for each absence upon returning to school. Students are to obtain an admission slip from the front office. All absence notes must include the student’s full name, date of absence, reason for absence, parent signature, and contact number.

The school will code absences in accordance with state guidelines. If parental note is not presented within two school days, the absence will be coded as “unlawful” or unexcused. Lawful Absence will be coded as one of the following:

  1. Personal illness/injury if student is physically unable to attend school
  2. Isolation ordered by the State Board of Health
  3. Death in the immediate family
  4. Medical or dental appointment
  5. Court
  6. Religious observance
  7. Education opportunity - Pre approved
  8. Local School Board Policy - If mandated
  9. Military Deployment activity
  10. Child Care

Attendance Policy

Attendance in school and participation in class are an integral part of academic achievement and the teaching-learning process. Regular attendance is mandatory: the state requires that every child in the state between the ages of 7 (or younger if enrolled) and 16 years attend school. Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility for ensuring that students attend and remain at school daily. (G.S. 115-166)

College classes can be limited or restricted completely if there are attendance issues in high school or college classes during the previous semester/year.

BAD WEATHER CLOSING PROCEDURES

Bad Weather procedure before school begins:

  • An announcement will be made as early possible but no later than 6:00 a.m. via television, radio, Facebook, Twitter, or Connect-ED phone message service.
  • School may be placed on one, two, or three hour delay, or closed. School delay means that school activities will begin one to two hours from original start time.

Bad Weather procedure during school hours:

  • An announcement will be made as soon as a decision to close school is made.
  • Bus riders will be transported as usual; car riders must be picked up from school immediately.

Where to get closing information?

TV Stations / Radio Stations
WBTV-3 / WSIC (1400 AM) WPEG(97.9 FM)
WXII-12 / WHIP (1350 AM) WKKT (96.9 FM)
WSOC-9 / WFMX (105.7 FM)WFAE (90.7 FM)
WCNC-36 / WRFX (99.7 FM)WLYT (102.9 FM)
WCCB– 18 / WKBC (800 AM & 97.3 FM)
TIME WARNER- 4
SOCIAL MEDIA / ISS / ASEC
Web Page / / Under Construction…
FaceBook / / Coming Soon...
Twitter /

BUS CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

The privilege of students riding the school bus is contingent on good behavior and observance of the following rules and regulations. The bus driver is obligated to report any student who persists in misbehaving. ASEC administration may forbid such disobedient students the privilege of riding the bus for a specified period of time. Written notice of the action of the administration shall be furnished to the parents, but such notice need not precede disciplinary action.

In order to ensure the safety of all concerned, students must be dropped off or picked up in the designated area only. No vehicles are to be in the bus loading area before or after school.

BUS SAFETY RULES FOR STUDENTS

Obey the driver in all instances / Keep your voice soft on the bus
Stay in your seat until the bus stops / Do not pick on other students, horseplay, or fight on the bus
Keep aisles clear / Do not throw anything
Do not stand in front of the vertical bars / Do not do anything to distract the driver
Arrive at your stop on time / Never walk between buses when loading and unloading

CAFETERIA PROCEDURES & PRICING

  • The cafeteria has serving lines; each serving line has a separate waiting line; students are asked not to break line or to have other students buy their lunch.
  • Students need to have money and/or PowerSchool number available when they approach the cashier.
  • Breakfast is served each morning as a courtesy from 7:45 until 8:00am.
  • Students are not allowed to have outside food delivered to them at school.
  • Student lunch numbers are not to be shared.
  • No off-campus guests during the school day, including the lunch period.
  • Students are allowed ONLY in the areas of the cafeteria and commons area during lunch. Student presence in other areas will result in a disciplinary action.
  • All lunch charges are due at end of school year.

2017-18 ISS Cafeteria Prices:

Breakfast Prices
Students K-12: $ 1.40
Reduced Price: $ .30
A la carte:
Entree only: $ .50 -.85
Extra Juice: $ .40
Extra Milk: $ .60 / Lunch Prices
Students 6-12: $2.75
Reduced Price (all grades): $ .40
A la carte:
Entree only: $1.85
Extra Fruit or Vegetable Bowl: $ .65
Extra Milk (all grades): $ .60

**Supplemental items are available at various prices.

**Fruit drinks cannot replace the milk component of a reimbursable meal; however, with “offer versus serve” if a student chooses not to take milk, fruit drink is available at an extra charge with the meal.

CAFETERIA TRAFFIC

Students will be dismissed from class at 11:05 to walk to the cafeteria area. Students should remain in this assigned area.

CAMPUS VISITORS

All school visitors are to check in at the ASEC Main office. Notification of unidentified persons should be made to the office immediately upon detecting such persons(s). Students from other schools are not permitted to visit school during the school day except with prior approval by an administrator.

All visitors are required to be escorted by school personnel beyond the ASEC Main Office during school hours.

CHECKING IN/ OUT BETWEEN 8:10am-3:15pm

Checking in after 8:10 am: All students should physically sign in at the ASEC main office if they arrive at ASEC after 8:10 am.

-Students that are tardy for a high school class will be given an admit slip when they sign in that will allow them to enter class. The admit slip should be given to the teacher as you enter the classroom.

Checking Out after 8:10 am:All students should physically sign out if they are leaving ASEC campus for any reason (sickness, doctor appointments, college classes, etc) after the 8:10am bell/first block bell. The sign out roster will be stationed in the ASEC main office. You must have a note from a parent with student name, date, time of departure, parent contact number and parent signature to sign out.

Checking Out Sick: Any student who is sick and requests to leave campus at ASEC, must obtain parent permission to leave early. If a student is sick, they should ask their teacher for a pass to visit the office, so that a parent can be contacted. Parents that pick up a sick student are required to sign out their student in the ASEC office.

Period / Start Time / End Time / Duration / Halfway Time / Half Day Time
1 / 8:10 AM / 9:35 AM / 85 / 8:53 AM / 3 hrs 33 mins
2 / 9:40 AM / 11:05 AM / 85 / 10:23 AM
7 / 11:30 AM / 11:55 AM / 25 / 11:43 AM
3 / 12:00 PM / 1:25 PM / 85 / 12:43 PM
4 / 1:30 PM / 3:15 PM / 105 / 2:23 PM

CELL PHONE & OTHER WIRELESS DEVICES

Students may possess electronic devices including cell phones and iPods on campus. ASEC is not responsible for any lost or stolen devices. Students should not leave their devices unattended at any time. Electronic devices may be used before or after school and during specific times designated by the teacher. Teachers may ask students to store their phones in a secure location during class time.

*Students are not at liberty to film other students, teachers, and staff without their written permission. Images or videos that are recorded, shared, and/or posted online without permission are subject to an office referral and/or legal action.

CLASS REGISTRATION for HIGH SCHOOL and COLLEGE

Students are required to meet with both of their advisers before they can register for classes at high school or college. Students are responsible for signing up for an appointment during advising months. Students will register for MCC classes in an individual/ small group setting at ASEC during the Early College registration window.

DISCIPLINE

To be effective, public education must be conducted in a safe, violence-free environment. The schools and the Iredell-Statesville Board of Education have formulated a discipline policy. This policy applies to any student who is on school property, who is in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or whose conduct at any time or place has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline in the school. ASEC reserves the right to limit college classes due to discipline and/or attendance issues.

DRESS CODE POLICY: 4316

The board expects students in the public schools to be properly dressed and groomed and not to display extreme dress or grooming styles. Generally, dress and grooming standards as determined by the student and their parents will be deemed acceptable. However, the board prohibits appearance or clothing that (1) violates a reasonable dress code adopted and publicized by the school, (2) is substantially disruptive, (3) is provocative or obscene or (4) endangers the health or safety of the student or others.

Failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action. Failure to comply will result in the student being removed from school until their appearance or clothing meets school district policy or rules. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified prior to any such removal. Parents and students should carefully review board policy #4316.

ASEC Dress Code

In order to maintain an appropriate learning environment, the following guidelines have been established for student dress:

Students at ASEC will NOT be permitted to wear:

  • Exposed undergarments
  • Sagging pants
  • Bare midriffs shirts
  • Leggings without rear end and crotch covered
  • Excessively short or tight garments
  • Strapless or backless shirts, spaghetti straps, halters (straps must be at least 2 fingers wide)
  • Attire with messages or illustrations that are lewd, indecent, vulgar, or that advertise any product or service not permitted by law to minors.
  • See through clothing
  • Sunglasses or eye-wear (except prescription eye-wear) may be worn inside the building
  • Attire that exposes cleavage
  • Any adornment such as chains or spikes that reasonably could be perceived as a weapon
  • Any symbols, styles or attire frequently associated with intimidation, violence, or violent groups
  • Bare or stockinged feet. Shoes must be worn at all times

Dress code Consequences:

1st offense: Students who are in violation of this code will be required to change clothes immediately. Parents will be required to bring clothes to school so the student may change or the student will be sent home to change or could result in in-school suspension.

2nd offense: Parents will be required to bring clothes to school so the student may change. Student will be assigned half day of in-school suspension.

3rd offense: Parents will be required to bring clothes to school so the student may change. Student will be assigned a full day of in-school suspension.

ELEVATOR USE

Students requiring the use of the elevator must present a request from a doctor or parent. Any other students caught on the elevator will be issued a discipline notice. Students caught using the elevator improperly will result in a discipline referral.

EMAIL (ASEC and MCC)

***All grade levels should check both their ASEC and MCC email DAILY.***

School announcements, news, events, and information will be emailed out to school email accounts. School email should be used to make appointments with teachers, advisors, and administrators. Students should use formal email etiquette when interacting with school staff via email. Emails that do not adhere to formal email etiquette will not receive responses.

FIRE & SAFETY DRILLS

Teachers will explain exit and evacuation procedures to students at the beginning of each semester. When an alarm sounds, the teacher and students will exit buildings to designated areas.

FOOD and DRINK POLICY

Due to Child Nutrition guidelines, students are not allowed to have lunch delivered to the school. Students may bring lunch from home or purchase lunch through Child Nutrition Services (Cafeteria).

All food and drink must be consumed in the following areas:

  • The cafeteria
  • The student commons area
  • The student courtyard
  • The classroom per teacher discretion

Students who bring food out of the aforementioned areas will be directed to return to said area and finish consumption or be directed to put away the food items. Only drinks with twist on caps/lids are permitted in the classrooms at the teacher’s discretion. Drinks should be kept on the floor with the lid on to prevent spills onto laptops and textbooks. Students that spill drinks are responsible for any damage caused by the liquid.

FEES OWED LIST

All items issued to students become the responsibility of that student. This includes, but is not limited to, textbooks, sports uniforms, elevator keys, laptops and cords, school calculators, and library books. If items are not returned to the school when scheduled, the student’s name is placed on a Fees Owed List. Following are some of the consequences of owing fees: parking privileges are revoked, diploma will be held, participation in school athletics will not be allowed, and no copies of school records such as transcripts will be supplied when requested.

FEES

Parking Fee (annual fee) $50.00

Technology Fee (annual fee paid online or in office by September 30) $50.00

Laptop Insurance estimated $61.48

Prom (for Juniors, Seniors, SuperSeniors)TBA

MCC student fees (ONLY for certain courses) see MCC liaison for details

Graduation Fee (Required for ALL graduating seniors or super seniors) Due by Feb$NA

***Withdrawal from MCC course for any reason means student is responsible for all MCC fees and textbook costs***

GRADES

Grades can be reviewed by students and parents on PowerSchool for high school courses and through Moodle for Mitchell CC courses.