White House Heritage
Student Handbook
7744 Hwy 76 East
White House, Tennessee 37188
615.672.0311
Table of Content
Purpose of handbook3Schedule Changes27
Administration4School Counseling Programs27
School Departments5Senior Class Rank28
Middle School Faculty/Staff6Smoking/Tobacco28
High school Faculty/Staff6Sportsmanship28
School Calendar8Student Activities28
Bell Schedule9Student Athletics32
Absent from School10Student Behavior35
Academic Challenge10Students Entering the Building35
Academic Integrity Policy10Student Information35
After School Policy10Student Nutrition Program35
Alternative School10Substitute Teachers36
Announcements11Suspension36
Arrival/Pick-up11Tardiness37
Attendance Policy11Technology Acceptable Use Policy37
Bus Transportation13Tennessee Attendance Law41
Cafeteria Procedures13Tennessee Promise41
Care of School Property13Tennessee Scholar42
Cellular Phone Policy13Testing42
Cell Phone Violation Policy14Textbooks43
Classroom Recordings14Theft of Property43
Clinic14Top Ten Percent43
College Information and Test Dates15Valedictorian/Salutatorian43
Credit Recovery16Visitors44
Detention16Withdrawals44
Dress Code16Zero Tolerance44
Driving and Parking Policy17Student Conduct Code45
Driver’s License Revocation18White House Middle School48
Dual Enrollment18Seventh Grade Team48
Early Graduation19Eighth Grade Team49
Electronic Devices19Bus Rider49
Emergency Drills19Detentions49
Emergency Medical Authorization Form19Discipline Plan50
Emergency School Closing19PAT TIME (RTI)50
Exams19Patriot Pillars51
Exam Exemptions20Renaissance51
Fees20Student Clubs and Organizations52
Grade Classification20Tardy to Class53
Grading Criteria20TN Ready53
Grading Scale21ZAP TIME53
Grading System21Map of Drop-off/Pick-up55
Graduation21
Graduation Requirements22
Halls22
Homework23
Honors and Advance Classes23
Honors and Distinction24
In School Suspension (ISS)24
Leaving Building/grounds24
Lockers24
Loitering25
Lost and Found25
Make-up work25
Media Center (Library)25
PAT TIME (RTI)26
Remediation26
Renaissance 27
PURPOSE OF HANDBOOK
The purpose of this handbook is to provide information to help you be successful this school year.
Aswith any large organization of people, a system of rules, regulations, policies, programs, and services havebeen established to provide a positive and productive culture in our school. Both students and parentsare urged to become familiar with the contents of the Student Handbook.We believe students at White House Heritage School model common sense, cooperation, leadership,and high standards of personal behavior.
While the handbook clearly outlines our expectations for youbased on these beliefs, real success by students can only be achieved through a willingness to live up to these expectations.As in real life, the actions you choose to take will result in direct consequences.We stand committed in helping all students live up to their responsibility to our school community. We, as faculty and staff members of White House Heritage School, extend a warm welcome and anticipate another great school year!
Alma Mater –We Raise our Voices to Hail Heritage High.
Youlead uson tovictory through our steps of life.
Our Banners fly, colors of red, white and blue show pride.
We pledge our hearts to our Alma Mater,
Hail our HeritageHigh!
- Kelsey Gardner (2008)
Administration
Principal
Kim Hass
Assistant Principals
Chris Tucker
10th-12th Grade Asst.
/ Stephen Owens
7th-9th Grade Asst.
Guidance
Nicki Fields
10th-12th Counselor
/ Kelsey Grimes
7th-9th Counselor
Athletic Directors
Athletic Director
Mike Petrone
/ Athletic Administer
Stephen Owens
Administration Office Personnel
Angie Tate
Attendance
Mary Sanders
Book Keeping
Debbie Segars
Administration Office Clerk
Amy Starks
Guidance Office Clerk
In-School Suspension Instructor
Lori Anne Wilson
School Departments
School Resource Officer
James Stiles
Cafeteria
Pam Broadway
Manager
Health Services
Leigh Ann Johnson
Nurse
Library
Vickie Baker
Librarian
Athletic Trainer
Andrea Gowan, BS, LAT, ATC
Star Physical Therapy
Important Numbers
Main Office / 615-672-0311
School Fax / 615-672-7178
Cafeteria / 615-672-3736
Robertson Co. Board of Education / 615-384-5588
Robertson Co. Transportation / 615-384-4555
Middle School Faculty and Staff
Seventh Grade
Reading and Language Arts / Diana Buck -
Colby Swift –
Math / Stephanie Drumright –
Crystal Wix –
Science / Mary Meeuwis -
Social Studies / Noah Eckart –
Special Education Co-Teacher / Jennifer Myers –
Classroom Assistant / Deon Russell –
Eighth Grade
Reading and Language Arts / Ashley Ragon –
Amber Thompson –
Math / Cierra Burden –
Brandi Sigears –
Science / Lisa Anderson –
Social Studies / Pat Rue –
Special Education Co-Teacher / Terri Palmiter –
Classroom Assistant / Jennifer Brown –
High School Faculty and Staff
Career and Technical
Agriculture / Michelle Page –
Family and Consumer Science / Samantha Kirby –
Angie Stoklasa –
Graphic Design / Tom Beasley –
Heath Sciences / Amber Presley –
Business / Brandy Baucom –
Business / Emily Thompson –
English
Scott Ballard /
Jessica Crafton /
Kelly Dodson-Cook /
Chris Logsdon /
Debbie Ruttenbur /
Heath Mason /
English as a Second Language
ESL/ELL / Janelda Adamson –
Fine Arts
Art / Teresa Grooms –
Instrumental Music/Band / J.R. Baker –
Vocal Music/Chorus / Ben O’Neal –
Theater/ELA / Kimberly Wofford –
Foreign Language - Spanish
Carrie Cayce /
Jay Alvarez /
History
Chris Fox /
Devin Harper /
Clay Head /
Brandon Niblock /
Life Skills
Life Skills Teacher / Janet Dempsey –
Teaching Assistants / Cassie Beecher –
Karen Hensley –
Peggy Denson –
Sommer Hornberger –
Math
Muriel Barnett /
Lucas Buck /
Tracy Dever /
Matt Duncan /
Tim McDonald /
Allison Kosis /
Physical Education
Physical Education/Health/Lifetime Wellness / Chance Ballard –
Hunter Hicks –
Mike Petrone –
Science
Courtney Ati /
Erica Hoover /
Jeff Klingelsmith /
Kim Snyder /
Kim Wakefield /
White House Heritage School Complex
Calendar 2017-2018
July 24Heritage “Hype” Night-High School
July 25Heritage “Gear Up” Night-Middle School
August 2Admin Day (No Students)
August 3Student Day ½ day
August 4No students – PD Day (6 Hours)
August 7First full day of school
September 4Student Holiday – Labor Day
September 18-19Parent Teacher Conference 4-8 p.m. (Student Holiday)
October 6 First Nine Weeks Ends
October 9-13Fall Break
October 16Second Nine Weeks Begins
October 31Early Release ½ day for students
November 20-24Thanksgiving Holidays
November 27-30End of Course (EOC) Testing
December 4 Early Release ½ day for students
December 20Second Nine Weeks Ends ½ day of school
December 21Winter Break Begins
January 4Third Nine Weeks Begins
January 12No students – PD day (6 hours)
January 15Student Holiday – MLK Day
February 16Early Release ½ day for Students
February 19Student Holiday – President’s Day
March 9Third Nine Weeks Ends
March 12-16Spring Break
March 19Fourth Nine Weeks Begin
March 29Early Release ½ day for Students
March 30Good Friday – No School
April 2System Holiday – No School
April 16-May 4State Testing
May 25Fourth Nine Weeks Ends ½ day -Report Cards
*Stockpile Days -1 day used for Parent Teacher Conference; 2 used for Early Release; 10 remaining
White House Heritage Complex
Bell Schedule
High School Bell Schedule7:30 / Doors Open
7:50 / Dismissed to Class
8:00-9:28 / 1st Block
9:33-11:00 / 2nd Block
11:05-11:30 / PAT Time
11:35-1:28 / 3rd Block
11:30-11:55 Lunch A
12:00-12:25 Lunch B
1:32 – 3:00 / 4th Block
Middle School Bell Schedule
7:30 / Doors Open
7:50 / Dismiss to Class
8:00-8:46 / 1st Period
8:49-9:34 / 2nd Period
9:38 -10:23 / 3rd Period
10:26-11:41 / 4th Period
10:50-11:15 – 8th Grade Lunch
10:55 – 11:20 – 7th Grade Lunch
11:46 -12:31 / 5th Period – Specials
12:35 – 1:21 / 6th Period – PAT Time
1:26-2:11 / 7th Period
2:14-3:00 / 8th Period
White House Heritage School
ABSENT STUDENTS:
The parent shall be notified within a reasonable period after the determination that the student is absent from school. Parents will be notified by a computer-generated message through Powerschool. It is important that you keep your contact information up to date for this reason.
ACADEMIC CHALLENGE:
Students are EXPECTED to attend classes that are academically challenging for them. WHH offers honors courses, dual enrollment, enrichment time, advance courses, technology access and cooperative learning experiences to meet the needs of all learners.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:
Each White House Heritage student is expected to do his or her own work, including homework assignments, essays, lab work, exams, and projects.
You can be sure of maintaining this academic integrity if you do the following:
***Cite sources from which you directly take any ideas, information, images that you use in
your work.
***Cite sources from which you paraphrase anyone else’s ideas in your own words and style.
***Refuse to share your own work or receive the work of others unless approved by the
teacher.
***Work with others only when that collaboration has been approved by the teacher.
***Participate fully in collaborative efforts and projects.
Failure to follow any of the above constitutes cheating or plagiarism and will not be tolerated. The range of possible consequences will include the following:
***A zero for that work with no makeup credit.
***Grade reduction.
***Assigned another assignment with a grade penalty.
*** Parent contact and/or conference.
*** Referral to the school administration.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROCEDURES:
By 3:30pm, students are expected to be out of the building and off school grounds, unless in a designated work area (i.e. tutoring or detention) with coaches/advisors/teachers, or attending a school sponsored activity. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary actions.
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL:
Any student who does not abide by the Robertson County Board of Education policies or White House Heritage School policies may be assigned to the alternative school.The Board shall operate an alternative school program for students in grades 4-12 who have been suspended or expelled from regular school programs. (TCA 49-6-3402) Attendance in alternative school programs shall be mandatory and students attending an alternative school shall provide their own transportation.
Placement in the alternative school will be determined by the Disciplinary Hearing Authority with Board Approval. The principal's recommendation will be given consideration by the DHA.
The student shall be subject to all rules of the school and violations of such rules may result in the student's removal from the school for the duration of the original intended suspension or expulsion. Violation of school rules shall not constitute grounds for extension of time spent in the alternative school.
Students found to be eligible for special education in related circumstances shall be placed and served in accordance with the law and rules relating to special education.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Announcements are made daily. Students are expected to be attentive during announcements so they are informed of upcoming events and important school news.
ARRIVAL/PICK-UP:
Students should be dropped off/picked up at the back entrance of the building by the theater. Dropping off/picking up students in teacher parking is not allowed before or after school. Refer to the map on the last page of this book.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
White House Heritage has a 95% attendance goal each day. Attendance to school is the single most important factor of school success. Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session.
When a student is absent from school, the student is required to present a note from parent/doctor within 5 (five) days of the absence for us to determine if it is excused or unexcused.If the student is absent 3 days consecutively a doctor’s note is required.Absences shall be classified as either excused, unexcused or suspended by the principal or his/her designee.
- Excused Absences Include, but not be limited to:
- Excused Absences (According to the Robertson County Student Handbook, the following reasons are recognized as excused: Personal Illness, Illness in the Family, Death of a Relative, Medical Appointments which cannot be scheduled outside of the school day, Religious Holiday and Emergencies over which the student has no control)
- Field Trips/School Business
- Authorized Absences requested in advance in writing:
Schools may require an official verification of any appointment prior to excusing the absence. Schools may limit the excused absences for appointments.
- Seasonal work in a family business
- Taking drivers test, college visitation, and military examination
- Applying for a job
- Court appearances
- Family vacations
- Circumstances in which in the judgement of the principal creates a necessity for the absence and have been preapproved.
- Unexcused absences shall include, but not be limited to:
Students may be denied the privilege of making up work missed because of an unexcused absence or suspension.
- Car trouble;
- Personal business (e.g. cleaning house, shopping, babysitting, errands, hair appointment, work in the private sector.)
- Excessive Absences
- Students who accumulate 5 (five) absences in a grading period, excused or unexcused, may be required to bring in a doctor’s note for each additional absence. If there is no documentation, these absences will be unexcused and the administration may initiate an attendance mediation where an attendance improvement plan may be developed for the student. Extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Returning from An Absence
- Upon returning from an absence, the student is required to report to the Attendance office before 8:15 am to submit their excuse note and receive an attendance slip to present to their teachers.
- It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missing work.
- The student has the number of days absent plus one to return absent work to each teacher for every excused absence.
- Early Dismissal
Students leaving early must bring a note to the front office by 8:00 a.m. We encourage parents to make appointments before/after school to decrease the amount of instruction time lost. Students leaving school early for appointments must submit a note from the appointment for an excused absence. Should a student have an emergency and need to leave early from school, they MUST report to the office to be signed out by school staff. Failure to comply could result in OSS (out of school suspension)
- Truancy
- The number of unexcused tardy/early dismissals from school will contribute to the total number of unexcused school days which will be included in filing truancy. The accumulation of (8) eight unexcused tardy/early dismissals from school will be equal to (1) one unexcused school day.
- Reasons for excused or unexcused absences apply to all cases of truancy. 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.
- An accumulation of 8 unexcused tardy/early dismissals will equal 1 unexcused day, which will contribute to the number of unexcused days (10) necessary to file truancy with juvenile court.
BUS TRANSPORTATION:
Students may ride only their assigned bus. The bus driver is responsible for the orderly conduct of the students. While on the bus, the student is under the authority of and directly responsible to the bus driver. The bus driver is responsible for reporting, in writing, any misconduct to the Principal or Assistant Principal of the school. The Principal/Asst. Principal will impose disciplinary action, which may result in the removal of the student from riding a bus. The administrator will inform the student and the student’s parents of the removal. The driver may assign seats to students.
CAFETERIA PROCEDURES:
Courtesy and good manners are expected in the cafeteria. Students should go directly to the end of the line, saving a place in line for a friend is not allowed. Throwing food is NOT permitted. Leave your table clean, throwing away trash, uneaten food, etc… when told to by the cafeteria monitors when you have finished. Cafeteria food should be finished in the cafeteria and not brought back to the classrooms.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY:
Be aware of your school and take pride in it. Try to keep it clean and orderly. If a student writes on a desk or locker, or damages any other property, the student may be required to reimburse the school for the cost of repair or replacement and may be subject to school discipline.
CELLULAR PHONES:
Students in grades 6-12 who are housed in a middle or high school may possess a cellular telephone in school, on school property, at after-school activities, and at school-related functions for use in emergencies or unforeseen situations. During school hours and on the school bus, the cellular telephones must remain turned off and concealed.
Cell phones/laptops/devices will be allowed for study purposes only during lunch. If a student calls/emails home on their personal device, it may be taken up as an abuse of the phone policy.
The principal or his/her designee may grant a student permission to use a cellular phone at his/her discretion.
At no time shall a student operate a cellular device with video or picture taking capabilities in a locker room, classroom, bathroom, or other location where such operation may violate the privacy right of another person.
Possession of a cellular telephone is a privilege that may be forfeited by any students who fails to abide by the terms of this policy. Violations of this policy may result in confiscation of the cellular telephone and consequences as outlined in the Student Discipline Policy 6.330.
The student who possesses a cellular telephone shall assume responsibility for its use and care. At no time shall the school be responsible for preventing theft, loss or damage to phones that are brought on school property
CELL PHONE/ELECTRONIC DEVICE VIOLATION POLICY:
Cell phones, CD players, headphones, mp3 players, digital cameras, IPods, and other electronic devices must remain off and out of sight during the instructional day. Exceptions may be granted provided prior administrative approval is obtained and that such devices are used for educational purposes.
Students in violation of the policy will have devices confiscated and stored by the administration.
Violations will result in the following consequences:
White House Heritage (grades 7-12)Violation # / Range of Fine (to be pre-determined by the school-level administrator) / Time of confiscation in lieu of fine
First / $10 / 3 school days
Second / $20 / 5 school days
Third / $30 / Remainder of current grading period or 10 days, whichever is longer
Additional violations / $40 / Remainder of school year
Cell phones/electronic devices confiscated by school staff are cumulative.
All fines collected from the violation of the Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy will be designated and deposited to the school technology fund. The fund will be used to assist the school in meeting technology goals of the school.
CLASSROOM RECORDINGS:
Students may not make audio or video recordings of classroom instruction without the permission of the teacher. If such permission is granted by the teacher, such recordings shall be only used for instructional purposes.
CLINIC (STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES)
The school nurse is available Monday-Friday.
Students will not be sent home unless presenting a fever of 100.5 or greater, vomiting, or any other communicable illness (Board Policy).
The purpose of the clinic is to provide first aid for minor injuries, sudden illnesses, and prescribed medical treatment. The clinic is supplied with cots, bandages, and other medical supplies. You must have a pass from a teacher, administrator, or secretary to go to the clinic. The clinic does not stock or dispense any form of medication.