XIT Secondary School
“Education and Knowledge for a Lifetime”
2016-2017 Student Handbook
Superintendent: Mr. John Massey
Principal: Mr. Derek Hollingsworth
Index
Index Page 2-3
Preface Page 4
DISD Mission Statement Page 4
Nondiscrimination Notice Page 4
XIT Mission Statement Page 5
XIT Enrollment Procedures Page 5
Intake and Exit Procedures Page 6
Student Honor Creed Page 7
Graduation Requirements Page 9
GED Requirements Page 9
Grading System & Curriculum Page 9
Make-up Work Page 9
Accidents and Injuries Page 9
Change of Address Page 9
Attendance Policy Pages 9-10
Attendance Guidelines Page 10
Absences Page 9-10
Academic Program Page 11
Buses or other School Vehicles Page 11
Cafeteria Services Page 11
Career and Technology Education Page 11
Academic Dishonesty Page 11
Communicable Diseases Pages 11-12
Communication between Home and School Page 12
Complaints by Students/Parents Page 12
Computer Resources Page 12
Driver’s License Requirements Page 12
Dress/Grooming Code Pages 12-13
Automobile Driving and Parking Page 13
Bullying Page 13
Snowballing Page 13
Male/Female Relationships Page 13
Lost and Found Pages 13-14
Visitors Page 14
Insurance Page 14
Emergency Medical Treatment Page 14
Emergency School Closing Information Page 14
Governmental Authorities Pages 14-15
Instructional Television Page 15
Parent Involvement, Responsibilities and Rights Pages 15-16
Prayer Page 16
Protection of Student Rights Page 16
Safety/Accident Prevention Page 16
Special Programs Page 17
Special Education Options and Requirements………………...……Pages 17-18
Notice for Special Education Page 18
Privacy & Confidentiality Pages 18-19
Right to Due Process Page 19
Student Behavior and Guidelines Page 19-21
Discipline Page 21-23
Sexual Harassment Page 24
Insubordination Page 24
Withdrawals Page 24
“Unsafe School” Withdrawal……………………………………….Pages 24-25
Conferences Page 25
Counseling Page 25
Fire Tornado and Other Emergency Drills Page 25
Fees Page 25
Immunization Pages 25-26
Medicine at School Page 26
Pest Control Information Page 26
Asbestos Management Page 26
Release of Student from School Page 26
Smoking, Tobacco Products, Drugs and Alcohol Page 26
Acknowledgment of Receipt of Student Handbook Page 28
XIT Secondary School Student Handbook
“Education and Knowledge for a Lifetime”
Superintendent-John Massey
Principal-Derek Hollingsworth
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Peter Baumert Boyd Barrow
Tammy Schneiderjan Joni Atha
Colette Moorehouse Justin Moore
Janet Banks
2016-2017
STUDENT HANDBOOK
PREFACE
To Student and Parents:
The XIT Secondary School Student Handbook contains information students and parents are likely to need to insure a successful school year. The handbook is organized alphabetically by topic. Throughout the handbook, the term “the student’s parent” means parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student.
Students and parents also need to be familiar with the XIT Secondary Student Code of Conduct, which sets out the consequences for inappropriate behavior, is required by state law, and is intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. This document may be found as a separate document sent home to parents.
DISD MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Dalhart I.S.D., as a total community instructional system committed to excellence, is to educate students. Through participating in quality programs, in innovation and challenging educational experiences, and in creative partnerships with the community, students will acquire knowledge and develop the self-esteem, moral values, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills which will prepare them to become responsible, productive citizens of the 21st century.
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE
XIT Secondary School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
The following District staff members have been designated to coordinate compliance with these requirements:
Derek Hollingsworth, Principal
XIT Secondary School
10th and Maple
Dalhart, Texas
(806) 244-7340
Mission Statement
XIT Secondary School-“Education and Knowledge for a Lifetime”
The mission of XIT Secondary School is to provide educational and social programs for Dalhart ISD and other area students in at-risk situations and to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning and developing knowledge and social skills, resulting in responsible, productive citizens.
It is the goal and the purpose of the XIT Secondary School to provide an alternate School program for the young people of our community in support of the Dalhart Independent School District’s total education program.
XIT Secondary School Enrollment Procedures
All referrals must be made in writing to the Principal of the XIT Secondary School prior to the placement hearing or the change of setting ARD. The XIT Principal, the DHS Principal, and Superintendent (or designee), will meet as a committee to determine appropriate campus placement.
Students in Need of Pregnancy Related Services & Parenting Students
● Referral or Interview with the Principal
● Written Request from Student
Students at Risk of graduating and in need of Academic Acceleration
● Referral from DHS Principal
● Written Request from Student
● Three day Transfer Period
Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)
See DAEP Handbook
STUDENT HONOR CREED
PREAMBLE
Honor and personal integrity are my greatest assets. I, myself, control the extent and quality of these traits. It is important to me now and in the future to be a member of a school whose record for high honor is outstanding. Only by constant and voluntary effort on my part can the XIT Secondary School maintain the position of an excellent reputation, which we seek.
In order to further my position as an individual of high honor and in order to make my school outstanding in every respect, I shall do my best to abide by the following creed and to cooperate with my fellow students and teachers in furthering the creed.
CREED
1. I will at all time treat my fellow students in the same respectful manner I expect them to treat me and have full respect for their property and personal rights.
2. I will intelligently follow the leadership of all properly elected student officers and abide by such decisions as they have been empowered to make by the will of the majority.
3. I will respect and abide by the authority of my teachers. I will make social effort to be helpful and cooperate at all times when a substitute teacher is in charge, for I realize a substitute is in fact my guest.
4. I will make every effort to protect my school property and maintain its appearance for I appreciate the fact that my school is frequently judged by is appearance and the appearance of the surrounding grounds.
5. I will neither give help nor receive help from a fellow pupil during a test or examination. I will make sure that all work submitted as a part of a test or examination is honest in every respect.
6. I will do my class work at all times, for I realize that class work is a means for me to learn. Any help I seek in accomplishing my schoolwork assignment will be for the purpose of increasing my understanding and will not include copying from another student’s work or having anyone else do my work for me.
7. I will do my best at all times outside of school, and act in such a manner that it can only bring honor to my home and my school.
2016 - 2017 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
English, Language Arts 4 Units
Mathematics 4 Units
Science 4 Units
Social Studies 4 Units (World Geography, U.S. History, World Hist., Government, Econmics.)
Speech 0.5 Unit
Health 0.5 Unit
Fine Art 1 Unit
Foreign Language 2 Units
Electives 5 units of electives to meet total of 26 units of credit for graduation
TAKS Must pass all parts of the TAKS EXIT Test
EOC Must pass all EOC when it is applicable
● These requirements satisfy the Multidisciplinary Studies Pathway. This is the only pathway offered by XIT Secondary Schools.
● Minimum graduation plan of 22 credit hours is being phased out. Beginning in 2014-2015, first time freshman and following classes will be on the Foundation Plan specified by House Bill 5.
GRADING SYSTEM AND REPORTS
At the end of each semester, a grade will be posted on the transcript for each high school student. Each student is expected to complete the entire semester of each course by the close of the semester. If the student enrolled after the start of a semester, the grade will be calculated by averaging the incoming grade with all required work. If the student does not complete all the required lessons for the semester, a failing grade will be posted with no credit. However, upon successful completion of those lessons, a student will be issued a grade and credit on his/her transcript. If the student does not complete the course by the end of the year, a failing grade will be placed as a permanent grade on the transcript. All grades posted on the transcript will figure into rank and GPA. If a student begins a new course within the last half of the semester, the course and grade will not be posted on the transcript. Any posting of grades will be at the discretion of the principal.
CURRICULUM
Plato: a web-based curriculum that is TEKS aligned.
ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
All injuries sustained by students while in attendance at school must be reported to the principal’s office immediately. The Texas Education Agency requires a report of each accident.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER
Students who change their residence, mailing address, or telephone number after enrollment must report the change promptly to the principal’s office. Office records must be correct in case of an emergency at school or at home.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular school attendance is essential for the student to make the most of his or her education--to benefit from teacher-led activities, to build each day’s learning on that of the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual.
It is also the law in Texas that:
A student between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school and District-required tutorial sessions unless the student is otherwise legally exempted or excused. School employees must investigate and report
violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission from school, from any class, or from required tutorials, will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary action, which may include court action.
A student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90% of each semester (absent no more than 10% of each semester.)
XIT Secondary School shall submit the names of students who have exceeded the maximum allowable number of days of absence to the attendance committee for possible denial of academic credit.
ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES
1. The student will attend classes from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. using transportation which currently exists for all alternative students, transfer buses from Jr. High School or Dalhart High School and/or private transportation.
2. It is the student’s duty to be in class (and on time) daily.
3. Students should make advance arrangements for scheduled absences, in so far as possible, in the principal’s office and with their teachers.
4. Students are not allowed to leave the campus during the school day without permission from the administrative staff or school nurse.
5. Daily absences are excused for specific reasons only.
ABSENCES
1. Any student not already exempt from the compulsory attendance law may nevertheless be excused from the following extenuation circumstance: Temporary absences resulting from personal sickness, (accompanied by doctor’s note), sickness or death in the family, (accompanied by appropriate legal documentation), quarantine, weather or road conditions making travel dangerous, legal (accompanied by proper documentation), religious events and activities (with proper documentation) or any other unusual cause acceptable to the Superintendent or principal of the school in which the student is enrolled. Education Code 21.035 (B) (See also board Policy FDC).
2. If any parent or person standing in parental relation to a child who is subject to the compulsory school attendance law and not lawfully exempt or properly excused from attendance, fails to require the child to attend school, he/she shall be warned in writing by the school attendance officer that attendance is immediately required. (See Board Policy FCE).
3. If after this warning, a parent or person standing in parental relation intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence fails to comply, he/she can prove inability to compel the child to attend school. In this case, this shall be subject to action by the juvenile court. Education Code 4.25.
4. The reason for an excused absence must be stated in writing and signed by the parent, legal guardian, or person standing in parental relation to the student.
5. A student’s attendance record must be reviewed by the Attendance Committee for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90% of the class days during a semester. A single unexcused absence may result in the student being assigned to make-up time requirements such as before or after regular school hours.
6. A student absent from school for any reason may not be allowed to participate in school-related activities on that day or evening.
7. A student who missed class because of participating in an activity sponsored by a non-approved organization will receive an unexcused absence.
8. ATTENDANCE; ABSENCES; AND EXCUSES Students who accrue 5% (5 Absences) absence time in any class during a semester shall be advised by the principal or designee that if more absences are accrued, credit may be withheld for that specific class by the Attendance Committee.
9. APPEAL A parent or guardian may appeal to the Attendance Committee for reinstatement of credits.
10. TRUANCY: Students absent from school without permission of parent(s) or guardian(s) or absent from class without the principal’s permission, shall be considered truant and shall be subject to disciplinary action. (See Board Policy FOA).
11. TARDIES: Unexcused tardies shall result in disciplinary action. The following guideline will be implemented: Students must make up the time during the week that the event occurs.
A Student–Teacher Conference will provide the opportunity to evaluate the infractions and a behavior management plan will be implemented.