Gurdon Student Handbook
School Policies and Procedures
2012-2013
#1 Go-Devil Road S Gurdon, AR 71743
Phone: 870-353-4454
http://gurdon.sharpschool.net
Allen Blackwell, Superintendent
Board of Directors
Gurdon School District
(Adopted 6/26/2012)
Find us @ facebook.com/gurdon schools.net
ALMA MATER
For ol” Gurdon’s Honor
We will fight on
We will keep fighting
Till the day, is done
And when the dawn comes
We will still be fighting onward
For the Purple and Gold
We’ll keep on fighting
For Gurdon High
GURDON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mark Sanford------President
Anita Shaver------Vice-President
Clay Britt------Secretary
Elaine Halliday------Board Member
Gary Kirkpatrick------Board Member
Ronnie Lasker------Board Member
Ed Reece------Board Member
CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Superintendent------Allen Blackwell
Director of Federal Programs/Curriculum------Libby White
Director of Special Education------Letha Duke
Director of Child Nutrition------Millie Mcain
Director of Technology------Jon Capps
Business Manager------Rhonda Spruil
Gurdon School District
1 Go-Devil Drive
Gurdon, AR 71743
Phone 870-353-4454 Fax 870-353-4455
Allen Blackwell Superintendent 870-353-4454
Libby White Curriculum/Federal Pro. 870-353-4454
Tommie Campbell High School Principal 870-353-5123
Jeremy Bell Middle School Principal 870-353-4311
Rusty Manning Elementary Principal 870-353-4321
Dear Parents:
On behalf of the Gurdon School District faculty and staff, I welcome you to Gurdon Schools. We are excited about the year ahead, we have two new principals and several new teachers to add to our already great faculty. There will be changes this year that will address challenges that we are facing as we move forward in improving student achievement. Thank you for taking the time to browse through the student handbook. Doing so will help you become acquainted with our school system and the handbook will provide you with a calendar of school events, information pertaining to specific buildings, and general information about the District. We ask that you pay particular attention with your child to the discipline policies found in each school’s section. As a district with a shared vision of educational excellence, we aim to prepare the students of the Gurdon community to become productive, creative citizens who possess a desire to be life-long learners by providing challenging experiences in a caring environment. The Gurdon School District provides students a rigorous academic program in addition to many opportunities to participate in fine arts, athletics, clubs and other organizations. A commitment to education and high expectations for student success by the School Board, faculty, staff, community members, parents, and students in all areas of student development has created a progressive educational environment in our district. We encourage you to visit our website to keep up with current events and activities. http://gurdon.sharpschool.net
We ask you for your continued support for our students in their academic and extra-curricular endeavors. Thank you and let’s have a great school year!
Sincerely,
Allen Blackwell
Allen Blackwell Superintendent, GSD
Gurdon School District Calendar 2012-2013
August 13-17 Teacher In-Service
August 20 First Day for Students
August 30 “Burning of the Curly Wolf” Pep Rally
September 3 Labor Day-NO School
*September 18 Parent/Teacher Conferences (2:30 Dismissal)
October 19 End of 1st Quarter
October 22 2nd Quarter Begins
November 21-23 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 21 End of 2nd Quarter
December 24-January 4 Christmas Holiday
January 14 Martin Luther King Day (NO School)Snow Day
*February 14 Parent/Teacher Conferences (2:30 Dismissal)
February 15 NO School/Snow Day
February 18 President’s Day (NO School)Snow Day
*February 27 Early Dismissal-2:30 (Vertical Team Meetings)
March 15 End of 3rd Quarter
March 18-22 Spring Break
March 29 Good Friday (NO School)Snow Day
May 17 Graduation (7:00p.m.)
May 24 End of 4th Quarter
STATE TESTING 2012-2013
August
August 20 – September 21 Window for Kindergarten Screener (QUALLS)
September
September 19-20 Algebra I Retest Opportunity
November
November 5 - 30 Window for Algebra I Strand Analysis Remediation
December
December 3 – 7 Window for On-line Alternative Test for Algebra I
January
January 15-16 Mid-Year End-of-Course Algebra I Exam (and Algebra I
Retest Opportunity)
January 17-28 Mid-Year End-of-Course Geometry Exam
January 23-24 Mid-Year End-of-Course Biology Exam
March
March 4-29 Window for Algebra I Strand Analysis Remediation
March 5-6 Grade 11 Literacy Exam
March 15 Alternate Portfolio due date
March 25-May 3 Window for English Language Development Assessment
(ELDA) for LEP Students K-12
April
April 1-5 Window for On-line Alternative Test for Algebra I
April 1-12 Window for Grades K-2 and Grade 9 Iowa (NRT) Testing
April 8-12 Augmented Benchmark Exams in Grades 3-8
April 16-17 End-of-Course Geometry Exam
April 23-24 End-of-Course Biology Exam
May
May 7-8 End-of-Course Algebra I Exam (Algebra I Retest Opportunity)
August 31 Prescott H
September 7 Benton Harmony Grove H
14 Marked Tree HSU Reddie Field
21 Dierks A
28 Mineral Springs A
October 5 Murfreesboro (Homecoming) H
12 Springhill A
19 Lafayette County (Sr Night) H
26 Bearden A
November 2 Foreman A
August 30 Prescott H
September 6 Benton Harmony Grove A
13 Foreman H
20 Dierks A
27 Mineral Springs H
October 4 Murfreesboro A
11 Springhill H
18 Lafayette County A
2012 Go-Devil Basketball
December 4 Murfreesboro Here JG, SG,SB 5:30
7 Dierks Here JB,SG,SB 5:30
11 Springhill Here JG, SG,SB 5:30
13 Centerpoint There JG, JB 5:30
14 Foreman There JG, SG,SB 5:30
17 Lafayette County Here JG,SG,SB 5:30
20 Mineral Springs There JG,JB, SB 5:30
27-29 Hampton Invitational SG,SB TBA
January 4 Blevins There JB,,SG,SB 5:30
8 Murfreesboro There JB,SG, SB 5:30
11 Dierks There JB,SG,SB 5:30
12-19 Saratoga Invitational SG,SB TBA
14 Prescott Here ,JB,SG,SB 5:30
15 Springhill There ,JG,SG,SB 5:30
18 Foreman Here JG,SG,SB 5:30
22 Lafayette County There JG,SG,SB 5:00
25 Mineral Springs Here JB,SG,SB 5:30
29 Blevins Here 7B,JG,SG,SB 5:30
February 1 Sparkman Here SG,SB 5:30
5 Centerpoint Here SG,SB 5:30
8 Glen Rose Here SG.SB 5:30
February 2,4,7 JR. High Dist Tourn. Gurdon JG,JB TBA
7 Centerpoint There SG,SB 5:30
10 Benton-Harmony Grove There SG,SB 5:30
February .11-15 Sr. High District Tournament TBA SG,SB TBA
19-23 Class 2-A South Regional Tournament
Feb 26 – Mar 2 Class 2-A State Tournament
March 7-9 State Tournament
MASTER TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTON 1------Gurdon School District Policies
SECTION 2------Gurdon Primary School
SECTION 3------Cabe Middle School
SECTION 4------Gurdon High School
Section 1
Gurdon School District
STUDENT
DISCIPLINE
HANDBOOK
GURDON SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT & DISCIPLINE HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter From Prosecuting Attorney………………………………………………………. / 12Charles and Anita Cabe Auditorium……………………………………………………. / 13
Residence Requirements………………………………………………………………... / 13
Entrance Requirements………………………………………………………………...... / 14
Compulsory Attendance Requirements…………………………………………………. / 15
Student Transfers………………………………………………………………………... / 15
School Choice…………………………………………………………………………… / 16
Home Schooling…………………………………………………………………………. / 17
Absences…………………………………………………………………………………. / 17
Make-Up Work…………………………………………………………………………... / 19
Tardies…………………………………………………………………………………… / 19
Closed Campus…………………………………………………………………………... / 19
Privacy of Students’ Records……………………………………………………………. / 19
Equal Educational Opportunity………………………………………………………….. / 21
Student Organization Equal Access……………………………………………………... / 21
Special Education………………………………………………………………………... / 22
Non-Discrimination Statement…………………………………………………………... / 22
Equity Program…………………………………………………………………………... / 22
Title IX Section 504……………………………………………………………………... / 22
Information Regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973…………………….. / 23
Grievance Procedures……………………………………………………………………. / 23
Supplemental Services…………………………………………………………………... / 23
Contact with Students at School…………………………………………………………. / 23
Disruption of School……………………………………………………………………... / 24
Placement of Multiple Birth Siblings……………………………………………………. / 25
Students Who Are Foster Children………………………………………………………. / 25
Student Visitors…………………………………………………………………………... / 25
Extra Curricular Activities……………………………………………………………….. / 26
Academic Requirements…………………………………………………………………. / 26
Extra Curriculum Activities……………………………………………………………… / 27
Selection/Inspection of Instructional Material…………………………………………… / 27
Challenge of Instructional Material……………………………………………………… / 28
Selection of Library/Media Center Material……………………………………………... / 28
Smart Core Curriculum and Graduation Requirements………………………………….. / 30
Grading…………………………………………………………………………………... / 35
Homework Policy………………………………………………………………………... / 35
Advanced Placement…………………………………………………………………….. / 35
Concurrent College and High School Credit…………………………………………….. / 36
Remediation……………………………………………………………………………… / 36
Parent-Teacher Communication…………………………………………………………. / 36
Objection to Publication…………………………………………………………………. / 37
Communicable Diseases and Parasites…………………………………………………... / 37
Student Medication………………………………………………………………………. / 38
Student Discipline ……………………………………………………………………….. / 39
Bullying…………………………………………………………………………………... / 39
Possession and Use of Cell Phone, Beepers, Etc………………………………………… / 41
Prohibited Conduct………………………………………………………………………. / 42
Conduct To and From School & Transportation Eligibility……………………………... / 43
Student Assault or Battery……………………………………………………………….. / 43
Weapons and Dangerous Instruments……………………………………………………. / 43
Tobacco and Tobacco Products…………………………………………………………... / 44
Drugs and Alcohol………………………………………………………………………... / 44
Chemical Screen Test Policy……………………………………………………………... / 45
Student Sexual Harassment ……………………………………………………………… / 48
Suspension From School…………………………………………………………………. / 49
Expulsion…………………………………………………………………………………. / 50
Search, Seizure, and Interrogations………………………………………………………. / 51
Corporal Punishments……………………………………………………………………. / 52
Video Surveillance………………………………………………………………………... / 52
Network Appropriate Use Policies and Guidelines………………………………………. / 54
Parent/Community Involvement-District…………………………………………………. / 57
CHARLES AND ANITA CABE AUDITORIUM
The Charles and Anita Cabe Auditorium is for the benefit of students and the community of Gurdon. The auditorium is designed for formal ceremonies, productions, concerts, and various other activities that benefit our community as well as other surrounding areas. The auditorium is not a place of celebration or disruptive behavior. Please observe the following rules:
1. Gum, candy, food or drinks are not permitted in the auditorium.
2. Do not place shoes, boots, or feet on the backs, arms or cushions of the auditorium seats.
3. The audience is expected to remain seated throughout the entire performance. If it is necessary to
leave, pick an appropriate time that is least disruptive to others.
4. Small children must be accompanied by an adult in the auditorium. When children are
disruptive, they create a distraction for everyone and should be escorted quietly out of the
auditorium.
5. Talking will not be permitted. Taking is distracting to both audience and performer and is
inappropriate behavior during a performance.
6. The use of flash and/or video cameras is a distraction to both audience and performer and cannot
be permitted in front of the stage area during a performance. Designated times will be allowed
for graduation and other productions.
7. People arriving late will be seated during an appropriate break in the program. Do not enter after
a performance has begun until the doors are opened by an official usher.
8. The wearing of hats during a performance in the auditorium is distracting and inappropriate.
9. No loud outbursts or noise making devices are allowed inside the auditorium. Appropriate
audience response is encouraged.
10. Failure to abide by the rules set for the Charles and Anita Cabe Auditorium will result in being
escorted out of the facility.
4.1—RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Definitions:
"Reside" means to be physically present and to maintain a permanent place of abode for an average of no fewer than four (4) calendar days and nights per week for a primary purpose other than school attendance.
"Resident" means a student whose parents, legal guardians, persons having legal, lawful control of the student under order of a court, or persons standing in loco parentis reside in the school district.
"Residential address" means the physical location where the student's parents, legal guardians, persons having legal, lawful control of the student under order of a court, or persons standing in loco parentis reside. A student may use the residential address of a legal guardian, person having legal, lawful control of the student under order of a court, or person standing in loco parentis only if the student resides at the same residential address and if the guardianship or other legal authority is not granted solely for educational needs or school attendance purposes.
The schools of the District shall be open and free through the completion of the secondary program to all persons between the ages of five (5) and twenty one (21) years whose parents, legal guardians, or other persons having lawful control of the person under an order of a court reside within the District and to all persons between those ages who have been legally transferred to the District for educational purposes.
Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older may establish a residence separate and apart from his or her parents or guardians for school attendance purposes.
In order for a person under the age of eighteen (18) years to establish a residence for the purpose of attending the District's schools separate and apart from his or her parents, guardians, or other persons having lawful control of him or her under an order of a court, the person must actually reside in the District for a primary purpose other than that of school attendance. However, a student previously enrolled in the district who is placed under the legal guardianship of a noncustodial parent living outside the district by a custodial parent on active military duty may continue to attend district schools. A foster child who was previously enrolled in a District school and who has had a change in placement to a residence outside the District, may continue to remain enrolled in his/her current school unless the presiding court rules otherwise.
Under instances prescribed in A.C.A. – 6-18-203, a child or ward of an employee of the district or of the education coop to which the district belongs may enroll in the district even though the employee and his/her child or ward reside outside the district. A.C.A-section 6-18-201 et.seq.
4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
To enroll in a school in the District, the child must be a resident of the District as defined in District policy (4.1—RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS), meet the criteria outlined in policy 4.40—HOMELESS STUDENTS or in policy 4.52-STUDENTS WHO ARE FOSTER CHILDREN, be accepted as a transfer student under the provisions of policy 4.4, or participate under a school choice option and submit the required paperwork as required by the choice option.
Students may enter kindergarten if they will attain the age of five (5) on or before September 1 of the year in which they are seeking initial enrollment. Any student who has been enrolled in a state-accredited or state-approved kindergarten program in another state for at least sixty (60) days, who will become five (5) years old during the year in which he/she is enrolled in kindergarten, and who meets the basic residency requirement for school attendance may be enrolled in kindergarten upon written request to the District.
Any child who will be six (6) years of age on or before October 1 of the school year of enrollment and who has not completed a state-accredited kindergarten program shall be evaluated by the district and may be placed in the first grade if the results of the evaluation justify placement in the first grade and the child's parent or legal guardian agrees with placement in the first grade; otherwise the child shall be placed in kindergarten.