LOWNDES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2015– 2016 Edition
It is the official policy of the Lowndes County Board of Education that no person within the school system shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion, national origin, or age be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity or employment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2015-2016 SCHOLASTIC CALENDAR 5
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD 6
PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION 6
MISSION STATEMENT 8
BELIEFS 8
PARAMETERS 9
GOALS 9
ROLES FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION 10
JURISDICTION OF THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION 11
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREAS 11
EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 12
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS 12
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE AGES 13
ENTRANCE AGE 13
KINDERGARTEN 13
ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES 13
RESIDENT STUDENTS 14
NONRESIDENT STUDENTS 14
TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS 14
ATTENDANCE 15
ABSENCES AND EXCUSES 16
TRUANCY 17
STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS 18
RELEASE TIME 18
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 18
DUE PROCESS 19
INTERROGATIONS AND SEARCHES BY SCHOOL OFFICIALS 19
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS 20
AMENDMENT TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW 22
SUSPENSION 22
INDEFINITE SUSPENSION 23
DRESS CODE 24
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT NOTICE 25
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT 26
CLASSIFICATION OF VIOLATIONS 26
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HELPING FAMILIES INITIATIVE 32
SCHOOL BUS RULES 33
TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS 34
REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS 34
HOMEWORK POLICY 34
REPORT CARDS 35
FINAL EXAMINATION 35
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 36
PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY 36
REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION 37
HIGH SCHOOL PROMOTION CRITERIA 38
DUAL ENROLLMENT/DUAL CREDIT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 38
GRADE AVERAGE/GRADE POINT AVERAGE 39
ACCESS 39
CREDIT RECOVERY 39
DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES ISSUED 40
ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN GRADUATION EXERCISES 41
NEW ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS ISSUED 41
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR VALEDICTORIAN, SALUTATORIAN AND 41
HONOR LINE OR TOP TEN ACADEMIC STUDENTS 41
TEXTBOOKS PAYMENT SCHEDULE 42
STUDENT INSURANCE PROGRAMS 43
ACCIDENTS 43
AUTOMOBILE AND MOTORIZED VEHICLE USE BY STUDENTS 43
SUSPENSION OF DRIVER'S LICENSES 43
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES 43
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 45
RESPONSE TO INSTRUCTION 47
PROBLEM SOLVING TEAM (PST) 48
SPECIAL EDUCATION 48
SECTION 504 48
STUDENT PSYCHOMETRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING 48
GIFTED PROGRAM 48
HOMELESS PROGRAM 49
EMERGENCY DRILLS 49
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION 49
SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE 49
STUDENT ACTIVITIES 50
PARTICIPATION IN EXTRA-CURRICULA ACTIVITIES- 50
STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES 50
STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS 51
STUDENT COUNCIL 51
CELL PHONES 51
USE OF DIGITAL DEVICE DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF TESTING 51
GRADUATIONS 52
STUDENT SOCIAL EVENTS 52
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS 52
SOLICITATIONS 52
GIFTS BY STUDENTS 52
CONTESTS FOR STUDENTS 52
MARRIED STUDENTS 52
STUDENT PREGNANCIES 53
PUBLIC USE OF STUDENT RECORDS 53
STUDENT FEES 54
STUDENT WORK HOURS 54
STUDENT COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES 54
SEXUAL HARASSMENT INVOLVING STUDENTS 54
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT 55
DETENTION 55
DRUGS AT SCHOOL 55
DESTRUCTION/RESTITUTION OF PROPERTY 55
WEAPONS/GUN FREE SCHOOL 55
GUIDELINES FOR COMPUTER AND INTERNET SAFETY USAGE 56
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS 59
NEW ALABAMA PLAN 2020 MODEL 68
WEBSITES FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS 69
INDEX 71
Appendix
Forms to Be Completed by Parent(s)
Parental Notification of Compulsory School Attendance Laws………………………ii
Student Photo Release Form…………………………………………………………..iii
Free Text Book Application…………………………………………………………...iv
Statement in Regard to State Owned Textbooks……………………………………....v
Home Language Survey (English and Spanish Translation)…………………………..vi
Migrant Employment Survey………………………………………………………….vii
Internet Acceptable Use Policy………………………………………………………..ix
No Child Left Behind Parents’ Right-To-Know Professional Qualifications Request Form…………………………………………………………………………..x
Parental Involvement Evaluation Form /Parent Workshop Survey……………………xi
Student Handbook Receipt/Demographic Information Form………………………....xii School Medication Prescriber/Parent Authorization………………………………….xiii
Health Assessment Record…………………………………………………………....xiv
Application for Student Enrollment…………………………………………………...xvi
LOWNDES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ADOPTED 2015-2016 SCHOLASTIC CALENDAR
Reporting Day for Twelve-Month Employees / Wednesday, July 1, 2015Independence Day / Thursday-Friday, July 2-3, 2015
Reporting Day for Eleven-Month Employees / Monday, July 6, 2015
Reporting Day for Ten-Month Employees / Monday, July 20, 2015
Reporting Day for Nine-Month Employees / Monday, August 3, 2015
Staff Development/Work Days for Employees / Tuesday-Friday, August 4-7, 2015
Classes Begin / Monday, August 10, 2015
Labor Day / Monday, September 7, 2015
Attendance Reporting Period / Tuesday, September 8, 2014-Monday, October 5, 2015
End of 1st 40-Day Period for Transportation Reporting / Monday, October 5, 2015
Columbus Day* / Monday, October 12, 2015
Veterans’ Day / Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Thanksgiving Break* / Monday-Friday, November 23-27, 2015
Winter Break for Employees
Winter Break for Students / Monday-Friday, December 21, 2015-January 1, 2016
Monday-Monday, December 21, 2015-January 4, 2016
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / Monday, January 18, 2016
Presidents’ Day* / Monday, February 15, 2016
Spring Break* / Monday-Friday, March 21-25, 2016
Inclement Weather Day / Friday, April 1, 2016
The Calhoun School’s Commencement Exercise / Thursday, May 19, 2016
Central High School’s Commencement Exercise / Saturday, May 21, 2016
Classes End / Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Last Day for Nine-Month Employees / Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Last Day for Ten-Month Employees / Thursday, June 9, 2016
Memorial Day / Monday, May 30, 2016
Last Day for Eleven-Month Employees / Thursday, June 23, 2016
Last Day for Twelve-Month Employees
*Twelve-month employees do not observe Monday, October 12, 2015; Monday - Tuesday, November 23-24, 2015; Monday,February 15, 2016; and Monday-Friday, March 21-25, 2016 / Thursday. June 30, 2016
Student Holidays
Observances Dates
Labor Day September 7, 2015
Columbus Day October 12, 2015
Veterans’ Day November 11, 2015
Thanksgiving Break November 23-27, 2015
Winter Break December 21, 2015-
January 4, 2016
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 18, 2016
Presidents’ Day February 15, 2016
Spring Break March 21-25, 2016
Inclement Weather Makeup Day
(if not needed) April 1, 2016 / State Assessment Schedule
Note: No student takes all the tests listed. Nor is the entire day devoted to testing on the specified number of days.
Assessments
AHSGE
End-of-Course Assessment – Algebra I
End-of-Course Assessment – English 10
ACT WorkKeys Paper/Pencil
ACT WorkKeys Paper/Pencil w Accommodations
ACT WorkKeys Paper/Pencil Makeup
ACCESS for ELLs
Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
ACT Aspire Paper/Pencil
ACT Aspire Computer-Based
ACT Plus Writing Pre-Test
ACT Plus Writing Paper/Pencil
ACT Plus Writing Paper/Pencil w Accommodations
ACT Plus Writing Makeup Paper/Pencil
AAA (Throughout Year)
End-of-Course Assessment – Algebra I
End-of-Course Assessment – English 10 / Dates
July 6-10, 2015
December 15, 2015
December 16, 2015
To Be Announced
To Be Announced
To Be Announced
February 1-April 1, 2016
February 1-April 1, 2016
April 4-22, 2016
April 4-May 13, 2016
April 18, 2016
April 19, 2016
April 19-May 3, 2016
May 3, 2016
(Deadline) May 6, 2016
May 16, 2016
May 17, 2016
Attendance Reporting / Grading Periods/Report Card Issuances
First Period August 10, 2015 – October 8, 2015
Report Cards October 15, 2015
Second Period October 9, 2015 – December 18, 2015
Report Cards January 7, 2016
Third Period January 5, 2016 – March 10, 2016
Report Cards March 17, 2016
Fourth Period March 11, 2016 – May 24, 2016
Report Cards May 25 – June 1, 2016
Adopted January 15, 2015
Periods / Dates / Days
1 / August 10, 2015 – September 4 2015 / 20
2 / September 8, 2015 – October 5, 2015 / 20
3 / October 6, 2015 – November 3, 2015 / 20
4 / November 4, 2015 - December 9, 2015 / 20
5 / December 10, 2015 – January 22, 2016 / 20
6 / January 25, 2016 – February 22, 2016 / 20
7 / February 23, 2016 – March 28, 2016 / 20
8 / March 29, 2016 – April 26, 2016 / 20
9 / April 27, 2016 – May 24, 2016 / 20
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Post Office Box 755
Hayneville, Alabama 36040
A. MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Mr. Ben Davis 875-4614
Mr. Steven T. Foster 227-4437
Mr. Robert J. Grant 563-7792
Ms. Annie C. Hunter 227-4482
Mr. Travis Rogers 301-1314
B. PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Name Position Telephone# Extension#
Dr. Daniel Boyd Superintendent 548-2131 1012
Mr. Jason Burroughs Assistant Superintendent 548-2131 1700
Ms. Yvette Patterson Executive Assistant to Superintendent 548-2131 1006
Mr. Bernard Mitchell Chief School Finance Officer 548-2131 1100
Mrs. Kimberly Washington Director of Human Resources 548-2131 1400
Ms. Renata Hollins Director of Federal Programs/ 548-2131 1200
Special Education
Dr. Benitha Mathews Director of Technology 548-2131 1600
Mrs. Stacy H. Williams Director of Curriculum 548-2131 1300
Mrs. Wanda Hunter Receptionist/Secretary 548-2131 1000
A. SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS
Ms. Samita Jeter Head Start Director 548-2145
Dr. Lorenza Smith At-Risk/Special Projects Facilitator; 563-7389
Career Technical and Business/
Industry Relations
Ms. Tara Green Principal - Central Elementary 563-7319
Mrs. Audra Stinson Principal - Fort Deposit Elementary 227-8704
Mr. Tony Rudolph Instructional Assistant
Mrs. Bessie Morgan Principal - Jackson-Steele Elementary 872-0758
Mr. Keith Scissum Principal - Hayneville Middle 548-2184
Mr. Jason Seaborn Instructional Assistant
Mr. Archie Curtis Principal - Lowndes County Middle 227-4206
Mr. Jason Seaborn Instructional Assistant
Mr. Toriano Baker Principal - Central High 563-7311 Mrs. Traci Stewart Assistant Principal/Instructional Assistant
Mr. Nicholas Townsend Principal – The Calhoun School 227-4515
Ms. Cassandra James Assistant Principal/Instructional Assistant
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a unified, system-wide set of rules and regulations that will ensure a safe, friendly, businesslike surrounding where student and school personnel work cooperatively toward mutually accepted and recognized goals.
Therefore, it shall be the policy of the Lowndes County Board of Education to require principals, faculties, staffs, students, parents, and guardians involved in education in this county to comply with the Board adopted rules and regulations set forth in this Student Handbook for Lowndes County Public Schools.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Lowndes County Public School System is to ensure that our graduates are responsible citizens, effective communicators, life-long learners, and “fierce competitors on the economic world stage”. We will create a safe and clean learning environment that provides students with advanced technological competencies and skills that will greatly enrich their lives and aid in the improvement of home and community. This will be accomplished by a competent and dedicated staff, using a multifaceted, globally competitive, and technologically sound curriculum, within a framework of fiscal responsibility.
Beliefs
We believe that:
v family plays the primary role in the growth and development of its members.
v freedom can only be sustained when balanced by responsible actions.
v the individual’s right to choose is the basis of freedom.
v a caring society will strive to achieve the greatest good for its people.
v experiencing diversity is essential for the full development of the individual and society.
v the power is within every individual to create change.
v in order for any human system to be successful, it must have the participation of those it intends to serve.
v recognizing as well as honoring human diversity enriches the individual and the community.
v every individual deserves the opportunity to be a productive citizen.
v every individual can learn and deserves the opportunity to succeed in life’s endeavors.
v every individual deserves to have nurturing teachers, a balanced curriculum, and adequate resources to meet their needs.
v every individual deserves a positive, safe, clean, and orderly environment.
v our diverse cultural heritage enriches our community, and respect for differences is essential for societal harmony.
v the power is within every individual to exhibit good moral character.
PARAMETERS
Lowndes County Public Schools operate in accordance with state and federal laws and the Board of Education policies. The following parameters are also guidelines within which the district will accomplish its mission.
u We will not accept failure by anyone.
u The best interest of students shall always come first.
u Nothing will take precedence over a first rate, first class instructional program within a safe and clean learning environment.
u We will engage only in those activities that support the accomplishment of the district’s mission.
u New programs shall be consistent with the district’s mission and strategic plan. Benefits shall clearly exceed costs, and provisions shall be made for staff development and timely program evaluation.
u We will not tolerate behavior that diminishes the dignity, honor, or self worth of any individual or group.
GOALS
Goal 1
Develop and implement an instructional program that will enable students to develop problem solving, communication, social, and advanced technological skills needed to reach state, national, and international standards.
Goal 2
Improve and enhance the teaching and learning environment by planning, organizing, and implementing a program of construction, renovation, and maintenance; outline systematic procedures and schedules that will ensure safe, well maintained, and attractive schools.
Goal 3
Develop and implement a plan to secure financial resources for successful program operation and effectiveness.
Goal 4
Establish a system-wide staff development program for professional and support personnel that will be on-going and consistent with instructional goals of the school district.
Goal 5
Establish and maintain standards of academic excellence, by increasing student motivation, and improving attendance and discipline; implement a program designed to improve cooperative partnerships with parents, businesses, and industry.
ROLES FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
A. In order for effective teaching to take place in the Lowndes County Schools it is imperative that a cooperative relationship exist among students, parents and educators.
B. In order to create this cooperative relationship, the Lowndes County Board of Education envisions each participant assuming the following roles:
1. Parents and Guardians must:
a. maintain regular communication with school personnel concerning their child's progress and conduct;
b. ensure that their child is in daily attendance and promptly report and explain an absence or tardiness to school officials;
c. provide their child with the resources needed to complete the classwork;