Mission statement: Page 1
a. Board of Education
I. Academic information: Pages 2-7
a. Graduation Requirements
b. Grades 6-12 Bell Schedule
c. Curriculum
d. Grading Scale
e. High School GPA
f. Honor Roll
g. Semester Exams
h. Progress Reports
i. Schedule Changes
j. Valedictorian
k. Grade k-8 Academics
l. CACC
m. Conferences
II. Attendance Policy: Pages 7-12
a. Attendance Policy and Procedures
1. Unexcused Absences
2. Excused Absences
b. Student Arrival
c. Tardy Regulations
d. Attendance Procedures
e. Make-up Work
f. Change of Address or Telephone Number
g. Closing of School
h. School Reach
i. Leaving the Building
j. Hall Passes
III. Disciplinary Code: Pages 12-25
a. Code of Conduct
1. Student Responsibility/Rights
2. Teacher Responsibility/Rights
3. Parent Responsibility/Rights
b. Guidelines for Discipline
1. Level I
2. Level II
3. Level III
4. Level IV
c. Student Rights
d. Saturday School
e. Student Attire
f. Physical Education “No Dress” Policy
g. Lockers and Other School Property
h. Repeated Failure to Prepare for Class
i. 7th & 8th Student Council’s Discipline Policy
j. Lunchroom Rules
k. Playground Rules
l. Prohibited Items
m. Policy for Behavior Int.
IV. Medical Information: 25-27
a. Health Requirements
b. Medication for Students at School
c. Parent Responsibility for Medical Needs
d. Head lice Policy Regulations
e. School Nurse (HS students)
f. Insurance
V. Student Transportation: Pages 27-28
a. Automobile
b. Bus Regulations
VI. Extra-curriculum Code: Pages 28-34
a. High School Athletic Handbook
b. Junior High School Athletic Handbook Rules for Sporting
c. Rules for Sporting Events
VII. General Information: 34-39
a. Breakfast and Lunch Program
b. Building Access After Dismissal
c. Care of Books/Equipment
d. Cell Phones
e. Fire, Disaster, and Crisis Drills
f. Use of Building
g. Use of Electronic Study
h. Visitors
i. Soda Machines
j. Student Records
k. Telephone Use
l. Transfer/Withdrawal
m. References
n. Asbestos Hazard
o. Glossary of Terms
VIII. Services: Pages 39-40
a. Guidance and Counseling
b. Safe School
c. Public Notice
d. Equal Opportunity Statement
e. Social Services
GIRARD COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #3
525 North Third Street
Girard, Illinois 62640
Marlene Brady, Superintendent
217-627-2915
Rob Horn, Principal Sarah Raynor, Principal
Grades 6-12 Grades Pre-K-5
627-2136 627-2419
www.girardschools.org
MISSION STATEMENT
Excellence in Education=Knowledge for the Future
INTRODUCTION
This handbook is provided to the students and their families to acquaint them with the rules, regulations, procedures and other relevant information necessary for the orderly functioning of the school. It has been structured to help promote student progress as well as an interest of modeling appropriate school government. In addition, this handbook provides for the psychological and physical safety of the students through appropriate rules and regulations. The policies and procedures in this handbook are summaries of Board of Education policies and regulations which are available for review in the Girard School District administrative offices, and are subject to revision in accordance with Board of Education and administrative practice during the school year. This handbook also may be amended during the school year without notice.
When breeches of school disciplinary rules and regulations occur, it is the responsibility of involved teachers and administrators to work with the student, his/her parents, and other support personnel to help the student correct his/her behavior. All disciplinary actions shall be directed toward protecting the welfare of the school community as well as helping the student develop self-discipline. When determining the response for a specific breech of discipline, school personnel will consider the nature of the act, the student’s previous history, his/her age and maturation, any mitigating circumstances, and the effect of his/her actions on the welfare of the school community. Disciplinary responses may include but are not limited to the actions described in this handbook.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Jay Rogers, President Tony Traylor
Ken Boyd, Vice President Susan Fox
Colleen Koprowitz, Secretary Mark Sloman
Mark Edwards
SHADED TEXT INDICATES A CHANGE OR ADDITION TO PREVIOUS HANDBOOK LANGUAGE
Academic Information
A. Graduation Requirements: A student must meet the following requirements in order to
graduate from GHS:
1. Minimum credits
a. A student must have 20 units of credit. At least 17 of these must be in academic subjects. Subjects considered to be non-academic are physical education, band, chorus, and REPF/teacher’s helper.
b. No more than 3 credits toward graduation may be granted in physical education and band.
2. Required subjects
a. 4 units of credit in English for the class of 2012 (English I, II, III, IV)
b. 3 units of History
· 1 unit of credit in Social Studies
· 1 unit of credit in U.S. History- students must also pass tests pertaining to the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions
· 1/2 unit of credit in American Government
· 1/2 unit of credit in Resource Management
c. 3 units of credit in Mathematics – 1 credit must include Algebra I
d. 2 units of credit in Science
e. 1/2 unit of credit in Health
f. 1/4 unit of credit in Driver Education
g. 1/4 unit of Music Appreciation
h. 1 unit of credit in Physical Education – All students must take physical education unless excused for medical or religious reasons or because of unsolvable schedule conflicts. In addition the following exemptions are allowed: 1) Any 11th or 12th grade student who must take an additional class in order to be granted admission to a specific institution of higher learning or to enroll in one or more specific courses needed to meet state or local graduation requirements. 2) Any 11th or 12th grade student who participates in an interscholastic athletic program. Students will be reassigned to a PE class once their particular sport season has ended.
i. Any and all statutory requirements as prescribed in the State Board of Education Document #1
j. 1 unit of credit must include band, foreign language, or vocational education (Class of 2009-2011)
B. Bell Schedule:
8:15 - 9:12 Period One 11:31 - 12:21 Period Four
9:15 - 10:05 Period Two 12:24 - 1:14 Period Five
10:08 - 10:58 Period Three 1:17 - 2:07 Period Six
10:58 - 11:28 Lunch 2:10 - 3:00 Period Seven
C. Curriculum:
On the following pages, learning standards for District #3 students are listed. These standards represent what students should know and be able to do as a result of their schooling. Based on continuous assessment, school personnel develop improvement plans to increase student achievement in meeting these standards in each school and classroom. Greater detail of daily objectives in meeting these standards may be reviewed by contacting your child’s teacher(s).
Language Arts:
Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections
Read aloud with attention to expression, accuracy, phrasing and intonation
Comprehend a broad range of reading materials
Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning
Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization
Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences
Listen effectively in formal and informal situations
Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience
Locate, organize and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve
problems and communicate ideas
Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats
Apply skills and strategies of an independent learner
Mathematics:
Organize, describe and analyze existing data and data collected via formulated questions
Determine, describe, and apply the probabilities of events
Demonstrate knowledge and use of numbers and their representations in a broad range of
theoretical and practical settings
Investigate, represent and solve problems through computation and estimation methods
(mental mathematics, paper-and-pencil methods, calculator, and computer)
using number facts; operations and their properties; algorithms and
relationships
Estimate, measure, and compare quantities using appropriate units, instruments, and
methods; and determine acceptable levels of accuracy
Select and use appropriate technology, instruments, and formulas to solve problems
Describe and interpret numerical relationships using variables, patterns, tables, graphs,
and symbols
Represent and solve problems using systems of numbers and their properties, and
algebraic concepts and procedures
Identify, demonstrate, describe, classify, compare, and apply geometric relationships
using points, lines, planes, and space
Construct convincing arguments, logical conclusions, and proofs to solve problems
Science:
Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of scientific inquiry
Know and apply the concepts, principals, and processes of technological design
Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt, and change
Know and apply the concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the
interactions between them
Know and apply the accepted practices of science
Social Studies:
Understand the structures and functions of the political systems of Illinois and the United
States
Understand election processes and responsibilities of citizens
Understand the development of United States political ideas and traditions
Understand how different economic systems operate in the exchange, production,
distribution and consumption of goods and services
Understand that scarcity necessitates choices by consumers and procedures
Understand trade as an exchange of goods or services
Understand the impact of government policies and decisions on production and
consumption in the economy
Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation
Understand the development of significant political events
Understand Illinois, United States and world social history
Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth
Understand relationships between geographic factors and society
Understand the historical significance of geography
Physical Development
Demonstrate physical competency in individual and group creative movement and leisure
activities
Analyze various movement concepts and applications
Know and apply the principles and components of health related fitness
Access individual fitness levels
Set goals based on fitness data and develop, implement, and monitor an individual fitness
improvement plan
Demonstrate individual responsibility and cooperation during group physical activities
Demonstrate cooperative skills during structured group physical activity
Health:
Explain the basic principles of health promotion, illness prevention and safety
Describe and explain the factors that influence health among individuals, groups, and
communities
Describe and explain the structure and functions of the human body systems and how
they interrelate
Demonstrate procedures for positive communication, resolving differences and
preventing violence
Apply decision making skills related to the protection and promotion of individual health
Demonstrate skills essential to enhancing health and avoiding dangerous situations
Fine Arts – Visual and Music
Demonstrate and understanding of the sensory elements, organizational principles and
expressive qualities in each of the arts
Describe similarities, differences and connections within the arts
Describe and/or demonstrate how works of art are produced
Create and/or perform in one or more of the arts
D. Grading Scale/GPA/Honor Roll/HS Semester Exams/Progress Reports
Kindergarten: Grades 1 Grades 2-12
M-Meets expectations E-Exceeds Requirements A-93-100
most of the time M-Meets Requirements B-86-92
D-Developing/Progressing N-Needs Improvement C-77-85
at this time D-70-76
N-Not meeting expectations F-69 or below
Blank-Does not apply at this time
High School:
P= indicates that the student has not achieved 70% but has made every effort to complete the assignments. It is a passing grade
I = indicates an incomplete grade
WP = indicates withdrawal/passing
WF = indicates withdrawal/failing
Grade Point Average – The GPA is determined by assigning the following values to grades: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0. The total points are divided by the number of credits taken. The GPA is carried out to 3 decimal places to avoid ties in GPA and class rank. ONLY SEMESTER GRADES ARE USED TO FIGURE GPA AND CLASS RANK. A student’s GPA is cumulative taking into account all grades earned while in high school.
Honor Roll – Honor roll is figured each quarter. For high honors a student must achieve a 3.75 or better for the quarter. Honors is 3.25 to 3.74.
Semester Exams – All students are required to take first semester exams. Seniors will be exempt from having to take second semester exams in any class in which they have a “B” average, this includes honors courses, AND no more than three unexcused absences in that class. Attendance at funerals will not count towards exams. College days do not count as absences, but these MUST be pre-arranged through the guidance office/principal’s office. Absences are determined in each class and not over a total day. A student’s grade will be determined by averaging the third and fourth quarter grades in that class. The teacher will inform seniors whether or not they are required to take the final exam. Students may choose to take the final exam to try and improve their grade.
Progress Reports – If a student’s work is unsatisfactory (usually a D or F) a progress report will be sent home at mid-quarter. These are to be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the teacher. Some deficiencies which may prompt these reports are:
1. Work not completed for an excused absence
2. Not handing in required assignments
3. Low or failing grades on tests or quizzes
4. Unexcused absences
5. Lack of effort
Staff may send reports or contact parents at other times if student work is not satisfactory. Parents may also call the school to request a conference. Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter.
Honors Curriculum – The objective of the honors curriculum is to promote the rigorous study of certain courses. Students in this program will be required to do college level work. Grade points used in figuring the GPA, except for a failing grade, will be increased by one. Honors courses include:
Calculus Advanced Math
Human Physiology Chemistry Botany/Genetics Physics
English IV (College Prep) French Literature
Student Classification – Students shall be classified on the basis of credits earned, not on the number of years of attendance. The following number of credits for advancement is: 9th to 10th grade = 3.5 credits / 10th to 11th grade = 8.5 credits / 11th to 12th grade = 13.0 credits (14.0 for CACC)
E. Schedule Changes:
Any schedule change for first semester must be made through the guidance office/Middle School principal’s office prior to the first day of class in the fall. Second semester changes must be made during the two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. The only exception will be at the request of the instructor within the first two weeks of a semester. Students who drop courses and do not follow these guidelines will receive a W/F on their report cards.