Talladega City Schools
Student Handbook 2017-2018
Table of Contents
A Message from the Superintendent 3
Attendance 4
A. Arrival 4
B. Dismissal 4
C. Definitions 4
D. Jurisdiction 6
E. Parental Notification Truancy Prevention Program 7
Breakfast and Lunch Program 8
A. Snacks 8
Code of Conduct 9
A. General Statements 9
B. Civil Liberties and Criminal Penalties 13
C. Classification of Violations and Administrative Options 15
D. Disposition Definitions 20
E. Seclusion and Restraint of All Students 22
Curriculum 25
A. Career Tech 25
B. Grading 25
C. Graduation Requirements 27
D. Honors Endorsement Standards 31
E. InformationNow Home Portal 31
F. National Honor Society Qualifications 32
G. Pupil/Parent Responsibilities for State-Owned Textbooks 32
H. Schedule Change Policy 33
I. Weekly Folders 33
Dress Code 34
A. General Guidelines 34
B. Mandatory Uniform Specifications 34
Enrollment 37
A. Registration 37
B. Withdrawal and Drop Out 37
Health 38
A. Drug Prevention Policy 38
B. Head Lice Procedure 38
C. Immunization 39
D. Insurance 39
E. Medication Policy 39
Parent Information 40
A. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 40
B. Parental Involvement Policy 40
C. Parent/Teacher Conferences 44
D. Parents’ Right-to-Know 44
E. Visitors 44
Pupil Services 45
A. English Language Learners 45
B. Gifted 45
C. Homeless and Foster Care Students 46
D. Migrant Students 46
E. Response to Instruction (RtI) 46
F. Special Education 46
G. Supplemental Educational Services 47
H. Title IV 47
I. Transportation 47
Safety 50
A. Asbestos Hazards Notice 50
B. Safe School Plan 50
Technology 51
A. Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy 51
B. Media Release Permission 54
Acknowledgement Page 55
Non-Discrimination Notice Inside Back Cover
Talladega High School Alma Mater Inside Back Cover
Talladega High Fight Song Inside Back Cover
School Calendar Back Cover
A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Students,
I hope that you have had a good summer and are excited to begin the new school year. My hope for you is that this will be your best year yet! I am looking forward to getting to know as many of you as I can as we continue our time together in Talladega City Schools. This year, I encourage you to identify and cultivate your passions. I want you to experience positive growth in all aspects of student life. It will also be important to create personal goals for your future and make plans to get there. We are blessed to find ourselves in a system filled with excitement and hope for change. I believe all students will learn, and with your help, we can build a community of learners who strive for excellence. We, as a faculty, are here for you and want what is best for you. That comes with high expectations, discipline at times, support, and encouragement to help you reach your potential. As with most things, the more you put in, the more you will get out, so make the most of your time here to be proud of your accomplishments and your school. I am excited to be here, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of you.
Go Tigers!
Terry L. Roller
Superintendent
ATTENDANCE
School / Arrival Time / First Bell / Tardy Bell / DismissalElementary Schools / No sooner than 7:45 / 8:05 / 8:10 / 3:10
Ellis Junior High / No sooner than 7:20 / 7:35 / 7:40 / 2:50
Talladega High / No sooner than 7:20 / 7:35 / 7:40 / 2:50
Arrival
Cars are to unload students at the designated locations. Students who arrive prior to the first bell should report to the lunchroom. Students who arrive after the tardy bell must be accompanied by a parent and checked in through the main office.
Dismissal
Elementary Students
Walkers/Car Riders: All students who are car riders or walk will be dismissed to their parents. Parents should be on time and in the lineup in the designated area. Teachers will direct traffic and supervise children.
If there is a change in the usual method of transportation, the parent/guardian must send a note to the office in the morning in order for the student to be allowed to ride a different bus, daycare van, ride home with a friend, or be dismissed as a car rider.
Dismissal Procedures
· Walk on the sidewalk.
· Students will be dismissed to the cars in line by staff members.
· Students will not be allowed to walk through the parking lot or across the street to meet vehicles.
· Running and chasing others is not allowed.
· Talking and horseplay is NOT allowed.
· Watch for your ride.
Grades 7-8
Car riders will be picked up beside the lunchroom. (At the front gate of Mary Dumas Stadium) Cars should not be on the street in front of the school until all buses have left.
Grades 7-12
Students should exit the building after dismissal. (Exceptions to this are students who are working under the direct supervision of a teacher or sponsor of a school-related organization.) Students will board buses directly in front of the school.
Definitions
Absent from school is defined as not being present in class at least half of the day. Students who check out or are absent are not permitted to be on a school campus unless they have been given permission by the administrator. Any student in grades 7-12 who is considered absent will not be able to participate in after-school activities (practice, games, etc.)
Excused absence is when the school receives a documented written doctor’s excuse, legal excuse, or prior permission of the principal. The school will also accept a written note from the parent which documents one of the following:
· Illness of the student
· Death in the immediate family of the student
· Inclement weather which would be dangerous to the life and health of the student as determined by the principal
· Legal quarantine
*The school must receive written documentation within (3) school days.
(Students on school approved trips are not counted absent from school while participating in activities under the supervision of a school system employee. The student is responsible for making up all classroom work missed while on the approved trip within the same time frame as other make-up work.)
Make-up Work – Excused Absences
If a student is absent for any excused reason as previously defined, the student shall be allowed to make up all major assignments and other work missed during said absence or absences at a time agreeable to the teacher(s). Teachers shall not be required to re-teach lessons, but students shall be given a reasonable opportunity to learn the lessons missed due to excused absences.
Unexcused absence is when the parent/legal guardian does not send a written note explaining the absence within three (3) days following the absence or when the nature of the absence is not for legitimate reasons as defined by Alabama law.
Make-up Work – Unexcused Absences
Teachers shall not provide make-up work or examinations for students absent for unexcused reasons. Teachers at their discretion may require students absent for unexcused reasons to make-up homework, class work, etc. on a non-credit basis in order to help such students maintain academic pace.
Check-in/tardy is defined as arriving at school after the tardy bell has rung.
Check-ins will be coded excused or unexcused according to the “excusable absence” policy. All students who arrive late to school must be checked in by their parents through the school office. Late arrivals to school will be unexcused unless the student or parent/guardian presents a doctor's excuse or other documentation consistent with that required for excused status under the Attendance Policy. Each unexcused check-in constitutes a tardy to school for purposes of this policy. Note: A student who has unexcused class absences resulting from unexcused check-ins will not be eligible to make up work missed in such classes.
For students in grades 9-12, when arriving at school during an on-going class period, tardy students will be required to report to In-School Isolation (ISI or a designated tardy room) until time for the next class transition. The ISI and/or tardy room supervisor may determine an appropriate work assignment for the period. Tardiness to school may result in additional disciplinary action. Students who spend a class period in ISI due to tardiness to class shall be responsible to discuss make-up work with the teacher by the next school day and to complete the make-up work for that class within the time specified by the teacher and/or school administrator. Teachers will have discretion with regard to the specific make-up work assigned.
Check-out is defined as leaving school prior to the end of respective school’s regular day.
Board of Education policy states that students are not permitted to leave the school during the regular school day except in case of emergency or on written permission by the parent or guardian.
A student is permitted to leave the school campus during regular school hours only in accordance with the provisions that follow:
· A student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) may come to the school in person and check his/her child out of school.
· A student may not be checked out of school by any person other than his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) or someone specifically designated by the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) in the student’s check-out file on INOW.
· For students in grades 9-12, a student may be permitted by the principal or designee to leave the school campus in emergency situations if, a) the student brings a written statement signed by the parent(s) or guardian(s) that can be confirmed prior to the student leaving school; or b) if the parent(s) or guardian(s) telephone and request the student be allowed to leave. The principal or designee shall attempt to contact the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) to confirm the request. (Emergencies may include a personal illness or accident of the student, illness or accident involving the parent, or any situation that could affect the student’s health or welfare. Appointments scheduled ahead of time, personal errands, or school activities are not emergency situations. Written requests must remain on file in the principal’s office for the remainder of the school year with documentation of confirmation.)
Students will not be allowed to leave campus for any reason(s) other than those set forth in the provisions above except when accompanied and supervised by a school staff member and with written permission of the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) and the school principal or designee.
Expulsion is denial of school attendance by the Board of Education. Expulsion may be recommended when a student’s behavior is extremely disruptive. Upon the receipt of the principal’s recommendation, the principal and Central Office shall schedule an administrative hearing. In the event expulsion is recommended, the custodial parent will be notified by registered mail or called prior to action by the Board.
Suspension (OSS) is denial of school attendance for disciplinary reasons.
Jurisdiction
A student shall be under the jurisdiction of the school from the time the student arrives at school each day until he/she leaves the school campus in the afternoon. In case a student rides a bus, he/she shall be under the jurisdiction of the school from the time he/she boards the bus in the morning until he/she exits the bus in the afternoon. In addition, a student shall be under the jurisdiction of the school while attending any school sponsored activity either at school or away from school. This shall apply to all students, including members of athletic teams, pep clubs, band, and other student organizations.
State of Alabama Parental Notification Early
Warning Truancy Prevention Program
A parent, guardian, or other person having charge of any child officially enrolled in Alabama public schools (K-12) shall explain in writing the cause of any and every absence of the child no later than three (3) school days following return to school. A failure to furnish such explanation shall be evidence of the child being truant each day he is absent. The child shall also be deemed truant for any absence determined by the principal to be unexcused based upon the State Department of Education’s current School Attendance Manual. Seven unexcused absences within a school year constitute a student being truant for the purpose of filing a petition with the Court. The Interagency Committee on Youth Truancy Task Force recommendations known as the Early Warning Truancy Prevention Program timeline for reporting truancy shall define the truancy status of any student as follows:
First Truancy/Unexcused Absence (School Letter--Warning)
Parent/guardian shall be notified by the school principal or his/her designee that the student was truant and the date of the truancy. Parent/guardian shall also be provided with a copy of Alabama’s compulsory school attendance laws and advised of the penalties that can be applied and the procedures that shall be followed in the event that other unexcused absences occur.
No Earlier Than the Fifth Unexcused Absence (Early Warning--Court)
The parent, guardian, or person having control of the child shall participate in the early warning program provided by the juvenile court. Attendance shall be mandatory except where prior arrangements have been made or an emergency exists. Failure to appear at the Early Warning Program shall result in the filing of a complaint/petition against the parent under Code of Alabama (1975), Section 16-28-12(c) (failure to cooperate), or a truancy against the child, whichever is appropriate.
No Earlier Than Seventh Unexcused Absence, But Within Ten (10) School Days (Court)
File complaint/petition against the child and/or parent/guardian, if appropriate.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM
The breakfast program has made it possible for all students to have a good breakfast before going to class. When busses arrive each morning, students eating breakfast at school go directly to the lunchroom. Prices are as follows:
Lunch Breakfast
Student $2.35 $1.25
Reduced $0.40 $0.30
Teacher $3.00 $1.50
Visitor $3.50 $2.00
Extra milk/juice $.050
Students may deposit money in his/her account any day by bringing cash or check to the lunchroom. Checks should be made payable to the school. The lunchroom is not allowed to charge meals. When a student’s account runs low, the student is given a reminder note to take home. The Child Nutrition Program will make every effort to make the parent/guardian aware of the low account balance. If those efforts fail, then the child will be served, with a high degree of discretion so as not to make others aware, a nominal meal consisting of a sandwich, milk and fruit item. Students are allowed to bring their lunch; however, food/drink must be in a lunchbox.