CHOCTAW COUNTY
HIGH SCHOOL
TEACHER RESOURCE MANUAL
2012-2013
Kevin L. Howard, Principal
Dorothy Banks, Assistant Principal
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
PHILOSOPHY
MISSION
SCHOOL CALENDAR
CHOCTAW COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
CHOCTAW COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEE/SPONSOR/DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENTS 2012-2013
LEADERSHIP TEAM
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TEAM
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM
PROBLEM SOLVING TEAM (PST)
504 COMMITTEE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (ELL) COMMITTEE
BUILDING TEST COORDINATOR
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS/FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
MATH DEPARTMENT
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
SOCIAL STUDIES
CAREER TECH
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
GRADE-LEVEL DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON
SEVENTH GRADE SPONSORS
EIGHTH GRADE SPONSORS
NINTH GRADE SPONSORS
TENTH GRADE SPONSORS
ELEVENTH GRADE SPONSORS
TWELFTH GRADE SPONSORS
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
NATIONAL BETA CLUB
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
CCHS EXTENSIONS
LOCAL POLICIES
CHAIN OF COMMAND
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
CONSEQUENCES
HOMEROOM
ATTENDANCE (STUDENT)
STUDENT CHECK-OUTS
LEAVING CAMPUS (TEACHERS)
LEAVING CLASS/CAMPUS (STUDENTS)
STUDENT TARDIES
Tardies to School
Tardies to Class
STUDENT ABSENCES
Excused Absences
TEACHER ABSENCES
PLANNED ABSENCE
UNPLANNED/EMERGENCY ABSENCE
LESSON PLANS
GRADE BOOKS
STUDENT PROMOTION
Grades 7-8
Grades 9-12
Summer School Options
Grades 9-12 Summer School Credit
English Requirement – Grades 9-12
Special Education Students
REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS
GRADES AND DOCUMENTATION
ACADEMICS AND DISCIPLINE
TEXTBOOKS
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
CAFETERIA PROCEDURES
CELL PHONES/TELEPHONE CALLS
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Section 16-28A-1
Section 16-28A-2
Section 16-28A-3
Section 16-28A-5
STUDENT SUSPENSIONS
TEACHER DRESS CODE
VISITORS ON CAMPUS
PARENT CONFERENCES
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
SCHOOL NURSE
HALLWAY BEHAVIOR
STUDENT CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
INSTRUCTIONAL TIME
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
BUILDING SECURITY
CLIMATE CONTROL
TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS
REQUISITIONS
PURCHASE ORDERS
MATERIALS RECEIPT
INTRODUCTION
This faculty handbook has been compiled by the administration of Choctaw County High School to inform teachers of our expectations of them and of their responsibilities under the policies adopted by the Choctaw County Board of Education. This book is by no means comprehensive. If situations arise which are not directly addressed, please consult with either the principal or assistant principal if you have questions about how to proceed. Department chairpersons are also able to help teachers assigned to their departments. By all of us working together as a team, we can provide our students with the opportunity to achieve their highest potential. Bulletins that will be distributed during the school year should supplement this handbook to address new situations that may develop. It is suggested that you file these bulletins along with other pertinent information in your faculty handbook.
PHILOSOPHY
We the faculty and staff of Choctaw County High School, believe that the goal of this school is to develop each student mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially to the best of his/her ability. We believe that the school has the responsibility of preparing each student for additional educational or training opportunities or for immediate entrance into the workforce. We feel that the community has the responsibility to make every effort to assist in the implementation of the school’s plan.
We believe that the personal relationships of the students, teachers, administrators, and other persons in the school community should be based upon high morals and respect for each other. Such a relationship will enhance the development of well-rounded lives and the best possible educations for all students.
We believe that the curriculum should be developed in such a way that it will encourage students to participate in community, state, and world affairs and should be flexible enough to reflect technological changes that occur in our society.
MISSION
In order to prepare students to become productive and successful members of the community and of society as a whole, the mission of Choctaw County High School is to provide challenging and meaningful learning opportunities in a safe environment that encourages school spirit and community pride.
CHOCTAW COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
SCHOOL CALENDAR
2012-2013
Monday, Aug. 13, 2012Teacher Institute
Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012Professional Development
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012Professional Development
Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012Teacher Workday
Friday, Aug. 17, 2012Teacher Workday
Monday, Aug. 20, 2012School Opens (full day)
Monday, Sept. 3, 2012Labor Day
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012Students Dismiss at 1:00-Teacher Data Review Day
Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012No School - Parenting Day 11:00 – 6:00
Monday, Nov. 12, 2012Veterans’ Day
Nov.21-23, 2012Thanksgiving Holidays
Dec. 21, 2012Students Dismiss at 1:00 for Christmas Holidays
Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013Professional Development (No School)
Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013Students Return
Monday, Jan. 21, 2013Martin L. King Holiday
Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013Students Dismiss at 1:00-Teacher Data Review Day
March 25-29, 2013Spring Break
Friday, May 24, 2013Students Dismiss at 1:00 – Last Day of School
Monday, May 27, 2013Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28, 2013Last Day for Teachers
Thursday, July 4, 2013Independence Day
WEATHER DAYS WILL BE MADE UP ON SPRING BREAK
Graduation Dates: SCHS-May 16, 2013CCHS-May 17, 2013
NINE WEEKS REPORTING PERIODS REPORT CARDS GO OUT
1. Aug. 20, 2012Oct. 19, 201244 days Oct. 25
2. Oct. 22, 2012Dec. 21, 201240 days Jan. 10
3. Jan. 03, 2013Mar. 12, 201348 days Mar. 21
4. Mar. 13, 2013May 24, 201348 days May 31
180 days
Total Student Days180
Total Teacher Days187
Instructional Aides/RNs182 Days
August 14, 2012Professional Development
January 02, 2013Professional Development
Caregivers/LPNs182 Days
August 14, 2012Professional Development
January 02, 2013Professional Development
Bus Drivers182 Days
August 14, 2012Professional Development
January 02, 2013Professional Development
CHOCTAW COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
PRINCIPAL
Kevin L. Howard (, extension 7005)
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Dorothy Banks (, extension 7075 or 7055)
SECRETARY
CharlenaThompkins (, extension 7010)
COUNSELOR
Wayne Anderson (, extension 7015)
SCHOOL NURSE
LaWandaPrestage (, extension 7045)
SCHOOL LIBRARIAN
Verna Nickelson (, extension 7065)
CNP MANAGER/CASHIER
Barbara Johnson (, extension 7040)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Angela Hall (, extension 7127)
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Nicole Dubose (, extension 7105)
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Sarah Rolison (, extension 7139)
HISTORY DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Gloria Adams (, extension 7106)
SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Joyce Dixon (, extension 7122)
CAREER TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Phillip Lyles (, extension 7113)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Marcus Ezell (, extension 7114)
LEADERSHIP TEAM DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Kimberly Mosley (, extension 7120)
CHOCTAW COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Sue Moore (, extension 2001)
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Dawn Dixon (, extension 2011)
FEDERAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
Angela Phillips (, extension 2005)
ACCOUNTABILITY SPECIALIST
Rhonda Johnson (, extension 2033)
CHIEF SCHOOL FINANCIAL OFFICER
Seketha Mitchell (, extension 2004)
TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR
Regina Davis (, extension 2030)
CAREER TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Dawn Dixon (, extension 2011)
SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Douglas Marsh (, extension 2025)
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Tikisha Graham (, extension 2026)
CNP DIRECTOR
Shawn Shaw (, extension 2008)
TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR
Edward Dubose (, (205) 459-2194)
LOCAL SCHOOL ACCOUNTING BOOKKEEPER
Sharon White (, extension 2032)
COMMITTEE/SPONSOR/DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENTS 2012-2013
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Kimberly Mosley, Chairperson
Kevin L. Howard
Dorothy Banks
Brandi Clark
Regina Long
Marcus Ezell
Wayne Anderson
Joyce Dixon
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TEAM
Dorothy Banks, Chairperson
Jennifer Busby
Nicole Dubose
Sarah Rolison
Regina Long
Arquetta S. Howard
Kevin L. Howard
Parent
SGA President
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEE
Arquetta S. Howard, Chairperson
Joyce Dixon
Elizabeth Gore
Althia Moore
Cathy Nickelson
Parent
SGA Vice-President
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Elizabeth Butler, Chairperson
Nicole Dubose
Regina Long
Brandi Clark
Leon Walker
Phillip Lyles
CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM
Marcus Ezell, Chairperson
Jim Washington
Leon Walker
Tikisha Brooks-Graham
Verna Nickelson
Amy Wright
EberneMyrthil
PROBLEM SOLVING TEAM (PST)
Amy Wright, Chairperson
Wayne Anderson
Joyce Dixon
Kimberly Mosley
Verna Nickelson
Regina Long
Brandi Clark
Kevin L. Howard
Teachers of Each Student
504 COMMITTEE
Regina Long, Chairperson
Wayne Anderson
Areia James
Teachers of Each Student
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (ELL) COMMITTEE
Brandi Clark, Chairperson
EberneMyrthil
Wayne Anderson
Kevin L. Howard
Teachers of Each Student
BUILDING TEST COORDINATOR
Wayne Anderson, Primary
Dorothy Banks, Secondary
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
Althia Moore, Chairperson
Kimberly Mosley
Elizabeth Butler
Jessie Mitchell
Jim Washington
Vanessa Ridgeway
James Pierce
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS/FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
Angela Hall, Chairperson
Jennifer Busby
Brandi Clark
Cynthia Merritt
James Pierce
MATH DEPARTMENT
Nicole Dubose, Chairperson
Elizabeth Gore
Desiree Keeton
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Sarah Rolison, Chairperson
Leon Walker
Amy Wright
SOCIAL STUDIES
Gloria Adams, Chairperson
Regina Long
CAREER TECH
Phillip Lyles, Chairperson
Elizabeth Butler
Kimberly Mosley
Jim Washington
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Marcus Ezell, Chairperson
EberneMyrthil
GRADE-LEVEL DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON
Amy Wright (7-8)
Elizabeth Butler (9-10)
Elizabeth Gore (11-12)
SEVENTH GRADE SPONSORS
Gloria Adams
Brandi Clark
Marcus Ezell
Amy Wright
EIGHTH GRADE SPONSORS
Jacqueline Barber
Nicole Dubose
Arquetta S. Howard
James Pierce
NINTH GRADE SPONSORS
Elizabeth Butler
Angela Hall
Phillip Lyles
Kimberly Mosley
TENTH GRADE SPONSORS
Desiree Keeton
Cynthia Merritt
Jessie Mitchell
Verna Nickelson
Leon Walker
ELEVENTH GRADE SPONSORS
Jennifer Busby
Areia James
Regina Long
Althia Moore
Cathy Nickelson
Jim Washington
TWELFTH GRADE SPONSORS
Joyce Dixon
Elizabeth Gore
EberneMyrthil
Sarah Rolison
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Angela Hall, Sponsor
Brandi Clark, Co-Sponsor
NATIONAL BETA CLUB
Leon Walker, Sponsor
Amy Wright, Co-Sponsor
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Elizabeth Gore, Sponsor
Arquetta S. Howard, Co-Sponsor
CCHS EXTENSIONS
- Adams, Gloria – 7106
- Anderson, Wayne – 7015
- Banks, Dorothy – 7075 or 7055
- Barber, Jacqueline – 7112
- Busby, Jennifer – 7132
- Butler, Elizabeth – 7060
- Clark, Brandi – 7102
- Dixon, Joyce – 7122
- Dubose, Nicole – 7105
- Ezell, Marcus – 7114
- Gore, Elizabeth – 7131
- Hall, Angela – 7127
- Howard, Arquetta – 7134
- Howard, Kevin – 7005
- James, Areia – 7121
- Johnson, Barbara – 7040
- Keeton, Desiree – 7124
- Long, Regina – 7135
- Lyles, Phillip – 7113
- Merritt, Cynthia – 7137
- Moore, Althia – 7065 or 7119
- Mosley, Kimberly – 7120
- Myrthil, Eberne – 7070
- Nickelson, Verna – 7065
- Pierce, James – 7142
- Prestage, LaWanda – 7045
- Ridgeway, Vanessa – 7040
- Rolison, Sarah – 7139
- Thompkins, Charlena – 7010
- Walker, Leon – 7126
- Washington, Jim – 7141
- Wright, Amy – 7101
LOCAL POLICIES
CHAIN OF COMMAND
All faculty and staff members are to follow the prescribed chain of command when dealing with school related issues (i.e. technology, maintenance, supplies, classrooms, etc.). This chain of command begins with the building principal, who is the immediate supervisor of everyone on the school campus. This chain then extends to the designee, who is left in charge during the principal’s absence.
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
Everyone is required to sign in and out daily. All faculty & staff members should be signed in by 7:25 a.m. and on their duty post by 7:30 a.m. Friendly reminders/letters of reprimand will be written after 7:34 a.m. Everyone should be in position when the students enter the building. If your 1st period class and your homeroom are in different locations, you should immediately report to your 1st period class after homeroom. Do not leave your classes unsupervised. No one is permitted to sign out before 3:15 p.m., unless prior permission is granted from the administration (Principal or Assistant Principal).
CONSEQUENCES
1st Offense – Friendly Reminder
2nd Offense – Friendly Reminder
3rd Offense – Friendly Reminder
4th Offense and beyond – Letter to the Superintendent of Education and a copy placed in your personnel file (FILE).
HOMEROOM
Classrooms should be unlocked by 7:30 a.m. and teachers should be present. Homeroom begins at 7:52 a.m. and ends at 8:02 a.m. Attendance must be taken and sent to the office at this time. Attendance must also be entered into InformationNOW. In addition to doing attendance, the following are taken care of in homeroom: issuing and collecting information forms, conducting student elections, announcements from the office, reading of the morning report, teaching character education, etc. If a student is late for homeroom, he/she must report to the main office to get a tardy slip from the secretary.
ATTENDANCE (STUDENT)
A list of students who are absent will be sent daily to each teacher. Also included on this sheet will be reasons for students’ absences with the notation “note” if the student brought a note from a parent, “doctor” if an excuse from a doctor was brought, or “legal” if some legal document was presented. If a student has been absent in your class seven (7) days or more, the absence will be unexcused unless notation is either “doctor” or “legal” regardless of the reason given. Excused absences will be coded 1X (illness), 3X (weather conditions), 7x (legal reasons), or 8X (permission). Unexcused absences will be coded 2X (work), 4X (truancy), or 6X (parental neglect).
Each teacher must take attendance at the beginning of each class period. The names of absent students are to be written on an absentee slip and placed outside the door to be picked up by an office worker. Attendance should also be noted, by each teacher, in InformationNOW.
STUDENT CHECK-OUTS
Students leaving school before 3:00 p.m. must check out through the office. A notice will be sent to his/her teacher which will include the reason for leaving. The same notations will be used as described above and should be regarded in the same way. Please sign the slip by your name to indicate that you have been notified.
LEAVING CAMPUS (TEACHERS)
No teacher may leave school during the school day to include breaks, planning periods, or class time without permission from the principal or assistant principal. Permission will be granted only for business or emergency reasons. The teacher must also sign out in the main office.
LEAVING CLASS/CAMPUS (STUDENTS)
Students should not be allowed to leave campus unless an emergency arises or he/she is sent for by the administration. Ample time to use the restroom, make telephone calls, or have notes signed is provided for between classes. No student is allowed to leave the campus without reporting to the office and receiving permission. This permission will be granted only if the student leaves with a parent or approved person. The student then must check out with the secretary. If the student returns during the day, he/she must check back in with the secretary.
STUDENT TARDIES
Tardies to School
School begins at 7:52 a.m. Students are expected to be in their homeroom at that time. If a student arrives after 7:52 a.m., the student is to report to the office with a note from the parent/guardian. The note should include the following information:
- Student’s full name
- The date
- Detailed reason for tardiness
- Time of check-in
- Parent/Guardian signature
The secretary will then determine whether the tardy is excused or unexcused and it will be noted on the tardy slip. The student will then present this tardy slip to the homeroom teacher for admittance to homeroom.
Three (3) unexcused tardies to school will result in the loss of all exemptions for the semester. More than three (3) tardies will result in administrative intervention.
If a student is late three (3) consecutive school days, or for a total of five (5) times per month, or seven (7) times per grading period, a notice will be sent home to schedule a conference with the principal to discuss reasons for the continued tardiness. If this does not alleviate the problem, then the tardiness will be considered as neglect, and the case will be referred to the school social worker.
Tardies to Class
Students have adequate time to take care of everything that they deem necessary. A student must receive a tardy slip from the office before entering class. The following disciplinary actions will be administered for unexcused tardies:
- First unexcused tardy – loss of exemption in that class
- Second unexcused tardy – loss of all exemptions
- Third unexcused tardy – one (1) day after-school detention
- Fourth unexcused tardy – two (2) days after-school detention
- Fifth unexcused tardy – one (1) day suspension
- After the fifth unexcused tardy, the progression will revert back to level three (3) and continue in succession.
STUDENT ABSENCES
In order to receive an excused absence after a student has missed over 7 days, he/she must submit a doctor’s statement, court subpoena, or other legal document to the principal or assistant principal for approval. Students who accumulate 7 unexcused absences per year and are between the ages of seven and 17 will be referred to the Early Warning Program.
Work, truancy, parental neglect (taking children shopping, etc.), and vacations are not excused absences.
Students who are away from school because of participation in official school sponsored activities shall be marked present and be allowed to make-up missed work.
A student will be excused for religious holidays when the student’s parents or guardians come in person to the school and sign a request for the student to be absent for this purpose. When this procedure is followed, the student’s absences will be excused and shall not be counted toward the excessive absence clause of this policy. Students shall be allowed to make up missed work during such absences.
Students may receive released time from school during a regularly scheduled school day for the purpose of participating in instructional activities co-sponsored by the school, outside agencies for participating in educational activities not offered by the school and for hardship employment.
A student must submit written requests for released time activities signed by the parent or guardian to the local school principal for approval. Such requests shall remain on file in the principal’s office and shall relieve the school of all responsibility for the student during released time.
The criminal liability and criminal sanctions parents may be subject to under Section 16-28-12 of the Code of Alabama 1975, for failing to compel their child to properly conduct himself or herself as a pupil, or for failing to ensure that their child attends school or enrolls in school.
- The necessity for a parent to monitor and supervise the schoolwork and educational activities of the child.
- An explanation of the responsibilities of teachers and the school system to a child, and an enumeration of those matters that are strictly the responsibility of the parent.
- Techniques and suggestions to enable a parent to best supervise the schoolwork and educational activities of the child.
- An explanation of the interrelationship of the family life of a child and the educational achievement of the child.
Parents are entitled to receive this information in a variety of formats and at convenient times, including weekend meetings, one-to-one conferences, telephone communications, and neighborhood meetings.