Fort
Elliott CISD
2009 - 2010
ASSURANCE OF
NONDISCRIMINATION
The Fort Elliott Consolidated Independent School
District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin,
sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs,
including vocational programs. The
Superintendent, Mr. Roy Baker, has been designated to coordinate compliance
with the nondiscrimination requirements of the Title IX of the Educational
Amendments of 1972; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; and
of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Board of
Trustees
Richard Meadows, President
Greg Estes, Vice President
Bret Begert, Secretary
Kent McLaughlin, Member
Keith Horn Member
Richie Kiker, Member
Wade Hathaway, Member
Administration
Roy Baker, Superintendent
Brad Slatton, High
School Principal
Larry Neighbors, Elementary
Principal
Briscoe Campus Phone
# 375-2454
Mobeetie Campus Phone
# 845-2301
Table of
Contents
RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL
STUDENT BEHAVIOR AT ATHLETIC CONTESTS
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY GRADES
PROMOTION, RETENTION, AND PLACEMENT
STATE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION
AWARDS: ATHLETICS
& CHEERLEADING
HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
EIGHTH GRADE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
VANDALISM AND DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY:
DISRUPTION OF LAWFUL ASSEMBLY:
COMPUTER ACCESS - ACCEPTABLE USE and CODE OF CONDUCT
DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES:
POSSESSION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC
DEVICES
Discipline Management Techniques
REMOVAL FROM THE REGULAR EDUCATION SETTING
DISCIPLINARY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM (DAEP)
PLACEMENT
PLACEMENT AND/OR EXPULSION FOR CERTAIN SERIOUS OFFENSES
NOTICE TO PARENTS: DIRECTORY INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
This guide includes the Fort Elliott CISD Student
Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct.
Parents are asked to review both and return the form signed and dated
that states you have read and understand the contents of the handbook along
with your child.
This guide provides a brief description of each
course offered at Fort Elliott Junior and Senior High School, lists
prerequisites and special requirements, and includes credits required for
graduation.
Since students will be making selections for the
entire year, it is imperative that parents and students work together during
this process. A thorough review of the
graduation requirements, various transcript options, course prerequisites, and
policies regarding schedule changes is essential. As always, the high school administration and
staff will help students make the best possible choices.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Rules
and regulations are necessary for the smooth operation of any institution. It is the policy of our school to have as few
regulations as possible. Most rules are not made until it seems advisable for
the good of the students themselves. The
good citizen with a sincere desire to cooperate in all matters for the best
interest of the school will seldom be aware of the existence of such rules
because his/her high standards do not conflict with them. Most of the regulations listed are
automatically and habitually observed by the students may be well informed, and
so that parents and other interested persons may know how our school is
organized and operated.
STUDENT
HANDBOOK:
A student handbook
containing policies and regulations on the rights and responsibilities of
students, the Student Code of Conduct, and student discipline shall be
distributed to all students and parents, teachers, and administrators, at the
beginning of the school year. It shall
also be provided to new professional employees, newly enrolled students, and
any parent on request. Changes during
the year shall be published and distributed during the next semester, but no
later than the beginning of the next school year.
Each student and parent annually shall sign a
statement that they have received and read the student handbook and Student
Code of Conduct and acknowledge the responsibilities outlined there.
EMERGENCY
SCHOOL CLOSING
In case
of bad weather, information will be provided to the three local Television
stations concerning our school.
ENTERING SCHOOL
The new student will go
first to the principal’s office, where he/she will present his/her transcript
or units and fill out enrollment forms. Next, the student will receive a copy
of his/her schedule and textbooks. The
student will then be assigned a locker. An office assistant will introduce them
to their new surroundings.
ATTENDANCE
In Texas, students between the ages of 6 and 18
are required by law to attend school unless otherwise exempted by law. School employees investigate and report
violations of the state compulsory attendance law.
To receive credit in a
class, students must be in at least 90% of the days during a semester. Students
in attendance for fewer than 90% of the days in a semester will not be given
credit for the class unless the attendance committee finds that the absences
are the result of extenuating circumstances.
In grades K-8, days of attendance in both semesters will be combined for
credit purposes so that a student will not be subject to loss of credit for the
course or grade level unless he/she has fewer that 160 days of attendance in
the school year.
When
returning to school after an absence, a
student must bring a note that day, signed by a parent describing the
reason for the absence; a note signed by the student, even with the parent's
permission, will be considered a forgery and the student will be
disciplined.
If work
is made up or completed as required by the attendance committee, the District
will accept the following, when adequately confirmed, as extenuating
circumstances for the purpose of granting credit for a class:
1. Board-approved extracurricular activity
or public performance, which is under the direction of a member of the
District’s professional staff or an adjunct staff member who has a bachelor’s
degree and is eligible for participation in TRS.
2. Required screening, diagnosis, and
treatment of Medicaid-eligible students.
3. Documented health care appointment, if
the student begins classes or returns to school on the same day as the
appointment.
4. Juvenile court proceeding, documented
by a probation officer.
5.
Absence required
by state or local welfare authorities.
6.
Temporary absence
resulting from any cause acceptable to the teacher, principal, or
Superintendent, including personal illness, illness or death in the immediate
family.
Absences
for which there are extenuating circumstances in addition to those listed above
are:
1. Family
emergency or unforeseen or unavoidable instance requiring immediate attention.
2. Pre-Approved
college visitations.
3. Up
to three days for non-school-sponsored activities for which prior approval is
obtained. A written request from a parent to the principal shall be submitted
at least one week in advance. In unusual circumstances a shorter time may be
acceptable. If the principal denies the
request, it may be appealed to the Superintendent. If the request is granted, the student shall
be required to obtain all assignments from teachers in advance and to complete
the assignments to the teacher’s satisfaction.
If the attendance
committee finds that there are no extenuating circumstances for the absence or
if conditions established by the committee for earning or regaining credit are
not met, the committee will deny credit for the class. Students whose petitions for credit are
denied may appeal the attendance committee's decision to the Board of Trustees
by completing a written request to the Superintendent.
The
District will provide the following alternative ways for students to make up
work or regain credit lost because of absences:
1. Complete
additional assignments, as specified by the committee.
2. Satisfy
time-on-task requirements before and/or after school.
3. Attend tutorial sessions as scheduled.
4. Maintain
the attendance standards for the rest of the semester or year.
In
all cases, the student must also earn a passing grade in order to receive
credit.
Students
who have been absent for any reason are encouraged to make up the work they
missed within the time given by the teacher.
Failure to make up work may result in academic penalties.
An excused absence may be granted
by the principal to a student for non-school sponsored activities, at the
request of the parent for absence judged to be of value to the student. In the event the principal and the parent do
not concur in regard to the request it will be appealed to the superintendent
or his designee. Such absences will
generally be limited to no more than three days per year.
Parents
are to submit a written request to the principal prior to the absence. Requests should be submitted at least one
week in advance unless precluded by unusual circumstances. The student must obtain assignments from all
teachers in advance of the absence. All
assignments must be completed as required by the teachers.
Students
who are absent from school for any reason, other than for a documented health
care appointment or a family emergency and/or funeral, will not be allowed to
participate in school-related activities on that day or evening.
MAKE-UP
ASSIGNMENTS
Make-up assignments or tests
shall be made available to students after any absence. The student will be allowed two days to complete the assignments missed for each day
the student was absent from class. Teachers shall inform their students of the
amount of time allotted for completing make-up work after an absence; however, the
student shall be responsible for obtaining and completing the make-up
assignments is a satisfactory manner within the allotted amount of time.
(See EIA in Board Policy)
Students
will receive credit for satisfactory
make-up work after an absence, including absences as a result of
suspension, but will receive a zero for any assignment or test not made up
within the allotted time.
A
student may be excused for temporary absence under the following circumstances:
1. Required
screening, diagnosis, and treatment of Medicaid-eligible students.
2. Documented
health care appointment, if the student begins classes or returns to school on
the same day as the appointment. Students who are absent for a portion of the
school day for a documented health care appointment will not be counted absent
for that day as long as they turn in a doctor note nto the office when
returning to school. This note must be turned in within 2
school days of the appointment or the student will receive an absence on his or
her record.
3.
Juvenile court proceeding
documented by a probation officer.
4. Absence required by state or local
welfare authorities.
5. Family
emergency or unforeseen or unavoidable instance requiring immediate attention.
6. Approved college visitations.
7. Up
to three days for non-school-sponsored activities for which prior approval is
obtained. A written request from a
parent to the principal shall be submitted at least one week in advance. In unusual circumstances a shorter time may
be acceptable. If the principal denies
the request, it may be appealed to the Superintendent. If the request is granted, the student shall
be required to obtain all assignments from teachers in advance and to complete
the assignments to the teacher’s satisfaction.
School
employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory
attendance law. A student absent from
school without permission from any class; from required special programs, or from
required tutorials will be considered in violation of the law and subject to
disciplinary action.
A
school-aged student’s deliberately not attending school may also result in
assessment of penalties by a court of law against both the student and his or
her parents. A complaint against the
parent may be filed in the appropriate court if the student:
- Is absent from school on ten or more
days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year,
or
- Is absent on three or more days or
parts of days within a four-week period.
INCOMPLETE
GRADES
A teacher may only give an
incomplete grade, or an “I” if a student has been absent from class. The student will be allowed two days to complete the assignments
missed for each day the student was absent from class.
CHEATING
Cheating will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating or copying
another student’s work will receive an automatic zero.
TUTORIALS
Tutorial sessions will be
held each morning from 7:40 to 8:00. At this
time teachers will be available to help students who are having difficulties in
any of their classes. It is required
that any student who has less than a 70 average in a class attend tutorial
sessions. All students will report to the cafeteria each morning. You will be checked in and out to go to
tutorial. The remainder of the students
will remain in the cafeteria until the bell rings for classes. At noon, after the students have finished
eating, they must all remain in the cafeteria.
Students are not permitted to remain in the building after school except
in the presence of a teacher, in detention, or with special permission from the
principal.
TARDINESS
Tardiness
is detrimental to the students’ welfare and to the efficient operation of the school. To be admitted to class after the tardy bell
rings, a student must have a tardy slip signed by office personnel. The principal will
determine whether a student is excused or unexcused for any tardiness.
Excessive
tardiness will be punished. Excessive tardies for Junior High and High Students
will include 3 unexcused tardies, and will result in ˝ hour after school
detention. Detention will be
from 3:10 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. The
student must be picked up from detention by a parent or must provide their own
transportation home.
RELEASE
OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL
Students leaving school during the
school day must present written permission from the parent to the principal's
office or verbal permission must be given by the parent to the principal's
office before a student will be allowed to leave the campus. Students who become ill during the school day
should, with the teacher's permission, report to the principal. Office personnel will decide whether or not
the student should be sent home and will notify the student's parent.
PASSES
In
order for students to leave the school during the school day, a student must
sign out in the principal's office before leaving school. The
principal must have the parents' written or oral permission for the student to
leave the building. Students may
not leave the school during the noon period to eat lunch at home unless they
have written permission from the parent.
This will be a closed campus.
WITHDRAWAL
FROM SCHOOL
A
student withdrawing from school must go to the principal's office and fill out
a withdrawal notice. The student will
then take this form to the teachers who will post his/her grade and sign it if
their records are clear. All students must be cleared by the librarian
before withdrawal is complete. The
principal or counselor will check in textbooks and sign the withdrawal
notice. The student will take this
notice with them to be used in enrolling in the next school.
MINIMUM COURSE LOAD
All students must be enrolled in 8 courses per
semester each year.
SCHEDULE
CHANGES
Schedule changes are discouraged and will be
approved by the principal or counselor only under the following circumstances:
1. Completion of a scheduled
course by alternate means. (Credit by Exam, summer school, correspondence courses,
and college credit)
2. Failure of a course
prerequisite to a scheduled course.
3. Change in the senior year
to a course required for graduation.
4. Removal of a scheduled
course from the school schedule.
5. Level changes.
- Credit
will not be awarded after 5 school
days of each semester if a student changes a course or enters
without having been enrolled in another school. A student will not be permitted to drop a course after 5
days. If it becomes necessary for a student to drop a
course after a week, either a WP (withdrew passing) or a WF (withdrew
failing) will be issued
Written
parental permission must be given before a student can withdraw from a class.
TEXTBOOKS
State-approved
textbooks are provided free of charge for each subject or class; students are
required to use these books carefully. Books
must be covered by the student, as directed by the teacher (fabric covers
are acceptable at the students expense); students who are issued a damaged book
should report that fact to the teacher.
Any student failing to return a book issued by the school will lose the
right to have free textbooks assigned until the book is returned or paid for by
the parent or guardian. Students will be
given textbooks for use at school during the school day.
AUTOMOBILES
Vehicles parked on school
property are under the jurisdiction of the school. The school reserves the right to search any
vehicle if reasonable cause exists to do so.
Students have full responsibility for the security of their vehicles and
will make certain they are locked and that the keys are not given to
others. Students will be held
responsible for any prohibited objects or substances, such as alcohol, drugs,
and weapons that are found in their cars and will be subject to disciplinary
action. Searches of vehicles may be
conducted at any time there is reasonable cause to do so, with or without the
presence of the student. Drivers
should drive in a safe and sane manner and obey all traffic regulations at all
times, but extra care must be taken in school areas. Automobiles
will not be driven during the lunch hour. We request that you do not drive back
and forth by the campus and that you not allow any student to ride on the
outside or on the fenders of your automobile.
Students are not to sit in parked
cars in the campus area and will park their cars in front of the high school
building. Students are not permitted to go to their vehicles between or during
classes without permission.
BUSES
Students
being transported in school-owned vehicles shall comply with the Student Code
of Conduct. Any student who fails to
comply with that code or established rules of conduct while on school
transportation may be denied transportation services and shall be subject to disciplinary
action.
The following rules shall
apply to student conduct on school transportation:
1. Passengers shall follow the driver's
directions at all times.
2.
Passengers shall board and leave the bus in an orderly manner at the
designated bus stop nearest their home.
3.
Passengers shall not stand.
4.
Passengers shall keep books, backpacks, band instrument cases, feet, and
other objects out of the aisle of the bus.
5.
Passengers shall not deface the bus and/or its equipment.
6.
Passengers shall not extend head, hands, arms, or legs out of the window
nor hold any object out of the window nor throw objects within or out of the
bus.
7.
Passengers shall not smoke or use any form of tobacco.
8. Usual
classroom conduct shall be observed. Unruly conduct, including the use obscene
language, will subject the passenger to disciplinary action.
9. Upon
leaving the bus, the passenger will wait for the driver's signal before
crossing in front of the bus.
The following procedures
shall be followed when a discipline concern arises on a bus serving a regular
route or an extracurricular activity:
1. A conference involving the
principal, the student passenger, the driver, and parent(s) may be required.
2. The principal may suspend the student's
bus-riding privileges. If such a
suspension occurs, the parents will be notified prior to the time the
suspension takes effect.
Disciplinary sanctions and changes in
transportation for a handicapped student shall be made in accordance with the provisions
of the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP).
EXTRACURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES
Students
will be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities, subject to the
following restrictions.
1.
A student who
receives a six-week grade below 70 in any course or subject, other than an
identified honors or advanced class, or handicapped students who fail to meet
the standards in their Individual Education Plan [IEP] may not participate in
extracurricular activities. This
suspension continues for three weeks.
A student may practice or rehearse while suspended. The grades will be subsequently reviewed at
the end of each three-week period; the suspension will be removed if the student’s
grade is equal to or greater than the equivalent of 70 in all courses.
Ineligible students must wait seven calendar days after a three-week
evaluation period and the grading period to regain eligibility. Students may regain eligibility an unlimited
number of times throughout the school year.
Students who were eligible shall not lose eligibility until seven
calendar days after the end of the grading period.
2. A
student participating in school related activities may not miss any one class
more than fifteen (15) times per year for absences not related to post-district
competition, maximum of ten (10) absences for post-district competition, prior
to state, and maximum of two (2) absences for state competition.
School
related activities are such activities (but not limited to) as class parties,
organization meetings, all sports, UIL or other contests, stock shows, etc. All
extracurricular activities and public performances, whether UIL activities or
other activities approved by the Board are subject to these restrictions.
COUGAR
PRIDE PROGRAM
The Cougar Pride Program has been developed to
promote attendance, positive behavior, and getting to class without being tardy
at both the elementary and junior high/high school campus’. Every student enrolled at Fort Elliott has
the opportunity to participate and be eligible at the end of each six weeks for
fun and prizes. To be considered
eligible each student must meet the following criteria:
PLAN A: Have
an 80 average in core subjects
0 absences
0 unexcused tardies
0 trips to the office that result in
punishment
*absences
for funerals are exempt
PLAN B: Have
a 90 average in core subject
1 absence
1 unexcused tardy
0 trips to the office that result in
punishment
*absences
for funerals are exempt
High school students will have the option to opt out
if they do not wish to participate in the Cougar Pride Program. If a student opts out of participation they
will be required to attend a study hall during the Pride Rally each six
weeks. Please note student will only be
allowed to opt out at the beginning of each semester. The forms to opt out will
be in the counselor’s office and will be made available to students during the
first week of school.
CLUBS
Student
clubs such as FFA, FCCLA, FCA, NHS, Cheerleading, and athletic teams may
establish rules of conduct--and consequences for misbehavior--that are stricter
than those for students in general. If a
violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by
the school will apply in addition to any consequences specified by the
organization.
Any required fee or deposit may be waived if the student
and parent are unable to pay.
Application for such waiver may be made to the principal.
TELEPHONES
Personal
use of the school's telephones should be held to a minimum. Only in cases of emergencies or unless it is
essential should parents ask for students to come to the phone. Students
are only allowed to use the phone in the principal’s office,
only with the permission of the principal or secretary. Any
violation of these restrictions will result in disciplinary action through the
office.
CELL
PHONES
Cell phones have become very technologically
advanced, and have been known to be used for reasons other than an emergency
call to parents, or to a tow truck. Text
messaging, picture taking, e-mail and internet capabilities have provided the
“clever of mind” to use the cell phone in ways that may provide them an
academic advantage. Students are NOT to
possess cell phones while on campus during the school day. They may store them in their vehicles or turn
them in to the office and retrieve them after the last bell rings. Students involved in extra-curricular events
after school may possess a cell phone for the purpose of calling their parents
for transportation home following a football, basketball, or volleyball game,
or other school activities. Student
found using their electronic devices and/or telecommunication devices will be
subject to having their devices taken away from them for the day. A fee of $15.00 will be assessed to retrieve
the device. In a second occurrence of
this matter the device will be taken, and may be retrieved by the parent of the
student, for an additional $15.00. If a
third occurrence happens, the device will be held till the end of the school
year.
EMERGENCY
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Parents
shall complete an emergency care form each year that includes a place for
parental consent for school officials to obtain medical treatment for the
student, as provided by law.
Parents
shall also be asked to supply other information that could be required in case
of an emergency; parents should update this information as often as
necessary.
MEDICINE
AT SCHOOL
A
student who must take a prescription [or nonprescription] medicine during the
school day must bring a written request from his or her parent and the
medicine, in its properly labeled bottle, to the principal's office. The principal will either give the medicine
at the proper time or give the student permission to take the medication as
directed.
A
student with asthma who has written authorization from his or her parent and
physician or other licensed health care provider may be permitted to possess
and use prescribed asthma medication at school or school-related events.
The
parent and physician should supply the school with written authorization from
the parent and a written, signed, statement from the student’s physician
stating that the student has asthma and is capable of self-administering the
prescription asthma medicine; the name and purpose of the medicine; the
prescribe dosage for the medicine; the times at which or circumstances under
which the medicine may be administered; and the period for which the medicine
is prescribed.
LOCKERS
Lockers
are school property and remain under the control and jurisdiction of the
school, notwithstanding the fact that they are assigned to individual students
at the time of registration. The school reserves the right to inspect
all lockers. A student may not change
lockers without permission from the principal.
Students are to keep their lockers clean and neat at all times. Searches of lockers may be conducted at any
time there is reasonable cause to do so whether or not students are present.
ASSEMBLIES
Students
are required to conduct themselves in assemblies as they do in class. Students who are tardy or who do not abide by
District rules of conduct during an assembly shall be subject to disciplinary
action.
SCHOOL
TRIPS
Many
school -sponsored trips will be made during the school year for the many
activities in which the students of Fort Elliott Consolidated School
participate. Parents and students are
requested to study the following regulations concerning these trips:
1. Students will travel in school-arranged
transportation unless the parents personally arrange with the sponsor of the
activity for the student to return with the parents.
2. Students
must be passing in all "solid" subjects in order to be eligible to
make a school-sponsored trip. This does not apply to field trips made as a part
of class work.
3. Students
missing school on school-sponsored trips will not be counted absent, but they
will be required to make up work missed. Students need to follow the district-
mandated policy for absences for school- sponsored activities.
4. Students
must observe all safety regulation while riding school-arranged transportation.
5. Those
making school-sponsored trips shall be under the supervision of a sponsor. They shall be expected to conduct themselves
as ladies and gentlemen of Fort Elliott School at all times.
6. Students
shall dress according to the school dress code while traveling to and in the
participation of all activities.
CHEERLEADERS
All high school and junior
high students are eligible to try out for cheerleader.
Six high school and one
mascot, and six junior high cheerleaders will be chosen
in the spring for the
following school year. Cheerleaders will
be chosen by
judges not affiliated with
Fort Elliott School. Head cheerleaders
are
elected by members of the
cheerleading squad.
Cheerleaders are required
to obtain a copy of the cheerleading agreement
from the cheerleading
sponsor and the agreement must be signed by a parent or
guardian before the
student will be allowed to participate in cheerleading. If you
would like to examine a
copy of the agreement, please see a sponsor or the principal.
PEP
RALLIES
Students
follow the instructions and the leadership of cheerleaders in pep rallies, and
they do not try to lead a show of their own. Participation is encouraged.
STUDENT
BEHAVIOR AT ATHLETIC CONTESTS
The Fort Elliott School
Administration has adopted the following rules and ask that parents and students
cooperate to assure that these rules are followed at games. These rules are adopted to protect
individuals attending the contest.
1. The school Dress Code applies to all
school and school related activities.
2. Remember that the opponents and the fans
following the team are our guest and should be treated as guests.
3. Fort Elliott students should display good
sportsmanship. The use of the word
"boo" is not to be used by them.
Respect should be shown to the officials, all the players, and all
people at the game.
4. No stomping of the bleachers unless this
is called for in a yell that is being led.
5. No playing in the halls or bathrooms or
dressing room areas.
6. Fort Elliott students are not to go
outside of the building at these contests. This is as much for your own
protection as it is for any other reason.
If absolutely necessary, student may go outside but must first get
permission from the gatekeeper and must check back in with the gate keeper when
returning to the game.
7. No eating, drinking, or use of tobacco
(in any form) in the gym. Please observe this rule.
8. No playing in the bleachers, sit down. If you play or scuffle in the bleachers you
may hinder someone who is really interested in the game from seeing it.
9. Stay out of the dressing rooms unless you
are getting dressed to play.
10.
No
sitting down at the court ends.
In years past, the students of Fort Elliott
Schools have cooperated with the administration in obeying these rules. Your continued observance of them in the
future will be appreciated.
CAFETERIA
The
District participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers free and
reduced-priced lunches based on a student's financial need. Information can be obtained from the
principal.
Students
line up in single file in the cafeteria in order in which they arrive. No one is permitted to hold a place in line
for another student.
The
same orderliness and quietness should exist while you are eating lunch in the
school cafeteria as in your home.
Absolutely
no running to the cafeteria from classes or scuffling in the line will be
permitted.
LOST AND FOUND
Students
having lost articles should make inquiry at the principal's office. Likewise, upon finding a lost article, a
student should take it to the office.
VISITORS
Parents
and other visitors are welcome to visit.
All visitors must first report
to the principal's office.
Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time will be
permitted only with the principal's approval, and such visits will not be
permitted if their duration or frequency interferes with the delivery of
instruction or disrupts the normal school environment. Remember, this is a closed campus!
BULLETIN
BOARDS
Bulletin
boards are provided for official notices and for the advertising of school
activities. Any student wishing to place
a notice anywhere in the building must get the approval of the principal or the
teacher in advance, and must be initialed by the principal or the sponsor.
POSTERS
Signs
and posters that students wish to display must first be approved by the
principal. Posters displayed without
authorization will be removed. Any
student who posts printed material without approval will be subject to disciplinary
action.
DIABETES
In
accordance with a student’s individual health plan for management of diabetes,
a student with diabetes will be permitted to possess and use monitoring and
treatment supplies and equipment while at school or at a school related activity. See the principal for information.
STEROID USE
Parents
and students should be aware that state law prohibits a student from
possessing, dispensing, delivering, or administering an anabolic steroid. Anabolic steroids are for medical use only, and
only a physician can prescribe use.
Under
state law, bodybuilding, muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or
strength through the use of anabolic steroids or human growth hormone by a
healthy student is not a valid medical use and is a criminal offense.
This
policy will be enforced using all applicable state laws. This policy will be
updated according to state law changes.
PSYCHOTROPIC
DRUGS
Teachers
and other District employees may discuss a student’s academic progress or behavior
with the student’s parents or another employee as appropriate; however, they
will not recommend use of psychotropic drugs.
A District employee who is a registered nurse, and advanced nurse
practitioner, a physician, or a certified and credentialed mental health
professional can recommend that a student be evaluated by an appropriate
medical practitioner, if appropriate.
“Psychotropic
drug” means a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a
disease or a component of a medication and intended to have an altering effect
on perception, emotion, or behavior. It
is commonly described as a mood or behavior altering substance.
IMMUNIZATIONS
All
students must be immunized against certain diseases or must present a
certificate or statement that, for medical or religious reasons, the student
should not be immunized. For
exemptions based on reasons of conscience, only official forms issued by the
Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Branch, can be honored
by the District. This form may obtained
by writing the DSHS Immunization Branch (MC1946), P.O. Box 149347, Austin,
TX 78714-9347; or online at https://sebds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm. The form must be notarized and submitted to
the principal or school nurse within 90 days of notarization. A separate form is required for each student.
The
immunizations required are: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles [rubeola],
mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenzae type B, Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and
varicella (chicken pox), meningococcal; the school nurse can provide
information on the required doses of these vaccines. Proof of immunization may be personal records
by a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or
rubber-stamp validation.
If a student should not be
immunized for medical reasons, the student or parent must present a
certificate, signed by a U.S. licensed physician, which states that, in the
doctor's opinion, the immunization required would be harmful to the health and
well-being of the student or any member of the student's family or
household. This certificate must be
renewed yearly unless the physician specifies a life-long contraindication.
If
a student's religious beliefs conflict with the requirement that the student be
immunized, the student must present a statement signed by the student [or by
the parent if the student is a minor] that states that the immunization
conflicts with the beliefs and practices of a recognized church or religious
denomination of which the student is an adherent or member. This statement must be renewed yearly.
COMMUNICABLE
DISEASES
Parents
of students with a communicable or contagious disease are asked to telephone
the school nurse\principal so that other students who have been exposed to
disease can be alerted. Students with
diseases are not allowed to come to school when their disease is contagious.
BACTERIAL
MENINGITIS
WHAT IS
MENINGITIS?
Meningitis
is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites,
fungi, and bacteria.
Viral
meningitis is most common and the least serious. Bacterial meningitis is the most common form
of serious bacterial infection with the potential for serious, long-term
complications. It is an uncommon
disease, but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent
damage or death.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Someone
with meningitis will become very ill.
The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly
progress in a matter of hours. Not
everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and
adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting,
sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or
confusion. In both children and adults,
there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots.
These can occur anywhere on the body.
The
diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and
laboratory results.
HOW
SERIOUS IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
If
it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a
complete recovery. In some cases it can
be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability.
HOW IS
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS SPREAD?
Fortunately, none of the
bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common
cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply
breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our
noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva
(such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).
The
germ does not cause meningitis in most people.
Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks, or
even months. The bacteria rarely
overcome the body’s immune system and cause meningitis or another serious
illness.
HOW CAN
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS BE PREVENTED?
Do not
share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of person you kiss.
While
there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used
only in special circumstances. These
include when there is a disease outbreak in a community or for people traveling
to a country where there is a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a vaccine is recommended by some groups
for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls.
The vaccine is safe and effective (85-90 percent). It can cause mild side
effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two
days. Immunity develops within seven to
ten days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to five years.
WHAT
SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOU OR A FRIEND MIGHT HAVE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
You should seek prompt
medical attention
WHERE
CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION?
Your
school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local regional health
department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable
diseases. You may also call your local
health department or Regional Texas Department of Health office to ask about
meningococcal vaccine. Additional
information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov and the Texas
Department of
Health: www.tdh.state.state.tx.us .
FIRE DRILLS
Misconduct
will not be tolerated during a drill. The signals are as follows:
WARNING: The warning is the fire alarm system or a
continuous wail on the intercom.
EVACUATION: Close the door as you leave. Exit the building by the route posted in your
room unless that route is in the area of the fire.
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
Be orderly. No pushing, passing,
or talking.
RETURN: Return to your room at the direction of your
teacher.
TORNADO
WARNING
SIGNAL: A continuous warble on the intercom is the
storm warning.
EVACUATION: All proceed briskly, but not running, to the
storm shelter. Use the most direct
route. No pushing, passing, or talking.
Once
in the shelter wait for further instruction.
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
Each teacher will use the "buddy" system for the
children.
Do not be concerned
about windows or doors.
ALTERNATE
PLAN:
When there is not sufficient time to safely seek shelter in the storm
cellar, move to the hallway.
RETURN: Return to your room at the direction of your
teacher.
FUND
RAISING
Student
clubs, classes, and organizations, will occasionally be permitted to conduct
fund-raising drives. Permission must be received from the principal before
the event.
All
fund raising must be approved by the principal.
UIL
FIELD TRIP
Any
student in Elementary, Junior High, or High School that participates in one
academic event and/or One Act Play, will be allowed to participate in the
Academic UIL Field Trip at the end of the school year.
A
student shall not be permitted to miss class, for any activity, that the
student is not maintaining at least a 70 average in all classes.
SOCIAL
ACTIVITIES
Social
activities within the school must have the approval of the sponsor and the
principal before they can be put on a master calendar in the principal's
office. The rules of good conduct and
grooming shall be observed for school social events. Guests will be expected to observe the same
rules as students attending the event; the person inviting the guest will share
responsibility for the conduct of the guest.
Students attending a party or social may be asked to sign out when
leaving before the end of the party; anyone leaving before the official end of
the party will not be readmitted.
CALENDAR
All
school events or school-sponsored activities are scheduled through the
principal and placed on a master calendar located in the administrative
offices. No activity shall take place in
the name of the school or any school organization without the approval of the
principal. In the event dates
conflict and cannot be satisfactorily resolved, the event placed on the
calendar first has priority.
CAMPUS
The
school system was created by your parents and other citizens who are interested
in your welfare and future of the community.
It is our responsibility to take proper care of school property. It is the responsibility of every student not
to mar, deface, or litter these fine facilities. Always
deposit paper or cups in trash cans provided for that purpose inside and
outside of the building.
All
students with the true Fort Elliott School spirit conduct themselves in the
school and elsewhere as ladies and gentlemen should. One student who fails in this respect not
only brings censure upon themselves, but upon the school as a whole.
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY FOR STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY GRADES
The District will make
available for public inspection a statement of the policy adopted to ensure
that students in elementary grades engage in at least 30 minutes of physical
activity per day or 135 minutes per week.
For information regarding the District’s requirements and programs
regarding elementary student
physical activity
requirements, please see the principal.
ELEMENTARY
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Students
in grades PK-5 will not be allowed to have birthday parties during school
hours. If a parent would like to have a
party for their child and the cafeteria is needed, arrangements may be made
through the Principal’s office.
INSURANCE
The District purchases
blanket accident insurance for all students, but the District shall not be
responsible for cost of treating injuries or assume liability for any other
cost associated with an injury. Claim forms are kept in the superintendent's
office. In the event of an injury it is
the full responsibility of the student to see that it is reported to the
supervising teacher, if the injury happened at school, and to comply fully with
the terms of the insurance policy.
This coverage is meant to
be supplemental only. It is not a major
accident policy; it is to be used only after you have filed with your insurance
company. The school policy might pick up
some of the additional expenses your policy does not cover. If you would like to purchase additional
coverage on your child packets will be will be given to you at the beginning of
each school year. You may choose an option as to the type of coverage you wish
for your child and you are responsible for the premium.
PEST
CONTROL INFORMATION
The District periodically applies pesticides
inside buildings. Information regarding
the application of pesticides is available from Roy Baker, Superintendent.
ASBESTOS
The
Asbestos Management Plan for Fort Elliott CISD may be reviewed in the Superintendent's
office during regular school hours.
REPORT
CARDS
Written
reports of student's grades and absences shall be issued to parents at least
once every six weeks. At the end of the
first three weeks of a grading period, parents will be notified if the
student's grade average is near or below 70 or the expected level of
performance. State Law mandates that
parents sign and return any Notice of Concern mailed to them by the school.
State Law also mandates that report cards must be signed by the parent and
returned to the school.
Students
and parents may expect teachers to request a conference:
1. If the student is not maintaining
passing grades or achieving the expected level of performance.
2. If the student presents any other problem
to the teacher.
3. In any other case the teacher considers
necessary.
FINAL
EXAMINATION EXEMPTIONS
A
student may be exempted from taking a final examination in any class in which
the following criteria is met:
1.
The student has a 95 or above
average and no more than 3 excused absences.
2.
The student has a 90 or above
average and no more than 2 excused absences.
3.
The student has an 80 or above
average and no more than 1 excused absence.
GRADING
SCALE
The following marking
system is used in Fort Elliott Schools.
90-100-A
80-89-B
70-79-C
Below 70-F
PROMOTION,
RETENTION, AND PLACEMENT
Students
shall be promoted from one grade to the next on the basis of academic
achievement. Students must have an overall
average of 70 or above in at lease three of the following subjects: language
arts [including reading improvement if required], mathematics, social studies,
and science. If a student's grade
average in any subject or course is "borderline" or below 70 at the
end of the first three weeks of any grading period, the student's parents shall
be notified.
No student
shall be retained more than one time in grades 1-4 and more than one time in
grades 5-8. In exceptional cases, with
approval of a committee consisting of at least the student's teacher[s] and two
administrators, one of whom shall be in an assignment above the campus level,
and parental permission, a second retention within either grades 1-4 or 5-8 may
be allowed.
Students who
are not promoted shall be retained in the same grade or placed in an
alternative education program. No
student shall be retained more than once in grades 5-8 unless the parents,
teacher, and school administrators agree that the student should be retained a
second time because of some special circumstance.
A student’s
satisfactory performance of TAKS examinations will be required for promotion.
This requirement will be effective for the following students:
In order to be promoted to grade 4,
students must have met state standards on the Reading section of the grade 3
TAKS test in English or Spanish.
In
order to be promoted to grade 6, students enrolled in grade 5 must meet state
standards on the Mathematics and Reading section of the grade 5 TAKS tests in
English or Spanish.
In
order to be promoted to grade 9, students enrolled in grade 8 must meet state
standards on the Mathematics and Reading sections of the grade 8 TAKS tests in
English.
In addition, students in
grades 3, 5, and 8 must meet promotion standards established by the District in
order to be promoted.
Students who do not
perform satisfactorily will have additional opportunities to participate in
special instructional programs designed to help them improve their performance.
Parents of students who do not perform
satisfactorily on their TAKS exams will be notified that their child will
participate in special instructional programs designed to improve
performance. These students will also
have two additional opportunities to re-take the test. If the student fails a second time, a grade
placement committee, consisting of the principal or designee, the teacher, and
the student’s parent, will determine the additional special instruction the
student will receive. After a third failed
attempt, the student will be retained; however, the parent can appeal this
decision to the committee. In order for
the student to be promoted, based on standards previously established by the
District, the decision of the committee must be unanimous. Whether the student is retained or promoted,
an educational plan for the student will be designed to enable the student to
perform at grade level by the end of the next school year.
Students in grade 11 must
pass the secondary exit-level assessment in English language arts, mathematics,
social studies, and science in order to receive a diploma. A student who does not pass the exit-level
assessment will have additional opportunities to re-take the test.
Certain students some with disabilities and some with
limited English proficiency–maybe eligible for exemptions, accommodations, or
deferred testing. For more information,
see the principal, counselor, or special education director.
Students in grades 9-12 shall be placed in a lower
level or remedial course based on the following criteria:
1. Student is one or more years below
grade level on the District's standardized test.
2. Student has failed to demonstrate
mastery on one or more areas of the most recent TAKS test.
3. Student is recommended, based on prior
performance in academic courses, by the teacher, principal, or counselor.
STATE ASSESSMENTS
Students at certain grade
levels will take state assessment tests (such as TAKS in the following
subjects, as well as routine testing and other measures of achievement:
Mathematics: annually in grades 3-8 without the
aid of technology (calculators) and in grades 9-Exit Level with the aid of
technology (calculators) on any assessment test that includes algebra.
Reading: annually in grades 3-9
Writing: including spelling and
grammar, in grades 4 and 7
English
language arts:
in grades 10 & Exit Level
Social
Studies:
in grades 8, 10 & Exit Level
Science: in grades 5, 10. &
Exit Level
STATE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION
All 3rd grade students must pass the
reading portion of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the 4th
grade. Each student shall have three
attempts to pass the test before retention is required.
All 5th grade students must pass both
the reading and math portions of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the 6th
grade. Each student shall have three
attempts to pass each test before retention is required.
All 8th grade students must pass both
the reading and math portions of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the 9th
grade. Each student shall have three
attempts to pass each test before retention is required.
All 11th grade students must pass the
English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies portions of the TAKS
test to graduate. Each student shall
have three attempts to pass each test before retention is required.
Any student that has not passed a required portion
of the TAKS test shall be placed in an intervention course.
STUDENT
RECORDS
A student's school records
are private and are protected from unauthorized inspection or use. A cumulative record is maintained for each
student from the time the student enters the District until the student
withdraws or graduates. This record moves with the student from school to
school.
By law, both parents,
whether married, separated, or divorced, have access to the records of a
student who is a minor or a dependent for tax purposes, as do students who are
18 years of age or older. A parent whose
rights have been legally terminated will be denied access to the records if the
school is given a copy of the court order terminating these rights.
The principal is custodian
of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The Superintendent is the custodian of all
records for students who have withdrawn or graduated. Records may be reviewed during regular school
hours. The records custodian or designee
will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of the
records. The phone number of the
Superintendent and principal are listed on inside the cover of this handbook.
Parents of a minor or
parents of a student who is a dependent for tax purposes, the student [if 18 or
older], and school officials with legitimate educational interests are the only
persons who have general access to a student's records. School officials
include any employees, agents, or Trustees of the District, cooperatives, or
contractual placement facilities, as well as their attorneys and consultants,
who are:
1. Working with the student;
2. Considering disciplinary or academic
actions, the student's case, or a handicapped student's IEP;
3. Compiling statistical data; or
4. Investigating or evaluating programs.
Certain other officials from various governmental
agencies may have limited access to the records. The District forwards a
student's records without prior consent on request to a school in which a
student seeks or intends to enroll.
Parental consent is required to release the records to anyone else. When
the student reaches 18 years of age, only the student has the right to consent
to release of records.
The parent's or student's right of access to and
copies of, student records does not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational
records, such as teachers' personal notes on a student that are shared only
with a substitute teacher and records on ex-students, do not have to be made
available to the parents or student.
Students over 18 and
parents of minor students may inspect the student's records and request a
correction if the records are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation
of the student's privacy or other rights.
If the District refuses the request to amend the records, the requestor
has the right to a hearing.
If the
records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 days
to exercise the right to place in the student's record a statement commenting
on the information. Although improperly
recorded grades may be challenged, parents and students are not allowed to
contest a student's grade in a course through this process. Parents or students have the right to file a
complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they feel that the District
is not in compliance with the law regarding student records.
Copies of student records are available at a cost
of five cents per page, payable in advance.
Parents may be denied copies of a student's records [1] after the
student reaches age 18 and is no longer a dependent for tax purposes; [2] when
the student is attending an institution of post-secondary education; [3] if the
parent fails to follow proper procedures and pay the copying charge; or [4]
when the District is given a copy of a court order terminating the parental
rights. If the student qualifies for free
or reduce-price lunches and the parents are unable to view the records during
regular school hours, upon written request of the parent, one copy of the
record will be provided at no charge.
Certain information about District students is
considered directory information and will be released to anyone who follows
procedures for requesting it, unless the parent objects in writing to the
principal within ten days after the issuance of this handbook. Directory
information includes: a student's name,
student’s photo, address, telephone number, date and place of birth,
participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height
of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, honors and awards received
in school, most recent pervious school attended, grade level and enrollment
status, student’s e-mail address, and other similar information.
PROTECTION OF STUDENT RIGHTS
The school
will notify parents of the right to inspect all instructional materials to be used
in connection with a survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of a federally
funded program. Notice will be sent home
before such a survey, analysis, or evaluation is administered, and parent
consent (or student consent if 18 or older) will be requested if information
regarding any of the following is part of the survey, analysis, or evaluation:
1. Political affiliations.
2. Mental and
psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or family.
3. Sex
behavior and attitudes.
4.
Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, and demeaning behavior.
5. Critical appraisals
of other individuals with whom the student or the student’s family has close
family relationship.
6. Legally recognized
privileged or analogous relationships, such as lawyers, physicians, and
ministers.
7. Income, other than as required by law to
determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial
assistance under such program.
STUDENT’S
RIGHT TO PRAY
The school recognizes a student’s
right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school in
a manner that does not disrupt the instructional or other activities of the
school. The school will not require,
encourage, or coerce a student to engage in or to refrain from such prayer or
meditation during any school activity.
AWARDS: ATHLETICS
& CHEERLEADING
In order for any student
to receive an award for participation in the area mentioned above the student must
meet the scholastic requirements of the University Interscholastic League
first. A student may receive only one
major award and a minor award may be presented for each additional activity in
which he or she letters. Example: If a boy letters in basketball and track, he
may receive only one Letter Jacket but an additional minor award for the other
sport.
The coach or the cheerleader sponsor will
determine whether a boy or girl meets the requirements of the policies of the
UIL and the local school.
HONOR
ROLLS
"A" Honor Roll:
To be listed on the "A" Honor Roll a student must have grades of 90
or above in all classes.
"B" Honor Roll:
To be listed on the "B" Honor Roll a student must have grades of 80
or above in all classes.
HIGH
SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
To be eligible for valedictorian or Salutatorian a
student must:
1. Have
attended high school four years.
2. Have
attended Fort Elliott High School two years.
3. Have
a minimum average grade of 85.
4. Have
no semester grade lower than 70.
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian shall be
selected based on the weighted cumulative grade point average. To be eligible for Valedictorian and
Salutatorian, the student must have attended Fort Elliott High School through
the entire eleventh and twelve grades.
The rank to determine the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Honor
Students will be calculated at the end of the fifth six weeks grading
period. The fourth and fifth six weeks
grades will be averaged and substituted for the final semester grade for this
ranking purpose. Students that transfer
into the district after their sophomore year are eligible for Honor Student
designation.
The Valedictorian of the graduating class will be
the student with the highest weighted cumulative grade point average. The Salutatorian will be the student with the
second highest grade point average. In the case of two or more students tying
for the highest weighted cumulative grade point average, Co-Valedictorians exist,
no Salutatorian would be recognized. In
the case of one Valedictorian and two or more students tying for the second
highest weighed cumulative grade point average, Co-Salutatorians will be
recognized.
CLASS
RANK TOP TEN PERCENT
High school Graduates who are
ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class are eligible for
automatic admission to Texas general academic universities and colleges. Students and parents should see the counselor
for further information about how to apply.
STATE
SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
Under the Texas Early High
School Graduation Scholarship Program, eligible students
may earn financial credits
in varying amounts, depending on the number of
consecutive months in
which the student completed graduation requirements and
the number of early
college credits earned. Students may
choose public or private
Texas higher education
institutions within the state.
Except for ninth graders
who entered high school in the 2003-2004 school year,
these financial credits
will be limited to students who complete the Recommended
or Advanced (Distinguished
Achievement) High School Program.
Exceptions will apply if
necessary courses were unavailable at the appropriate times
in the student’s school
years because of course scheduling, lack of enrollment,
capacity, or another
reason outside the student’s control. If
the exception
applies, the District will
indicate the fact on the student’s transcript.
The
counselor can provide
additional information about meeting the program’s
eligibility requirements.
Student who have a
financial need according to federal criteria and who
complete the Recommended
High School Program or Distinguished
Achievement Program may be
eligible under the TEXAS Grant Program to for
tuition and fees to Texas
public universities, community colleges, and
technical schools, as well
as to private institutions. [For further information,
see the principal or
counselor.
EIGHTH
GRADE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
To be eligible for eighth grade valedictorian or
Salutatorian a student must:
1. Have attended Fort Elliott Junior High School one year.
2. Have a minimum average grade of 85.
3. Have no semester grade lower than 70.
The valedictorian shall be
the student meeting the above criteria and having
the highest overall average for the seventh
and eighth grades. The
Salutatorian shall be the
student meeting the above criteria and having
the second highest
average. Physical Education grades will
not be used in
computing overall averages.
GUIDANCE
Academic Counseling
Students
are encouraged to talk with the school counselor, teachers, and the
principal
in order to learn about the curriculum, course offerings, graduation
requirements,
and differences between graduation requirements for the
recommended
high school program and the advanced program.
All
students in grades 7-12 and their parents shall be notified annually about the
recommended
courses for students preparing to attend college. Students
who are
interested in attending a community college, university, technical training
school, or
pursuing some other advanced education should work closely with their
counselor
so that they may take the high school courses that will best prepare
them for
further work. The counselor can also
provide information about college
entrance
examinations required by many colleges and universities, as well as
information
about financial aid and housing. Applications for the ACT and
SAT examinations
are available in the counselor’s office. FASFA applications and
on-line
guides can be picked up in the counselor’s office.
The
counselor will also have information for many community colleges, universities,
and
technical training institutions. Information
on many scholarships can also be
found in
the counselor’s office. Each senior will
be assigned a folder in the
counselor’s
office in which college information, scholarship information and
various
other items of interest to each student will be placed. Each senior
will be
responsible for checking his/her folder in a timely manner.
The
counselor will also provide assistance in planning and scheduling college
visitation
days as
well as job shadowing opportunities. Seniors
are encouraged to visit
the
counselor’s office for assistance.
Personal Counseling
A school
counselor may be able to help students with a wide range of
personal
concerns. The counselor is familiar with
community resources and
may direct
students to other sources of information and assistance. Students
who wish to
discuss academic or personal concerns with the counselor should feel
free to
visit the counselor's office.
PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT
Education
succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between home and school, a
partnership that thrives on communication.
Parents are partners with teachers, administrators, and the Board and
are entitled to:
1. Review the Student
Handbook, including the attached Student Code of Conduct, with your child prior
to signing and returning to the school the written statement that you
understand and consent to the responsibilities outlined in the Student Code of
Conduct.
2. Encourage your child to put a high
priority on education and to commit to making the most of the educational
opportunities provided by the school.
3. Become familiar with the academic
program offered in the District and feel free to ask the principal any
questions, including concerns about placement, assignment, or early graduation.
4. Attend Board meetings to learn more
about on going operations of the District.
5. Exercise your right to review teaching
materials, textbooks, and other aids, and to examine tests that have been
administered to your child.
6. Be aware of your right to temporarily
remove your child from an instructional activity that conflicts with your
religious or moral beliefs. Such a
removal cannot be for the purpose of avoiding a test and may not prevent the
student from attending for an entire semester, however. Further, such removal does not exempt the
student from satisfying grade level or graduation requirements as determined by
the school and by the Texas Education Agency.
7. Review your child’s school records when
needed. Monitor your child’s progress; contact
teachers as needed. Take advantage of
all opportunities to stay informed regarding your child’s activities, as well
as school activities and issues generally.
Follow up on a matter not resolved administratively by presenting it to
the Board for review according to policy.
8. You may request that your child be
excused from participation in the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance
to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. The request must be in writing. State law does not allow your child to be
excused from participation in the required moment of silence or silent activity
that follows.
9. You may request that your child be
excused from recitation of a portion of
the Declaration of Independence.
State law requires students in social studies classed in grade 3-12 to
recite a portion of the text of the Declaration of Independence during
Celebrate Freedom Week unless
(1) you provide a written
statement requesting the your child be excused, (2) the District determines
that you child has a conscientious objection to the recitation, or (3) you are
a representative of a foreign government to whom the United States extends
diplomatic immunity, [See policy EHBK]
10. Become a school volunteer. For further information, contact the school
office.
11. Participate in campus parent
organizations. The activities are
varied, ranging from Fort Elliott Booster Club, to campus and District
committees that assist the Board of Trustees in formulating educational goals
and objectives for campuses and the District.
12.
To
request a transfer of your child to another classroom or campus if, your child
has been verified by the board or it’s designee to have been a victim of
bullying as the term is defined by Education Code 25.0341. Transportation is not provided for a transfer
to another campus. Please contact the
Superintendent for further information.
![MCj01994650000[1]](Handbook_2009_2010%5b1%5d_files/image001.gif)
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
All students must earn credits for state-required
subjects and electives as described on the following pages. In addition, students entering high school
after 2001 must meet the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test (TAKS)
exit level testing requirements.
Students shall be awarded the same diploma. The Academic Achievement Record, or
transcript, will designate which graduation plan was followed.
Students will complete one of the three programs,
Minimum, Recommended, or Distinguished, and have one of three types of seals
affixed to the Academic Achievement Record.
Beginning in the 2003 – 2004 school year, all freshmen are required to
complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program. Beginning with
the 2007 – 2008 school year only under extreme circumstance will students be
allowed to complete the minimum program for graduation. There will be a
mandatory committee meeting including the parent to address individual cases.
The requirements of each graduation program can be found on the following
pages.
STUDENT
CLASSIFICATION
Students
are classified according to the number of units they have completed.
Classification
units will be as follows:
Semester Credit
Freshman………………………………………..0 – 5 ˝ State Credits
Sophomore……………………………………. 6 – 11 ˝ State Credits
Junior……………………………………………. 12 – 17˝ State Credits
(Eng I & II credits required)
Senior……………………………………………
18 State Credits
22 units minimum Minimum HS
Program
26 units minimum Recommended
HS Program
26
units minimum Distinguished
Achievement
Students
are classified only once per year on August 1st.
Minimum High School Program
|
Entered Grade 9 before 2009-10 |
Entered Grade 9 2009-10 or later |
|
|
English Language Arts |
4 credits |
4 credits |
|
Mathematics |
3 credits |
3 credits |
|
Science |
2 credits |
2 credits |
|
Social Studies |
2.5 credits |
2.5 credits |
|
Economics with emphasis on the free enterprise
system and its benefits |
.5 credit |
.5 credit |
|
Academic Elective |
1 credit |
1 credit |
|
Physical Education |
1.5 credit |
1.5 credit |
|
Health Education |
.5 credit |
.5 credit |
|
Speech |
.5 credit |
.5 credit |
|
Technology Applications |
1 credit |