2003-2004 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK
The material covered within this student/parent handbook is intended as a method of communicating to students and parents/guardians regarding general district information, rules, and procedures and is not intended to either enlarge or diminish any Board policy, administrative regulation, or negotiated agreement. Materials contained herein may therefore be superseded by such Board policy, administrative regulations or negotiated agreement.
Any information contained in this student handbook is subject to unilateral revision or elimination from time to time without notice.
No information in this document shall be viewed as an offer, expressed or implied, or as a guarantee of any employment of any duration.
Parents/Guardians objecting to the release of directory information on their student should notify the district office within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of the Student & Parent Handbook.
Parents/Guardians must also give their signed and dated written permission for the district to release personally identifiable information. A written permission form is provided with registration materials.
The Arlington School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, disability or marital status providing education or access to benefits of education services, activities and programs in accordance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and other civil rights or discrimination issues; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Further, no student will be excluded from participating in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity conducted by the district. The district will treat its students without discrimination on the basis of sex as this pertains to course offerings, athletics, counseling, employment assistance and extracurricular activities.
Complaints alleging violation of this policy should be filed using the procedures in Board policy KL, Public Complaints.
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) gives parents/guardians and students who are 18 or older or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding the school district’s conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and conduct of certain physical exams. These include the right to:
1. Consent to federally funded surveys concerning “protected information.” If the U.S. Department of Education funds a survey in whole or in part, a student’s parents or an eligible student must consent in writing before the student may provide information relating to the following categories:
· Political affiliations;
· Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
· Sexual behaviors or attitudes;
· Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
· Critical appraisals of student’s family members;
· Privileged or similar relationships recognized by law, such as with attorneys, doctors, and ministers;
· Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parents; or
· Income other than that required by law to determine program eligibility.
A survey that concerns any of these points is called “protected information survey.”
2. Opt out of certain surveys and exams. Parents/Guardians and eligible students will receive notice of any of the following activities and will have the right to opt out of them:
· Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for purposes of marketing or selling or otherwise distributing the information to others;
· Any protected information survey, regardless of funding; and
· Any nonemergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent and scheduled by the school, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student or of another student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under state law.
3. Inspect certain material. Parents/Guardians and eligible students have the right to inspect the following, upon request, before the district administers or uses them:
· Protected information surveys of students (including any instructional materials used in connection with the survey);
· Documents used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and
· Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.
4. Receive notification of district policy. The School District has developed a policy, in consultation with parents/guardians, regarding these rights and has made arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The School District will directly notify parents/guardians and eligible students, such as through U.S. Mail or e-mail, of this policy at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes are made.
5. Report violations. Parents/Guardians and eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
While parents/guardians are free to choose private schooling or additional services (such as tutoring) from a private individual or organization, the District has no obligation to pay for such services or schooling. If the parent/guardian wants the District to consider making a placement for the child in a private school or with private services, parents/guardians must give the District notice and opportunity to propose other public school options.
Therefore, whether the child is identified as disabled (under IDEA or Section 504) or not, the parents/guardians must provide notice as follows: If parents decide to withdraw their student to enroll the student in a private school, parents must give notice either at the last IEP meeting attended or to the school administrator in writing at least ten (10) business days before withdrawing their student. If parents/guardians fail to do this, and instead make a private placement themselves, a court or hearing officer may reduce or deny reimbursement if it is requested by the parent/guardian.
1. Learning is a lifelong process, which is adaptable to change, and not confined to any one institution.
2. Students learn in a variety of ways. Differences in learning styles and rates should be respected, and different modes of learning should be available.
3. In order to prepare students for a global environment, the learning process must emphasize the access, manipulation and use of information. Technological competence must be integrated with critical thinking and reasoning skills.
4. Students need a strong sense of values, skills, and knowledge to make choices, which enable them to function as responsible, productive members of society.
Education is a partnership in which all parties have both rights and responsibilities.
Schools, students, families business, and community should seek to enter meaningful and effective relationships with open lines of communication to ensure educational opportunities and growth.
1. An effective learning environment is safe, nurturing, and challenging.
2. In an effective learning environment, each member of the educational partnership feels respected and accommodated.
3. Self-esteem is enhanced in an environment where individual differences and ideas are respected, where special strengths and weaknesses are addressed, and where each person is valued as a unique individual regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity.
It is the purpose of the Arlington Schools to provide opportunities for continuous mental, physical, and moral growth of its students.
The Board recognizes that parent/guardian involvement is vital to achieve maximum educational growth for students participating in the District Title I program. Therefore, in compliance with federal law and the Oregon Department of Education guidelines, the district shall provide information regarding their schools participation in the Title I program and requirements.
The Superintendent shall ensure equivalence among schools in teachers, administration and other staff and in the provisions of the curriculum materials and instructional supplies.
The Board directs the Superintendent to ensure that each of the districts schools participating in the Title I program meet annually with parents/guardians. Parents/Guardians of participating students shall be informed of their right to be involved in the development of the district’s parental involvement policy, overall Title I plan and school-parent compact. The school-parent compact is inserted in this handbook. Each student and parent/guardian should sign and return the school-parent compact.
The district shall, to the extent practicable, provide full opportunities for the participation of parents/guardians with limited English proficiency or with disabilities, including information and school profiles in a language and form parents understand.
In cooperation with parents/guardians, the district’s Title I plan and school-parent compact shall be reviewed annually and updated periodically to meet the changing needs of parents/guardians and the school. The Title I plan will be distributed to parents/guardians of participating Title I students annually.
The new federal law, No Child Left Behind, requires the district to notify parents at the beginning of each school year that they may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teacher. Parents also have the right to request the qualifications of any paraeducators working with their child. Parents of limited English proficient students have the right to be notified of their child’s inclusion in language instruction programs no later than two weeks after a student’s placement in an ELL program. Copies of the district’s ELL plan are available upon request.
Schools that receive Title I funds must give timely notice to parents/guardians whose children have been taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who’s not “highly qualified” in core academic subject areas as defined by the state and federal government.
Districts must notify parents/guardians of each student in a “persistently dangerous” school about the unsafe school choice option. “Persistently dangerous” schools are identified by the state.
Schools that have been identified by the state for school improvement, that is failed to make adequate yearly progress for two years, must offer public school choice.
A student seeking enrollment in the district for the first time must meet all academic, age, immunization, tuition and other eligibility prerequisites for admission as set forth by law, Board policy, and administrative regulations. Students and their parents/guardians should contact the office for admission requirements.
The district may deny regular school admission to a student who is expelled from another school district for an offense that constitutes a violation of applicable state or federal weapons law and who subsequently becomes a resident of the district or who applies for admission to the district as a non-resident student.
Alternative educational services may be provided to resident students expelled for violation of applicable state or federal weapons law.
Students are informed of alternative programs available if they meet one of the following conditions:
1. Being or has been expelled.
2. Having repeated severe discipline problems.
3. Attending so erratically that he/she is not benefiting from the educational program.
4. Sixteen years old or older and giving written notice of intent to withdraw from the regular school program for reasons other than enrolling in another educational program.
5. The Alternative Learning Specialist at the Oregon Department of Education is the contact person for appeals regarding expulsions and alternative school placement. He/She may be contacted at 503-378-3600 ext. 2285.
The district has compiled with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) by having their buildings inspected by accredited inspectors and the development of a management plan for the control of this substance.
The management plan is available for public inspection in the district office.
The Superintendent serves as the district’s asbestos program manager and may be reached for further information.
A student’s conduct in assemblies must meet the same standard as in the classroom. A student who does not abide by the district’s Student Code of Conduct during an assembly shall be subject to disciplinary action. Students are expected to be attentive, quiet, and polite upon entering the assembly area. All students are required to attend assemblies unless permission to be absent is obtained from the office prior to the assembly.
The Oregon Revised Statutes (339.020) state: Except as provided in ORS 339.030 every person having control of any child between the ages of 7 and 18 years who has not completed the 12th grade, is required to send such child to and maintain such child in regular attendance at a public full-time school during the entire school term. Violation of the compulsory attendance law is a Class C infraction and is punishable by a citation up to $150. In addition, a parent/guardian who is not supervising his/her student by requiring school attendance may also be in violation of ORS 163.577 (1)(c). Failing to supervise a child is a Class A violation and punishable by a fine up to $600.
At Arlington Schools, all students are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes. There is a direct relationship between poor attendance and class failure. Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school more and are much more employable after leaving school. However, students can fail on the basis of performance, despite good attendance.
The Arlington School District policy on attendance is as follows: Students must be in attendance eighty-seven percent of the days enrolled in order to receive credit in a given class (62 days in the first semester and 69 days in the second semester).
Exemptions from Compulsory Attendance are provided by law (ORS 339.030).
ORS 339.065 states that an absence may be excused by the administration if the absence is caused by the pupil’s sickness, by the sickness of some member of the pupil’s family, by an emergency or, if satisfactory arrangements have been made in advance of the absence.
Arlington School District students maintain good attendance in the following ways:
1. Attend all classes regularly.
2. Report to all classes on time.
3. Check in at the office before going to class if you arrive late to school.
4. Check out at the office before leaving campus even if your parents pick you up.
5. Get appointments or trips pre-arranged. Bring a note to the office explaining the date, time, and reason for the absence prior to the absence.
6. Get all schoolwork to be missed ahead of time whenever possible.
7. Clear all absences within two (2)
days or the absence will be considered unexcused.
a) Absence Without Prior Arrangement: Upon return to school, a student should report to the Office with a note from the parent/guardian. The note should include the date, student’s name, date(s) and/or time of student absence, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature. Students who are 18 and living on their own may write their own notes. Only these students may sign themselves in/out at the office with administrative approval.
b) Pre-arranged Absences: Pre-arranged excused absences may be approved providing a request from the parent/guardian is presented to the office at least one day in advance of the absence. The note should include the date, student’s name, date(s) and/or time the student will be absent, reason for the absence, and parent/guardian signature. The student will take a pre-arranged absence form to each teacher allowing them to be aware of the absence, and the student to get their assignments in advance. Students cannot be failing classes and all assignments are due upon return to school.
c) Perfect Attendance: Those students who do not miss school and are physically in class during the semester, except for school functions such as field trips, ASB activities, or sports will be excused from all final exams. Deaths in the family and situations where the school sends a student home because of injury shall not be counted against perfect attendance. Students receiving three or more unexcused tardies per semester will forfeit their perfect attendance and will be required to take finals. Students who are absent for any reason other than those stated above must take final exams. OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS count as an absence against perfect attendance. Students with perfect attendance shall be allowed to take final examinations in an attempt to improve their grades, if they choose.
8. As per state law (ORS 339.065) excused absences will only be given for:
a) Family emergency – determined by the administrator
b) Illness
c) Pre-arranged absence – determined by the administrator
d) School sponsored activities – participants will not be counted absent from class.
9. Make up all work on time required by the teacher.
a) Excused Absence: Student will have one day per day absent to complete and turn in work for full credit.
b)
Unexcused Absence:
The consequences of an unexcused absence will be determined at the
discretion of each individual teacher.
Consequences may include, but are not limited to any one or more of the
following:
1. A reduction of 3% of the final grade per unexcused absence.
2. A score of “zero” on missed assignments, quizzes, or exams.
3. Loss of 3% of the missed assignment, quizzes, or exams.
4. A loss of daily participation points.
5. Require exams or quizzes to be made up the day the student returns.
Teachers will include their expectations and consequences for unexcused absences in their course syllabi.
If it should become necessary to leave school during the school day, the student must check out of school by seeing the office secretary and gaining clearance from the administration. Failure to do so will constitute an unexcused absence, regardless of whether or not your parents/guardians are “aware”. Discipline will be administered as stated within the behavior management procedure. If parents/guardians wish to have a student excused during the school day, arrangements must be made with the administrator or his/her designee. The administrator will determine whether the reason is of sufficient cause to release the student, and to determine whether the absence will be excused.
STUDENTS WHO TURN UP MISSING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AND WHO HAVE NOT FOLLOWED THE ABOVE POLICY FOR LEAVING SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL HOURS WILL RECEIVE AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY.
1. Leaving campus without properly checking out through the Attendance Office.
2. Skipping class – Leaving class without permission.
3. Oversleeping.
4. Missing the bus.
5. Personal errands.
6. Family vacations that have not been pre-arranged.
7. Employment, job shadowing or apprenticeships during the instructional day that have not received prior approval from the administration.
8. SNEAK DAY – Absences from school for “sneak days” will be treated as truancy.
9. TRUANCY – A student who is absent from school or from any class without permission will be considered truant and will be subject to disciplinary action including detention, suspension, expulsion and ineligibility to participate in athletics or other activities.
Students are responsible for conducting themselves properly, in accordance with the policies of the district and the lawful direction of staff. The district has the responsibility to afford students certain rights as guaranteed under federal and state constitutions and statutes.
Arlington School District
has one general rule of behavior; that its members conduct themselves as good
citizens. The characteristics of good
school citizenship are:
1.
Regard for the rights
and privileges of others.
2.
Punctuality and
prepared for class.
3.
Care for the condition
and appearance of the grounds, buildings, and fixtures of the school.
4.
Respect for those in
authority.
A complete record of the
conduct of each student is maintained at the school. Unacceptable behavior is clearly spelled out in the Student
Management Policy. This policy and the
student/parent handbook will be reviewed yearly with students as part of the
advisor/advisee program.
Disrespectful,
disruptive, irregular attendance, and illegal activities are discouraged
through the assignment of consequences, which include loss of privileges,
parent/guardian conferences, detention and suspension. Among these activities are: repeated
unexcused absences, truancy, repeated tardiness, dress code violation, note
writing, inappropriate or obscene language, disrespect, disruptive behavior,
cheating, illegal behavior, harassment, physical violence, damage to school
property, behaviors that place others at risk, unprepared for class, display of
affection.
The following will always
result in suspension and, in some cases, expulsion: repeated violations, fighting, gang behavior, defiance of
authority, failure to serve detention, cheating on final exam/major project, any
violation aggravated by racially/sexually derogatory behavior, use of
drugs/alcohol, sale or supply of drugs/alcohol, possession of a weapon (state
law requires one year expulsion).
GENERAL CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS
The following rules of
general conduct are expected of all students:
A.
General Conduct:
1.
Teachers are to be
given proper respect and be addressed as Miss, Mr., Mrs., or Ms. and their last
name.
2.
The Student Management Policy is in effect whenever
you are under the auspices of Arlington Schools, including lunch (even off
campus) and any school activity.
3.
A student must attend
school the day of an after school function in order to participate in the
function unless he/she has prearranged his/her absence with the administrator
or his/her designee.
B.
In the halls:
1.
Pass quickly, quietly
and safely, but do not run.
2.
Refrain from showing
inappropriate action to others.
C.
In the classroom:
1.
Be in your seat by the
bell.
2.
Be orderly even if the
teacher is temporarily out of the room.
3.
Be prepared to begin
the lesson at once without borrowing pencils, books, paper, etc.
4.
Do not leave the room
without the teacher’s permission.
5.
Wait until the teacher
dismisses you. THE BELL NEVER
DISMISSES.
6.
Food and drink are
not allowed in class and cannot be purchased during class time.
7.
Personal property which disrupts class, such as a CD
Player, laser light, etc. may be taken by the teacher and turned over to the
office for parent/guardian notification.
D.
In assemblies:
1. Be attentive, quiet, and polite as soon as you enter
the assembly.
2. All students are required to attend assemblies
unless permission to be absent is obtained from the office prior to the
assembly.
ARLINGTON STUDENT MANAGEMENT POLICY
The teachers and staff at
Arlington Schools believe that students have the right to a safe, pleasant
environment in which to learn. It is
important that students be encouraged to conduct themselves in a manner that
will maintain such a climate that everyone is given the greatest opportunity to
achieve and succeed. When every person
in a school is doing their best, the school becomes an exciting and warm place
where every person is learning new things every single day.
In the classrooms,
hallways, lunchroom, or on the court or field, students make behavioral choices
every day. At Arlington Schools the
teachers and staff believe that people move toward personal maturity as they
make good behavioral choices and take responsibility for their actions. Behavioral choices that are mature and
responsible deserve acknowledgement.
Recognition of appropriate student behavior is important and may
include:
§
Nominations/Selection
as Student of the Month
§
Positive
recognition: including assemblies,
releases, breaks, pep assemblies, etc.
§
Verbal praise
§
Eligibility for
special prizes, outings, or field trips
§
Positive notes/phone
calls, acknowledgment to parents/guardians
Young adults make good
behavioral choices using three simple guidelines. Everyone in the school is encouraged to remember the phrase,
“Strive for excellence and help others to achieve this goal” as they actively
work on the following goals:
CODE OF CONDUCT
BE SUCCESSFUL
Always try – Do your best
– Manage yourself.
Students determined to be
successful come to class on time prepared to work and learn skills to help them
achieve their goals.
BE THOUGHTFUL OF OTHERS
Cooperate with other
people and treat them with respect.
Respect the property and rights of others. Everyone at Arlington Schools has the right to expect mutual
courtesy, respect, and a sense of self-worth.
BE LOYAL TO YOUR SCHOOL
Having pride in and
respecting yourself and others is a part of making Arlington Schools a
positive, good place to be.
Rules at Arlington
Schools are aimed at the goal of creating a school environment, which protects
every student’s rights to learn as well as every teacher’s rights to
teach. Rules should be clear and fair
and consistently enforced. Aside from
general school rules and these simple guidelines, teachers and classroom
instructors will state and post their classroom expectations. Members of the Associated Student Body and
parents/guardians are welcome to be part of the annual review process of the Student
Management Policy.
Most young adults are
able to act in a responsible, mature manner that does not interfere with the
educational rights of others. For this
reason, Arlington’s Student Management Policy is reviewed at the beginning of each school year and with students as
they enroll during the school year, so that students are fully aware of the
rules and can make good choices.
However, when inappropriate choices have been made, parents/guardians
are notified. Students who choose to
continue violating school rules face consequences for their behavior.
DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
Holding hands and walking
arm in arm are gestures of affection, which are widely accepted in public. Other affectionate behaviors in school or
other work settings are considered inappropriate. Intimate conduct such as kissing, sitting on laps, straddling
each other, fondling and the like are not appropriate in school or the
workplace. Such behaviors when referred
will result in parent notification and/or discipline.
GANG ACTIVITY/HATE GROUPS
Gang/Hate group activity
will not be allowed. Prohibited
activities include, but are not limited to:
the congregation of members, the solicitation or recruitment of members,
the possession of group paraphernalia and materials, the intimidation of
others, the advocacy of discrimination, and any other behavior which the school
administration finds disruptive such as the wearing of gang colors or insignia
and the use of language, code or gestures that provoke violence or seek to
advocate the purpose and objectives of such groups. Disciplinary action may include suspension and/or expulsion.
HAZING OR INITIATION
Initiation acts or other
action involving physical handling and/or verbal abuse of other students is not
permitted. Students involved in such
action will face possible suspension from school.
TARDINESS/UNPREPARED FOR CLASS
Student tardiness and
unpreparedness is an extreme disruption to the daily operation of classes. Students are advised that repeated
tardiness/unpreparedness in the same quarter will result in immediate
consequences and/or parent/guardian contact.
Consequences may include detention or suspension. Students later than 10 minutes to class will
be considered and marked absent.
VANDALISM
No person shall willfully
write, make marks or draw obscene pictures on the walls or any other part of
any schoolhouse or outbuildings, or furniture thereof, or deface or damage any
school building. The district school
board shall prosecute any person who violates this section.
WEAPONS
Students shall not bring,
possess, conceal or use a weapon on or at district property, activities under the
jurisdiction of the district or interscholastic activities administered by a
voluntary organization approved by the State Board of Education (i.e., Oregon
Schools Activities Association).
Weapons may include, but
are not limited to, dangerous weapons (any weapon, devise, instrument, material
or substance, which under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to
be used or threatened to be used is readily capable of causing death or serious
physical injury), firearm, destructive device (any device with an explosive
incendiary or poison gas component or any combination of parts either designed
or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device or
form which a destructive device may be readily assembled), knives, metal knuckles,
straight razors, noxious or irritating gases, poisons, unlawful drugs or other
items fashioned with the intent to use, sell, harm, threaten or harass
students, staff members, parents and patrons.
Replicas of weapons,
fireworks and pocketknives are also prohibited by Board policy. Exceptions to the district’s replicas
prohibition may be granted only with prior administrative approval for certain
curriculum or school-related activities.
Prohibited weapons,
replicas of weapons, fireworks and pocketknives are subject to seizure and/or
forfeiture.
Students found to have
violated the district’s zero-tolerance weapons policy (Board Policy JFCJ) shall
be expelled for a period of not less than one year. Administrators shall promptly notify the appropriate law enforcement
agency any time there is reasonable cause to believe violations have occurred
or when a student has been expelled for bringing, possessing, concealing or
using a dangerous or deadly weapon, firearm or destructive device. Parents/Guardians will be notified of all
conduct by their student that violates the weapons policy.
In accordance with the
federal Gun-Free School Zone Act, possession or discharge of a firearm in a
school is prohibited. A “school zone,”
as defined by federal law means, in or on school grounds or within 1,000 feet
of school grounds.
BUS REGULATIONS_______________________________________
The Arlington School
District provides bus transportation, or payments in lieu of transportation to
all students in the Arlington School District living more than one mile from
school. The local administrator or the
bus supervisor establishes bus routes.
Any request for a route change must be made to the bus supervisor, as
the driver does not have the authority to alter the bus route. The state regulations governing students
while riding school buses are posted on each school bus. Any violation of these rules may cause loss
of bus privileges.
Students are not allowed to use cell phones, pagers, or other communication devices except for emergencies, with permission of the administration on school premises during school hours. Students are not to have cell phones, pagers, or other communication devices in the classrooms at any time. During school hours cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices should be kept in the student’s locker or vehicle.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS_____________________________
Student clubs and activity organizations such as band, choir, drama, dance, Associated Student Body, GAA, Letterman’s Club, National Honor Society, and other school organizations or extracurricular activities may establish rules of conduct and consequences for misconduct for participants that are stricter than those for students in general. If a violation is also a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the consequences specified by the district shall apply in addition to any consequence specified by the organization. (See Arlington High School Athletic and Extra-Curricular Activities Handbook for extra-curricular rules and regulations.)
COLLEGE VISITATION GUIDELINES_______________________
RELATING TO ATTENDANCE
Juniors are allowed one
day and seniors are allowed up to two days for college visitations. The following criteria must be met for the
absence to be considered school related:
1.
A staff member takes a
group of students on a college visit that has been pre-arranged with the
college/university.
2.
The student and
parent/guardian must set up the visit with the Arlington High School and the
college/university. The college must
set up the tour and documentation must be given to AHS from the
college/university.
3.
Only juniors and
seniors are eligible for college visitations to be considered a school related
absence in regard to the perfect attendance policy.
If a senior wishes to
exceed the two day limit for a college visitation, the absence will be excused
if they have pre-arranged, but it will not be considered a school related
absence in regard to the perfect attendance policy.
CONFERENCES______________________________________________
Regular conferences are
scheduled to review student progress.
Students and parents may
also expect to request a conference if the student is not maintaining passing
grades or achieving the expected level of performance; if the student is not
maintaining behavior expectations; and/or in any case the teacher considers
necessary.
The district encourages a
student or parent/guardian in need of additional information or with questions
or concerns to confer with the appropriate teacher, counselor or
administrator. A parent/guardian who
wishes to confer with a teacher may call the office for an appointment before
or after school, during the teacher’s preparation period, e-mail the teacher
(e-mail addresses are the teacher’s first name initial and the first seven
letters of the last name @arlington.k12.or.us – for example mkeown@arlington.k12.or.us),
or request that the teacher call the parent/guardian to arrange a mutually
convenient time for a conference.
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES & CREDIT BY EXAMINATION__
A student in grades 9-12
may earn a maximum of five units of credit by correspondence. He/She must receive at least a “C” in order
to receive credit for the course.
Approval must be obtained in advance from the guidance counselor.
Students in grades 9-12
may also receive credit by examination.
Students must receive at least a “C” or better on examination in order
to receive credit for the course.
Approval must be obtained in advance from the guidance counselor. Credit by examination will be granted by
semester only, and a student may earn no more than 4 units of credit by
examination.
ACADEMIC COUNSELING
Students are encouraged to talk with a district counselor, teachers and administrators in order to learn about the curriculum, course offerings and graduation requirements. Students who are interested in attending a college, university, training school, military, or some other advanced education should work closely with the school counselor. The counselor can also provide information about entrance examinations required by many colleges and universities, as well as information about financial aid and housing.
PERSONAL COUNSELING
The school counselor is available to assist students with a wide range of personal concerns. The counselor may also make available information about community resources to address personal concerns.
DANCES/SOCIAL EVENTS___________________________________
All school events –
banquets, parties, positive recognition activities, and dances are under the
supervision of the student council or authorized student group and responsible to
the administrator. The student council
develops the dance calendar with the approval of the administration. The sponsoring organizations are responsible
for all arrangements including finances, entertainment, refreshments,
decorations, chaperons and clean-up.
These organizations may also set a dress code for such dances (i.e.,
“formal,” “semi-formal,” etc.) with the approval of the administration. The rules of good conduct and grooming shall
be observed for school dances and social events. Guests will be expected to observe the same rules as students
attending the events. The person
inviting the guest will share responsibility for the conduct of the guest. The following rules govern school dances and
parties:
1.
Dances could be held
on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights.
2.
The faculty class
advisor and parents/guardians (minimum 2) must chaperon each event.
3.
Students leaving the
building will not be allowed to re-enter during the event.
4.
All school sponsored
dances and social events are closed to all individuals except Arlington High
School students (for high school dances/events) or Arlington Middle School (for
middle school dances/events) students.
Guests may be invited for special high school dances subject to prior
approval by the school administration.
Such approval can be obtained only by filling out a dance guest pass
form (available at the office) and submitting it in a timely fashion and have
prior approval of the administration.
Arlington High School will not allow guests who are dropouts or older
than 20 years of age to attend as guests.
5.
Under no circumstances
will Middle/Junior High School students be allowed to attend High School dances
or social events nor will high school students be allowed to attend
Middle/Junior High School dances or social events.
6.
Organizations must
submit an activity request form to the Student Council at least two
weeks prior to the event.
7.
Except on special
occasions, all social events and dances will end by 11:00 p.m. Special occasions will be determined by the
administration.
DISCIPLINE/DUE PROCESS_________________________________
A student who violates
the Student Code of Conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action.
A student’s due process
rights will be observed in all such instances, including the right to appeal
the discipline decisions of staff and administration.
The district’s
disciplinary options include using one or more discipline management technique
including counseling by teachers, counselors, and administrators, detention,
suspension, expulsion, loss of driving privileges, and loss of right to apply
for driving privileges and removal to an alternative education program. Disciplinary measures are applied depending
on the nature of the offense. The age
and past pattern of behavior of a student will be considered prior to any
suspension or expulsion.
In addition, when a
student commits drug, alcohol and/or tobacco-related offenses or any other
criminal act, he/she may also be referred to law enforcement officials.
DETENTION
A student may be detained
outside of school hours on one or more days if the student violates the Student
Code of Conduct. The detention shall
not begin, however, until the student’s parents/guardians have been notified of
the reason for the detention and can make arrangements for the student’s
transportation on the day(s) of the detention.
FRIDAY/SATURDAY SCHOOL
A student may be assigned
to Friday/Saturday School for up to four hours (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) if the
student violates the Student Code of Conduct.
The Friday/Saturday School detention shall begin after parents/guardians
have been notified of the reason for the detention and can make arrangements
for the student’s transportation to and from the Friday/Saturday School.
SUSPENSION
A student may be suspended
from school for up to and including 10 school days for willful violations of
the Student Code of Conduct. The
district may require a student to attend school during non-school hours as an
alternative to suspension.
An opportunity for the
student to present his/her view of the alleged misconduct will be given. Each suspension will include a specification
of the reason(s) for the suspension, the length of the suspension, a plan for
readmission and an opportunity to appeal the decision.
Every reasonable and
prompt effort will be made to notify the parents/guardians of a suspended
student.
While under suspension, a
student may not attend after school activities and athletic events, be present
on district property nor participate in activities directed or sponsored by the
district.
Schoolwork missed by a
student while on suspension is due within one day after the student returns to
school.
EXPULSION
A student may be expelled
for severe or repeated violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
No student may be
expelled without a hearing unless the student’s parents/guardians or the
student, if 18 years of age, waives the right to a hearing, either in writing
or by failure to appear at a scheduled hearing.
An expulsion shall not
extend beyond one calendar year.
The district will provide
appropriate expulsion notification including expulsion hearing procedures,
student and parent/guardian rights, and alternative education provisions as
required by law. See alternative education
programs in this handbook.
DISCIPLINE OF DISABLED STUDENTS
A student being served by
an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) who engages in conduct which would
warrant suspension for a non-disabled student may be suspended for up to and
including ten consecutive school days for violations of the Student Code of
Conduct.
When a disabled student
is suspended more that ten consecutive school days or for more than ten
cumulative school days during a school year or is being expelled, the student’s
parents/guardians will be notified immediately (within 24 hours) of the
circumstances of the misbehavior and the time and location of the student’s IEP
team meeting addressing the infraction and its relationship to the disability.
The IEP team will
determine whether the misconduct is a manifestation of the student’s
disability. Should the IEP team
conclude the misconduct has no relationship to the student’s disability, the
student may be disciplined in the same manner, as would other students.
If the IEP team concludes
the misconduct is a consequence of the student’s disability, the team may
recommend alternative placement for the student. The district may not expel a disabled student or terminate
educational services for any behavior, which is a consequence of the
disability.
If the district
determines that the student’s behavior, which is related to his/her disability,
poses imminent danger to others and the parent/guardian refuses to agree to a
change of placement, the district may suspend the student for up to ten
consecutive school days or ten cumulative school days, to provide a general
planning and “cooling off” period. At
the end of the ten-day period the student shall be allowed to stay put in
his/her current school placement unless the district has obtained a hearings officer
or court order to change the student’s placement.
DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIAL_____________________________
All aspects of
school-sponsored publications, including newspaper, video, yearbook, etc. are
completely under the supervision of the teacher and administration. Students may be required to submit such
publications to the administration for approval.
Written materials,
handbills, photographs, pictures, petitions, films, tapes or other visual or
auditory materials may not be sold, circulated or distributed on district
property by a student or a non-student without the approval of the
administration.
Materials not under the editorial control of the district must be sub