This section of the Watson Jr.
High School Student Handbook includes several notices that the district is
required to provide to you, as well as other information on topics of
particular interest to you as a parent.
In its efforts to promote
nondiscrimination, Muleshoe ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion,
color, national origin, gender, sex, or disability in providing education
services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in
accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX
of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended.
The following district staff
members have been designated to coordinate compliance with these legal
requirements:
·
Title IX
Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of sex: Don Wood, Assistant Superintendent.
·
Section 504
Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of
disability: Don Wood, Assistant Superintendent.
·
All other concerns
regarding discrimination: See the
superintendent, Gene Sheets.
Both experience and research
tell us that a child’s education succeeds best when there is good communication
and a strong partnership between home and school. Your involvement in this partnership may
include:
·
Encouraging your
child to put a high priority on education and working with your child on a
daily basis to make the most of the educational opportunities the school
provides.
·
Ensuring that your
child completes all homework assignments and special projects and comes to
school each day prepared, rested, and ready to learn.
·
Becoming familiar
with all of your child’s school activities and with the academic programs,
including special programs, offered in the district.
·
Discussing with
the counselor or principal any questions you may have about the options and
opportunities available to your child.
·
Reviewing the
requirements of the graduation programs with your child, if your child is
entering ninth grade.
·
Monitoring your
child’s academic progress and contacting teachers as needed.
·
Attending
scheduled conferences and requesting additional conferences as needed. To schedule a telephone or in-person
conference with a teacher, counselor, or principal, please call the school
office at 272-3172 for an appointment.
The teacher will usually return your call or meet with you during his or
her conference period or before or after school.
·
Becoming a school
volunteer.
·
Participating in
campus parent organizations.
·
Serving as a
parent representative on the district-level or campus-level planning
committees, assisting in the development of educational goals and plans to
improve student achievement.
·
Serving on the
School Health Advisory Council, assisting the district in ensuring local
community values are reflected in health education instruction.
·
Attending board
meetings to learn more about district operations.
PARENTAL RIGHTS
Your child will not be
required to participate without parental consent in any survey, analysis, or
evaluation—funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education—that
concerns:
·
Political
affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.
·
Mental or
psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
·
Sexual behavior or
attitudes.
·
Illegal,
antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
·
Critical
appraisals of individuals with whom the student has a close family
relationship.
·
Relationships
privileged under law, such as relationships with lawyers, physicians, and
ministers.
·
Religious
practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents.
·
Income, except
when the information is required by law and will be used to determine the
student’s eligibility to participate in a special program or to receive financial
assistance under such a program.
You will be able to inspect
the survey or other instrument and any instructional materials used in
connection with such a survey, analysis, or evaluation. [For further information, see policy
EF(LEGAL).]
As a parent, you have a right
to receive notice of and deny permission for your child’s participation in:
·
Any survey
concerning the private information listed above, regardless of funding.
·
School activities
involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information gathered
from your child for the purpose of marketing or selling that information.
·
Any nonemergency,
invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of
attendance, administered and scheduled by the school in advance and not
necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the student. Exceptions are hearing, vision, or scoliosis
screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under state
law. [See policies EF and FFAA.]
As a parent, if you do not
want your child’s artwork, special projects, photographs, and the like to be
displayed on the district’s Web site, in printed material, by video, or by any
other method of mass communication, you must notify the principal in writing.
You may request information
regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers, including
whether a teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the
grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
whether the teacher has an emergency permit or other provisional status for
which state requirements have been waived; and undergraduate and graduate
degree majors, graduate certifications, and the field of study of the
certification or degree. You also have
the right to request information about the qualifications of any paraprofessional
who may provide services to your child.
As a parent, you have a right
to review teaching materials, textbooks, and other teaching aids and
instructional materials used in the curriculum, and to examine tests that have
been administered to your child.
As a parent, you may inspect a
survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or
distributed to your child.
You may review your child’s
student records. These records include:
·
Attendance
records,
·
Test scores,
·
Grades,
·
Disciplinary
records,
·
Counseling
records,
·
Psychological
records,
·
Applications for
admission,
·
Health and
immunization information,
·
Other medical
records,
·
Teacher and
counselor evaluations,
·
Reports of
behavioral patterns, and
·
State assessment
instruments that have been administered to your child.
As a parent, you may grant or
deny any written request from the district to make a video or voice recording
of your child. State law, however,
permits the school to make a video or voice recording without parental
permission for the following circumstances:
·
When it is to be
used for school safety;
·
When it relates to
classroom instruction or a cocurricular or extracurricular activity; or
·
When it relates to
media coverage of the school.
You may remove your child
temporarily from the classroom if an instructional activity in which your child
is scheduled to participate conflicts with your religious or moral
beliefs. The removal cannot be for the
purpose of avoiding a test and may not extend for an entire semester. Further, your child must satisfy grade-level
and graduation requirements as determined by the school and by the Texas Education
Agency.
As a parent, 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
minute of silence or silent activity that follows.
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 classes in grades
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
that your child be excused, (2) the district determines that your child has a
conscientious objection to the recitation, or (3) you are a representative of a
foreign government to whom the United States government extends diplomatic
immunity. [See policy EHBK(LEGAL).]
A noncustodial parent may
request in writing that he or she be provided, for the remainder of the school
year, a copy of any written notice usually provided to a parent related to your
child’s misconduct that may involve placement in a Disciplinary Alternative
Education Program (DAEP) or expulsion.
[See policy FO(LEGAL) and the Student Code of Conduct.]
As a parent, you have a right:
·
To request the
transfer of your child to another classroom or campus if your child has been
determined by the superintendent 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. See the superintendent for information. [See
policy FDB.]
·
To request the
transfer of your child to another campus or a neighboring district if your
child has been the victim of a sexual assault by another student assigned to
the same campus, whether that assault occurred on or off campus, and that
student has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for that
assault. [See policies FDD(LEGAL) and
(LOCAL).]
Parents of students with
learning difficulties or who may need special education services may request an
evaluation for special education at any time.
If a child is experiencing
learning difficulties, the parent may contact the person listed below to learn
about the district’s overall general education referral or screening system for
support services. This system links
students to a variety of support options, including referral for a special
education evaluation. Students having
difficulty in the regular classroom should be considered for tutorial,
compensatory, and other support services that are available to all
students.
At any time, a parent is
entitled to request an evaluation for special education services. Within a reasonable amount of time, the
district must decide if the evaluation is needed. If evaluation is needed, the parent will be
notified and asked to provide consent for the evaluation. The district must complete the evaluation and
the report within 60 calendar days of the date the district receives the
written consent. The district must give
a copy of the report to the parent.
If the district determines
that the evaluation is not needed, the district will provide the parent with a
written notice that explains why the child will not be evaluated. This written notice will include a statement
that informs the parent of his or her rights if the parent disagrees with the
district. Additionally, the notice must
inform the parent how to obtain a copy of the Notice of Procedural
Safeguards—Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities.
The designated person to
contact regarding options for a child experiencing learning difficulties or a
referral for evaluation for special education is Brian Arnold at 272-7321.
If a student is receiving
special education services at a campus outside his or her attendance zone, the parent or guardian may request that any
other student residing in the household be transferred to the same campus, if
the appropriate grade level for the transferring student is offered on that
campus. [See policy FDB(LOCAL).]
The Parent Involvement
Coordinator, who works with parents of students participating in Title I
programs is Dave McNeill and may be contacted at 272-7322.
Both federal and state law
safeguard student records from unauthorized inspection or use and provide
parents and eligible students certain rights.
For purposes of student records, an “eligible” student is one who is 18
or older OR who is attending an institution of postsecondary education.
Virtually all information
pertaining to student performance, including grades, test results, and
disciplinary records, is considered confidential educational records. Release is restricted to:
·
The
parents—whether married, separated, or divorced—unless the school is given a
copy of a court order terminating parental rights. Federal law requires that, as soon as a
student becomes 18 or is emancipated by a court, control of the records goes to
the student. The parents may continue to
have access to the records, however, if the student is a dependent for tax
purposes.
·
District staff
members who have what federal law refers to as a “legitimate educational
interest” in a student’s records.
“Legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records includes
working with the student; considering disciplinary or academic actions, the
student’s case, or an individualized education program for a student with
disabilities; compiling statistical data; or investigating or evaluating
programs. Such persons would include school
officials (such as board members, the superintendent, and principals), school
staff members (such as teachers, counselors, and diagnosticians), or an agent
of the district (such as a medical consultant).
·
Various
governmental agencies.
·
Individuals granted
access in response to a subpoena or court order.
·
A school or
institution of postsecondary education to which a student seeks or intends to
enroll or in which he or she subsequently enrolls.
Release to any other person or
agency—such as a prospective employer or for a scholarship application—will
occur only with parental or student permission as appropriate.
The principal is custodian of
all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The principal is the custodian of all records
for students who have withdrawn or graduated.
Records may be inspected by a
parent or eligible student during regular school hours. If circumstances prevent inspection during
these hours, the district will either provide a copy of the records requested
or make other arrangements for the parent or student to review these
records. The records custodian or
designee will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation
of the records. The address of the
superintendent’s office is 514 W. Ave. G.
The address(es) of the
principals’ offices are:
514 W. Ave. G
A parent (or eligible student)
may inspect the student’s records and request a correction if the records are
considered inaccurate or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy
rights. If the district refuses the
request to amend the records, the requestor has the right to request a
hearing. If the records are not amended
as a result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 school days to exercise the right
to place a statement commenting on the information in the student’s
record. Although improperly recorded
grades may be challenged, contesting a student’s grade in a course is handled
through the general complaint process found in policy FNG(LOCAL).
Copies of student records are
available at a cost of ten cents per page, payable in advance. If the student qualifies for free or
reduced-price lunches and the parents are unable to view the records during
regular school hours, one copy of the record will be provided at no charge upon
written request of the parent.
The law permits the district
to designate certain personal information about students as “directory
information.” This “directory
information” will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting
it.
However, release of a
student’s directory information may be prevented by the parent or an eligible
student. This objection must be made in
writing to the principal within ten school days of your child’s first day of instruction
for this school year. See the “Notice Regarding Directory Information and
Parent’s Response Regarding Release of Student Information”.
Unless you object to the use
of your child’s information for these limited purposes, the school will not
need to ask your permission each time the district wishes to use this
information for the school-sponsored purposes listed.
State law specifically
requires the district to provide the following information:
·
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 persons 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 or regional health
department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable
diseases. You may also call your local
health department or Regional Department of State Health Services office to ask
about a meningococcal vaccine.
Additional information may also be found at the Web sites for the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov, and the
Department of State Health Services, http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/.
Topics in this section of the
handbook contain important information on academics, school activities, and
school operations and requirements. Take
a moment with your child to become familiar with the various issues addressed
in this section. It is conveniently
organized in alphabetical order to serve as a quick-reference when you or your
child have a question about a specific school-related issue. Should you be unable to find the information
on a particular topic, please contact the principal.
Regular school attendance is
essential for a student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit
from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the
previous day’s, and to grow as an individual.
Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery
of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make
every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.
Two state laws, one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with
attendance for course credit, are of special interest to students and
parents. They are discussed below:
State law requires that a
student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, as well as any applicable
accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless
the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt.
A student who voluntarily
attends or enrolls after his or her 18th birthday is required to
attend each school day. If a student 18
or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester, however, the
district may revoke the student’s enrollment.
The student’s presence on school property thereafter would be
unauthorized and may be considered trespassing.
State law requires attendance
in an accelerated reading instruction program when kindergarten, first grade,
or second grade students are assigned to such a program. Parents will be notified in writing if their
child is assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program as a result of
the reading diagnosis test.
School employees must
investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission from
school; from any class; from required special programs, such as additional
special instruction (termed “accelerated instruction” by the state) assigned by
a grade placement committee and basic skills for ninth graders; or from
required tutorials will be considered in
violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.
A court of law may also impose
penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-aged
student is deliberately not attending school.
A complaint against the parent may be filed in 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.
To receive credit in a class,
a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is
offered. A student who attends fewer
than 90 percent of the days the class is offered will be referred to the
attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating
circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit, if
appropriate.
In determining whether there
were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committee will
use the following guidelines:
·
All absences will
be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required
percentage of days. If makeup work is
completed, absences for religious holy days and documented health-care
appointments will be considered days of attendance for this purpose. [See policies at FEB.]
·
A transfer or
migrant student begins to accumulate absences only after he or she has enrolled
in the district. For a student
transferring into the district after school begins, including a migrant
student, only those absences after enrollment will be considered.
·
In reaching a
decision about a student’s absences, the committee will attempt to ensure that
it is in the best interest of the student.
·
The committee will
consider the acceptability and authenticity of documented reasons for the
student’s absences.
·
The committee will
consider whether the absences were for reasons over which the student or the
student’s parent could exercise any control.
·
The committee will
consider the extent to which the student has completed all assignments,
mastered the essential knowledge and skills, and maintained passing grades in
the course or subject.
·
The student or
parent will be given an opportunity to present any information to the committee
about the absences and to talk about ways to earn or regain credit.
The student or parent may
appeal the committee’s decision to the board of trustees by filing a written
request with the superintendent in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL).
The actual number of days a
student must be in attendance in order to receive credit will depend on whether
the class is for a full semester or for a full year.
When a student must be absent
from school, the student—upon returning to school—must bring a note, signed by
the parent that describes the reason for the absence. A note signed by the student, even with the
parent’s permission, will not be accepted unless the student is 18 or older.
Upon return to school, a
student absent for more than 3 consecutive days because of a personal illness
must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or
condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school. [See
FEC(LOCAL).]
The school counselor provides
students and parents information regarding academic programs to prepare for
higher education and career choices.
Every spring, Watson Jr. High
School honors students for outstanding academic achievement. Contact the
principal for explanations of and criteria for the awards. The following are
the awards presented to the students:
*Perfect Attendance *Outstanding
Boy & Girl (by grade level)
*Class Awards (by subject
area) *Character Awards (based on Character Counts)
*Academic Achievement Awards
(Honor Roll each of the first 5 grading periods.)
*Presidential Awards for
Educational Excellence
*Presidential Awards for
Educational Achievement
*Citizenship Award
Watson Jr. High School
students take Technology Applications in the 8th grade to help
prepare them to use technology in everyday life. In addition to this course,
Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS) is offered as an 8th
grade elective for students who qualify to take the course. BCIS students who
earn a grade of at least 70 for the year will receive high school credit for
the course.
Muleshoe ISD will take steps
to ensure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to
admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.
Usually student or parent
complaints or concerns can be addressed by a phone call or a conference with
the teacher or principal. For those
complaints and concerns that cannot be handled so easily, the district has
adopted a standard complaint policy at FNG(LOCAL) in the district’s policy
manual. A copy of this policy may be obtained in the superintendent’s office.
In general, the student or
parent should submit a written complaint and request a conference with the
campus principal. If the concern is not
resolved, a request for a conference should be sent to the superintendent. If still unresolved, the district provides
for the complaint to be presented to the board of trustees.
1st period: 7:55 – 8:43
2nd period: 8:47 – 9:35
3rd period: 9:39 – 10:27
4th period: 10:31 – 11:19
Lunch: 11:19 – 11:49
5th period: 11:53 – 12:41
MN/Ch. 1: 12:41 – 1:01
6th period: 1:05 – 1:53
7th period: 1:57 – 2:45
8th period: 2:49 – 3:37
To prepare students for an
increasingly technological society, the district has made an investment in
computer technology for instructional purposes.
Use of these computer resources is restricted to students working under
a teacher’s supervision and for approved purposes only. Students and
parents will be asked to sign a user agreement (separate from this
handbook) regarding use of these resources; violations of this agreement may
result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action.
Students and their parents
should be aware that e-mail using district computers is not private and will be
monitored by district staff. [For
additional information, see policies at CQ.]
As required by law, the board
has adopted a Student Code of Conduct that prohibits certain
behaviors and defines standards of acceptable behavior—both on and off campus—and
consequences for violation of these standards.
The district has disciplinary authority over a student in accordance
with the Student Code of Conduct.
Students and parents should be familiar with the standards set out in
the Student Code of Conduct, as well as campus and classroom
rules.
To achieve the best possible
learning environment for all students, the Student Code of Conduct
and other campus rules will apply whenever the interest of the district is
involved, whether on or off school grounds, in conjunction with classes and
school-sponsored activities.
Corporal punishment—spanking
or paddling the student—may be used as a discipline management technique in
accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and policy FO(LOCAL)
in the district’s policy manual.
As identified by law,
disruptions include the following:
·
Interference with
the movement of people at an exit, entrance, or hallway of a district building
without authorization from an administrator.
·
Interference with
an authorized activity by seizing control of all or part of a building.
·
Use of force,
violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent participation in an authorized
assembly.
·
Use of force,
violence, or threats to cause disruption during an assembly.
·
Interference with
the movement of people at an exit or an entrance to district property.
·
Use of force,
violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent people from entering or leaving
district property without authorization from an administrator.
·
Disruption of classes
or other school activities while on district property or on public property
that is within 500 feet of district property.
Class disruption includes making loud noises; trying to entice a student
away from, or to prevent a student from attending, a required class or
activity; and entering a classroom without authorization and disrupting the
activity with loud or profane language or any misconduct.
·
Interference with
the transportation of students in district vehicles.
Students are not permitted to
possess such items as pagers, radios, CD players, MP3 players, tape recorders,
camcorders, DVD players, cameras, electronic devices or games at school, unless
prior permission has been obtained from the principal. Without such permission, teachers will
collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office. The principal or designee will determine
whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents
to pick up the items.
For safety purposes, the
district permits students to possess cell phones; however, cell phones must
remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all
testing. The use of cell phones in
locker rooms or restroom areas at any time while at school or at a
school-related or school-sponsored event is strictly prohibited.
Any disciplinary action will
be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and may include
confiscation of the device. The school
may charge the owner for the release of certain telecommunications devices [See
policy FNCE.] Muleshoe ISD students will be subject to the following policy
regarding the return of confiscated cell phones:
*1st offense: A parent may pick up the cell phone
in the office.
*2nd offense: $25 fine.
*3rd offense: $50 fine.
School rules apply to all
school social events.
Public Display of Affection
Any public display of
affection, including but not limited to, hand-holding, hugging, kissing, etc.,
is considered inappropriate at school or at a school-sponsored activity.
Gang Affiliation/Behavior
No gang-related behavior or
display will be tolerated at any time on school property or at any
school-sponsored activity. “Gang-related behavior or display” includes, but is
not limited to, communicating affiliation, writing graffiti, making hand signs,
possessing gang “rags”, intimidation, soliciting membership, gang-related
attire, etc. The principal and assistant principal reserve the right to
interpret gang-related behavior or display. Students engaging in gang-related
behavior or display will be subject to disciplinary action.
Bullying/Taunting Behaviors
Students must not participate,
either individually or in a group, in bullying or taunting behaviors toward
another person. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to, repeated
teasing or ridicule, name-calling, threats, theft, gossip, rumors, or physical
intimidation of any kind. A substantiated complaint of this type of behavior
will result in disciplinary action, according to the nature of the offense and
the Student Code of Conduct.
To protect other students from
contagious illnesses, students infected with certain diseases are not allowed
to come to school while contagious. If a
parent suspects that his or her child has a contagious disease, the parent
should contact the school nurse or principal so that other students who might
have been exposed to the disease can be alerted.
The school nurse or the
principal’s office can provide information from the Department of State Health
Services regarding these diseases.
The district permits high
school students to take correspondence courses—by mail or via the Internet—for
credit toward high school graduation.
[For further information, see
policies at EEJC.]
The school counselor is
available to assist students with a wide range of personal concerns, including
such areas as social, family, or emotional issues, or substance abuse. The counselor may also make available
information about community resources to address these concerns. A student who wishes to meet with the
counselor should visit the main office and request a meeting with the counselor.
The school will not conduct a
psychological examination, test, or treatment without first obtaining the
parent’s written consent. Parental
consent is not necessary when a psychological examination, test, or treatment is
required by state or federal law for special education purposes or by the Texas
Education Agency for child abuse investigations and reports.
[For more information, refer
to FFE(LEGAL) and FFG(EXHIBIT).]
A student who has previously
taken a course or subject—but did not receive credit for it—may, in
circumstances determined by the teacher, counselor, principal, or attendance
committee, be permitted to earn credit by passing an exam on the essential
knowledge and skills defined for that course or subject. Prior instruction may include, for example,
incomplete coursework due to a failed course or excessive absences,
homeschooling, correspondence courses, or independent study supervised by a
teacher.
The counselor or principal
would determine if the student could take an exam for this purpose. If approval is granted, the student must
score at least 70 on the exam to receive credit for the course or subject.
The attendance review
committee may also offer a student with excessive absences an opportunity to
earn credit for a course by passing an exam.
A student may not use this
exam, however, to regain eligibility to participate in extracurricular
activities.
[For further information, see
the counselor and policies EEJA.]
A student will be permitted to
take an exam to earn credit for an academic course for which the student has
had no prior instruction. The dates on
which exams are scheduled during the 2007–2008 school year include:
Dates Scheduled:
June 11 – 13, 2008
August 6 – 8, 2008
A student will earn credit
with a passing score of at least 90 on the exam.
If a student plans to take an
exam, the student (or parent) must register with the principal no later than 30
days prior to the scheduled testing date.
The district will not honor a request by a parent to administer a test
on a date other than the published dates.
If the district agrees to administer a test other than the one chosen by
the district, the parent must purchase a test from a university approved by the
State Board of Education. [For further information, see EEJB(LOCAL).]
Publications prepared by and
for the school may be posted or distributed, with the prior approval of the
principal, sponsor, or teacher. Such
items may include school posters, brochures, flyers, the yearbook, etc.
All school publications are
under the supervision of a teacher, sponsor, and the principal.
Students must obtain prior
approval from the principal before posting, circulating, or distributing
written materials, handbills, photographs, pictures, petitions, films, tapes,
posters, or other visual or auditory materials that were not developed under
the oversight of the school. To be considered, any nonschool material must
include the name of the sponsoring person or organization. The decision regarding approval will be made
in two school days.
The principal has designated
the main office as the location for approved nonschool materials to be placed
for voluntary viewing by students. [See
policies at FNAA.]
A student may appeal a
principal’s decision in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL). Any student who posts nonschool material
without prior approval will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance
with the Student Code of Conduct.
Materials displayed without the principal’s approval will be removed.
Written or printed materials,
handbills, photographs, pictures, films, tapes, or other visual or auditory
materials not sponsored by the district or by a district-affiliated
school-support organization will not be sold, circulated, distributed, or posted on any district
premises by any district employee or by persons or groups not associated with
the district, except as permitted by policies at GKDA. To be considered for distribution, any
nonschool material must meet the limitations on content established in the
policy, include the name of the sponsoring person or organization, and be
submitted to the Assistant Superintendent for prior review. Mr. Wood will approve or reject the materials
within two school days of the time the materials are received. The requestor may appeal a rejection in
accordance with the appropriate district complaint policy. [See policies at DGBA, FNG, or GF.]
Prior review will not be
required for:
·
Distribution of
materials by an attendee to other attendees of a school-sponsored meeting
intended for adults and held after school hours.
·
Distribution of
materials by an attendee to other attendees of a community group meeting held
after school hours in accordance with policy GKD(LOCAL) or a
noncurriculum-related student group meeting held in accordance with
FNAB(LOCAL).
·
Distribution for
electioneering purposes during the time a school facility is being used as a
polling place, in accordance with state law.
All nonschool materials
distributed under these circumstances must be removed from district property
immediately following the event at which the materials are distributed.
The district’s dress code is
established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize
safety hazards. Students shall be
dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat and that will not be a
health or safety hazard to themselves or others.
As required by law, Muleshoe
ISD has developed a Student Code of Conduct, as well as a Dress Code, that
prohibits certain behaviors and establishes a standard of acceptable behavior,
both on and off campus.
The district prohibits any
clothing or grooming that, in the principal’s judgment, may reasonably be
expected to cause disruption of or interference with normal school operations.
The district prohibits pictures, emblems, or writing on clothing that:
1) are lewd, offensive,
vulgar, gang-related, or obscene,
2) that advertise or depict
tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other substance prohibited
under FNCG (L).
If the principal or assistant
principal determines that a student’s dress or grooming violates the dress
code, the student shall be provided an article of clothing that meets the dress
code for the remainder of the school day. Students will not be allowed to miss
class to go change clothing. Appropriate discipline procedures shall be
followed in all cases.
The principal, in cooperation
with sponsors, coaches, and any other person in charge of an extracurricular
activity, may regulate dress and grooming of students who participate in those
activities. Students who violate those standards may be removed or excluded
from the activity for a period determined by the principal or sponsor and may
be subject to other disciplinary action.
Principals, assistant
principals, or their designees shall have the latitude to make decisions or judgment
calls on dress and grooming practices. Students and parents may determine a
student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with
the following:
*Strapless tops,
see-through clothing, tops that do not cover the midriff/back at all times,
tops with spaghetti straps, halter tops, or low necklines are not permissible.
*Shorts, skirts, and
slits in shorts and skirts must be mid-thigh or longer in length. (This rule
also applies to any holes, rips, or tears in shorts or pants.)
*Caps, hats, scarves,
bandanas, or sunglasses may not be worn inside the building.
*Sleeveless tops with
large armholes must have a t-shirt worn underneath.
*Clothing that
exhibits lewd, offensive, vulgar, gang-related, or obscene pictures or writing
may not be worn.
*Clothing that is
defaced by marking, ripping, etc., may be determined to be inappropriate for
school.
*Clothing that is
baggy and does not fit properly may not be worn. Pants must fit at the waist
and be worn at the waist.
*Oversized belts may
not be worn.
*Chains may not be
worn around the waist or hang from pockets or belt loops.
*Undergarments may not
be visible at any time.
*Hair styles that are
considered distracting, disruptive, or a health-safety hazard are not allowed.
Examples include, but are not limited to: Hair color not in the usual hair
tones, pony or pig tails for boys, mohawks, or any style that is gang-related.
*Girls may wear
earrings only in the ear. Eyebrow rings, nose rings, body piercing, etc., are
not allowed.
*Boys may not wear
earrings or studs at any time.
*Tattoos must be
covered at all times.
*Facial hair such as
mustaches that are neatly trimmed and groomed are acceptable. Goatees, beards,
and excessive sideburns are not acceptable and students will be asked to shave
or trim them in an acceptable manner. Students will not be allowed to leave
school to take care of this grooming since they knew beforehand that it is
unacceptable. Safety razors and shaving cream will be provided at school.
Every spring, Watson Jr. High
School holds an election to choose Student Council officers for the following
school year. If you have any questions about this process, contact the
principal at 272-7349.
Materials that are part of the
basic educational program are provided with state and local funds at no charge
to a student. A student, however, is
expected to provide his or her own pencils, paper, erasers, and notebooks and
may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including:
·
Costs for
materials for a class project that the student will keep.
·
Membership dues in
voluntary clubs or student organizations and admission fees to extracurricular
activities.
·
Security deposits.
·
Personal physical
education and athletic equipment and apparel.
·
Voluntarily purchased
pictures, publications, class rings, yearbooks, graduation announcements, etc.
·
Voluntarily
purchased student accident insurance.
·
Musical instrument
rental and uniform maintenance, when uniforms are provided by the district.
·
Personal apparel
used in extracurricular activities that becomes the property of the student.
·
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