Hyde Park High School Student-Parent Handbook 2017-2018

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” --Psalm 16:11

11400 N. Mopac Expressway Austin, Texas 78759 (512) 465-8333 Fax (512) 371-1433 www.hp-schools.org

@hydeparkschools

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MISSION STATEMENT 6

OUR VISION 6

STATEMENT OF FAITH 6

CORE VALUES 7

ACCREDITATION 8

NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY 8

AMENDMENTS TO STUDENT HANDBOOK 8

COMMUNICATION 8

ACADEMICS 8

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 9

COURSE REQUIREMENTS 9

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS 9

COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTINCTION 9

PHYSICAL EDUCATION /HIGH SCHOOL 9

ALTERNATE PHYSICAL EDUCATION 9

INTERNSHIPS 9

GRADUATION PLAN & ENDORSEMENTS 10

COURSE LEVELS AND PLACEMENT 10

COLLEGE PREP COURSES 10

PRE-AP (PRE-ADVANCED PLACEMENT) COURSES 11

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES 11

DUAL CREDIT 11

ALTERNATIVE CREDIT 11

CREDIT BY EXAM 12

PORTFOLIO/RESUME INFORMATION 12

GRADES AND CLASS RANKING 12

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) 12

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CLASS RANK 13

VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN 13

HONOR ROLLS 13

GRADING SYMBOLS/POLICIES 14

PROGRESS REPORTS TO PARENTS 14

TRANSCRIPTS 14

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS 14

SEMESTER GRADES 14

EXAMS 14

SEMESTER EXAMS 14

EXEMPTION POLICY 14

AP EXAMS 15

SCHEDULE CHANGES 15

LEAP 15

ATTENDANCE 16

SCHOOL HOURS 16

WHEN A STUDENT IS ABSENT 16

ABSENCES 16

PLANNED ABSENCES 16

TRUANCY 16

CLOSED CAMPUS 16

SKIP DAY 16

MAKEUP WORK AND TESTS 16

PROCEDURES FOR LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY 17

HALL PASSES 17

COLLEGE VISITS 17

EXTRACURRICULAR / FIELD TRIP ABSENCES 17

LATE ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL 17

TARDY TO CLASS 17

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DRESS CODE 17

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL STUDENTS 18

GROOMING POLICY 18

OUTERWEAR 18

FOOTWEAR 18

BOYS’ APPAREL GUIDELINES 18

GIRLS’ APPAREL GUIDELINES 18

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS/CONSEQUENCES 19

DISCIPLINARY POLICIES 19

CONSEQUENCES 19

SPECIFIC OFFENSES 20

PROHIBITED WEAPONS 20

PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES POLICY 21

DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY 21

DETENTION 22

SATURDAY SCHOOL 22

EXPULSION 22

STUDENT/PARENT APPEAL PROCESS 23

ATHLETICS 23

PARTICIPATION AND INSURANCE 23

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/CLUBS 24

ADMISSION AND RE-ENROLLMENT 24

INVITATION TO RETURN 24

RETURNING STUDENT ADMISSIONS 25

GENERAL INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES 25

BAD WEATHER PROCEDURES 25

CELL PHONE USAGE 25

CHAPEL SERVICES 25

COUNSELING SERVICES 25

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION 25

LIBRARY 25

LUNCHROOM 26

MEDICATION AND NURSE PROCEDURES 26

ILLNESS 26

SCHOOL VISITORS 26

SECURITY OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND SUPPLIES (STUDENT LOCKERS) 26

TEXTBOOKS 26

TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER POLICIES 26

RULES FOR APPROPRIATE USE 27

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE USE 27

COMPUTER PRINTING POLICY 27

HYDE PARK TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT FORM 28

HYDE PARK FIGHT SONG 29

ALMA MATER 30

BELL SCHEDULE 31

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM 32

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Mission Statement Hyde Park Schools’ mission is to provide a Christ-centered foundation of biblical truth integrated in strong college-preparatory academics and well-rounded extracurricular programs.

Our Vision Hyde Park Schools exist to glorify God through the ministry of an excellent Christ-centered education. “Fully equipped…Ability to influence the world with – mind, hand, and heart”

Statement of Faith for Hyde Park Schools

Hyde Park School is a ministry of Hyde Park Baptist Church, and as such holds to its confession of faith and an historical, biblical Christian worldview. It seeks to give instruction to children and youth from a strictly biblical framework that is, at the core, Christ-centered.

To this end, we affirm the following as true:

1. [The Word of God] We believe that only the sixty-six books of Holy Scripture as originally given are in their entirety the Word of God verbally inspired and wholly without error in all that they declare and, therefore, are the supreme and final authority of faith and life and is faithfully represented in many of the translations available today.

2. [Nature of the Trinity] We believe there is one true God, a divine and infinite being, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – all are one in substance, divine essence, power, and eternity. They each possess equally all the attributes of Deity and characteristics of personality.

3. [Creation] We believe in the beginning God created the entire universe out of nothing, that He proclaimed it very good, and that He created it to glorify Himself.

4. [Lostness of man] We believe man and woman were uniquely created in the image of God, that as a consequence of their sin all people became spiritually separated from God and subject to judgment and eternal separation from God in hell, are unable to save themselves, and need to be reconciled to God.

5. [Person of Christ] We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His death on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory.

6. [Atonement] We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself on the cross, has fully satisfied the justice of God, has secured, with His blood, reconciliation, and has purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for His people.

7. [Salvation] We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone through His finished work of atonement on the cross. A person is saved from the consequence of their sin when they are convicted of their sin and respond in repentance to God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation is a merciful work of God, providing forgiveness and righteousness and eternal life for the saved sinner. A saved person is made new and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is empowered by the Holy Spirit to be obedient to God and to glorify Him, and will dwell eternally with God.

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CORE VALUES

CHRIST-CENTERED CULTURE Our Christ-centered environment has the foundation in the belief that Jesus Christ alone is Lord and Savior and the only way to have eternal life. This means that the lives of our staff, our school's curriculum and instruction, the decision- making processes and all other aspects of our school will be centered around Christ, His character, and His teachings.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” --John 14:6

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. --Galatians 2:20

EXCELLENCE We humbly pursue excellence in all that we do. Excellence is defined as being of exceptional quality. We equip the teachers and administrators for excellence by providing them with ongoing professional development; proven, research- based curriculum, programs, and instructional strategies; and assessment and data to guide school-wide decision making as well as instructional decisions in the classroom. By equipping teachers and administrators, we empower and encourage our students to pursue excellence in their academics, extra-curricular activities, spiritual development, and every aspect of their lives. We set high expectations for all students and maximize their growth and individual success by targeting instruction to meet their individual learning needs, helping them master essential skills and move beyond to pursue personal levels of excellence.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. --Colossians 3:23

COMMUNITY We view our educational community as a partnership encompassing families, students, faculty, administration, and the Church (the body of Christ). The stated values of Christ-centered Culture, Biblical Worldview, and Excellence are those pillars which hold up our educational community with our roots firmly planted in the Church. Because we strive to reflect the love of God, the entire education community of parents, students, faculty and administration are encouraged to apply their God-given gifts to serving each other.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! --Psalm 133:1

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. --Ephesians 2:19-21

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW We believe that the Bible is God’s word, infallible and without error. We view each and every decision through the lens of scripture, thereby contributing to a better world seeking to engage the culture and preparing our students for life in a complex, demanding and changing society. The truth of God's Word will be integrated into every aspect of our school, including but not limited to academics, extracurricular activities, and relationships.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. --2 Timothy 3:16

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. --Colossians 1:16-17

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. --2 Peter 1:20-21

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Accreditation Hyde Park Schools is accredited by state, regional and denominational accrediting bodies. All Hyde Park Schools are recognized by the Texas Education Agency as accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC). All Hyde Park Schools are charter members and are also fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools (ACTABS). Hyde Park Schools is accredited by AdvancedED & the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Nondiscriminatory Policy Hyde Park Schools admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religious affiliation, to all rights, privileges, programs and activities available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, creed, color, national, or ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, scholarships, athletics, or other school-administered programs.

Amendments to the Handbook Hyde Park Schools reserves the right to make changes at any time to the handbook including policies and procedures. Students and parents will be notified of changes in the handbook.

COMMUNICATION

Communication between school and home is of primary importance. To promote respect and understanding, Hyde Park Schools uses the Matthew 18 principle for solving problems. Our desire is to keep communication between home and school open and healthy. Solving problems according to these guidelines ensures the best possible situation and outcomes for our school community.

 FIRST, discuss the concerns directly with the teacher or staff member involved.  SECOND, if not resolved, go to the Principal, along with the teacher or staff member.  THIRD, if not resolved with the Principal, go to the Head of School, along with the Principal and teacher or staff member.  FOURTH, if not resolved by the Head of School and other involved parties, go to the School Board Committee according to the procedures set forth in the adopted School Board Policy.  FIFTH, all School Board decisions are final.

At Hyde Park Schools, we believe that education is a partnership between home and school. Parental cooperation is essential for the welfare of students. Adults (home/school) should not engage in the use of defamatory remarks in verbal or written form. If, in the opinion of the administration, parent behavior seriously interferes with the teaching/learning process, Hyde Park Schools may require parents to withdraw their children and sever the relationship with the school.

Hyde Park Schools has a formal grievance/complaint procedure. Information and necessary forms are available through the office of the Head of School. An oral grievance or anonymous letter of grievance will not be considered. A grievance/complaint must be filed within 10 days of the action/decision that is being appealed.

ACADEMICS

Graduation Requirements Subject Area English 4.0 Fine Arts 1.0 Mathematics 4.0 General Electives 3.0 Science 4.0 Com. App 0.5 Social Studies 4.0 TOTAL CREDITS 27 Biblical Studies 2.5 Foreign Language 3.0 Physical Education 1.0

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Course Requirements All students must take at least 1 Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and Bible course at Hyde Park High School each year. *Seniors may choose to take Economics and/or Government at Austin Community College via the Dual- Credit process. Seniors are allowed one senior off period per semester with prior counselor approval. Senior off periods must be either first or seventh period.

Community Service Hours Community service hours are not required due to all students participating in “Day of Service” in the fall semester and “GOweek” in the spring semester each school year. Each “Day of Service” and “GOweek” trip allows students to serve approximately 45 hours per school year. Students may choose to record these community service hours towards “Distinguished Community Service” distinction. Students must maintain his or her original documentation of all community service hours using the Hyde Park Community Service Log found on the school’s website.

Senior Distinguished Community Service Distinction Who: Seniors accumulating 300+ service hours beginning June 1st before their freshman year through March 31st of their senior year. What: Receive special recognition at graduation designating outstanding volunteerism. How: Students must earn a minimum of 300 service hours during the students’ four years of high school. When: Service hours may be earned beginning June 1st before their freshman year through March 31st of their senior year. Why: Hyde Park wishes to acknowledge students who serve their school and community in an outstanding manner. Special honors can be noted on college applications sent off in the fall of the senior year. Students may also be eligible for scholarships and awards based on outstanding community service.  It is up to each student to maintain his or her original documentation to prove 300 hours have been served.  Students wishing to pursue the 300 hours must turn in a copy of their service hour log to the school by March 31st of their senior year.

Physical Education Students must earn 1.0 unit of credit for Physical Education for graduation. Students will be awarded a .5 physical education credit upon completion of the entire individual sports season (i.e. Volleyball). Students may earn up to a maximum of 1.0 unit of credit for physical education per school year.

Students in Physical Education class will receive a numeric grade. Tutoring during the athletic class is not permitted, and unexcused absences from the athletic class will result in points taken off the grade.

Alternate Physical Education Alternate Physical Education programs must be pre-approved by the counselor, as well as supervised and documented by appropriately trained instructors. Students must participate at least five hours per week for 18 weeks (one semester/90 hours) to receive .5 credits. The counselor must approve any student’s Alternate Physical Education program in advance, and hours must be recorded on Hyde Park Schools log form. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the documented log sheet is submitted to the counselor upon completion of the Alternate Physical Education program. Once the sheet is submitted, credit will be awarded and the course will be added to the student’s transcript. Alternate Physical Education grades will be pass/fail and are not included in the student’s GPA. See the counselor for the required forms.

Internships Students may complete an application for an internship. Internship forms may be picked up from the counselor and must be approved by the principal. Internships are for educational purposes only, earn no high school credit, and cannot interfere with a student’s required courses for graduation.

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Graduation Plan and Endorsements All Hyde Park students will graduate on the Distinguished Level of Achievement Plan. The Hyde Park transcript will reflect the following endorsements or areas of concentration:

 Multidisciplinary Studies  Arts and Humanities

Students may add the optional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) endorsement must indicate their five math choices or five science choices. Please note only four math courses and four science courses are required to graduate on a distinguished graduation plan without the STEM endorsement. Math A student may choose from the following:

 Algebra I  Geometry  Algebra II  AP Statistics  Statistics  Pre-Calculus  AP Calculus AB  AP Calculus BC  AP Computer Science

Science A student may choose from the following:

 Biology  Chemistry  Physics  Earth & Space  Anatomy & Physiology  AP Biology  AP Chemistry  AP Physics  Principles of Engineering

Other A student may choose from the following as a fifth course to fulfill the STEM endorsement:  Robotics

Additionally, students may earn a Performance Acknowledgment for outstanding performance for the following:  Score of 3 or above on an AP test  Commended Scholar or higher designation on the PSAT  Combined Critical Reading and Math score of 1250 on the SAT  Composite score of 28 on the ACT  12 hours of college credit with a 3.0 or higher  Completion of 3 years of the same foreign language

Course Levels and Placement College Prep Courses All Hyde Park high school courses are designed to prepare students thoroughly for the rigors of college academic work. Students in on-level classes will be asked to complete critical reading and writing tasks to demonstrate mastery of content. 10

Pre-AP (Pre-Advanced Placement) Courses Hyde Park offers Pre-Advanced Placement courses in a variety of disciplines. These courses serve as preparation for Advanced Placement courses. The College Board offers a suite of Pre-AP professional development resources and services designed to equip all high school teachers with the strategies and tools they need to engage their students in active, high-level learning, thereby ensuring every and high school student develops the skills, habits of mind, and concepts they need to succeed in college.

Advanced Placement Courses Hyde Park’s AP program offers courses across multiple subject areas. Each course is developed nationally by a committee composed of higher education faculty and expert AP teachers who ensure that the course reflects college and university-level expectations. These committees define the scope and goals of the AP course, articulating what students should know and be able to do upon completing it. AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use the AP course descriptions to guide them. The course descriptions outline the course content, describe the curricular goals of the subject, and provide sample exam questions. While the course descriptions are a significant source of information about the course content on which the AP exams will be based, AP teachers have the flexibility to determine how the content is presented. Students may choose to take an AP exam at the end of the course for potential college credit.

Dual Credit “ECS” – Early College Start Program @ Austin Community College The Early College Start program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take classes at Austin Community College. Students may enroll in courses offered at ACC for dual credit (both high school and college credit) or concurrent enrollment (college credit only), provided they meet ACC course requirements. Dual credit courses must be pre-approved by the counselor. ACC does not charge for ECS courses, although students must pay for required textbooks. Students are allowed to register for classes, upon completion of their sophomore year. Complete ACC course information may be found at www.austincc.edu. Students must earn at least a 70 or higher in the ACC course to receive high school dual credit.

Colorado Christian Hyde Park offers dual credit courses through a partnership with Colorado Christian University. Colorado Christian University (CCU) is a four-year liberal arts school that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Students may register for year-long dual credit classes in the fall semester and receive up to 3-4 hours for each course. Payment is made directly to CCU for each registered course. It is the student’s responsibility to determine transfer equivalencies for other colleges and universities prior to CCU enrollment.

Alternative Credit Transfer Credit Only courses posted on transcripts from accredited middle schools and high schools showing the award of .5 or 1.0 unit of high school credit will be recognized by Hyde Park Schools. All grades from courses transferred from other schools will appear on Hyde Park transcripts. Transfer grades do not factor in students’ GPA. Courses taken in middle school are not calculated into the Hyde Park High School GPA. Students who take a course in middle school for high school credit have the option of retaking that course at Hyde Park High School. If the student chooses to re-take the course in high school, neither the middle school credit nor grade will be posted on the high school transcript. The new grade will factor into the student’s high school GPA. Students exercising this option will not be permitted to choose between the middle school and high school grade for credit. If a transfer student’s transcript is missing a credit required for high school graduation, that student must satisfy that requirement through credit by exam at least two weeks prior to the beginning of school. Exams are subject to approval by Hyde Park administration. Only grades of 70 or above will receive credit and facilitate placement. Schedules will not be finalized or issued until placement is determined from

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results of the test. Students may also use credit by exam to fulfill credit recovery requirements (see above “Credit Recovery”). Credit by exam will be awarded on a pass/fail basis.

Credit Recovery Students who fail a required course must re-take the course, earn a passing grade, and receive credit for the course prior to the first day of school of the following fall semester. Students have the option of taking summer school at their local high school or completing an online course from an accredited online school. Both options require approval of the high school counselor. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure a final grade is submitted to the counselor upon completion of the course. When the grade is submitted, the course will be added to the student’s transcript, and credit will be awarded on a pass/fail basis. The original failing grade will not be removed from the Hyde Park transcript and is calculated in the GPA. Any coursework taken outside of Hyde Park will not be included in the student’s GPA.

Students must achieve an average of 70% of or higher in their course work for each semester to earn credit. Students failing a course required for graduation must repeat the course for credit recovery or successfully pass an approved “credit by exam”. If a student fails the first semester of any two-semester class, the student may proceed to the second semester of the class with permission of the instructor.

If the required course is a semester course, the student must repeat the failed course or successfully pass an approved “credit by exam”. If the course is a two-semester course, the student may have to repeat the failed semester(s) based on the rules outlined below: If the student fails a course in the fall semester but receives a passing grade for the spring semester, and the fall semester and spring semester grade average above 70, the student will earn full credit for the averaged grade. The student must earn at least a 60 in the fall semester to “credit-by-averaging”. If the student fails the first semester but receives a passing grade for the second semester, and the first semester and second semester grade average is below 70, the student is required to recover first semester.

If the student receives a passing grade for the fall semester but then receives a failing grade for the spring semester, the student has not demonstrated content mastery and will therefore repeat the spring semester or successfully pass an approved credit by exam.

Original Credit Students may choose to take a summer school class at their local-area high school for original credit in the area of electives only. Additional courses require prior administrative approval on a case-by-case basis. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure a final grade is submitted to the counselor upon completion of the course. When the grade is submitted, credit will be awarded, and the course will be added to the student’s transcript. Summer school grades are not included in the student’s GPA.

Portfolio/Resume Information All students at Hyde Park are encouraged to complete a portfolio and resume during their junior year. Beginning with the summer before 9th grade, students should begin a portfolio, consisting of a file or binder to keep all certificates earned. In addition, students should maintain an activities record, of all extracurricular activities, service hours, honors, awards, and employment experiences. This record is the basis of the student’s resume.

Grades and Class Ranking Grade Point Average (GPA) Hyde Park High School calculates two grade point averages for each high school student, a weighted GPA and non-weighted GPA. The weighted GPA is defined as the GPA adjusted for successful completion of Pre- AP and AP classes. The non-weighted GPA can be defined as the simple average of all courses taken.

Class rank is calculated by using the weighted GPA. Report card grades reflect the non-weighted GPA.

To calculate a weighted GPA, use the following procedure:

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 Add the final semester average for all semester grades.  Add 10 points per semester for every AP course (5 points for every Pre-AP course) that the student has successfully completed to the semester grade total. The resulting sum is the quality points for the student.  Count the number of classes a student has taken, counting each semester separately to calculate the weight.  Divide the quality points by the weight to get the student’s weighted GPA.  Note: Pass/fail courses, transfer courses, and middle school courses taken for high school credit are not calculated into the student’s GPA even though the grade shows up on the transcript.

Class Rank for High School Students A cumulative grade point average (GPA) is computed for each student per semester for grades 9-12, with Pre-AP courses receiving five (5) additional points and Advanced Placement courses receiving ten (10) additional points per semester for grade point purposes only. Report cards and transcripts will reflect the non-weighted grade earned in all levels of classes. Only the GPA will reflect the additional points for Pre- AP and AP classes, provided the student passes the class. Hyde Park grade point averages will be calculated based only on courses taken at Hyde Park.

Hyde Park will rank seniors for college admission purposes using the following system. The top 10% (1- xx) will be ranked individually by number according to their weighted grade point averages. If the senior class has 50 students, the top 10% will be the five students with the highest cumulative grade point averages. To be eligible for the top 10% ranking, a student must be enrolled at Hyde Park High School by the end of the third week of school in the fall of the student’s junior year. Beginning with the class of 2019, to be eligible for the top 10% ranking, a student must be enrolled at Hyde Park High School by the 15th day of the fall semester of the students’ sophomore year. The initial ranking for college admission is completed at the end of the student’s junior year, and final class rankings for seniors are made after the fourth nine weeks of their senior year.

Class rankings for all other students are reported in quartiles for college admission purposes. Ranking all students not in the top 10% by quartiles minimizes competition among our students. Top Quartile GPA of 90 or above 2nd Quartile GPA of 80 - 89.999 3rd Quartile GPA of 70 –79.999 4th Quartile GPA of 69.999 or below

Valedictorian and Salutatorian The selection of a Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be made after final grades are reported for the second semester of the senior year. Students must attend Hyde Park for the entire eight semesters and be enrolled and present by the 15th day of the first semester of their 9th grade year to be considered for these honors. The weighted GPA for this purpose is calculated on Hyde Park grades only. The student with the highest weighted GPA will be the Valedictorian. The student with the next highest weighted GPA will be the Salutatorian. Students selected for this honor must have acceptable conduct scores as well. In the event of a tie, more than one student can qualify as valedictorian or salutatorian. All valedictorian/salutatorian determinations are left to the sole discretion of the school.

Honor Rolls Students who have achieved “Honors” or “High Honors” are named after each grading period on the report card. “Honors” represents an unweighted average of 90.00 – 94.99, and “High Honors” represents an unweighted average of 95.00 – 100. Students must not have any incompletes to be eligible for either honor rolls. Grades received in pass/fail and related courses are not used in determining honors. However, conduct grades in those courses will be used to determine placement on the honor roll.

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Grading Symbols The following symbols are also used for specific grade purposes: P Passing (in a Pass/Fail course) F Failing (in a Pass/Fail course) I Incomplete (work is temporarily incomplete) X Audit (audited class, no grade) W Withdrawal from class – students dropping a class beyond the first 2 weeks of the semester will receive a “W”

Grading Policies Teachers will post the department grading policy on their class syllabus. Advanced Placement classes may have different grading guidelines than on-level or Pre-AP classes.

Progress Reports to Parents The online program, NetClassroom, allows parents to view their student’s classroom assignments and progress reports at any time.

There are four 9-week grade-reporting periods during the school year. Report cards are issued at the end of each grading period to indicate the student’s academic progress and class conduct. Report cards may be withheld if financial obligations are not current.

Transcripts Official transcripts must be ordered through Parchment at www.parchment.com.

Homework Assignments Homework assignments are available on NetClassroom. Parents/students may also contact the teacher directly via school email. Login information for NetClassroom will be provided at the beginning of the school year.

Semester Grades Semester grades are calculated by the following formula: 1st 9 weeks average (40%) 2nd 9 weeks average (40%) Final Semester Exam (20%)

Final Exams High School Semester Exams Comprehensive semester examinations are given in each course at the end of the semester in grades 9- 12. Students are required to take their examinations at the scheduled times. Students’ absences during final exam period must be pre-approved by the school principal. Final exams will count 20% of the final grade for the semester.

Final Semester Exam Exemption Policy Students must take all final exams in the fall semester. Students have the opportunity to be exempt from the following spring semester exams: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language. To exempt a spring final exam, a student must meet the following criteria:  The student must have a class average of 90% or above in that class for the spring semester.  The student must be present for 72 days from August 21st through December 15th in the Fall semester to exempt any Spring final exams.  The student (9th – 11th grades) must be present 80 days from January 9th through May 21st in the Spring semester to exempt any Spring final exams.  Seniors (12th grade) must be present 76 days from January 9th through May 15th in the Spring semester to exempt any Spring final exam  School activities count as days present.

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 A student that has been suspended from school or received (ISS) In School Suspension, may not exempt any finals.  Students who are exempt are still responsible for participating in the review.  If a student is truant from a class on any given day, the student may not exempt the final for that class.

When a teacher grants an exemption, each student has an option of accepting or not accepting the offer of exemption. The student may opt to take the exam. If so, the decision will be final, and the grade on the examination will be counted in determining the semester grade. The number of courses that a student may exempt: Freshmen (1), sophomores (2), juniors (3), and seniors (4). Students may not exempt elective, Bible, or fine arts classes. However, finals will be administered during their normal class times the week prior to finals week.

AP Classes Students taking the College Board AP exam must have at least an 80 in the class to exempt the spring final. Students not taking the College Board AP exam must have at least a 90 in the class to exempt the spring final. Students must also be present for 72 days from August 21st to December 15th in the Fall semester and 80 days (9th – 11th grades) and 76 days (12th grade) in the spring semester to exempt any Spring final AP exam.

Schedule Changes Every effort is made to schedule students into their first choices of desired classes. All schedule changes are dependent upon class size and availability. Due to scheduling conflicts, students may not always be assigned all the classes they request. Scheduling priority is given to seniors and to the core academic classes. One-semester elective course requests are honored as much as the master schedule allows. Schedule changes for the fall semester must be requested and approved by the counseling office one week before the start of school. Schedule changes for the spring semester must also be requested and approved by the counseling office prior to the first day of spring semester classes.

Schedule changes are dependent upon course availability and in consideration of graduation requirements with priority given to seniors and juniors. If a request is made after school is in session, the student must complete the schedule change request form with parent signature and follow his/her original schedule until notification is given from the office if the change has been made. Once school has started the deadline for student/parent initiated schedule changes is within the first two weeks of the first semester and within one week of the second semester. Any changes made after these deadlines must be approved by administration and will result in a “W” on the transcript, indicating a withdrawal from that course.

Requests for schedule changes after the designated period will be granted if one or more of the following criteria are met:  The student is in the wrong level of a course (Pre-AP, AP, etc.).  The student is in an incorrect course to meet graduation requirements.  The sequence of the course is incorrect (i.e., Art II before Art I).

LEAP The purpose of the LEAP program is to provide academic support for students formally diagnosed with an identified learning difference to help meet the academic expectations of Hyde Park Schools. The program strives to provide a supportive and enriching environment in which students can achieve success by developing and managing strategies for lifelong learning. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide support for each student to embrace his or her abilities and acquire an individualized method of learning to maximize strengths and achieve success within the classroom.

Eligibility decisions for the LEAP program are based primarily on the student’s documented learning difference from a recent, complete, approved psychoeducational evaluation. Incomplete or out-of-date testing may require new assessment. A recommended list of assessors is available for this purpose. A student’s Individualized Accommodation Plan is determined with the recommendations from the full evaluation as approved by Hyde Park Schools. Hyde Park Schools does not make modifications to the 15

curriculum. All documentation will be managed and maintained confidentially by the LEAP Director on each campus. Student assessment profiles are for HP internal use only and are never shared with outside sources. Participation in the program requires a fee in addition to regular tuition. This fee may be applied monthly or paid in full.

ATTENDANCE

In accordance with the Texas Education Code, students must be in attendance a minimum of 90% of the school year. An attendance committee will review any attendance under 90% to determine the educational process of the student. Saturday School may be assigned for credit recovery. Saturday School will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the high school Library.

Students attending Saturday School must:  Arrive in school dress-code at 7:55 a.m.  Pay $20 (fee will be charged to student’s FACTS account)  Bring supplies (pen, paper, and school work) for a silent study hall.

School Hours The school building is open from 7:30am to 4:00pm. Parents must make arrangements to deliver and pick up students between these hours unless students are involved in supervised activities.

When a Student Is Absent 1. The parent/guardian should call the school by 8:00 a.m. 2. Upon returning to school, the student must bring a note with the student’s name, parent’s telephone number, the dates, and reason for the absence to the attendance office prior to first period. 3. A call from the school at the end of the school day will notify parents of any absences from that day.

Absences The school asks that every effort be made to schedule all medical appointments when school is not in session. A parent/guardian must notify the school before a student is allowed to leave the Hyde Park Campus, or the student will be subject to disciplinary action. A student must be present the first four periods of the school day in order to participate in any extracurricular activities on that day.

Planned Absence  A “Prior Knowledge of Absence” form must be completed and returned to the front office one week in advance of the anticipated absence.  All makeup work is to be coordinated with the classroom teacher.

Truancy Any absence from school without the knowledge and approval of parents is truancy. The student will be subject to disciplinary action. If a student is truant from a class, the student will not be eligible for exemptions from final exams in that class. A zero may be recorded for any and all work, including tests, which may have been given to the student who was not present for the assignment due that day.

Hyde Park is a Closed Campus If a student leaves campus on any given day without prior permission, the student may not be eligible for exemptions from any final exams and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Skip Day Students and parents should realize that a so-called “Skip Day” is never approved by the administration and may result in disciplinary action.

Makeup Work and Tests When a student misses class for a valid reason he/she is responsible for arranging to make up missed work and tests with the teacher. Students will be allowed the number of days missed, plus one, to

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complete missed assignments. Students missing a test because of an absence must see the teacher to arrange for a makeup. Students absent the day of a pre-assigned test or major project are not excused from taking the test and/or submitting the project the day they return. If the missed work is not made up within this time, or special arrangements are not made with the teacher for an extension, a zero may be recorded for the assignment.

Procedures for Leaving School Early 1. To be excused, students should bring a note from a parent/guardian to the office to sign out. The note must indicate the student’s name, specific time of absence, specific reason for absence and the signature of the parent or guardian. 2. Upon return to campus, the student will need to report back to the School Office to sign in and receive a permit to enter class. At that time a student must show a doctor’s verification for medical appointments. 3. All students must remain on the school grounds during the lunch period unless a parent or guardian informs the administration that the parent or guardian will accompany the student off campus on an occasional or emergency basis.

Students leaving school for any reason other than a school-sponsored activity without checking out through the school office will be subject to disciplinary action. All students are required to sign out in the office and sign in upon return.

Hall Passes Students on campus and out of the classroom for any reason during regular school hours should possess a hall pass.

College Visits Students are allowed to miss class days for college interviews and visits. These absences count against the “days present” policies for finals exemptions. A “Prior Knowledge of Absence” form must be completed and approved as outlined in the “Planned Absence” section of this handbook.

Extracurricular/Field Trip Absences It is the student’s responsibility to receive assignments and make arrangements for makeup work before the absence. In the event of a trip cancellation, the student must attend class and be prepared. Absences for extracurricular activities or field trips are recorded as a “day present in class”.

Late Arrival to School Arriving at school past the beginning of a student’s scheduled class time is considered late arrival. Students must check in at the front desk and receive an admit slip in order to return to class.

Tardy to Class Definition of Tardy: A student must be inside the classroom when the tardy bell rings. When a student is tardy to class they will be marked tardy by their teacher. If a student is more than 15 minutes late to class, it will be considered an absence.

Guidelines:  Tardies are recorded per class per semester.  Excessive tardies may result in a parent conference with administration and additional consequences including Saturday School.

DRESS CODE Modesty, moderation and neatness are the principles supporting the dress code at Hyde Park High School. We are encouraged by the Word to observe modesty (I Peter 2:9), glorification of God (I Corinthians 10:31), and the avoidance of showiness in our appearance (I Peter 3:3-4). Hyde Park students are expected to dress neatly, cleanly, modestly, and appropriately while at school and school related functions. A student’s dress should not draw inappropriate attention or detract from the learning process. The administration reserves the right to determine if a student is dressed and groomed appropriately.

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General Guidelines for All Students

Grooming Policy

 Students shall wear their hair above the eyes, well groomed, clean at all times, and extreme modes of hair design and color will not be allowed  Tattoos may be required to be covered (principal or designee’s discretion)  Body piercing is not allowed. This includes spacers or place holders  Sponsors of extracurricular activities may set stricter individual dress and appearance standards with the approval of the principal Outerwear: Sweater/Vests/Hoodies  Collared outerwear must be worn at all times. The only exception to this rule is if the outerwear has a collared garment underneath. Footwear  Footwear must be worn at all times - No flip-flops  Footwear must have a strap or back

Boy’s Apparel Guidelines

Grooming Policy  Male students must wear hair above the collar – no hair dyeing allowed  Facial hair such as beards, mustaches, and goatees will not be permitted  Male students will not be permitted to wear earrings or make-up

Pants:  Must be khaki, black, or white in color – no blue jeans – no cargo style, no holes or frays  Must be neat and appropriate (not too big or too tight)

Shorts:  Golfer or Docker style; must have zipper - no fishing or cargo style – no blue jean shorts, no athletic shorts or pants  Must be khaki, black, or white in color – no blue jeans  Must be no more than two (2) inches above the kneecap

Collared Shirts:  Must be a collared-style and fit appropriately (not too big or too tight) and be neat in appearance (free of wrinkles.) No sleeveless shirts

Girl’s Apparel Guidelines

Skirts/Dresses: No short skirts or short dresses allowed. The length of the dress or skirt must be 2 inches above the kneecap. If the dress does not have a collar, a collared-shirt must be worn with it. Dresses and skirts do not have to be only black, khaki, or white.

Pants/Capri:  Must be khaki, black, or white in color – no blue jeans – no cargo style, no holes or frays  Must be neat and appropriate (not too big or too tight)  No spandex or leggings can be worn as slacks/capris

Shorts:  Golfer or Docker style; must have zipper - no fishing or cargo style – no blue jean shorts  Must be khaki, black, or white in color and must be no shorter than two (2) inches above the kneecap

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Collared Shirts:  Must be a collared-style and fit appropriately (not too big or too tight) and be neat in appearance (free of wrinkles.) No sleeveless shirts

Every Friday is Spirit Dress. On these days, blue jeans that are not frayed, or with holes or tears, will be allowed. Hyde Park club, spirit, team shirts, college shirts, or other appropriate shirts are allowed. (Not too big or too tight.) Regular shoe guidelines apply; all shoes must have a back-strap.

Dress Code Violations/Consequences At any time a student’s dress/appearance causes a substantial disruption to the educational environment, administration reserves the right to address the student anywhere on school grounds. Students will be asked to change or alter their appearance immediately. Students may be allowed to wait for appropriate clothes while in class or asked to wait in the front office until appropriate clothes are brought to campus.

• 1st Violation – Warning • 2nd Violation - Detention from 7:00 – 7:30am in teacher or principal office • 3rd Violation – Parent conference and other consequences Students will begin each semester with zero dress code violations

DISCIPLINARY POLICIES

The Hyde Park School administration, faculty, staff, and students work hard to maintain a positive, mutually beneficial environment for working and learning. Both mental and behavioral disciplines are essential, because both Christian living and academic preparation are fostered in an environment of positive conduct. Such conduct is important both in and out of the classroom. Every teacher has authority over any student regardless of whether that student is under the direct control of that teacher. A student may be corrected by any teacher or staff member and should follow such correction/instruction.

Hyde Park School demands conduct that is in accordance with the school’s commitment to Christian values and excellent citizenship. The Administration and staff believe the most effective discipline results when students learn to take responsibility for their behavior within a school setting. Therefore, when a pupil is referred to the office for a disciplinary problem, the Administration will try to emphasize counseling and effective communication with parents. In addition, we will invoke disciplinary penalties in a clear and consistent manner. Students are required to abide by the guidelines contained in this handbook.

Consequences The Hyde Park School Administration is the final authority in all disciplinary situations. When the conduct of a student, either at or away from the school, is detrimental to the reputation of the school or the moral good of the student body, the school reserves the right to dismiss the student or take other disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action may be imposed at the discretion of the acting administration based upon: a) seriousness of the offense b) student’s age c) frequency of misconduct d) student’s attitude e) potential effect of the misconduct on the school environment

Horseplay, pranks, or other types of offenses will be considered in light of disruption to the school. In these cases, the administrator will base the severity of the penalty on the amount of destruction, disruption or inconvenience that the offender has caused. Students enrolled at Hyde Park Schools or who have been accepted as students are representatives of Hyde Park Schools at all times, and conduct based upon Biblical principles and the principles outlined in the handbook is expected of all students at all times.

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*Discipline infractions will result in a Discipline Notice sent to Administration and is inclusive of but not limited to the following list of examples:

Specific Offenses Cheating Cheating is the giving or receiving of information or help on an individual assignment or prior to an individual assignment, possession of any unauthorized material during a test, or having someone else falsely complete or submit an assignment. Plagiarism, the use of another’s ideas or products as one’s own, is a type of cheating. Student(s) involved in instances of cheating may have their papers/products confiscated immediately and may be sent to the office for disciplinary action. Parents will be notified and student(s) may receive a zero for the offending test/assignment.

Forgery Students who forge a name or alter official documents will be subject to disciplinary action.

Appropriate campus consequences will be determined by the Administration for the following:  Late arrival to class  Disrespect to students or school personnel  Littering on school property  Improper dress or grooming  Talking that disrupts class or assemblies  Pushing or shoving another person  Running or shouting in the building  Inappropriate use of technology  (These items may be confiscated.)  Eating and drinking outside lunchrooms or other designated eating areas without permission  Use of cell phone without permission  Classroom disturbance  Cursing, profanity, or obscene gestures  Reckless driving on campus or at school activities on or off campus  Truancy  Failure to remain out of off-limit areas  Gambling  Any other inappropriate student behavior determined by Administration  Possession of any prohibited item determined by the Administration (such as weapons)

Prohibited weapons  An explosive weapon (any explosive or incendiary bomb, grenade, rocket, or mine that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury, death, or substantial property damage, or for the principal purpose of causing such a loud report as to cause undue public alarm or terror, and includes a device designed, made, or adapted for delivery or shooting an explosive weapon, including handguns).  A machine gun (any firearm that is capable of shooting more than two shots automatically, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger).  A short-barrel firearm (rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches or a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches, or any weapon made from a rifle or shotgun that, as altered, has an overall length of less than 26 inches).  A firearm silencer (any device designed, made, or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm).  A switchblade knife (any knife with a blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath and that opens automatically by pressing a button or other device on the handle, or opens or releases from the handle or shaft by the force of gravity or centrifugal force, but not a knife that has a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure and that requires exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure and open the knife).

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 Knuckles (any instrument consisting of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles).  Armor-piercing ammunition (handgun ammunition that is designed primarily for the purpose of penetrating metal or body armor and to be used primarily in pistols and revolvers).  A chemical dispensing device (a device, other than a small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection, that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of dispensing a chemical capable of causing an adverse psychological or physiological effect on a human being).  A zip gun (a device or combination of devices that was not originally a firearm and is adapted to expel a projectile through a smooth-bore or rifled-bore barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance).

Prohibited Substances Policy The Hyde Park School administration, faculty, staff, and students work hard to maintain a positive, mutually beneficial environment for working and learning. Both mental and behavioral disciplines are essential, because both Christian living and academic preparation are fostered in an environment of positive conduct. Such conduct is important both in and out of the classroom. As members of a Christian community, the desire is for Hyde Park students to aspire to a Biblical worldview in their daily lives. This provides a foundation that rests upon the idea that everything we do is for God’s glory. Consciousness of this idea helps us govern our behavior in ways visible within the school and in the greater community.

Hyde Park School expects conduct that is in accordance with the school’s commitment to Christian values and excellent citizenship. The administration and staff believe the most effective discipline results when students learn to take responsibility for their behavior within the school setting and beyond. Hyde Park bases our standards of behavior on Biblical mandates that require us to consider others beyond ourselves when we choose our actions based on the realization that Hyde Park’s excellent reputation in the community results from the honorable and conscientious conduct of its students. A Hyde Park student should aspire to represent the mission and identity of the school at all times regardless of location. Students enrolled at Hyde Park Schools or students who have been accepted and committed to enroll are representatives of Hyde Park Schools at all times, and conduct based upon Biblical principles and the principles represented in our Core Values is expected of all students at all time.

Since an individual’s actions impact not only the individual’s own life but the lives and reputations of others, actions committed on and off campus and at school and non-school functions that are considered detrimental to a student’s well-being and/or the school’s reputation in the community may result in immediate disciplinary action.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

 Possession or use of drugs* (including alcohol, tobacco*, in any form, or any other controlled substance) by a student, except as prescribed by a physician, is strictly prohibited on or off campus at any time, including but not limited to school-related activities. This includes grounds, parking lots, and in vehicles on school property. o *Drugs – narcotic, hallucinogenic, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, anabolic steroid, any substance defined as a look-alike or represented to be an illegal or controlled substance. o *Tobacco – Including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco and other forms of smokeless tobacco.  Any drug/alcohol violation will result in appropriate discipline. Any student who is in possession or under the influence of any prohibited drug, o will be suspended and removed from the school population immediately o his or her parents or guardians will be notified o a report may be made to law enforcement

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o that student will be required to see a substance abuse counselor of the school’s choosing as a condition for consideration of re-instatement.  After the finding of the substance abuse counselor is reported, the possibility of re-instatement and/or disciplinary action will be decided upon by the school’s administration.  Drug and alcohol probation is automatically instated for a period of time prescribed by school administration based upon the facts pertinent to each individual situation. o This probation may include random testing at any time at the discretion of the school administration during and after the probationary period.  Violations of the conditions of the drug and alcohol probation may be subject to immediate dismissal and/or permanent expulsion.  Offenders of the Drug and Alcohol Policy may be expelled upon the discretion of the administration. Any student who is found to have possessed, used, provided, sold, or offered for sale any prohibited or controlled substance on campus may be subject to immediate dismissal without employing any of the steps outlined in the process above.

The Hyde Park School administration is the final authority in all disciplinary situations. When the conduct of a student, either at or away from the school, is detrimental to the reputation of the school or the moral good of the student body, the school reserves the right to dismiss the student or take other disciplinary action.

Because Hyde Park School values the safety and well-being of all members of the community the school reserves the right to employ reasonable and appropriate measures to protect and preserve the community. These measures may include but are not limited to the following:

 Drugs/Drug Dogs

The school will use drug dogs on campus to discourage any drug use at school. Drug dogs will be on campus and school grounds at unannounced times.

 Breathalyzer/Drug Tests

Any student, suspected or appearing, under the influence of any illegal drug or controlled substance at school or any school related activity may be subject to immediate testing. Parents will be informed as soon as practical and a report may be made to law enforcement.

Hyde Park is committed to the health and wellness of all students. Any student who comes forward to a staff member for help in addressing a substance abuse problem will not be subject to disciplinary action for a first offense.

Detention  Detention will be held at times assigned by Administration or other authorized staff. Students that do not attend their assigned detention may be assigned additional detention, ISS (In-School Suspension) or Saturday School.

Saturday School  Saturday school will be held on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon as designated by an administrator. Students who are not on time will not be admitted into Saturday school and will be subject to additional disciplinary action.

Expulsion Appropriate, more serious consequences will be determined by Administration for the following behaviors. The following actions while on school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off the School’s property; may result in EXPULSION and forfeiture of all tuition and fees paid. A lesser disciplinary action may be imposed, in light of extenuating circumstances, at the sole discretion of the school. Consequences can include but are not limited to detention, Saturday School, 22

essays, mentoring, contracts, work duty, suspension, loss of privileges, or expulsion. This can be considered an unexcused absence with resulting consequences on student’s grades.  Deliberate insubordination to school personnel  Involvement in a fight at school  Cheating (receive zero for work)  Writing on desks or walls or any other defacement/damage of school property  Pranks that cause disruption/damage to school environment  Truancy  Hazing  Repeated violations  Fighting on school property  Harassment/bullying/social media  Causing injury to another student or employee  Possession, distribution, and/or viewing of pornographic material  Possession, distribution, and/or use of knives of any size (including pocketknives)  Possession, distribution and/or use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs (violation will result in suspension, but the administration reserves the right to expel on the first offense also.)  Repeated infraction of any of the above misconduct offenses; persistent misbehaviors

Student/Parent Appeal Process With regard to discipline decisions, the school is committed to being consistent and fair with students. The school believes every discipline incident can be a part of the learning process. It will be the responsibility of the Administration to inform parents and/or guardians of any discipline action. Students/ parents have 10 days to appeal decisions affecting students through the Hyde Park Schools Complaint Procedure.

Hyde Park Schools has a formal grievance/complaint procedure. Information and necessary forms are available through the office of the Head of School. An oral grievance or anonymous letter of grievance will not be considered. A grievance/complaint must be filed within 10 days of the action/decision that is being appealed.

ATHLETICS

Hyde Park competes as a strong member of TAPPS and strives to contend for State Championships in all sports. Athletic teams at Hyde Park emphasize discipline, confidence, skill and teamwork as student athletes compete on Hyde Park’s state-ranked teams. Christ-centered coaches invest in their athletes. Building Christ like character in each individual athlete is the primary goal of this strong extracurricular program. Athletes are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Hyde Park athletes have year-round opportunities to excel in the following sports.

Fall Winter Spring Cross Country Basketball Baseball Volleyball Soccer Softball Football Track Golf Tennis Golf Swimming

A student must be in school four periods of the school day to participate in any extracurricular activities. Exceptions must be cleared with the Administration by 9:00am of the day of the activity. A separate handbook governs participation in the Athletic programs.

Athletic Participation and Insurance Students who plan to participate in any athletic program will be required to show proof of personal injury/medical insurance and to have a parent/guardian-signed waiver before being allowed to participate. The school carries limited insurance for athletic injuries.

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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/CLUBS

Clubs are open to all qualified students. Each club must operate under a constitution or set of bylaws that supports Hyde Park School policy. A copy of the bylaws must be on file in the office. All activities and meetings of the club must be conducted under the supervision of the approved sponsor. No club can be organized without the principal’s approval.

Students have a wide range of extracurricular activities in which they may participate at Hyde Park Schools. Students are encouraged to find activities they enjoy and to actively participate. Some of the extracurricular activities include:

Bass Fishing National Honor Society Cheerleading Panther Posse Choir Students Opposing Substances Drama Spanish Club Drill Team Student Council Drumline TAPPS Academic Fellowship of Christian Athletes Ukulele Club Friends of Fine Arts Yearbook HP Connect Mentoring Youth and Government Latin Club

ADMISSION AND RE-ENROLLMENT

Hyde Park School admits students of any of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religious affiliation to all rights, privileges, programs and activities available to students at the school. Hyde Park Schools do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, creed, color, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarships, athletics, or other school-administered programs.

A student who is married, divorced, separated, or cohabitating with a person of the opposite or same sex will not be allowed to attend Hyde Park School.

Hyde Park does not provide modifications for students but provides College Board approved accommodations with approved documentation for students enrolled in LEAP.

Upon receipt of all required paperwork applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Admission is based upon a combination of factors and is not dependent upon any single criteria. All admission decisions are left to the discretion of the Administration. A letter will be mailed to the applicant’s home indicating acceptance to Hyde Park.

New students are reviewed at the end of their first semester and must exhibit academic success and positive behavioral conduct to continue at HPHS.

Invitation to Return Each spring, the status of each student is reviewed to determine if they will be offered a contract to return the following year, based on academic success, behavior, and attitude. Students failing one or more subjects may not be admitted in the fall if they have not completed the summer requirements. If a student fails more than two classes, he/she may not be admitted to Hyde Park High School. All decisions on whether an invitation to return is extended to a student are left to the sole discretion of the school. A student has no expectation or right of continued enrollment at the school.

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Returning Student Admissions Applicants who have previously attended Hyde Park within the past two years and want to return must submit the following and meet with the campus principal for an interview: 1. Application 2. Parent/Guardian questionnaire 3. Current transcript and report cards (past 2 years) 4. Complete recommendations (teacher, administrator/ counselor, character, and parent) 5. A student returning after the third week of school their junior year will not be counted in the top ten percent ranking. 6. Upon receipt of all required paperwork applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee

GENERAL INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES

Bad Weather Procedures Hyde Park will follow the same policy as the Austin Independent School District regarding the closure of school due to bad weather. Communication to parents will be sent as soon as possible regarding any weather related messages via e-mail.

Cell Phone Usage Students will place their cell phones in the teacher’s designated area upon entering class each day. Exception to this would be a teacher allowing the use for approved class activities. Cell phones or other electronic devices used in class without teacher permission will be picked up by the teacher and assigned a discipline consequence. Students may retrieve their cell phones from the teacher or the front office at the end of the school day. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged cell phones.

Chapel Services Weekly chapel services are required for all students as an integral part of the educational program. The chapel services are provided to remind us of God’s love for us, our responsibility to God and others, and to contribute to the spiritual growth of the Hyde Park family.

Counseling Services Personal, academic, college, and spiritual counseling services are provided in the office of the counselor throughout the school year. Teachers and other staff members from Hyde Park School and Church are also available for personal and spiritual issues.

If problems develop with curriculum, workload, grades, or work habits, students and parents are encouraged to confer privately with a teacher prior to contacting the counselor. If needed, the counselor may arrange conferences with all of the teachers of a student. To the extent possible, these conferences should be held in the mornings before school.

Financial Information Payment of tuition and fees must be in good standing with the financial office before students are allowed to participate in extracurricular activities or take semester finals. Other Costs: Fees vary according to each sport and student activity. Please see the Athletic Student Handbook or call the Business Office for current fees.

Library The library is open for student use from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students may check out materials, conduct research, use the computers/printer or quietly study. During class hours, a permit or pass from the student’s teacher is necessary for the student to enter the library. Books and other materials checked out from the library must be returned in good condition within the designated time limit. The student must pay for lost library books. Students are required to pay a fee for late returns of 25 cents per day, per book. All library fines must be paid before the end of each nine weeks grading period, or grades will be held until the student is cleared. Food and beverage are not permitted in the library without administrative permission. 25

Lunchroom Students may purchase their lunch in the cafeteria or bring it from home. Students and parents may not order food to be delivered to the campus for lunch.

All students in grade 9 through 12 must remain on the school grounds during the lunch period unless a parent or guardian informs the Administration that the parent or guardian will accompany the student off campus on an occasional or emergency basis. Students must sign out in the school office prior to leaving campus and sign in when they return. Students who leave campus without permission will be considered truant. During lunch students are permitted in the following areas: Leadership Hall, courtyard outside of Leadership Hall, and picnic tables behind Leadership Hall.

Medication and Nurse Procedures All prescription medications must be in a properly labeled prescription bottle. All non-prescription medication (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Dimetapp, cough drops, etc.) must be kept in its original container. Pharmacists will provide you with a separate labeled prescription bottle upon request. Due to the potential hazards of accidental ingestion, all medications must be kept in the medication cabinet and administered through the nurse’s office (an exception may be made for physician prescribed inhalers). Nurses will administer medication only with a written request from a parent and/or doctor. Medications cannot be released to or carried home by students. Any unused medication at school will have to be picked up by the parent, or it will be discarded.

Illness A student must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. This 24-hour policy also applies to vomiting.

School Visitors All visitors must sign in at the office and must be cleared to be on campus. Students are not allowed to bring student visitors to school. Students interested in attending Hyde Park may arrange a visit through the Admissions Office. Adults wanting to visit a classroom must make arrangements in advance through the high school office.

Security of Personal Belongings and Supplies (Student Lockers) Students will be issued a locker with a lock for securing all personal materials, supplies, textbooks, etc., while at school. Students are required to use only their assigned locker and lock at all times. Locker sharing is not allowed. All lockers and locks remain the property of the school, and the administration reserves the right to open any locker to check its contents at any time. No contraband or illegal materials may be stored in lockers. Any violations of this rule will result in disciplinary action. Student will be charged a fee if any damage occurs to lockers or if the locker is not properly cleaned and emptied at the end of the school year. No private locks are allowed on lockers.

Textbooks Textbooks are issued to students in most classes. These books are loaned on a temporary basis and are expected to be returned at the end of the school year in good condition. If a student loses a textbook, the student is expected to pay for a new replacement textbook. Each student, with parent or guardian, is responsible for all books. Although consumable workbooks are provided for the students, some special classes will require a student purchase advanced textbooks or novels.

TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER POLICIES The technology system for the Hyde Park School System includes access to computers and computer support equipment (i.e. printers, scanners, tablets, cameras, projectors, etc.), the school system-wide area network resources, and the Internet. The network resources monitor inappropriate use of this system.

Rules for Appropriate Use

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 Classroom computers are to be used for support of academic goals.  Logon information is to be kept private at all times. A password should be 8-12 characters in length and should contain numbers as well as letters. If your password security has been violated, arrange to change it immediately. All students in K-12th grade will be given a private account for logon purposes. It is expressly forbidden to use another person’s logon information to access resources.  The school system makes reasonable efforts to block inappropriate Internet sites but it is not possible to completely prevent access. If you accidentally access an inappropriate site, turn off the screen and contact a teacher immediately.  The use of Removable Media is to be approved by administrative staff before being used on school computers. If approved, they should be used only for the transfer of school related documents. The majority of us have personal email accounts and Hyde Park School System would rather students use this method to transfer any electronic media between school and home.  Chat rooms are expressly restricted at the Hyde Park School System.  Downloading executable programs without the express permission of the technology coordinator is restricted.  Posting messages or accessing materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal is restricted by law and students may be subject to discipline.  Vandalism of technology equipment is restricted by law and students may be subject to discipline.  Gaining access to unauthorized network resources is inappropriate.  Wasting school resources for personal use is restricted.

Consequences for Inappropriate Use Suspension or revocation of access to the system  Removal from computer class without credit  Financial responsibility for damages intentionally inflicted on the technology system Disciplinary or legal action, in accordance with the school system policy and applicable laws.

Computer Printing Policy The goal of this policy is to ensure the most efficient use of computer printing resources for Hyde Park School users. Printing costs are directly related to paper, toner, and maintenance and replacement of printers. Abuse of printing privileges takes money away from other computing activities and wastes environmental resources.

Policy Guidelines: 1. All computer printing will be driven by an expressly defined purpose that contributes to a final product. 2. Computer printing in classrooms, computer labs, and libraries will support the purpose of academic projects and learning. 3. Students will use the cut and paste functions when printing text from the Internet. 4. Students will use the cut and paste functions when printing graphics from the Internet. 5. Students will print only final drafts (not practice drafts) of products with two or more graphics. 6. First draft (text) versions of documents may be printed for revising and editing purposes. 7. No more than two copies of any small print job should be printed. If more copies are needed, the photocopiers located on campus can be used.

HYDE PARK SCHOOL SYSTEM STUDENT AGREEMENT FOR ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE 27

TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM 2017-2018

The technology system for The Hyde Park Schools System includes access to computers and computer support equipment (i.e. printers, scanners, cameras, projectors, etc.), the school system wide area network resources, and the Internet. The network resources monitor inappropriate use of this system.

RULES FOR APPROPRIATE USE: School devices, programs, and hardware are to be used solely for support of academic purposes. Login information is to be kept private at all times. If your password security has been violated, arrange to change it immediately. All students will be given a private account for login purposes. It is expressly forbidden to use another person’s login information to access resources. The school makes reasonable efforts to block inappropriate Internet sites but it is not possible to completely prevent access. If you accidentally access an inappropriate site, turn off the screen and contact a teacher immediately. School issued accounts such as Google Apps for Education are strictly for educational purposes. Students should not create, share, or save any documents or posts that could be seen as harmful or otherwise distracting to themselves or another person. Even “deleted” material in Google can be held in a viewable history, so students are strongly encouraged to refrain from all behaviors that are not school appropriate. Downloading programs on school devices without the express permission of the technology coordinator is forbidden. Posting messages or accessing materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation or illegal is restricted by law. Vandalism of technology equipment is restricted by law. Gaining access to unauthorized network resources is inappropriate and forbidden. Wasting school resources for personal use is forbidden, specifically as it pertains to printing. Printing needs should be approved by a teacher or staff person prior to printing.

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE USE: Suspension or revocation of access to the system or device Removal from class without credit Financial responsibility for damages intentionally inflicted on the technology system Disciplinary or legal action, in accordance with the school system policy and applicable laws

CLARIFICATION OF PARENT/STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: By signing the Parent Acknowledgement Form at the end of this handbook, both students and parents are acknowledging that they understand the Hyde Park School System Technology Use Policy above. Students also acknowledge that they understand that their actions while on the computer and network system are not private and can be monitored, and that any violation of these policies may result in disciplinary action and possible legal consequences. Lastly, in consideration of the privilege accorded to the student of using the Hyde Park School Technology Systems, parents and students hereby release the school system, its operators, and any institutions with which they are affiliated from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from my child’s use of, or inability to use, the system, including, without limitation, the type of damages identified in the school system policy.

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HYDE PARK FIGHT SONG

HYDE PARK PANTHERS FIGHT TO WIN THIS GAME! WE’RE BEHIND YOU CHEERING FOR YOU GLORY TO YOUR NAME (rah, rah, rah) ON TO VICTORY, HYDE PARK PANTHERS FIGHT WITH ALL YOU MIGHT! WE’LL WIN FOR RED AND GOLD

SO FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

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ALMA MATER

EVER FAITHFUL STRONG AND BOLD

OUR NAME WILL ALWAYS BE.

TO THE COLORS RED AND GOLD

WE PLEDGE OUR LOVE FOR THEE…

LOYALTY AND SERVICE TO OUR LORD

AND FELLOW MAN

MARK THE NAME OF OUR DEAR SCHOOL…

ON CHRIST WE TAKE OUR STAND.

HEART AND SOUL AND MIND AND STRENGTH

WE GIVE TO LEARN AND GROW

IN THE WISDOM FROM ON HIGH

THE PATH OF TRUTH TO KNOW.

AS WE TRAVEL THROUGH THE YEARS

AND MEMORIES ARE NIGH,

PRAISE AND THANKS WE’LL GIVE TO GOD

FOR HYDE PARK HIGH…

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Hyde Park High School Bell Schedules

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Wednesday / Chapel 0hr 7:35 – 8:25 0hr 7:35 – 8:25 1st 8:30 – 9:20 1st 8:30 - 9:15 2nd 9:25 – 10:15 2nd 9:20 - 10:05 3rd 10:20 – 11:10 3rd 10:10 - 10:55 4th 11:15 – 12:05 Chapel 11:00 - 11:30 Lunch 12:05 – 12:35 4th 11:35 - 12:20 5th 12:40 – 1:30 Lunch 12:20 - 12:50 6th 1:35 – 2:25 5th 12:55 - 1:40 7th 2:30 – 3:20 6th 1:45 - 2:30 7th 2:35 - 3:20

Pep Rally Schedule 0hr 7:35 – 8:25 1st 8:30 – 9:15 2nd 9:20 – 10:05 3rd 10:10 – 10:55 4th 11:00 – 11:45 Lunch 11:45 – 12:15 5th 12:20 – 1:05 6th 1:10 – 1:55 7th 2:00 – 2:40 Pep Rally 2:45 – 3:20

HYDE PARK HIGH SCHOOL 31

2017-2018 PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK ACKNOLWLEDGEMENT FORM

Student name ______

Grade ______

My signature indicates I have read and understand the Hyde Park High School Parent/Student handbook; I am able to obtain a hard copy of the handbook in the High School office or view it online at any time.

Signature ______

Parent Signature ______

______

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