Student Handbook Walker County Schools 2019-2020
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WALKER COUNTY SCHOOLS PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK WALKER COUNTY SCHOOLS 2019-2020 INTRODUCTION The Walker County Board of Education adopted the following Disciplinary and Academic Standards for students enrolled in Walker County Schools. The purpose of these standards shall be to maintain an overall positive school environment and atmosphere that enhances student and teacher morale and increases parental and public support of our schools. A uniform code of conduct for students is important to the pursuit of academic excellence in order that the students may have meaningful learning experiences. This can only be accomplished in schools where the environment is free from distraction caused by disruptive behavior. This handbook for students includes selected policies, some of which are abbreviated, of the Walker County Board of Education. Complete copies of the Board Policies may be found online at www.walkercountyschools.com. The purpose for this handbook is to notify students and parents about some of the more pertinent policies and rules that govern student activities, course requirements, and student behavior. The principal of each school is authorized and directed to develop additional rules and regulations consistent with policies, rules, and regulations of the Walker County Board of Education which may be necessary to govern the conduct of students under his/her supervision. Local school rules and regulations are normally printed at the beginning of the school year and distributed to students at the local school. The Walker County Schools Parent-Student Handbook is a system-wide publication and is intended as additional communication from the school to the home. SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION Dr. Joel Hagood BOARD MEMBERS Chairman- Brad Ingle District 1- Trent Kennedy District 3- Vonda Beaty District 2- Todd Vick District 4- Lee Ann Headrick 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS DISTRICT/FEDERAL INFORMATION ................................................................ 1-9 Introduction...…………………......................................................... inside front cover Board of Education Members……………………………………….inside front cover Federal Programs .................................................................................................... 1 Student Education Records ..................................................................................... 2 Notice for Directory Information ............................................................................ 3 Parents Right To Know ........................................................................................... 5 Parental Responsibilities ......................................................................................... 8 2019-2020 CALENDARS .......................................................................................... 9-10 Student School Calendar ......................................................................................... 9 Grading Period Schedule ........................................................................................ 10 ADMISSIONS ............................................................................................................ 10 Age and Documentation Requirements ................................................................... 10 Homeless, Migrant, and English Language Learner Students ................................. 11 ACADEMICS ............................................................................................................. 11-23 Vision/Mission/Beliefs and Core Values ................................................................ 11 Gifted Education ..................................................................................................... 12 Exceptional Education ............................................................................................ 12 Cumulative Records ................................................................................................ 13 Homework .............................................................................................................. 13 Tutoring .................................................................................................................. 13 Dual Enrollment/AP Classes ................................................................................... 13 Cheating .................................................................................................................. 13 Exemption Policy .................................................................................................... 13 Averaging Grades: Grades K-8/Year Long High School Course ............................ 14 Academic Achievement Key (K-2) ………………………………………………...14 Grading Scale .......................................................................................................... 14 Averaging Grades: Block Schedule ........................................................................ 15 Honor Roll .............................................................................................................. 15 Promotion and Retention ....................................................................................... 16 High School: Placement and Graduation Requirements ......................................... 16 Graduation Requirements – Diplomas .................................................................... 16-21 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Criteria ................................................................... 21 Continuous Improvement Plan ................................................................................ 22 Library Books ......................................................................................................... 23 Textbooks ............................................................................................................... 23 ATTENDANCE ......................................................................................................... 23-34 Regulations Governing Attendance ........................................................................ 23 Absenteeism ........................................................................................................... 24 Excessive Absences …………………………………………………………………24 Tardies/Check Ins/Check Outs ................................................................................ 26 Discipline Procedures: Unexcused Tardies/Check-Out........................................... 27 Attendance Hearing/Truancy Program .................................................................... 27 Transfer and Withdrawal Procedures ...................................................................... 31 ii Assignment of Students to Schools ......................................................................... 33 Legal Custody ......................................................................................................... 34 DISCIPLINE .............................................................................................................. 34-53 Student Conduct ...................................................................................................... 34 Jurisdiction of the Walker County School System .................................................. 34 Student Complaints and Grievances ....................................................................... 34 Due Process ............................................................................................................ 35 Corporal Punishment .............................................................................................. 35 Cell Phones and Electronic Devices ........................................................................ 36 Detention................................................................................................................. 39 Suspension .............................................................................................................. 40 Expulsion ................................................................................................................ 40 180° Program .......................................................................................................... 40 Student Anti-Bullying ............................................................................................. 41 Tobacco/Vaping ...................................................................................................... 41 Drugs, Alcohol, Weapons, Physical Threat or Harm .............................................. 41 Gun-Free (Weapon) Policy ..................................................................................... 42 Vandalism ............................................................................................................... 42 Pistol Possession/Driver’s License.......................................................................... 42 Drug Search Policy ................................................................................................. 43 Interrogation and Searches by School Officials ...................................................... 43 Interrogation and Searches by Law Enforcement Officials ..................................... 43 Physical Restraint Policy ........................................................................................ 44 Classification of Violations ..................................................................................... 44-50 Admission to and Conduct at School Events .........................................................