2011-2012
ALVIN ISD STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK AND CODE OF CONDUCT
ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AISD CAMPUSES
Alvin High School (9 – 12) Manvel High School (9-12) Principal – Kathy Windsor Principal – Darrell Alexander 802 South Johnson 19601 Hwy. 6 Alvin, Texas 77511 Manvel, Texas 77578 Office – 281-245-3000 Office – 281-245-2232
Alvin Junior High (6– 8) Longfellow Elementary (3 – 5) Principal – Trent Thrasher Principal – Dee Dee Baker 2300 West South Street 1300 E. House Street Alvin, Texas 77511 Alvin, Texas 77511 Office – 281-585-3397 Office – 281-585-3397
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary (PreK-5) Mark Twain Primary (Pre-K – 2) Principal – Terri Bruce Principal – Brenda Vincent 2225 Kingsley Dr. 610 East Clemens Pearland, Texas 77584 Alvin, Texas 77511 Office – 281-245-3090 Office – 281-585-5318
Nolan Ryan Junior High (6-8) Savannah Lakes Elementary (PreK-5) Principal: Christina Lovette Principal: Elizabeth Sassin 11500 Shadow Creek Parkway 5151 Savannah Parkway Pearland, Texas 77584 Pearland, Texas 77584 Office – 281-245-3210 Office – 281-245-3212
Fairview Junior High (6-8) Mary Marek Elementary (Pre-K – 2) Principal: Kelley Jackson Principal – Jessica McMullen 12722 CR 190 1947 Kirby Drive Alvin, TX 77511 Pearland, Texas 77584 Office – 281-245-3100 Office – 713-436-0180
Harby Junior High (6 – 8) Walt Disney Elementary (3-5) Principal – Dr. Johnny Briseño Principal – Dale Tribble 1500 Heights Road 5000 Mustang Road Alvin, Texas 77511 Alvin, Texas 77511 Office – 281-388-2246 Office - 281-331-9959
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Manvel Junior High (6 – 8) R. L. Stevenson Primary (Pre-K – 2) Principal – Shawn Williams Principal – Julie Weiss 7350 Lewis Lane 4715 Mustang Road Manvel, Texas 77578 Alvin, Texas 77511 Office - 281-245-2078 Office – 281-585-3349
ASSETS Learning Center (7 –12) E. C. Mason Elementary (Pre-K – 5) Principal – Tracy Hummel Principal – Fulvia Shaw 605 E. House Street 7400 Lewis Lane Alvin, Texas 77511 Manvel, Texas 77578 Office – 281-331-1690 Office – 281-489-7251
M. L. Passmore Elementary (Pre-K – 5) Alvin Elementary (3-5) Principal – Carol Nelson Principal – Tracy Olvera 600 Kost Road 1910 Rosharon Road Alvin, Texas 77511 Alvin, Texas 77511 Office – 281-585-6696 Office – 281-585-2511
Hood-Case Elementary (Pre-K – 5) Don Jeter Elementary (Pre-K – 5) Principal– Donna McMillan Principal – Kim Fox 1450 Heights Road 2455 County Rd. 58 Alvin, Texas 77511 Manvel, Texas 77578 Office – 281-585-5786 Office – 281-245-3055
Alvin Primary (Pre-K – 2) ADAPT Center (6-12) Principal – Diane Peltier Principal – Donald Brown 2200 West Park 802 S. Johnson St Alvin, Texas 77511 Alvin, TX 77511 Office - 281-585-2531 Office – 281-245-2681
Glen York Elementary (Pre-K – 2) Principal – Kimberly Wells 2720 Kingsley Drive Pearland, Texas 77584 Office - 281-245- 2100
3 Alvin Independent School District
Dr. Fred Brent, Superintendent of Schools 301 East House Street Alvin, Texas 77511 (281) 388 – 1130
Alvin Independent School District Board of Trustees
Earl Humbird, President Tiffany Wennerstrom, Vice-President Charles McCauley, Secretary Pete Vincent Sue Stinger Mark Patterson Eddie Martinez Mission Statement The mission of Alvin Independent School District, the center for public education, is to offer exemplary programs enabling all students to possess the ability to learn for the rest of their lives and become productive citizens. District Goals Alvin Independent School District District Performance Goals 2011-2012
Academic Performance Student academic performance on state and national exams will reflect continuous improvement and excellence in learning. Emphasis will be placed on initiating strategies aimed at closing the achievement gap for at-risk, limited English proficient, special education, and economically disadvantaged students. Students will have access to extensive advanced academic offerings and programs designed to provide college credit. Alvin ISD will expand course offerings in Career and Technical Education with an emphasis on skilled trades.
4 Teachers and Staff Alvin ISD will attract and retain the highest quality teachers and staff and support their efforts with quality professional development. Competitive district salary schedules, benefits, and a quality environment for teaching and learning will be emphasized. Meaningful professional development opportunities will be provided that support school district goals and continuous professional growth for personnel.
Technology Alvin ISD will invest in evolving technology and maintaining existing infrastructure in order to promote student/technology engagement in the teaching and learning process. The district will provide technology that supports efficient administrative, district support, and teaching activities. Technology professional development and training opportunities for personnel will be emphasized.
Facilities Facilities will be provided that are supportive of a quality instructional program and represent the importance of public education within the community. Facility improvements will reflect the importance of energy management and conservation in maintaining efficient fiscal operations. Community input and involvement will be sought if new facilities or significant renovations are proposed by the district. Facilities will be provided that provide a safe and secure environment for students and district personnel.
Parental/Community Involvement Alvin ISD will actively engage parents and the district communities in the education process of our students. The district will provide opportunities for parents and community members to become active campus volunteers. Available positions on the District Improvement Committee, Campus Improvement Committees, and other committees that contribute to the success of the district will be made known to the general public.
Fiscal Responsibility Alvin ISD will be efficient managers of all district revenues by targeting expenditures through careful planning and goal setting strategies. District goals and priorities will be supported by appropriate budget allocations. Alvin ISD will widely distribute information concerning the district budget, tax rate, and accountability ratings associated with fiscal management.
5 THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED, SIGNED, AND RETURNED TO SCHOOL
Name of Student______Grade ______
2011 - 2012 Student Handbook Please read and discuss with your child the information in Student Handbook, which includes the Student Code of Conduct. You and your child should sign at the bottom once you have reviewed this information. Your signature acknowledges that you understand that you are not receiving a paper copy of the student handbook and that the complete handbook can be accessed online at www.alvinisd.net in accordance with Alvin ISD Board Policy and the Texas Education Code. If you prefer a paper copy of the handbook, please notify the school principal.
My child and I have reviewed the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct and I understand that my child will be subject to school discipline and possibly to criminal prosecution if he or she is found to have violated the District’s Student Code of Conduct. I also understand that my child will be held accountable for his/her behavior and will be subject to disciplinary consequences outlined in the code. Pursuant to House Bill 603 of the 79th Legislature, consideration is given [in a decision to order suspension, removal to a disciplinary alternative education program (AEP), or expulsion] to self-defense, intent or lack of intent at the time the student engaged in the conduct, a student’s disciplinary history, or a disability that substantially impairs the student’s capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student’s conduct.
One of the behavior management techniques listed in the Student Code of Conduct that may be used at some campuses is corporal punishment. If it is used at your child’s school, please circle and initial yes if you give permission for corporal punishment to be administered or no if you do not want corporal punishment to be administered.
_____ Yes _____ No
Students are assigned a password to access the internet for research, information, etc. and are always closely monitored when using the internet. Students must agree to abide by the District’s Electronic Acceptable Use Policy (located in the Student Handbook), and understand that any violation of the regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal offense. Should a student commit any violation, his/her access privileges may be revoked, disciplinary and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. If you do not want your child to have access to the internet through a school computer, please notify the principal in writing within 10 days of the beginning of school.
According to state law and the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), certain “directory information” about students (name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, awards {honor roll, top graduates, science fair, etc.}, photographs, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of
6 athletic teams, dates of attendance, enrollment status, e-mail address) will be released to anyone (institutions of higher education and military recruiters as indicated in Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act) who follows District-approved procedures for requesting it, unless the parent objects to the release of directory information about their child. Information (listed above) that you do not want released should be indicated in writing to the principal within 10 days of the beginning of school.
From time to time, students are photographed, videotaped, or recorded by a representative of the school district or the local media for purposes of safety, maintenance of discipline in school or on school buses, any purpose related to a co-curricular or extra-curricular activity, awards, or any purpose related to regular classroom instruction. (Examples include, but are not limited to newspaper, photo or work posted on website, yearbook, etc.). There is no financial remuneration if photos or work is used and Alvin ISD is released from any future claims, as well as any liability arising from the use of said items. If you do not want your child photographed or videotaped or his/her work used, please notify the principal in writing within 10 days of the beginning of school.
I have read the above information.
Parent’s Signature ______
Student’s Signature ______
Educational opportunities are offered by the Alvin Independent School District without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability.
7 Table of Contents PREFACE ...... 13 SECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ...... 14 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT...... 14 Working Together ...... 14 Parent Involvement Coordinator ...... 15 PARENTAL RIGHTS ...... 15 Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights...... 15 “Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities ...... 16 Inspecting Surveys ...... 16 Requesting Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Staff ...... 16 Reviewing Instructional Materials ...... 16 Displaying a Student’s Artwork and Projects ...... 16 Accessing Student Records ...... 17 Granting Permission to Video or Audio Record a Student ...... 17 Granting Permission to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction ...... 17 Removing a Student Temporarily from the Classroom ...... 17 Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction ...... 18 Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags ...... 18 Excusing a Student from Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence ...... 18 Requesting Notices of Certain Student Misconduct ...... 19 School Safety Transfers ...... 19 Requesting Classroom Assignment for Multiple Birth Siblings...... 20 Parents of Students with Disabilities ...... 20 Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education ...... 20 Accommodations for Children of Military Families ...... 21 Student Records ...... 21 Directory Information ...... 23 Directory Information for School-Sponsored Purposes ...... 23 Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education ...... 23 SECTION II: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS.. 24 ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE ...... 24 Compulsory Attendance...... 24
8 Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance ...... 25 Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance ...... 25 Attendance for Credit ...... 26 Parent’s Note after an Absence ...... 27 Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness ...... 27 Driver License Attendance Verification ...... 27 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ...... 28 AWARDS AND HONORS ...... 28 BULLYING ...... 28 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS ...... 28 CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ...... 29 CLASS RANK / TOP TEN PERCENT / HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT ...... 30 CLASS SCHEDULES ...... 30 COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES ...... 30 COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ...... 31 COMPUTER RESOURCES ...... 31 CONDUCT ...... 32 Applicability of School Rules ...... 32 Corporal Punishment ...... 32 Disruptions ...... 32 Telecommunications Devices, Including Mobile Telephones ...... 32 Other Electronic Devices ...... 33 Inappropriate Use of Technology ...... 33 Social Events ...... 33 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES / CONDITIONS ...... 34 CORRESPONDENCE COURSES ...... 34 COUNSELING ...... 34 Academic Counseling ...... 34 Personal Counseling...... 34 Psychological Exams, Tests, or Treatment ...... 34 CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Taken the Course ...... 35 CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Not Taken the Course ...... 35 DATING VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION ...... 35 Dating Violence ...... 35
9 Discrimination...... 36 Harassment ...... 36 Sexual Harassment ...... 36 Retaliation ...... 36 Reporting Procedures ...... 37 Investigation of Report ...... 37 DISCRIMINATION ...... 37 DISTANCE LEARNING ...... 37 DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS OR DOCUMENTS ...... 37 School Materials ...... 37 Nonschool Materials...from students ...... 38 Nonschool Materials...from others...... 38 DRESS AND GROOMING ...... 38 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS ...... 41 Standards of Behavior ...... 42 Offices and Elections ...... 42 FEES ...... 43 FUND-RAISING ...... 43 GANG-FREE ZONES ...... 44 GRADE CLASSIFICATION ...... 45 GRADING GUIDELINES ...... 45 GRADUATION ...... 45 Requirements for a Diploma ...... 45 Graduation Programs ...... 46 Certificates of Coursework Completion ...... 48 Students with Disabilities ...... 48 Graduation Activities ...... 49 Graduation Speakers ...... 49 Graduation Expenses ...... 49 State Scholarships and Grants ...... 50 HARASSMENT ...... 50 HEALTH-RELATED MATTERS ...... 50 Bacterial Meningitis ...... 51 Physical Activity for Students in Elementary and Middle School ...... 52
10 School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) ...... 52 Other Health-Related Matters ...... 52 Physical Fitness Assessment ...... 52 Vending Machines ...... 52 Tobacco Prohibited ...... 52 Asbestos Management Plan ...... 53 Pest Management Plan ...... 54 HOMELESS STUDENTS ...... 55 IMMUNIZATION ...... 55 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ...... 56 Questioning of Students ...... 56 Students Taken Into Custody ...... 56 Notification of Law Violations ...... 57 MAKEUP WORK ...... 57 Makeup Work Because of Absence ...... 57 DAEP Makeup Work ...... 58 In-school Suspension (ISS) Makeup Work...... 58 MEDICINE AT SCHOOL ...... 58 Acanthosis Nigricans ...... 60 Spinal Screening ...... 61 Psychotropic Drugs ...... 62 NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT ...... 62 NONTRADITIONAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ...... 62 PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS / HEALTH SCREENINGS...... 63 PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MINUTE OF SILENCE ...... 63 PRAYER ...... 63 PROMOTION AND RETENTION ...... 64 RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL ...... 65 REPORT CARDS / PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES ...... 65 RETALIATION ...... 66 SAFETY ...... 66 Accident Insurance...... 66 Drills: Fire, Tornado, and Other Emergencies ...... 66 Emergency Medical Treatment and Information ...... 66
11 Emergency School-Closing Information ...... 67 SAT, ACT, AND OTHER STANDARDIZED TESTS ...... 67 SCHOOL FACILITIES ...... 67 Use by Students Before and After School ...... 67 Conduct Before and After School ...... 67 Use of Hallways During Class Time ...... 68 Cafeteria Services ...... 68 Library...... 68 Meetings of Noncurriculum-Related Groups...... 69 SEARCHES ...... 69 Students’ Desks and Lockers ...... 69 Vehicles on Campus ...... 70 Trained Dogs ...... 70 Drug-Testing ...... 70 SPECIAL PROGRAMS ...... 70 STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) ...... 71 TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) ...... 72 STEROIDS ...... 72 STUDENT SPEAKERS ...... 73 SUMMER SCHOOL ...... 73 TARDINESS...... 74 TEXTBOOKS, ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS, AND TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT.. 75 TRANSFERS ...... 75 TRANSPORTATION ...... 75 School-Sponsored Trips ...... 75 Buses and Other School Vehicles ...... 76 VANDALISM...... 79 VIDEO CAMERAS ...... 80 VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL ...... 80 General Visitors ...... 80 Visitors Participating in Special Programs for Students ...... 80 WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL ...... 80 Glossary ...... 81 PREFACE
12 To Students and Parents: Welcome to school year 2011-2012! Education is a team effort, and we know that students, parents, teachers, and other staff members all working together can make this a wonderfully successful year for our students. [Alvin ISD] Student Handbook is designed to provide a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will need during the school year. In an effort to make it easier to use, the handbook is divided into two sections: Section I—PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES—with information to assist you in responding to school-related issues. We encourage you to take some time to closely review this section of the handbook. Section II—OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS— organized alphabetically by topic for quick access when searching for information on a specific issue. Please be aware that the term “the student’s parent” is used to refer to the parent, legal guardian, or any other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student. Both students and parents should become familiar with the [Alvin ISD] Student Code of Conduct, which is a document, adopted by the board and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. That document may be found [posted on Alvin ISD website, www.alvinisd.net, or available in the principal’s office]. The Student Handbook is designed to be in harmony with board policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy or other rules that affect Student Handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters or other communications. In case of conflict between board policy (including the Student Code of Conduct) and any provisions of the Student Handbook, the current provisions of board policy and the Student Code of Conduct are to be followed. After reading through the entire handbook with your child, keep it as a reference during this school year. If you or your child has questions about any of the material in this handbook, please contact [his or her child’s principal or assistant principal at the number on the inside front cover of this handbook]. Also, please complete and return to your child’s campus the following required forms [included in this handbook]: 1. Parental Acknowledgment Form; 2. Student Directory Information and Release of Student Information Form; 3. Release of Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education Form; and 4. Consent/Opt-Out Form. [See Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights on page 15 and Directory Information on page 23 for more information.]
13 Please note that references to policy codes are included so that parents can refer to current board policy. A copy of Alvin ISD’s policy manual is available for review online at www.alvinisd.net]. SECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES This section of the [Alvin ISD] Student Handbook includes information on topics of particular interest to you as a parent.
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, Alvin ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including college, technical, and career programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
All other concerns regarding discrimination: Please contact Tim Turner, Director of Administrative Services, 281-388-1130
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT Working Together Both experience and research tell us that a child’s education succeeds best when there is good communication and a strong partnership between home and school. Your involvement in this partnership may include: Encouraging your child to put a high priority on education and working with your child on a daily basis to make the most of the educational opportunities the school provides. Ensuring that your child completes all homework assignments and special projects and comes to school each day prepared, rested, and ready to learn. Becoming familiar with all of your child’s school activities and with the academic programs, including special programs, offered in Alvin ISD. Discussing with the counselor or principal any questions you may have about the options and opportunities available to your child. Reviewing the requirements of the graduation programs with your child, if your child is entering ninth grade. Monitoring your child’s academic progress and contacting teachers as needed. [See Academic Counseling on page 34 and Academic Programs on page 28.] Attending scheduled conferences and requesting additional conferences as needed. To schedule a telephone or in-person conference with a teacher, counselor, or principal, please call the school office at [the number listed in the front of this handbook] for an appointment. The teacher will usually return your call or meet with you during his or her conference period or before or after school. [See Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences on page 66.]
14 Becoming a school volunteer. [For further information, see policies at GKG or [contact his or her child’s principal at the number listed in the front cover of this handbook].] Participating in campus parent organizations. Parent organizations include: [PTO, PTA, booster clubs, etc.]. Serving as a parent representative on Alvin ISD level or campus-level planning committees, assisting in the development of educational goals and plans to improve student achievement. For further information, see policies at BQA and BQB. Serving on the School Health Advisory Council, assisting the Alvin ISD in ensuring local community values are reflected in health education instruction. [See policies at BDF, EHAA, FFA, and information in this handbook at School Health Advisory Council on page 52.] Attending board meetings to learn more about Alvin ISD operations. Board meetings are currently held the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7pm in the Central Office Board Room, 301 E. House St. Alvin, TX [See policies at BE and BED for more information.] Parent Involvement Coordinator The Parent Involvement Coordinator, who works with parents of students participating in Title I programs is [Denise Babb, Director of Student Acceleration] and may be contacted at [281-388- 1130].
PARENTAL RIGHTS Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights Your child will not be required to participate without parental consent in any survey, analysis, or evaluation—funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education—that concerns: Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family. Sexual behavior or attitudes. Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior. Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student has a close family relationship. Relationships privileged under law, such as relationships with lawyers, physicians, and ministers. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents. Income, except when the information is required by law and will be used to determine the student’s eligibility to participate in a special program or to receive financial assistance under such a program. You will be able to inspect the survey or other instrument and any instructional materials used in connection with such a survey, analysis, or evaluation. [For further information, see policy EF(LEGAL).]
15 “Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities As a parent, you have a right to receive notice of and deny permission for your child’s participation in: Any survey concerning the private information listed above, regardless of funding. School activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information gathered from your child for the purpose of marketing or selling that information. Any nonemergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered and scheduled by the school in advance and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the student. Exceptions are hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under state law. [See policies EF and FFAA.] Inspecting Surveys A parent may inspect a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed to his or her child. Requesting Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Staff You may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers, including whether a teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction; whether the teacher has an emergency permit or other provisional status for which state requirements have been waived; and undergraduate and graduate degree majors, graduate certifications, and the field of study of the certification or degree. You also have the right to request information about the qualifications of any paraprofessional who may provide services to your child. Reviewing Instructional Materials As a parent, you have a right to review teaching materials, textbooks, and other teaching aids and instructional materials used in the curriculum, and to examine tests that have been administered to your child. [Also see Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction on page 18 for additional information.] Displaying a Student’s Artwork and Projects Teachers may display students’ work in classrooms or elsewhere on campus as recognition of student achievement. Alvin ISD will seek parental consent before displaying students’ artwork, special projects, photographs taken by students, and the like on Alvin ISD’s Web site, in printed material, by video, or by any other method of mass communication.
16 Accessing Student Records You may review your child’s student records. These records include: Attendance records, Test scores, Grades, Disciplinary records, Counseling records, Psychological records, Applications for admission, Health and immunization information, Other medical records, Teacher and counselor evaluations, Reports of behavioral patterns, and State assessment instruments that have been administered to your child. [See Student Records on page 21.] Granting Permission to Video or Audio Record a Student As a parent, you may grant or deny any written request from Alvin ISD to make a video or voice recording of your child. State law, however, permits the school to make a video or voice recording without parental permission for the following circumstances: When it is to be used for school safety; When it relates to classroom instruction or a co-curricular or extracurricular activity; or When it relates to media coverage of the school. Granting Permission to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction As a parent, if your child is under the age of 14, you must grant permission for your child to receive instruction in Alvin ISD’s parenting and paternity awareness program or your child will not be allowed to participate in the instruction. This program, developed by the Office of the Texas Attorney General and the State Board of Education (SBOE), is incorporated into Alvin ISD’s health education classes. Removing a Student Temporarily from the Classroom You may remove your child temporarily from the classroom if an instructional activity in which your child is scheduled to participate conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs. The removal cannot be for the purpose of avoiding a test and may not extend for an entire semester. Further, your child must satisfy grade-level and graduation requirements as determined by the school and by the Texas Education Agency.
17 Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction As a part of Alvin ISD’s curriculum, students receive instruction related to human sexuality. The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is involved with the selection of course materials for such instruction. State law requires that any instruction related to human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, or human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome must: Present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relationship to all sexual activity for unmarried persons of school age; Devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than to any other behavior; Emphasize that abstinence is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity; Direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in which abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; and If included in the content of the curriculum, teach contraception and condom use in terms of human use reality rates instead of theoretical laboratory rates. In accordance with state law, below is a summary of Alvin ISD’s curriculum regarding human sexuality instruction: [The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills outline the Human Sexuality concepts that are taught as part of the high school health curriculum. Alvin ISD high school health curriculum does not go beyond the concepts outlined in the TEKS. To access the Health TEKS, go to www.tea.state.tx.us. The TEKS for High School Health 1 can be found in Chapter 115, subchapter C. .] As a parent, you are entitled to review the curriculum materials. In addition, you may remove your child from any part of this instruction with no academic, disciplinary, or other penalties. You may also choose to become more involved with the development of curriculum used for this purpose by becoming a member of Alvin ISD’s SHAC. Please contact Kevon Wells, Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum if you would like to review the high school Health 1 textbook and resources. Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags As a parent, you may request that your child be excused from participation in the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. The request must be in writing. State law does not allow your child to be excused from participation in the required minute of silence or silent activity that follows. [See Pledges of Allegiance and a Minute of Silence on page 64 and policy EC(LEGAL).] Excusing a Student from Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence A parent may request that your child be excused from recitation of a portion of the Declaration of Independence. State law requires students in social studies classes in grades 3–12 to recite a portion of the text of the Declaration of Independence during Celebrate Freedom Week unless
18 (1) you provide a written statement requesting that your child be excused, (2) Alvin ISD determines that your child has a conscientious objection to the recitation, or (3) you are a representative of a foreign government to whom the United States government extends diplomatic immunity. [See policy EHBK(LEGAL).] Requesting Limited or No Contact with a Student through Electronic Media Teachers and other approved employees are permitted by the district to communicate with students through the use of electronic media within the scope of the individual’s professional responsibilities. For example, a teacher may set up a social networking page for his or her class that has information related to class work, homework, and tests. As a parent, you are welcome to join or become a member of such a page. An employee described above may also contact a student individually through electronic media to communicate about items such as homework or upcoming tests. If you prefer that your child not receive any one-to-one electronic communications from a district employee, please submit a written request to the campus principal stating this preference.
Requesting Notices of Certain Student Misconduct A noncustodial parent may request in writing that he or she be provided, for the remainder of the school year, a copy of any written notice usually provided to a parent related to his or her child’s misconduct that may involve placement in the Alternative Education Center (ISS) or expulsion to the Alvin Disciplinary Alternative Teaching center (ADAPT). [See policy FO (LEGAL) and the Student Code of Conduct.]
School Safety Transfers As a parent, you have a right:
To request School Safety Transfers or In-District Transfers for your child contact [Tim Turner Director of Administrative Services, 281-388-1130]
To have been a victim of bullying as the term is defined by Education Code 25.0341. Transportation is not provided for a transfer to another campus. See the [Director of Administrative Services] for information. [See policy FDB.] [See Bullying on page 28, and policy FFI (LOCAL).] To request the transfer of your child to attend a safe public school in Alvin ISD if your child attends school at a campus identified by TEA as persistently dangerous or if your child has been a victim of a violent criminal offense while at school or on school grounds. [See policy FDE (LOCAL).] To request the transfer of your child to another campus [or a neighboring district] if your child has been the victim of a sexual assault by another student assigned to the same campus, whether that assault occurred on or off campus and that student has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for that assault. [See policy FDE.]
19 All transfers must be made by the deadline set by Alvin ISD. This deadline will be set each year for a time between Spring Break and the third week of April. Requesting Classroom Assignment for Multiple Birth Siblings As a parent, if your children are multiple birth siblings (e.g., twins, triplets, etc.) assigned to the same grade and campus, you may request that they be placed either in the same classroom or in separate classrooms. Your written request must be submitted no later than the 14th day after the enrollment of your children. [See policy FDB (LEGAL).] Parents of Students with Disabilities Parents of students with learning difficulties or who may need special education services may request an evaluation for special education at any time. For more information, contact [Dr. Loree Brutton] at [281-388-1130]. Request for the Use of a Service Animal A parent of a student who uses a service animal because of the student’s disability must submit a request in writing to the principal at least ten district business days before bringing the service animal on campus. Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education If a child is experiencing learning difficulties, the parent may contact the person listed below to learn about the Alvin ISD’s overall general education referral or screening system for support services. This system links students to a variety of support options, including referral for a special education evaluation. Students having difficulty in the regular classroom should be considered for tutorial, compensatory, and other academic or behavior support services that are available to all students including a process based on Response to Intervention. The implementation of Response to Intervention has the potential to have a positive impact on the ability of school districts to meet the needs of all struggling students. At any time, a parent is entitled to request an evaluation for special education services. Within a reasonable amount of time, the Alvin ISD must decide if the evaluation is needed. If the evaluation is needed, the parent will be notified and asked to provide informed written consent for the evaluation. Alvin ISD must complete the evaluation and the report within 60 calendar days of the date the Alvin ISD receives the written consent. Alvin ISD must give a copy of the report to the parent. If Alvin ISD determines that the evaluation is not needed, Alvin ISD will provide the parent with a written notice that explains why the child will not be evaluated. This written notice will include a statement that informs the parent of his or her rights if the parent disagrees with Alvin ISD. Additionally, the notice must inform the parent how to obtain a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards—Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities. The designated person to contact regarding options for a child experiencing learning difficulties or a referral for evaluation for special education is [Dr. Loree Bruton] at [281-388-1130]. If a student is receiving special education services at a campus outside his or her attendance zone, the parent or guardian may request that any other student residing in the household be
20 transferred to the same campus, if the appropriate grade level for the transferring student is offered on that campus. [See policy FDB (LOCAL).] Parents of Students who speak a Primary Language Other than English A student may be eligible to receive specialized support if his or her primary language is not English, and the student has difficulty performing ordinary class work in English. If the student qualifies for these extra services, the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will determine the types of services the student needs, including accommodations or modifications related to classroom instruction, local assessments, and state-mandated assessments. Accommodations for Children of Military Families Children of military families will be provided flexibility regarding certain Alvin ISD requirements, including: Immunization requirements. Grade level, course, or educational program placement. Eligibility requirements for participation in extracurricular activities. Graduation requirements. In addition, absences related to a student visiting with his or her parent related to leave or deployment activities may be excused by the Alvin ISD. Additional information may be found at Student Records Both federal and state laws safeguard student records from unauthorized inspection or use and provide parents and eligible students certain rights of privacy. Before disclosing any personally identifiable information from a student’s records, Alvin ISD must verify the identity of the person, including a parent or the student, requesting the information. For purposes of student records, an “eligible” student is one who is 18 or older OR who is attending an institution of postsecondary education. Virtually all information pertaining to student performance, including grades, test results, and disciplinary records, is considered confidential educational records. Release is restricted to: The parents—whether married, separated, or divorced—unless the school is given a copy of a court order terminating parental rights or the right to access a student’s education records. Federal law requires that, as soon as a student becomes 18, is emancipated by a court, or enrolls in a postsecondary institution, control of the records goes to the student. The parents may continue to have access to the records, however, if the student is a dependent for tax purposes and under limited circumstances when there is a threat to the health and safety of the student or other individuals. Alvin ISD school officials who have what federal law refers to as a “legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records. School officials would include trustees and employees, such as the superintendent, administrators, and principals; teachers, counselors, diagnosticians, and support staff; a person or company with whom Alvin ISD has contracted or allowed to provide a particular service or function (such as an attorney, consultant, auditor, medical consultant, therapist, or volunteer); a parent or student serving on a school committee; or a
21 parent or student assisting a school official in the performance of his or her duties. “Legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records includes working with the student; considering disciplinary or academic actions, the student’s case, or an individualized education program for a student with disabilities; compiling statistical data; reviewing an educational record to fulfill the official’s professional responsibility; or investigating or evaluating programs. Various governmental agencies. Individuals granted access in response to a subpoena or court order. A school or institution of postsecondary education to which a student seeks or intends to enroll or in which he or she is already enrolled. Release to any other person or agency—such as a prospective employer or for a scholarship application—will occur only with parental or student permission as appropriate. The [principal] is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The [principal] is the custodian of all records for students who have withdrawn or graduated. Records may be inspected by a parent or eligible student during regular school hours. The records custodian or designee will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of the records. A parent or eligible student who provides a written request and pays copying costs of ten cents per page may obtain copies. If circumstances prevent inspection during regular school hours and the student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, Alvin ISD will either provide a copy of the records requested or make other arrangements for the parent or student to review these records. The address of the superintendent’s office is [301 E. House Street Alvin, TX 77511] The address of his or her child’s school office is located at the front of this handbook. A parent (or eligible student) may inspect the student’s records and request a correction if the records are considered inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. A request to correct a student’s record should be submitted to the [principal or superintendent]. The request must clearly identify the part of the record that should be corrected and include an explanation of how the information in the record is inaccurate. If Alvin ISD denies the request to amend the records, the parent or eligible student has the right to request a hearing. If the records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the parent or eligible student has 30 school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the information in the student’s record. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, contesting a student’s grade in a course is handled through the general complaint process found in policy FNG(LOCAL). A grade issued by a classroom teacher can be changed only if, as determined by the board of trustees, the grade is arbitrary, erroneous, or inconsistent with Alvin ISD’s grading policy. [See FINALITY OF GRADES at FNG (LEGAL), Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences on page 66, and Student or Parent Complaints and Concerns on page 31 for an overview of the process.] Alvin ISD’s policy regarding student records found at FL (LEGAL) and (LOCAL) is available from the principal’s or superintendent’s office [or on Alvin ISD’s Web site at www.alvinisd.net.
22 The parent’s or eligible student’s right of access to and copies of student records do not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational records—such as a teacher’s personal notes about a student that are shared only with a substitute teacher—do not have to be made available to the parents or student. Please note: Parents or eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe Alvin ISD is not in compliance with federal law regarding student records. The complaint may be mailed to:
Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5901
Directory Information The law permits Alvin ISD to designate certain personal information about students as “directory information.” This “directory information” will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it. However, release of a student’s directory information may be prevented by the parent or an eligible student. This objection must be made in writing to the principal within ten school days of your child’s first day of instruction for this school year [or his or her child’s first day of instruction for this school year or at a date established by Alvin ISD]. [See the “Notice Regarding Directory Information and Parent’s Response Regarding Release of Student Information” included in this handbook OR included in the forms packet.] Directory Information for School-Sponsored Purposes Alvin ISD often needs to use student information for school-sponsored purposes. For more information please see board policy FL (LOCAL)]. For these specific school-sponsored purposes, Alvin ISD would like to use your child’s [name, address, telephone number, email address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, degrees, honors, awards, attendance, grade level, most recent educational institution, officially recognized activities and sports, height and weight.]. This information will not be used for other purposes without the consent of the parent or eligible student, except as described above at Directory Information. Unless you object to the use of your child’s information for these limited purposes, the school will not need to ask your permission each time Alvin ISD wishes to use this information for the school-sponsored purposes listed above. Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education Alvin ISD is required by federal law to comply with a request by a military recruiter or an institution of higher education for students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings, unless parents have advised Alvin ISD not to release their child’s information without prior written
23 consent. A form has been attached for you to complete if you do not want Alvin ISD to provide this information to military recruiters or institutions of higher education. SECTION II: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS Topics in this section of the handbook contain important information on academics, school activities, and school operations and requirements. Take a moment with your child to become familiar with the various issues addressed in this section. It is organized in alphabetical order to serve as a quick-reference when you or your child has a question about a specific school-related issue. Should you be unable to find the information on a particular topic, please contact [Tim Turner, Director of Administrative Services, at 281-388-1130].
ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws—one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for course credit—are of special interest to students and parents. They are discussed below. Compulsory Attendance All data confirms the correlation between student attendance and student success in school. The responsibility for good attendance falls on everyone involved in the child’s education. Parents, guardians and school personal should make every effort for the student to attend everyday for the entire instructional day. Students: Students should make every effort to attend class everyday that classes are in session. They should be well rested and prepared to participate in their class each day. When the class role is taken, students should be attentive and answer clearly when called upon. Students should strive to be on time to all classes, and are to follow attendance rules set by the campus when checking into and out of school. Parent / Guardians: The parent / guardian should be familiar with the school schedule and provide the emotional and physical support their child needs to be prepared for each school day. Anytime a student misses any part of the instructional day the parent should communicate in writing with the school so appropriate documentation is available to account for a student’s absence. When any home contact information changes, parents are asked to notify the school. These changes include address, phone / cell numbers, e-mail address, the name of those authorized to access your child or any information that will help the school communicate with the parent or guardian.
24 School Personnel: Personnel shall provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students. School personnel shall openly communicate with the parent / guardian and provide documentation when needed to show an accurate accounting of the student’s attendance. During the registration process and during the student’s enrollment, the school shall acquire, update and document accurate information that will assist in communication with the parent or guardian. State law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt. A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her 18th birthday is required to attend each school day until the end of the school year and is subject to compulsory attendance laws, if the student is under 21 years old. In addition, if a student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester Alvin ISD may revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s presence on school property thereafter would be unauthorized and may be considered trespassing. [See FEA.] Students enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten are required to attend school. State law requires attendance in an accelerated reading instruction program when kindergarten, first grade, or second grade students are assigned to such a program. Parents will be notified in writing if their child is assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program as a result of a diagnostic reading instrument. A student in grades 3–8 will be required to attend any assigned accelerated instruction program, which may occur before or after school or during the summer, if the student does not meet the passing standards on the state assessment for his or her grade level and applicable subject area. Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance State law allows exemptions to the compulsory attendance requirements for several types of absences if the student makes up all work. These include the following activities and events: Religious holy days; Required court appearances; Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship; Service as an election clerk; and Documented health-care appointments, including absences for recognized services for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. In addition, a junior or senior student’s absence of up to two days related to visiting a college or university will be considered an exemption, provided the student receives approval from the campus principal, follows the campus procedures to verify such a visit, and makes up any work missed. Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission from school; from any class; from required special
25 programs, such as additional special instruction, termed “accelerated instruction” by the state; or from required tutorials will be considered in violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action. A court of law may also impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student: Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period. If the student is over age 18, the student’s parents will not be subject to penalties as a result of their child’s violation of state compulsory attendance law. [See FEA (LEGAL).] Attendance for Credit To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. A student who attends at least 75 percent but fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may receive credit for the class if he or she completes a plan, approved by the principal that allows the student to fulfill the instructional requirements for the class. If a student is involved in a criminal or juvenile court proceeding, the approval of the judge presiding over the case will also be required before the student receives credit for the class. If a student attends less than 75 percent of the days a class is offered or has not completed a plan approved by the principal, then the student will be referred to the attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit, if appropriate. [See policies at FEC.] In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committee will use the following guidelines: All absences will be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. If makeup work is completed, absences for the reasons listed above at Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance will be considered days of attendance for this purpose. A transfer or migrant student begins to accumulate absences only after he or she has enrolled in Alvin ISD. For a student transferring into Alvin ISD after school begins, including a migrant student, only those absences after enrollment will be considered. In reaching a decision about a student’s absences, the committee will attempt to ensure that it is in the best interest of the student. The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documented reasons for the student’s absences. The committee will consider whether the absences were for reasons over which the student or the student’s parent could exercise any control. The committee will consider the extent to which the student has completed all assignments, mastered the essential knowledge and skills, and maintained passing grades in the course or subject.
26 The student or parent will be given an opportunity to present any information to the committee about the absences and to talk about ways to earn or regain credit. The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the board of trustees by filing a written request with the superintendent in accordance with policy FNG (LOCAL). The actual number of days a student must be in attendance in order to receive credit depends on whether the class is for a full semester or for a full year. Parent’s and Doctors notes An absence will be excused with a parent note that is turned in to the appropriate office within three school days after the student returns to school. However, only parent notes for 5 absences will be accepted as excused throughout the school year. Subsequent absences with a parent note will be reviewed by the designated campus administrator and may require a parent conference to clarify the reason for continued excused absences. Note for an absence from a medical practitioner turned in to the appropriate office within the three days will remain excused. Excused or unexcused absences do not impact the student’s ability to make up work missed unless the student is truant. Should the student develop a questionable pattern of absences, the principal or attendance committee may require a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s absence from school. [See policy FEC (LOCAL).] Attendance Accounting Procedures The official accounting time varies between the different grade levels. Elementary -10:00AM Junior High School – 10:30AM High School – 9:15AM Notification to the Parent Student attendance along with other information may be accessed by parents through TEAMS Self Serve on the district website. Parents are encouraged to log-in and set up an account so they can actively monitor their student’s progress in school. The school will make reasonable attempts to notify the parent or guardian through verbal or written communication at any time they feel the absences are excessive and negatively impacting the student’s success in the classroom. Written notifications will be sent on the student’s 3rd unexcused absence from the classroom, and a parent meeting will be scheduled to discuss the student’s attendance. Written notification may be in letter or e-mail form. Driver License Attendance Verification For a student between the ages of 16 and 18 to obtain a driver license, the Texas Department of Public Safety must be provided written parental consent to access the student’s records for purposes of verifying 90 percent attendance for credit for the semester.
27 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS The school counselor provides students and parents’ information regarding academic programs to prepare for higher education and career choices. [For more information, see Academic Counseling on page 34 of this handbook and policies at EIF.]
AWARDS AND HONORS
Under the Texas Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program, students who complete the Recommended or Advanced (Distinguished Achievement) High School Program may earn financial credits in varying amounts to apply toward college tuition. The amounts depend on the number of consecutive months in which the student completed graduation requirements and the number of early college credits earned and may be used at public or private Texas higher education institutions within the state. The counselor can provide additional information about meeting the program’s eligibility requirements. Students who have a financial need according to federal criteria and who complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program may be eligible under the TEXAS Grant Program for tuition and fees to Texas public universities, community colleges, and technical schools, as well as to private institutions. For further information, see the principal or counselor and policy EJ.
BULLYING Bullying occurs when a student or group of students directs written or verbal expressions or physical conduct against another student and the behavior results in harm to the student or the student’s property, places a student in fear of physical harm or of damage to the student’s property, or is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment. Bullying could include hazing, threats, taunting, teasing, assault, demands for money, confinement, destruction of property, theft of valued possessions, name-calling, rumor- spreading, and ostracism. In some cases, bullying can occur through electronic methods, called “cyberbullying.” If a student believes that he or she has experienced bullying, it is important for the student or parent to notify a teacher, counselor, principal, or another district employee. The administration will investigate any allegations of bullying and will take appropriate disciplinary action if an investigation indicates that bullying has occurred. The board has established policies and procedures to prohibit bullying and to respond to reports of bullying. [See School Safety Transfers on page 19 and policy FFI (LOCAL).]
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS
Alvin ISD offers career and technical education programs in agriculture, business, technology information systems, drafting, construction trades, metal trades, culinary arts, and family and consumer sciences. Admission to these programs is based on interest, aptitude, age appropriateness, and available class space.
28 [Alvin ISD] will take steps to ensure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and CTE programs. [Also see Nondiscrimination Statement on page 63 for additional information regarding Alvin ISD’s efforts regarding participation in these programs.]
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Alvin ISD has established a plan, in cooperation with Child Protective Services (CPS), for addressing child sexual abuse. As a parent, it is important for you to be aware of warning signs that could indicate a child may have been or is being sexually abused. Sexual abuse in the Texas Family Code is defined as any sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as a failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct with a child. Anyone who suspects that a child has been or may be abused or neglected has a legal responsibility, under state law, for reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement or to Child Protective Services (CPS). Possible physical warning signs of sexual abuse could be difficulty sitting or walking, pain in the genital areas, and claims of stomachaches and headaches. Behavioral indicators may include verbal references or pretend games of sexual activity between adults and children, fear of being alone with adults of a particular gender, or sexually suggestive behavior. Emotional warning signs to be aware of include withdrawal, depression, sleeping and eating disorders, and problems in school. A child who has experienced sexual abuse should be encouraged to seek out a trusted adult. Be aware as a parent or other trusted adult that disclosures of sexual abuse may be more indirect than disclosures of physical abuse, and it is important to be calm and comforting if your child, or another child, confides in you. Reassure the child that he or she did the right thing by telling you. As a parent, if your child is a victim of sexual abuse, the campus counselor or principal will provide information regarding counseling options for you and your child available in your area. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) also manage early intervention counseling programs. To find out what services may be available in your county, see: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Prevention_and_Early_Intervention/Programs_Available_In_ Your_County/default.asp. The following Web sites might help you become more aware of child sexual abuse: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index.aspx?id=2820 http://sapn.nonprofitoffice.com/ http://www.taasa.org/member/materials2.php http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/childabuse1.shtml http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/childabuse2.shtml Reports may be made to: The Child Protective Services (CPS) division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (1-800-252-5400 or on the Web at http://www.txabusehotline.org).
29 CLASS SCHEDULES/ CLASS RANK / TOP TEN PERCENT / HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT All students are expected to attend school for the entire school day and maintain a class/course schedule to fulfill each period of the day. Exceptions may be made occasionally by the campus principal for students in grades 9–12 who meet specific criteria and receive parental consent to enroll in less than a full-day’s schedule.
[The student that achieves the highest grade point average will earn the title of valedictorian. Consequently the student that has achieved the second highest grade point average will earn the title of salutatorian. The students that have achieved the highest grade point averages must also have been continuously enrolled in the same Alvin ISD high school for their Junior and Senior years to qualify for valedictorian, salutatorian, or to be recognized as one of the top ten during commencement. Any student that moves into Alvin ISD after their sophomore year will tie for their rank with the student with the corresponding class rank. Any awards and honors associated with the class rank will be awarded to the student attending their respective high school the longest. A three-year graduate (i.e., a student graduating after only three years of high school) shall not displace a four-year graduate for valedictorian or salutatorian, but may share the position with the four-year graduate.] For two school years following his or her graduation, a Alvin ISD student who graduates in the top ten percent of his or her class is eligible for automatic admission into four-year public universities and colleges in Texas if the student: Completes the Recommended or Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program; or Satisfies the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks or earns at least a 1500 out of 2400 on the SAT. The University of Texas at Austin may limit the number of students automatically admitted to 75 percent of the University’s enrollment capacity for incoming resident freshmen. For students who are eligible to enroll in the University of Texas at Austin during the summer or fall 2011 term, the University will be admitting the top eight percent of the high school’s graduating class who meet the above requirements. Additional applicants will be considered by the University through an independent review process. Students and parents should contact the counselor or the college and career counselor, Ron Fitzwater at Alvin High School or Arlene Hernandez at Manvel High School, for further information about automatic admissions, the application process, and deadlines. [For further information, see policies at EIC.]
COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES Alvin ISD and Alvin Community College have a cooperative arrangement to offer Dual Credit classes to Alvin ISD high school students. For Dual Credit participation students may select a dual credit course on their high school Course selection Form, speak with ACC College Advisor, or Speak to their high school counselor. These courses may be selected as a portion of the seven period Alvin ISD day or a student may take the dual credit courses after school or during high school breaks.
30 The ACC advisors are available fulltime on the AHS and MHS high school campus to assist students with Dual credit participation requirements as well as available options. If a student fails a dual credit class, they must take the equivalent course in a regular Alvin ISD classroom to receive the required credit for high school graduation. College credit earned through Dual Credit will be applied to college transcripts after the student has graduated from high school and an official transcript has been delivered to ACC. Students are responsible for any financial charges that may apply for tuition, fees, and/or books. All students interested in Alvin ISD/ACC Dual Credit should contact the following ACC Advisors: Alvin HS Office B114- Mrs. Tina Martin [email protected] 281-245-2726 Manvel HS Office A107- Mrs. Akilah Martin [email protected] 281-245-2928
COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS
Usually student or parent complaints or concerns can be addressed by a phone call or a conference with the teacher or principal. For those complaints and concerns that cannot be handled so easily, Alvin ISD has adopted a standard complaint policy at FNG (LOCAL) in Alvin ISD’s policy manual. A copy of this policy may be obtained in the principal’s or superintendent’s office [or on Alvin ISD’s Web site at www.alvinisd.net] If a student or parent wishes to file a written complaint/grievance, please contact Tim Turner, Director of Administrative Services at 281-388-1130.
In general, the student or parent should submit a written complaint and request a conference with the campus principal. If the concern is not resolved, a request for a conference should be sent to the superintendent. If still unresolved, Alvin ISD provides for the complaint to be presented to the board of trustees.
COMPUTER RESOURCES To prepare students for an increasingly technological society, Alvin ISD has made an investment in computer technology for instructional purposes. Use of these computer resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s supervision and for approved purposes only. Students and parents will be asked to sign a user agreement (separate from this handbook) regarding use of these resources; violations of this agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action. Students and their parents should be aware that e-mail and other electronic communications using Alvin ISD computers are not private and will be monitored by Alvin ISD staff. [For additional information, see policies at CQ.]
31 CONDUCT Applicability of School Rules As required by law, the board has adopted a Student Code of Conduct that prohibits certain behaviors and defines standards of acceptable behavior—both on and off campus—and consequences for violation of these standards. Alvin ISD has disciplinary authority over a student in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Students and parents should be familiar with the standards set out in the Student Code of Conduct, as well as campus and classroom rules. Corporal Punishment Corporal punishment—spanking or paddling the student—may be used as a discipline management technique in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and policy FO(LOCAL) in Alvin ISD’s policy manual. Disruptions As identified by law, disruptions include the following: Interference with the movement of people at an exit, entrance, or hallway of an Alvin ISD building without authorization from an administrator. Interference with an authorized activity by seizing control of all or part of a building. Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent participation in an authorized assembly. Use of force, violence, or threats to cause disruption during an assembly. Interference with the movement of people at an exit or an entrance to Alvin ISD property. Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent people from entering or leaving Alvin ISD property without authorization from an administrator. Disruption of classes or other school activities while on Alvin ISD property or on public property that is within 500 feet of Alvin ISD property. Class disruption includes making loud noises; trying to entice a student away from, or to prevent a student from attending, a required class or activity; and entering a classroom without authorization and disrupting the activity with loud or profane language or any misconduct. Interference with the transportation of students in vehicles owned or operated by the Alvin ISD. Telecommunications Devices, Including Mobile Telephones For safety purposes, Alvin ISD permits students to possess telecommunications devices, including mobile telephones; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing. The use of mobile telephones in locker rooms or restroom areas at any time while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event is strictly prohibited. A student who uses a telecommunications device during the school day will have the device confiscated. At the High School and Junior High level a [parent] may pick up the confiscated telecommunications device from the principal’s office for a fee of $15. At Elementary level,
32 parent pickup is required; students will not be allowed to pick up the confiscated cell phone. Confiscated telecommunications devices that are not retrieved by the student or student’s parents will be disposed of after the notice required by law. [See policy FNCE.] Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Alvin ISD will not be responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen telecommunications devices. Other Electronic Devices Students are not permitted to possess such items as radios, CD players, MP3 players, video or audio recorders, DVD players, cameras, games, or other electronic devices at school, unless prior permission has been obtained from the principal. Without such permission, teachers will collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office. The principal will determine whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items. No cell phone or any other electronic device is permitted to be out, in use, or become a disruption from the time a student enters school grounds until the end of the school day (3pm for Elementary and High School, 4pm for Junior High). Any electronic device (including, but not limited to mp3 players, cameras, PSPs, IPODs, PDAs, pagers, etc.) that is out during the school day will be taken and delivered to the principal’s office. All electronic devices will be returned only during the hour immediately after the release of school for the day, to a parent, and after a $15.00 administrative fee has been paid to the school’s accounting office. In addition the appropriate school discipline will be assigned to the student. If a student refuses to give all parts of an electronic device to a faculty or staff member (i.e., battery, sim card, headphones, etc...), discipline will increase accordingly. Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. For certain items, such as pagers, in which a third party retains a legal right of ownership, the school may charge for releasing the pager to the third party. See policy FNCE. All confiscated electronics will be discarded if not picked up by July 1 of that year. Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Alvin ISD will not be responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen electronic device. Inappropriate Use of Technology Students are prohibited from sending or posting electronic messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal. This prohibition applies to conduct off school property if it results in a substantial disruption to the educational environment. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, sexually oriented, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or other content will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct and may, in certain circumstances, be reported to law enforcement. Social Events School rules apply to all school social events. Guests attending these events are expected to observe the same rules as students, and a student inviting a guest will share responsibility for the conduct of his or her guest.
33 A student attending a social event will be asked to sign out when leaving before the end of the event; anyone leaving before the official end of the event will not be readmitted.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES / CONDITIONS To protect other students from contagious illnesses, students infected with certain diseases are not allowed to come to school while contagious. If a parent suspects that his or her child has a contagious disease, the parent should contact the school nurse or principal so that other students who might have been exposed to the disease can be alerted. The school nurse or the principal’s office can provide information from the Department of State Health Services regarding these diseases.
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Alvin ISD permits high school students to take correspondence courses—by mail or via the Internet—for credit toward high school graduation. [For further information, see policies at EEJC.]
COUNSELING Academic Counseling Students and their parents are encouraged to talk with a school counselor, teacher, or principal to learn more about course offerings, graduation requirements, and early graduation procedures. Each spring, students in grades 8–11 will be provided information on anticipated course offerings for the next school year and other information that will help them make the most of academic and CTE opportunities. To plan for the future, each student should work closely with the counselor in order to enroll in the high school courses that best prepare him or her for attendance at a college, university, or training school, or for pursuit of some other type of advanced education. The counselor can also provide information about entrance exams and application deadlines, as well as information about automatic admission to state colleges and universities, financial aid, housing, and scholarships. Personal Counseling The school counselor is available to assist students with a wide range of personal concerns, including such areas as social, family, or emotional issues, or substance abuse. The counselor may also make available information about community resources to address these concerns. A student who wishes to meet with the counselor should sign in on their counselor’s appointment sheet and their counselor will call the student in. Psychological Exams, Tests, or Treatment The school will not conduct a psychological examination, test, or treatment without first obtaining the parent’s written consent. Parental consent is not necessary when a psychological examination, test, or treatment is required by state or federal law for special education purposes or by the Texas Education Agency for child abuse investigations and reports. [For more information, refer to policies EHBAA (LEGAL), FFE (LEGAL), and FFG (EXHIBIT).]
34 CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Taken the Course Alvin ISD students currently enrolled in grades K-12 are eligible to take Credit-by-Exams. Students may accelerate a grade level in elementary or middle school or one or more classes at the high school level by scoring 90% or higher on the appropriate exams. Students testing grades K-2 must score at least 90% on Reading and Math assessments. Exams are given at Manvel High School, Alvin High School or the Alvin ISD Administration Building. Please check the district website or the enrollment form to verify test Dates and other testing information. All deadlines for applications must be met. Students should bring all materials located on the Texas Tech University website for CBE review sheets. The review sheets can be accessed at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/cbereview. Materials may include #2 pencils, notebook paper, cassette tapes, or previously completed course activities. It is the responsibility of the parent and/or the student to verify the materials needed for the exam. It normally takes between 4-6 weeks for the results to be returned to the testing office. The results are reported to the school administrators as soon as they are received from Texas Tech and a copy of the results will be mailed to the parents.
[For further information, see EEJB (LOCAL).]
DATING VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION Alvin ISD believes that all students learn best in an environment free from dating violence, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and that their welfare is best served when they are free from this prohibited conduct while attending school. Students are expected to treat other students and Alvin ISD employees with courtesy and respect, to avoid behaviors known to be offensive, and to stop those behaviors when asked or told to stop. Alvin ISD employees are expected to treat students with courtesy and respect. The board has established policies and procedures to prohibit and promptly respond to inappropriate and offensive behaviors that are based on a person’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. [See policy FFH.] Dating Violence Dating violence occurs when a person in a current or past dating relationship uses physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to harm, threaten, intimidate, or control the other person in the relationship. This type of conduct is considered harassment if the conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; or substantially interferes with the student’s academic performance. Examples of dating violence against a student may include, but are not limited to, physical or sexual assaults, name-calling, put-downs, threats to hurt the student or the student’s family members or members of the student’s household, destroying property belonging to the student, threats to commit suicide or homicide if the student ends the relationship, attempts to isolate the student from friends and family, stalking, or encouraging others to engage in these behaviors.
35 Discrimination Discrimination is defined as any conduct directed at a student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law, that negatively affects the student. Harassment Harassment, in general terms, is conduct so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; or substantially interferes with the student’s academic performance. A copy of the Alvin ISD’s policy is available in the superintendent’s office [or on www.alvinisd.net]. Examples of harassment may include, but are not limited to, offensive or derogatory language directed at a person’s religious beliefs or practices, accent, skin color, or need for accommodation; threatening or intimidating conduct; offensive jokes, name-calling, slurs, or rumors; physical aggression or assault; graffiti or printed material promoting racial, ethnic, or other negative stereotypes; or other kinds of aggressive conduct such as theft or damage to property. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment of a student by an employee, volunteer, or another student is prohibited. Sexual harassment of a student by an employee or volunteer does not include necessary or permissible physical contact not reasonably construed as sexual in nature. However, romantic and other inappropriate social relationships, as well as all sexual relationships, between students and Alvin ISD employees are prohibited, even if consensual. Examples of prohibited sexual harassment may include, but not be limited to, touching private body parts or coercing physical contact that is sexual in nature; sexual advances; jokes or conversations of a sexual nature; and other sexually motivated conduct, communications, or contact. Retaliation Retaliation against a person, who makes a good faith report of discrimination or harassment, including dating violence, is prohibited. Retaliation against a person who is participating in an investigation of alleged discrimination or harassment is also prohibited. A person who makes a false claim or offers false statements or refuses to cooperate with an Alvin ISD investigation, however, may be subject to appropriate discipline. Retaliation against a student might occur when a student receives threats from another student or an employee or when an employee imposes an unjustified punishment or unwarranted grade reduction. Retaliation does not include petty slights and annoyances from other students or negative comments from a teacher that are justified by a student’s poor academic performance in the classroom.
36 Reporting Procedures Any student who believes that he or she has experienced dating violence, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should immediately report the problem to a teacher, counselor, principal, or other Alvin ISD employee. The report may be made by the student’s parent. See policy FFH (LOCAL) for the appropriate Alvin ISD officials to whom to make a report. Investigation of Report To the extent possible, Alvin ISD will respect the privacy of the student; however, limited disclosures may be necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and to comply with law. Allegations of prohibited conduct, which includes dating violence, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, will be promptly investigated. Alvin ISD will notify the parents of any student alleged to have experienced prohibited conduct involving an adult associated with Alvin ISD. In the event prohibited conduct involves another student, Alvin ISD will notify the parents of the student alleged to have experienced the prohibited conduct when the allegations, if proven, would constitute a violation as defined by policy. If Alvin ISD’s investigation indicates that prohibited conduct occurred, appropriate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken to address the conduct. Alvin ISD may take disciplinary action even if the conduct that is the subject of the complaint was not unlawful. A student or parent who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation may appeal in accordance with policy FNG (LOCAL).
DISCRIMINATION [See Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation on page 23.]
DISTANCE LEARNING Distance learning includes courses that encompass the state-required essential knowledge and skills but are taught through multiple technologies and alternative methodologies such as satellite, Internet, video-conferencing, and instructional television. The Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) has been established as one method of distance learning. A student has the option, with certain limitations, to enroll in a course offered through the TxVSN to earn course credit for graduation. Depending on the course in which a student enrolls, the course may be subject to the “no pass, no play” rules. [Also see Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, and Organizations on page 41.]
DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS OR DOCUMENTS School Materials Publications prepared by and for the school may be posted or distributed, with the prior approval of the principal, sponsor, or teacher. Such items may include school posters, brochures, flyers, etc. The school newspaper, website, and the yearbook, are available to students. All school publications are under the supervision of a teacher, sponsor, and the principal. [See Directory Information for School-Sponsored Purposes on page 23.]
37 Non-school Materials...from students Students must obtain prior approval from the principal or assistant principal before posting, circulating, or distributing more than ten copies of written materials, handbills, photographs, pictures, petitions, films, tapes, posters, or other visual or auditory materials that were not developed under the oversight of the school. To be considered, any non-school material must include the name of the sponsoring person or organization. The decision regarding approval will be made within two school days. The principal has designated cafeteria or main office as the location for approved non-school materials to be placed for voluntary viewing by students. [See policies at FNAA.] A student may appeal a principal’s decision in accordance with policy FNG (LOCAL). Any student who posts non-school material without prior approval will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Materials displayed without the principal’s approval will be removed. Non-school Materials...from others Written or printed materials, handbills, photographs, pictures, films, tapes, or other visual or auditory materials not sponsored by Alvin ISD or by a Alvin ISD -affiliated school-support organization will not be sold, circulated, distributed, or posted on any Alvin ISD premises by any Alvin ISD employee or by persons or groups not associated with Alvin ISD, except as permitted by policy GKDA. To be considered for distribution, any non-school material must meet the limitations on content established in the policy, include the name of the sponsoring person or organization, and be submitted to the principal or assistant principal for prior review. The principal or assistant principal will approve or reject the materials within two school days of the time the materials are received. The requestor may appeal a rejection in accordance with the appropriate district complaint policy. [See policies at DGBA, FNG, or GF.] Prior review will not be required for: Distribution of materials by an attendee to other attendees of a school-sponsored meeting intended for adults and held after school hours. Distribution of materials by an attendee to other attendees of a community group meeting held after school hours in accordance with policy GKD (LOCAL) or a noncurriculum-related student group meeting held in accordance with FNAB (LOCAL). Distribution for electioneering purposes during the time a school facility is being used as a polling place, in accordance with state law. All non-school materials distributed under these circumstances must be removed from Alvin ISD property immediately following the event at which the materials are distributed.
DRESS AND GROOMING Alvin ISD’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevents disruption, and minimizes safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the following: The provisions for the dress and grooming code shall be enforced equally for all students. If a student is not in compliance with the standardized dress code, he or she will be asked to make
38 appropriate corrections. Repeated offenses may result in disciplinary action as stated in the Student Code of Conduct.
Students are required to be in compliance with the standardized dress code on the first day of school. New students to Alvin ISD must be in compliance within 1 week after his/her enrollment. The standard of dress will be as follows:
Students should come to school bathed and free of body odor; Clothing should be washed and cleaned; and Hair should be neat and clean; Appropriate undergarments should be worn and not visible.
Grooming Hair: Hair should be of a natural color. Colors should not be extreme. (No pink, orange, green, etc.). Extreme hair styles such as carvings, Mohawks, spikes, etc. will not be allowed. Boys may wear their hair not to exceed a length touching the top of the shoulders. Mustaches, beards, or goatees will not be allowed. Sideburns will not extend past the bottom of the earlobe. Eyebrows will not be carved/notched. Tattoos must be covered.
Accessories Boys will not be allowed to wear earrings. Earrings may NOT be covered. Girls may wear a maximum of two earrings in each earlobe. Body piercing jewelry and/or accessories will not be allowed. Heavy chains or accessories with spikes or studs will not be allowed. Any accessory what may cause injury will be prohibited. Any accessory that is disruptive to the educational process will not be allowed, as determined by the principal.
Make-Up Extreme make-up will not be allowed (Such as black lipstick, black eye shadow, black nail polish, etc. Boys may not wear make-up or fingernail polish. Any make-up that is disruptive to the educational process will not be allowed, as determined by the principal.
39 Head Wear Caps and hats will be allowed outside the buildings if worn appropriately and for the intended purposes. Bandanas and/or head sweat bands will not be allowed. Sunglasses or sunshades are not to be worn in the building.
Shirts Four types of shirts may be worn: A solid colored polo-style, collared shirt. A solid colored turtleneck or mock turtleneck. A solid colored button-front dress shirt or blouse with a collar. A school spirit shirt that has been approved for the school.
**These guidelines apply to all shirts with the exception of school spirit shirts that have previously been approved by the principal.
Any solid color shirt may be worn to school. A solid color shirt must have a solid color collar of the same color. Logos or insignias on the shirt or shirt pocket are allowed - the logo or insignia must not be more than 2 square inches on front of shirt, collar or sleeve. An example of the 2 inch square allowed for insignias or logos can be viewed at Alvin ISD’s web site www.alvinisd.net under dress code.
Shirts must be appropriately sized; no tight fitting or oversized garments are allowed. Shirts and blouses may have short or long sleeves. Sleeveless shirts may not be worn. All shirts/blouses must be long enough to completely cover the midriff at all times and must be tucked into the pants, shorts, etc., so that the top of the belt loops are made visible. Shirts and blouses must have button closures - and must be buttoned to the first button from the neck. Shirts may NOT have any contrasting or coordinated camisoles, undershirts, accents or different colored collars that show.
All spirit shirts must be approved each year by the principal prior to going on sale to the student population. Pants, Shorts, Skorts, Skirts, Jumpers, Bib Overalls The general requirements for all pants, shorts, skirts, jumpers and bib overalls are as follows: Color - Solid black, navy, or khaki (tan or beige) No athletic shorts or pants Size - No oversized items. Baggy, saggy garments will not be acceptable. Pants, skorts, skirts or shorts must be worn at the waist. Tight-fitting slacks, skirts, skorts, or shorts are not acceptable. Belts - For 2nd grade and up, belts must be worn with any garment that has belt loops.
40 Hems - May not be frayed or cut. Pants cut on the inseam must be hemmed. *Skirts must meet same requirements as pants in color and fabric—solid black, navy, or khaki.
Length Shorts, skorts, skirts, jumpers, and bib overalls must be knee length. Jeans (Denim), Sweat Pants, Wind Pants, Leather, or Spandex of any color are NOT allowed. Pants or shorts with oversized pockets are not acceptable for school.
Shoes - Footwear Shoes should be comfortable for walking or general exercise. No flip-flops/thongs, shower shoes, or shoes with wheels are permitted.
Jackets, Sweaters, Vests, Sweatshirts Cold weather coats or jackets for outside: In cold weather, jackets or coats may be worn to school. Coats may be worn in the building. Trench coats are not allowed. Sweaters, vests, or sweatshirts and pull-over hoodies for inside: Solid colored vests, sweatshirts, hoodies and sweaters in any solid color may be worn over a school- approved, collared shirt. No oversized jackets, vests, sweaters, or sweatshirts may be worn. Oversized shirts are not considered jackets. Sweaters, vests, sweatshirts and pull-over hoodies must be a solid color. Only a maximum of a 2 inch insignia may be on a sweater, vest, sweatshirt, or hoodie.
Any attire deemed distracting, lewd, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate by school administrators will not be allowed. No clothing may be shear or see through.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS Participation in school-sponsored activities is an excellent way for a student to develop talents, receive individual recognition, and build strong friendships with other students; participation, however, is a privilege, not a right. Eligibility for initial and continuing participation in many of these activities is governed by state law and the rules of the University Interscholastic League (UIL)—a statewide association overseeing inter-Alvin ISD competition. If a student is involved in an academic, athletic, or music activity governed by UIL, the student and parent are expected to know and follow all rules of the UIL organization. [See http://www.uil.utexas.edu for additional information.] The following requirements apply to all extracurricular activities: A student who receives at the end of a grading period a grade below 70 in any academic class—other than an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course; or an honors or dual credit course in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies,
41 economics, or language other than English—may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks. A student with disabilities who fails to meet the standards in the individualized education program (IEP) may not participate for at least three school weeks. An ineligible student may practice or rehearse. A student is allowed in a school year up to ten absences not related to post-district competition, a maximum of five absences for post- Alvin ISD competition prior to state, and a maximum of two absences for state competition. All extracurricular activities and public performances, whether UIL activities or other activities approved by the board, are subject to these restrictions. An absence for participation in an activity that has not been approved will receive an unexcused absence. Standards of Behavior Sponsors of student clubs and performing groups such as the band, choir, and drill and athletic teams may establish standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter than those for students in general. If a violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by the Student Code of Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition to any consequences specified by the organization’s standards of behavior. [For further information, see policies at FM and FO. For student-organized, student-led groups, see Meetings of Noncurriculum-Related Groups on page 70.] Offices and Elections Students are encouraged to be civic-minded and to take an active part in all Alvin ISD Elections. Class officers and Student Council members are elected each year. Every student should have part in deciding which students assume these leadership positions. Suggestions should be submitted to the class officers or Student Council members. Elections held at Alvin ISD each year: October: Class Officers and Homecoming court October: D.A.R. Good Citizen February: Brazoria County Fair Queen Candidate May: Prom King and Queen Students wishing to run for Class Officer, Homecoming Court, Fair Queen Candidate, or Prom King or Queen must get a nomination form from Ms. Stromberg. The nomination forms require 15 student signatures and the approval of the student’s Assistant Principal. Students must be eligible; passing all their classes, have a good record of attendance, and a good record of discipline. The Fair Queen Candidate must be a junior girl who will be a senior in the fall at Alvin ISD. The candidates for Prom King and Queen must be seniors who will graduate in May. Students are nominated by the teachers and staff at Alvin ISD to be the D.A.R. Good Citizen. The Senior
42 Class votes on the top three nominees. This winner of the election fills out an application and takes a test to be the Brazoria County Good Citizen.
FEES Materials that are part of the basic educational program are provided with state and local funds at no charge to a student. A student, however, is expected to provide his or her own pencils, paper, erasers, and notebooks and may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including: Costs for materials for a class project that the student will keep. Membership dues in voluntary clubs or student organizations and admission fees to extracurricular activities. Security deposits. Personal physical education and athletic equipment and apparel. Voluntarily purchased pictures, publications, class rings, yearbooks, graduation announcements, etc. Voluntarily purchased student accident insurance. Musical instrument rental and uniform maintenance, when uniforms are provided by Alvin ISD. Personal apparel used in extracurricular activities that becomes the property of the student. Parking fees and student identification cards. Fees for lost, damaged, or overdue library books. Fees for driver training courses, if offered. Fees for optional courses offered for credits that require use of facilities not available on Alvin ISD premises. Summer school for courses that are offered tuition-free during the regular school year. A reasonable fee for providing transportation to a student who lives within two miles of the school. [See Buses and Other School Vehicles on page 77.] A fee not to exceed $50 for costs of providing an educational program outside of regular school hours for a student who has lost credit because of absences and whose parent chooses the program in order for the student to meet the 90 percent attendance requirement. The fee will be charged only if the parent or guardian signs an Alvin ISD -provided request form. Any required fee or deposit may be waived if the student and parent are unable to pay. Application for such a waiver may be made to the principal or the student’s assistant principal. [For further information, see policies at FP.]
FUND-RAISING Student groups or classes and/or parent groups may be permitted to conduct fund-raising drives for approved school purposes. An application for permission must be made to the principal at least ten days before the event. [For further information, see policies at FJ and GE.]
43 GANG-FREE ZONES Certain criminal offenses, including those involving organized criminal activity such as gang- related crimes, will be enhanced to the next highest category of offense if they are committed in a gang-free zone. For purposes of Alvin ISD, a gang-free zone includes a school bus and a location in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any Alvin ISD-owned or leased property or campus playground. FINAL EXAM EXEMPTION POLICY
Alvin ISD does allow students to be exempt from some finals if they meet the criteria. The following is the criteria that must be met in order for a student to be eligible for exam exemptions. The criterion does change from the Fall to the Spring semester. Students enrolled in Dual Credit courses are not eligible for exam exemptions. Those students entering the ninth grade in the 2011-2012 school year are required to take the state STARR end of course exam and are not eligible for an exemption in these courses during the Spring semester. The courses are; Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English I, English II, English III, World Geography, World History, and U.S. History.
Fall semester
The student: Must be a senior. All 9-11 graders will take all their finals Must have a semester average of 85 or above average in that class Must have no more than 2 absences in that class Must have no more than 2 tardies in that class Must not receive any ISS assignments this semester Must have cleared all fines (Fines include library, athletics, parking tickets, textbooks, fundraisers, workbooks, etc.)
Spring Semester
Standard Exemption Policy The student must have: Semester average of 85 or above for that particular class. No more than 2 absences in that class No more than 2 tardies in that class NO ISS PLACEMENTS THIS SEMESTER No fines *A student does not have to pass TAKS to meet the Standard Exemption Policy for Spring Semester. TAKS Replacement Policy for Current Year’s State Assessment If using the State Assessment-Accommodated /LAT test score to replace the final exam grade The student must have:
44 Nine or fewer absences in that class. If more than 9 absences a note from their attendance clerk is required. No Fines Must have passed the State Assessment test if you want to sub for the final (i.e., you must pass the Science State Assessment if you want to replace his or her IPC final) Student must present State Assessment report to teacher. Students enrolled in AP-Advanced Placement courses, must score in the Commended range on the state assessment. * A student does not have to be passing the class to have their State Assessment test replace their final exam grade. **Teacher will use a rubric from department chair to determine replacement grade.
GRADE CLASSIFICATION After the ninth grade, students are classified according to the number of credits earned toward graduation.
Credits Earned Classification 6 Grade 10 (Sophomore) 12 Grade 11 (Junior) 19 Grade 12 (Senior)
GRADING GUIDELINES Each campus or instructional level develops guidelines for teachers to follow in determining grades for students. These guidelines shall insure that grading reflects a student’s relative mastery of an assignment and that a significant number of grades are taken to support the grade average assigned. Guidelines for grading are available through the campus administrator or counselor of the school your child attends.
Also see Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences on page 66 for additional information.
GRADUATION Requirements for a Diploma To receive a high school diploma from Alvin ISD, a student must successfully: Complete the required number of credits; Complete any locally required courses in addition to the courses mandated by the state; and Pass a statewide exit-level exam(s).
45 The exit-level test, required for students in grade10 and 11, covers English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and requires knowledge of Algebra I and Geometry; Biology, Integrated Chemistry and Physics; English III; and early American and United States History, World History, and World Geography. A student who does not pass the exit-level assessment will have additional opportunities to take the test. The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STARR) will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), which is the criterion–referenced assessment program that has been in place since 2003. STAAR includes the 12 end-of-course (EOC) assessments mandated by SB 1031 in 2007 and the new grade 3-8 assessments mandated by HB 3 in 2009. The new test will be implemented in 2011-2012 school year. At high school, 12 grade-level specific assessments will be replaced with end-of-course (EOC) assessments: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English I, English II, English III, World Geography, World History, and U.S. History. Students entering the 9th grade in the 2011-2012 school year are required to meet state standards on the state STAAR/EOC assessment. Students are required to meet a cumulative standard on tests administered in grades 9, 10, and 11.
Graduation Programs The Alvin ISD offers the graduation programs listed below. All students entering grade 9 are required to enroll in the Recommended Program or Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program. Permission to enroll in the Minimum Program will be granted only if a written agreement is reached among the student, the student’s parent or person standing in parental relation, and the counselor or appropriate administrator. In order for a student to take courses under the Minimum Program, the student must be at least 16 years of age; have completed at least two credits each in English language arts, math, science, and social studies courses that are required for graduation; or have failed grade 9 one or more times. [See policy EIF (LEGAL).] Effective with ninth graders in the 2011–2012 school year, in addition to the credit and course requirements for each program, performance on EOC assessments will be linked to a student’s eligible graduation program. To graduate, a student must meet a minimum cumulative score set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for each content area: English, mathematics, science, and social studies. To determine whether the student meets the cumulative score, the student’s EOC assessment scores in each content area will be added together. If the student’s total score on the assessments within the content area is not equal to or greater than the cumulative score set by TEA, the student may retake any of the assessments in that content area until the student achieves the cumulative score. A student who does not make the minimum required score on any individual assessment will be required to retake that assessment. To graduate on the Recommended Program, a student must perform satisfactorily on the Algebra II and English III EOC assessments, in addition to meeting the cumulative score requirements described above. To graduate on the Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program, a student must demonstrate advanced academic performance on the Algebra II and English III EOC assessments, commonly referred to as college and career readiness standards, in addition to successfully meeting performance standards on the other EOC assessments. If this standard is not met, the student will graduate under the Recommended Program, regardless of whether the
46 student has met all other requirements for graduation under the Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program. All students must meet the following credit and course requirements for graduation under the programs listed:
Courses Number of credits Number of credits Recommended Advanced/ Program Distinguished Achievement Program English/Language 4 4 Arts Mathematics 4 4 Science 4 4 Social Studies 3.5 3.5 Economics 0.5 0.5 Physical Education 1 1 Speech 0.5 0.5 Language other than 2 3 English Fine Arts 1 1 Electives 5.5 credits 4.5 credits Miscellaneous Completion of 4 Advanced Measures TOTAL 26 credits 26 credits
*A student graduating under the Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program must also achieve a combination of four of the following advanced measures: 5. An original research project or other project that is related to the required curriculum. These projects must be judged by a panel of professionals or conducted under the direction of a mentor and reported to an appropriate audience. Please note that no more than two of the four advanced measures may be received from this option. 6. Test data where a student receives: 1. A score of three or above on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam; 2. A score of four or above on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam; or
47 3. A score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) of the College Board, or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT/NMSQT score will count as only one advanced measure regardless of the number of honors received by the student. 7. College academic courses, including those taken for dual credit, and advanced technical courses, including locally articulated courses, provided the student scores the equivalent of a 3.0 or higher. Information regarding specific courses required or offered in each curriculum area, along with a description of advanced measures available to students in the Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program, will be distributed to students each spring in order to enroll in courses for the upcoming school year. Please be aware that not all courses are offered at every secondary campus in Alvin ISD. A student who wants to take a course not offered at his or her regular campus should contact the counselor about a transfer or other alternatives. If the parents of at least 22 students request a transfer for those students to take a course in the required curriculum other than fine arts or CTE, Alvin ISD will offer the course for the following year either by teleconference or at the school from which the transfers were requested. Certificates of Coursework Completion A certificate of coursework completion [will not] be issued to a senior student who successfully completes state and local credit requirements for graduation but fails to perform satisfactorily on the exit-level tests. Students with Disabilities Upon the recommendation of the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee, a student with disabilities may be permitted to graduate under the provisions of his or her IEP. A student who receives special education services and has completed four years of high school, but has not met the requirements of his or her IEP, may participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate of attendance. Even if the student participates in graduation ceremonies to receive the certificate of attendance, he or she may remain enrolled to complete the IEP and earn his or her high school diploma; however, the student will only be allowed to participate in one graduation ceremony. [See FMH (LEGAL).] Please also be aware that if an ARD committee places a student with a disability on a modified curriculum in a subject area, the student will be automatically placed in the Minimum Program, in accordance with state rules. If a student receiving special education services is scheduled to graduate under the Minimum Program or in accordance with the provisions of his or her IEP, the student’s ARD committee will determine whether the general EOC assessment is an accurate measure of the student’s achievement and progress or whether an alternative assessment is more appropriate. STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate are the alternative assessments currently allowed by the state.
48 [See STANDARDIZED TESTING for additional information.] If a student takes the STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate assessment, the student’s ARD committee will determine whether the score on an EOC assessment will count as 15 percent of a student’s final grade, as well as whether successful performance and a cumulative score on the EOC assessments will be required for graduation.
Graduation Activities Graduation activities will include: Baccalaureate Graduation Ceremony Project Graduation Activities Students who have met coursework requirements for graduation but have not yet demonstrated satisfactory performance on exit-level tests or end-of-course assessments will be allowed to participate in graduation activities other than the graduation ceremony. However, please keep in mind that participating in the activities and ceremonies is not synonymous with graduating. Ultimately, the final awarding of a diploma will be contingent upon the student’s completion of all applicable requirements for graduation.
Graduation Speakers Graduating students will be given an opportunity to provide opening and closing remarks during the graduation ceremony. Only those students who [include here those student positions listed in FNA (LOCAL) at OPENING AND CLOSING REMARKS] will be eligible to give these remarks; however, if the student was assigned to disciplinary placement at any time during the spring semester, he or she will not be eligible to speak at graduation. Students eligible to give the opening and closing remarks will be notified by the principal and given an opportunity to volunteer. In the event there are more eligible students volunteering than there are speaking roles at the graduation ceremony, the names of all eligible students who volunteered will be randomly drawn. The student whose name is drawn first will give the opening remarks and the student whose name is drawn second will give the closing remarks. In addition to the opening and closing remarks, the [include here those students who have attained special positions of honor based on neutral criteria] may also have speaking roles at the graduation ceremony. [For student speakers at other school events, see Student Speakers on page 74.] [See FNA (LOCAL).] Graduation Expenses Because students and parents will incur expenses in order to participate in the traditions of graduation—such as the purchase of invitations, senior ring, cap and gown, and senior picture— both student and parent should monitor progress toward completion of all requirements for graduation. The expenses often are incurred in the junior year or first semester of the senior year. [See Student Fees on page 43.]
49 State Scholarships and Grants Under the Texas Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program, students who complete the Recommended or Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program may earn financial credits in varying amounts to apply toward college tuition. The amounts depend on the number of consecutive months in which the student completed graduation requirements and the number of early college credits earned and may be used at public or private higher education institutions within the state. The counselor can provide additional information about meeting the program’s eligibility requirements. Students who have a financial need according to federal criteria and who complete the Recommended Program or Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program may be eligible under the T.E.X.A.S. Grant Program for tuition and fees to Texas public universities, community colleges, and technical schools, as well as to private institutions. [For further information, see the principal or counselor and policy EJ (LEGAL).]
HARASSMENT [See Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation on page 35.]
HAZING Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus directed against a student that endangers the mental or physical health or the safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated to, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include other students. Hazing will not be tolerated by the district. If an incident of hazing occurs, disciplinary consequences will be handled in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. It is a criminal offense if a person engages in hazing; solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in hazing; or has firsthand knowledge of an incident of hazing being planned or having occurred and fails to report this to the principal or superintendent. [Also see Bullying on page 28 and policies FFI and FNCC.]
HEALTH-RELATED MATTERS Illness If a student has been home ill with a fever, it is the parent’s responsibility to keep the child home until he/she has been fever free for 24 hours. A child who has been kept home due to illness for three or more days will need to bring a doctor’s note upon returning to their school. Head Lice and Nit Guidelines To return to school, your child must be lice free and must be accompanied by a parent to the school nurse’s office to be cleared before reentry to the classroom. Students with head lice or nits shall be excused on the day lice or nits are found and two days immediately following. Any absence obtained immediately following the third day will be deemed unexcused, including
50 awaiting parent’s arrival in the nurse’s office. Students will only be excused for a total of six days per semester due to head lice or nits. Bacterial Meningitis State law specifically requires Alvin ISD to provide the following information: What is meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death. What are the symptoms? Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms. Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results. How serious is bacterial meningitis? If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability. How is bacterial meningitis spread? Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes). The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks, or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system and cause meningitis or another serious illness. How can bacterial meningitis be prevented? Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss. While there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used only in special circumstances. These include when there is a disease outbreak in a community or for people traveling to a country where there is a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a vaccine
51 is recommended by some groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85–90 percent). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within seven to ten days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to five years. What should you do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis? You should seek prompt medical attention. Where can you get more information? Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your local health department or Regional Department of State Health Services office to ask about a meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at the Web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov, and the Department of State Health Services, http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/. Physical Activity for Students in Elementary and Middle School In accordance with policies at EHAB, EHAC, EHBG, [and FFA], Alvin ISD will ensure that students in full-day prekindergarten through grade 5 engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day or 135 minutes per week. Students in middle or junior high school will engage in [30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity per day for at least four semesters OR at least 225 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity within each two-week period for at least four semesters]. For additional information on Alvin ISD’s requirements and programs regarding elementary, middle, and junior high school student physical activity requirements, please see the principal. School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)-Need Help answering this During the preceding school year, Alvin ISD’s School Health Advisory Council held __4__ meetings. [See also policies at BDF and EHAA.] [See Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction on page 6 for additional information.] Other Health-Related Matters Physical Fitness Assessment Annually, Alvin ISD will conduct a physical fitness assessment of students in grades 3–12. At the end of the school year, a parent may submit a written request to Deborah Roberson at 301 House St. Alvin, TX 77511 to obtain the results of his or her child’s physical fitness assessment conducted during the school year. Vending Machines Alvin ISD has adopted policies and implemented procedures to comply with state and federal food service guidelines for restricting student access to vending machines. For more information regarding these policies and guidelines see the [principal]. [See policies at CO and FFA.] Tobacco Prohibited
52 Asbestos Management Plan ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Parents, Students, Faculty and Staff of Alvin Independent School District The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) requires all School Districts to notify parents, students, faculty, and other employees annually of the presence of asbestos in buildings and to inform them as to how it is being managed. AHERA also requires that a management Plan be approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The Plan was originally written and approved in 1988 and a licensed and accredited Inspector/Management Planner for asbestos conducted the last re-inspection. Copies of the master asbestos management plan are available for review, during normal business hours, in the Superintendent’s office at the Administration Building and the office of the Compliance Coordinator in the Maintenance and Operations Building. The Management Plan for each school is available for review, during normal business hours, in the office of the respective school’s Principal. If you wish to know more about how Alvin ISD is managing asbestos in our buildings, please call Kenny Carter, A.I.S.D. Compliance Coordinator, at (281) 245-2914. Kc/ha/asbestos / asbestos patrón notificación hand book [See the Student Code of Conduct and policies at FNCD and GKA.]
53 Pest Management Plan ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Parents, Students, Faculty and Staff of Alvin Independent School District As required by law, the Alvin I.S.D. is providing this notification that Alvin ISD periodically applies pesticides at school sites. Signs will be posted to meet requirements of TDA, Texas Structural Pest Control Service. Signs will be posted as scheduled treatments or prior to any additional pesticide application and additional information regarding the times and type of pesticide applications may be obtained from Alvin ISD’s Integrated Pest Management Coordinator: Name: Bill Van Wagner Telephone Number: 281-245-2459 Address: 2200 Stapp Maxwell Alvin, Texas 77511 What is Integrated Pest Management? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a pest control method that uses alternatives to scheduled spraying of pesticides. Alvin I.S.D. has adopted an IPM program to reduce the use of chemicals and provide economical and effective pest suppression. It promotes reduced dependence on pesticides in school buildings and landscapes and the use of alternative methods for managing pests commonly found in schools.
Alvin ISD’s Policy It is the intent of Alvin I.S.D. to comply with the current Texas Structural Pest Control Service standards. The School Board has adopted a Pest Management Policy Statement which is based on generally accepted procedures for IPM, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, including: Strategies that are compatible with human health and environmental protection; Proper identification of pest problems; Monitoring programs to determine when pests are present and when corrective actions are justified Using non-chemical management strategies; and Using the least toxic chemical controls when pesticides are necessary.
54 The Student’s Role The most important responsibility of the student is sanitation. Much of the prevention and reduction of pests at the school site depends on whether or not students clean up food leftovers, food in lockers, gum under desks, and paper clutter, etc. In addition, because students may observe the presence of pests, they should report any evidence of pests to their teachers. The more the students help, the better we can avoid the use of pesticides at our school sites.
The Parent’s Role The parents’ first responsibility is to learn about IPM practices and follow them at home so that pests are not carried to school in notebooks, lunch boxes, clothing, or in children's hair. Second, parents should be aware of the current pest management practices in their children’s schools. Our schools welcome questions by the parents.
HOMELESS STUDENTS For more information on services for homeless students, contact Alvin ISD’s Liaison for Homeless Children and Youths, [name], at [contact information].
IMMUNIZATION A student must be fully immunized against certain diseases or must present a certificate or statement that, for medical reasons or reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, the student will not be immunized. For exemptions based on reasons of conscience, only official forms issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Immunization Branch, can be honored by Alvin ISD. This form may be obtained by writing the DSHS Immunization Branch (MC 1946), P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347; or online at https://webds. dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm. The form must be notarized and submitted to the principal or school nurse within 90 days of notarization. If the parent is seeking an exemption for more than one student in the family, a separate form must be provided for each student. The immunizations required are: diphtheria, rubeola (measles), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis (polio), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), and meningococcal. The school nurse can provide information on age-appropriate doses or on an acceptable physician-validated history of illness required by the Department of State Health Services. Proof of immunization may be established by personal records from a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation. If a student should not be immunized for medical reasons, the student or parent must present a certificate signed by a U.S. licensed physician stating that, in the doctor’s opinion, the immunization required poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student or a member of the student’s family or household. This certificate must be renewed yearly unless the physician specifies a life-long condition. [For further information, see policy FFAB(LEGAL) and the Department of State Health Services Web site: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/ school/default.shtm.]
55 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES Questioning of Students When law enforcement officers or other lawful authorities wish to question or interview a student at school, the principal will cooperate fully regarding the conditions of the interview, if the questioning or interview is part of a child abuse investigation. In other circumstances: The principal will verify and record the identity of the officer or other authority and ask for an explanation of the need to question or interview the student at school. The principal ordinarily will make reasonable efforts to notify the parents unless the interviewer raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection. The principal ordinarily will be present unless the interviewer raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection. Students Taken Into Custody State law requires the Alvin ISD to permit a student to be taken into legal custody: To comply with an order of the juvenile court. To comply with the laws of arrest. By law enforcement officer if there is probable cause to believe the student has engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct in need of supervision. By a probation officer if there is probable cause to believe the student has violated a condition of probation imposed by the juvenile court. By an authorized representative of Child Protective Services, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a law enforcement officer, or a juvenile probation officer, without a court order, under the conditions set out in the Family Code relating to the student’s physical health or safety. To comply with a properly issued directive to take a student into custody. Before a student is released to a law enforcement officer or other legally authorized person, the principal will verify the officer’s identity and, to the best of his or her ability, will verify the official’s authority to take custody of the student. The principal will immediately notify the superintendent and will ordinarily attempt to notify the parent unless the officer or other authorized person raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection to notifying the parents. Because the principal does not have the authority to prevent or delay a student’s release to a law enforcement officer, any notification will most likely be after the fact.
56 Notification of Law Violations Alvin ISD is required by state law to notify: All instructional and support personnel who have responsibility for supervising a student who has been arrested or referred to the juvenile court for any felony offense or for certain misdemeanors. All instructional and support personnel who have regular contact with a student who is required to register as a sex offender or who has been convicted, received deferred prosecution, received deferred adjudication, or was adjudicated for delinquent conduct for any felony offense or certain misdemeanors. [For further information, see policies FL (LEGAL) and GRA (LEGAL).]
LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT STUDENTS A student with limited English proficiency (LEP) is entitled to receive specialized services from the district. To determine whether the student qualifies for services, a Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will be formed, which will consist of both district personnel and at least one parent representative. The student’s parent must consent to any services recommended by the LPAC for a LEP student. In order to determine a student’s level of proficiency in English, the LPAC will use information from a variety of assessments. If the student qualifies for services and once a level of proficiency has been established, the LPAC will then designate instructional accommodations or additional special programs the student will require to eventually become proficient at grade level work in English. Ongoing assessments will be conducted to determine a student’s continued eligibility for the program. The LPAC will also determine whether certain accommodations are necessary for any state- mandated assessments. The STAAR-L, as mentioned at Standardized Testing, below, may be administered to a LEP student. The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) will also be administered to LEP students who qualify for services. If a student is considered LEP and receives special education services because of a qualifying disability, the student’s ARD committee will make these decisions.
MAKEUP WORK Makeup Work Because of Absence For any class missed, the teacher may assign the student makeup work based on the instructional objectives for the subject or course and the needs of the individual student in mastering the essential knowledge and skills or in meeting subject or course requirements. A student will be responsible for obtaining and completing the makeup work in a satisfactory manner and within the time specified by the teacher. [For further information, see policy EIAB (LOCAL).] A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.
57 A student will be permitted to make up tests and to turn in projects due in any class missed because of absence. Teachers may assign a late penalty to any long-term project in accordance with time lines approved by the principal and previously communicated to students. DAEP Makeup Work A student removed to a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) during the school year will have an opportunity to complete, before the beginning of the next school year, a foundation curriculum course in which the student was enrolled at the time of removal. Alvin ISD may provide the opportunity to complete the course through an alternative method, including a correspondence course, distance learning, or summer school. Alvin ISD will not charge the student for any method of completion provided by Alvin ISD. [See policy FOCA (LEGAL).] In-school Suspension (ISS) Makeup Work A student removed from the regular classroom to in-school suspension or another setting, other than a DAEP, will have an opportunity to complete before the beginning of the next school year each course the student was enrolled in at the time of removal from the regular classroom. Alvin ISD may provide the opportunity by any method available, including a correspondence course, distance learning, or summer school. Alvin ISD will not charge the student for any method of completion provided by Alvin ISD. [See policy FO (LEGAL).]
MEDICINE AT SCHOOL Alvin ISD employees will not give a student prescription medication, nonprescription medication, herbal substances, anabolic steroids, or dietary supplements, with the following exceptions: Only authorized employees, in accordance with policies at FFAC, may administer: Prescription medication, in the original, properly labeled container, provided by the parent, along with a written request. Prescription medication from a properly labeled unit dosage container filled by a registered nurse or another qualified Alvin ISD employee from the original, properly labeled container. Nonprescription medication, in the original, properly labeled container, provided by the parent along with a written request. Herbal or dietary supplements provided by the parent only if required by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan for a student with disabilities. In certain emergency situations, Alvin ISD will maintain and administer to a student nonprescription medication, but only: In accordance with the guidelines developed with Alvin ISD’s medical advisor; and When the parent has previously provided written consent to emergency treatment on Alvin ISD’s form.
58 A student with asthma or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication at school or school-related events only if he or she has written authorization from his or her parent and a physician or other licensed health-care provider. The student must also demonstrate to his or her physician or health-care provider [and to the school nurse] the ability to use the prescribed medication, including any device required to administer the medication. If the student has been prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication for use during the school day, the student and parents should discuss this with the [school nurse or] principal. In accordance with a student’s individual health plan for management of diabetes, a student with diabetes will be permitted to possess and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment while at school or at a school-related activity. See the [school nurse or] principal for information. [See policy FFAF (LEGAL).]
59 Dear Parent/Guardian:
The Texas Legislature passed a law that requires school districts to screen children for acanthosis nigricans. Our school district will be screening children in first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grade. The purpose of the screening is to detect a black-brown velvety marker that usually appears on the back of the neck. The marker is called acanthosis nigricans. The marker is caused by too much insulin in the blood. It is a pre-diabetic condition and serves as an indicator of risk for Type 2 diabetes and other chronic health problems. Acanthosis nigricans is usually seen during the pre-adolescence and adolescence years.
Early detection and attention are important to reduce the excess insulin in the blood. Treatment usually consists of diet changes and physical activity since acanthosis nigricans is also associated with excess weight.
The process for screening is simple. Screeners who have been trained will look at your child’s neck during the already state-mandated spinal and/or vision and hearing screening. The school district will combine both screenings. The acanthosis nigricans screening is usually a visual exam that only requires seconds to complete.
Parents will be notified of the results of the screening only if professional follow-up is recommended. This screening procedure does not replace your child’s need for regular health care and check-ups.
According to Texas state law, acanthosis nigricans screening is required for school children. If, for religious reasons, you do not wish to have your child screened, you must submit an affidavit of exemption to the school. If you do not wish for the school district to administer the acanthosis nigricans screening you may select a health care provider of your choice. However, you must notify our office and submit a copy of screening results to the school district.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
School Administrator
301 E. House St. Alvin, Texas 77511 Phone - 281-388-1130 FAX - 281-388-2719 www.alvinisd.net
60 Dear Parent/Guardian:
Alvin schools will be conducting required spinal screening for grades five and eight this semester. In addition, students in grade nine who have no record of having received their scheduled screening will also be screened. The purpose of spinal screening is to detect signs of scoliosis, an abnormal curve in the spine, during its earliest stage so that need of treatment can be determined. Scoliosis is usually detected in children between the ages of ten and fourteen. Kyphosis, sometimes called round back, is an exaggerated rounding of the upper back and is often confused with poor posture. Many cases of curvature of the spine are mild and require only ongoing observation by a physician when diagnosed. Others can worsen with time as the child grows and requires active treatment such as bracing and surgery. Early treatment can prevent development of a severe deformity that can affect a person’s life-long appearance and health.
The procedure for screening is simple. Screeners who have been specifically trained will look at your child’s back while he/she stands and bends forward. For this examination, boys and girls are seen separately and individually.
Parents will be notified of the results of the screening only if professional follow-up is recommended. This screening procedure does not replace your child’s need for regular health care and checkups.
State law requires all students in grades five and eight to be screened. If, for religious reasons, you do not wish to have your child screened, you are to submit an Affidavit of Exemption to the school principal no later than September 10, 2010. If you decline participation in the spinal screening provided by the school, you must submit to the school principal documentation of a professional examination, which includes the results of a forward-bend test. This documentation must be submitted to the school during the school year the student is scheduled for screening, or if the professional exam is obtained during the following summer, at the beginning of the following school year.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
School Administrator
301 E. House St. Alvin, Texas 77511 Phone - 281-388-1130 FAX - 281-388-2719 www.alvinisd.net
61 Psychotropic Drugs A psychotropic drug is a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication. It is intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior and is commonly described as a mood- or behavior-altering substance. Teachers and other Alvin ISD employees may discuss a student’s academic progress or behavior with the student’s parents or another employee as appropriate; however, they are not permitted to recommend use of psychotropic drugs. An Alvin ISD employee who is a registered nurse, an advanced nurse practitioner, a physician, or a certified or credentialed mental health professional can recommend that a student be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner, if appropriate. [For further information, see policies at FFAC.]
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, [Alvin ISD] does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including CTE programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, which incorporates and expands upon the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The following Alvin ISD representatives have been designated to coordinate compliance with these legal requirements: Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of gender: [Tim Turner, Director of Administrative Services, 301 East House Street, Alvin TX 77511 at (281)388-1130]. ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of disability: Dr. Loree Bruton [301 East House Street, Alvin TX 77511 at (281)388-1130]. All other concerns regarding discrimination: See the superintendent, [Dr. Fred Brent, 301 East House Street, Alvin TX 77511 at (281)388-1130].
NONTRADITIONAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Students may be nominated by teachers, counselors, parents, or any other interested persons. All testing for the program is based on the state definition and Board-approved program. Written parental consent shall be obtained prior to any testing or screening. Final selection is determined by a selection committee based on a set of criteria approved by the Board.
[For further information, please contact the campus GT specialist or see Policy EHBB (LOCAL).]
Jacket Lab (Alvin High School)/Maverick (Manvel High School) What is the Jacket/Maverick Lab? The Jacket/Maverick Lab is an online computer-based learning system, using the PLATO system, which enables a student to recover credits and graduate on time. Many Texas Education Agency approved courses can be accessed through the Jacket/Maverick Lab program.
62 Jacket/Maverick Lab courses are for credit recovery only. A student should have already taken the course and failed it in a regular classroom setting to be eligible to retake it in the Jacket/Maverick Lab. At least two courses must be completed per semester in the Lab. Credit recovery is not offered at the Dual Credit, Pre-AP or AP level. Students will receive regular credit for any class completed in the recovery lab. The Jacket/Maverick Lab also offers Credit Recovery Exams for classes failed the previous semester. To be eligible for Credit Recovery Exams a student must have an average of 60%or above with no more than nine absences in the class and permission from the counselor. Each exam must be completed after school. There is a fee of $25 per test.
Counselors, teachers, and administrators may recommend students; however, parents and students may also request admittance into the program. The criteria for acceptance include the following: too few credits to advance to the next grade due to failed classes, regular attendance, and/or and inability to graduate by the age of nineteen. Students with a history of excessive absences or numerous ISS assignments do not make good candidates for the Jacket/Maverick Lab program. Regular attendance is imperative for a student to complete his/her courses in the Jacket/Maverick Lab. Students with poor reading skills are not successful in the Jacket/Maverick Lab program. A student who does not complete at least two courses per class period in one semester in the Jacket/Maverick Lab may not be eligible to return. To be admitted into the Jacket/Maverick Lab a student must be highly motivated and able to work independently.
SOS (Save Our Seniors Program)
SOS is a computer based program designed for students who are at risk of not graduating or are 5th year seniors. For further information on this program, please speak with his or her child’s assistant principal or counselor. [See Requirements for a Diploma on page 45.]
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS / HEALTH SCREENINGS Due to U.I.L requirements, certain physical, extra-curricular activities require yearly physical examinations (i.e. athletics).
PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MINUTE OF SILENCE Each school day, students will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. Parents may submit a written request to the principal to excuse their child from reciting a pledge. [See Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags on page 18.] One minute of silence will follow recitation of the pledges. Each student may choose to reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity during that minute so long as the silent activity does not interfere with or distract others. [See policy EC (LEGAL) for more information.]
PRAYER Each student has a right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school in a manner that does not disrupt instructional or other activities of the school. The school will not
63 encourage, require, or coerce a student to engage in or to refrain from such prayer or meditation during any school activity.
PROMOTION AND RETENTION A student will be promoted only on the basis of academic achievement or demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter of the course or grade level, the recommendation of the student’s teacher, the score received on any criterion-referenced or state-mandated assessment, and any other necessary academic information as determined by Alvin ISD. To earn credit in a course, a student must receive a grade of at least 70 based on course-level or grade-level standards. In grades 9-12, promotion is based on [refer to your EIE (LOCAL) and include promotion standards for the respective grade levels here]. In addition, at certain grade levels a student—with limited exceptions—will be required to pass the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), if the student is enrolled in a public Texas school on any day between January 1 and the date of the first administration of the STAAR.* In order to be promoted to grade 6, students enrolled in grade 5 must perform satisfactorily on the mathematics and reading sections of the grade 5 assessments in English or Spanish. In order to be promoted to grade 9, students enrolled in grade 8 must perform satisfactorily on the mathematics and reading sections of the grade 8 assessments in English. * Because the 2011–2012 school year is the first year of implementation of the STAAR, students will not be required by state law to perform satisfactorily on the grade 5 or 8 STAARs for this one year only in order to be promoted to the next grade level. Parents of a student in grades 3–8 who does not perform satisfactorily on his or her exams will be notified that their child will participate in special instructional programs designed to improve performance. The student may be required to participate in this instruction before or after normal school hours or outside of the normal school year. With the exception of the 2011–2012 school year, a student in grade 5 or 8 will have two additional opportunities to take a failed assessment. If a student fails a second time, a grade placement committee, consisting of the principal or designee, the teacher, and the student’s parent, will determine the additional special instruction the student will receive. After a third failed attempt, the student will be retained; however, the parent can appeal this decision to the committee. In order for the student to be promoted, based on standards previously established by Alvin ISD, the decision of the committee must be unanimous and the student must complete additional special instruction before beginning the next grade level. Whether the student is retained or promoted, an educational plan for the student will be designed to enable the student to perform at grade level by the end of the next school year. [See policies at EIE.] Certain students—some with disabilities and some with limited English proficiency—may be eligible for exemptions, accommodations, or deferred testing. For more information, see the principal, counselor, or special education director. A Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) will be prepared for any student in a middle school or beyond who did not perform satisfactorily on a state-mandated assessment or is determined by Alvin ISD
64 as not likely to earn a high school diploma before the fifth school year following enrollment in grade 9. The PGP will be designed and implemented by a guidance counselor, teacher, or other staff member designated by the principal. The plan will, among other items, identify the student’s educational goals, address the parent’s educational expectations for the student, and outline an intensive instruction program for the student. [For additional information, see the [counselor or assistant principal] and policy EIF (LEGAL).]
RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL Because class time is important, doctor’s appointments should be scheduled, if possible, at times when the student will not miss instructional time. A student who will need to leave school during the day must bring a note from his or her parent that morning and follow the campus sign-out procedures before leaving the campus. Otherwise, a student will not be released from school at times other than at the end of the school day. Unless the [student’s assistant principal, principal or superintendent] has granted approval because of extenuating circumstances, a student will not regularly be released before the end of the instructional day. If a student becomes ill during the school day, the student should receive permission from the teacher before reporting to the school nurse. The nurse will decide whether or not the student should be sent home and will notify the student’s parent.
REPORT CARDS / PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES Report cards with each student’s grades or performance and absences in each class or subject are issued to parents at least once every 9 weeks.
At the end of every 3rd and 6th week [of a nine-week grading period], students are given a written progress report (regardless if passing or not) which they are to share with their parents Supplemental progress reports in between the 3rd and 6th week’s progress reports may be issued at teacher discretion.
Conferences regarding grades, attendance, or behavior during the school calendar may be requested by teacher or parent as needed [See Working Together on page 14 for how to schedule a conference.] Teachers follow grading guidelines that have been approved by the [principal] pursuant to the board-adopted policy and are designed to reflect each student’s relative mastery of each assignment for the grading period, semester, or course. State law provides that a test or course grade issued by a teacher cannot be changed unless the board determines that the grade was arbitrary or contains an error, or that the teacher did not follow the Alvin ISD’s grading policy. [See policy EIA(LOCAL) and Grading Guidelines on page 45.] Questions about grade calculation should first be discussed with the teacher; if the question is not resolved, the student or parent may request a conference with the principal in accordance with FNG(LOCAL). The report card or unsatisfactory progress report will state whether tutorials are required for a student who receives a grade lower than 70 in a class or subject.
65 Report cards and unsatisfactory progress reports must be signed by the parent and returned to the school within 3 days.
RETALIATION [See Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation on page 35.]
SAFETY Student safety on campus and at school-related events is a high priority of Alvin ISD. Although Alvin ISD has implemented safety procedures, the cooperation of students is essential to ensuring school safety. A student should: Avoid conduct that is likely to put the student or others at risk. Follow the behavioral standards in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct, as well as any additional rules for behavior and safety set by the principal, teachers, or bus drivers. Remain alert to and promptly report to a teacher or the principal any safety hazards, such as intruders on campus or threats made by any person toward a student or staff member. Know emergency evacuation routes and signals. Follow immediately the instructions of teachers, bus drivers, and other Alvin ISD employees who are overseeing the welfare of students. Accident Insurance Soon after the school year begins, parents will have the opportunity to purchase low-cost accident insurance that would help meet medical expenses in the event of injury to their child. Drills: Fire, Tornado, and Other Emergencies From time to time, students, teachers, and other Alvin ISD employees will participate in drills of emergency procedures. When the alarm is sounded, students should follow the direction of teachers or others in charge quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner.
The safety of students is our first priority. Therefore, in certain emergencies procedures are implemented to protect their safety. Please understand that a school may be placed in "lockdown" or “shelter-in-place” in an extreme emergency. Lockdown procedures are implemented due to either an on-campus or off-campus emergency. When these procedures are enacted, access to the school is denied; therefore parents will not be allowed to pick their child up from school until the AISD Police gives their approval. It is very important in these situations that parents cooperate fully with all campus policies.
Emergency Medical Treatment and Information If a student has a medical emergency at school or a school-related activity when the parent cannot be reached, the school may have to rely on written parental consent to obtain emergency medical treatment, and information about allergies to medications, foods, insect bites, etc. Therefore, parents are asked each year to complete an emergency care consent form. Parents should keep emergency care information up-to-date (name of doctor, emergency phone numbers,
66 allergies, etc.). Please contact the school nurse to update any information that the nurse or the teacher needs to know. Emergency School-Closing Information Each year, parents are asked to complete an emergency release form to provide contact information in the event that school is dismissed early because of severe weather or another emergency. Tune to local news radio and television stations for school closing information. Television Stations include: NBC, CBS (KHOU), ABC13, and FOX Websites: www.click2houston.com,www.khou.com,www.abc13.com, www.myfoxhouston.com Radio Stations include: 610AM, 740AM (KTRH), 89.3FM (KSBJ), 93FM (KKBQ), 100.3FM
SAT, ACT, AND OTHER STANDARDIZED TESTS Many colleges require either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for admission. Students are encouraged to talk with the counselor early during their junior year to determine the appropriate exam to take; these exams are usually taken at the end of the junior year. (Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, most students must take a standardized test, such as the Texas Higher Education Assessment [THEA]).
SCHOOL FACILITIES Use by Students Before and After School Certain areas of the school will be accessible to students before and after school for specific purposes. Students are required to remain in the area where their activity is scheduled to take place.
The following areas are open to students before school, beginning at 6:30 a.m. for the high schools, 8 a.m. for the junior high schools, and 7:30 a.m. for the elementary schools.
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Cafeteria (All Schools) Horseshoe in front of Auditorium (AHS) Pavilion (AHS)
Unless the teacher or sponsor overseeing the activity gives permission, a student will not be permitted to go to another area of the building or campus. After dismissal of school in the afternoon, and unless involved in an activity under the supervision of a teacher, students must leave campus immediately. Conduct Before and After School Teachers and administrators have full authority over student conduct at before- or after-school activities on Alvin ISD premises and at school-sponsored events off Alvin ISD premises, such as
67 play rehearsals, club meetings, athletic practices, and special study groups or tutorials. Students are subject to the same rules of conduct that apply during the instructional day and will be subject to consequences established by the Student Code of Conduct or any stricter standards of behavior established by the sponsor for extracurricular participants. Use of Hallways during Class Time Loitering or standing in the halls during class is not permitted. During class time, a student must have a hall pass to be outside the classroom for any purpose. Failure to obtain a pass will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Cafeteria Services Alvin ISD participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and offers students nutritionally balanced meals daily. Free and reduced-price meals are available based on financial need. Information about a student’s participation is confidential. To purchase breakfast or lunch in the cafeteria, students must deposit money into their account at school or at www.parentonline.net to register for balance reminders and to make payments online ($1.75 per transaction to deposit money-other services are free). Current breakfast/lunch prices are: Breakfast $1.25 at all grade levels, Lunch $2.05 at the elementary level and $2.30 at the secondary level. Reduced price lunches and of course free lunches remain the same.
Alvin ISD now accepts applications for the free and reduced lunch program online. Just go to https://foodservapp.alvinisd.net to apply.
Alvin ISD follows the federal and state guidelines regarding foods of minimal nutritional value being served or sold on school premises during the school day. [For more information, see policy CO (LEGAL).]
Alvin ISD practices a "no charge" policy for those students without money for their meals. Students at the elementary level may receive a peanut butter sandwich and a drink if they do not have money for lunch. Excessive substitute meals will be referred to a counselor or to the principal.
Library The library is a learning laboratory with books, computers, magazines, and other materials available for classroom assignments, projects, and reading or listening pleasure. The library is open for independent student use during the following times with a teacher permit: Alvin High School Monday – Thursday, 7am until 4pm Friday – 7am until 3pm
Manvel High School Monday and Wednesday, 7am until 3:30pm Tuesday and Thursday, 7am until 4pm Friday, 7am until 3pm
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Junior High Schools Monday –Friday, 8am until 4:30pm
Elementary Schools The library is open for student use during the day most weeks of the school year. Some elementary libraries are open during the summer. Call his or her school office for operating times. Meetings of Noncurriculum-Related Groups Student-organized, student-led noncurriculum-related groups are permitted to meet during the hours designated by the principal before and after school. These groups must comply with the requirements of policy FNAB (LOCAL). A list of these groups is available in the principal’s office.
SEARCHES In the interest of promoting student safety and attempting to ensure that schools are safe and drug free, Alvin ISD officials may from time to time conduct searches. Such searches are conducted without a warrant and as permitted by law. Students’ Desks and Lockers Students’ desks, lockers and backpacks are school property and remain under the control and jurisdiction of the school even when assigned to an individual student. Students are fully responsible for the security and contents of their assigned desks and lockers. Students must be certain that their lockers are locked, and that the combinations are not available to others. Searches of desks, lockers or backpacks may be conducted at any time there is reasonable cause to believe that they contain articles or materials prohibited by policy, whether or not a student is present. The parent will be notified if any prohibited items are found in the student’s desk or locker. Electronic Devices Use of district-owned equipment and its network systems is not private and will be monitored by the district. [See policy CQ for more information.] Any searches of personal telecommunications or other personal electronic devices will be conducted in accordance with law, and the device may be confiscated in order to perform a lawful search. A confiscated device may be turned over to law enforcement to determine whether a crime has been committed. [See policy FNF(LEGAL) for more information.]
69 Vehicles on Campus Vehicles parked on school property are under the jurisdiction of the school. School officials may search any vehicle any time there is reasonable cause to do so, with or without the permission of the student. A student has full responsibility for the security and content of his or her vehicle and must make certain that it is locked and that the keys are not given to others. [See also the Student Code of Conduct.] Trained Dogs Alvin ISD will use trained dogs to alert school officials to the presence of prohibited or illegal items, including drugs and alcohol. At any time, trained dogs may be used around lockers and the areas around vehicles parked on school property. Searches of classrooms, common areas, or student belongings may also be conducted by trained dogs when students are not present. An item in a classroom, a locker, backpack or a vehicle to which a trained dog alerts may be searched by school officials. Drug-Testing
Random drug testing is conducted for those students who participate in any extracurricular activity or drive and park a vehicle on campus property. [For further information, see policy FNF (LOCAL). Also see Steroids on page 73.]
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Alvin ISD provides special programs for gifted and talented students, homeless students, bilingual students, migrant students, students with limited English proficiency, dyslexic students, and students with disabilities. The coordinator of each program can answer questions about eligibility requirements, as well as programs and services offered in Alvin ISD or by other organizations. A student or parent with questions about these programs should contact the Alvin ISD office at 281-388-1130 and request the director in charge of the program you are seeking information.
STANDARDIZED TESTING SAT/ACT (Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Test) Many colleges require either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for admission. Students are encouraged to talk with the counselor early during their junior year to determine the appropriate exam to take; these exams are usually taken at the end of the junior year. The ACT or SAT may be available at no cost to students. In addition, students in grades 8 and 10 may have the opportunity to take the corresponding preparation assessments at no charge. Please check with the counselor for details.
70 STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Grades 3–8 In addition to routine tests and other measures of achievement, students at certain grade levels will take state-mandated assessments, such as the STAAR, in the following subjects: Mathematics, annually in grades 3–8 Reading, annually in grades 3–8 Writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades 4 and 7 Science in grades 5 and 8 Social Studies in grade 8 Successful performance on the reading and math assessments in grades 5 and 8 is required by law in order for the student to be promoted to the next grade level. For the 2011–2012 school year only, this requirement will be waived. See Promotion and Retention on page 65 for additional information. STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate, for students receiving special education services, will be available for eligible students, as determined by the student’s ARD committee. STAAR-L is a linguistically accommodated assessment that is available for certain limited English proficient (LEP) students, as determined by the student’s Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments for Students in Grades 9–12 Beginning with ninth graders in the 2011–2012 school year, end-of-course (EOC) assessments will be administered for the following courses: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II English I, English II, and English III Biology, Chemistry, and Physics World Geography, World History, and United States History Satisfactory performance on the applicable assessments will be required for graduation and will also affect the plan under which the student may graduate. Normally, there will be three testing windows during the year in which a student may take an EOC assessment, which will occur during the fall, spring, and summer months. For the 2011– 2012 school year, however, there will be only the spring and summer administrations of the EOC assessments. In each content area (English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies), a student must achieve a cumulative score. To determine whether the student meets the cumulative score, the student’s EOC assessment scores in each content area will be added together. If the student’s total score on the assessments within the content area is not equal to or greater than the cumulative score set by TEA, the student may retake any of the assessments in that content area until the student achieves the cumulative score. A student who does not achieve the minimum required score on any individual assessment will be required to retake that assessment.
71 A student may choose to retake an EOC assessment in situations other than those listed above as well. STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate, for students receiving special education services, will be available for eligible students, as determined by the student’s ARD committee. These particular EOC assessments may have different testing windows than the general assessments, and the ARD committee will determine whether successful performance on the assessments will be required for graduation. STAAR-L, which is a linguistically accommodated assessment, will be available for students who have been determined to be limited English proficient (LEP) and who require this type of testing accommodation. Additional information will be provided to students and parents prior to the spring 2012 administrations. Also see Course Credit on page 47, Grading Guidelines on page 45, and Graduation on page 45 for additional information. TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) TAKS is a state-mandated assessment currently being transitioned to the STAAR program. However, depending on the grade level of the student, TAKS may still be administered to a student. For a student in grade 10 or 11 during the 2011–2012 school year, the student will be assessed with TAKS in the subject areas of mathematics, English/language arts, social studies, and science. The test at grade 11 is called “exit-level” TAKS, and satisfactory performance on this test is required for graduation. Also see Graduation on page 45 for more information. THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, most students must take a standardized test, such as the Texas Higher Education Assessment [THEA]. The purpose of the THEA is to assess the reading, mathematics, and writing skills that entering freshmen-level students should have if they are to perform effectively in undergraduate certificate or degree programs in Texas public colleges and universities. This test may be required before a student enrolls in a dual-credit course offered through the district as well.
STEROIDS State law prohibits students from possessing, dispensing, delivering, or administering an anabolic steroid. Anabolic steroids are for medical use only, and only a physician can prescribe use. Body building, muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or strength through the use of an anabolic steroid or human growth hormone by a healthy student is not a valid medical use and is a criminal offense. Students participating in UIL athletic competition may be subject to random steroid testing. More information on the UIL testing program may be found on the UIL Web site at http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/health/steroid_information.html.
72 STUDENT SPEAKERS List of Events: All Alvin ISD events approved by the principal, superintendent or school board A student who is eligible and wishes to introduce one of the school events listed above should submit his or her name to the principal during the first week of the fall semester and/or spring semester. The names of all students who volunteered will be randomly drawn and matched to the event for which the student will give the introduction. If the selected student speaker declines or becomes ineligible, then no student introduction will be made at that event. The selection of students to introduce school events will occur at the beginning of each semester. As determined by the principal, students who have been selected for special honors, such as captain of an athletic team, student council officers, leaders of school-sponsored organizations, homecoming king or queen, or prom king or queen may also address school audiences at designated events. [See FNA (LOCAL).]
SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer school is held each year at alternating Alvin ISD campuses at the high school, junior high and elementary levels. Courses offered in summer school are dependent upon interest or need. Please contact his or her child’s principal, assistant principal, or counselor for more details.
TAKS (TEXAS ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS) In addition to routine tests and other measures of achievement, students at certain grade levels will take state-mandated assessments (such as TAKS: the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) in the following subjects: Mathematics, annually in grades 10 and 11 ELA language arts in grades 10 and 11 Social studies in grades 10 and 11 Science in grades 10 and 11 [See policy EKB (LEGAL).] TAKS-Accommodated, TAKS-Modified, and TAKS-Alternate for students receiving special education services are administered to eligible students. Linguistically accommodated testing (LAT), as well as the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) for students identified as limited English proficient, are also administered to eligible students.
73 TARDINESS High School Level A student who is tardy to school/class 3 or more times in one week will be assigned school discipline. The amount of discipline given will be dependent upon the number of times tardy in any given period. Repeated instances of tardiness will result in more severe disciplinary action, in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Tardiness in excess of 10 minutes within a class period is an absence. The student will subsequently be assigned discipline for truancy which may include filing truancy charges with the appropriate court.
Consequences: The counts and consequences for tardies will be calculated on a weekly basis. tardies 1-2...... No Action tardy 3 ...... 10 Lunch Detentions/One ECO tardy 4 ...... One ECO tardy 5 ...... Two ECOs tardy 6 ...... Three ECOs/SAC tardies 7+ ...... ISS + Parent Conference Junior High Level A student who is more than fifteen minutes late to class is truant for the time missed and will be assigned a level three consequence. A student absent from school or from any class without permission, including required tutorials, will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary action. Tardy Write Ups Consequence 1 Warning/ Documented by teacher 2 One teacher detention /parent contact 3 Two teacher detentions/ parent contact 4 Team referral/ Intervention 5 Office referral 6 Office referral / Disciplinary Meeting
Tardies beyond the 6th tardy will result in continued office intervention.
74 Elementary Level A student who is tardy to school will be assigned to detention hall after 3 tardies. Repeated instances of tardiness will result in more severe disciplinary action. A student is considered tardy at 8:01 a.m.
TEXTBOOKS, ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS, AND TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT State-approved textbooks are provided to students free of charge for each subject or class. Books must be covered by the student, as directed by the teacher, and treated with care. Electronic textbooks and technological equipment may also be provided to students, depending on the course and course objectives. A student who is issued a damaged item should report the damage to the teacher. Any student failing to return an item in acceptable condition loses the right to free textbooks and technological equipment until the item is returned or paid for by the parent; however, the student will be provided textbooks and equipment for use at school during the school day.
TRANSFERS Inter-district Transfers
A nonresident student shall not be permitted to attend district schools with the exception of the following: A resident student who becomes a nonresident in the course of the same semester The student is a child of a nonresident district employee. The employee must apply for the transfer and must do so each year. No tuition applies.
Intra-district Transfers
Students are assigned to schools in the attendance areas they reside. A request for Intra-district transfer may be made by filling out an application available from any campus principal or the Director of Administrative Services, Tim Turner, 281-388-1130.
All transfers must be completed by the set Alvin ISD deadline and are reviewed annually. Any transfer may be revoked based on student conduct and attendance. See policy FDB (LOCAL).
[See School Safety Transfers, on page 19, and Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education, on page 20, for other transfer options.]
TRANSPORTATION School-Sponsored Trips Students who participate in school-sponsored trips are required to use transportation provided by the school to and from the event. The principal, however, may make an exception if the parent makes a written request that the student be released to the parent or to another adult designated by the parent.
75 Buses and Other School Vehicles Alvin ISD makes school bus transportation available to all students living two or more miles from school. This service is provided at no cost to students. Bus routes and any subsequent changes are posted at the school. A parent may also designate a child-care facility or grandparent’s residence as the regular pickup and drop-off location for his or her child. The designated facility or residence must be on an approved stop on an approved route. For information on bus routes and stops or to designate an alternate pickup or drop-off location, you may contact [transportation at 281-245-3101]. See the Student Code of Conduct for provisions regarding transportation to the DAEP. Students are expected to assist Alvin ISD staff in ensuring that buses remain in good condition and that transportation is provided safely. When riding Alvin ISD vehicles, students are held to behavioral standards established in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. Students must: Bus Rider Rules
The Alvin Independent School District has a legal responsibility to provide safe transportation to and from school and for all field trips. In order to provide for more effective bus safety, the superintendent or his designee is hereby directed to promulgate rules of conduct for pupils riding school buses and establish policy and established rules of conduct for bus riders.
A school bus is considered an extension of the classroom; therefore, rules concerning student conduct at school are applicable to bus riders.
Alvin ISD school buses are equipped with a video/audio camera systems and the information recorded may be used as evidence in discipline issues. The viewing of the recordings are limited to district staff in the performance of their duties and are not available for parent viewing under the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Issues involving safety and student management in the performance of providing bus transportation are managed by the Director of Transportation. Any questions or concerns regarding such issues should be addressed to the transportation center.
General Rules
Parents, Guardians, and other non-bus riders are not allowed on board a school bus without the permission of the School Bus Driver.
Parents, Guardians, and other non-bus riders will not engage a School Bus Driver or student passenger in any way which impedes and/or disrupts transportation.
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Students are to follow all lawful instructions and directions of the School Bus Driver and/or Monitor.
Students will adhere to the Student Code of Conduct as published by the District, and as applicable to the student’s grade.
Students will comply with the Standardized Student Dress Code Guidelines as published by the District.
Loading and Unloading a School Bus
Students are expected to be at their designated bus stop ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time.
Students will load and unload from their designated stop only.
School Buses cannot return to a designated stop to pick up students after an attempt has already been made.
Students will board a bus only when signaled by the School Bus Driver.
Upon unloading from a bus, students will not re-board the bus, unless otherwise directed by the School Bus Driver.
While Riding on a School Bus
Students will be seated as directed by the School Bus Driver and remained seated while the bus is in motion.
Students will sit facing forward in the bus, their feet on (or toward) the floor, and out of the aisle way.
All school supplies, loose items, or other carry-on articles (including band instruments) will be secured in a backpack or other applicable container and placed in the student’s lap, or stored under the seat.
Students will keep all parts of their body inside the bus.
77 Students will not yell, scream, or otherwise speak in a manner as to distract the School Bus Driver. When crossing a railroad track, students must remain absolutely quiet.
Students are permitted to carry and consume water as long as it is in a clear plastic container.
Any damage caused by a student to a school bus or other District property is subject to liability of the parent.
In the event of an emergency, students will follow the directions given by the School Bus Driver.
Penalties
The Transportation Department is authorized to issue “Bus Safety Reports” for student violations. Serious Offenses - The following are penalties that may be invoked for serious offenses, as outlined in the District’s “Student Code of Conduct”: Permanent revocation of bus transportation service privileges. Immediate and/or long term suspensions. Immediate suspensions may not afford an opportunity for immediate parent notification. A parent conference may be required prior to consideration for lifting a suspension and resuming bus transportation service.
Other Offenses - The following are penalties that may be invoked for other offenses: 1st Notice: A written warning will be issued with parental notification. 2nd Notice: A one (1) day suspension will be issued with both parental and school notification. 3rd Notice: A three (3) day suspension will be issued with both parental and school notification. 4th Notice: A five (5) day suspension will be issued with both parental and school notification. 5th Notice: A ten (10) day suspension will be issued with both parental and school notification. 6th Notice: The student will be suspended for the remainder of the semester.
Subsequent Offenses – Subsequent offenses may result in a long term suspensions up to a full school year in length. A parent conference may be required prior to consideration for lifting a suspension and resuming bus transportation service.
78 Appeal Procedures
The Director of Transportation or designee shall report each bus suspension to the parent. In the event a parent believes the punishment is unjust, the parent should use the following procedure:
1. Discuss the incident with a supervisor (Transportation Coordinator) for a full account of the circumstances.
2. If the parent has continuing concerns, they will be referred to the Operations Manager.
3. If after a discussion with the Operations Manager, the parent is not satisfied with the outcome, the parent can then request a conference with the Director of Transportation to resolve the matter.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS 1. All special transportation arrangements must be initiated through the child’s campus. 2. It could take up to 5 working days, from the time a request is received by transportation, to schedule times and dates of service. 3. If you have any change of contact information during the summer, you must contact the Special Education Supervisor (281-245-2977) at least 15 days before school starts to ensure pickup for the first school day. 4. We will allow up to 3 minutes for loading for a student that requires more assistance. However, we cannot honk or go back if his or her child misses his or her bus. At this point, transportation becomes the responsibility of the parent/guardian. 5. If his or her child is not riding, please call the Operations Center (281-585-3701) no later than 30 minutes before his or her scheduled pick up time. If a child does not ride for 3 consecutive days, the bus will not return to pick up the student until contact has been made with transportation to resume service. 6. Buses are equipped with air conditioning systems; however, on the hottest days these systems may only cool the bus to temperatures or 77-80 degrees F. 7. If a student cannot be left home alone and no parent/guardian is there to receive them, the student will be brought to the transportation center (2780 W Hwy 6 at CR 149). An authorized parent/guardian must pick up the student promptly at the above location.
If you have any questions or unique situations that were not addressed in the IEP/Transportation Request, please contact the special education transportation supervisor at 281-245-2977.
VANDALISM The taxpayers of the community have made a sustained financial commitment for the construction and upkeep of school facilities. To ensure that school facilities can serve those for
79 whom they are intended—both this year and for years to come—littering, defacing, or damaging school property is not tolerated. Students will be required to pay for damages they cause and will be subject to criminal proceedings as well as disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
VIDEO CAMERAS For safety purposes, video/audio equipment may be used to monitor student behavior, including on buses and in common areas on campus. Students will not be told when the equipment is being used. The principal will review the video/audio recordings routinely and document student misconduct. Discipline will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL General Visitors Parents and others are welcome to visit Alvin ISD schools. For the safety of those within the school and to avoid disruption of instructional time, all visitors must first report to the principal’s office and must comply with all applicable Alvin ISD policies and procedures. Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time are permitted only with approval of the principal and teacher and only so long as their duration or frequency does not interfere with the delivery of instruction or disrupt the normal school environment. All visitors are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct; disruptive behavior will not be permitted. Visitors Participating in Special Programs for Students
On High School Career Day, held in the Fall Semester, Alvin and Manvel High Schools invite representatives from colleges and universities and other higher education institutions, prospective employers, and military recruiters to present information to interested students.
Special Deliveries for Students
Students are not to receive deliveries at school such as flowers, balloons, etc… for any reason.
WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL A student under 18 may be withdrawn from school only by a parent. The school requests notice from the parent at least three days in advance so that records and documents may be prepared. The parent may obtain a withdrawal form from the principal’s office. On the student’s last day, the withdrawal form must be presented to each teacher for current grade averages and book and equipment clearance; to the librarian to ensure a clear library record; to the clinic for health records; to the counselor for the last report card and course clearance; and finally, to the principal. A copy of the withdrawal form will be given to the student, and a copy will be placed in the student’s permanent record. A student who is 18 or older, who is married, or who has been declared by a court to be an emancipated minor may withdraw without parental signature.
80 Glossary Accelerated instruction is an intensive supplemental program designed to address the needs of an individual student in acquiring the knowledge and skills required at his or her grade level and/or as a result of a student not meeting the passing standard on a state-mandated assessment. ACT refers to one of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: the American College Test. The test may be a requirement for admission to certain colleges or universities. ARD is the admission, review, and dismissal committee convened for each student who is identified as needing a full and individual evaluation for special education services. The eligible student’s parents are part of the committee. Attendance review committee is sometimes responsible for reviewing a student’s absences when the student’s attendance drops below 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Under guidelines adopted by the board, the committee will determine whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences and whether the student needs to complete certain conditions to master the course and regain credit lost because of absences. DAEP stands for disciplinary alternative education program, a placement for students who have violated certain provisions of the Student Code of Conduct. FERPA refers to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act that grants specific privacy protections to student records. The law contains certain exceptions, such as for directory information, unless a student’s parent or a student 18 or older directs the school not to release directory information. IEP is the written record of the individualized education program prepared by the ARD committee for a student with disabilities who is eligible for special education services. The IEP contains several parts, such as a statement of the student’s present educational performance; a statement of measurable annual goals, with short-term objectives; the special education and related services and supplemental aids and services to be provided, and program modifications or support by school personnel; a statement regarding how the student’s progress will be measured and how the parents will be kept informed; accommodations for state or district wide tests; etc. ISS refers to in-school suspension, a disciplinary technique for misconduct found in the Student Code of Conduct. Although different from out-of-school suspension and placement in a DAEP, ISS removes the student from the regular classroom. LAT stands for linguistically accommodated testing, which is an assessment process for recent immigrant English language learners who are required to be assessed in certain grades and subjects under the NCLB Act. NCLB Act is the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. PGP stands for Personal Graduation Plan, which is recommended for all students entering grade 9 and is required by state law for any student in middle school or higher who fails a section on a state-mandated test or is identified by Alvin ISD as not likely to earn a high school diploma before the fifth school year after he or she begins grade 9.
81 SAT refers to one of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The test may be a requirement for admissions to certain colleges or universities. SHAC stands for School Health Advisory Council, a group of at least five members, a majority of whom must be parents, appointed by the school board to assist Alvin ISD in ensuring that local community values and health issues are reflected in Alvin ISD’s health education instruction. Section 504 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination against a student with a disability, requiring schools to provide opportunities for equal services, programs, and participation in activities. Unless the student is determined to be eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), general education with appropriate instructional accommodations will be provided. STAAR is the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, the state’s system of standardized academic achievement assessments, effective beginning with certain students for the 2011–2012 school year. STAAR Alternate is an alternative state-mandated assessment designed for students with severe cognitive disabilities receiving special education services who meet the participation requirements, as determined by the student’s ARD committee. STAAR Modified is an alternative state-mandated assessment based on modified achievement standards that is administered to eligible students receiving special education services, as determined by the student’s ARD committee. STAAR Linguistically Accommodated (STAAR L) is an alternative state-mandated assessment with linguistic accommodations designed for certain recent immigrant English language learners. State-mandated assessments are required of students at certain grade levels and in specified subjects. Successful performance sometimes is a condition of promotion, and passing the grade 11 exit-level test is a condition of graduation. Students have multiple opportunities to take the tests if necessary for promotion or graduation. Student Code of Conduct is developed with the advice of Alvin ISD-level committee and adopted by the board and identifies the circumstances, consistent with law, when a student may be removed from the classroom or campus. It also sets out the conditions that authorize or require the principal or another administrator to place the student in a DAEP. It outlines conditions for out-of-school suspension and for expulsion. The Student Code of Conduct also addresses notice to the parent regarding a student’s violation of one of its provisions. TAKS is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, the state’s standardized achievement test currently given to students in certain subjects in grades 3–11. TAKS-Accommodated is a state mandated assessment based on the same grade-level academic achievement standards of TAKS available to certain students who receive special education services and who need specific accommodations, as determined by the student and his or her ARD committee.
82 TAKS-Alternate is an alternate state mandated assessment designed for students with severe cognitive disabilities receiving special education services who meet the participation requirements, as determined by the student and his or her ARD committee. TAKS-Modified is an alternate state mandated assessment based on modified achievement standards and is administered to eligible students receiving special education services, as determined by the student and his or her ARD committee. TELPAS stands for the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System, which assesses the progress that English language learners make in learning the English language, and is administered for those who meet the participation requirements in kindergarten–grade 12. TxVSN is the Texas Virtual School Network, which provides online courses for Texas students to supplement the instructional programs of public school districts. Courses are taught by qualified instructors, and courses are equivalent in rigor and scope to a course taught in a traditional classroom setting. UIL refers to the University Interscholastic League, the statewide voluntary nonprofit organization that oversees educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests.
83 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 85 I. PURPOSE ...... 85 II. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS ...... 85 III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ...... 86 A. Supplemental Rules ...... 86 B. Disrespect and Interference ...... 86 C. School District Authority and Jurisdiction ...... 86 D. Enforcement of Student Code of Conduct ...... 87 IV. GENERAL MISCONDUCT VIOLATIONS ...... 87 A. Behaviors ...... 87 B. Consequences ...... 88 C. Penalties for Dress Code Violations ...... 89 D. Procedure ...... 89 V. TEACHER REMOVAL ...... 89 A. Discretionary Removal by a Teacher ...... 89 B. Formal Removal by a Teacher ...... 90 C. Procedure for Removal ...... 90 VI. REMOVAL FROM THE REGULAR EDUCATION SETTING ...... 90 A. Alternative Education Center (ISS) Placement ...... 90 B. Suspension From School ...... 92 C. Disciplinary Alternative Education Program Placement ...... 93 D. Expulsion from School ...... 98 E. Emergency Procedures ...... 102 F. Placement in a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) ...... 102 G. Continuation of Disciplinary Placement/Withdrawal ...... 102 Glossary ...... 103 ECO Rules ...... 107
84
ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT PLAN
I. PURPOSE The Student Code of Conduct is Alvin ISD’s response to the requirements of Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code.
The Code provides methods and options for managing students in the classroom and on school grounds, disciplining students, and preventing and intervening in student discipline problems.
The law requires Alvin ISD to define misconduct that may – or must – result in a range of specific disciplinary consequences including removal from a regular classroom or campus, suspension, placement in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP), or expulsion from school.
This Student Code of Conduct has been adopted by the AISD Board of Trustees and developed with the advice of Alvin ISD-level committee. This Code provides information to parents and students regarding standards of conduct, consequences of misconduct, and procedures for administering discipline.
In accordance with state law, the Code will be posted at each school campus or will be available for review at the office of the campus principal. Parents will be notified of any conduct violation that may result in a student being suspended, placed in a DAEP, or expelled.
Because the Student Code of Conduct is adopted by Alvin ISD’s board of trustees it has the force of policy; therefore, in case of conflict between the Code and the student handbook, the Code will prevail.
Please note: The discipline of students with disabilities who are eligible for services under federal law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) is subject to the provisions of those laws.
II. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS Each student is expected to behave in a responsible manner by: 1. Consciously participating in class and being supportive of an effective learning and teaching environment; 2. Demonstrating courtesy and respect for others; 3. Attending all classes regularly and on time; 4. Preparing for each class; taking appropriate materials and assignments to class; 5. Being well-groomed and dressing appropriately as defined by District and/or campus dress code; 6. Obeying all campus and classroom rules; 7. Respecting the rights and privileges of other students, District staff, and other adults on campus or at school-related activities, on or off campus; 8. Respecting the property of others, including District property and facilities; 9. Cooperating with or assisting the school staff in maintaining safety, order, and discipline; 10. Refrain from selling or distributing unauthorized materials or items; 11. Paying required fees and fines unless waived; and 12. Adhering to the Student Code of Conduct;
85 III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES
A. Supplemental Rules Alvin ISD may impose campus or classroom rules in addition to those found in the Student Code of Conduct. These rules may be listed in the student handbook or posted in classrooms.
B. Disrespect and Interference A student whose behavior shows disrespect for others, including interference with their access to a public education and a safe environment, will be subject to disciplinary action.
C. School District Authority and Jurisdiction
School rules and the authority of Alvin ISD to administer discipline apply whenever the interest of Alvin ISD is involved, on or off school grounds, in conjunction with or independent of classes and school- sponsored activities.
Alvin ISD has disciplinary authority over a student: 1. During the regular school day and while the student is going to and from school on District transportation; 2. During lunch periods in which a student is allowed to leave campus; 3. While the student is in attendance at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location; 4. For any school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location; 5. When retaliation against a school employee or volunteer occurs or is threatened, regardless of time or location; 6. When criminal mischief is committed off school property, if the conduct is punishable as a felony, or if criminal mischief is committed on school property or at a school-related event; 7. For certain offenses committed within 300 feet of school property as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line; 8. For certain offenses committed while on school property or while attending a school sponsored or school related activity of another district in Texas; and 9. When the student commits a felony, as provided by Texas Education Code 37.006 or 37.0081.
Questioning Students Administrators, teachers, and other professional personnel may question a student regarding the student’s own conduct or the conduct of other students. In the context of school discipline, students have no claim to the right not to incriminate themselves.
Searches Searches or inspections may be conducted at any time and without notice, if there is reasonable suspicion to suspect the search will reveal material or information indicating a student has violated policy or law. Students shall be fully responsible for the security and contents of personal belongings, backpacks, desks, lockers, or vehicles. Students shall make certain that lockers are locked and that the keys or combinations are not given to others. Students shall not place or keep in a backpack, desk, or locker any article or material prohibited by law, District policy, or the Student Code of Conduct. Students shall be held responsible for any prohibited items found in their desks, lockers, backpacks, any personal belongings, or vehicles.
Student property may be searched without reasonable suspicion if the student voluntarily consents to the search.
If there is reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle on school property contains contraband, it may be searched by school officials or by personnel whose services have been engaged by Alvin ISD to conduct such searches. Students shall be held responsible for any prohibited items found in their vehicles on school property.
86 If a vehicle subject to search is locked, the student shall be asked to unlock the vehicle. If the student refuses, Alvin ISD shall contact the student’s parents. If the parents also refuse to permit a search of the vehicle, Alvin ISD may turn the matter over to local law enforcement officials.
Video/Audio Monitoring In accordance with AISD District Policy FO (LOCAL) video/audio equipment may be used for safety purposes to monitor student behavior on buses and in common areas on District campuses.
Reporting Crime School administrators shall report crimes as required by law and shall contact local law enforcement when an administrator suspects that a crime has been committed on campus.
D. Enforcement of Student Code of Conduct In general, discipline will be designed to correct misconduct and to encourage all students to adhere to their responsibilities as citizens of the school community and, when necessary, to protect students, school employees or property, and to maintain essential order and discipline.
Disciplinary action will draw on the professional judgment of teachers and administrators and on a range of discipline management techniques. Disciplinary action shall be based on one or more of the following: 1. The seriousness of the offense; 2. The student’s age and grade level; 3. The frequency of misconduct; 3. The effect of the misconduct on the school environment; 4. Whether the student acted in self-defense; 5. Intent or lack of intent at the time the student engaged in the conduct; 6. The student’s disciplinary history; and/or 7. A disability that substantially impairs the student’s capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student’s conduct.
Because of these factors, discipline for a particular offense (unless otherwise specified by law) may bring into consideration varying techniques and consequences.
A student who violates campus or classroom rules that are not Student Code of Conduct violations may be disciplined by one or more of the discipline management techniques listed as consequences for general misconduct violations. For these violations, a teacher is not required to make a Student Code of Conduct violation report.
IV. GENERAL MISCONDUCT VIOLATIONS
A. Behaviors Students are prohibited from: 1. Leaving school grounds or school-sponsored events without permission of the appropriate school official; 2. Disobeying school rules related to conduct on school buses; 3. Failing to comply with lawful directives given by school personnel; 4. Public display of affection; 5. Possessing or using matches or a lighter except as part of an instructional program; 6. Possessing, smoking, or using tobacco products; 7. Behaving in any way that disrupts the school environment or educational process; 8. Violating safety rules; 9. Violating dress and grooming standards; 10. Violating other communicated campus or classroom standards of behavior; 11. Being in facilities designated for the opposite sex, or in facilities designated as Faculty Only, Janitorial Only, or Custodial Only, or other restricted areas;
87 12. Displaying, turning on, or using paging devices or cellular phones; 13. Loitering in the parking lot or school grounds; 14. Engaging in bullying, harassment, or making hit lists; 15. Cheating or copying the work of another; 16. Violating computer use policies, rules, or agreements; 17. Having or taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs at school other than as permitted by District policy; 18. Discharging a fire extinguisher or other safety device without valid cause; 19. Using profanity; 20. Truancy; 21. Falsifying records, passes, or school-related documents; 22. Making false accusations or perpetrating hoaxes; 23. Throwing objects that can cause bodily injury or property damage; 24. Violating campus or classroom standards of conduct; 25. Possessing fireworks; 26. Damaging or defacing school property or property of other students or of employees; 27. Possessing a laser pointer; and/or 28. Theft ($10.00 or less). 29. Disrespect to staff
B. Consequences The following discipline management techniques may be used alone or in combination for Student Code of Conduct General Misconduct Violations and misconduct that is not identified in the Student Code of Conduct:
1. Verbal correction; 2. Cooling-off time or time-out. Time-out is defined as the removal of a student from the instructional program to a special place either inside or outside the classroom. General guidelines for use of time-out are: a. Time-out uses a reasonable amount of time for each episode. A minute or less per incident for each year of the student’s age is a good guideline for most elementary students. A minimum of 20-30 minutes per incident is appropriate for secondary students; b. Assignment to time-out shall be combined with a precise request for changed behavior; c. Progress toward positively changed behavior shall be rewarded; d. When the student has completed the period of time-out, the teacher shall restate the original request (e.g., “Now I want you to...”); 3. Phone calls to parents; 4. Seating changes in the classroom; 5. Counseling by teachers, counselors, or administrative personnel; 6. Conference with parents and teacher; 7. Conference with parents and campus administrators; 8. Temporary confiscation of items that disrupt the educational process; 9. Grade reductions as permitted by policy; 10. Community service with parental approval; 11. Rewards or demerits; 12. Behavioral contracts; 13. Office or other assigned area referral; 14. Detention other than ECO (after notice to the parent). Transportation is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility; 15. Assigned school duties other than class tasks; 16. Withdrawal of privileges, such as participation in extracurricular activities and eligibility for seeking and holding honorary offices; 17. Withdrawing or restricting bus privileges; 18. Techniques or penalties identified in individual student organizations’ codes of conduct;
88 19. Corporal punishment may be used as a discipline management technique in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct unless the student’s parent or guardian has provided a signed statement prohibiting its use. Corporal punishment shall be limited to spanking or paddling the student, and shall be administered only in accordance with the following guidelines: a. The student shall be told the reason corporal punishment is being administered. b. Corporal punishment shall be administered only by the principal, assistant principal, or a teacher. c. The instrument to be used in administering corporal punishment shall be approved by the principal or a designee. d. Corporal punishment shall be administered in the presence of one other District professional employee and in a designated place out of view of other students. Alvin ISD shall honor a parent request that corporal punishment not be administered to his or her child; however, Alvin ISD shall impose other disciplinary measures consistent with the offense. 20. Referral to outside agency and/or legal authority for criminal prosecution in addition to disciplinary measures imposed by Alvin ISD; 21. Extended Classroom Opportunities (ECO), ISS, ADAPT, or BCJJAEP; 22 Saturday school; and/or 23. Other strategies and consequences as specified by the Student Code of Conduct.
C. Penalties for Dress Code Violations Alvin ISD establishes the dress code to teach good grooming and hygiene, instill discipline and modesty, demonstrate respect for authority, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and provide a successful learning environment. Appropriate dress and grooming standards promote responsibility and self-esteem, thus fostering a sense of community for all students in their present and future interactions. A dress and grooming code violation is a Student Code of Conduct violation. The following actions will be taken if a violation occurs: 1. If the violation is corrected the student will be warned and a dress code referral may be issued. Repeated warnings will result in disciplinary action. If the violation cannot be corrected the student will be sent to the office. 2. If a dress or grooming standard offense can be corrected in the school or office, the correction will be made, a dress code referral will be issued and the student allowed to return to class. If the violation cannot be corrected the student will receive a disciplinary consequence and allowed to return to class unless the infraction is deemed blatant, extreme, offensive or repetitive. Repeated warnings will result in disciplinary action. 3. Blatant, extreme, repetitive offenses or a similar nature will be treated as insubordination and will receive progressive consequences.
D. Procedure Parental questions or complaints regarding disciplinary measures taken should be addressed to the teacher or campus administration, as appropriate.
V. TEACHER REMOVAL
A. Discretionary Removal by a Teacher Violation of classroom rules or general misconduct violations as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct will not necessarily result in the formal removal of the student from class or another placement, but may result in a routine referral to the principal or the principal’s designee, or the use of any other discipline management technique.
89 A teacher may also remove a student from class for an offense for which a student may be suspended and/or placed in a disciplinary Alternative Education Program, and a conference will be held, as described below under “Formal Removal by a Teacher.”
If the student is referred to the principal or the principal’s designee for disciplinary action, the principal or the principal’s designee will determine the appropriate disciplinary action. The principal or the principal’s designee shall be sent a copy of the disciplinary referral by the teacher together with the disciplinary action taken, as soon as feasible after the student is sent to the principal or principal designee’s office. A copy of the completed disciplinary referral form will be returned to the teacher, a copy sent home with the student, and a copy placed in the student’s disciplinary file.
B. Formal Removal by a Teacher Formal removal may occur if the student’s behavior has been documented by the teacher as repeatedly interfering with the teacher’s ability to teach his or her class, or the behavior is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that the teacher cannot teach.
A teacher must remove a student from class and refer him/her to the principal or principal’s designee for an offense for which a student may be suspended and/or placed in a disciplinary AEP. A teacher must also remove a student from class for an expellable offense.
C. Procedure for 1. If the violation results in formal removal, the principal or principal’s designee will schedule a conference within three (3) school days with the student’s parent, the teacher, and the student. 2. At the conference, the student is entitled to written or oral notice of the reasons for the removal, an explanation of the basis for the removal, and an opportunity to respond to the reasons for the removal. The student may not be returned to his/her regular classroom before the conference. 3. After the conference, the principal or principal’s designee will notify the student and parents of the consequences of the Student Code of Conduct violation. 4. When a student is removed from the regular classroom and a conference with parents or a hearing is pending, the principal or principal’s designee may place a student in: a. Another appropriate classroom; b. Alternative Education Center (ISS); c. A disciplinary AEP in which the student must be separated from other students for the entire school program day and will be provided instruction in the core subjects, and counseling will also be provided to the student; and/or d. Suspension for a maximum of three (3) days provided the behavior could result in placement in a disciplinary AEP. 5. When a student has been removed from class by a teacher, the principal may not return the student to the teacher’s class without the teacher’s consent unless the placement review committee determines that the teacher’s class is the best or only alternative available. However, when the student has been removed from class by the teacher, the student may not be returned to that teacher’s class if the teacher removed the student from class because the student engaged in the elements of the following offenses against the teacher: assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, murder, capital murder, or criminal attempt to commit murder.
VI. REMOVAL FROM THE REGULAR EDUCATIONAL SETTING
A. Alternative Education Center (ISS) Behaviors Resulting in Placement in ISS A student may be assigned to ISS if the student commits any of the following offenses on school property, or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property. 1. Academic dishonesty or copying the work of another, or allowing others to copy work. In addition, academic dishonesty or copying will result in a grade of zero (0); 2. Using profanity towards anyone other than a non-employee
90 (See DAEP section, below); 3. Using vulgar language or inappropriate or obscene gestures; 4. Displaying inappropriate or obscene pictures, photos, or drawings; 5. Physically aggressive behavior such as, but not limited to, pushing, scuffling, or fighting which is not defined as assault. Fighting may also result in charges being filed. (The offense of assault is addressed later in the Student Code of Conduct.); 6. Stealing from students, staff, or the school; 7. Damaging or vandalizing property owned by others. (Restitution also may be required.) Depending upon the seriousness of the damage, the student may be expelled; 8. Possession of fireworks, matches, stun guns, or shocking devices (pens, lighters, etc.); 9. Hazing as defined by Board Policy FNCC (LEGAL) and Texas Education Code, Section 37.151; 10. Name-calling, ethnic or racial slurs, or derogatory statements that school officials have reason to believe will substantially disrupt the school program or incite violence; 11. Insubordination; 12. Aggressive, disruptive action or group demonstration that school officials believe does or may substantially disrupt or materially interfere with the school program, school activities, or incites violence. (This may also result in a citation.); 13. Falsification of records, passes, or other school-related documents including, but not limited to, computer hacking, theft of, or misuse of software; 14. Smoking, use of, or possession of tobacco products; 15. Possession of chemical stink/smoke bombs or any other pyrotechnic device; 16. Repeated general misconduct violations. (Alvin ISD defines “repeated” to be 2 or more infractions of the general misconduct violations. These may be different violations or repeated violations of the same offense.); 17. Gambling on school property; 18. Truancy; 19. Written or verbal offensive or threatening remarks; 20. Bullying, harassment, or making hit lists; 21. Violating computer use policies, rules, or agreements signed by the student and/or agreements signed by the student’s parent; 22. Using the Internet or other electronic communications to threaten students or employees or cause disruption to the educational program; 23. Sending, posting, or possessing electronic messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal, including cyber bullying and “sexting”; 24. Using email or Web sites at school to encourage illegal behavior or threaten school safety; 25. Theft of more than $10.00; 26. Making threats; 27. Sexual harassment; 28. Possessing a look-alike weapon; 29. Calling 911; 30. Indecent exposure; 31. Vandalism of another student’s property or school property (more than $50.00); 32. Possession of a knife with a blade less than 5 and ½ inches.
Procedures for Assigning Students to ISS 1. Inform student of accusations and provide an opportunity for student to present his/her side; 2. Investigate as necessary; 3. Decide upon the innocence or guilt of the student; 4. If guilty, decide on the number of days to be assigned to ISS and inform student verbally and in writing; 5. Written notice sent home to parent with student; 6. Telephone call to parent; 7. Student’s counselor notified; 8. Student’s teachers are notified so that the lessons may be provided to ISS
91 9. Student brings all books to ISS; and 10. Upon finishing (completing) ISS, student receives completion form from ISS teachers or person responsible for ISS. Student meets with principal or assistant principal. Principal or assistant principal conferences with student who signs completion form. Student shows each teacher his completion form as he/she returns to each class.
Length of Assignment to ISS The maximum length of assignment to ISS shall be forty (40) days, unless the student commits a violation of the ISS rules or the Student Code of Conduct while assigned to ISS. This could result in the assignment of additional days, out of school suspension, or assignment to a disciplinary alternative education program, depending upon the seriousness of the offense.
Sanctions A student who has been assigned to ISS may not participate in or attend school-sponsored or school-related extracurricular or co-curricular activities during the period of assignment.
Continuation of Coursework If a student is removed from the regular classroom and placed in ISS or another setting other than a disciplinary alternative education program, Alvin ISD shall offer the student the opportunity to complete, before the beginning of the next school year, each course in which the student was enrolled at the time of the removal. Such an opportunity may be provided by any method available, including a correspondence course, distance learning, or summer school.
B. Suspension from School Behaviors Resulting in Suspension from School Students may be suspended from school for conduct for which they may be placed in a disciplinary AEP, pending removal to a disciplinary AEP, or pending expulsion.
Length of Suspension From School State law allows a student to be suspended for up to three (3) school days per offense, with no limit on the number of times a student may be suspended in a semester or school year. The principal or principal’s designee shall set the length of the suspension from school. When a student is suspended, the student is expected to be under the supervision of the parent, guardian or other responsible adult.
Procedures for Suspension from School Before being suspended from school, a student is entitled to participate in an informal conference during which the principal or principal’s designee will advise the student of the conduct with which he or she is charged and will give the student the opportunity to explain his or her version of the incident. If the principal or principal’s designee believes the student has engaged in prohibited conduct, the student will be suspended from school. The duration of a student’s suspension, which cannot exceed three (3) school days, will be determined by the principal or principal’s designee. Parents will be notified in writing and will be contacted, by phone or in person, as to the reason and length of the student’s out-of-school suspension.
Sanctions
A student who has been suspended may not participate in or attend school-sponsored or school-related extracurricular and co-curricular activities during the period of suspension.
Absence from School Suspension from school is considered an excused absence. Students are to request makeup work when they return to school and will receive full credit for work missed if the work is made up in accordance with campus and classroom rules.
92 C. Disciplinary Alternative Education Program Placement The disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) in Alvin ISD is the Alvin Disciplinary Alternative Placement Teaching Center (ADAPT). “ADAPT” and “DAEP” are used interchangeably in this Code. Behaviors Resulting in Disciplinary AEP/ADAPT Assignment A student may be placed in ADAPT if the student commits any of the following offenses on school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property. The principal may place students in ADAPT for any of the behaviors listed below: 1. Throwing objects that can cause bodily injury or property damage; 2. Committing extortion, coercion, or blackmail (obtaining money or another object of value from an unwilling person), or forcing an individual to act through the use of force or threat of force; 3. Committing or assisting in a robbery or theft that does not constitute a felony according to the Texas Penal Code; (Felony robbery or theft offenses are addressed later in the Student Code of Conduct). 4. Engaging in sexual contact; 5. Engaging in conduct that constitutes sexual harassment or sexual abuse whether the conduct is by word, gesture, or any other sexual conduct, including requests for sexual favors, and the dissemination of sexually oriented materials; 6. Using profanity towards a school employee; 7. Possessing or selling look-alike drugs or weapons or items attempted to be passed off as drugs or weapons or contraband; 8. Abusing the student’s own prescription drug, giving a prescription drug to another student, or possessing or being under the influence of another person’s prescription drug on school property or at a school-related event; 9. Having or taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs at school other than as provided by AISD policy; 10. Possessing or using alcohol; 11. Possessing drug paraphernalia; 12. Using racial slurs; 13. Repeated misbehavior if a student, after being placed in ISS, continues to violate the Student Code of Conduct. (Alvin ISD defines “repeated” to be 2 or more violations of the Student Code of Conduct in general or repeated occurrences of the same violations.); 14. Engaging in conduct that constitutes criminal mischief that is not punishable as a felony; 15. Possessing or distributing pornographic materials; 16. Kidnapping which is not aggravated kidnapping (for aggravated kidnapping, see Expulsions); 17. Being involved in gang activity, including participating as a member or pledge, or soliciting another person to become a pledge or member of a gang. No student on or about school property or at any school activity shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign or other things which are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang; shall commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity, including but not limited to, soliciting others for membership in any gangs; requesting any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person; inciting other students to set with physical violence upon any other person; 18. Being involved in a public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society, including participating as a member or pledge, or soliciting another person to become a pledge or member of a public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society; 19. Possessing any razor or knife with a blade length of less than five and one-half inches
93 20. Lighting or possession of fireworks or other objects; 21. Repeated violations of possession, smoking, or use of tobacco. (“Repeated” meaning multiple violations); 22. Physically aggressive behavior such as, but not limited to, pushing, scuffling, or fighting which is not defined as assault; 23. The use of chemical stink/smoke bombs, or any other pyrotechnic device; 24. Possessing ammunition; or 25. Student’s presence on campus deemed to be a temporary threat to the safety of the student body or campus in general. 26. The student: a. Has received deferred prosecution under section 53.03, Family Code, for conduct defined as a felony offense in Title 5, Penal Code; or b. Has been found by a court or jury to have engaged in delinquent conduct under section 54.03, Family Code, for conduct defined as a felony offense in Title 5, Penal Code; and c. The Board or the Board’s designee has determined that the student’s presence in the regular classroom: i. threatens the safety of other students or teachers; ii. will be detrimental to the educational process; or iii. is not in the best interests of Alvin ISD’s students. Any decision of the Board or the Board’s designee under this subsection is final and may not be appealed. In addition, the Board or its designee may order placement in accordance with this provision regardless of: (a) the date on which the student’s conduct occurred; (b) the location at which the conduct occurred; (c) whether the conduct occurred while the student was enrolled in Alvin ISD, or (d) whether the student has successfully completed any court disposition requirements imposed in connection with the conduct. Furthermore, the Board may, under state law, order placement for such a student for any period considered necessary by the Board or the Board’s designee (i.e., the one-year maximum placement does not apply). However, a student placed in disciplinary AEP for this reason will be accorded the periodic reviews applicable to all disciplinary AEP placements. 27. Bullying, harassment, or making hit lists. 28. Fifth (5th) offense of Failure to attend ECO. In addition to the reasons listed above, a student may be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary AEP based on conduct occurring off campus and while the student is not in attendance at a school-sponsored or school-related activity if the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee has a reasonable belief that the student has engaged in conduct defined as a felony offense other than aggravated robbery or those defined in Title 5, Penal Code that occurs off school property and not at a school-sponsored or school related event, if the continued presence of the student in the regular classroom threatens the safety of the other students or teachers or will be detrimental to the educational process. Behaviors Resulting in Mandatory Disciplinary AEP Assignment 1. A student shall be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary AEP if the student engages in conduct involving a public school that contains the elements of the offense of false alarm or report (including a bomb threat) under Section 42.06, Penal Code, or terroristic threat involving a public school under Section 22.07, Penal Code.
94 2. A student shall be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary AEP if the student commits the following on or within 300 feet of school property, as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line, or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off of school property: a. Engages in conduct punishable as a felony; b. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of assault under section 22.01(a) (1) of the Penal Code (i.e., intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another). c. Sells, gives, or delivers to another person or possesses, uses, or is under the influence of: i. Marijuana or a controlled substance, as defined by Chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code or by 21 USC Section 801 et seq., including “synthetic” or “look-alike drugs”, in an amount not punishable as a felony offense; or ii. A dangerous drug, as defined by Chapter 483, Health and Safety Code, in an amount not punishable as a felony offense. d.Sells, gives, or delivers to another person an alcoholic beverage; commits a serious act or offense while under the influence of alcohol; or possesses, uses, or is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, if the conduct is not punishable as a felony; e. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of an offense relating to abusable volatile chemicals, under Sections 485.031 through 485.034, Health and Safety Code; f. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of public lewdness under Section 21.07, Penal Code, or indecent exposure under Section 21.08, Penal Code; g. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of graffiti under Section 28.08, Penal Code; h. Engages in expellable conduct and is between six and nine years of age; or i. Commits a federal firearms violation and is younger than six years of age. 3. A student shall be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary AEP as provided by Section 37.008 based on conduct occurring off-campus and while the student is not in attendance at a school-sponsored or school-related activity if: a. The student receives deferred prosecution (voluntary contract) under Section 53.03 of the Family Code for conduct defined as a felony offense in Title 5 of the Penal Code or the felony offense of aggravated robbery under Section 29.03 Penal Code; b. A court or jury finds that the student has engaged in delinquent conduct under Section 54.03 of the Penal Code for conduct defined as a felony offense in Title 5 of the Penal Code or the felony offense of aggravated robbery under Section 29.03 Penal Code; or c. The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee has a reasonable belief that the student has engaged in conduct defined as a felony offense in Title 5 of the Penal Code or the felony offense of aggravated robbery under Section 29.03 Penal Code. 4. A student shall be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary AEP if the student engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of retaliation against any school employee, regardless of where the conduct occurs, unless such conduct is defined as an expellable offense. (Note: Certain retaliatory conduct constitutes an expellable offense, as explained in the Expulsion section of this Student Code of Conduct.) 5. If a student has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault against another student on the same campus, and if the victim or the victim’s parents request that the board transfer the student who committed the offense to another campus, the student who committed the offense shall be transferred to another campus, but if there is no other campus in Alvin ISD serving the grade level of the student who committed the offense, the student who committed the offense will be transferred to a disciplinary AEP.
Length of Assignment to a Disciplinary AEP
The period of placement in a disciplinary AEP may not exceed one year unless, after a review, Alvin ISD determines that the student is a threat to the safety of other students or to District employees, or extended placement is in the best interest of the student.
Description of Violation Length of Assignment Minimum Assigned 45 days Maximum Assigned 180 days
95 Placement in the DAEP may exceed one year if, after review, Alvin ISD determines that: The student is a threat to the safety of other students or to District employees; or Extended placement is in the best interest of the student.
Procedures for Removal to a Disciplinary AEP
The Board delegates to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee the authority to remove a student to a disciplinary AEP. The duration of a student’s placement in a disciplinary AEP will be determined by the Superintendent or designee as outlined above in this Code.
Within three (3) school days of receiving the Disciplinary Referral Form, the principal or designee will schedule a conference with the student’s parent, teacher, and the student. Until a hearing can be held, the student may be placed in: Another appropriate classroom; ISS; and/or Out of school suspension for a maximum of three (3) days.
At the conference, the student is entitled to written or oral notice of the reasons for the removal, an explanation of the basis for the removal, and an opportunity to respond to the reasons for the removal.
If, after conducting the conference, the Superintendent or designee believes that the student has engaged in conduct for which placement in a disciplinary AEP is an appropriate disciplinary sanction, the Superintendent or designee shall inform the student and the student’s parent(s) and issue the order to place the student in a disciplinary AEP in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
A copy of the order shall be forwarded to the student and parent(s). Not later than the second business day after the conference, Alvin ISD will deliver to the juvenile court a copy of the DAEP placement order and all information required by section 52.04 of the Texas Family Code. If the period of placement is inconsistent with the guidelines set forth above, the order must give notice of the inconsistency.
If the decision to remove a student to DAEP is made by the Superintendent’s designee, the decision of the designee may be appealed to the Superintendent by submitting a written letter of appeal to the principal within two (2) working days of receipt of the order of removal. The student shall report to the disciplinary AEP as scheduled while the appeals process is conducted. The decision of the Superintendent is final and may not be appealed
Beyond 60 days or End of Next Grading Period
If a student’s placement in the DAEP is to extend beyond 60 days or the end of the next grading period, whichever is earlier, a student’s parent or guardian is entitled to notice of and an opportunity to participate in a proceeding before the Superintendent or designee. Any decision of the Superintendent or designee under this subsection is final and may not be appealed.
Beyond 120 Days
A student placed in a disciplinary AEP will be provided a review of the student’s status by the principal or principal’s designee at intervals not to exceed 120 days. At the review, the student or the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be given the opportunity to present arguments for the student’s return to the regular classroom or campus. The student may not be returned to the classroom of the teacher who removed the student without the removing teacher’s consent, unless the Placement Review Committee determines that the removing teacher’s class is the best or only alternative available.
If the student is a high school student, the Board’s designee and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) must review the student’s progress toward meeting graduation requirements and must establish a graduation plan for the student at the 120-day placement review(s).
96 Restriction on Participation in Certain Activities/Services A student placed in a disciplinary AEP may not participate in or attend any school-sponsored or school-related extracurricular or co-curricular activities during the period of placement.
A student in the disciplinary AEP will not be provided transportation unless he/she is identified as a student with a disability who receives transportation pursuant to an individual education plan as a designated related service.
For seniors who are eligible to graduate at the time of graduation, the last day of placement in the program will be the last instructional day, and the student will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony and related graduation activities unless otherwise specified in the DAEP placement order.
Consideration of Criminal Charges/Prosecution
On receipt of notice from a prosecuting attorney or juvenile court pursuant to Article 15.27(g) of the Code of Criminal Procedure advising that a student has been found not guilty or that prosecution of the student’s case was refused for lack of prosecutorial merit or insufficient evidence, the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee shall review the student’s placement in the disciplinary AEP. The student may not be returned to the regular class pending review. The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee shall schedule a review of the student’s disciplinary AEP placement with the student’s parent/guardian not later than the third class day after receiving notice pursuant to Article 15.27(g) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
After reviewing the notice and receiving information from the student’s parent/guardian, the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee may continue the student’s placement if there is reason to believe the presence of the student in the regular classroom threatens the safety of other students or teachers.
The student or student’s parent/guardian may appeal the Superintendent’s decision to continue a student’s disciplinary AEP placement to the Board. The student may not be returned to the regular classroom pending the Board appeal.
At the next regularly scheduled meeting, the Board shall review the notice from the prosecuting attorney or juvenile court that the prosecutor has dismissed the charges or that the student has been found not guilty. The Board shall also receive information from the student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee. The Board may affirm or reverse the decision made by the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee concerning the student’s continued placement.
The Board shall make a record of the proceedings. If the Board affirms the decision of the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee, the Board shall inform the student and the student’s parent/guardian of the right to appeal to the Commissioner of Education. The student may not be returned to the regular classroom pending an appeal to the Commissioner.
Additional Misconduct If, during the term of placement, a student engages in additional conduct for which placement in a disciplinary AEP or expulsion is required or permitted, additional proceedings may be conducted regarding that conduct and the principal or Board, as appropriate, may enter an additional order as a result of those proceedings.
Notice to Educators A principal shall inform each educator who has responsibility for or is under the direction and supervision of an educator who has responsibility for, the instruction of a student who has engaged in any violation listed in Texas Education Code 37.006 of the student’s misconduct. Each educator shall keep this information confidential.
97 D. Expulsion from School Discretionary Expulsion
1. A student may be expelled if the student engages in conduct involving a public school that contains the elements of the offense of false alarm or report under Section 42.06, Penal Code, or terroristic threat under Section 22.07, Penal Code without regard to where the conduct occurs. 2. A student may be expelled if the student while on or within 300 feet of school property, as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line, or while attending a school- sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property: a. Sells, gives, or delivers to another person or possesses, uses, or is under the influence of: i. Any amount of marijuana, or a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, or by 21 USC Section 801 et. seq., if the conduct is not punishable as a felony; ii. Any amount of a dangerous drug, as defined by Chapter 483, Health and Safety Code, or by 21 USC Section 801etseq, in an amount not punishable as a felony offense; or iii. Any amount of an alcoholic beverage, as defined by Section 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if the conduct is not punishable as a felony. b. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of an offense relating to abusable volatile chemicals under Sections 485.031 through 485.034, Health and Safety Code; c. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of assault under Section 22.01(a)(1). Penal Code against a school district employee or volunteer as defined by Section 22.053, Education Code; d. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of an offense of deadly conduct under Section 22.05. Penal Code; 3. A student may be expelled if subject to Section 37.007(d) of the Education Code, while within 300 feet of school property, as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line, or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property the student engages in conduct specified in Section 2(a)-(c) (under “Mandatory Expulsion,” below,) or possesses a firearm, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921; 4. A student may be expelled if the student engages in conduct that contains the elements of assault under Section 22.01(a)(1), Penal Code, in retaliation against a school district employee or a volunteer, no matter where it occurs; 5. A student may be expelled if the student, while placed in a DAEP for disciplinary reasons, continues to engage in serious or persistent misbehavior that violates Alvin ISD’s Student Code of Conduct; 6. A student who engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of criminal mischief under Section 28.03, Penal Code, may be expelled at Alvin ISD’s discretion if the conduct is punishable as a felony. The student shall be referred to the authorized officer of the juvenile court regardless of whether the student is expelled; 7. A student may be expelled if the student engages in conduct against another student that contains the elements of aggravated assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, murder, capital murder, or criminal attempt to commit murder or capital murder, or aggravated robbery, breach of computer security, without regard to whether the conduct occurs on or off school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school related activity on or off of school property; and 8. An AISD student who engages in conduct for which expulsion is required (see below) may be expelled from AISD if the student engages in such conduct on school property of another Texas school district or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity of a school in another Texas school district.
98 Mandatory Expulsion
A student must be expelled for any of the following offenses if committed on school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property:
1. A firearm violation, as defined by federal law or state law. Firearm under federal law includes: a. Any weapon (including a starter gun), which will or is designed to, or which may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; b. The frame or receiver of any such weapon; c. Any firearm muffler or firearm weapon; or d. Any destructive device, such as any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, or grenade. e. Use, exhibition, or possession of the following, under the Texas Penal Code: e. A firearm; f. Any knife with a blade length longer than 5-1/2 inches; g. A club; or h. A prohibited weapon, such as an explosive weapon; a machine gun; a short-barrel firearm; a firearm silencer; a switchblade knife; knuckles; armor-piercing ammunition; a chemical dispensing device; a zip gun; or a tire deflation device. 2. Behavior containing the elements of the following when the conduct occurs on school property, or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities: a. Aggravated assault, sexual assault, or aggravated sexual assault; b. Arson; c. Murder, capital murder, or criminal attempt to commit murder; d. Indecency with a child; e. Aggravated kidnapping; f. Behavior related to an alcohol or drug offense that could be punishable as a felony under the Texas Health and Safety Code; g. Aggravated robbery under section 29.03, Penal Code; h. Manslaughter under Section 19.04, Penal Code; i. Criminally negligent homicide, under Section 19.05, Penal Code; or j. Sells, gives, or delivers to another person or possesses, uses, or is under the influence of: a. Marijuana or a controlled substance, as defined by Chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code or by 21 USC Section 801 et seq. in an amount punishable as a felony offense; or b. A dangerous drug, as defined by Chapter 483, Health and Safety Code, in an amount punishable as a felony offense. c. Sells, gives, or delivers to another person an alcoholic beverage; commits a serious act or offense while under the influence of alcohol; or possesses, uses, or is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, if the conduct is punishable as a felony. 3. A student must be expelled if the student engages in any of the offenses identified in items 1 and 2, above, against any employee or volunteer in retaliation for or as a result of the person’s employment or association with a school district, without regard to whether the conduct occurs on or off of school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off of school property.
Students under 10 When a student under the age of ten engages in expellable behavior, the student will not be expelled but will be placed in a DAEP. A student under the age of six will not be removed from class or placed in a DAEP unless the student commits a federal firearm offense.
99 Expulsion Procedure and Appeal The Board of Trustees delegates the authority to expel students to the Superintendent of Schools.
The parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student accused of committing an expellable offense shall be advised in writing of the alleged offense and the recommended disciplinary action.
Informal Conference – A student accused of committing an expellable offense is entitled to participate in an informal conference with the principal or the principal’s designee and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). Unless otherwise agreed by the principal and the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), the conference shall be conducted no later than three (3) school days after the principal or principal’s designee is first advised of the alleged offense(s). The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be advised in writing of the date and time of the meeting.
The purpose of the conference is to informally review the circumstances and evidence upon which the recommendation for expulsion is based. A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) may elect to waive the right to participate in a conference. Additionally, if the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) fails to attend a conference after reasonable attempts have been made to notify the parent/guardian of the date and time of the meeting, the principal or principal’s designee may proceed in the absence of the student, parent/guardian, and/or other adult representing the student.
At the conclusion of the informal conference, the principal or principal’s designee shall inform, in writing, the student and the student’s parent/guardian or other adult representative of the outcome of the conference. A copy of such written notice shall also be forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools. The principal shall recommend expulsion to the Superintendent’s designee for any student considered to have engaged in expellable conduct.
A student’s parent/guardian may appeal a recommendation for expulsion to the Superintendent of Schools by submitting a written request for a hearing to the Superintendent’s office within three (3) school days of receipt of the recommendation.
Failure to request an appeal within the designated time will result in the Superintendent’s acceptance of the recommendation for expulsion. Upon acceptance of the recommendation, the Superintendent of Schools shall issue an Order of Expulsion. If the period of expulsion is inconsistent with the guidelines herein, the order must give notice of the inconsistency.
Until a hearing can be held, the principal or principal’s designee may place the student in: a. another appropriate classroom; b. out-of-school suspension for a maximum of three (3) days; or c. a DAEP.
Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the Superintendent shall convene an impartial evidentiary hearing to consider the proposed expulsion.
A student appealing a recommendation for expulsion is entitled to receive procedural due process as required by the federal and state constitutions. Procedural rights include: a. The right to be represented by legal counsel or an adult who is not a District employee, unless Alvin ISD employee is the student’s parent/guardian; b. Prior notice of potential witnesses for Alvin ISD; c. An opportunity to testify and present evidence and witnesses in the student’s defense; and d. An opportunity to question Alvin ISD’s witnesses;
Expulsion hearings shall be recorded in some manner, either by a court reporter or audio recording.
Following the conclusion of the hearing, the Superintendent shall advise the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) of his/her decision with respect to the proposed expulsion. The Superintendent shall provide the parent or guardian with written notice of his decision. If the decision is to expel the student, the Superintendent shall provide the parent/guardian and the authorized officer of the juvenile court with a copy of the order expelling the student.
100 A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) may appeal the decision of the Superintendent to the Board of Trustees by submitting a written request to the Superintendent within two (2) school days of receipt of the decision. The Superintendent shall provide the parent(s)/guardian(s) with written notice of the date, time, and place of the Board’s review within five (5) school days of the receipt of the appeal request.
The Board’s review shall be based on the record developed before the Superintendent and/or hearing officer below. The Board may, at its discretion, elect to hear brief oral presentations of no longer than five (5) minutes each from the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee and the student or the student’s parent/guardian or other adult representative. The Board’s review shall be conducted in closed session.
The Board may uphold or reverse the Superintendent’s decision. If the Board upholds the expulsion decision, the Board shall direct the Superintendent to issue an Expulsion Order within three (3) school days.
A student may appeal an adverse expulsion decision to state district court in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Education Code.
Sanctions Expelled students are prohibited from being on school grounds or attending school-related extracurricular activities during the period of expulsion.
No District academic credit will be earned for work missed during the period of expulsion unless the student is enrolled in a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP). All expelled students will be referred to the JJAEP in the county in which they reside.
Length of Expulsion from School State and federal laws require a student to be expelled from the regular classroom for a period of at least one calendar year for bringing a firearm, as defined by federal law, to school. However, the Superintendent may modify the length of the expulsion on a case-by-case basis. Alvin ISD may provide educational services to the expelled student in a JJAEP.
The following guidelines may be applied to all expulsions that do not involve bringing a firearm to school:
Description of Violation Length of Assignment DAEP First offense 45 days DAEP Second offense 60 days BCJJAEP First Offence 65 days BCJJAEP Second Offence 90 days Extenuating Circumstances 180 days
Additional Misconduct during Expulsion
If, during the term of expulsion, a student engages in additional conduct for which placement in a disciplinary AEP or expulsion is required or permitted, additional proceedings may be conducted regarding that conduct, and the principal or Board, as appropriate, may enter an additional order as a result of those proceedings.
Withdrawal Pending Expulsion
When a student has engaged in expellable conduct, and the student withdraws from Alvin ISD before the expulsion hearing takes place, Alvin ISD may conduct the hearing after sending written notice to the parent and student. If the student then reenrolls during the same or subsequent school year, Alvin ISD may enforce the expulsion order at that time, less any period of expulsion that has been served by the student during enrollment in another school district.
101 Transfer Students AISD will continue the expulsion of any newly enrolled student who has been expelled from another school district or an open-enrollment charter school until the period of the expulsion is completed.
E. Emergency Procedures
Emergency Removal to Disciplinary AEP The principal or principal’s designee may immediately remove a student to a disciplinary AEP for behavior that is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that the teacher cannot communicate with the students in a class. The reason for removal must be a reason for which placement in a disciplinary AEP may be made on a non-emergency basis. Within a reasonable time after the emergency placement, but not later than the 10th day after the date of the placement, the student shall be accorded the same procedure applicable to non-emergency disciplinary AEP placements.
Emergency Expulsion from School
1. In an emergency, the principal or principal’s designee may immediately order the expulsion when people or property is in imminent harm if the principal or principal’s designee reasonably believe that such action is necessary to protect persons or property from imminent harm.
2. When an emergency expulsion occurs, the student will be given oral notice of the reason for the action. The reason must be a reason for which expulsion may be made on a non-emergency basis. Within a reasonable amount of time after the emergency expulsion, but not later than the 10th day after the day of the expulsion, the student will be given appropriate due process. The due process is the same, as outlined in this Code, as for a student facing expulsion according to normal procedures. If emergency expulsion involves a student with disabilities who receives special education services, the term of the student’s emergency expulsion is subject to the requirements of federal law and regulations and must be consistent with the consequences that would apply to a student without a disability.
F. Placement in a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) AISD has entered into an agreement with the Brazoria County Juvenile Board for the operation of the Brazoria County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program, which provides educational services to certain students who have been expelled.
G. Continuation of Disciplinary Placement/Withdrawals If a student withdraws from AISD before an order for placement in a disciplinary AEP or expulsion is entered, the principal may complete the proceedings and enter an order. If the student subsequently enrolls in AISD during the same or subsequent school year, Alvin ISD may enforce the order at that time, except for any period of the placement or expulsion that has been served by the student on enrollment in another district that honored the order. If AISD enrolls the student, the principal shall inform each educator who has responsibility for, or is under the direction or supervision of an educator who has responsibility for, the instruction of a student who has engaged in conduct for which removal is required by Texas Education Code Section 37.006 of the student’s misconduct. Each educator shall keep this information confidential. If the principal or Board fails to enter an order after the student withdraws, the next district in which the student enrolls may complete the proceedings and enter an order.
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CODE OF CONDUCT GLOSSARY
The glossary provides legal definitions and locally established definitions and is intended to assist in understanding terms related to the Student Code of Conduct. Armor-piercing ammunition is handgun ammunition used in pistols and revolvers and designed primarily for the purpose of penetrating metal or body armor. Arson is a crime that involves starting a fire or causing an explosion with intent to destroy or damage: 1. Any vegetation, fence, or structure on open-space land; or 2. Any building, habitation, or vehicle: a. Knowing that it is within the limits of an incorporated city or town; b. Knowing that it is insured against damage or destruction; c. Knowing that it is subject to a mortgage or other security interest; d. Knowing that it is located on property belonging to another; e. Knowing that it has located within it property belonging to another; or f. When the person starting the fire is reckless about whether the burning or explosion will endanger the life of some individual or the safety of the property of another. Assault is defined in part by Texas Penal Code 22.01(a) (1) as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another. Bullying is written or oral expression or physical conduct that a school district’s board of trustees or the board’s designee determines: 1. To have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; 2. To be sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to create an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student. Chemical dispensing device is a device designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of causing an adverse psychological or physiological effect on a human being. A small chemical dispenser sold commercial for personal protection is not in this category. Club is an instrument specially designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death. A blackjack, mace, and tomahawk are in the same category. Deadly conduct occurs when a person recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury, such as knowingly discharging a firearm in the direction of an individual, habitation, building, or vehicle. Deferred adjudication is an alternative to seeking a conviction in court that may be offered to a juvenile for delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision.
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Deferred prosecution may be offered to a juvenile as an alternative to seeking a conviction in court for delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision. Delinquent conduct is conduct that violates either state or federal law and is punishable by imprisonment or confinement in jail. It includes conduct that violates certain juvenile court orders, including probation orders, but does not include violations of traffic laws. Discretionary means that something is left to or regulated by a local decision maker. Explosive weapon is any explosive or incendiary bomb, grenade, rocket, or mine and its delivery mechanism 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. False alarm or Report occurs when a person knowingly initiates, communicates, or circulates a report of a present, past, or future bombing, fire, offense, or other emergency that he or she knows is false or baseless and that would ordinarily: 1. Cause action by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies; 2. Place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or 3. Prevent or interrupt the occupation of a building, room, or place of assembly. Gang is “any group of two (2) or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts.” Graffiti are markings with aerosol paint or an indelible pen or marker on tangible property without the effective consent of the owner. The markings may include inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings. Harassment is: 1. Conduct that meets the definition established in district policies DIA (LOCAL) and FFH (LOCAL); or 2. Conduct that threatens to cause harm or bodily injury to another student, is sexually intimidating, causes physical damage to the property of another student, subjects another student to physical confinement or restraint, or maliciously and substantially harms another student’s physical or emotional health or safety. Hazing is an intentional or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or acting with others, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization. Hit List is a list of people targeted to be harmed, using a firearm, a knife, or any other object to be used with intent to cause bodily harm. Knuckles is any instrument consisting of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance and designed or adapted for inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles. Machine gun is any firearm that is capable of shooting more than two shots automatically, without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. Mandatory means that something is obligatory or required because of an authority.
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Paraphernalia are devices that can be used for inhaling, ingesting, injecting, or otherwise inducing a controlled substance into a human body. Persistent misbehavior is two or more violations of the Code in general or repeated occurrences of the same violation. Pornography includes but is not limited to any property that contains obscene material according to Texas Law. Possession means to have on one’s person or in one’s personal property, including but not limited to clothing, purse, or backpack; a private vehicle used for transportation to or from school or school-related activities, including but not limited to an automobile, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle; or any other school property used by the student, including but not limited to a locker or desk. Reasonable belief is a determination made by the superintendent or designee using all available information, including the information furnished under Article 15.27 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Self-defense is the use of force against another to the degree a person reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect himself or herself. Serious offenses include but are not limited to: . Murder. . Vandalism. . Robbery or theft. . Extortion, coercion, or blackmail. . Actions or demonstrations that substantially disrupt or materially interfere with school activities. . Hazing. . Insubordination. . Profanity, vulgar language, or obscene gestures. . Fighting, committing physical abuse, or threatening physical abuse. . Possession or distribution of pornographic materials. . Leaving school grounds without permission. . Sexual harassment of a student or district employee. . Possession of or conspiracy to possess any explosive or explosive device. . Falsification of records, passes, or other school-related documents. . Refusal to accept discipline assigned by the teacher or principal.
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Short-barrel firearm is a 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. Switchblade is any knife with a blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath and that opens automatically by pressing a button or by the force of gravity or centrifugal force. Terroristic threat is a threat of violence to any person or property with intent to: 1. Cause a reaction of any type by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies; 2. Place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; 3. Prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building; room, place of assembly, or place to which the public has access; place or employment or occupation; aircraft, automobile, or other form of conveyance, or other public place; 4. Cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service; 5. Place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury; or 6. Influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state (including Alvin ISD). Title 5 offenses are those that involve injury to a person and include murder; kidnapping; assault; sexual assault; unlawful restraint; coercing, soliciting, or including gang membership if it causes bodily injury to a child; indecency with a child; injury to a child, an elderly person, or a disabled person; abandoning or endangering a child; deadly conduct; terroristic threat; aiding a person to commit suicide; and tampering with a consumer product. [See FOC (EXHIBIT)]. Under the influence means lacking the normal use of mental or physical faculties. Impairment of a person’s physical or mental faculties may be evidenced by a pattern of abnormal or erratic behavior or the presence of physical symptoms of drug or alcohol use. A student “under the influence” need not be legally intoxicated to trigger disciplinary action. Use means voluntarily introducing into one’s body, by any means, a prohibited substance. Zip gun is a device or combination of devices, not originally a firearm, but adapted to expel a projectile through a smooth-bore or rifled-bore barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance.
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ECO (Extra Classroom Opportunity) Rules
Days/Times: Weekday ECO: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:15-5:15 p.m. SAC: Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Location: Alternative Education Center – South 101 and 102 Rules/Procedures: 1. Students are responsible for notifying parents and arranging transportation for the assigned day. 2. Students must arrive on time to be allowed into ECO/SAC. 3. Students must stay the entire time to receive credit for ECO/SAC. 4. Students must be in Alvin ISD High School Dress Code. 5. Students must present their Alvin ISD ID Badge to be allowed into ECO/SAC. 6. All rules as described in the Alvin ISD High School Handbook will be enforced. Also, the following are not acceptable: Talking without permission at any time Putting head down in a resting or sleep-like position Getting out of seat without permission Possessing/Eating/Drinking food, candy, or drink Cell Phones will be confiscated and given to the Principal 7. Students must bring their own study materials and writing utensils (pens, pencil, paper, books) to completely occupy their time as they work independently. 8. Campus teachers will be sent the daily ECO roster and may choose to bring work to the student, but it is not required. 9. Campus teachers can personally check a student out of ECO for academic tutorials and then return the student to the ECO room for dismissal. Students cannot be checked out for any extra-curricular class, activity, or practice. 10. Discipline problems (failure to comply with the above rules and procedures) will result in removal from ECO/SAC and a referral to the Assistant Principal for additional consequences. 11. If you cannot attend an assigned day, you must reschedule BEFORE the assigned date by bringing a note from parents.
Consequences for Failure to attend ECO/SAC: 1st missed ECO: Two additional ECOs will be scheduled 2nd missed ECO: One SAC will be scheduled Missed SAC: ISS + ECO/day of ISS
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HANDBOOK GLOSSARY
Accelerated instruction is an intensive supplemental program designed to address the needs of an individual student in acquiring the knowledge and skills required at his or her grade level and/or as a result of a student not meeting the passing standard on a state mandated assessment.
ACT refers to one of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: the American College Test. The test may be a requirement for admission to certain colleges or universities.
ARD is the admission, review, and dismissal committee convened for each student who is identified as needing a full and individual evaluation for special education services. The eligible student’s parents are part of the committee.
Attendance Review Committee is sometimes responsible for reviewing a student’s absences when the student’s attendance drops below 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Under guidelines adopted by the board, the committee will determine whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences and whether the student needs to complete certain conditions to master the course and regain credit lost because of absences.
DAEP stands for disciplinary alternative education program, a placement for students who have violated certain provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.
EOC- End of Course assessment administered for high school courses. The EOC test will be administered for high school courses. The EOC tests will be administered as a student completes Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English I, English II, English III, World Geography, World History, and U.S. History.
EXTRACURRICULAR refers to any activity that is not academic in nature; usually pertaining to clubs, sports, UIL events.
FERPA refers to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act that grants specific privacy protections to student records. The law contains certain exceptions, such as for directory information, unless a student’s parent or a student 18 or older directs the school not to release directory information.
IEP is the written record of the Individualized Education Program prepared by the ARD committee for a student with disabilities who is eligible for special education services. The IEP contains several parts, such as a statement of the student’s present educational performance; a statement of measurable annual goals, with short-term objectives; the special education and related services and supplemental aids and services to be provided, and program modifications or support by school personnel; a statement regarding how the student’s progress will be measured and how the parents will be kept informed; accommodations for state or Alvin ISDwide tests, etc.
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ISS refers to in-school suspension, a disciplinary technique for misconduct found in the Student Code of Conduct. Although different from out-of-school suspension and placement in a DAEP, ISS removes the student from the regular classroom.
LAT stands for Linguistically Accommodated Testing, which is an assessment process for recent immigrant English language learners who are required to be assessed in certain grades and subjects under the NCLB Act.
NCLB Act is the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) is required by state law for any student in middle school or higher who fails a section on a state-mandated test or is identified by Alvin ISD as not likely to earn a Alvin ISD diploma before the fifth school year after he or she begins grade 9.
SAT refers to one of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The test may be a requirement for admissions to certain colleges or universities.
Section 504 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination against a student with a disability, requiring schools to provide opportunities for equal services, programs, and participation in activities. Unless the student is determined to be eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), general education, with appropriate instructional accommodations will be provided.
STAAR- State Assessment of Academic Readiness. The new state assessment that will replace the grade specific TAKS test.
State-mandated tests are required of students at certain grade levels and in specified subjects. Successful performance sometimes is a condition of promotion, and passing the grade 11 exit- level test is a condition of graduation. Students have multiple opportunities to take the tests if necessary for promotion or graduation.
Student Code of Conduct is developed with the advice of Alvin ISD-level committee and adopted by the board; identifies the circumstances, consistent with law, when a student may be removed from the classroom or campus. It also sets out the conditions that authorize or require the principal or another administrator to place the student in a DAEP. It outlines conditions for out-of-school suspension and for expulsion. The Student Code of Conduct also addresses notice to the parent regarding a student’s violation of one of its provisions.
TAKS is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, the state’s standardized achievement test currently given to students in certain subjects in grades 3–11.
TAKS-Accommodated is a state mandated assessment based on the same grade-level academic achievement standards of TAKS available to certain students who receive special education services who need specific accommodations, as determined by the student and his or her ARD committee.
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TAKS-Alternate is an alternate state mandated assessment designed for students with severe cognitive disabilities receiving special education services who meet the participation requirements, as determined by the student and his or her ARD committee.
TAKS-Modified is an alternate state mandated assessment based on modified achievement standards and is administered to eligible students receiving special education services, as determined by the student and his or her ARD committee.
TELPAS stands for the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System, which assesses the progress that English language learners make in learning the English language, and is administered for those who meet the participation requirements in kindergarten–grade 12.
UIL refers to the University Interscholastic League, the statewide voluntary nonprofit organization that oversees educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests.
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