Stuttgart Public Schools Student/Parent Handbook 2017-2018 *This handbook is available online at www.stuttgartschools.org SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION MISSION At the end of the day Stuttgart Public Schools exist to produce college and/or career ready students who will be productive citizens. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Board Policy 4.46) The Pledge of Allegiance shall be recited during the first class period of each school day. Those students choosing to participate shall do so by facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts, or in an appropriate salute if in uniform, while reciting the Pledge. Students choosing not to participate shall be quiet while either standing or sitting at their desks. Students shall not be compelled to recite the Pledge, but students who choose not to recite the Pledge shall not disrupt those choosing to recite the Pledge. Students choosing not to recite the Pledge shall not be subject to any comments, retaliation, or disciplinary action. A public school in this state shall observe a one (1) minute period of silence at the beginning of school each school day. During the period of silence a student may, without interfering with or distracting another student: 1. Reflect; 2. Pray; or 3. Engage in a silent activity. A teacher or school employee in charge of a public school classroom shall ensure that all students remain silent and do not interfere with or distract another student during the period of silence. (Act 576 of 2013) SCHOOL MASCOT Ricebird SCHOOL COLORS Maroon and White ALMA MATER Hail, Noble Alma Mater Dear Old Stuttgart High Symbol of Strength and Honor Champion of the Right From the Golden Fields of Riceland Ring Her Praises to the Sky Loyal, We Pledge Our Hearts Forever to Stuttgart High. General Information Page | 2 EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY (BOARD POLICY 4.11) No student in the Stuttgart Public School District shall, on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity sponsored by the district. The District has a limited open forum granting equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other youth groups. Inquiries on non-discrimination may be directed to the Director of Educational Pupil Services, who may be reached at 870-673-8701. For further information on notice of non-discrimination or to file a complaint, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm; for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481. CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE The Stuttgart Public School District provides equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran in its educational programs and activities. This includes but is not limited to admission, educational services, financial aid, and employment. Questions concerning equity and civil rights compliance should be directed to James O’Neal at (870) 673-8701. AUTHORITY DERIVED FROM ARKANSAS STATUTES (A.C.A. §6-17-106) (Insult or abuse of personnel) makes it unlawful for any person to use profane, violent, vulgar, abusive or insulting language toward any public school employee during the course of his/her duties. A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction be liable for a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500). A.C.A. (§6-17-113) “Act of Violence” means any violation of Arkansas law where a person purposely or knowingly causes or threatens to cause death or serious physical injury to another person. (b) Whenever the principal or other person in charge of a public school has personal knowledge or has received information leading to a reasonable belief that any person has committed or has threatened to commit an act of violence or any crime involving a deadly weapon on school property or while under school supervision, the principal or the person in charge shall immediately report the incident or threat to the superintendent of the school district and the appropriate local law enforcement agency. ACT 1046 (Communicating a death threat) establishes that any person that commits the offense of communicating a death threat towards a school employee or student be charged with a Class D felony. The threat must meet the following criteria: 1) The threat involves the use of a firearm or other deadly weapon. 2) A reasonable person would believe the person making the threat intends to carry out the threat. 3) The person making the threat purposely engaged in conduct that constitutes a substantial step in a course of conduct intended to culminate in the commission of the threatened act. 4) There is a close temporal relationship between the threatened act and the substantial step. General Information Page | 3 Stuttgart School District #22 2501 South Main Street Stuttgart, AR 72160 870-673-8701 Welcome to the Stuttgart School District! Dear Parents and Students: On behalf of the staff at the Stuttgart School District, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our students and families for the 2017-2018 school year. We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our students can achieve their highest potential. We recognize that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with parents will make a great difference in the educational experience of each child. As partners, we share the responsibility for each child’s Superintendent success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We Rick Gales ask that all parents guide and support the learning of each child. Board of We desire for everyone in the Stuttgart community to become involved in the education of our Directors children. Here are a few ways to help your child succeed in school: Henry Newby 1) Your child attends school daily and arrives on time President 2) Encourage your child to be responsible and work hard Napoleon Davis, Jr. 3) Attend back to school night and parent/teacher conferences Vice President 4) Visit the school and its website (get to know us better) Carla Gipson 5) Ensure the completion of homework assignments 6) Communicate regularly with your child’s teacher(s) and school Todd Barnes 7) Demonstrate a positive attitude about education to your children Rita Cress We want each child to be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as Tim Vose young men and women. As a school and community, we can make sure our children have every Chris Morgan opportunity necessary to achieve their dreams. I am thankful to serve as a member of the Stuttgart School District family. We thank you for your support and look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, /s/rickgales/s/ Dr. Rick Gales Superintendent General Information Page | 4 VISITORS TO SCHOOL (Board Policy 4.15, 4.16, 6.5, 6.10) We welcome visitors to our building and have the following rules and expectations to ensure a pleasant experience occurs! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. To minimize the potential for disruption of the learning environment, visitors, for the purpose other than to attend an activity open to the general public, are required to first report to the school’s main office. The district will be utilizing a new security measure called Hall Pass. Any visitor coming into the building is required to scan his or her government issued identification card (driver’s license, state identification card, green card, military identification card) in order to obtain a pass to enter the halls of the school. Once scanned, the Hall Pass program determines if the visitor is listed on the National Sex Offender Registry or the District’s Visitor Restricted List. Visitors not identified on either list will be issued a photo ID badge, good only for that day. Visitors who are Level 3 or Level 4 sex offenders may only enter a school campus under the provisions listed in Policy 6.10. After completing required visitor process, a visitor’s pass may be issued to individuals with legitimate business. PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. Student visitors or small children are not permitted to attend class with a student. UNAUTHORIZED VISITORS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE. NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THIS REQUEST WILL RESULT IN AUTHORITIES BEING NOTIFIED. No on-campus visitations with students will be permitted with anyone other than parents or guardians except at the discretion of the principal. Park Avenue Elementary encourages parents to plan their visits after Labor Day. This allows teachers and students the first two weeks of school to review and implement procedures. RULES FOR VISITORS Cell phones must be turned off and put away while on campus. Confidentiality of all employees and students will be maintained while on campus. The problem solving order is: o the teacher or teachers involved o then the building administrator No raised voices. No cursing. No threatening behavior. If any of the above rules are violated, you will be asked to leave. Refusal to leave when requested is considered trespassing. Repeated violations will result in restrictions to your school visits and could lead to being banned from all school property and events. Anyone who attempts to bypass, avoid, or refuse to cooperate with the Hall Pass program or has been identified as a sex offender and refuses to be escorted off the premises, is a trespasser, and will be dealt with accordingly.