Table of Contents Page(s) 1-4 • Directions to Berkeley County Schools • Student Handbook – Rights and Responsibilities 5 Handbook Summary (Grades 9-12 only) • Mission Statement 6 • Core Beliefs 6 • School Calendar For 2010 - 2011 7-10 • School Admission Policies Entrance Age 11-21 Attendance And Tardies • Dress Code 22-23 • Student Health 24-26 Immunizations Illness Medication Policy Communicable Diseases Student Accident Insurance • Instruction and Curriculum 27-32 Areas of Instruction Textbooks and Instructional Materials Student Progress Reporting Marking System Nine-Week Reporting Homework Semester Exam Procedures Testing Out Program (TOP) Accepting Credits Earned Before Grade 9 • Special Education Procedural Safeguards Available to Parents and Students with Exceptionalities 33-49 Technology 50-57 Berkeley County Schools Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy Parental Consent and Waiver Form (Sample) Adult Consent and Waiver Form (Sample) • Food Services 58-60 Breakfast Lunch Packed Lunches Reduced-Priced Meals Available Billing Procedure Nondiscrimination and Complaint Statement Berkeley County Schools Food Services Account Agreement (Sample) Does It Meet Standards Vending Machine Guidelines • Transportation Information 61-62 Student Conduct On Buses Student Bus Regulations Examples of Major Infractions Bus Stops School Bus Safety Guidelines 63-68 • General Information and Procedures Guidance Program Drop-Out Prevention Program Special Education Referral Process Student Rights Child Abuse and Neglect Parent Liability Citizen’s Appeal Public Access To Information Procedure For Requesting Sign-Language Interpreter General Statement Purpose Guidelines For Requesting Sign Language Interpreter Protecting The Privacy of Student Information (Notification Of Rights Under FERPA and Policy 4350) Notification Field Trip Preparation and Chaperone Procedures Chaperone’s Responsibilities Notification of Management Plan • Communicating School Information 69 Berkeley County Schools Web Site and Cable Channel Weather Delayed Openings and Early Closing Listing of Radio/TV Stations Accessing School Activities • Berkeley County Schools Title I District Wide Parental Involvement Policy 70-73 • Student Conduct 74-88 Student Code of Conduct Tobacco Policy Drug and Alcohol Violations Student Code of Conduct Contract for Students (Sample) Student Code of Conduct Contract for Parents/Guardians (Sample) • Student Identification 89 • Harassment, Bullying and Intimidation Policy 90-95 General Statement of Policy Definitions A. Racial Harassment B. Sexual Harassment C. Religious/Ethnic Harassment D. Disability Harassment E. Racial Violence F. Sexual Violence G. Religious/Ethnic Violence H. Disability Violence I. Bullying, Harassment and/or Intimidation Reporting Procedures A. In Each School Building B. District Wide C. General Guidelines Investigation and Recommendation Possible Consequences of Harassment, Bullying and/or Intimidation Student Discipline Faculty and Staff Discipline Discipline of Non-School Related Personnel Reprisal False Accusations Right To Alternative Complaint Procedures Notification Policy Training and Dissemination Prevention Programs Sexual Harassment As Abuse Student-Employee Relationships Prohibited Policy Development • Safe Schools Act 96 Highlights of The West Virginia Safe Schools Act • Berkeley County School Policy Summaries 97-98 Racial, Sexual, Religious/Ethnic Discrimination Harassment and Violence Policy Summary Racial, Sexual, Religious/Ethnic Discrimination Grievance Procedure Notice For Discrimination • Parental Signature Sheets Parental Signature Sheet (For Elementary-Primary-Intermediate Parents To Sign) 99-100 Signature Sheet Food Services Account Agreement (Sample) Student Code of Conduct (Sample) Use Of Internet (Sample) • Discrimination Disclaimer 101 August 23, 2010 Dear Berkeley County Parents and Students: The following pages were developed to provide you with a better understanding of Berkeley County Schools’ policies. We ask you review this handbook and discuss its contents with your child/parents. During the 2010–2011 school year, Berkeley County Schools will continue our commitment to provide a quality education for each and every student. As parents, your involvement is a key element to your child’s successful education. Together, good communication and a clear understanding of our expectations of your student’s performance in our school system will ensure a positive and successful educational experience for all. There is a form in the back of this handbook that each student must return to his or her school. Students in grades Pre K-5 will need to have a parent/guardian sign the form and return it to the school. If your student is enrolled in grades 6-12 he/she will need to sign the form and return it to the school. As superintendent, it is an honor and privilege to work with each of you. I hope we can work collaboratively to make every student’s educational experience memorable. Sincerely, Manny P. Arvon Superintendent Directions to Berkeley County Schools Academic Learning Center – Located on Route 11 South of Martinsburg in Pikeside. Houses Adult and Community Education offices, pre-school special needs classes, Transition School and GED testing center. From Exit 13, take I-81 South to Exit 12 (Winchester Avenue/Charles Town). At bottom of ramp, turn left onto Route 45 East (Apple Harvest Drive). At third traffic light, turn right onto Route 11 South. Continue on Route 11 South for 2.2 miles. School is on left, just past Pikeside Motel. Adult Education - See directions for Academic Learning Center. Back Creek Valley Elementary – Located on Route 7 at Ganotown, north of Glengary in southwest Berkeley County. From Exit 13, take I-81 South to exit 5 (Inwood). Turn right onto Route 51 West (Gerrardstown Road). Continue west approximately 4.5 miles. At the top of the mountain, turn left at the stop sign. Go approximately 2.4 miles to Glengary. Turn right onto Route 7 North (Back Creek Valley Road). Go about 1.8 miles. School is on right, next to fire company. Bedington Elementary - Located on Route 5 (Bedington Road), east of Route 11 (Williamsport Pike), in northeast Berkeley County. From Exit 13, take I-18 North to Exit 20 (Spring Mills Road; Route 901). Turn right at top of exit ramp onto Route 901 East. At stop sign, turn right onto Route 11 South. Go .25 miles to Bedington. Turn left onto Route 5 (Bedington Road). Go about 0.1 miles. School is on the left. Berkeley Heights Elementary - Located on Route 9/31 (old Route 9), east of Martinsburg. From Exit 13, take I-81 South to Exit 12 (Winchester Avenue). Turn left onto Route 45 East (Apple Harvest Drive). Continue on four-lane through four traffic lights. Follow Route 9 East. Continue under the overpass. After going under the overpass, turn left at sign for VanMetre Avenue. Bear left onto Hack Wilson Way (do not drive straight ahead onto VanMetre Avenue). Look for green/white school sign. School is at the end of the road on the right. Board of Education - Located at 401 South Queen Street in Martinsburg. From Exit 13, turn onto King Street toward downtown Martinsburg. After crossing over railroad tracks, go to fourth traffic light at Queen Street. Turn right onto S. Queen Street. Central Office is on southwest corner at next traffic light. Parking lot is behind building. Bunker Hill Elementary – Located on Route 11 (Winchester Avenue), about 2 miles north of the Virginia state line in southern Berkeley County. From Exit 13, take I-81 South to Exit 5, Inwood. At top of ramp, turn left onto Route 51 East (Gerrardstown Road). At traffic light, turn right onto Route 11 South (Winchester Avenue). Continue on Route 11 South for 2.8 miles, passing through Bunker Hill. School is on left. Turn left onto Happy School Avenue just before railroad tracks. Burke Street Elementary – Located at the intersection of Raleigh and West Burke Streets in downtown Martinsburg. From Exit 13, turn right onto King Street. Continue on King Street to intersection with S. Raleigh Street (second traffic light after passing over railroad tracks). Turn left onto Raleigh Street. Go one block to traffic light. School is on right (northeast corner of intersection). Bus Garage – Located on Harlan Springs Road (Route 1), northwest of Martinsburg. From Exit 13, take I-81 North to Exit 16W (Berkeley Springs/Hedgesville). Take Route 9 West. Go to third traffic light (0.9 mi.) turn right onto Harlan Springs Road (Route 1). Look for cyclone fence on right. Bus Garage is on right. Driving Range – Located on Cumbo Road (Route 1/6) behind James Rumsey Technical Institute in northwest Berkeley County. Berkeley County Schools’ Student Handbook 2010-2011 Page 1 From Exit 13, take I-81 North to Exit 16W (Berkeley Springs/Hedgesville). Take Route 9 West for 2.8 miles. Just past James Rumsey Technical Institute, turn right at Cumbo Road. Go 0.4 mile. Driving Range is on right. Eagle School Intermediate – Located on Eagle School Road in northern Martinsburg. From Exit 13, take I-81 North to Exit 16E (N. Queen St.). Take Route 9 E to Eagle School Road (4th traffic light; Route 45/5). Turn left onto Eagle School Road. Continue for 0.7 mile. School is on the right. Gerrardstown Elementary – Located off Route 51 in Gerrardstown in south-central Berkeley County. From Exit 13, take I-81 South to Exit 5 (Inwood). At top of ramp, turn right onto Route 51 West (Gerrardstown Road). Go 2.6 miles to Dominion Road (51/2). Turn right onto Dominion Road, which becomes Bowers Street. School is on the right at the end of Bowers Street. Hedgesville Elementary – Located on Schoolhouse Drive in Hedgesville in northwest Berkeley County. From Exit 13, take I-81 North to Exit 16W (Berkeley Springs/Hedgesville). Take Route 9 West for about 4.2 miles. At Hedgesville, turn right at 7-Eleven Store onto Schoolhouse Drive. School is on right. Hedgesville High – Located at the intersection of Route 4 (Ridge Road North) and Route 9 West, east of Hedgesville in northwest Berkeley County. From Exit 13, take I-81 North to Exit 16W (Berkeley Springs/Hedgesville). Take Route 9 West to Route 4 (Ridge Road North), about 2.9 miles, just past James Rumsey Technical Institute on the right.