Mission Consolidated Independent School District Administration Office, 1201 Bryce Drive Mission, TX 78572 Phone: 956-323-5500 / Fax: 956-323-5625 Board of Trustees Oscar Martinez, President Raymond R. Longoria, Vice President Patty Bazaldua, Secretary James E. Olivarez, Member Patricia O'Caña-Olivarez, Member Dr. Sonia M. Treviño, Member J.C. Avila, Member Administration Mario A. Solis, Interim Superintendent of Schools Mario A. Solis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Student Services Lucio Mendoza, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Campus Information Alton Elementary School Pearson Elementary School Adan A. Ramirez, Principal (956) 323-7600 Melissa E. Davis, Principal (956) 323-4000 Bryan Elementary School Salinas Elementary School Ana B. Reyna, Principal (956) 323-4800 Martina Garcia, Principal (956) 323-6200 Cantu Elementary School Waitz Elementary School Alonzo Reyes, Principal (956) 323-7400 Rubicela Rodriguez, Principal (956) 323-6600 Castro Elementary School Alton Memorial Jr. High School Francisca Sanchez, Principal (956) 323-6800 Sylvia Garcia, Principal (956) 323-5000 Cavazos Elementary School Kenneth White Jr. High School Joyce T. Geary, Principal (956) 323-7200 Brenda K. Betancourt, Principal (956) 323-3600 Escobar/Rios Elementary School Mission Jr. High School Sara J. Paz, Principal (956) 323-8400 (956) 323-3300 Leal Elementary School R. Cantu Jr. High School Trinidad B. Peña, Principal (956) 323-4600 Jose L. Rios, Principal (956) 323-7800 Marcell Elementary School Mission High School Michelle I. Rodriguez, Principal (956) 323-6400 Jose R. Lopez, Principal (956) 323-5700 Midkiff Elementary School Veterans Memorial High School Dora A. Villalobos, Principal (956) 323-7000 Leticia M. Peña, Principal (956) 323-3000 Mims Elementary School Mission Collegiate High School Yvonne R. Zamora, Principal (956) 323-4400 Orlando Farias, Administrator (956) 323-6120 Newcomers Academy Options Academy Enrique J. Alvarez, Administrator (956) 323-6640 Juan M. Jimenez, Administrator (956) 323-3960 O'Grady Elementary School Roosevelt Alternative School Monico Rodriguez, Principal (956) 323-4200 Eduardo J. Alaniz, Principal (956) 323-3900 Mission CISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The following District staff members have been designated to coordinate compliance with requirements: Title IX Coordinators, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of gender: Mrs. Deborah Garza and Dr. Lazaro Ramirez at 956-323-5641; Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of disability: Louann Sarachene at 956-323-5626. PREFACE To Students and Parents: Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year. For this new year to be successful for your child, we must all work together. This student handbook is designed to help us do this. The Mission CISD Student Handbook contains information needed by both students and parents during the school year. The Handbook is divided into three sections: The first section (pages 2-27) contains School-Related Information, operations and requirements organized alphabetically by topic. The second section (pages 29-55) contains the Student Code of Conduct. The third section (pages 56-61) contains the Acceptable Use Guidelines for Internet / Extranet System with Parent Information Letter. When the Handbook uses “we” or “our,” it means the school District and/or school administrators. When the Handbook uses “you” or “your,” it means the parent, legal guardian, or person who has accepted responsibility for a student, at least in regard to school matters. From time to time, the Handbook will use more general terms, such as “parents” and “school officials.” Regardless of the particular terminology, our intention is to speak directly to you as the adults who are responsible for working with us, the school officials, to make your children’s experience with the Mission CISD public schools a positive educational experience. The Student Handbook has been developed by school District administrators. The content is reviewed by the Board of Trustees and is intended to be consistent with formally adopted School Board policies. If there is an apparent contradiction between information in the Handbook and a formally adopted Board policy, the school administration will interpret the Handbook in a way that is consistent with policy and may request guidance from the Board of Trustees. The Student Handbook is not a contract between the school and parents or students. It can be amended at any time at the discretion of the school district. If the district makes changes to the Handbook during a school year, the administration of the district and the campus will communicate those changes in ways that are designed to inform parents and students of the new or revised information. We strongly recommend that parents review the entire handbook with their children and 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 your child’s campus principal, teacher or counselor. The inside front cover contains campus phone numbers and the inside back cover contains helpful District Contacts including department names and phone numbers for your assistance. A copy of the District’s policy manual is available in hard copy at Central Office by contacting Craig Verley, Director for Public Relations at 323-5530 or on-line at www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/108908 or at the Mission CISD website at www.mcisd.net. Thank you for your attention to your child's education. We look forward to the success of the coming year. Section I School-Related Information Table of Contents Admissions….…………………………………………………………………….. page 5 Asbestos Management Plan……………………………………………………. page 5 Attendance………………………………………………………………………... page 5-6 Compulsory Attendance………………………...…………………………... page 5 Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance…………………………………… page 5 Attendance for Credit…………………………………..…………………..... page 5-6 Absences………………………………………………………..………….… page 6 Make-Up Work……………………………………………………………….. page 6 Driver's License Attendance Verification…………………………………... page 6 Bullying or Taunting Behaviors………………………………………….……… page 6-7 Procedures for Reporting Allegations of Bullying………………………… page 6-7 Cafeteria (Child Nutrition Program) Services…...…………………………….. page 7 Career & Technical Education………………………………………….………. page 7 Cellular Phones and Paging Devices or Electronic Music or Game Devices…….. page 7 Change of Address and Telephone Number………………………………….. page 7 Closed Campus……………………………………………………………….….. page 7 Communicable Diseases/Conditions………………………….……………….. page 7-9 Bacterial Meningitis………………………………………………………….. page 8 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)………………….. page 8-9 Complaints and Concerns by Students or Parents………….……………….. page 10 Computer Resources……………………………………………………………. page 10 Conduct…………………………………………………………………………… page 10 Correspondence Courses………………………………………………….……. page 10 Counseling…………………………………………………………….….………. page 10 Academic Counseling……………………………………………………….. page 10 Personal Counseling…………………….………..……………………….… page 10 Credit by Exam – If a Student Has Taken the Course………………….……. page 10 Credit by Exam – If a Student Has Not Taken the Course…………….……. page 11 Damage to School Property……………………………………………….……. page 11 Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation…………….... page 11-12 Dating Violence…………………………………………………………….… page 11 Discrimination………………………..……………………………………….. page 11 Harassment…………………………………………………………………… page 11 Sexual Harassment………………………………………………………….. page 11 Retaliation………………………………………………………………….…. page 11-12 Reporting Procedures……………………………………………………….. page 12 2 Table of Contents, cont. Investigation of Report………………………………………………………. page 12 Display of Your Child’s Artwork, Projects, and Other Special Work Products…..... page 12 Distribution of Published Material or Documents…………………….…….…. page 12 School Materials………………………………………………………….….. page 12 Non-school Materials from Students……………………………………..... page 12 Non-school Materials from Others….…………….………………………... page 12 Dress Code for Students………………………………………………….…….. page 12 Emergency Medical Treatment and Information…………………………….... page 12 Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, and Organizations…………………….…… page 12-13 Fees………………………………………………………………………….……. page 13 Waiver of Fee…….…………………………………….………………….…. page 13 Food Allergy Notification………………………………………………………… page 13 Gang Activities……….…………………………………………………………… page 14 Graduation………………………………………………………………….…….. page 14-16 Requirements for a Diploma………………………………………….…….. page 14 Graduation Programs………………………………………………….….…. page 14 Class Rank……………………….……………………………….................. page 14 Transfer Students……………………………………………………………. Page 14 Grade Point Average Exhibit………………………………………………... page 15 Scholastic Honors…………………………………….……………….……... page 15 Top Ten Percent..………………………………………………................... page 15 Mission Merit Graduate..………………………………………….…………. page 15-16 Mission Academic Excellence Award……………………..….………….… page 16 Valedictorian and Salutatorian…………………………..…….…….…...… page 16 Breaking a Tie…………………………………………………….………….