BLANCO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT-PARENT HANDBOOK HOME OF THE PANTHERS 2016-2017 MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION We would like to take the opportunity to welcome all students to the Blanco Schools for the 2016-2017 school year. It is the goal and commitment of this administration, faculty, and staff to provide those learning opportunities and experiences which will enable you to take your place in our society as confident, successful, and productive citizens. The purpose of this handbook is to familiarize students and parents with the policies, rules, regulations, and activities of the local school environment. The local School Board, educators, parents, students, and other concerned citizenry working cooperatively can maintain a well-regulated school environment where maximum learning is the ultimate goal and end result. We anticipate having an outstanding school year in 2016-2017. We know through your cooperation and participation you will achieve much success and enjoyment during the year. We wish each of you a very happy, meaningful, and successful school year. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Dr. Buck Ford Superintendent 833-4414 Ms. Keitha St. Clair High School Principal 833-4337 Dr. Kathryn Korelich Middle School Principal 833-5570 Mrs. Jowie Walker Elementary School Principal 833-4338 Mr. Matthew Streger Business and Financial Manager 833-4414 Mrs. Kathryn Rutherford Director of Special Education 833-4365 Mrs. Dina Johnson Director of Curr., Instruct., & Spec. Prog. 833-4437 Mr. James Caudell Network Administrator 833-4414 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. Darrel Wagner, President Mr. Larry Kuebel, Trustee Mr. Charles Riley, Vice President Mr. Troy Immel, Trustee Mr. Tim Nance, Secretary Mrs. Liza Struck, Trustee Mr. Joe Hernandez, Trustee BLANCO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY The purpose of the Blanco Independent School District is to provide an educational environment conducive to the maximum intellectual, physical, and social growth of each of its students. In this environment the student has the opportunity to develop skills--academic, vocational, and social--that enable him/her to function effectively in society. Through this process of educational growth, the student learns basic life patterns, develops a sense of responsibility and respect, discovers and develops his/her latent aptitudes and abilities, and becomes familiar with values, morals, and concepts appropriate to the society in which he/she lives. From this process the student should also develop self-reliance, integrity, and discipline. He or she should achieve communicative skills and acquire historical perspectives which foster self-understanding and an appreciation of all cultures. The public school occupies a position of public trust, and it shares with the parents and the community the responsibility for molding students into useful, self-supporting, and productive citizens. The Blanco Independent School District subscribes to the above philosophy of providing, within the capability of its resources, the best education possible for its constituents. BLANCO ISD DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT The mission and purpose of Blanco Independent School District is to provide all students an educational program which will allow them to develop to their full potential intellectually, physically, and socially in order to be responsible citizens and contributing members to society. As an educational community, we shall motivate, guide, direct, and generally encourage morality, self-discipline, personal virtue, team and individual achievement, and the regard for the wellbeing of self, others, community, and country. Inherent within this mission is the belief that all students can learn and that the Blanco Schools will be exemplary in order to make a significant difference in the lives of its students. BLANCO ISD VISION STATEMENT Our Students… • Appreciate and respect each other • Celebrate one another’s achievements both individually and collectively • Are leaders in the schools and community • Take responsibility for their learning and actions • Build positive relationships with each other, teachers, and family • Achieve academic and extracurricular excellence • Are happy and well rounded • Have pride in their schools and community Our learning environment provides… • A welcoming atmosphere that is safe, clean, and orderly • Enrichment opportunities for staff and students • A happy, productive and well trained staff • High expectations and the proper tools for future success • Mutual respect between staff and students The supporting environment in our community… • Provides opportunities for all students to be successful • Provides opportunities for all to become actively involved in the success of students • Provides the ability to continuously improve our facilities • Recognizes students for their efforts to perform at the highest levels • Recognizes our schools as the heart of Blanco BLANCO ISD DISTRICT AND BOARD GOALS - 2016-2017 I. Blanco ISD students will master state and federal academic standards, and Blanco ISD will close the gap that exists between student groups in standardized test scores. II. Blanco ISD graduates will be college and post-high school ready. III. Blanco ISD will ensure effective communications between the District and its students, parents, employees, media, and the community as a whole. IV. Blanco ISD will recruit and retain high quality and highly effective teachers, and provide a work environment for them to feel positively fulfilled. 2016 - 2017 DISTRICT CALENDAR AUGUST FEBRUARY S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 814 Eleventh Street, Blanco, TX 78606 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17] 18 Phone (830) 833-4414 - Fax (830) 833-2019 21 22 [23 24 25 26 27 19 20 [21 22 23 24 25 www.blancoisd.org 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 Calendar approved by Blanco ISD Board of Trustees on February 8, 2016 SEPTEMBER MARCH S M T W T F S S M T W T F S STUDENT HOLIDAYS 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 Prof. Development Staff Workday 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 August 15, 16, 17, 18 August 19, 22 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 October 10* December 21 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 November 16** January 6 25 26 27 28 29 30] 26 27 28 29 30 31 January 5 June 2 June 5 *Elementary Parent Conferences / Secondary Staff Dev. OCTOBER APRIL **Area VII FFA Leadership Development Events S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 1 STUDENT/STAFF HOLIDAYS 2 [3 4 5 6 7 8 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 September 5 Labor Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 9 10 11 12 13] 14 15 November 21-25 Thanksgiving 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 16 [17 18 19 20 21 22 December 22 - January 4 Christmas Break 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 February 20♦ President's Day 30 31 30 March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday NOVEMBER MAY May 29♦ Memorial Day S M T W T F S S M T W T F S ♦Bad weather days, if needed - Feb 20 & May 29 1 2 3 4] 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 [7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 EARLY RELEASE DAYS 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 December 20 End of Semester 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 June 1 Finals 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 GRADUATION June 2 DECEMBER JUNE S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20] 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 LEGEND JANUARY (2017) JULY Student/Staff Holiday S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Professional Development/ Waiver Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 Staff Workday 8 [9 10 11 12 13 14 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 [ Beginning/Ending of Six Weeks 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Early Release Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Elem. Parent Conf/ Secondary Staff Dev/ Waiver Day 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Comp Day 30 31 High School Six Weeks Periods Middle School Six Weeks Periods Elementary School Six Weeks Periods Regular days 8:00 - 3:35 Regular days 8:00 - 3:30 Regular days 8:00 - 3:15 Early release days 8:00 - 1:00 Early release days 8:00 - 1:00 Early release days 8:00 - 12:45 Waiver days 420 minutes (3) Waiver days 420 minutes (3) Waiver days 420 minutes (3) Late start 8:35 - 3:35 (6) Days Minutes Days Minutes Days Minutes 1st Aug 23 - Sept 30 28 12,705 1st Aug 23 - Sept 30 28 12,600 1st Aug 23 - Sept 30 28 12,180 2nd Oct 3 - Nov 4 24 11,305 2nd Oct 3 - Nov 4 24 11,220 2nd Oct 3 - Nov 4 24 10,860 3rd Nov 7 - Dec 20 26 12,180 3rd Nov 7 - Dec 20 26 12,090 3rd Nov 7 - Dec 20 26 11,715 4th Jan 9 - Feb 17 30 14,035 4th Jan 9 - Feb 17 30 13,920 4th Jan 9 - Feb 17 30 13,470 5th Feb 21 - Apr 13 33 14,980 5th Feb 21 - Apr 13 33 14,850 5th Feb 21 - Apr 13 33 14,355 6th Apr 17 - June 1 33 14,945 6th Apr 17 - June 1 33 14,820 6th Apr 17 - June 1 33 14,340 Total 174 80,150 Total 174 79,500 Total 174 76,920 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE………...……………………………...……………………………………………………………………………………8 SECTION I PARENTAL RIGHTS CONSENT, OPT-OUT, AND REFUSAL RIGHTS Consent to Connduct a Psychological Evaluation ……………………………………………………………………………………9 Consent to Display a Student's Original Works and Personal Information …………………………………………………………9 Consent to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction if Student is Under Age 14 ……………………………………9 Consent to Video or Audio Record a Student When Not Otherwise Permitted by Law ……………………..………………………9 Prohibiting the Use of Corporal Punishment…………………………………………………..…………………………………… 9-10 Limited Electronic Communications with Students by District Employees …………………………………………………………10 Objecting to the Release of Directory Information ………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Objecting to the Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters & Institutions of Higher Education ………………………10 Participation in Third-Party Surveys (Consent Required & "Opting Out") ……………………………………………………….