Northwest Independent School District Student Handbook and Code of Conduct 2011-2012 Northwest ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs. Revisions to the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct are subject to change due to updates from the 82nd Texas Legislative session. Updates will be added as received in an addendum format to the 2011-2012 Student Handbook and Code of Conduct. -1- Dear Northwest ISD Families, On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to welcome you to Northwest for an exciting and challenging year. We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for our students and understand that partnering with you is the optimum way to reach that goal. To acquaint you with campus expectations and student management, a committee of teachers and administrators developed the Northwest ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct. The handbook addresses school-related issues such as attendance, grades, testing, safety, and the Student Code of Conduct. It also contains a review of appropriate student-related Board policies and administrative procedures. The handbook is meant to serve as a resource for some of the most basic information that you and your child will need during the school year and is not intended to be a detailed report of state and local laws and policies. The complete Northwest ISD Board Policy Manual may be found at the District’s administration offices and/or on the District’s website at www.nisdtx.org/Policy-online. Based on state mandates, the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct is intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere conducive to learning. It also outlines administrator, teacher, parent, and student rights and responsibilities regarding student conduct and discipline. We strongly recommend that you review this guide with your child and keep it as a reference during the school year. The Student Handbook and Code of Conduct is designed to be in harmony with Board Policy. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly while policy adoption and revisions may occur throughout the year. In the event of conflict between this handbook and Board Policy, the most recent adoptions of Board Policy are to be followed. Changes in policy that affect student handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communication sources. If you have questions about the contents, please contact your child’s teachers, counselor, or principal. The District is making the Northwest ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct available online, but printed copies are available by request. Please complete and sign the Required Signature Page and return the form to your school along with the other applicable forms provided in the envelope sent home with your child so that we can operate more efficiently and honor your choices. Believing that schools should be safe havens of learning, we take our responsibility to maintain order and discipline seriously. Thank you for your involvement in helping Northwest ISD have a successful and rewarding year. Together for Children, Karen G. Rue, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools -2- Northwest Independent School District Parent Involvement Policy The following Parent Involvement Policy was developed by Northwest ISD parents in accordance with Federal regulations. The Northwest Independent School District believes that parents are partners with teachers and other staff in the education of their children. Northwest Independent School District believes that parent involvement and empowerment are essential at all levels throughout the school district. Northwest Independent School District believes that student academic achievement requires that parents have an understanding of curriculum, academic achievement standards, assessments, district/school policies and procedures, and how to monitor their children’s progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children. Central administration shall work in collaboration with parents and guardians and shall actively support the school and parents in enhancing parent involvement by: Respecting parents as partners in the education of their children. Valuing diversity and the need for equity in each school. Promoting parent involvement in the District leadership and decision-making. Fostering a welcoming and responsive environment for parents. Ensuring accountability of the staff at all levels throughout the District in working with parents as partners. Valuing the need for partnerships with public and private entities in the Northwest community. Establishing and promoting communication as a source of trust and understanding between the District and parents. Parents/Guardians are asked and encouraged to be involved in their children’s learning and education by: Taking the initiative to seek the best educational opportunities for their children. Understanding school procedures and opportunities to contribute or receive support. Utilizing two-way lines of communication between parents, school staff, and the District on the instruction, achievement, and conduct of their children. Participating in training opportunities that will include but are not limited to: strategies/reinforcing learning at home, discipline, and understanding cultural differences. Participating in site-based leadership and decision-making. Volunteering in their children’s schools. Supporting and engaging in developing partnerships within the Northwest community. An annual review of Parent Involvement Policy is a Title I Part requirement. Revised June 1, 2010 -3- Northwest Independent School District Overview of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct In any school district it is necessary that guidelines and expectations in accordance with regulations be established for the safety and well-being of all. Northwest ISD operates under the philosophy that it is important to teach students self discipline through making decisions and understanding that decisions have consequences. The Northwest ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct is just one tool to help students, parents, teachers, and administrators work together to teach children self discipline. To achieve the best possible learning environment for all our students, the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct and other campus guidelines and expectations of behavior will apply whenever the interest of the District is involved, on or off school grounds, in conjunction with or independent of classes and school-sponsored activities. This document explains what is expected of each student and tells the student what will happen if a rule is violated. The purpose of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct is to teach each student self discipline and to provide a safe and secure learning environment for the benefit of all students. The Northwest ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct is the District’s specific response to requirements in Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code. The law requires the District to define misconduct that may or must result in a range of specific disciplinary consequences. This handbook provides information and direction to students and their parents/guardians regarding expected standards of behavior as well as potential consequences for misconduct. The Student Handbook and Code of Conduct is designed to be clear, concise, and consistent. Entries in the handbook are listed in alphabetical order and cross references have been provided to aid students and parents in locating items of interest in the document. As the District’s discipline management plan, The Northwest ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct includes a discipline level system. Discipline offenses in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct are categorized into five levels that identify sample offenses and possible disciplinary options available to the teacher or administrator. Located on the next page is a “Quick Reference Guide to the 2011-2012 Discipline Level System,” a simple one-page summary of the District’s discipline management plan. This quick reference guide is not a substitute for reading the Northwest ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, but rather a quick reference for parents and students. In the event of a conflict, the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct and District Board of Trustees’ policies prevail. -4- Northwest Independent School District Quick Reference Guide to the 2011-2012 Discipline Level System This chart depicts examples of offenses at each of the disciplinary levels and the possible consequences available to administrators. The consequences outlined in this chart are not an exhaustive list and do not require administrators to implement consequences in a particular hierarchy. For more specific detail, refer to Disciplinary Chart by Level and Grade in the Code of Conduct portion of the handbook. Level I Level III Level IV 1. Being tardy to class 1. Committing persistent offenses from Level II, Removals to DAEP 2. Running or making excessive noise, obstructing, or otherwise including bus infractions Mandatory Placements disrupting in the hall, classroom, or building/supervised settings 2. Engaging in conduct that disrupts the school 1. False alarm or report involving a public school or 3. Neglecting to bring required materials or assigned work to class environment or educational process, including DAEP terroristic threat 4. Failing to follow classroom