La Feria High School Student Handbook 2017-2018 i La Feria High School Vision Statement Our vision at La Feria High School is to inspire students to become life- long learners through the use of critical thinking skills, technology, and challenging curriculum. Through collaboration, the staff will provide relevant and innovative instruction. We strive to help our students realize their full potential as productive, responsible citizens. La Feria High School Mission Statement The La Feria High School is dedicated to the development of all students’ intellectual, emotional, and physical needs, resulting in a positive self-image, school, and community. ii Acknowledgment of Electronic Distribution of Student Handbook My child and I have been offered the option to receive a paper copy of or to electronically access at http://laferia.lhs.schooldesk.net the La Feria High School Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct for 2017–18 at http://laferia.schooldesk.net/Resources. I have chosen to: Receive a paper copy of the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. Accept responsibility for accessing the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct by visiting the web address listed above. I understand that the handbook contains information that my child and I may need during the school year and that all students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. If I have any questions regarding this handbook or the Code of Conduct, I should direct those questions to the principal at (956) 797-8370 or [email protected]. Printed name of student: Signature of student: Signature of parent: Date: **************************************************************************************************** Acknowledgment of Electronic Distribution of Student Handbook My child and I have been offered the option to receive a paper copy of or to electronically access at http://laferia.lhs.schooldesk.net the La Feria High School Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct for 2017–18 at http://laferia.schooldesk.net/Resources . I have chosen to: Receive a paper copy of the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. Accept responsibility for accessing the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct by visiting the web address listed above. I understand that the handbook contains information that my child and I may need during the school year and that all students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. If I have any questions regarding this handbook or the Code of Conduct, I should direct those questions to the principal at (956) 797-8370 or [email protected]. iii Notice Regarding Directory Information and Parent’s Response Regarding Release of Student Information State law requires the district to give you the following information: Certain information about district students is considered directory information and will be released to anyone who follows the procedures for requesting the information unless the parent or guardian objects to the release of the directory information about the student. If you do not want La Feria Independent School District to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing within ten school days of your child’s first day of instruction for this school year. This means that the district must give certain personal information (called “directory information”) about your child to any person who requests it, unless you have told the district in writing not to do so. In addition, you have the right to tell the district that it may, or may not use certain personal information about your child for specific school-sponsored purposes. The district is providing you this form so you can communicate your wishes about these issues. [See Directory Information for more information.] iv La Feria Independent School District has designated the following information as directory information: Student’s name Address Telephone listing E-mail address Photograph Date and place of birth Major field of study Degrees, honors, and awards received Dates of attendance Grade level Most recent school previously attended Participation in officially recognized activities and sports Weight and height, if a member of an athletic team Parent: Please circle one of the choices below: I, parent of ______________________________ (student’s name), (do give) (do not give) the district permission to release the information in this list in response to a request unrelated to school-sponsored purposes. Parent signature Date Please note that if this form is not returned within the specified timeframe above, the district will assume that permission has been granted for the release of this information. v Table of Contents PREFACE ..................................................................................................................................... 16 SECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS ............................................................................................ 17 CONSENT, OPT-OUT, AND REFUSAL RIGHTS ............................................................................ 17 Consent to Conduct a Psychological Evaluation .................................................................. 17 Consent to Display a Student’s Original Works and Personal Information ......................... 17 Consent to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction if Student is Under Age 14........................................................................................................................................... 18 Consent to Video or Audio Record a Student When Not Otherwise Permitted by Law ...... 18 Prohibiting the Use of Corporal Punishment ........................................................................ 18 Limiting Electronic Communications with Students by District Employees. ...................... 19 Objecting to the Release of Directory Information ............................................................... 19 Objecting to the Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education .................................................................................................................. 20 Participation in Third-Party Surveys .................................................................................... 20 Consent Required Before Student Participation in a Federally Funded Survey, .............. 20 “Opting Out” of Participation in Other Types of Surveys or Screenings and the Disclosure of Personal Information .................................................................................. 21 REMOVING A STUDENT FROM INSTRUCTION OR EXCUSING A STUDENT FROM A REQUIRED COMPONENT OF INSTRUCTION ................................................................................................ 21 Human Sexuality Instruction ................................................................................................ 21 Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence ........................................................ 22 Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags................................................................. 22 Religious or Moral Beliefs .................................................................................................... 22 Tutoring or Test Preparation Purposes ................................................................................. 22 RIGHT OF ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS, CURRICULUM MATERIALS, AND DISTRICT RECORDS/POLICIES ................................................................................................................... 23 Instructional Materials .......................................................................................................... 23 Notices of Certain Student Misconduct to Noncustodial Parent .......................................... 23 Student Records .................................................................................................................... 23 Accessing Student Records ............................................................................................... 23 Authorized Inspection and Use of Student Records ......................................................... 24 Teacher and Staff Professional Qualifications ...................................................................... 27 STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ........................................ 27 Children of Military Families ............................................................................................... 27 vi Parental Role in Certain Classroom and School Assignments ............................................. 27 Multiple Birth Siblings ..................................................................................................... 27 Safety Transfers/Assignments .......................................................................................... 27 Service/Assistance Animal Use by Students .................................................................... 28 Students in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care) ..................................................... 28 Students Who Are Homeless ..............................................................................................