…where the best begins Parent & Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct 2010 – 2011 The West Independent School District does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant’s job qualifications, experience, and abilities. Table of Contents PREFACE ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 CAMPUS HOURS ................................................................................................................................................... 6 SECTION I .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ..................................................................................................... 7 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ................................................................................................................................ 7 Working Together ................................................................................................................................................ 7 PARENTAL RIGHTS .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights ......................................................................................... 7 “Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities ............................................................................................................... 8 Inspecting Surveys ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Requesting Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Staff ............................................................................ 8 Reviewing Instructional Materials ....................................................................................................................... 8 Displaying a Student’s Artwork and Projects ...................................................................................................... 8 Accessing Student Records .................................................................................................................................. 8 Granting Permission to Video or Audio Record a Student .................................................................................. 9 Granting Permission to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction ................................................ 9 Removing a Student Temporarily from the Classroom ........................................................................................ 9 Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction ..................................................................................... 9 Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags ...................................................... 10 Excusing a Student from Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence ............................................. 10 Requesting Notices of Certain Student Misconduct ........................................................................................... 10 School Safety Transfers ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Requesting Classroom Assignment for Multiple Birth Siblings ........................................................................ 11 Parents of Students with Disabilities .................................................................................................................. 11 Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education ......................................................................................................................... 11 Accommodations for Children of Military Families .......................................................................................... 11 STUDENT RECORDS ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Directory Information ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Directory Information for School-Sponsored Purposes ..................................................................................... 13 Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education ........................... 13 ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE ................................................................................................................................ 14 Compulsory Attendance ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance ............................................................................................................. 14 Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance ............................................................................................... 14 Attendance for Credit ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Parent’s Note after an Absence .......................................................................................................................... 15 Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness ........................................................................................................ 17 Driver’s License Attendance Verification .......................................................................................................... 17 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................... 17 AWARDS AND HONORS .................................................................................................................................... 18 BULLYING ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 1 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS ..................................................................... 18 CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ..................................................................................................................................... 18 CLASS RANK / TOP TEN PERCENT/HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT ......................................................... 19 COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES ............................................................................................................................ 19 COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ....................................................................................................................... 19 COMPUTER RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................... 19 CONDUCT ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Applicability of School Rules ............................................................................................................................ 22 Corporal Punishment .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Disruptions ......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Cheating/Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty ....................................................................................................... 22 Telecommunication Devices, Including Mobile Telephones ............................................................................. 23 Other Electronic Devices ................................................................................................................................... 23 Inappropriate Use of Technology ....................................................................................................................... 23 Social Events ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES / CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................ 23 CORRESPONDENCE COURSES ......................................................................................................................... 23 COUNSELING ....................................................................................................................................................... 24 Academic Counseling .......................................................................................................................................