Muenster Independent School District “A Tradition of Success” Student Handbook 2015-2016 Superintendent Steve Self JH/HS Principal John York Elementary Principal Lou Heers Counselor Kristi Schneider Athletic Director Brady Carney Table of Contents PREFACE ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 SECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................... 2 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT……. ........................................................................................... ……... 2 Working Together .................................................................................................................................. 2 Parent Involvement Coordinator ............................................................................................................ 3 PARENTAL RIGHTS ............................................................................................ …………….. 3 Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights ........................................................................... 3 “Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities................................................................................................. 3 Inspecting Surveys ................................................................................................................................. 3 Requesting Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Staff .............................................................. 3 Reviewing Instructional Materials ......................................................................................................... 4 Displaying a Student’s Artwork and Projects ........................................................................................ 4 Accessing Student Records .................................................................................................................... 4 Granting Permission to Video or Audio Record a Student .................................................................... 4 Granting Permission to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction ................................. 5 Removing a Student Temporarily from the Classroom ......................................................................... 5 Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction ....................................................................... 5 Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags ......................................... 5 Excusing a Student from Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence................................. 5 Requesting Limited or No Contact with a Student through Electronic Media ...................................... 6 Requesting Notices of Certain Student Misconduct .............................................................................. 6 School Safety Transfers ......................................................................................................................... 6 Requesting Classroom Assignment for Multiple Birth Siblings ............................................................ 6 Parents of Students with Disabilities ..................................................................................................... 6 Request for the Use of a Service Animal ........................................................................................... 7 Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education Services.................................................................... 7 Parents of Students who speak a Primary Language Other than English .............................................. 7 Students with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected under Section 504………………………...7 Accommodations for Children of Military Families .............................................................................. 8 Student Records ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Directory Information ...................................................................................................................... 10 Directory Information for School-Sponsored Purposes ................................................................... 10 Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education......... 10 SECTION II: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS ................. 11 ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE ......................................................................................... ………. 11 ii Compulsory Attendance ....................................................................................................................... 11 Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance .............................................................................................. 11 Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance ................................................................................ 12 Attendance for Credit ........................................................................................................................... 12 Official Attendance-Taking Time…..……………………………………………………………... 13 Note for Absence.................................................................................................................................. 13 Parent’s Note after an Absence ............................................................................................................ 13 Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness .......................................................................................... 13 Lengthy Student Absences. ..…………………………………………………………………………13 Pre-Arranged Absences.………………………………………………………………………………14 Extracurricular Activities on the Day of Absence. .…………………………………………………14 Driver License Attendance Verification (VOE) .................................................................................. 14 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS .......................................................................................................... 14 AWARDS AND HONORS ..................................................................... ……………………… School Administrators must approve individual awards per subject area. Once the awards are approved, the coaches or teachers of each activity or sport will determine the recipient. .......... 14 Letter Jackets ................................................................................................................................. 14 BULLYING & CYBERBULLYING ........................................................................................... 15 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS ........................................... 16 CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ............................................................................................................ 16 CLASS RANK / TOP TEN PERCENT / HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT ............................. 17 CLOSED CAMPUS ...................................................................................................................... 18 CLASS SCHEDULES .................................................................................................................. 18 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS ........................................................................ 19 COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES .................................................................................................. 19 COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ............................................................................................. 20 CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................... 20 Applicability of School Rules .............................................................................................................. 20 Conduct Before and After School ........................................................................................................ 20 Use of Hallways during Class Time .................................................................................................... 20 Corporal Punishment ............................................................................................................................ 20 Disruptions of School Operations ........................................................................................................ 21 Social Events ........................................................................................................................................ 21 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES / CONDITIONS ............................................................................. 21 COUNSELING ............................................................................................................................. 21 Academic Counseling .......................................................................................................................... 21 Personal Counseling ............................................................................................................................. 22 iii Psychological Exams, Tests, or Treatment .......................................................................................... 22 COURSE CREDIT ......................................................................................................................