STUDENT / PARENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021 www.lifeschools.net www.lifeschools.net Life School admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, pro- grams, and activities of the school. Admission will not be based on gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, academic, artistic or athletic ability, or the district the child would otherwise attend. Board Approved August 19, 2020 Preface To Students and Parents: The administration, faculty and staff of Life School desire that you understand clearly our school’s philosophy, general guidelines, and curriculum offerings so that your child may have a positive learning experience during the school year. The Student/Parent Handbook will assist you in planning and partnering with the school in a joint effort to meet your student’s individual needs. It is imperative students and parents become familiar with this handbook, including our school’s uniform requirements, discipline system, and campus operating guidelines. This handbook is designed to be in harmony with Board Policy. Please be aware the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy and procedure that affect handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications. In case of conflict between Board Policy and any provision of this handbook, the provision that was most recently adopted by the Board of Directors will be followed. We ask our parents to review the entire handbook with their students and to keep it as a reference during this school year. Parents or students with questions about the material in this handbook should contact their principal. Finally, parents must electronically complete the handbook “Acknowledgement and Approval of Student/Parent Handbook” form during the enrollment or re-enrollment process, or otherwise return a printed and signed form to the school office. On behalf of the entire Life School staff and community, best wishes for a great and successful school year! Table of Contents SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 LIFE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 ABOUT LIFE SCHOOL ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 CHARTER SCHOOLS ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.4 STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION .............................................................................................................................. 2 1.5 MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2001 ................................................................. 2 1.6 ABSENCE AND TARDINESS ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Tardiness and Late Arrival ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Make-Up Assignments .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Late Work ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.7 ATTENDANCE .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Perfect Attendance ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Texas Compulsory Attendance Law .................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.8 ATTENDANCE FOR CREDIT OR FINAL GRADE ................................................................................................................... 6 1.9 DISMISSAL PROCEDURES ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.10 DISPLAYING A STUDENT’S ARTWORK, PROJECTS, PHOTOS, AND OTHER ORIGINAL WORK ............................. 7 1.11 DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS OR DOCUMENTS .............................................................................................................. 7 School Materials ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Non-School Materials ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.12 DRESS AND GROOMING ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 Dress Code .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Guidelines ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Uniform Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Optional Friday Uniform (Grades K – 12) ................................................................................................................................... 10 Uniform Infractions ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Free Dress / Jean Day Guidelines .................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.13 DRIVER’S LICENSE ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION ........................................................................................................ 11 1.14 ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES ............................................................................................. 11 Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Mobile Telephones ............................... 11 Telecommunication Device Penalties .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Possession and Use of Other Personal Electronic Devices .................................................................................................... 12 Instructional Use of Personal Telecommunications and Other Electronic Devices ..................................................... 12 Acceptable and Responsible Use of Life School Technology Resources ........................................................................... 13 Unacceptable and Inappropriate Use of Technology Resources ......................................................................................... 13 1.15 FOOD SERVICE ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 State-Mandated Nutrition Guidelines .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Additional Food Service Guidelines ................................................................................................................................................ 14 1.16 GENERAL ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT INFORMATION ......................................................................................... 14 Exclusion from Admission .................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Submission of Applications and Admissions Lottery ................................................................................................................. 14 1.17 IDENTIFICATION CARDS ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 1.18 LEAVING CAMPUS DURING SCHOOL DAY ...................................................................................................................... 15 Early Dismissal for Secondary Students .......................................................................................................................................