Weakley County Schools Student Handbook MISSION The mission of Weakley County Schools is to provide an educational environment that will encourage students to achieve their full potential as they prepare for unique roles as contributing members of our complex and changing society. Website: www.weakleycountyschools.com Dresden Elementary School Martin Elementary School Dresden High School Martin Middle School Dresden Middle School Martin Primary School Gleason School Sharon School Greenfield School Westview High School TABLE OF CONTENTS 2021-2022 CALENDAR ............................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION AND MISSION ................................................................................ 2 BELIEFS ...................................................................................................................... 2 SCHOOL ADMISSIONS .............................................................................................. 3 TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS .......................................................................................... 3 ATTENDANCE POLICY .............................................................................................. 4 ABSENCES AND EXCUSES ...................................................................................................... 5 ATTENDANCE INCENTIVES .................................................................................................... 5 GRADING AND REPORTING SYSTEM ..................................................................... 7 PROMOTION, RETENTION, AND GRADUATION ..................................................... 7 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................. 9 STATE AND LOCAL ASSESSMENTS ....................................................................................... 10 STUDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY .......................................................................... 10 REPORTING A SAFETY CONCERN ......................................................................................... 10 CRITICAL INCIDENTS ........................................................................................................... 10 ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION ..................................................................................... 11 ELECTRONIC MEDIA – ACCESS AND ACCEPTABLE USE ................................. 12 DISCIPLINE POLICY ................................................................................................. 12 DRESS CODE, CONDUCT CODE AND DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES ............................................ 14 BUS TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................................... 24 STUDENT LOCKERS ................................................................................................ 24 STUDENT FEES AND OTHER CHARGES .............................................................. 24 SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM ........................................................................... 25 FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS ..................................................................................... 25 MEAL COSTS ....................................................................................................................... 25 MEAL PAYMENTS ................................................................................................................ 26 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ................................................................................... 26 SCHOOL VISITORS .................................................................................................. 27 SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES .......................................................................... 27 TYPES, LOCATION, AND ACCESS TO RECORDS ............................................... 28 PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT TEACHERS ................................................ 29 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES ................................................................................... 29 HARASSMENT/DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES ................................................ 29 DIRECTORY .............................................................................................................. 30 ii 2021-2022 CALENDAR Monday, August 2 In-service Day Tuesday, August 3 In-service Day (1/2 day) / Workday (1/2 day) Wednesday, August 4 Registration (8:00 – 11:30) / In-service Day (1/2 day) Thursday, August 5 In-service Day Friday, August 6 Workday Monday, August 9 School begins (1st full day for students) Friday, September 3 Staff Development Day / No school for students Monday, September 6 Labor Day (No school) Thursday, September 16 Early dismissal for students Parent-Teacher Conference 12:00 – 6:00 Mon. – Fri., October 11-15 Fall Break (No school) Wed. – Fri., November 24-26 Thanksgiving Break (No school) Friday, December 17 Early dismissal for Christmas Break / No lunch served Monday, January 3 Staff Development Day / No school for students Tuesday, January 4 Students return to begin 2nd Semester Monday, January 17 Martin Luther King Day (No school) January (to be announced) Parent Teacher Conference (Three hours after school) Monday, February 21 All Presidents’ Day (No school) To be announced ACT Test (Grade 11) Mon. – Fri., March 21-25 Spring Break (No school) Friday, April 15 Good Friday (No school) To be announced Achievement Tests (Grades 3-8) To be announced End-of-Course Tests (High School) Tuesday, May 24 Dismiss early for Last Day of School / No lunch served Wednesday, May 25 Workday for teachers (No school for students) Thursday, May 26 Report Card Day (½ workday) (Buses will not run) The first five snow days will not be made up. Any subsequent snow days will be made up as follows: (1) January 17; (2) February 21. Spring Break (March 21-25) will be used as make-up days in dire situations. 1 INTRODUCTION AND MISSION Welcome to Weakley County Schools. The mission of Weakley County Schools is to provide an educational environment that will encourage students to achieve their full potential as they prepare for unique roles as contributing members of our complex and changing society. In order for our system to remain superior, students, parents, teachers, staff members, and administrators must work together in a cooperative effort to ensure that students receive every educational opportunity available. Our system is in a constant state of improvement and improvement plans are available on the system’s website. This handbook has been prepared to acquaint students and parents with the policies, procedures, and activities of our schools. We hope the information contained within the handbook will enable students and parents to be better informed of our school system's policies and procedures. We believe a well-informed community leads to a positive and safe school environment. Each school has a definite schedule, and we expect students to be in school during the designated hours. Parents should not request permission for students to leave school for activities such as personal appointments, errands, or other activities that should be scheduled after school hours. Your cooperation is appreciated. Information in this handbook reflects the current policies of Weakley County Schools. Policies are subject to change at any time by action of the Weakley County Board of Education, the Tennessee State Board of Education, or the Tennessee General Assembly. The policy of Weakley County Schools is to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, pregnancy, gender, disability, age(over 40), political affiliation, or beliefs or any category protected by state and/or federal law in its programs or activities. BELIEFS We believe... All children can learn. All children should begin school ready to learn and continue to learn throughout life. All children benefit when the focus is on student achievement with high expectations. All children deserve highly qualified administrators, teachers, and support staff that use research-based practices, strategies, and programs that provide clear direction. All children deserve a safe, positive, and physically comfortable school environment to promote learning. All children profit when parents, educators, and community members collaborate in the learning process. All children gain when mutual respect and integrity are displayed among students and members of the educational community as they engage in adequate and appropriate internal and external communication. All children benefit when curriculum and instruction are properly aligned, research- based, and data-driven. All children benefit when technology is utilized to enhance the learning process. 2 SCHOOL ADMISSIONS Children must be five (5) years of age by August 15 of the current year in order to enroll in kindergarten, and be six (6) years of age by the same date to enroll in grade one. Weakley County Board of Education Policy (6.502) governs admission of foreign exchange students. Students entering school for the first time must have the following: 1. Birth certificate; 2. Proof of proper immunization: A. DPT (4 doses), B. Polio (4 doses), C. MMR (2 doses), D. HBV (3 doses), E. HIB (4 doses) if not administered with HBV, F. Varicella – Chicken Pox – 1 dose after the first (1st) birthday or a diagnosed history of disease; 3. Physical examination after January