MESICK JR/SR HIGH STUDENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021 Updated 8/3/20 2 Mesick JR/SR High School MOTTO “Expect More” VISION STATEMENT Creating a community where education is a priority. MISSION STATEMENT Developing successful learners, critical thinkers and productive citizens. WELCOME Welcome to Mesick JR/SR High. We maintain the expectation that our school will be a safe and comfortable place to learn. We hold students to high standards of behavior, many of which are outlined in this handbook. Our staff will enforce the procedures and policies in this handbook and help you to make appropriate, responsible, and positive decisions. Handbook rules are subject to change based on policy review and policy changes. Parents and students will be updated as changes occur. This student handbook is not all-inclusive, and discipline will not be limited to the offenses listed. The administration may carry out other rules and penalties at its discretion. Students and parents must become familiar with the following information and keep the handbook available for frequent reference. If you have any questions that are not addressed in this handbook, you are encouraged to talk to your building principal. BOARD OF EDUCATION Eric Spencer - President Sandra Spencer - Vice President Jason Abraham - Secretary Stacy Brewer - Treasurer Craig Gabier - Trustee Amy Lipke - Trustee Joe Barkman - Trustee ADMINISTRATORS Scott Akom – Superintendent Kile Charnes – Elementary Principal Scott Morey -- JR/SR High School Principal Kyle Duby – Athletic Director CANCELLATIONS / EARLY DISMISSAL Early dismissal caused by inclement weather or certain emergencies will be conducted in the following manner: In cases arising during school hours bus drivers will be notified and each bus will leave as soon as they are released. If the emergency occurs outside of school hours, notifica- tion will be made through the following television and radio stations. WWTV (9 & 10) WPBN-TV (7 & 4) WGTU-TV (29) KHQ WGKI (Fox 33) WLDR WTCM WBNZ VIDEO SURVEILLANCE For the safety of our students, staff, and community members, a digitally monitored and recorded video system is used, both inside and outside of the JR/SR High School buildings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MICHIGAN MERIT CURRICULUM Mesick JR/SR High School Graduation Requirements In order to be granted a high school diploma, a student must complete a total of 25 credits including units in the following subject areas: Credits Subject Area Required Courses 4 English English 09, English 10, English 11, English 12 (Includes Online Learning) 4 Mathmatics Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, senior year math class 3 Science Biology, Chemistry or Physics, 1 additional science class 3 Social Studies World History 09, U.S. History 10, Civics, Economics 1 Fine Arts Industrial Arts, Band, Art 2 World Language Spanish I, Spanish II .5 Health Health 9 .5 Online Learning English 9 6 Elective Credits Any class that you take that goes above and beyond the credits listed above 1 PE Physical Education class Due to COVID-19 and the uncertainty for the 2020-2021 school year, classes identified in our District Course Catalog have been prepared to qualify as Virtual Learning Option classes and for blended learning. Classes that will not be available for Virtual Learning Option will contain an asterisk (*). GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Graduation ceremonies will occur annually. Ceremonies will be held at the end of the year with the administration recommending a date for the Board of Education’s approval. Students may be withheld from the graduation ceremony as disciplinary action. Graduating seniors must be passing all of their classes at the end of first semester and complete the academic requirements for graduation by the end of the last day that seniors report for class. Seniors who do not complete the requirements by the deadline will not be allowed to participate in com- mencement ceremonies. Graduating senior students will be required to attend both graduation practices in order to participate in commencement ceremonies. If a student cannot attend graduation practices they must have prior approval from the principal. EARLY GRADUATION To be eligible for early graduation a student must apply in writing by November 1st of their seventh semester. Students must satisfy all gradua- tion requirements by the end of the seventh semester. Requests will be considered on an individual basis and require the authorization of the principal and approval of the counselor, parent, and all of the student’s current teachers. CLASS AND CREDIT REQUIREMENT A student must be enrolled in seven classes to be considered a full time student at Mesick JR/SR High School. 25 credits are required for gradua- tion from Mesick High School. DUAL ENROLLMENT Dual enrollment is an option for senior high students that have met the enrollment requirements and have a qualifying high school GPA of 3.33. Students who do not meet the requirements can petition the principal for an exemption in writing. Upon receipt of proper enrollment verification, Mesick Consolidated Schools will pay tuition costs to the respective 2 or 4-year post secondary institution as determined by the Michigan State Aid Act. If a student elects to drop a dual enrollment course after the published drop and add period he/she must reimburse the school district for the funds retained by the college. If the student fails the class he or she will also be expected to reimburse the school district and the student will re- ceive NC on his/her transcript for the course. Students who fail a dual enrollment class will not be allowed to take another dual enrollment course for a minimum of 1 semester (as determined by the principal and counselor). Dual enrollment students take college level classes. Mesick Schools does not receive grade or progress updates and students will be solely responsible for their progress and grades. 1 STUDENT PLACEMENT AT GRADE LEVEL These letter and percent grades will Students will be assigned to a grade level at the beginning of the school year, based on the number of correspond according to the following credits they have successfully completed. Grade level adjustments will be made at the semester and for all students. students and their guardians will be notified of any grade level change. A student will not be listed as a member of a grade level, nor participate in that grade level’s activities, until they have earned the necessary credits for that class as listed below. Percent Grade Points Grade Level Credits needed at the beginning Credits needed at the beginning 93-100 A 4.0 of the 1st semester of the 2nd semester 10 4 credits or more 7.5 credits or more 90-92 A- 3.67 11 11 credits or more 14.5 credits or more 87-89 B+ 3.33 12 18 credits or more 21.5 credits or more 83-86 B 3.0 MARKING PERIODS Marking periods are approximately nine (9) weeks in length, and there are two marking periods in each 80-82 B- 2.67 semester. GRADES 77-79 C+ 2.33 Report cards will not be mailed home, as student grades are available online 24 hours a day 7 days a week using PowerSchool. The website is: http://psmes.wmisd.org/public/ There is also a PowerSchool 73-76 C 2.0 app available for smart phones. Parents are encouraged to check their student’s grades frequently and contact teachers with any questions or concerns about grades. Parents may request a paper copy of their 70-72 C- 1.67 student’s report card by submitting a request in writing to the JR/SR High office. Grades are based on student performance / achievement for each marking period. 67-69 D+ 1.33 The semester and final grades are figured as a percentage, 40% for each marking period and 20% for the 63-66 D 1.0 exam. Students with incomplete grades will have two weeks to complete the necessary requirements. If the student has not completed the necessary work after 2 weeks, the incomplete will change to an “E.” 60-62 D- .67 Semester and final exams must be taken. A zero will be given for the final if it is not taken. Seniors who have a “B” average (83%) in a class may be allowed to opt out of the final exam in the 2nd semester at 0-59 E 0 the teacher’s discretion. COURSE RETAKE Students are allowed to retake classes for a better grade. Permission of the counselor and teacher is CTC Courses of Study required. Credit for a class will only be awarded once. AGRISCIENCE & NATURAL RESOURCES DROPPING AND ADDING COURSES INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH Drops and adds or schedule changes must be completed by the end of the first week of school. Students CARE (All Juniors) will have another opportunity for schedule changes during the week prior to the beginning of the second HEALTH SCIENCE CAREERS semester. Students dropping classes after these time periods will automatically receive a grade of (First year seniors and all second “E”. No schedule changes will be made outside the schedule change window unless authorized in writing year students) by the principal and approved by the counselor and all teachers affected by the potential change. AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TESTING OUT ADMINISTRATION Students may “test” out of a class by passing the semester and final exam with a minimum grade of C+ APPLIED CONSTRUCTION (77%) or higher. Students and parents must submit a written request to test out of a class prior to the TECHNOLOGY completion of the first week of school. For full year classes, students must test out of a class in its entirety COMPUTERS, NETWORKING & (they may not test out of only one semester).