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This section of the
Monahans High School Student Handbook includes several notices that the
district is required to provide to you, as well as other information on
topics of particular interest to you as a parent.
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, Monahans-Wickett-Pyote Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
The following district staff members have been designated to coordinate compliance with these legal requirements:
· Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of sex: Mrs. Glenna Applewhite, 606 South Betty, Monahans, Texas, 943-6711.
· Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of disability: Mrs. Glenna Applewhite, 606 South Betty, Monahans, Texas, 943-6711.
· All other concerns regarding discrimination: See the superintendent, Mr. Keith Richardson, 606 South Betty, Monahans, Texas, 943-6711.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Both experience and research tell us that a child’s education succeeds best when there is good communication and a strong partnership between home and school. Your involvement in this partnership may include:
· Encouraging your child to put a high priority on education and working with your child on a daily basis to make the most of the educational opportunities the school provides.
· Ensuring that your child completes all homework assignments and special projects and comes to school each day prepared, rested, and ready to learn.
· Becoming familiar with all of your child’s school activities and with the academic programs, including special programs, offered in the district.
· Discussing with the counselors or principal any questions you may have about the options and opportunities available to your child.
· Reviewing the requirements of the graduation programs with your child, if your child is entering ninth grade.
· Monitoring your child’s academic progress and contacting teachers as needed. [See Academic Counseling on pages 22-23 and Academic Programs on page 13.]
· Attending scheduled conferences and requesting additional conferences as needed. To schedule a telephone or in-person conference with a teacher, counselor, or principal, please call the school office at 943-2519 for an appointment. The teacher will usually return your call or meet with you during his or her conference period or before or after school. [See Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences on page 45.]
· Becoming a school volunteer. [For further information, see policies at GKG and contact Kellye Riley, principal, at 943-2519.]
· Participating in campus parent organizations.
· Serving as a parent representative on the district-level or campus-level planning committees assisting in the development of educational goals and plans to improve student achievement. For further information, see policies at BQA and BQB, and contact Kellye Riley, principal, at 943-2519.
· Serving on the School Health Advisory Council, assisting the district in ensuring local community values are reflected in health education instruction. [See policies at BDF, EHAA, FFA and information in this handbook at School Health Advisory Council on page 38.]
· Attending board meetings to learn more about district operations. [See policies at BE and BED for more information.]
PARENTAL RIGHTS
Your child will not be required to participate without parental consent in any survey, analysis, or evaluation—funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education—that concerns:
· Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.
· Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
· Sexual behavior or attitudes.
· Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
· Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student has a close family relationship.
· Relationships privileged under law, such as relationships with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.
· Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents.
· Income, except when the information is required by law and will be used to determine the student’s eligibility to participate in a special program or to receive financial assistance under such a program.
You will be able to inspect the survey or other instrument and any instructional materials used in connection with such a survey, analysis, or evaluation. [For further information, see policy EF(LEGAL).]
As a parent, you have a right to receive notice of and deny permission for your child’s participation in:
· Any survey concerning the private information listed above, regardless of funding.
· School activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information gathered from your child for the purpose of marketing or selling that information.
· Any nonemergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered and scheduled by the school in advance and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the student. Exceptions are hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under state law. [See policies EF and FFAA.]
As a parent, if you do not want your child’s artwork, special projects, photographs and the like to be displayed on the district’s Web site, in printed material, by video, or by any other method of mass communication, you must notify the principal in writing.
You may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers, including whether a teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction; whether the teacher has an emergency permit or other provisional status for which state requirements have been waived; and undergraduate and graduate degree majors, graduate certifications, and the field of study of the certification or degree. You also have the right to request information about the qualifications of any paraprofessional who may provide services to your child.
As a parent, you have a right to review teaching materials, textbooks, and other teaching aids and instructional materials used in the curriculum, and to examine tests that have been administered to your child.
As a parent, you may inspect a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed to your child.
You may review your child’s student records. These records include:
· Attendance records,
· Test scores,
· Grades,
· Disciplinary records,
· Counseling records,
· Psychological records,
· Applications for admission,
· Health and immunization information,
· Other medical records,
· Teacher and counselor evaluations,
· Reports of behavioral patterns, and
· State assessment instruments that have been administered to your child.
[See Student Records on pages 6-8.]
Granting Permission to Video or Audio Record a Student
As a parent, you may grant or deny any written request from the district to make a video or voice recording of your child. State law, however, permits the school to make a video or voice recording without parental permission for the following circumstances:
· When it is to be used for school safety;
· When it relates to classroom instruction or a cocurricular or extracurricular activity; or
· When it relates to media coverage of the school.
You may remove your child temporarily from the classroom, if an instructional activity in which your child is scheduled to participate conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs. The removal cannot be for the purpose of avoiding a test and may not extend for an entire semester. Further, your child must satisfy grade-level and graduation requirements as determined by the school and by the Texas Education Agency.
As a parent, you may request that your child be excused from participation in the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. The request must be in writing. State law does not allow your child to be excused from participation in the required minute of silence or silent activity that follows. [See Pledges of Allegiance and a Minute of Silence on page 43 and policy EC(LEGAL).]
You may request that your child be excused from recitation of a portion of the Declaration of Independence. State law requires students in social studies classes in grades 3–12 to recite a portion of the text of the Declaration of Independence during Celebrate Freedom Week unless (1) you provide a written statement requesting that your child be excused, (2) the district determines that your child has a conscientious objection to the recitation, or (3) you are a representative of a foreign government to whom the United States government extends diplomatic immunity. [See policy EHBK(LEGAL).]
A noncustodial parent may request in writing that he or she be provided, for the remainder of the school year, a copy of any written notice usually provided to a parent related to your child’s misconduct that may involve placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or expulsion. [See policy FO(LEGAL) and the Student Code of Conduct.]
As a parent, you have a right:
· To request the transfer of your child to another classroom or campus if your child has been determined by the administrator to have been a victim of bullying as the term is defined by Education Code 25.0341. Transportation is not provided for a transfer to another campus. See Kellye Riley, principal, for information. [See policy FDB.]
· To request the transfer of your child to attend a safe public school in the district if your child attends school at a campus identified by TEA as persistently dangerous or if your child has been a victim of a violent criminal offense while at school or on school grounds. [See policy FDD(LOCAL).]
· To request the transfer of your child to a neighboring district if your child has been the victim of a sexual assault by another student assigned to the same campus, whether that assault occurred on or off campus, and that student has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for that assault. [See policies FDD(LEGAL) and (LOCAL).]
Requesting Classroom Assignment for Multiple Birth Siblings
As a parent, if your children are multiple birth siblings (e.g., twins, triplets, etc.) assigned to the same grade and campus, you may request that they be placed either in the same classroom or in separate classrooms. Your written request must be submitted no later than the 14th day after the enrollment of your children. [See FDB(LEGAL).]
Parents of students with learning difficulties or who may need special education services may request an evaluation for special education at any time. For more information, see Special Programs on page 50 and contact Mrs. Cyndi Stricklin, Special Education Director, at 943-3504.
If a child is experiencing learning difficulties, the parent may contact the person listed below to learn about the district’s overall general education referral or screening system for support services. This system links students to a variety of support options, including referral for a special education evaluation. Students having difficulty in the regular classroom should be considered for tutorial, compensatory, and other support services that are available to all students.
At any time, a parent is entitled to request an evaluation for special education services. Within a reasonable amount of time, the district must decide if the evaluation is needed. If evaluation is needed, the parent will be notified and asked to provide consent for the evaluation. The district must complete the evaluation and the report within 60 calendar days of the date the district receives the written consent. The district must give a copy of the report to the parent.
If the district determines that the evaluation is not needed, the district will provide the parent with a written notice that explains why the child will not be evaluated. This written notice will include a statement that informs the parent of his or her rights if the parent disagrees with the district. Additionally, the notice must inform the parent how to obtain a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards—Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities.
The designated person to contact regarding options for a child experiencing learning difficulties or a referral for evaluation for special education is Mrs. Cyndi Stricklin, Special Education Director, at 943-3504.
Opciones y requisitos para proporcionar ayuda a los estudiantes que tienen dificultades en el aprendizaje 0 que necesitan o pueden necesitar educacion especial
Si un niño está experimentando dificultades en el aprendizaje, el padre puede comunicarse con la persona mencionada más abajo para enterarse sobre el sistema de estudios de diagnóstico y de recomendación de la educación general del distrito para los servicios de apoyo. Este sistema conecta a los estudiantes con una variedad de opciones de apoyo, incluyendo la recomendación para una evaluación para educacion especial. Los estudiantes que tienen dificultades en el aula normal deberán ser considerados para tutoria, servicios compensatorios y otros servicios de apoyo disponibles para todos los estudiantes.
En cualquier momento, un padre tiene derecho a solicitar una evaluación para los servicios de educación especial. Dentro de un periodo de tiempo razonable, el distrito debe decidir si la evaluación es necesaria. Si la evaluación es necesaria, el padre será notificado y se le pedirá que dé consentimiento para la evaluación. El distritro debe completar la evaluación y el informe dentro de lost 60 días de calendario desde la fecha en que el distrito reciba el consentimiento por escrito. El distrito debe darle una copia del informe al padre.
Si el distrito determina que la evaluación no es necesaria, el distrito proporcionará al padre una notificación por escrito que explica el motivo por el cual el niño no sera evaluado. Extra notificación por excrito incluirá información que le explica al padre los derechos que tiene si no está de acuerdo con el distritro. Además, la notificación debe informarle al padre la manera de obtener una copia de la Notificación de las Salvaguardas del Procedimiento – Derecho de los Padres de Estudiantes con Discapacidades.
Las persona designada con quien puede comunicarse en relación a las opciones que tiene un niño que experimenta dificultades en el aprendizaje o para una recomendación para le evaluación para educación especial es Mrs. Cyndi Stricklin at 943-3504.
The Parent Involvement Coordinator, who works with parents of students participating in Title I programs if Mrs. Glenna Applewhite and may be contacted at 606 S. Betty, Monahans, Texas, 943-6711.
Both federal and state law safeguard student records from unauthorized inspection or use and provide parents and eligible students certain rights. For purposes of student records, an “eligible” student is one who is 18 or older OR who is attending an institution of postsecondary education.
Virtually all information pertaining to student performance, including grades, test results, and disciplinary records, is considered confidential educational records. Release is restricted to:
· The parents—whether married, separated, or divorced—unless the school is given a copy of a court order terminating parental rights. Federal law requires that, as soon as a student becomes 18 or is emancipated by a court, control of the records goes to the student. The parents may continue to have access to the records, however, if the student is a dependent for tax purposes.
· District staff members who have what federal law refers to as a “legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records. “Legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records includes working with the student; considering disciplinary or academic actions, the student’s case, or an individualized education program for a student with disabilities; compiling statistical data; or investigating or evaluating programs. Such persons would include school officials (such as board members, the superintendent, and principals), school staff members (such as teachers, counselors, and diagnosticians), or an agent of the district (such as a medical consultant).
· Various governmental agencies.
· Individuals granted access in response to a subpoena or court order.
· A school or institution of postsecondary education to which a student seeks or intends to enroll or in which he or she subsequently enrolls.
Release to any other person or agency—such as a prospective employer or for a scholarship application—will occur only with parental or student permission as appropriate.
The principal is the custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The high school principal is the custodian of all records for students who have withdrawn or graduated.
Records may be inspected by a parent or eligible student during regular school hours. If circumstances prevent inspection during these hours, the district will either provide a copy of the requested records or make other arrangements for the parent or student to review these records. The records custodian or designee will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of the records. The address of the superintendent’s office is: 606 S. Betty, Monahans, TX, 79756. The address of the principal’s office is 809 S. Betty, Monahans, TX, 79756.
A parent (or eligible student) may inspect the student’s records and request a correction if the records are considered inaccurate or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. If the district refuses the request to amend the records, the requestor has the right to request a hearing. If the records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the information in the student’s record. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, contesting a student’s grade in a course is handled through the general complaint process found in policy FNG(LOCAL). [See Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences on page 45 and Complaints and Concerns on page 18 for an overview of the process.]
Copies of student records are available at a cost of ten cents per page, payable in advance. If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches and the parents are unable to view the records during regular school hours, one copy of the record will be provided at no charge upon written request of the parent.
The law permits the district to designate certain personal information about students as “directory information.” This “directory information” will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it.
However, release of a student’s directory information may be prevented by the parent or an eligible student. This objection must be made in writing to the principal within ten (10) school days of your child’s first day of instruction for this school year. [See the “Notice Regarding Directory Information and Parent’s Response Regarding Release of Student Information” included in the forms packet.]
The district often needs to use student information for the following school-sponsored purposes: honor roll, school newspaper, the yearbook, recognition activities, news releases, website and athletic programs.
For these specific school-sponsored purposes, the district would like to use your child’s name, photograph, grade level and/or honors and awards received in school. This information will not be released to the public without the consent of the parent or eligible student.
Unless you object to the use of your child’s information for these limited purposes, the school will not need to ask your permission each time the district wishes to use this information for the school-sponsored purposes listed.
The district is required by federal law to comply with a request by a military recruiter or an institution of higher education for students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings, unless parents have advised the district not to release their child’s information without prior written consent. A form has been provided in the forms folder for you to complete if you do not want the district to provide this information to military recruiters or institutions of higher education.
Please note:
Parents or eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe the district is not in compliance with federal law regarding student records. The district’s policy regarding student’s records is available from the principal’s or superintendent’s office or on the district’s Web site at www.mwpisd.esc18.net.
The parent’s or eligible student’s right of access to and copies of student records does not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational records – such as teachers’ personal notes about a student that are shared only with a substitute teacher – do not have to be made available to the parents or student.
State law specifically requires the district to provide the following information:
· What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.
· What are the symptoms?
Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body.
The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.
· How serious is bacterial meningitis?
If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability.
· How is bacterial meningitis spread?
Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).
The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks, or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system and cause meningitis or another serious illness.
· How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?
Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.
While there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used only in special circumstances. These include when there is a disease outbreak in a community or for people traveling to a country where there is a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a vaccine is recommended by some groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85–90 percent). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within seven to ten days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to five years.
· What should you do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis?
You should seek prompt medical attention.
· Where can you get more information?
Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your local health department or Regional Texas Department of Health Services office to ask about a meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at the Web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov, and the Department of State Health Services, http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/.
Topics in this
section of the handbook contain important information on academics,
school activities, and school operations and requirements. Take a
moment with your child to become familiar with the various issues
addressed in this section. It is conveniently organized in alphabetical
order to serve as a quick-reference when you or your child have a
question about a specific school-related issue. Should you be unable to
find the information on a particular topic, please contact Kellye Riley,
principal, at 432-943-2519.
Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws, one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for course credit, are of special interest to students and parents. They are discussed below::
State law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt.
A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her 18th birthday is required to attend each school day. If a student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester, however, the district may revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s presence on school property thereafter would be unauthorized and may be considered trespassing.
School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent from school without permission from school; from any class; from required special programs, such as additional special instruction (termed “accelerated instruction” by the state) assigned by a grade placement committee and basic skills for ninth graders; or from required tutorials will be considered in violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.
A court of law may also impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if the student:
· Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, or
· Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
To receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. A student who attends at least 75 percent but fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may receive credit for the class if he or she completes a plan, approved by the principal, that allows the student to fulfill the instructional requirements for the class. If a student is involved in a criminal or juvenile court proceeding, the approval of the judge presiding over the case will also be required before the student receives credit for the class.
If a student attends less than 75 percent of the days a class is offered or has not completed that plan approved by the principal, then the student will be referred to the attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit, if appropriate. [See policies at FEC.]
In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committee will use the following guidelines:
· All absences will be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. If makeup work is completed, absences for religious holy days and documented health-care appointments will be considered days of attendance for this purpose. [See policies at FEB.]
· A transfer or migrant student begins to accumulate absences only after he or she has enrolled in the district. For a student transferring into the district after school begins, including a migrant student, only those absences after enrollment will be considered.
· In reaching a decision about a student’s absences, the committee will attempt to ensure that it is in the best interest of the student.
· The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documented reasons for the student’s absences.
· The committee will consider whether the absences were for reasons over which the student or the student’s parent could exercise any control.
· The committee will consider the extent to which the student has completed all assignments, mastered the essential knowledge and skills, and maintained passing grades in the course or subject.
· The student or parent will be given an opportunity to present any information to the committee about the absences and to talk about ways to earn or regain credit.
The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the board of trustees by filing a written request with the superintendent in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL).
The actual number of days a student must be in attendance in order to receive credit will depend on whether the class is for a full semester or for a full year.
When a student must be absent from school, the student—upon returning to school—must bring a note, signed by the parent, that describes the reason for the absence. A note signed by the student, even with the parent’s permission, will not be accepted unless the student is 18 or older.
Upon returning to school, a student absent for more than five consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school. [See FEC(LOCAL).]
To obtain a driver license, a student between the ages of 16 and 18 must provide to the Texas Department of Public Safety a form obtained from the school verifying that the student has met the 90 percent attendance requirement for the semester preceding the date of application. The student can obtain this form at the campus in the attendance office.
Monahans High School asks that parents call the school attendance office before 8:30 AM if their child is going to be absent that day. In an effort to reduce truancies, MHS will attempt to contact the parent of students that are reported as absent. Parental cooperation in contacting the school first will be greatly appreciated.
§ When returning to school after an absence, a student must bring a note signed by a parent describing the reason for, and the date(s) of, the absence. Students are to present this note to the attendance clerk between 7:45 and 8:05 AM. Notes should be written and signed by a parent/guardian. Forged notes will be treated as a truancy and handled according to the discipline policy. Notes will not be accepted after the third day a student returns to school following an absence and the absence will be classified as unexcused.
§ No student, except those in regular instructional programs which require that they leave the school grounds, will be excused to leave the school grounds without the principal’s approval. Except in an emergency, this may not be done without the written permission of the parent or guardian. However, in emergency situations, verbal approval from the parent or guardian will be sought by the attendance clerk before students are allowed to leave campus. All students leaving the campus early must sign out in the attendance office. Upon returning to school, if on the same day, the student must check in with the Attendance Office. Students who are eighteen (18) years old, but still living at home, must have parent permission to leave campus and must follow the same check-out procedures outlined for all students.
§ Leaving the school campus without permission, other than during the lunch period, will be considered truancy and will result in a placement in SAC. Students who remain on campus, but are not attending their assigned classes, will be considered as skipping and will result in an assignment of Saturday detention hall.
§ Students leaving early and returning or not returning for reasons of a medical or dental appointment should bring a note to the Attendance Office from the doctor/dentist with the name of the student, the time and date of the appointment and the doctor/dentist’s signature. Please remember that class time is important. Doctor/dentist’s appointments should be scheduled, if possible, at times when the student will not miss instructional time.
A student absent from school on a day that school‑related activities are scheduled for the evening must receive permission from the principal before participating in the scheduled activities.
Monahans High School will provide students with excessive absences the option of attending Saturday School to make-up days missed in order to be in compliance with the 90% attendance law. Students who wish to take advantage of this offer are required to pay a fee of $25 for each Saturday School they attend. Students must sign-up with the assistant principal and pay the fee before attending. Students who are unable to pay the $25 fee may make arrangements with the assistant principal to do assigned duties after school hours to compensate for the fee. Saturday School will be held at the discretion of MHS and the hours will be from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The school counselors provide students and parents information regarding academic programs to prepare for higher education and career choices. [For more information, see page 24 of this handbook and policies at EIF.]
[See Academic Counseling on pages 22-23.]
ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT
The Board of Trustees of a school district or its designee shall admit into the free public schools of the district all persons who are at least five and under 21 years of age on September 1 of any school year in which admission is sought if any of the following conditions exist:
1. The person and either parent reside in the district.
2. The person does not reside in the district, but one of the parents resides in the district and that parent is a joining managing conservator or the sole managing conservator or possessory conservator of the person.
3. The person and his or her guardian or other person having lawful control under an order of a court reside in the district.
4. The person has established a separate residence in the district apart from his or her parent, guardian, or the person having lawful control under an order of a court and has established that the person’s presence in the district is not for the primary purpose of participation in extracurricular activities. The Board is not required to admit such person, however, if the person has:
§ Engaged in conduct that resulted in removal to an alternative education program or expulsion within the preceding year;
§ Engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision and is on probation or other conditional release for that conduct; or
§ Been convicted of a criminal offense and is on probation or other conditional release.
5. The person is homeless, as defined by federal law, regardless of the residence of the person, either parent, or the person’s guardian or other person having lawful control.
6. The person is a foreign exchange student placed with a host family that resides in the district by a nationally recognized foreign exchange program, unless the district has applied for and been granted a waiver by the Commissioner because:
§ This requirement would impose a financial or staffing hardship on the district.
§ The admission would diminish the district’s ability to provide a high quality of education services for the district’s domestic students; or
§ The admission would require domestic students to compete with foreign exchange students for educational resources.
7. The person resides in the district and is 18 or older or the person’s disabilities of minority have been removed.
The district may require evidence that a person is eligible to attend the public free schools of the district at the time it considers an application for admission of the person. The Board or its designee shall establish minimum proof of residency acceptable to the district. When admission is sought under item 3 above, the Board shall determine whether an applicant qualifies as a resident of the district and may adopt reasonable guidelines for making that determination as necessary to protect the best interest of students.
Not later than the 30th day after the date a parent or other person with legal control of a child enrolls the child in a district school, the parent or other person, or the school district in which the child most recently attended school, shall furnish to the district all of the following:
· The child’s birth certificate or another document suitable as proof of the child’s identity;
· A copy of the child’s records from the school the child most recently attended if he or she was previously enrolled in school in Texas or in another state;
· A record showing that the child has the immunizations required by Education Code 38.001, proof that the child is not required to be immunized, or proof that the child is entitled to provisional admission.
If a child is enrolled under a name other than the name that appears in the identifying documents or records, the district shall notify the missing children and missing persons information clearinghouse of the child’s name as shown on the identifying records and the name under which the child is enrolled.
If the required documents and other records are not furnished to the district within 30 days after enrollment, the district shall notify the police department of the city or the sheriff’s department of the county in which the district is located and request a determination of whether the child has been reported as missing.
When accepting a child for enrollment, the district shall inform the parent or other person enrolling the child that presenting false information or false records for identification is a criminal offense under Penal Code 37.10.
These courses go far beyond the state minimum essential elements and are based on difficult instructional material, higher order thinking skills, and demand a high level of performance both from the student and the teacher. Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-Advanced Placement (PAP) courses are the most advanced academic courses offered by MHS and require the student’s greatest effort in order to successfully complete the classes.
Students that are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses are required to take the Advanced Placement (AP) exams. A monetary down-payment fee of $20 is required to be paid by the student before the end of the first six-weeks period of the class to cover the cost of the AP exam. If the student does not pay for the exam during this time, the student will be placed in an equivalent, regular education class. The remainder of the exam fee must be paid before the administration of the AP exam.
Honor Graduate Awards: Presented to the two graduating seniors having the highest scholastic averages for their high school work. The Valedictorian and the Salutatorian are those members of the senior class who have the highest scholastic averages for the four years of their high school work. These honorees are determined at the end of the fifth six-weeks of their senior year. A student must have completed the last two years at Monahans High School to be eligible and must complete the requirements of the Recommended or the Distinguished Achievement graduation plans.
Outstanding Senior Boy/Girl: Presented to a graduating boy and girl from the senior class. The recipients of these awards are nominated and voted upon by the members of the faculty based upon students’ leadership skills, citizenship, involvement in extracurricular activities and dedication to Monahans High School.
Academic Awards: Presented to students who have maintained grade averages of 90 or above in each of the core subjects, taught at grade level with no class/grade modifications, for the first five six-weeks periods of the school year. Core subjects are those subjects which are required to complete a student’s graduation plan other than band, choir and physical education/athletics classes.
Scholarship Awards: Presented to the boy and girl who have the highest scholastic averages in each grade level for the school year, as determined at the end of the first five six-weeks periods.
Merit Awards (The “M” Awards): Presented to one boy and one girl in each of the classes based on citizenship, trustworthiness, dependability, helpfulness and loyalty, as determined by MHS faculty members.
Departmental Awards: Presented to the outstanding students of each department as determined by faculty members from each representative department.
Perfect Attendance Awards: Presented to those students who have not been absent during the school year.
UIL State Participants: Presented to those students who have reached the state level of competition in the UIL events in which they have participated.
Monahans High School generally operates under the regular bell schedule listed below. However, during exam periods and other occasions during the year, the bell schedule is modified.
8:00 AM Students Enter the Building
8:00 – 8:05 AM Passing Period
8:05 – 9:00 AM First Period
9:00 – 9:05 AM Passing Period
9:05 – 10:00 AM Second Period
10:00 – 10:05 AM Passing Period
10:05 – 11:00 AM Third Period
11:00 – 11:05 AM Passing Period
11:05 – 12:00 Noon Fourth Period
12:00 – 12:45 PM Lunch
12:45 – 12:50 PM Passing Period
12:50 – 1:45 PM Fifth Period
1:45 – 1:50 PM Passing Period
1:50 – 2:45 PM Sixth Period
2:45 – 2:50 PM Passing Period
2:50 – 3:45 PM Seventh Period
The district offers career and technology programs in trade and industrial, computer technology and home economics. Admission to these programs is based on students’ interests and career goals.
The Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD will take steps to ensure that a lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.
The Valedictorian and the Salutatorian are those members of the senior class who have the highest scholastic averages for the four years of their high school work. These students are determined at the end of the fifth six-weeks of their senior year. A student must have completed the last two years at Monahans High School to be eligible and must complete the requirements of the Recommended or the Distinguished Achievement graduation plans.
For two school years following his or her graduation, a district student who graduates in the top ten percent of his or her class is eligible for automatic admission into four-year public universities and colleges in Texas if the student:
Students and parents should contact the counselors or principal for further information about the application process and deadlines.
[For further information, see policies at EIC.]
Schedule changes are discouraged. Only limited schedule changes will be granted after the first week of a semester. In order to drop a course or to change a schedule, a student must have a legitimate reason and written approval from parents/guardians. Requests for schedule changes due to low grades or individual differences will normally be denied. Requests to change teachers will not ordinarily be granted, except in cases where the change will assist in equalizing the class loads.
Students classified as juniors or seniors may be granted credit for concurrent or college course(s) taken in approved institutions to fulfill units for high school graduation under the following provisions:
· The student makes written request to the principal and/or superintendent that credit be given for a college course. The course(s) may be taken concurrently with high school courses or during the summer or evening. However, a student will only be allowed to take three (3) concurrent and/or correspondence courses held off-campus during their high school years.
· The parent(s) or guardian(s) affirms in writing to the principal and/or superintendent that the student has parental permission to take the college course(s).
· The student completes the requirement of taking the THEA test before enrolling in college course(s). Students may be exempt from this test based upon TAKS results. Please see the counselors for more information on this matter.
· Credit for successfully completed college course(s) shall be earned in one-half unit increments.
· The student pays all costs associated with taking the college course(s) and provides the district with an official college transcript showing the grade received. The grade must be a minimum of “C” (75-79) to qualify for high school credit.
· Graduating seniors taking a concurrent/dual credit course held off-campus must complete the course during the fall semester of the student’s senior year.
Senior students will be allowed up to two days a year for college visitation. Students who choose to use these days will bring a note from their parents/guardians stating where and when they will be going, and obtain a College Visitation form from the Attendance Office. The College Visitation form must be presented and signed by each of the student’s teachers before the scheduled visit. This form must also be stamped with the official college stamp during the visit and delivered to the Attendance Office upon returning to the high school.
These college days are excused absences, and they do not count against exam exemptions. However, they do count against perfect attendance status. The school asks that students be responsible in the use of their college days. College days will not be granted for days when major grades will be taken (six weeks tests, final exams, etc.). These days of college visitations should be viewed as an educational opportunity and help to graduating seniors and their families.
All college days must be taken by the last day of the 5th 6-weeks period, which is April 18, 2008.
Usually student or parent complaints or concerns can be addressed by a phone call or a conference with the teacher or principal. For those complaints and concerns that cannot be handled so easily, the district has adopted a standard complaint policy at FNG(LOCAL) in the district’s policy manual. A copy of this policy may be obtained in the principal’s or superintendent’s office or on the district’s Web site at www.mwpisd.esc18.net.
In general, the student or parent should submit a written complaint and request a conference with the campus principal. If the concern is not resolved, a request for a conference should be sent to the superintendent. If still unresolved, the district provides for the complaint to be presented to the board of trustees.
To prepare students for an increasingly technological society, the district has made anl investment in computer technology for instructional purposes. Use of these computer resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s supervision and for approved purposes only. Students and parents will be asked to sign a user agreement (separate from this handbook) regarding use of these resources; violations of this agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action.
Students and their parents should be aware that e-mail using district computers is not private and will be monitored by district staff. [For additional information, see policies at CQ.]
In order for students to take advantage of available learning opportunities and to be productive members of our campus community, each student is expected to:
§ Demonstrate courtesy – even when others do not.
§ Behave in a responsible manner, always exercising self-discipline.
§ Attend all classes, regularly and on time.
§ Prepare for each class; take appropriate materials and assignments to class.
§ Meet district and/or campus standards of grooming and dress.
§ Obey all campus and classroom rules.
§ Respect the rights and privileges of other students, teachers and other district staff.
§ Respect the property of others, including district property and facilities.
§ Cooperate with or assist the school staff in maintaining safety, order, and discipline.
§ Avoid violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
As required by law, the Board has adopted a Student Code of Conduct that prohibits certain behaviors and defines standards of acceptable behavior—both on and off campus—and consequences for violation of these standards. The district has disciplinary authority over a student in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Students and parents should be familiar with the standards set out in the Student Code of Conduct, as well as campus and classroom rules.
To achieve the best possible learning environment for all students, the Student Code of Conduct and other campus rules will apply whenever the interest of the district is involved, on or off school grounds, in conjunction with classes and school-sponsored activities. The district has disciplinary authority over a student in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct as outlined below:
§ During the regular school day or while a student is going to and from school on district transportation.
§ During lunch periods in which a student is allowed to leave campus.
§ Within 300 feet of school property.
§ While a student is in attendance at any school-related activity, regardless of time or location.
§ For any school-related misconduct, regardless of time or location.
§ When retaliation against a school employee or volunteer occurs or is threatened, regardless of time or location.
§ When a student commits a felony, as described by Texas Education Code 37.006.
§ When criminal mischief is committed on or off school property or at a school-related event.
Corporal punishment—spanking or paddling the student—may be used as a discipline management technique in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and policy FO(LOCAL) in the district’s policy manual. Corporal punishment will be governed by the following conditions:
§ Corporal punishment shall be administered only after less stringent disciplinary measures have been attempted and after the student has been told the reason for the corporal punishment.
§ Corporal punishment may be administered by the school principal, assistant principal or a teacher.
§ The instrument to be used in administering corporal punishment shall be approved by the principal or designee.
§ The punishment will be administered in the presence of one other district professional employee and out of view of other students.
§ Corporal punishment shall be administered in a reasonable manner with “reasonableness” to be determined on the basis of factors such as size, age, and the physical, mental and emotional condition of the student.
A record will be maintained of each instance of corporal punishment.
Academic dishonesty/cheating or plagiarism is not acceptable. Cheating includes the copying of another student's work-homework, class work, test answers, etc.-as one's own. Plagiarism is the use of another person's original ideas or writing without giving credit to the true author. A student found to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be subject to loss of credit for the work in question, as well as disciplinary penalties, according to the Student Code of Conduct.
Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and Weapons
Under state and federal law, a student is not allowed to possess, sell, give away, or use alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco products, guns, or other weapons on school property or at a school‑related or school‑sanctioned activity, on or off school property. Having one of these items in a privately owned vehicle that the student has driven to school and parked on district property is also prohibited.
Students must not participate, either individually or in a group, in bullying or taunting behaviors toward another student. Such behaviors may include repeated teasing or ridicule, name-calling, threats, theft, gossip and rumors, or physical intimidation of any kind. A substantiated complaint against a student will result in disciplinary action, according to the nature of the offense and the Student Code of Conduct.
As identified by law, disruptions include the following:
· Interference with the movement of people at an exit, entrance, or hallway of a district building without authorization from an administrator.
· Interference with an authorized activity by seizing control of all or part of a building.
· Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent participation in an authorized assembly.
· Use of force, violence, or threats to cause disruption during an assembly.
· Interference with the movement of people at an exit or an entrance to district property.
· Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent people from entering or leaving district property without authorization from an administrator.
· Disruption of classes or other school activities while on district property or on public property that is within 500 feet of district property. Class disruption includes making loud noises; trying to entice a student away from, or to prevent a student from attending, a required class or activity; and entering a classroom without authorization and disrupting the activity with loud or profane language or any misconduct.
· Interference with the transportation of students in district vehicles.
Gangs and Other Prohibited Organizations
Under state law, a student is prohibited from membership or involvement in a public school fraternity, sorority, secret society, or gang.
Hazing Activities
State law also prohibits a student from participating in any hazing activities. A student is guilty of hazing when he or she takes direct hazing action; encourages or assists someone else to take action; recklessly permits action; has knowledge of planned action or action that has occurred without reporting that knowledge in writing to a school official.
Knives – Including Pocket Knives
Students are not permitted to possess or use any form of knife, including pocket knives, while on school property, using district transportation, or while attending school-sponsored activities, whether on or off school property. The carrying or using of any form of knife will result in confiscation and disciplinary penalties, according to the Student Code of Conduct.
Students are not permitted to possess such items as pagers, radios, CD players, tape recorders, camcorders, DVD players, cameras, electronic devices or games at school, unless prior permission has been obtained from the principal. Without such permission, teachers will collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office. The principal will determine whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items.
For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess cell phones; however, cell phones must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing. The use of cell phones in locker rooms or restroom areas at any time while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event is strictly prohibited.
Cellular phones may be kept in private vehicles parked on campus property during the school day. With permission from extra-curricular sponsors and/or coaches, cellular phones may be taken on school-related trips, but may not be used while being transported on school buses. Students that do not abide by these regulations, may have their cellular phones confiscated and disciplinary penalties assessed, according to the Student Code of Conduct. An assignment to morning detention will be made for violation of cellular phone use and the return of cell phones will not be made until the detention has been served. Additionally, the school will charge the owner $15 for the release of telecommunications devices – cellular phones and paging devices.
[See policy FNCE.]
Students are not permitted to possess or use skates or skateboards while on school property or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities, whether on or off school property. Skates or skateboards will be confiscated and students will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct.
School rules apply to school social events. Guests attending these events are expected to observe the same rules as students, and a student inviting a guest will share responsibility for the conduct of his or her guest.
A student attending a social event will be asked to sign out when leaving before the end of the event; anyone leaving before the official end of the event will not be readmitted.
To protect other students from contagious illnesses, students infected with certain diseases are not allowed to come to school while contagious. If a parent suspects that his or her child has a contagious disease, the parent should contact the school nurse or principal so that other students who might have been exposed to the disease can be alerted.
The school nurse or the principal’s office can provide information from the Department of State Health Services regarding these diseases.
The district permits high school students to take correspondence courses - by mail or via the Internet - for credit toward high school graduation. Prior to enrollment in correspondence courses, students shall make written request to the principal for approval to enroll in the course. If approval is not granted prior to enrollment, the student shall not be awarded credit toward graduation. Correspondence courses will only be accepted from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University.
Students may earn a maximum of three (3) state-required credit(s) through correspondence courses and/or concurrent/dual credit courses held off-campus and may be enrolled in only one correspondence course and/or concurrent/dual credit course at a time. Correspondence courses are not weighted credit courses and will not receive an additional ten-point weight when averaging a student’s cumulative grade point average. Concurrent/dual credit courses, however, are weighted credit courses and will receive an additional ten-point weight on the student’s cumulative grade point average.
Graduating seniors taking correspondence courses must complete the coursework by the end of the fifth six-weeks grading period of their senior year to receive credit for the course.
[For further information, see policies at EEJC.]
Students and their parents are encouraged to talk with school counselors, teacher, or principal to learn more about course offerings, graduation requirements, and early graduation procedures. Each spring, students in grades eight (8) through eleven (11) will be provided information on anticipated course offerings for the next school year and other information that will help them make the most of academic and vocational opportunities.
To plan for the future, each student should work closely with the counselors in order to enroll in the high school courses that best prepare him or her for attendance at a college, university, or training school, or for pursuit of some other type of advanced education. The counselors can also provide information about entrance exams and application deadlines, as well as information about automatic admission to state colleges and universities, financial aid, housing, and scholarships.
The school counselors are available to assist students with a wide range of personal concerns, including such areas as social, family, or emotional issues, or substance abuse. The counselors may also make available information about community resources to address these concerns. A student who wishes to meet with the counselors should make an appointment in the counseling center.
The school will not conduct a psychological examination, test, or treatment without first obtaining the parent’s written consent. Parental consent is not necessary when a psychological examination, test, or treatment is required by state or federal law for special education purposes or by the Texas Education Agency for child abuse investigations and reports.
[For more information, refer to FFE(LEGAL) and FFG(EXHIBIT).]
A student who has previously taken a course or subject—but did not receive credit for it—may, in circumstances determined by the teacher, counselors, principal, or attendance committee, be permitted to earn credit by passing an exam on the essential knowledge and skills defined for that course or subject. Prior instruction may include, for example, incomplete coursework due to a failed course or excessive absences, homeschooling, correspondence courses, or independent study supervised by a teacher.
The counselors or principal would determine if the student could take an exam for this purpose. If approval is granted, the student must score at least 70 on the exam to receive credit for the course or subject.
Graduating seniors taking Credit by Exams to regain credit must complete exams by the end of the fifth six-weeks grading period of their senior year in order to receive credit for the course or subject.
The attendance review committee may also offer a student with excessive absences an opportunity to earn credit for a course by passing an exam. A student may not use this exam, however, to regain eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities.
[For further information, see the counselors and policies EEJA.]
A student will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course for which the student has had no prior instruction. The dates on which exams are scheduled during the 2007-2008 school year include: September 28, October 26 and December 14, 2007 and February 8, March 7 and April 18, 2008.
The student will earn credit with a passing score of at least 90 on the exam.
If a student plans to take an exam, the student (or parent) must register with the principal no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled testing date. The district will honor a request by a parent to administer a test on a date other than the published dates. If the district agrees to administer a test other than the one chosen by the district, the parent must purchase a test from a university approved by the State Board of Education. [For further information, see EEJB(LOCAL).]
As part of the discipline policy of Monahans High School, a detention time has been established as a discipline technique. The following applies to the placement of a student in detention due to misconduct:
1. The student will report to detention hall within 24 hours of the time assigned. This should allow the student time to make arrangements with parents for rides.
2. Regular classroom behavior is expected while in detention.
3. Extra days may be added for failure to abide by any school rules while in attendance at detention as deemed necessary by the detention hall supervisor.
4. Detention hall will begin at 7:35 AM each morning in a room designated by the assistant principal.
Students who do not attend assigned detentions may be sent to the Supervised Alternative Classroom (SAC).
Students who change their residence, mailing address, or telephone numbers after enrollment should report the changes promptly to the registrar’s office so that records may be corrected in case of an emergency at school.
The following policies will be followed at Monahans High School as a means to provide consistent discipline addressing students who choose to:
· Possess or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
· Fight
· Be truant or skip school
DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY
A student enrolled in this school district that sells, gives or delivers to another person, or possesses, uses or is under the influence of marijuana, a controlled substance, a dangerous drug or alcohol on or within 300 feet of school property, as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line, or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property, shall lead to the following disciplinary actions:
Up to three (3) days suspension, plus…
First Time: 30 days in DAEP
Second Time: Remainder of the year in DAEP – not less than
60 days and up to 180 days
Third Time: Expelled for one full calendar year
**Criminal charges of minor in possession (MIP) or minor in consumption (MIC) will be filed by the school, regardless of which numbered offense
A student enrolled in this school district that sells, gives, delivers or possesses more than four ounces of marijuana on or within 300 feet of school property, as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line, or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property, shall lead to the following disciplinary actions:
Up to three (3) days suspension, plus…
First Time: Expelled for one (1) calendar year
**Criminal charges of minor in possession (MIP) or minor in consumption (MIC) will be filed by the school
Possession of any amount of the controlled substances, as listed and defined in the Texas Penal Code under Sections 481.112, 481.1121, 481.113, 481.114, 481.115, 481.116, 481.117, 481.118, or 481.119, may be expelled for one (1) calendar year and criminal charges may be filed. Students possessing these substances will automatically be assigned to SAC pending a chemical analysis of the substance. A positive chemical analysis on the alleged substance may result in a one (1) calendar year expulsion.
Any student that delivers, sells, gives or transfers to another any amount of marijuana and/or a controlled substance or counterfeit substance may be expelled for one (1) calendar year.
School property is defined under Section 481.134, Drug Free Zone, as in, on, or within 300 feet of any real property that is owned, rented or leased to a school or school board and a school bus.
Suspensions, expulsions, DAEP or SAC assignments may be carried over from one school year to the next school year.
It should be kept in mind that it is impossible to write a policy that is inclusive of every type of situation that might arise. It is the discretion of the school administration to interpret situations that are not specifically covered in this policy and to make decisions about any disciplinary actions.
FIGHTING POLICY
A student enrolled in this district that becomes involved in a fight in, on, or within 300 feet of school property or at a school-related activity may lead to the following disciplinary actions:
Suspension from school for up to three (3) days, plus…
First Time Offense: Five (5) days of SAC
Police department may be notified and assault charges may be filed.
Parents and students will be provided written notification that charges will be filed for any subsequent altercations.
Second Time Offense: Ten (10) days of SAC
Police department will be notified and assault charges will be filed.
Third Time Offense: Assignment to DAEP for the remainder of the semester, but not less than thirty (30) days
Police department will be notified and assault charges will be filed.
Suspensions, expulsions, DAEP or SAC assignments may be carried over from one school year to the next school year.
All parties involved in an altercation involving the exchange of physical blows may be subject to the above-detailed consequences.
It should be kept in mind that it is impossible to write a policy that is inclusive of every type of situation that might arise. It is the discretion of the school administration to interpret situations that are not specifically covered in this policy and to make decisions about any disciplinary actions.
TRUANCY/SKIPPING POLICY
The terms “truancy” and “skipping” are defined as follows:
Truancy: A student is not present in an assigned class or activity and is not found to be present on campus.
Skipping: A student is not present in an assigned class or activity, but is present elsewhere on campus.
A student enrolled in this school district that is found to be “skipping” an assigned class or activity may lead to the following disciplinary action:
A student that continually chooses to “skip” an assigned class or activity, even after the above-detailed consequence has been provided, may lead to the following disciplinary action:
A student enrolled in this school district that is found to be “truant” from an assigned class or activity may lead to the following disciplinary actions:
First Time Offense: Three (3) days of SAC
Second Time Offense: Six (6) days of SAC
Third Time Offense: Ten (10) days of SAC
A student that continually chooses to be “truant” from an assigned class or activity, even after the above-detailed consequences have been fulfilled, may lead to the following disciplinary action:
Suspensions, expulsions, DAEP or SAC assignments may be carried over from one school year to the next school year.
It should be kept in mind that it is impossible to write a policy that is inclusive of every type of situation that might arise. It is the discretion of the school administration to interpret situations that are not specifically covered in this policy and to make decisions about any disciplinary actions.
The district shall provide a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) that meets the following criteria:
· Is provided in a setting other than the student’s regular classroom;
· Is located on or off a regular school campus;
· Provides for the students who are assigned to the disciplinary alternative education program to be separated from students who are not assigned to the program;
· Focuses on English language arts, mathematics, science, history, and self-discipline;
· Provides for students’ educational and behavioral needs;
· Provides supervision and counseling.
A student shall be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program if the student, on or within 300 feet of school property, as measured from any point on the school’s real property boundary line, or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property commits any of the following:
· Engages in conduct punishable as a felony;
· Engages in conduct that contains the elements of assault, as defined in Penal Code 22.01;
· Engages in conduct that contains the elements of a terroristic threat, as defined in Penal Code 22.07;
· Sells, gives, or delivers to another person or possesses, uses, or is under the influence of:
§ Marijuana or a controlled substance, as defined by the Texas Controlled Substances Act or by 21 U.S.C. 801, et seq.;
§ A dangerous drug, as defined by the Texas dangerous drug law in Chapter 483 of the Health and Safety Code;
· Sells, possesses, gives, or delivers to another person an alcoholic beverage, as defined by the Alcoholic Beverage Code, or commits a serious act or offense while under the influence of alcohol, or uses or is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage;
· Engages in conduct that contains the elements of an offense relating to an abusable glue or aerosol paint under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, or relating to volatile chemicals under Chapter 484 of the Health and Safety Code;
· Engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of public lewdness under Section 21.07 of the Penal Code; and the like, engages in sexual contact or sexual intercourse in a public place or, if not in a public place, is reckless about whether another is present who will be offended or alarmed by the act;
· Engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of indecent exposure under Section 21.08 of the Penal Code.
During the time that a student is assigned to a disciplinary alternative education program, he/she may not attend or participate in any school-sponsored and school-related activities.
Publications prepared by and for the school may be posted or distributed, with the prior approval of the principal, sponsor, or teacher. Such items may include school posters, brochures, flyers, etc.
The school newspaper, The Sandstorm, and the yearbook, The Lobo, are available to students.
All school publications are under the supervision of a teacher, sponsor, and the principal.
[See Directory Information for School-Sponsored Purposes on page 8.]
Students must obtain prior approval from the principal before posting, circulating, or distributing written materials, handbills, photographs, pictures, petitions, films, tapes, posters, or other visual or auditory materials that were not developed under the oversight of the school. To be considered, any nonschool material must include the name of the sponsoring person or organization. The decision regarding approval will be made in two school days.
The principal has designated the bulletin board located outside the teachers’ workroom as the location for approved nonschool materials to be placed for voluntary viewing by students. [See policies at FNAA.]
A student may appeal a principal’s decision in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL). Any student who posts nonschool material without prior approval will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Materials displayed without the principal’s approval will be removed.
Written or printed materials, handbills, photographs, pictures, films, tapes, or other visual or auditory materials not sponsored by the district or by a district-affiliated school-support organization will not be sold, circulated, distributed, or posted on any district premises by any district employee or by persons or groups not associated with the district, except as permitted by policies at GKDA. To be considered for distribution, any nonschool material must meet the limitations on content established in the policy, include the name of the sponsoring person or organization, and be submitted to the principal for prior review. The principal will approve or reject the materials within two school days of the time the materials are received. The requestor may appeal a rejection in accordance with the appropriate district complaint policy. [See policies at DGBA, FNG, or GF.]
Prior review will not be required for:
· Distribution of materials by an attendee to other attendees of a school-sponsored meeting intended for adults and held after school hours.
· Distribution of materials by an attendee to other attendees of a community group meeting held after school hours in accordance with policy GKD(LOCAL) or a noncurriculum-related student group meeting held in accordance with FNAB(LOCAL).
· Distribution for electioneering purposes during the time a school facility is being used as a polling place, in accordance with state law.
All nonschool materials distributed under these circumstances must be removed from district property immediately following the event at which the materials are distributed.
The district’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the following:
Oversized Clothes – No shirts, blouses or pants that are extremely oversized will be allowed.
Shirts/Tops/Blouses – No lewd, offensive, vulgar or obscene language will be allowed on any garment. In addition, no commercials, writing, advertising, pictures or logos will be permitted that name, symbolize, or refer directly or indirectly to alcoholic beverages, tobacco, Satan or drugs. The wearing or displaying of any of the following items is prohibited: anarchy symbol, confederate battle or rebel flag, skulls, crossbones, dismemberment and/or other death depicting items.
All boys’ shirts, including jerseys, will be tucked into the pants with the exception of sweaters or shirts with a banded waist that fits at waist level. The wearing of one shirt over another shirt is allowed, however, both shirts must be tucked-in. All shirts will cover the midriff area, even with the arms raised above the head.
All shirts/tops/blouses must be buttoned and any garment that is frayed at the neckline, hem or armhole area will not be permitted.
Sleeveless apparel with a finished edge may be worn if the garment comes to the shoulder edge and has a standard sized armhole. The shoulder strap must be at least two (2) inches in width in order to be worn. Muscle shirts, tank tops, halter tops, strapless garments, backless garments, and bare midriff garments will not be permitted. Any sleeveless apparel will not be acceptable for wear by male students.
Shorts/Dresses/Skirts – Dresses or skirts must be worn at a suitable length – no shorter than four (4) inches above the top of the kneecap. Narrow strap dresses, low cut or unusually large openings that bear skin are not allowed. Spandex leggings underneath dresses are not allowed. Hemmed shorts, culottes or split skirts may be worn provided that the length is not shorter than four (4) inches above the top of the kneecap. Skirts with slits will be measured from the kneecap to the top of the slit. No cutoffs or frayed edges on shorts/skirts/dresses will be allowed. No biker shorts, leggings, tight fitting aerobic type undergarments, or boxer shorts will be allowed. No spandex or athletic shorts will be allowed.
Pants/Slacks/Jeans – Pants worn by male students will be worn at waist level. Pants worn by females will be worn as designed. Holes cut into jeans or frayed edges on any garment will not be allowed. Sweatsuits will not be permitted, but windsuits will be allowed. No spandex type of apparel will be allowed.
Headgear – No caps, hats, bandannas, headbands or sunglasses will be worn inside the school buildings. Caps worn outside the school building but on campus property must be worn as designed with the bill facing forwards.
Footwear – Shoes, boots or sandals must be worn for the entire school day. Wearing socks is encouraged.
Hair/Facial Hair – Hair must be neat and clean. There are to be no head or hair ornamentation: such as, unusual hair coloring, rat-tails, initials, numbers, symbols, scalp designs, rollers or hairnets. Hair coloring must be of a natural hair color and cause no distraction. Highlighting of boys’ hair is prohibited. Cutting more than one part into the hair must result in the layer lengths having a difference of no more than two (2) inches. Boys’ hair must be cut as not to touch the eyebrows in front or extend beyond the top of the collar of a standard shirt in back. Additionally, boys’ hair may not exceed the top of the ear. Hair may not be pinned, curled or gelled up to avoid this rule. Beards and mustaches are not allowed. Sideburns may not extend below the ear lobe in length and beyond the outer edge of the eyebrow in width.
Jewelry – Boys are prohibited from wearing earrings or fingernail polish. Body piercing, other than the piercing of the girls’ ears, is not allowed. Tattoos are not permitted. Existing tattoos must be covered at all times. Chains of any kind may not be worn.
Group Infractions – Violations of the dress code by a group of students in celebration of extra-curricular wins or advancement in play-offs will not be allowed. All students choosing to participate in a group infraction of the Student Dress Code will be subject to disciplinary action.
For safety reasons, sponsors, directors and/or coaches of extracurricular activities may establish stricter standards for participation in these events with approval by the principal. Students in attendance at school-sponsored activities are expected to follow the above-described Monahans High School Dress Code.
It should be kept in mind that it is impossible to write a dress code policy that is inclusive of every type of situation that might arise. It is the discretion of the MHS administration to interpret situations that are not specifically covered in the dress code policy and to make decisions as to whether or not an infraction has occurred. Additionally, for the safety and security of all students, any wearing or displaying of items not specifically named in this policy that results in the enticement of unrest, disruption and/or violence among students will be investigated, with decisions made to ensure the safety of all students. It is the responsibility of the student to use good judgment regarding these matters. Repetitious infractions of the dress code, regardless of the severity, demonstrate a lack of cooperation on the part of the student and will be considered collectively as a major disciplinary infraction.
Students involved in any extra-curricular activities will be subject to drug/steroid screening. Extra-curricular students will be randomly selected to provide urine samples as part of the Extra-Curricular Drug and Alcohol policy adopted by the district’s board of trustees. Students who test positive through the random testing or have been tested for reasonable suspicion and found positive may be subject to weekly observed testing procedures for the remainder of their high school careers. More information concerning the procedural safeguards used for drug/steroid testing, as well as consequences for positive results, will be provided to all Monahans High School students through their extra-curricular activities.
[For further information, see policy FNF(LOCAL). Also, see Steroids, on page 51.]
Students of Monahans High School may earn exemptions from semester exams, if they demonstrate high standards of scholarship and attendance. It is the intent of MHS to reward students who have exhibited such characteristics throughout the semester. Students may be exempt if they maintain the following combination of academic grades and attendance:
3 absences with at least a 90 average and mastery of required TAKS tests
2 absences with at least an 85 average and mastery of required TAKS tests
1 absence with at least an 80 average and mastery of required TAKS tests
0 absences with at least a 70 average and mastery of required TAKS tests
Additionally, students must show mastery of TAKS practice tests administered during the fall semester of the school year and mastery of the TAKS assessment tests during the spring semester of the school year in order to be exempt in the areas of English, math, social studies and science.
Each class will stand alone in regard to exemptions. An accumulation of tardies will be counted as absences for exemption purposes. An accumulation of three (3) tardies will count as the first absence; an accumulation of six (6) tardies will count as a second absence; an accumulation of nine (9) tardies will count as a third absence, and so forth, in a given class. Additionally, if a student has lost a textbook or owes a fee in any class, he/she may not be exempt from any semester exams until restitution has been made. School-related absences, absences due to mandated court appearances and college day visitation absences are excluded from the exemption policy.
Participation in school-related activities is an excellent way for a student to develop talents, receive individual recognition, and build strong friendships with other students; participation, however, is a privilege, not a right.
Eligibility for participation in many of these activities is governed by state law and the rules of the University Interscholastic League (UIL)—a statewide association overseeing interdistrict competition. The following requirements apply to all extracurricular activities:
· A student who receives at the end of a grading period a grade below 70 in any academic class—other than an advanced placement or international baccalaureate course; or an honors or dual credit course in English language arts, mathematics, science, social students, economics, or a foreign language—may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks.
· A student enrolled in advanced placement or concurrent/dual credit classes must maintain a grade average of 60 or above in order to remain eligible for UIL activities. Students enrolled in pre-advanced placement courses must maintain a grade average of 70 or above in order to remain eligible for UIL activities.
· A student with disabilities who fails to meet the standards in the individualized education program (IEP) may not participate for at least three school weeks.
· An ineligible student may practice or rehearse.
· A student is allowed in a school year up to fifteen (15) absences not related to post-district competition, a maximum of five (5) absences for post-district competition prior to state, and a maximum of two (2) absences for state competition. All extracurricular activities and public performances, whether UIL activities or other activities approved by the board, are subject to these restrictions.
· An absence for participation in an activity that has not been approved will receive an unexcused absence.
Please note: Sponsors of student clubs and performing groups such as the band, choir, and athletic teams may establish standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter than those for students in general. If a violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by the Student Code of Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition to any consequences specified by the organization’s standards of behavior.
[For further information, see policies at FM and FO.]
Materials that are part of the basic educational program are provided with state and local funds at no charge to a student. A student, however, is expected to provide his or her own pencils, paper, erasers, and notebooks and may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including:
· Costs for materials for a class project that the student will keep.
· Membership dues in voluntary clubs or student organizations and admission fees to extracurricular activities.
· Security deposits.
· Personal physical education and athletic equipment and apparel.
· Voluntarily purchased pictures, publications, class rings, yearbooks, graduation announcements, etc.
· Voluntarily purchased student accident insurance.
· Musical instrument rental and uniform maintenance, when uniforms are provided by the district.
· Personal apparel used in extracurricular activities that becomes the property of the student.
· Parking fees and student identification cards.
· Fees for lost, damaged, or overdue library books.
· Fees for driver training courses, if offered.
· Fees for optional courses offered for credit that require use of facilities not available on district premises.
· Summer school for courses that are offered tuition-free during the regular school year.
· A reasonable fee for providing transportation to a student who lives within two miles of the school. [See Buses and Other School Vehicles on pages 53-54.]
· A fee not to exceed $50 for costs of providing an educational program outside of regular school hours for a student who has lost credit because of absences and whose parent chooses the program in order for the student to meet the 90 percent attendance requirement. The fee will be charged only if the parent or guardian signs a district-provided request form.
Students that owe fees or fines to the school may not be exempt from semester exams. Additionally, graduating seniors may not participate in commencement exercises if fees or fines are owed to the school.
Any required fee or deposit may be waived if the student and parent are unable to pay. Application for such a waiver may be made to the principal. [For further information, see policies at FP.]
Food and drinks in the snack bar will be available to students before school and during the lunch period. No food vendors will be permitted to make deliveries on campus during school hours. Teachers of each individual class will establish the rules concerning food and drink in their classrooms. Students must abide by these classroom rules at all times. Food and drinks for special events in a classroom must be approved for each event by the principal.
Student groups or classes and/or parent groups may be permitted to conduct fund-raising drives for approved school purposes. An application for permission must be made to the principal prior to the beginning of the fund-raising event. [For further information, see policies at FJ and GE.]
After the ninth grade, students are classified according to the number of credits earned toward graduation.
Credits Earned Classification
5 Grade 10 (Sophomore)
10 Grade 11 (Junior)
17 Grade 12 (Senior)
In grades 9-12, achievement is reported to parents as:
Grade of an “A” reflects scores of 90-100
Grade of a “B” reflects scores of 80-89
Grade of a “C” reflects scores of 75–79
Grade of a “D” reflects scores of 70–74
Grade of an “F” reflects scores below 70
The faculty and staff of Monahans High School will use the following policy in averaging students’ grades:
To determine six-weeks grades – Daily average grades will constitute 5/6 of the six-weeks grade and the six-weeks exam grade will constitute 1/6 of the six-weeks grade.
To determine semester grades – Semester exam grade will constitute only 1/6 of the semester grade with the other 5/6 being the average of the three six-weeks grades within the semester.
To receive a high school diploma from the district, a student must successfully complete the required number of credits and pass a statewide exit-level exam.
The exit-level test, required for students in grade 11, covers English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and requires knowledge of Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, Integrated Chemistry and Physics, English III, and early American and United States History, World History, and World Geography. A student who does not pass the exit-level assessment will have additional opportunities to take the test.
The district offers the graduation programs listed below. All students entering grade 9 are required to enroll in the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement (Advanced) Program. Permission to enroll in the Minimum Graduation Program will be granted only if an agreement is reached among the student, the student’s parent or person standing in parental relation, and the counselors or appropriate administrator. [See policy EIF(LEGAL).]
Students who entered the ninth grade during the 2004-2005, 2005-2006 or 2006-2007 school years must meet the following credit requirements for graduation:
Number of Credits
· Minimum Program 24 credits
· Recommended Program 24 credits
· Distinguished Achievement (Advanced) Program 24 credits
Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, a student entering the ninth grade will be affected by new state graduation requirements for the Recommended Program and the Distinguished Achievement (Advanced) Program. To graduate under either of these programs, an incoming ninth grade student will have to earn an additional credit in math and an additional credit in science. The credit requirements for the various programs for students entering the ninth grade during this school year are provided below:
Number of Credits
· Minimum Program 24 credits
· Recommended Program 24 credits
· Distinguished Achievement (Advanced) Program 24 credits
A certificate of coursework completion will not be issued to a senior student who successfully completes state and local credit requirements for graduation but fails to perform satisfactorily on the exit-level tests.
Upon the recommendation of the admission, review, and dismissal committee, a student with disabilities may be permitted to graduate under the provisions of his or her individualized education program (IEP).
A student who receives special education services and has completed four years of high school, but has not met the requirements of his or her IEP, may participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate of attendance. Even if the student participates in graduation ceremonies to receive the certificate of attendance, he or she may remain enrolled to complete the IEP and earn his or her high school diploma; however, the student will only be allowed to participate in one graduation ceremony.
[See FMH(LEGAL).]
Graduation activities will include:
Because students and parents will incur expenses in order to participate in the traditions of graduation—such as the purchase of announcements, senior ring, cap and gown, and senior picture—both student and parent should monitor progress toward completion of all requirements for graduation. The expenses often are incurred in the junior year or first semester of the senior year. [See Student Fees on pages 32-33.]
· Under the Texas Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program, students who complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement (Advanced) High School Program may earn financial credits in varying amounts to apply toward college tuition. The amounts depend on the number of consecutive months in which the student completed graduation requirements and the number of early college credits earned and may be used at public or private higher education institutions within the state. The counselors can provide additional information about meeting the program’s eligibility requirements.
· Students who have a financial need according to federal criteria and who complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement (Advanced) Program may be eligible under the T.E.X.A.S. Grant Program for tuition and fees to Texas public universities, community colleges, and technical schools, as well as to private institutions. [For further information, see the principal or counselors and policy EJ(LEGAL).]
Students living with relatives or persons other than their parents must be cleared by the assistant superintendent, Mrs. Glenna Applewhite, 606 South Betty, Monahans, Texas, 943-6711, before being enrolled in school.
Only the following students shall be permitted in the halls during classes:
§ Properly identified and authorized student aides
§ Students with hall passes authorized by a teacher or staff member
§ Students with readmit slips authorized by the attendance office or MHS administrators
Students who are found to be in the halls during class time without meeting the above criteria will be subject to disciplinary action.
The district believes that all students learn best in an environment free from harassment and that their welfare is best served when they can work free from discrimination. Students are expected to treat other students and district employees with courtesy and respect; to avoid behaviors known to be offensive; and to stop those behaviors when asked or told to stop. District employees are expected to treat students with courtesy and respect.
The board has established policies and procedures to prohibit and promptly respond to inappropriate and offensive behaviors that are based on a person’s race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, or disability. [See policy FFH.] Prohibited harassment, in general terms, is conduct so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; or substantially interferes with the student’s academic performance. A copy of the district’s policy is available in the principal’s office and in the superintendent’s office or on the district’s Web site: www.mwpisd.esc18.net.
Examples of prohibited discrimination may include, but are not limited to, offensive or derogatory language directed at a person’s religious beliefs or practices, accent, skin color, or need for accommodation; threatening or intimidating conduct; offensive jokes, name calling, slurs, or rumors; physical aggression or assault; graffiti or printed material promoting racial, ethnic, or other negative stereotypes; or other kinds of aggressive conduct such as theft or damage to property. Examples of prohibited sexual harassment may include touching private body parts or coercing physical contact that is sexual in nature; sexual advances; jokes or conversations of a sexual nature; and other sexually motivated conduct, communications, or contact.
Sexual harassment of a student by an employee or volunteer does not include necessary or permissible physical contact not reasonably construed as sexual in nature. However, romantic and other inappropriate social relationships, as well as all sexual relationships, between students and district employees are prohibited, even if consensual.
Reporting Procedures
Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited harassment should immediately report the problem to a teacher, counselor, principal, or other district employee. The report may be made by the student’s parent.
Investigation of Reported Harassment
To the extent possible, the district will respect the privacy of the student; however, limited disclosures may be necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and to comply with law. Allegations will be promptly investigated. The district will notify the parents of any student alleged to have experienced prohibited harassment by an adult associated with the district.
In the event alleged harassment involves another student, the district will notify the parents of the student alleged to have experienced the prohibited harassment when the allegations, if proven, would constitute “sexual harassment” or “other prohibited harassment” as defined by policy.
If the district’s investigation indicates that prohibited harassment occurred, appropriate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken to address the harassment. The district may take disciplinary action even if the conduct that is the subject of the complaint did not rise to the level of harassment prohibited by law or policy.
Retaliation against a person who makes a good faith report of prohibited harassment is prohibited. A person who makes a false claim or offers false statements or refuses to cooperate with a district investigation, however, may be subject to appropriate discipline.
A student or parent who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation may appeal in accordance with policy FNG(LOCAL).
During the preceding school year, the district’s School Health Advisory Council held several meetings. Additional information regarding the district’s School Health Advisory Council is available from the assistant superintendent, Mrs. Glenna Applewhite, 606 S. Betty, Monahans, TX, 943-6711. [See also policies at BDF and EHAA.]
Annually, the district will conduct a physical fitness assessment of students in grades 3-12. At the end of the school year, a parent may submit a written request to Kellye Riley, principal, to obtain the results of his or her child’s physical fitness assessment conducted during the school year.
The district has adopted policies and implemented procedures to comply with state and federal food service guidelines for restricting student access to vending machines. For more information regarding these policies and guidelines see the principal. [See policies at CO and FFA.]
The district and its staff strictly enforce prohibitions against the use of tobacco products by students and others on school property and at school-sponsored and school-related activities. [See the Student Code of Conduct and policies at FNCD and GKA.]
The Monahans-Wickett-Pyote Independent School district maintains an Asbestos Management Plan to assure the safety of its students, teachers, employees and other occupants of the school district’s buildings. In order to comply with 40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools, published by the Environmental Protection Agency; the Management Plan includes locations of asbestos containing building materials and measures for control of asbestos containing building materials. The plan is available for public view at the Monahans-Wickett-Pyote Independent School District Administration Office, 606 South Betty, Monahans, TX, 79756.
The district applies only pest control products that comply with state and federal guidelines. Except in an emergency, signs will be posted 48 hours before application. Parents who want to be notified prior to pesticide application inside their child’s school assignment area may contact Kellye Riley, principal, at 943-2519.
HOMELESS STUDENTS
For more information on services for homeless students, contact the district’s Liaison for Homeless Children and Youths, Mr. Roy Rutledge, 809 S. Betty, Monahans, Texas, 943-2519.
A student must be fully immunized against certain diseases or must present a certificate or statement that, for medical reasons or reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, the student will not be immunized. For exemptions based on reasons of conscience, only official forms issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Immunization Branch, can be honored by the district. The immunizations required are: diphtheria, rubeola (measles), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox). The school nurse can provide information on age-appropriate doses or on an acceptable physician-validated history of illness required by the Department of State Health Services. Proof of immunization may be established by personal records from a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation.
If a student should not be immunized for medical reasons, the student or parent must present a certificate signed by a U.S. licensed physician stating that, in the doctor's opinion, the immunization required poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student or member of the student's family or household. This certificate must be renewed yearly unless the physician specifies a life-long condition. [For further information, see policy FFAB(LEGAL) and the Department of State Health Services Web site: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/default.shtm.
A student bulletin board maintained by the Student Council is provided for items of interest to the students and contains special information as to service activities, contests, scholarships, colleges, etc. Any information to be placed on the bulletin board must be approved by the Student Council sponsor.
Students with health problems which will interfere with school requirements, or which will require special consideration by school officials, should present to the school nurse a letter from the family physician explaining the circumstances. The school nurse will notify the appropriate staff members. Details of the problem will not be disclosed by the school nurse.
All injuries sustained by students while in attendance at school should be reported to the nurse’s office immediately. A report of each accident is required by the Texas Education Agency.
When law enforcement officers or other lawful authorities wish to question or interview a student at school, the principal will cooperate fully regarding the conditions of the interview, if the questioning or interview is part of a child abuse investigation. In other circumstances:
· The principal will verify and record the identity of the officer or other authority and ask for an explanation of the need to question or interview the student at school.
· The principal ordinarily will make reasonable efforts to notify the parents unless the interviewer raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection.
· The principal ordinarily will be present unless the interviewer raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection.
State law requires the district to permit a student to be taken into legal custody:
· To comply with an order of the juvenile court.
· To comply with the laws of arrest.
· By a law enforcement officer if there is probable cause to believe the student has engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct in need of supervision.
· By a probation officer if there is probable cause to believe the student has violated a condition of probation imposed by the juvenile court.
· By an authorized representative of Child Protective Services, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a law enforcement officer, or a juvenile probation officer, without a court order, under the conditions set out in the Family Code relating to the student’s physical health or safety.
· To comply with a properly issued directive to take a student into custody.
Before a student is released to a law enforcement officer or other legally authorized person, the principal will verify the officer’s identity and, to the best of his or her ability, will verify the official’s authority to take custody of the student.
The principal will immediately notify the superintendent and will ordinarily attempt to notify the parent unless the officer or other authorized person raises what the principal considers to be a valid objection to notifying the parents. Because the principal does not have the authority to prevent or delay a student’s release to a law enforcement officer, any notification will most likely be after the fact.
The district is required by state law to notify:
· All instructional and support personnel who have responsibility for supervising a student who has been arrested or referred to the juvenile court for any felony offense or for certain misdemeanors.
· All instructional and support personnel who have regular contact with a student who has been convicted, received deferred prosecution, received deferred adjudication, or was adjudicated for delinquent conduct for any felony offense or certain misdemeanors.
[For further information, see policy GRA(LEGAL).]
Any person loitering on school property after being advised to leave by the person in charge shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine, as established by law.
Loitering shall be defined as loafing or lingering upon school property. School property includes the public school grounds and any buildings or grounds used for school-sponsored activities or assemblies.
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all makeup assignments on the day he/she returns to class. It is also the student’s responsibility to successfully complete all makeup assignments within the time frame set up by the teacher and this policy.
For any class missed, the teacher may assign the student makeup work based on the instructional objectives for the subject or course and the needs of the individual student in mastering the essential knowledge and skills or in meeting subject or course requirements.
A student will be responsible for obtaining and completing the makeup work in a satisfactory manner and within the time specified by the teacher. [For further information, see policy EIAB(LOCAL).]
Work assigned prior to the time a student is absent is due upon the student’s return to school unless otherwise instructed by the teacher. Students will have as many days to makeup work as they have been absent if the absence was not predetermined.
A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.
A student will be permitted to make up tests and to turn in projects due in any class missed because of absence. Teachers may assign a late penalty to any long-term project in accordance with time lines approved by the principal and previously communicated to students.
Parents should call the attendance office to request makeup work, if the student will be out for an extended period of more than three days.
A student removed to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) during the school year will have an opportunity to complete, before the beginning of the next school year, coursework needed to fulfill the student’s high school graduation requirements. The district may provide the opportunity to complete the coursework through an alternative method, including a correspondence course, distance learning, or summer school. The district will not charge the student for any method of completion provided by the district. [See policy FOCA(LEGAL).]
A student removed from the regular classroom to in-school suspension or another setting, other than a DAEP, will have an opportunity to complete before the beginning of the next school year each course the student was enrolled in at the time of removal from the regular classroom. The district may provide the opportunity by any method available, including a correspondence course, distance learning, or summer school. [See policy FEA(LEGAL).]
Students and their parents are encouraged to discuss options with the teacher or counselors to ensure the student completes all work required for the course or grade level.
District employees will not give a student prescription medication, nonprescription medication, herbal substances, anabolic steroids, or dietary supplements, with the following exceptions:
· Only authorized employees, in accordance with policies at FFAC, may administer:
· Prescription medication, in the original, properly labeled container, provided by the parent, along with a written request.
· Prescription medication from a properly labeled unit dosage container filled by a registered nurse or another qualified district employee from the original, properly labeled container.
· Nonprescription medication, in the original, properly labeled container, provided by the parent along with a written request.
· Herbal or dietary supplements provided by the parent only if required by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan for a student with disabilities.
· In certain emergency situations, the district will maintain and administer to a student nonprescription medication, but only:
· In accordance with the guidelines developed with the district’s medical advisor and
· When the parent has previously provided written consent to emergency treatment on the district’s form.
A student with asthma or sever allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication at school or school-related events only if he or she has written authorization from his or her parent and a physician or other licensed health-care provider. The student must also demonstrate to his or her physician or health-care provider and to the school nurse the ability to use the prescribed medication, including any device required to administer the medication.
If the student has been prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication for use during the school day, the student and parents should discuss this with the school nurse or principal.
In accordance with a student’s individual health plan for management of diabetes, a student with diabetes will be permitted to possess and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment while at school or at a school-related activity. See the school nurse or principal for information. [See policy FFAF(LEGAL).]
A psychotropic drug is a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication. It is intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior and is commonly described as a mood- or behavior-altering substance.
Teachers and other district employees may discuss a student’s academic progress or behavior with the student’s parents or another employee as appropriate; however, they are not permitted to recommend use of psychotropic drugs. A district employee who is a registered nurse, an advanced nurse practitioner, a physician, or a certified or credentialed mental health professional can recommend that a student be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner, if appropriate. [For further information, see policies at FFAC.]
Monahans High School’s Argonaut Chapter of the National Honor Society is dedicated to recognizing and honoring students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Members of the organization are expected to attend regular meetings, to participate in chapter service projects and functions, to complete individual service achievement, and to exhibit high standards of character and leadership.
To be considered for membership, sophomore, junior and senior students must follow the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Graduation Plans and must have a cumulative GPA of 4.25. Students who meet this grade requirement are asked to supply information about themselves regarding service and leadership activities and are evaluated on character by means of a teacher questionnaire. This information is then reviewed by a five-member faculty council whose majority decision determines which students will be invited to join. A formal induction ceremony is held in the spring semester.
Each school day, students will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. Parents may submit a written request to the principal to excuse their child from reciting a pledge.
One minute of silence will follow recitation of the pledges. Each student may choose to reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity during that minute so long as the silent activity does not interfere with or distract others. [See policy EC(LEGAL) for more information.]
Each student has a right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school in a manner that does not disrupt instructional or other activities of the school. The school will not encourage, require or coerce a student to engage in or to refrain from such prayer or meditation during any school activity.
Principal – The principal is responsible to the Superintendent of schools for the proper administration of Monahans High School. It is her duty to organize, supervise, and administer all of the affairs of the school as they affect students, teachers and patrons.
Assistant Principal – The assistant principal works directly with the principal in the administrative organization of the school. He is in charge of attendance and handles routine discipline problems. He, also, assists in the counseling program and assumes the responsibility of the principal in her absence.
Counselors – The counseling services involve all areas of a student’s life. The counselors are for the purpose of helping each student to realize his/her full potential academically, socially and personally. Services provided by the counselors include: orientation, educational and vocational planning, career education, testing, college admissions and requirements, financial aid and scholarships, guidance in social and personal problem areas, assistance in curriculum planning, student scheduling, and individual and group counseling/guidance in all problem areas with students, parents and teachers.
Teachers – All the classroom teachers are specialists in the fields in which they teach, and they are eager to help students get the most out of their courses. Students who need special help will find their teachers ready and willing to offer assistance. Teachers are charged with the responsibility of carrying out the rules and regulations of the Board of Education and any additional policies set up by the administration.
A student will be promoted only on the basis of academic achievement or demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter of the course or grade level. To earn credit in a course, a student must receive a grade of at least 70 based on course-level or grade-level standards.
In addition, at certain grade levels a student—with limited exceptions—will be required to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), if the student is enrolled in a public Texas school on any day between January 1 and April 15 and is a Texas resident during the week that the TAKS is administered the first time.
· In order to be promoted to grade 4, students must perform satisfactorily on the reading section of the grade 3 assessment in English or Spanish.
· In order to be promoted to grade 6, students enrolled in grade 5 must perform satisfactorily on the mathematics and reading sections of the grade 5 assessment in English or Spanish.
· Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, in order to be promoted to grade 9, students enrolled in grade 8 must perform satisfactorily on the mathematics and reading sections of the grade 8 assessment in English.
Parents of a student in grades 3, 5 or 8 who does not perform satisfactorily on his or her exams will be notified that their child will participate in special instructional programs designed to improve performance. Such students will have two additional opportunities to take the test. If a student fails a second time, a grade placement committee, consisting of the principal or designee, the teacher, and the student’s parent, will determine the additional special instruction the student will receive. After a third failed attempt, the student will be retained; however, the parent can appeal this decision to the committee. In order for the student to be promoted, based on standards previously established by the district, the decision of the committee must be unanimous. Whether the student is retained or promoted, an educational plan for the student will be designed to enable the student to perform at grade level by the end of the next school year. [See policies at EIE.]
Certain students—some with disabilities and some with limited English proficiency—may be eligible for exemptions, accommodations, or deferred testing. For more information, see the principal, counselors, or special education director.
A Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) will be prepared for any student in a middle school or beyond who did not perform satisfactorily on a state-mandated assessment or is determined by the district as not likely to earn a high school diploma before the fifth school year following enrollment in grade 9. The PGP will be designed and implemented by a guidance counselor, teacher, or other staff member designated by the principal. The plan will, among other items, identify the student’s educational goals, address the parent’s educational expectations for the student, and outline an intensive instruction program for the student. [For additional information, see the counselors or principal and policy EIF(LEGAL).]
Because class time is important, doctor’s appointments should be scheduled, if possible, at times when the student will not miss instructional time.
A student who will need to leave school during the day must bring a note from his or her parent that morning and follow the campus sign-out procedures before leaving the campus. Otherwise, a student will not be released from school at times other than at the end of the school day. Unless the principal has granted approval because of extenuating circumstances, a student will not regularly be released before the end of the instructional day.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, the student should receive permission from the teacher before reporting to the school nurse. The nurse will decide whether or not the student should be sent home and will notify the student’s parent.
A student who is tardy to class by more than twenty (20) minutes will be assigned to detention hall. Repeated instances of tardiness will result in more severe disciplinary action.
Report cards with each student’s grades or performance and absences in each class or subject are issued to parents at least once every six (6) weeks.
At the end of the first three weeks of a grading period, parents will be given a written unsatisfactory progress report if their child’s performance in any course (in English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies) is near or below 70, or is below the expected level of performance. If the student receives a grade lower than 70 in any class or subject at the end of a grading period, the parent will be requested to schedule a conference with the teacher of that class or subject. [See Working Together on pages 1-2 for how to schedule a conference.]
Teachers follow grading guidelines that have been approved by the principal/superintendent and are designed to reflect each student’s academic achievement for the grading period, semester, or course. State law provides that a test or course grade issued by a teacher cannot be changed unless the board determines that the grade was arbitrary or contains an error, or that the teacher did not follow the district’s grading policy. [See policy EIA(LOCAL).]
Questions about grade calculation should first be discussed with the teacher; if the question is not resolved, the student or parent may request a conference with the principal in accordance with FNG(LOCAL).
The report card or unsatisfactory progress report will state whether tutorials are required for a student who receives a grade lower than 70 in a class or subject.
Report cards and unsatisfactory progress reports must be signed by the parent and should be returned to the school within three (3) days.
Students are urged to use lockers and locks to protect their personal property and books issued to them. Students should not bring valuable items or excessive money with them to school and should never leave valuables unattended.
Student safety on campus and at school-related events is a high priority of the district. Although the district has implemented safety procedures, the cooperation of students is essential to ensuring school safety. A student should:
· Avoid conduct that is likely to put the student or other students at risk.
· Follow the behavioral standards in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct, as well as any additional rules for behavior and safety set by the principal, teachers, or bus drivers.
· Remain alert to and promptly report to a teacher or the principal any safety hazards, such as intruders on campus or threats made by any person toward a student or staff member.
· Know emergency evacuation routes and signals.
· Follow immediately the instructions of teachers, bus drivers, and other district employees who are overseeing the welfare of students.
Soon after the school year begins, parents will have the opportunity to purchase low-cost accident insurance that would help meet medical expenses, in the event of injury to their child.
From time to time, students, teachers, and other district employees will participate in drills of emergency procedures. When the alarm is sounded, students should follow the direction of teachers or others in charge quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner.
3 bells leave the building
1 bell halt; stand at attention
2 bells return to the classroom
1 continuous bell move quietly but quickly to the designated locations
2 bells return to the classroom
If a student has a medical emergency at school or a school-related activity when the parent cannot be reached, the school would need to have written parental consent to obtain emergency medical treatment, and information about allergies to medications, foods, insect bites, etc. Therefore, parents are asked each year to complete an emergency care consent form. Parents should keep emergency care information up-to-date (name of doctor, emergency phone numbers, allergies, etc.). Please contact the school nurse to update any information that the nurse or the teacher needs to know.
Under emergency conditions created by floods, severe ice or snowstorms or possible Civil Defense emergencies, it sometimes becomes necessary to close our schools. When this happens, please observe the following:
§ A decision for closing the schools will be made no later that 6:30 AM, if at all possible.
§ Do not call the superintendent or principal. They must have their phone lines open for communication with each other and the news media.
§ When a decision to close schools has been made, the following media will be notified: KLBO radio station, 1430 AM; KMID, television station, channel 2; and KWES, television station, channel 9. Additionally, this information will be placed on Cable Channel 11, the local education channel and the district Web site at www.mwpisd.esc18.net.
Announcements concerning the re-opening of schools will be given on these same stations.
Many colleges require either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for admission. Students are encouraged to talk with the counselors early during their junior year to determine the appropriate exam to take; these exams are usually taken at the end of the junior year. (Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, most students must take a standardized test, such as the Texas Higher Education Assessment [THEA]).
All of the high school offices are open from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM each school day. All school business should be transacted during these hours.
Certain areas of the school will be accessible to students before and after school for specific purposes. Students are required to remain in the area where their activity is scheduled to take place. The cafeteria and snack bar are open to students before school beginning at 7:40 AM.
Unless the teacher or sponsor overseeing the activity gives permission, a student will not be permitted to go to another area of the building or campus.
After dismissal of school in the afternoon, and unless involved in an activity under the supervision of a teacher, students must leave campus immediately.
Teachers and administrators have full authority over student conduct at before- or after-school activities on district premises and at school-sponsored events off district premises, such as play rehearsals, club meetings, athletic practices, and special study groups or tutorials. Students are subject to the same rules of conduct that apply during the instructional day and will be subject to consequences established by the Student Code of Conduct or any stricter standards of behavior established by the sponsor for extracurricular participants.
Loitering or standing in the halls during class is not permitted. During class time, a student must have a hall pass to be outside the classroom for any purpose. Failure to obtain a pass will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
For lunch, students have the following choices:
§ MHS is an open campus, therefore, students may leave campus at lunch to purchase lunch from local eating establishments or to have lunch at home.
§ Bring a lunch and eat in the snack bar or cafeteria at school.
§ Purchase a hot lunch from the cafeteria.
§ Obtain food and drinks from the snack bar.
Cafeteria breakfast and lunch prices for the Monahans-Wickett-Pyote school district for the 2007-2008 school year are as follows:
Breakfast Lunch
Kindergarten .90 1.10
Grades 1-2 .90 1.30
Grades 3-4 .90 1.30
Grades 5-6 .95 1.55
Grades 7-8 .95 1.55
Grades 9-12 1.00 1.85
Students—Reduced .30 .40
Employees 1.50 2.50
Adults/Visitors 1.50 3.00
The district participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers students nutritionally balanced lunches daily. Free and reduced-price lunches are available based on financial need. Information about a student’s participation is confidential. Application forms for this program can be obtained from the school’s main office.
The district follows the federal and state guidelines regarding foods of minimal nutritional value being served or sold on school premises during the school day. [For more information, see policy CO(LEGAL).]
The library is a learning laboratory with books, computers, magazines, and other materials available for classroom assignments, projects, and reading or listening pleasure. The library is open for independent student use during the following times with a teacher permit: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
The Monahans High School Resource Center is available to ensure that students and teachers are effective users of ideas and information, enabling them to be literate, lifelong learners. Easy and frequent access to information is provided in traditional, multiple formats; as well as having electronic capabilities with computers and other audio/visual equipment. The district is a full-access member of the Texas Library Connection (TLC), which is a statewide technology initiative seeking to provide current, relevant information over the Internet. Professional and support personnel are available to assist students and teachers in the use and evaluation of information.
Student-organized, student-led noncurriculum-related groups are permitted to meet during the hours designated by the principal before and after school. These groups must comply with the requirements of policy FNAB(LOCAL).
A list of these groups is available in the principal’s office.
Because of the tremendous amount of essential business, which must be transacted over the office telephones, students are requested not to ask for use of these telephones except for real emergencies. A student will not be called to the telephone during a class period unless it is for the purpose of receiving an emergency message. Ordinarily, students receiving messages during class time will be contacted at the close of the period.
In the interest of promoting student safety and attempting to ensure that schools are safe and drug free, district officials may from time to time conduct searches. Such searches are conducted without a warrant and as permitted by law.
Students’ desks and lockers are school property and remain under the control and jurisdiction of the school even when assigned to an individual student.
Students are fully responsible for the security and contents of their assigned desks and lockers. Students must be certain that their lockers are locked, and that the combinations are not available to others.
Searches of desks or lockers may be conducted at any time there is reasonable cause to believe that they contain articles or materials prohibited by board policy, whether or not a student is present.
The parent will be notified if any prohibited items are found in the student’s desk or locker.
Vehicles parked on school property are under the jurisdiction of the school. School officials may search any vehicle any time there is reasonable cause to do so, with or without the permission of the student. A student has full responsibility for the security and content of his or her vehicle and must make certain that it is locked and that the keys are not given to others. [See also the Student Code of Conduct.]
The district will use trained dogs to alert school officials to the presence of prohibited or illegal items, including drugs and alcohol. At any time, trained dogs may be used around lockers and the areas around vehicles parked on school property. Searches of classrooms, common areas, or student belongings may also be conducted by trained dogs when students are not present. An item in a classroom, a locker, or a vehicle to which a trained dog alerts may be searched by school officials.
Any evidence, article or substance in violation of school rules, which is discovered by school officials in the conduct of a search, may be seized and impounded by school officials and used as evidence in any school disciplinary action that may be taken against a student. Confiscated items (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, etc.) will be turned over to the police for disposal.
[For further information, see policy FNF(LOCAL).]
Senior Caps and Gowns – Senior caps and gowns will be ordered by graduating students during the first semester of the senior year and a deposit must be made at the time the order is placed. Students must purchase caps and gowns from the company representative that the school has chosen to use for graduation items in order that all caps and gowns are identical in color.
Senior Graduation Announcements – Orders for announcements and personal cards are placed at the same time that caps and gowns are ordered, and once again, a deposit must be made at that time. Because consistency is not an issue with graduation announcements as it is with caps and gowns, students are not required to purchase their announcements from the company chosen by the school for graduation items.
Senior Rank and Grade Average – Each year, the overall academic grade averages for each junior and senior are computed and his/her class rank is determined. Each semester grade average for each academic subject, whether passed or failed, beginning with the ninth grade is a part of the overall grade average. The grade point average is computed and becomes a part of a student’s high school transcript. All colleges require this information for each student seeking admission.
Senior Rings – Orders for senior rings may be placed during the fall semester by members of the junior class. To be eligible to order a senior ring, it must be evident that the student will have earned 17 credits by the end of the junior year. Rings ordered in the fall semester will be delivered in the spring semester of the school year.
Senior Trip – An annual senior trip of one school day is made each year during the spring semester under the immediate supervision of the school. Students of senior classification, who are currently enrolled in Monahans High School as a full-time student and who are eligible for graduation at the end of the school year, are eligible to go on the senior trip. The senior trip is limited to a distance of 200 miles one-way. Each senior must have written permission by his/her parents before being permitted to make this trip.
Seniors Graduating at Mid-term: Seniors who finish at mid-term of their senior year will not be allowed to attend the senior trip. However, they will be allowed to participate in Baccalaureate and commencement exercises.
The district provides special programs for gifted and talented students, homeless students, bilingual students, migrant students, students with limited English proficiency, dyslexic students, and students with disabilities. The coordinator of each program can answer questions about eligibility requirements, as well as programs and services offered in the district or by other organizations. A student or parent with questions about these programs should contact Kellye Riley, principal, 943-2519.
State law prohibits students from possessing, dispensing, delivering, or administering an anabolic steroid. Anabolic steroids are for medication use only, and only a physician can prescribe use.
Body building, muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or strength through the use of an anabolic steroid or human growth hormone by a healthy student is not a valid medical use and is a criminal offense.
Students participating in UIL athletic competition may be subject to random steroid testing.
The Student Council is a very important organization for the students of Monahans High School. This is the organization through which the student body expresses its desires and through which it actually contributes to the functioning of the school. The purposes of the Student Council are as follows:
§ To foster a spirit of cooperation between the faculty and the student body.
§ To coordinate student activities.
§ To encourage better school citizenship, with special emphasis on courtesy, good sportsmanship and the establishment of an honor system.
§ To encourage student responsibility in maintaining high ideals in school.
§ To sponsor and promote certain school projects from time to time.
Students who drive automobiles to school are not to park directly in front of the high school. Student parking areas are directly across the street from the high school, between the high school and swimming pool, and to the south of the cafeteria and west of the band hall. Students should not park in the angled spaces against the fence west of the Library or in parking spaces behind the Library or in any space marked with a “T”. Students must purchase a parking permit from the office in order to park vehicles at the school. These permits will help to identify student vehicles and to insure school safety.
The district creates a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak. Those students who are in the highest two grade levels of the school and who hold one of the following positions of honor based on neutral criteria are eligible to use the limited public forum: student council officers, class officers of the two highest grade levels in the school, captains of athletic teams and officers of recognized, organized MHS student groups. [See policies at FNA(LOCAL)].
Summer school will be provided for those students who need to regain credit due to failing grades or non-credit for courses due to excessive absences. Summer school is not an option to earn additional credit in order to graduate early from high school. Information will be provided with final report cards to students who qualify for summer school.
In order to qualify for summer school, a student must have achieved a grade of 60 or better as a final grade for the course. A grade lower than the required 60 indicates the need to repeat the course during the regular school year.
In addition to routine tests and other measures of achievement, students at certain grade levels will take state-mandated tests (such as TAKS: the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) in the following subjects:
· Mathematics, annually in grades 3-11
· Reading, annually in grades 3-9
· Writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades 4 and 7
· English language arts in grades 10 and 11
· Social studies in grades 8, 10, and 11
· Science in grades 5, 8, 10, and 11
· Any other subject and grade required by federal law
[See policy EKB(LEGAL).]
Monahans High School is required to keep accurate records of tardiness, as well as absences. Classroom teachers determine if a tardy is excusable or not. All tardies will be kept by the classroom teachers. Tardies are avoidable and will not be tolerated. It is possible to move from class to class in the time allotted for class change, if students will keep in mind that their responsibility is to get to the next class period on time.
The MHS tardy policy is as follows:
1 tardy one (1) detention hall
2 tardies two (2) detention halls
3 tardies Saturday detention hall – 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon
4 tardies Saturday detention hall – 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
5 tardies SAC assignment
The number of tardies is accumulated during an entire semester and each individual class is treated as a separate entity for the purpose of calculating the number of tardies.
Students at Monahans High School will be issued a textbook for each class, as determined by the teacher. When a textbook is issued, it is the student’s responsibility to write his/her name and the name of the teacher on the inside cover of the book. A student who is issued a damaged textbook should report the damage to the teacher immediately in order to prevent having to pay for the damage.
Any damage, loss or theft of textbooks is the responsibility of the student. If a book is lost, stolen or damaged beyond use, a new textbook will not be issued until the first one is paid for or returned. However, a student will be provided a textbook for use at school during the school day. If a student does not bring his/her textbook to class for two consecutive days, the teacher will consider the book lost and send the student to the assistant principal to make arrangements for recovery or payment of the book. All lost textbooks need to be paid for in the main office. If after paying for a lost textbook; the book is found, the student will receive a full refund.
It is the responsibility of the student to properly care for all textbooks including keeping all textbooks covered at all times. Disciplinary action by classroom teachers may occur if a student fails to cover his/her books. Any type of damage or graffiti on textbooks is the responsibility of the student. The classroom teacher will assess and collect fines for damages and/or graffiti. If the graffiti is lewd or gang-related, the student will be fined the full cost of the book. Also, if the book is damaged beyond use, the student will be charged the full cost of the textbook.
Book records must be cleared before grades and credits are received. Exemptions for final exams will not be allowed for students who have not cleared book records.
Each graduate is entitled to two transcripts of credit to be forwarded to the college of his/her choice. A charge of $1.00 will be made for each subsequent transcript.
Students who participate in school-sponsored trips are required to use transportation provided by the school to and from the event. The principal, however, may make an exception if the parent makes a written request that the student be released to the parent or to another adult designated by the parent.
The district makes school bus transportation available to all students living two or more miles from school. This service is provided at no cost to students. Bus routes and any subsequent changes are posted at the school. A parent may also designate a child-care facility or grandparent’s residence as the regular pickup and drop-off location for his or her child. The designated facility or residence must be on an approved stop on an approved route. For information on bus routes and stops or to designate an alternate pickup or drop-off location, you may contact the Monahans-Wickett-Pyote Transportation Department at 943-2172.
Students assigned to the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) will not be provided transportation by the district.
Students are expected to assist district staff in ensuring that buses remain in good condition and that transportation is provided safely. When riding in district vehicles, students are held to behavioral standards established in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. Students must:
· Follow the driver’s directions at all times.
· Enter and leave the bus or van in an orderly manner at the designated stop nearest home.
· Keep feet, books, instrument cases, and other objects out of the aisle.
· Not deface the bus, van, or its equipment.
· Not put head, hands, arms, or legs out of the window, hold any object out of the window, or throw objects within or out of the bus or van.
· Not possess or use any form of tobacco on school buses.
· Observe all usual classroom rules.
· Be seated while the vehicle is moving.
· Wait for the driver’s signal upon leaving the bus or van and before crossing in front of the vehicle.
When students ride in a district van or passenger car, seat belts must be fastened at all times.
Misconduct will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; bus-riding privileges may be suspended.
The taxpayers of the community have made a sustained financial commitment for the construction and upkeep of school facilities. To ensure that school facilities can serve those for whom they are intended—both this year and for years to come—littering, defacing, or damaging school property is not tolerated. Students will be required to pay for damages they cause and will be subject to criminal proceedings as well as disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Parents and others are welcome to visit district schools. For the safety of those within the school and to avoid disruption of instructional time, all visitors must first report to the principal’s office and must comply with all applicable district policies and procedures.
Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time are permitted only with approval of the principal and teacher and only so long as their duration or frequency does not interfere with the delivery of instruction or disrupt the normal school environment.
All visitors are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct; disruptive behavior will not be permitted.
On High School Career Day, the district invites representatives from colleges and universities and other higher education institutions, prospective employers, and military recruiters to present information to interested students.
A student under 18 may be withdrawn from school only by a parent. The school requests notice from the parent at least three days in advance so that records and documents may be prepared. The parent may obtain a withdrawal form from the principal’s office.
On the student’s last day, the withdrawal form must be presented to each teacher for current grade averages and book clearance; to the librarian to ensure a clear library record; to the clinic for health records; to the registrar for the last report card and course clearance; and finally, to the principal. A copy of the withdrawal form will be given to the student and a copy will be placed in the student’s permanent record.
Accelerated instruction is an intensive supplemental program designed to address the needs of an individual student in acquiring the knowledge and skills required at his or her grade level.
ACT refers to one of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: the American College Test. The test may be a requirement for admission to certain colleges or universities.
Alternative assessment instrument, developed by the state, may be given to students in special education and students identified as limited English proficient.
ARD is the admission, review, and dismissal committee convened for each student who is identified as needing a full and individual evaluation for special education services. The eligible student’s parents are part of the committee.
Attendance Review Committee is sometimes responsible for reviewing a student’s absences when the student’s attendance drops below 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Under guidelines adopted by the Board, the committee will determine whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences and whether the student needs to complete certain conditions to master the course and regain credit lost because of absences.
DAEP stands for a disciplinary alternative education program, a placement for students who have violated certain provisions of the Student Code of Conduct. The DAEP will be separated from students not assigned to the program. It will focus on English language arts, mathematics, science, history, and self-discipline, and provide for students’ educational and behavior needs, as well as supervision and counseling.
FERPA refers to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act that grants specific privacy protections to student records. The law contains certain exceptions, such as directory information, unless the student’s parent or a student 18 or older directs the school not to release directory information.
IEP is the written record of the Individualized Education Program prepared by the ARD committee for a student with disabilities who is eligible for special education services. The IEP contains several parts such as a statement of the student’s present educational performance; a statement of measurable annual goals, with short-term objectives; the special education and related services and supplemental aids and services, and program modifications or support for school personnel; a statement regarding how the student’s progress will be measured and how the parents will be kept informed; modifications to state or districtwide tests, etc.
NCLBA Act is the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) is required by state law for any student in middle school or higher who fails a section on a state-mandated test or is identified by the district as not likely to earn a high school diploma before the fifth school year after he or she begins grade 9.
SAC refers to in-school suspension, a disciplinary technique for misconduct found in the Student Code of Conduct. Although different from out-of-school suspension and placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), SAC removes the student from the regular classroom.
SAT refers to the second of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The test may be a requirement for admissions to certain colleges or universities.
Section 504 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination against a student with a disability, requiring schools to provide opportunities for equal services, programs, and participation in activities. Unless the student is determined by an ARD committee to be eligible for special education services, appropriate regular educational services will be provided.
State-mandated tests are required of students at certain grade levels and in specified subjects. Successful performance sometimes is a condition of promotion and the grade 11 exit-level test is a condition of graduation. Students have multiple opportunities to take the tests, if necessary for promotion or graduation.
Student Code of Conduct, developed with the advice of the district-level committee and adopted by the Board, identifies the circumstances, consistent with law, when a student may be removed from the classroom or campus. It also sets out the conditions that authorize or require the principal or another administrator to place the student in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. It outlines conditions for out-of-school suspension and for expulsion, and states whether self-defense is a consideration in suspension, DAEP placement, or expulsion. The Student Code of Conduct also addresses notice to the parent regarding a student’s violation of one of its provisions.
TAKS is short for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, the state’s current standardized achievement test given to students in certain grade levels and subjects in grades 3–11.
UIL refers to the University Interscholastic League, the statewide voluntary non-profit organization that oversees educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests.
State law requires the district to give you the following information:
Certain information about district students is considered directory information and will be released to anyone who follows the procedures for requesting the information unless the parent or guardian objects to the release of the directory information about the student. If you do not want Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing within ten school days of the child’s first day of instruction for this school year.
This means that the district must give certain personal information (called “directory information”) about your child to any person who requests it, unless you have told the district in writing not to do so. In addition, you have the right to tell the district that it may, or may not, use certain personal information about your child for specific school-sponsored purposes. The district is providing you this form so you can communicate your wishes about these issues. [See Directory Information on page ??? for more information.]
For the following school-sponsored purposes: honor roll, school publications, recognition activities, news releases, announcements, district website or athletic purposes, Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD has designated the following information as directory information:
· Most recent previous school attended
· Weight and height, if a member of an athletic team
