CLARENDON
ELEMENTARY
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2005-2006
APPROVED BY THE CCISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JULY 2005
PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION
The purpose of this Student Handbook
is to give Clarendon CISD students and their parents an understanding of the
general rules and guidelines for attending and receiving an education in our
schools.
The Handbook is organized in the
following sections:
·
Required
legal notices and information
·
General
Information about admission, attendance, and conduct
·
Curriculum
and Program Information
·
Of
Special Interest to Students
·
Of
Special Interest to Parents
When the Handbook uses “we” or
“our”, it means the school district and/or school administrators. When the Handbook uses “you” or “your”, it
means the parent, legal guardian, or person who has accepted responsibility for
a student, at least in regard to school matters. From time to time, the Handbook will use more
general terms, such as “parents” and “school officials”. Regardless of the particular terminology, our
intention is to speak directly to you as the adults who are responsible for
working with us, the school officials, to make your child’s experience with the
Clarendon Public schools a positive educational experience.
School district administrators have
developed the Student Handbook with the assistance of teachers, students, and
parents. The content is approved by the
Board of Trustees and is intended to be consistent with formally adopted school
board policies. If there is an apparent contradiction
between information in the Handbook and a formally adopted board policy, the
school administration will interpret the Handbook in a way that is consistent
with policy and may request guidance from the Board of Trustees.
The
Student Handbook is not a contract between the school and parents or students. It can be amended at any time at the
discretion of the school district. If
the district makes changes to the Handbook during a school year, the
administration of the district and the campus will communicate those changes in
ways that are designed to inform parents and students of the new or revised
information.
REQUIRED LEGAL NOTICES
Annual Notice to Parents
In compliance with
state and federal law, the Clarendon Consolidated Independent School District
will provide to each disabled student without discrimination or cost to the
student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are
needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits
of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent
appropriate to the student’s abilities.
In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student the child must be
of school age with a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or
prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program.
These services and
protections for “504 handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable
to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled, or seeking enrollment, in special
education programs.
For further
information on the evaluation procedures and provision of services to protected
handicapped students, contact Marvin Elam, Section 504 Coordinator,
Asbestos
The District is in
compliance with the law regarding asbestos in the school. All buildings have been inspected. The Asbestos Management Plan for the school
is on file in the office and may be discussed by appointment with the
superintendent.
Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act
The school district
creates and keeps general education records for all students enrolled in
district schools. Those records are
confidential and generally are available only to parents and school personnel
or people who are acting on behalf of the school district. When we say “parents” have a right of access
to and copies of all education records pertaining to their children, we mean
both biological parents – whether married, divorced, or separated – and any
other person who is acting as a parent in the absence of the child’s parent or
legal guardian.
Parents control the
access to their children’s education records until the child becomes an adult
at age 18. When the child reaches age
18, s/he controls the access to his or her records and is the one who can
consent to the release of the records to other persons. However, parents continue to have a right to
see and copy their children’s education records so long as the person is a
dependent for federal income tax purposes, even if the child does not want them
to.
If a parent wants to
see or copy his or her child’s education records, s/he should contact the
principal of the child’s school if the child is currently enrolled. If the child has withdrawn or graduated, parents
should contact the school superintendent for access to records. Records can be reviewed in administrative
offices during regular office hours, from
Originals cannot be
removed from the principal’s or superintendent’s office. Copies will be provided to parents within a
reasonable time, usually not more than two or three days, after parents have
made a written request for copies.
Parents will be charged the district’s usual copying fees for copies;
however, if the student is eligible for free or reduced price lunches and the
parents cannot come to school to review the records, the school will provide
one copy of the requested records at no charge.
If you disagree with
information in your child’s records or believe some information is inaccurate,
you can ask for a correction. If the
principal does not make the correction, you can ask for a hearing with the
superintendent to explain why you believe the record is wrong or
misleading. If the superintendent does
not direct an amendment to be made, you have 30 days to place a comment in the
student’s record about the information.
Under no circumstances can students or parents use this process to
challenge a grade recorded for a student.
Because parents
generally control access to their children’s education records, the district
ordinarily will not permit access to or copies of education records without at
least one parent’s written authorization to release the records. However, under some circumstances, the
district can and will provide access to or copies of education records without
parental authorization. The most common
circumstances are these:
·
The district will forward education
records on request to a public or private school or institution of higher
education in which the student seeks or intends to enroll.
·
The district will comply with a lawful
subpoena for student education records, but will make reasonable efforts to
notify the parents before complying, unless the subpoena indicates that parents
should not be notified.
·
The district will release directory
information about students to any person who submits a written request for the
information.
“Directory
information” means information that would not generally be considered harmful
or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.
It includes the student’s name, address, telephone number, date and
place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized
activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of
attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous school
attended.
If you do not want the
school to release directory information about your child, you must notify the
principal in writing of the category or categories of information that you do
not want released. You have 10 school
days after you receive this Handbook to tell the principal in writing what
information you do not want released.
If you want to review
the school’s entire policy regarding student records, please contact the campus
principal, who will be glad to provide a copy for you and to answer any
questions you may have about the policy or this notice.
Nondiscrimination
This school district
and its career and technology education program does not discriminate on the
basis of sex, disability, race, color, age or national origin in its
educational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title IX,
Section 504 and Title VI.
Este distrito escolar
y su programa educacional de carrera y tecnología no discriminan en base a
sexo, disabilidad, raza, color, edad u origen nacional en sus programas
educativos, actividades, o empleo
It is the policy of
Clarendon Elementary not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex or disability in its vocational programs, services or activities as
required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended.
It is the policy of
Clarendon Elementary to support districts as they provide a free, appropriate
education to all students consisting of regular and special education and
related aides and services in career and technology education programs that are
designed to meet individual educational needs of disabled persons as adequately
as the needs of non-disabled persons are met and are based upon adherence to
provisions set forth in 34 CFR 104.33-104.36; 34 CFR 104.31-104.40; (see also
standards under V-C, V-D, V-E, V-F, V-G, and V-H).
It is the policy of
Clarendon Elementary not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, disability, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Clarendon Elementary
will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational
programs.
For information about
your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator and/or
the Section 504 Coordinator Marvin Elam, Jr. High Principal,
Es norma de Clarendon
Elementary de no discriminar por motives de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo
o impedimento, en sus programas, servicios o activades vocacionales, tal como
lo requiren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda;
el Titulo IX de las Enmiendas en la Educacion, de 1972, y la Seccion 504 de la
Ley de Rehabilitacion de 1973, segun enmienda.
Es norma de Clarendon
Elementary de no discriminar por motives de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo,
impedimento o edad, en sus procedimientos de empleo, tal como lo requieren el
Titulo VI de la Lay de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; al Título IX
de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, la ley de Discriminación por Edad,
de 1975, según enmienda, y la Sesión 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitacion de 1973,
según enmienda.
Está escrito en el
reglamento de Clarendon Elementary el proveer educación adecuada y gratuita a
todos los alumnos que son parte del programa de educación especial o regular y
que reciben ayuda o servicios en programas educativos relacionados con educación
vocacional y tecnológica, diseñados para cumplir con las necesidades educativas
individuales de personas incapacitadas del mismo modo en que se cumplen las
necesidades de personas no incapacitadas y esto está basado en las provisiones
señaladas en 34 CFR 104.33-104.36; 34 CFR 104.31-104.40; (tambien ver bajo V-C,
V-D, V-E, V-F, V-G, and V-H).
Clarendon Elementary
tomará las medidas necesarias para asegurar que la falta de habilidad en el uso
de la lengua ingle no sea un obstáculo para la admisión y participación en
todos los programas educativos y vocacionales.
The District
periodically applies pesticides inside buildings. Information regarding the application of
pesticides is available from the superintendent’s office at
GENERAL INFORMATION
Admission, Release,
Withdrawal
These are the basic
requirements for admission to district schools:
1.
The student must live in the district
with a parent or legal guardian or one of the student’s parents must live in
the district, even if the student does not live with that parent.
·
To be eligible for admission based on
just the parent’s residence in the district, the court that issued a final
order in a divorce proceeding must have designated that parent as a managing or
possessory conservator for the child.
·
The parent enrolling a student based on
only the parent’s residence in the district must provide a copy of a current
final order, signed by the judge and showing a file stamp from the court,
designating the parent as a managing or possessory conservator.
2.
The student is under age 18 and lives in
the district with an adult resident of the district who has accepted a Power of
Attorney from the child’s parent or legal guardian. The school district has Power of Attorney
forms to be completed by both the parent and the person the student lives with.
3.
Students under the age of 18 must be
enrolled by a parent, legal guardian, or adult resident who has a valid Power
of Attorney for the student. Students
who are 18 or older, who are legally married, or who have ever been legally
married and who have not graduated from high school can enroll themselves.
4.
The adult enrolling the student must
present current immunization records or make arrangements to begin
immunizations as soon as possible.
5.
No later than 30 days after a student has
been enrolled, the adult enrolling the student must provide a copy of the
child’s social security card, a birth certificate or other acceptable
identification for the child, and copies of the education records from the
school the child last attended.
The application for
admission and enrollment forms are official government records, and it is a
crime to provide false information of any kind or false records for
identification. School officials can ask
parents or another adult enrolling a student to provide some evidence that they
are bona fide residents of the school district.
If school officials
have reason to question the legitimacy of a child’s residency information, they
can investigate to determine the student’s actual place of residence. If the district finds that a student is not really
a district resident, the student will be withdrawn, and school officials will
take the necessary legal steps to recover the maximum tuition fee the school
district can charge or the amount the board of trustees budgets as an expense
per student.
Release During the
School Day
Students will be
allowed to leave school during the school day only with the permission of the
principal or someone in the principal’s office who has been given the authority
to release students. Parents cannot go directly
to their children’s classroom and take the child away from school during the
day. Teachers do not have the authority
to let children leave their classroom with anyone. If you need to take your child from school
before the end of the school day, such as for a medical appointment or a family
emergency, you should go to the principal’s office and sign an Early Dismissal
Slip in order to take any child out of the building. The teacher will send the child to the
principal’s office, and s/he will be released to the parent at that time.
At the time children
are enrolled, the parent or other adult completing the enrollment forms should
list those people who are authorized to pick up children during the school day.
Unless the principal has a current court order signed by a judge,
showing an official file stamp with the court, and indicating that a parent’s
right of access to and possession of his or her children has been limited in
some way, the principal will release children to either parent.
Withdrawing from School
Children who are under
age 18 will not be permitted to withdraw from school unless a parent, legal
guardian, or other adult with responsibility for the child comes to the school
to complete the necessary forms.
Students must return all textbooks issued to them and clear any library
fines and any other outstanding fees in order for the school to release an
official copy of the student’s records to the parents or to another school
district.
Students who are age
18 or older, who are legally married, or who have ever been legally married are
adults and can withdraw themselves from school.
Attendance and Credit
Separate and apart
from the compulsory attendance requirements, students must attend school a
certain amount of time in order to get credit for their academic work. State law requires students to be “in
attendance” for at least 90 percent of the days a class is taught during a
semester or year.
A student who has been
absent for any reason is encouraged to make up specific assignments missed
and/or to complete additional in-depth study assigned by the teacher to meet
subject or course requirements. Failure
to make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will result in
a grade of zero, assignment grade reductions, or grade caps.
Students who are absent from school more than one-half day
will not be allowed to participate in school-related activities on that day or
evening.
Exception to this will be doctor appointments, funerals, or extenuating
circumstances deemed to be valid by the building principal.
Students who are late
to class or tardy may be assigned to in-school suspension. Repeated instances of tardiness shall result
in more severe disciplinary action.
Students who are
absent from school or from any class without permission will be considered truant
and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Students leaving
school at any time during the school day must check out at the office. If this procedure is not followed, the
student will be given an unexcused absence.
He must also present the office with a note from the parent. Students who become ill during the school day
should, with the teacher’s permission, report to the nurse’s office. The
school nurse will be the school official to determine whether or not a child
will be sent home from school. This
decision will not be made by the classroom teacher.
Each campus has an
attendance committee that will review student attendance records. If the committee decides that extenuating
circumstances prevented a student from meeting the minimum attendance for
credit standard, the committee can award credit or tell the student what
additional work or time needs to be completed in order for the student to get
credit for the grade level or course.
If the attendance
committee finds that there are no extenuating circumstances for the absences,
you will be notified when your child is in danger of losing credit because of
absences and will have the chance to meet with the attendance committee to
discuss your child’s situation.
Attendance Requirements
State compulsory
attendance laws generally require all children between the ages of six and 18
to attend school each day that school is in session. A student who is six and has never been
enrolled in the first grade is required to attend school. Once a parent enrolls a child in PPCD, Head
Start, or Kindergarten, the child is required to attend school that school
year.
Regular attendance is
critical to your child’s success in school.
It is also critical to the school district’s success because it is a
factor in the district and campus rating under the state accountability system
and is a determining factor in the amount of state financial aid the district
is entitled to receive.
School officials
aggressively enforce the state compulsory attendance laws. If you do not send your child to school, we
will send you a written warning that you must comply with compulsory attendance
laws. If your child continues to be
absent after we send that warning letter, we will file charges with the
appropriate local court. Every day that
a child is out of school in violation of compulsory attendance laws is a
separate offense. You may be assessed a
fine for each offense and may also be ordered to participate in a class
designed to help you make sure your child attends school as required.
Of course, there are
times that children are sick or have other legitimate reasons for being absent
from school. Regardless of the age of
your child, is s/he is sick and will not be at school that day, you should call
the school office to let them know of the absence. Whenever a child is absent from school for
any reason, s/he should bring a note signed by you explaining the reason for
the child’s absence when s/he returns to school. The principal or someone acting for the
principal will make the final decision whether an absence is classified as
excused or unexcused.
The District accepts
the following as extenuating circumstances for the purpose of granting credit
for a class: The only absences that are
exempt are those that are accompanied by a doctor’s note.)
1.
An excused absence based on personal
sickness, sickness or death in the family, quarantine, weather or road
conditions making travel dangerous, or any other unusual cause acceptable to
the principal.
2.
Days of suspension. (Makeup grades for work missed may receive a
grade of no higher than 70.)
3.
Participation in court proceedings or
child abuse/neglect investigation.
4.
A migrant student’s late enrollment or
early withdrawal.
5.
Days missed as a runaway.
6.
Completion of a competency-based program
for at-risk students.
7.
Late enrollment or early withdrawal of a
student under the Texas Youth Commission.
8.
Teen parent absences to care for his or
her child.
9.
Participation in substance abuse
rehabilitation program.
10.
Students
will have three school days to bring a note stating the cause of their
absence. A doctor’s note may be
required. After that time it will be
classified as unexcused.
Students ordinarily will not be permitted to make up missed work for
credit if the absence is unexcused. Also,
a student who has unexcused absences for 10 or more days or partial days in six
months or three or more days or partial days in four weeks must be referred to
the Justice of the Peace for violations of the Parent Contributing to
Non-Attendance laws.
Four Week Policy: After the second
unexcused tardy* or absence within any 4 week period, a courtesy letter will be
provided to the parent. After the third
unexcused tardy or absence within any 4 week period, the parent will be contacted
by telephone, if possible, and provided a warning about additional unexcused
tardies or absences. Upon the fourth
unexcused tardy or absence within any 4 week period, the principal will file a
“Parent Contributing to Non-Attendance” complaint with the Justice of the Peace
and will notify the District superintendent.
Semester Policy: After the fifth
unexcused tardy* or absence within a semester, a courtesy letter will be
provided to the parent. After the
seventh unexcused tardy or absence within a semester, the parent will be
contacted by telephone, if possible, and provided a warning about additional
unexcused tardies or absences. Upon the
ninth unexcused tardy or absence within a semester, the principal will file a “Parent
Contributing to Non-Attendance” complaint with the Justice of the Peace and
will notify the District superintendent.
*Unexcused tardies
under this policy relate to only the beginning of the school day at
Doctor and Dental Appointments: Absences
for appointments with a doctor, dentist, orthodontist, physical therapist, or
other health care professional will be classified as “present” if:
1.
The student returns to school/classes on
the same day as the appointment; and
2.
Presents a note from the health care
provider stating the date and time of the appointment.
Religious Holidays: Absences for religious
holy days, including up to two days of travel time if necessary, will be
classified as excused absences if you make a written request to the principal
before the days of the absence.
Conduct and Discipline
Along with this
Student Handbook, your child has also received a copy of the Clarendon CISD
Student Code of Conduct. The Code of
Conduct contains the school district’s requirements for student conduct and
behavior while at school or under the school’s jurisdiction. The Code of Conduct also explains the kinds
of disciplinary action school officials can take in response to violations of
the rules for student conduct and the steps involved in taking disciplinary
action. If you have any question about
conduct or discipline rules, please refer to the Code of Conduct or call your
child’s principal.
All school personnel
have the authority to correct any student conduct on campus. Failure to obey a reasonable order by school
personnel will result in disciplinary action.
If a student disagrees with school personnel, the student may come to
the principal in the office, at an appropriate time, and explain the
situation. Debating, yelling, or arguing
with school personnel in the classroom, anywhere on campus or at school
activities will not be tolerated.
Dress and Grooming Code
We expect students to
come to school in clothes that are clean and neat, and we expect students to
exhibit basic cleanliness and grooming that will not be a health or safety
threat to themselves or to other students or staff. While we respect students’ desire to express
themselves in their clothing and grooming styles, we do not permit students to wear
clothing with pictures, emblems, or writing that is lewd, offensive, vulgar, or
obscene or that advertises or depicts tobacco products, alcoholic beverages,
drugs, or any other substance that students are prohibited from having or using
at school. The principal makes decisions
about dress and grooming violations.
Note that extracurricular sponsors may require adherence to a stricter
code.
Other guidelines for
appropriate dress are:
1.
Garments and items worn that are not
considered in good taste or those that provoke attention, criticism, or detract
from the learning process are not permitted.
2.
Students must wear shoes at all times.
3.
No hats, do-rags, bandanas, or sunglasses
will be worn in the building. These
items worn in the building will be confiscated immediately and returned only to
a parent or at the end of the semester.
4.
Ornaments in, on, or around the ears of
male students or in, on or around the nose of any student will not be worn
during the school day.
5.
Styles considered inappropriate for school
wear are: girl’s halter tops, bare midriffs, boy’s and girl’s tank tops, mesh
shirts, and sleeveless shirts on boys.
6.
All clothing must be worn in the manner
for which it was designed unless the designation makes them unacceptable in
some other manner.
7.
Shorts will be allowed during the school
year under the following guidelines:
A.
Shorts shall come to the ends of the
fingertips when the arms are held down at one’s side.
B.
All shorts will be hemmed.
C.
There will be no cut-offs unless they are
hemmed appropriately.
D.
There will be no wind shorts, biker
shorts, gym shorts, or excessively tight shorts.
E.
Any shorts deemed unacceptable by the
building principal or designee will not be allowed.
8.
Excessively tight pants or tops are
inappropriate.
9.
Students are responsible for keeping
themselves, their hair, and their clothing clean. Length and style of hair may have to be
regulated to eliminate any health or safety hazards and to prevent any
disruptions of normal school operation.
If your child comes to
school wearing clothes that violate the dress code or in any other way violates
our dress and grooming standards, we will make efforts to notify you as soon as
possible. If the student changes clothes or otherwise comes into compliance
with the dress and grooming standards, s/he will return to regular classes
immediately.
Prayer and Meditation
Each student has a
right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school or
at any school activity in a manner that does not disrupt or interfere with the
delivery of instruction or other activities in the school. No school employee can or will require,
encourage, or coerce a student to engage in or to refrain from such prayer or
meditation during any school activity.
Questioning Students at
School
As school officials,
we have the right to question your child about his or her own conduct at school
and, in the investigation of alleged misconduct by other students, to question
him or her about the conduct of others.
We expect students to cooperate in this process, and the refusal to
cooperate will be treated as insubordination.
We will not ordinarily contact you before questioning your child about
his or her own conduct or about the conduct of other students, but certainly
will contact you promptly if our investigation shows that your child has
violated school conduct rules. The Code
of Conduct provides a complete explanation of the discipline processes and when
you will be contacted. Our investigation
of possible violations of the Code of Conduct is not criminal proceeding, and
there is no such thing as “taking the Fifth” or a student’s right not to
incriminate himself or herself in a school discipline investigation.
Sometimes law
enforcement officials or investigators from Child Protective Services (CPS) ask
to interview students at school. In the case of an investigator from Child
Protective Services conducting a child abuse or neglect investigation, we are
required by state law to permit the investigator to talk to the child at
school. We will also make every
effort to cooperate with law enforcement officials conducting an investigation
that requires talking to students.
Ordinarily, we will
attempt to contact you before the interview by an outside person takes
place. However, if the CPS investigator
or the law enforcement official asks or tells us not to contact you, we will
comply.
Searches of Students,
Lockers, and Vehicles on School Property
The principal or other
school administrator can search a student’s outer clothing, pockets, or property
if s/he has a reasonable basis to suspect that the search will reveal evidence
that the student has violated a school rule.
The scope of the search will be related to the suspected violation.
Lockers are school
property and remain under the school’s control at all times. Lockers can be searched at any time. Students
are responsible for any contraband that is found in their locker and will be
disciplined accordingly.
Sexual Harassment
We prohibit students
from sexually harassing other students and from sexually harassing
employees. Engaging in sexual harassment
is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
We, of course, prohibit employees from having any kind of sexual contact
or romantic relationship with students enrolled in our schools.
If you or your child
has a complaint about sexual comments, conduct, contact or any other
inappropriate conduct by a school employee, do not hesitate to contact the
school principal. We will listen to your
concern and conduct a prompt investigation.
We also will look into reports that other students have been sexually
harassing your child at school or school activities and take appropriate
disciplinary action according to the requirements of the Code of Conduct.
Although we will
provide you a general report of the results of our investigation of sexual
harassment complaints, the same federal law that protects the confidentiality
of information about your child (see Family Educational Right and Privacy Act)
protects the confidentiality of information about the student you reported for
investigation. In other words, we will
not disclose to you the actual discipline imposed on another student, unless
that student’s parents give us permission to disclose that information. If the complaint is about an employee’s conduct,
we will inform you of the results of the investigation and of the general
action taken in response if there is a finding of wrongdoing on the employee’s
part.
Your child’s principal
can give you a copy of the entire sexual harassment policy and complaint
process and will be glad to answer any questions you may have about this
subject.
Student
(Bullying)
HB 283 from the 79th
Regular Session added the requirement that a parent may request the transfer of
their child from a classroom in which their child has been the victim of
bullying; as that term is defined in Education Code 25.0341(a).
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS
Counseling Programs and
Services
We have a counselor
who is available to help students with questions about planning their course of
instruction, applications to college or other post-secondary education and
training programs, scholarships and financial assistance, and other academic
issues. Our counselor is also available
to talk and listen to students about situations and experiences that may be
affecting their ability to get all they can from their instructional program.
Course Credit
Credit for classes
that are one or more unit courses will be determined by averaging the
term/semester averages at the completion of the semester/school year. An average of at least 70 must be obtained to
receive full course credit. Partial
credit will not be given. If the
semester/average is less than 70, the entire course must be repeated.
Credit by Exam
·
With Prior Instruction
A student who has received
prior instruction in a course or subject but failed the course or subject with
a grade of no less than 60 may be permitted by the District to earn credit by
passing an examination on the essential knowledge and skills defined by the
course or subject. To receive credit, a
student must score at least 70 on the examination. The attendance review committee may also
allow a student with excessive absences to receive credit for a course by
passing an examination. A student may
not use this examination to regain eligibility to participate in
extracurricular activities, however.
These exams shall be at the expense of the student.
·
Without Prior Instruction
A student will be
permitted to take an examination to earn credit for an academic course for
which the student has no prior instruction.
To receive credit, the student must score at least a 90 on the
examination. The dates on which
examinations are scheduled during the 2005-2006 school year include:
Request
Deadline Test Date
A student planning to
take an examination for acceleration must register with the counselor by the
deadlines indicated. The District will
not honor a request by a parent to administer, on some other date, a test
purchased by the parent from a State Board approved university.
Educational Technology
and Acceptable Use
We are steadily
acquiring computers for school use and access to other instructional and
research resources through connections to the Internet and the World Wide
Web. These electronic instructional
resources are for use at school and for school-related purposes. Before your child is permitted to receive a
User Identification and password to use school computers, you and your child
must sign a User Agreement that explains acceptable and unacceptable use of
school educational technology. You will
have the choice to prevent your child from having access to the Internet on school
computers.
The following kinds of
uses of the school’s equipment or network are classified as unacceptable under
our policy and the User Agreement:
1.
Unauthorized use of copyrighted material,
including installing any personal software on district equipment without
approval of the Technology Coordinator.
2.
Posting or distributing threatening,
racist, harassing, excessively violent, or obscene material.
3.
Personal political use to advocate for or
against a position or a candidate, except when the activity is to fulfill an
assignment for class credit.
4.
Tampering with anyone else’s computer,
files, or e-mail.
5.
Forgery of messages or sending
unsolicited junk e-mail.
6.
Using the computer to violate the student
code of conduct.
7.
Using the computer for commercial
activities or commercial gain.
8.
Advertising for the purchase or sale of
any product.
Students who violate
the terms of the User Agreement may lose their computer privileges at school,
as well as incur consequences under the school’s Student Code of Conduct. Additional requirements can be found in the Acceptable
Use Policy signed by you and your student and kept on file at the elementary
office.
General Curriculum
Information
Clarendon CISD operates
a Pre-K – 12 program that meets all state curriculum requirements. Schools are organized by grade level, with
separate campuses for elementary (PPCD – 5), middle school (grades 6 – 8), and
high school (grades 9 – 12).
Library Facilities,
Hours, and Access
The school library is
available for student research and study, with resources appropriate for needs
of the grades served by the campus. The
library is supervised by a certified librarian / library aide. Students have access to the library during
the school day and during posted hours before and after school.
If you have a concern
about library materials available to your child, please contact the librarian,
teacher, or the principal. We have a
policy and process that will allow you to explain your concerns and reach an
understanding about your child’s access to the questioned materials.
Special Programs
To meet the
requirements of state and federal law, we also offer several programs designed
to meet specific needs of some of our students.
We identify students as eligible for one or more of these programs based
on assessments made after referrals and recommendations from teachers and
counselors, and will always inform you about the program beforehand. We also can identify students based on an
assessment after a request or referral from you. If you have any questions about the referral
and identification process for any of the following programs, please contact
your child’s teacher(s), counselor, or the campus principal.
Special Education: Clarendon CISD
provides special education and related services for students with disabilities
according to individualized plans developed by teachers, parents, counselors,
and other professionals. We decide
whether a student needs special education after we complete a comprehensive
assessment. Please contact Lana Reeves,
Special Education Director at EPSSA, (806) 256-2592, or Mike Word at 874-3855
to receive full information about our special education programs.
If a child is
experiencing learning difficulties, the parent may contact Mike Word at
874-3855 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 that 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 their rights if they disagree
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.
Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language:
English is the language of instruction in our schools. Children who have limited English-speaking
skills will have access to programs to help them learn to understand, speak,
read, and write the English language. At
the time you enroll your children for the first time, you will be asked to
complete a Home Language Survey so we know whether to take additional steps to
be sure your child is properly served.
Gifted and Talented Students:
Some children demonstrate or show a potential for demonstrating a remarkable
high level of accomplishment when compared to other children of similar age,
experience, or environment. These
children may perform at a very high level in an intellectual, creative, or
artistic area, show an unusually high capacity for leadership or excel in a
particular academic field. We provide a
variety of programs, activities, and learning opportunities for these students.
Accelerated Instruction/Students At-Risk:
Some students do not qualify for special education programs, but still need
some additional assistance to be successful in school. We provide tutorial programs and intensive or
accelerated instruction in subjects where students are showing special
difficulty, and may provide specially focused instruction to improve students’
language and math skills.
Testing and Assessment
Programs
Each year, we
administer the statewide assessment programs, Texas Assessment of Knowledge and
Skills (TAKS), State Developed Alternative Assessment (SDAA), and Locally
Developed Alternative Assessment (LDAA).
Results of the TAKS/SDAA/LDAA examinations are used to assess individual
student progress, as well as being a significant factor in the campus and
district ratings under the statewide accountability system. Please make every effort to have your
children at school on TAKS/SDAA/LDAA administration days and to be sure that
they have had plenty of rest the night before and a good breakfast that
morning.
You can receive a copy
of the TAKS/SDAA/LDAA test administered to your child, but only on the years
the tests are released to the schools by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Contact the principal if you want more
information.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST
TO STUDENTS
Extracurricular
Activities
We offer a variety of
school-related extracurricular activities and encourage students to participate
in those that are of interest to them.
Participation in extracurricular activities, such as the UIL Fall
Academic Meet, is a privilege, not a right.
By state law, students must make a passing grade in all their classes in
each grading period in order to be eligible to participate in any
extracurricular performance or competition in the next grading period. Students who are ineligible because of one or
more grades below 70 will be allowed to practice or rehearse during a
suspension, but cannot perform or compete.
If the student raises the grade(s) to passing within three weeks, s/he
will regain eligibility to perform or compete.
Many of our approved
extracurricular activities have standards of conduct, dress, and grooming that
are stricter than those that apply to all students. You and your child will be informed of those
rules at the beginning of the semester, school year, or activity and will be
asked to sign a form acknowledging that you are aware of those standards and
know that violation of those standards will result in suspension or removal
from the activity. These additional
rules are authorized by the school board, which has delegated to the
superintendent the authority to approve them.
Student
Publications/Distribution of Materials
All materials prepared
and published as part of a school’s language arts programs are under the
control and supervision of the administration and the Board of Trustees. The principal has final approval authority on
all material published or distributed in the name of the school.
Each campus has an
area in the school where nonschool publications or materials that have been
approved by the principal can be made available to students. Students are not permitted to distribute
nonschool publications or materials in the classroom or hallways.
Before nonschool
materials or publications are made available to students in the designated
area, they must be submitted to the principal for review and approval. The principal will make a decision within 24
hours of the time the materials are submitted, and his or her failure to act
within that time is interpreted as disapproval.
If the materials are disapproved, students can appeal to the
superintendent, who will decide within three days. The superintendent’s failure to respond is
interpreted as disapproval and students can appeal to the board by making a written
request for the board to consider the superintendent’s decision at the next
regular board meeting.
Testing Schedule
3rd
/ 5th grade Retest TAKS
Reading
5th
grade Retest TAKS Reading
Textbooks
State approved
textbooks are provided free of charge for each subject or class. Students are required to use these books
carefully. The student, as directed by
the teacher, must cover books. Students who are issued a damaged book should
report that fact to the teacher. Any
student failing to return a book issued by the school shall lose the right to
have free textbooks assigned until the book is returned or paid for by the
parent or guardian. Students shall be
given textbooks for use at school during the school day.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST
TO PARENTS
Authorized Fees
Although the basic
cost of your child’s public education is provided through local tax revenues,
state funding, and some federal funds, we may assess fees for certain kinds of
materials and services, as described in the following list:
·
a fee to cover the cost of materials when
the student makes, builds, or prepares some product that becomes the student’s
personal property.
·
dues for voluntary student organizations
and clubs and admission fees to voluntary extracurricular activities.
·
security deposits for materials,
supplies, or materials that must be returned to the district.
·
fees for personal PE equipment and
clothing, unless the student provides his or her own clothing and equipment
that meets school health and safety standards.
·
fees for items of personal use or
products a student chooses to purchase, such as student publications.
·
a reasonable fee, not more than the
annual cost of maintenance, for school owned musical instruments and uniforms.
Complaint Process
We realize that
situations may arise when parents disagree with a decision that affects their
child or believe that a policy has been improperly applied to their child. A number of these types of disputes or
controversies have specific processes for pursuing those concerns. The principal can provide you with a copy of
the relevant policies and procedures.
In general, all
parents’ complaints should be brought initially to the teacher involved then to
the campus principal within 5 days of the teacher conference. Often the problem can be resolved through an
informal conference with the teacher or principal. On those occasions when a conference does not
take care of the problem, you should request a copy of the complaint policy and
complaint form from the principal’s office.
In order for your concern to be resolved at the earliest possible level,
you should put your complaint in writing on the form provided before meeting
formally with the principal.
The principal will
schedule a conference with you and give you a written or oral response within
seven days after the conference. You
will also have an opportunity for a conference with the superintendent if the
principal has not resolved the matter.
If the superintendent is not able to take care of the problem you can
make a written request for the Board of Trustees to consider the matter at its
next regular meeting.
Individual trustees
cannot respond to parent complaints beyond referring the matter to the
administration. Furthermore, the board
of trustees will not permit a complaint to be heard in the public comment or
open forum portion of board meetings. In
order for the board to take any action on a complaint, you must follow the
complaint process established in policy.
Emergency Closing
When weather
conditions are such that cancellations or schedule alterations of regular
school hours become necessary, parents will be notified via telephone by the
CCISD. If you do not own a phone, parents
and students should tune their radio to KGNC – 710 AM, KLSR – 105.3 FM, KAMR –
Channel 4, KVII – Channel 7, or KFDA – Channel 10 for instructions. School officials will notify the above
businesses as soon as any schedule alteration is made.
If unusual weather
conditions develop during school hours, the superintendent, or designee, will
activate the phone alert system and will notify KLSR and KGNC to announce that
Clarendon CISD will run buses earlier than normal.
Free and Reduced-Price
Food Program
Our schools
participate in the federal Child Nutrition Programs, which provide free and
reduced price breakfast and lunch to students based on family income
levels. We maintain strict confidentiality
as to whether students participate in the program. If you would like more information about the
program or an application, please contact the elementary office.
Lost, Damaged, or Stolen
Personal Items
We ask that you
discourage your child from wearing or bringing to school expensive or
irreplaceable jewelry, watches, sunglasses, or personal clothing that may be
removed during the day. Students are
responsible for all their personal possessions while at school or any
school-sponsored or school-related event.
It is important that you
understand the school district is not responsible for any personal items that
are lost, damaged, or stolen at school or a school-related activity.
Parent
Organizations/Volunteer Opportunities
We encourage parents
to volunteer in our schools. All
volunteers must complete an application form, and the district will obtain a
Criminal History Report on all applicants for volunteer programs.
Parent Rights
Academic Programs: You can ask the
principal to change your child’s teacher or class assignment; however, the
principal is not required to make the reassignment if doing so would affect the
assignment or reassignment of another student.
You can ask the school
board to add a specific academic course to the schedule and offerings. If the administration and the board determine
that the course is among those included in the State Board of
Education-approved curriculum and that there is sufficient interest in the
class to make it economically practical to offer the class, the request will
not be unreasonably denied.
You can ask that your
child be permitted to attend a class for credit above his or her grade
level. If the counselor and child’s
current and prospective teacher expect that the child can perform
satisfactorily in the class, the request will not be unreasonably denied.
Teaching Materials: You may review all
teaching materials, textbooks and other teaching aids used in your child’s
classroom and may review all tests administered to your child, after the test
is given. To review these materials,
please contact the principal, who will make arrangements to provide you access
to those materials at school during regular school hours.
Records and Other Information:
As we stated in the “Required Notices” section of this Handbook, you have a
right of access to all written educational records that we maintain concerning
your child. You also can receive full
information about any and all school activities in which your child is
involved. However, as we explained in
the section on “Questioning Students at School”, we must comply with a request
or directive from a Child Protective Services investigator regarding contact
with or information to parents about an investigation.
Video and Audio Recording: We will seek
and obtain your written consent before any school employee makes an audio or
video recording of your child, except that your prior consent is not required
before a recording that will be used only for:
·
safety purposes, including maintaining
order and discipline in common areas of the school or on school buses; or
·
a purpose related to a cocurricular or
extracurricular activity; or
·
a purpose related to regular classroom
instruction; or
·
media coverage of the school.
Psychological Examinations:
We will seek and obtain your written consent before conducting any
psychological examination, test, or treatment of your child, unless the
examination is part of an investigation by Child Protective Services in
response to a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect.
Exemption from Instruction:
You may temporarily remove your child from a class or other school activity
that conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs if you provide a written
statement authorizing the removal to your child’s teacher. However, you are not entitled to remove your
child from class or an activity to avoid taking a test or to prevent your child
from taking a subject for an entire semester.
Your child will be required to satisfy grade level or graduation
requirements, regardless of any periods of temporary removal based on your
religious or moral beliefs.
Student Illness or
Injury at School/Medicines
We will promptly
attempt to notify you or a person you have authorized us to notify if we have
knowledge that your child has been injured at school or has become ill at
school. We have a school nurse available
and a secluded area where your child can stay if s/he is injured or becomes
ill.
One of the forms we
ask you to complete at the beginning of each school year is a form authorizing
designated school employees to consent to medical treatment in case your child
is injured at school or a school-related activity and requires emergency
treatment. We, of course, will attempt
to call you in such a situation and will also call for emergency medical
assistance.
It is important, however, that you understand that the
school district is not responsible for any cost of medical treatment or
services provided after an injury at school or a school-related activity. We cannot and will not use public funds to
pay individual student medical expenses.
At the beginning of
each school year, we offer you the opportunity to purchase low-cost student
accident insurance that covers the student while at school. You may also purchase a policy that covers
the student 24 hours a day. The school
district is not the policyholder for this insurance; if you decide that
additional protection would be a benefit and protection to you and your family,
the contract is between you and the insurance company. We are authorized to and do purchase accident
insurance for students who participate in interscholastic athletic practice and
competition.
Although we want your
child to attend school every day, we do not want your child at school if s/he
has a communicable disease or is running a fever of 100° or more. Under State and local Health Department
regulations, if your child has certain medical conditions, s/he must be
excluded from school for a period of time.
The nurse can provide you a complete list of those conditions and periods
of exclusion.
Often, students have
to take prescription medication for a certain period of time as treatment for a
medical condition. If at all possible, we ask that you schedule the timing of the doses so
that the child takes the medicine at home.
If children have to take medicine at school, you must make a written
request for the administration and provide only the doses to be administered at
school in the original prescription bottle.
Only the nurse or other authorized school employees are permitted to
administer prescription medicines at school.
We do not permit students to carry their own medications and
self-administer.
We keep commonly used
over-the-counter treatments, such as antacids, aspirin, acetaminophen,
ibuprofen, antibiotic ointments, and the like in the nurse’s office. The nurse or authorized personnel will
administer these medications according to the labeled instruction if you make a
written request to the nurse, providing the same basic information as is
required for administering prescription drugs.
If your child has
asthma, unique medical conditions, or any other condition, such as a food
allergy, that requires virtually immediate administration of medications under
specified conditions, please contact the principal, who will schedule a meeting
of appropriate personnel to ensure that your child’s needs are met.
Parents of a student
with a communicable or contagious disease are asked to telephone the school
nurse/principal so that other students who have been exposed to the disease can
be alerted. Students with certain
diseases are not allowed to come to school while their disease is contagious.
All students must be
immunized against certain diseases or must present a certificate or statement
that, for medical or religious reasons, the student should not be
immunized. The immunizations required
are diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and
hemophilus influenza. The school nurse
can provide information on age-appropriate doses or on an acceptable physician-validated
history of illness required by the Texas Department of Health. Proof of immunization may be personal records
from a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or rubber
stamp validation.
No later than August
1, 2000, children born on or after September 2, 1988 but before September 2,
1992 will be required to show proof by 30 days past their 12th
birthday of either: three doses of hepatitis B vaccine; or serologic
confirmation of immunity to hepatitis B; or serologic evidence of
infection. Children born on or after
September 2, 1992 must now meet this requirement.
No later than August
1, 2000 children born on or after September 2, 1988 but before September 2,
1994 will be required to show proof by 30 days past their 12th birthday
of either: one dose of varicella vaccine received on or after the first
birthday (two doses are required if the child is 13 years old or older at the
time the first dose of varicella vaccine is received); or a parent- or
physician-validated history of varicella illness (chickenpox) or serologic
confirmation of vericella immunity.
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 that states, in the doctor’s
opinion, the immunization required would be harmful to the health and well
being of the student or any member of the student’s family or household. This certificate must be renewed yearly
unless the physician specifies a lifelong contraindication or exemption.
If a student’s
religious beliefs conflict with the requirement that the student be immunized,
the student must present a statement signed by the student (or by the parent if
the student is a minor) that states that immunization conflicts with the beliefs
and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination of which the
student is an adherent or member. This
statement must be renewed yearly.
Asthma
A student with asthma
who has written authorization from his or her parent and physician or other
licensed health-care provider may be permitted to possess and use prescribed
asthma medication at school or school-related events. The student and parents should see the school
nurse or principal if the student has been prescribed asthma medication for use
during the school day.
Bacterial Meningitis
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 causes 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%). It can cause mild side
effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two
days. Immunity develops within 7 to 10
days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to 5 years.
What
Should You Do if You Think You or a Friend Might Have Bacterial Meningitis? Seek prompt medical attention.
For 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 Heals office to ask about meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at
the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov and the Texas Department of Health: www.tdh.state.tx.us.
Diabetes
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.
HB984 requires a Diabetes Management and Treatment Plan to be developed
by the physician and parent for any student with diabetes who needs treatment
or care at school. A copy is to be
provided to the school, from which the principal, nurse, parent of guardian,
physician (if possible), and teachers are to develop an individualized health
plan for the student.
Transportation Program
We provide
transportation on school buses to and from school for those children who live
more than two miles away from the school they attend or live on our hazardous
route. Students are required to comply
with rules for conduct on school buses and to comply with the Students Code of
Conduct while at authorized school bus stops waiting for the bus.
You are encouraged to
visit your children’s schools from time to time; however, we ask that you
comply with our policy requiring all
visitors to go first to the principal’s office and obtain an official visitor’s
pass. We have this policy for the safety
of your children and our staff. Parents
and any other person on campus without the principal’s knowledge will be
considered as trespassers. We also
expect parents to be polite and civil in their dealings with all school
staff. We do not permit or tolerate
abusive, disrespectful, threatening, lewd, profane, or offensive language from
your children at school, and we will not tolerate it from parents. Students who misbehave or violate the Code of
Conduct while on the bus will be disciplined according to the Code of Conduct
and may be suspended from the bus for a period of time.
While we encourage you
to be involved in your children’s education and knowledgeable about their
classes, teachers, and curriculum, it has been our experience that frequent and
lengthy visits to the classroom are disruptive both to teaching and
learning. The principal can limit or
restrict the frequency and duration of classroom visits to be sure that
disruption of the instructional process does not occur.
We encourage you to
come to school occasionally and eat lunch with your child. Unless we have possession of a court document
that limits a possessory conservator’s (that is the parent who does not
ordinarily have custody of the student) access to their child while at school,
we will permit either parent to eat lunch with their children at school.
Student
Success Initiative
Students enrolled in
third grade must meet testing requirements of
The Student Success
Initiative has expanded to Fifth Grade.
Students must pass the
Immunizations
House Bill 2292
includes an amendment allowing exemptions to immunization requirements for
reason of conscience, which included religious beliefs. Exemptions may be allowed ONLY if the parent
submits an official waiver from the Texas Department of State Health
Services. To request an Exemption for
Reasons of Conscience, submit a written request from the Texas Department of
State Health Services, Immunization Division,