These are our school policies as described in the student and parent handbook (2007-2008):
(Please note this is a work in progress and will be added to as I find the time. It may also change as School and District policies change)
The School Board recognizes that individual student attendance in school is an important aspect affecting the quality of instruction offered to individual students as well as the entire student population.
Parents of students btween the ages of 7 and 16 are expected to follow the provisions of Alaska State Law 14.30.010 to Section 14.30.050 which explains the compulsory attendance expectations. Site administrators, teachers and LSACs shall report non-compliance with the Law.
Each school in the District is expected to develop a specific tardy policy to reduce tardiness at its site. Tardiness is defined as a student not being in his/her assigned classroom or seat in that classroom at the beginning of the instructional period. A tardy becomes counted as 1/2 day unexcused absence after the tard exceeds 30 minutes.
Succesful educational advancement is enhanced by regular school attendance. The resposibility for regular attendance lies with each student and his/her parents or guardians. However, it is the obligation of the school to assist the student and parent to assure that regular school attendance to occur.
5.0.1 All absences, whether excused or unexcused, are considered absences: including, but not limited to: illness, trips, religious holidays, emergencies at home, death in family, medical appointments, out-of-school suspension. For those students whose families are engaged in commercial fishing when school begins in the fall, a prearranged absence not to exceed 15 days may be granted.
5.0.2 It is the belief of the School Board that family trips not be scheduled at a time when school is not in session. Should a family vacation require the student to miss more than 15 school days, assignments will not be given for the class or classes missed. For absences up to 15 days, the teachers will be required to provide assignments in each class including homework. The work must be comleted and returned to the teachers not later than one week after the students return to school. If a family wished to vacation for more than 15 school days, the parents would be encouraged to enroll the student in a District in the area of the vacation.
5.0.3 A student who has not been in attendance in the District for 20 days, during any reporting period (quarter), will not recieve a Snapshot. (added 7/03) A snapshot is the reporting tool that identifies the student's current level of progress.
5.0.4 When a student's absences exceed 10 days per semeser the Site Administrator shall, by written memo, indicate the number of absences and dates of absences and request the parent or guardian to improve their child's atendance at school.
5.0.5 WHen the student's absences exceed 15 days per semester the Site Administrator shall, by written memo, notify the parent and send a copy of the notice to the District Office. Upon receipt of this letter the District Office administrator shall within three days, and monthly thereafter, check and insure that the student is attending school. If continued violation occurs, the Administrator of Instruction shall, by written letter, request parental assistance to immediately improve school attendance. A copy of this letter will be sent to VPSO or nearest State Trooper's office requesting enforcement of the law.
5.0.6 Each Site Administrator shall notify the students of this policy at the beginning of the school year. Each student shall return to the school a copy of the Statement of Understanding from the Parent Student Handbook with parent signature noting the parent has read the District attendance expectations.
5.0.7 Students will provide a written excuse or telephone call from the parent or guaridan indicating the reason for each absence from school.
5.0.8 Students maintaining regular attendance and academic eligibility will be eligible to participate in competitive sports activities or other school-sponsored activities. No student will participate in a school activity or sport if absent from school the day the scheduled travel or activity.
5.0.9 Any student absent from school for a period of ten consecutive school days will be dropped from the attendance rolls of the school unless satisfactory arrangements are made with the site administration in advance.
5.1 Procedures for leaving school during the day:
Students will not leave school while it is i session, unless approves by the Site Administrator. If it is necessary to leave the school during the day, a student must present a note signed by a parent or guardian giving the reason for the request. These requests to leave school count as absences for the portion of the school day missed.
Each school and teacher in the District hsa the right to require a student to report for after school detention. Parents will be notified prior to a child being detained. Detention may be assigned to assist a child who has fallen behind in studies or to discipline a child who been a disruption at school.
The following specific examples of unacceptable behavior will servve as guidelines for those who administer the rules of discipline. These guidelines are nto binding to the extent that they rule out common sense and good judgement but are cited in an efort to achieve fairness and consistency.
Note: Where suspension is specified or recommened, In-House Supsension should be the first consideration. In-house suspension means that the student is required to report to a specified, supervised area where he/she has no interaction with other students or teachers. In one teacher schools, for example, the student could be secluded from peers for the specified time. The suspended student will nto participate in any class activities or interact in any way with the other students. The suspended student will have daily assignments given to him/her or to be otherwise occupied with academic activities. Parents notified as soon as possible.
In all cases, parents will be notified as soon as the Site Administrator has cause to believe that a studnet is guilty of any of the following unacceptable behaviors:
1. use and/or possesion of illegal drugs. (3 day minimum suspension. VPSO/State Troopers Notified. Expulsion may be recommended )
2. Use and/or possesion of alcohol. ( 3 day minimum suspension. VPSO/State Troopers Notified. Expulsion may be recommended )
3. Fighting or the physical abuse of another. (1 - 10 day suspension. VPSO/State Trooper may be notified.)
4. Possesion of dangerous or illegal weapons. (Expulsion based upon State and Federal Law.)
5. Harassment/physical attacks of teachers and/or staff members. {including verbal, sexual, racial harassment, physical attacks/threats, gestures, hazing and threatening words.} (1 - 10 days suspension. Parent notification and conference established as soon as possible following the incident. Superintendent, District Office Administrators or immediate supervisor notified. May be recommended for expulsin. Subject to arrest.)
6. Vandalism (Restitution, possible suspension and notice to VPSO/State Trooper.In cases of damage to District property, a complaint will be filed by the Site Adminstrator.)
7. Theft (Restitution, possible suspension and notice to VPSO/State Trooper.In cases of theft of District property, a complaint will be filed by the Site Adminstrator.)
8. Internet usage policy violation (Downloaded materials will be sent to parents. 1st offense= 1 - 3 days suspension. 2nd offense=3 - 5 days suspension. 3rd offense=5 - 10 days suspension. May be denied access to computers at any time.)
9. Use or pessesion of tobacco on school grounds ( 1st offense=1 - 3 days suspension. 2nd offense=3 - 5 days suspension.)
10. Profanity, obscenity or verbal assault {lewd, vulgar, improper, offensive or disrespectful words. students are to use discretion in their language. Propane and/or obscene language will not be tolerated.} ( 1st offense= 1 - 3 days suspension. 2nd offense=3 - 5 days suspension. 3rd offense= 5 - 10 days suspension.)
11. Defiance of school authority (1st offense= 1 - 3 days suspension. 2nd offense= 3 - 5 days suspension. Expulsion may be rcommended.)
12. Disruptive behavior in school (1 - 5 days suspension and/or restriction from school sponsored activities.)
13. Snowball/rock throwing (1st offense= 1 hour detention. 2nd offense= 2 hours detention. 3rd offense= 3 hours detention.)
14. False alarms {False alarms are illegal according to Alaska State Law} (1st offense= 1 - 5 days suspension, VPSO/State Trooper notified. 2nd offense= 5 - -10 days suspension, VPSO/State Trooper notified.)
[ A false alarm is defined in AS 11.56.800(3) as maing a false report or giving a false alarm that a fire or other incident dangerous to life or property and calling for an emergency repsonse has occured or is about to occur. The penalty: up to $5000.00 fine and up to a year in jail.
15. Violation of School Rules and Policies while a member of a School Sponsored Team and/or on any and all District Sponsored Actvities.
{students are to conduct themselves in accordance with school rules, policies and expectations that regulate student behavior at all times while on any and al District sponsored activities and District sponsored trips. The following penalties apply while a Member of a School Sponsored Team and/or any and all District Sponsored Activities.}
(Severity of infraction may require involvement of law enforcement agaency.
1st infraction:No student activity and travel for 45 school days from date of decision.
2nd infraction:No student activity and travel for 90 school days from date of decision.
3rd infraction:No student activity and travel for 1 school year (36 school weeks) from date of decision.
4th infraction:No student activity and travel for any student activities for remainder of student's LPSD school career.
16. Academic honesty {student cheating and/or plagarism is not acceptable and will not tolerated}
(1st infraction: Ineligible for student travel and extra curricular activies for 20 school days, will fail the assignment and require parent conference.
2nd infraction: Parent conference, failed assignment and ineligible for student travel and extra curricular activities for 45 school days.)
Penalties are cumulative. Infractions will acumulate during the student's entire high school career.
The District enforces a zero tolerance policy concerning alcohol, drugs and tobacco.Students will be transported back to site immediately after notification of the District Office and parents. Substance Abuse Programs are available through Bristol Bay Area Health Program. Please contact them for additional information.
Most special education students will be disciplined accordng to the District's policies and procedures except for the following reasons:
1) The Student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) calls for the modified disciplinary procedure and /or ;
2) The student's IEP team members hold a meeting and determines that the misconduct was related to the student's disabilty.
11.1 Weapons and Dangerous Instruments :
A. Students shall not possess or use weapons, dangerous instruments, or their replicas in school buildings, on school grounds or in district-provided transportation or at any school-related or school-sponsored activity away from school, unless written permission has been previously obtained from the Superintendent or designee specifically authorizing that possesion or use.
1. School employees may confiscate weapons or dangerous instruments on school grounds or at school-related or school-sponsored activities in order to maintain and to protect the welfare and safety of students, staff and public.
2. The District shall, by regulation, define the terms "weapon", and "dangerous instrument". The terms "weapon" and "Dangerous Instrument" are defined as a firearm as such term is defined in section 921 of Title 18, United States Code. The dfinition shall also include, to the extent they are not already included in the above definition, any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, air gun, spring gun, zip gun, bomb, or other explosive, poison, dangerous or dadly gas, slingshot, bludgeon, throwing star, brass knuckles, or artificial knuckles, any knife having a blade of greater than three inches, any knife the blades of which can be opend by a flick of a button or pressure on the handle, or any pocketknife where the blade is carried in an open or partially opened position.
3. The Superintendent shall immediately initiate proceedings to expel any student in violation of this policy. Expulsion shall be for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The Superintendent may modify any period of expulsion if he or she determines, on a case-by-case basis, that the public interest is served by a longer or shorter period of expulsion after considering all factors in aggravation and mitigation of the violation.
4. The Superintendent shall be responsible for reporting all violatons of this policy to the Board and
Continous and willfull refusal to perform school tasks, insubordination, disorderly, vicious, illegal or immoral conduct or persistent violation of rules are causes for suspension or expulsion. This includes violations of narcotics laws, use of alcoholic beverages, misuse of District vehicles, possesion or use of weapons or violations of any local, state or federal law.
Parents will be ntified of the suspension and will have complete jurisdiction of their child during the suspension. A suspended student will be permitted to return to school after the period of suspension foloowing a satisfactory interview with the student, parent and site administrators.
Students who have been suspended from school are not permitted on campus during school hours or to participate in or observe student activities during the period of suspension.Suspension from school as a penalty is used for various infractions of school rules. When a student is suspended the case may be referred to the Board of Education for and expulsion hearing. Parents and all other concerned parties will be informed in writing of the Board's hearing. When a student has been expelled by the Board they may be re-admitted only by the Board or in the manner prescribed by it.
Suspension from school as a penalty is used for various infractions of school rules. When a student is suspended his/her case may be referred to the Board of Education for an expulsion hearing. Parents and all other concerned parties will be informed in writing of the Board's hearing. When a stucent has been expelled by the Board, he/she may be re-admitted only by the board or in the manner prescribed by it.
14.0 Student Withdrawn from School :
Students who have been withdrawn from school are not permitted on campus during school hours or to participate in student activities.
15.0 Public Display of Affection :
Public displays of affection, such as kissing, necking, petting etc. on campus is regarded as innappropriate behavior. Students will be informed of inappropriate behavior. Parents will be notified.
Since most of our teachers are in class all day, it is important to reduce the number of calls to students or teachers while they are in class. Each site administrator shall advise parents of the times when calls may be made to the school.
17.0 Activity Travel/Student Release:
Due to safety and legal responsibilities, the district discourages parents/guardians from requesting a student release. In order for a student release to be granted the following conditions are required:
1. And official student release form must be recieved by Districy Office prior to student departure to planned activity.
2. Signatures of parents, Site Administrator and Activities Coordinator.
3. Release only to parent/guardian or an adult indicated on the student release form.
4. Student release will in no way interfere with full participation in activity.
5. Chaperone must have verification of the release.
18.0 Field Trips/Student Travel :
Field trips may be planned for groups of students throughout the year. These activities enhance our total educational program.
Student field trips and student travel sponsored by the school must be carefully planned. No student travel away from the local school site may be made without prior approval of the LSAC and District Office. Considerations must be made with regard to funding, timeliness and sufficient educational benefit prior to approval of any student travel.
No student(s) shall be taken on a field trip or other school-sponsored trip by boat, airplane or other water land or air conveyance except with the express permission of the School Board. The District Administrative Manual details procedures for submitting student travel requests for approval by the District School Board and District Office.
The Administrator/Head Teacher must submit a travel proposal to the Activities Coordinator 60 days prior to the proposed travel date.
note: All school rules, eligibility criteria, discipline, conduct rules, etc. apply during any student travel sponsored by the District.
All visitors must report to the office prior to going to other parts of the building. Loitering by unauthorized individuals will not be permitted.
Sincerely
Newhalen School teachers and staff.