My child and I have received a copy of the North Lamar High School Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct for 2007–2008. I understand that the handbook contains information that my child and I may need during the school year and that all students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Code.

Printed name of student:

Signature of student:

Signature of parent:

Date:

Phone Number ________________________________________________

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.

Directory information identified only for limited school-sponsored purposes remains otherwise confidential and will not be released to the public without the consent of the parent or eligible student.

I, parent of ______________________________ (student’s name), (do give) (do not give) the district permission to use the information in the above list for the specified school-sponsored purposes.

Parent signature Date

Dear Parent:

The district is required by federal law to notify you and obtain your consent for or denial of (opt-out) for your child’s participation in certain school activities. The activities include any student survey, analysis, or evaluation, known as "protected information survey" that concerns one or more of the following eight areas:

This notice and consent/opt-out requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure, or use of student information for marketing purposes ("marketing surveys"), and to certain physical exams and screenings.

Following are activities requiring parental notice and consent or opt-out for the 2007–2008 school year. Please note that this notice and authority to consent transfer from the parent to the student when the student reaches 18 or is an emancipated minor under state law.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: On or about October 15-26, 2007 (Red Ribbon Week)

Grades: 9-12

Activity: Safe & Drug Free Schools Safety Survey

Summary: This is an anonymous survey that asks students questions about safety on campus and the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

Student Name: ____________________________

Please sign and return this consent form no later than September 10, 2007, if you would permit your child to participate in this survey.

______________________________

Parent’s signature

If you wish to review any survey instrument or instructional material used in connection with any protected information survey, please submit a request to Paul Allen, Principal. The principal will notify you of the time and place where you may review these materials. You have the right to review a survey and/or instructional materials before the survey is administered to a student.

4. Permission to Display Form………………………………………………………….

5. Technology/Electronic Communications Acceptable Use Form…………………….

SECTION I: REQUIRED NOTICES AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS *

SECTION II: INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS *

COLLEGE VISITS……………………………………………………………………*

Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)……………………………...21

Expulsion……………………………………………...……………………………22

Public Display of Affection………………………………………………………...23

COURSES TAKEN AT MIDDLE SCHOOL…………………………………...........*

HOMEWORK………………………………………………………………………....36

GLOSSARY *

To Students and Parents:

Welcome to school year 2007–2008! Education is a team effort, and we know that students, parents, teachers, and other staff members all working together can make this a wonderfully successful year for our students.

The North Lamar High School Student Handbook is designed to provide a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will need during the school year. In an effort to make it easier to use, the handbook is divided into two sections:

Section I—REQUIRED NOTICES AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS—with notices that the district must provide to all parents, as well as other information to assist you in responding to school-related issues. We encourage you to take some time to closely review this section of the handbook; and

Section II—INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS —organized alphabetically by topic for quick access when searching for information on a specific issue.

Please be aware that the term "the student’s parent" is used to refer to the parent, legal guardian, or any other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student.

Both students and parents should become familiar with the North Lamar Independent School District’s Student Code of Conduct, which is a document adopted by the board and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. That document may be found as a separate document sent home to parents and available in the principal’s office.

The student handbook is designed to be in harmony with board policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy or other rules that affect student handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications.

In case of conflict between board policy or the Student Code of Conduct and any provisions of the student handbook, the provisions of board policy or the Student Code of Conduct that were most recently adopted by the board are to be followed.

After reading through the entire handbook with your child, keep it as a reference during this school year. If you or your child has questions about any of the material in this handbook, please contact a teacher, the counselor, or the principal.

Also, please complete and return to your child’s campus the following required forms: Parental Acknowledgment Form and Technology Agreement Forms.

Please note that references to policy codes are included so that parents can refer to current board policy. A copy of the district’s policy manual is available for review in the school office or online at www. northlamar.net.

This section of the North Lamar 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.

In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, North Lamar ISD 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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

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 non-custodial 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:

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, contact Tammie Bates at 903/737-2011.

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 Phyllis Lucas at 903/737-2031.

If a student is receiving special education services at a campus outside his or her attendance zone, the parent or guardian may request that any other student residing in the household be transferred to the same campus, if the appropriate grade level for the transferring student is offered on that campus. [See policy FDB(LOCAL).]

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:

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 custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The 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 records requested 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 3201 Lewis Lane, Paris, Texas 75460.

The address of the principal’s office is:

295 Stone Avenue, Paris, Texas 75460.

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).

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 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 this handbook.

The district often needs to use student information for the following school-sponsored purposes: Project Graduation and the Junior/ Senior Prom.

For these specific school-sponsored purposes, the district would like to use your child’s name, address and phone number. 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 attached for you to complete if you do not want the district to provide this information to military recruiters or institutions of higher education.

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 records is available from the principal’s or superintendent’s office or on the district’s web site at www.northlamar.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:

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 Paul Allen at 903/737-2025.

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 18^th 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.

State law requires attendance in an accelerated reading instruction program when kindergarten, first grade, or second grade students are assigned to such a program. Parents will be notified in writing if their child is assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program as a result of the reading diagnosis test.

School employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent 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:

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 fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered 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.

In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committee will use the following guidelines:

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.

In order for an absence to be counted as a "Medical", a student is required to be in attendance for a portion of the school day. The student must turn in a legitimate doctor’s note within three days of the absence. If the student’s doctor advises the student to have bed rest for a specified number of days, the absence will be considered excused but will not count as a "Medical."

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 North Lamar High School office.

The school counselor provides students and parents the information regarding academic programs to prepare for higher education and career choices.

A student must apply for permission to add or drop a course from the counselor. Another course must be added to replace a course that is dropped. Courses will not be dropped after the first four weeks of any semester. Schedules will not be changed after this time except for teacher recommendation or principal approval.

The district offers career and technology programs in Agriculture Science, Technology Education, Trade and Industrial Education, Family and Consumer Science Technology, Business and Marketing Education, and Health Science Technology. Admission to these programs is based on age and level.

North Lamar Independent School District will take steps to ensure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.

PURPOSE

North Lamar ISD provides a class rank policy that supports the District’s goal of increasing the percentage of students completing Advanced Placement courses and preparing for college or a career. The policy will be inherently fair to all students.

Effective Date

Effective for all students entering the ninth grade in school year 2005-2006, the valedictorian and salutatorian shall be eligible students with the highest and second highest ranking as determined by the district’s class ranking procedure described in this policy and who complete the Recommended or the Distinguished Achievement Program.

To be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian honors, a student shall have been continuously enrolled in the District for the entire two years preceding graduation and must have completed the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program for graduation.

The honor of valedictorian shall be given to the senior student making the highest GPA among the honor graduates.

The honor of salutatorian shall be given to the student making the next highest GPA among the honor graduates.

TIES

In case of a tie, the valedictorian and salutatorian shall be chosen according to the following criteria:

1. Computing the weighted grade average to a sufficient number of decimal places until the tie is broken.

2. If the tie is unable to be broken in the above manner, then the student with the most AP courses shall be considered first.

3. If the tie remains, the student with the highest numerical grade average of all AP courses taken shall be the valedictorian or salutatorian.

Honor Graduates for the class of 2008 at North Lamar ISD will be determined by the following;

The student must have been enrolled at North Lamar High School for the entirely of his or her junior and senior years.

The student must have taken and passed all classes required by the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program.

The cumulative grade point average must rank in the top ten percent of that year’s graduating class.

The cumulative grade point average and rank shall be determined by the semester grades (4^th and 5^th cycle grades of classes being taken during the 2^nd semester of the senior year) acquired in the following courses:

English 1-Regular or Pre-AP

English 2-Regular or Pre-AP

English 3-Regular or Advanced Placement

English 4-Regular, Advanced Placement, or Dual Credit

Chemistry- Regular or Pre-AP

Biology- Regular or Pre-AP

United States History- Regular, Advanced Placement, or Dual Credit

Economics- Regular or Advanced Placement

United States Government- Regular or Advanced Placement

World Geography- Regular or Pre-AP

** World History- Regular or Pre-AP

Algebra I

Algebra 2- Regular or Pre-AP

Geometry- Regular or Pre-AP

Spanish 1, 2 or French 1, 2

**Notice that Introduction to Physics and Chemistry (IPC) and Introduction to Physics and Chemistry Pre-AP (Pre-AP IPC) do not count toward determining Honor Graduates. Also only classes taken at the North Lamar High School campus will count toward determining Honor Graduates.

In addition to the courses listed, semester grades from four of the following courses with the highest average will be used to determine the honor graduate cumulative grade point average course.

Chemistry AP Statistics AP

Biology AP Anatomy and Physiology Spanish 3, 4

Biology Dual Credit Calculus AP French 3, 4

Physics Pre-AP Pre Calculus Pre-Calculus Pre-AP

Business Computer Information Systems 2

Requirements for becoming a Texas Scholar are as follows:

English I, II, III, IV

Math - 4 Credits

Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th Math at a level above Algebra II

Science-4 Credits

Three credits chosen from the following areas. Not more than one credit can be chosen from each area:

Integrated Physics & Chemistry

Chemistry I, Chemistry AP

Biology I, Biology AP, Biology Dual Credit

Physics

Anatomy & Physiology Environmental Science AP

Chemistry AP Biology AP Physics

Social Studies-4 Credits

World Geography US History

World History US Government/Economics

Languages Other Than English-2 Credits (Same Language)

Physical Education Proficiency-1.5 Credits

Health-.5 Credit

Technology Applications-l Credit (From State Approved Courses)

Fine Arts-l Credit

Speech- .5 Credit (must be Communication Applications)

Numerical Grade Regular Advanced, Dual Credit Pre-AP, AP

(See Dual Credit)

100 5.0 6.0 7.0

99 4.9 5.9 6.9

98 4.8 5.8 6.8

97 4.7 5.7 6.7

96 4.6 5.6 6.6

95 4.5 5.5 6.5

94 4.4 5.4 6.4

93 4.3 5.3 6.3

92 4.2 5.2 6.2

91 4.1 5.1 6.1

90 4.0 5.0 6.0

89 3.9 4.9 5.9

88 3.8 4.8 5.8

87 3.7 4.7 5.7

86 3.6 4.6 5.6

85 3.5 4.5 5.5

84 3.4 4.4 5.4

83 3.3 4.3 5.3

82 3.2 4.2 5.2

81 3.1 4.1 5.1

80 3.0 4.0 5.0

79 2.9 3.9 4.9

78 2.8 3.8 4.8

77 2.7 3.7 4.7

76 2.6 3.6 4.6

75 2.5 3.5 4.5

74 2.4 3.4 4.4

73 2.3 3.3 4.3

72 2.2 3.2 4.2

71 2.1 3.1 4.1

70 2.0 3.0 4.0

For two school years following their graduation, district graduates who rank in the top ten percent of their graduating class are eligible for automatic admission into four-year public universities and colleges in Texas. Students and parents should contact the counselor at 903/737-2011 for further information about the application process and deadlines.

[For further information, see policies at EIC.]

Freshman and sophomores must be enrolled in 8 courses, 4 each day.

Junior/Senior Co-Op Students: Minimum of 2 periods per day (consecutive periods, no teacher assistant) Students must have a minimum of 6 credits.

Senior Students: Must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 periods per day. No gaps in schedule. The classes must be consecutive (1,2,3,4). Minimum of 6 credits.

Dual Credit Local Policy

Students choosing to take dual credit courses off campus, including correspondence courses, must be enrolled as full-time students at North Lamar High School. Any student choosing to register for dual credit courses off campus must have prior written permission from the North Lamar High School principal. Only two off-campus dual credit courses will count toward graduation. Dual credit courses taken off campus will not receive grade points. Any variation in this policy would be a district administrative decision. Beginning with the 2004-2005 freshmen class, AP and Pre-AP courses will receive honors grades points and dual credit courses will receive advanced grade points.

Juniors and seniors should see Ms. Peel to schedule a college visit and obtain the required documents.

Junior Year 2 days

Senior Year 2 days

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.northlamar.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 an 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.]

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, whether on or off school grounds, in conjunction with classes and school-sponsored activities.

Plagiarism is the use of another person's original ideas as one's without giving credit to the true author. Plagiarism will be considered cheating and the student will be subject to academic disciplinary action that may include loss of credit for the work in question. Teachers who have reason to believe a student has engaged in cheating or academic dishonesty will determine the academic penalty to be assessed. Students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties as well as academic penalties.

North Lamar High School is operated as a closed campus. This means that a student may not leave campus once he/she has arrived unless he/she has received written authorization through the principal's office and has signed out according to established procedure.

EXCEPTION: During final exams on the last two days of each semester, North Lamar High School will have an open campus.

SMOKING .

Students may not smoke, use tobacco products, or possess tobacco products on school property or at any school related or school sanctioned activity, on or off school property. This is an In-School Suspension Offense.

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.

As identified by law, disruptions include the following:

Radios, CD Players, Other Electronic Devices and Games, and Cell Phones

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.

For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess cell phones that do not have camera or text messaging capabilities; however, cell phones must not be used or be visible at any time during the student’s presence at school until after 3:20 p.m. 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.

Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and may include confiscation of the device. The school may charge the owner for the release of certain telecommunications devices [See policy FNCE.]

Students may not use, display, or have in operational mode, any type of cellular telephone, paging device, or telecommunications device at school during the school day. 

The following consequences will occur:

1^st Offense- $15.00 fine. Parent will have to pick the phone up. Student conference with principal. 

2^nd Offense-$15.00 fine. Parent will have to pick the phone up. Student conference with principal. 

3^rd Offense-$15.00 fine. Parent will have to pick the phone up. Student will have a choice of corporal punishment or after school detention. 

4^th Offense-$15.00 fine. Parent will have to pick the phone up. Student will be assigned ISS (1-3 days). 

5^th Offense-$15.00 fine. Parent will have to pick the phone up. Student will be assigned ISS (3-5 days). 

6^th Offense-$15.00 fine. Parent will have to pick the phone up. Student will be assigned DAEP.

Any offense occurring after the 6^th offense will result in DAEP assignment.

Students that have a third offense with this policy will not be exempt from any of their Semester Exams.

School rules apply to all 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.

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.

[For further information, see College Courses and policies at EEJC.]

Students and their parents are encouraged to talk with a school counselor, teacher, or principal to learn more about course offerings, graduation requirements, and early graduation procedures. Each spring, students in grades 8 through 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 counselor 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 counselor 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 counselor is available to assist students with a wide range of personal concerns, including such areas as social, family, or emotional issues, or substance abuse. The counselor may also make available information about community resources to address these concerns. A student who wishes to meet with the counselor should contact Ms.Peel or Ms Moffitt.

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).]

CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Taken the Course

A student who has previously taken a course or subject—but did not receive credit for it—may, in circumstances determined by the teacher, counselor, 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, home schooling, correspondence courses, or independent study supervised by a teacher.

The counselor 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.

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 counselor 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:

Dates Scheduled:

June 3, 2008

June 4, 2008

June 5, 2008

August 5, 2008

August 6, 2008

August 7, 2008

A 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 not 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).]

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 and the yearbook are available to students.

All school publications are under the supervision of a teacher, sponsor, and the principal.

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.

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:

All nonschool materials distributed under these circumstances must be removed from district property immediately following the event at which the materials are distributed.

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:

Please note: Sponsors of student clubs and performing groups such as the band, choir, and drill 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.]

Elections for class officers are held each year. All students are given the opportunity to run for office and participate in the election process.

BETA CLUB: The Beta Club is a national honor organization which has as its main purpose the recognition of students for their scholastic achievement. The Beta Club is open to all students, grades 9 through 12 with a 4.0 or better grade point average. Beta Club members of the graduating class will wear gold cords over their robes.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY: The National Honor Society is a national honor organization which recognizes those Junior and Senior students who have a cumulative grade point average of 5.0 and meet criteria of scholarship, character, services, and leadership. Membership is by invitation only.

STUDENT COUNCIL: The Student Council was established to promote active and effective leadership among the students, to encourage better school spirit, and to foster ideas of democracy and citizenship. The council sponsors dances, assemblies and other events through the year to provide wholesome entertainment for students. The council is composed of officers elected by the student body, and representatives from each class and from each organization.

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:

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.]

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. Except as approved by the Superintendent, fund-raising is not permitted on school property. [For further information, see policies at FJ and GE.]

GRADE CLASSIFICATION

After the ninth grade, students are classified according to the number of credits earned toward graduation.

GRADUATION

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 counselor or appropriate administrator. [See policy EIF(LEGAL).]

Students who entered the ninth grade during the 2004–2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007, school year must meet the following credit requirements for graduation:

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:

Please be aware that not all courses are offered at every secondary campus in the district. A student who wants to take a course not offered at his or her regular campus should contact the counselor about a transfer or other alternatives. If the parents of at least 22 students request a transfer for those students to take a course in the required curriculum other than fine arts or career and technology, the district will offer the course for the following year either by teleconference or at the school from which the transfers were requested.

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).

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 invitations, 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.

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 at www.northlamar.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.

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.

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 two meetings. Additional information regarding the district’s School Health Advisory Council is available from the Superintendent’s office

.. [See also policies at BDF and EHAA.]

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.]

For more information on services for homeless students, contact the district’s Liaison for Homeless Children and Youths, Missy Merritt, at 903/737-7970.

Homework is an extension of the learning that takes place in the classroom. A student who does not turn in the assigned homework within the time allotted by the teacher may receive a grade of zero for the assignment.

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.]

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:

State law requires the district to permit a student to be taken into legal 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:

[For further information, see policy GRA(LEGAL).]

A student must be permitted to make up test and turn in projects due in any class missed because of an excused absence. An unexcused absence may result in a "0" being recorded for any work due on that day of the absence. For an excused absence, one class day per absence will be permitted to turn in the necessary make up work. Secondary teachers may assign a late penalty to any project in accordance with times lines approved by the principal and previously communicated to students.

For any class missed, the teacher may assign the student make-up 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 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).]

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 who has no absences, with the exception of an "E" day or a medical absence, will have his or her highest test grade doubled for that particular six weeks.

State law and Board policy permit certain absences, including: