2003-2004
707 S. CURTIS
(918) 788-3222
Table of
Contents
INTRODUCTION
To
The Students ----------------------------------------------------------- 4
Administration & Board Members
-------------------------------------- 4
Useful Telephone Numbers
---------------------------------------------- 5
ATTENDANCE
Attendance
----------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Excused,
Unexcused Absences ----------------------------------------- 5
Makeup
Work ------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Activity
Absences -------------------------------------------------------- 6
Tardies
--------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Admits
--------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Signing
Out/In ------------------------------------------------------------ 6
Student Rights and Responsibilities
----------------------------------- 7
Grading Practices
-------------------------------------------------------- 7
Gifted Education
--------------------------------------------------------- 8
Enrollment
---------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Concurrent Enrollment
-------------------------------------------------- 8
Correspondence Credit
-------------------------------------------------- 9
Classification ------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Top
Scholars ------------------------------------------------------------- 9
State Honor Society
------------------------------------------------------ 9
Honor Roll ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Retention
------------------------------------------------------------------ 10
Graduation Requirements
----------------------------------------------- 10
Homework
---------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Homework Philosophy
-------------------------------------------------- 11
Student Admission
------------------------------------------------------- 11
Student Residency ------------------------------------------------------- 11
Child Screening
---------------------------------------------------------- 11-1
FERPA--------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-13
No
Child Left Behind --------------------------------------------------- 14
Prayer
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Reading
Sufficiency ----------------------------------------------------- 14-15
Norm
Referenced Testing ---------------------------------------------- 15
Criterion Referenced Testing
------------------------------------------ 15
Proficiency
Testing ------------------------------------------------------ 15
Withdrawal
and Dropping Out ------------------------------------------ 16
Student Discipline
-------------------------------------------------------- 16-17
Classroom
Rules ---------------------------------------------------------- 17
Suspension
of Students -------------------------------------------------- 17
Dress
Code ---------------------------------------------------------------- 18
Playground,
Lunchroom Expectations -------------------------------- 18-19
Elementary
Discipline --------------------------------------------------- 19-20
Hazing
--------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
Harassment
---------------------------------------------------------------- 20
Drug
Free Schools -------------------------------------------------------- 20
Weapon
Free Schools ---------------------------------------------------- 20
Search
of Students -------------------------------------------------------- 21
Drugs,
Alcohol, Contraband Searches --------------------------------- 21
Wireless
Telecommunications Devices ------------------------------- 21
Distracting
Devices ------------------------------------------------------ 21
Self
Defense Chemicals ------------------------------------------------- 21
Truancy
-------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
Gang
Activity ------------------------------------------------------------- 22
Sexual
Harassment ------------------------------------------------------- 22
Immunization
------------------------------------------------------------ 23
School Bus Program ---------------------------------------------------- 23
Work
Release.------------------------------------------------------------ 24
Student Records
--------------------------------------------------------- 24
Eligibility for Student Activities -------------------------------------- 24
Student Physicals
-------------------------------------------------------- 25
Extracurricular Activity Transportation
------------------------------ 25
Student Publications
------------------------------------------------------ 25
Medications
--------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Exclusion of Students From School
----------------------------------- 25
Process for Lodging a Complaint
-------------------------------------- 26
Crisis Management ------------------------------------------------------ 26
School Cancellation
----------------------------------------------------- 26
Asbestos Policy
---------------------------------------------------------- 26
Student Fees, Fines, and Charges -------------------------------------- 27
Student Lockers
---------------------------------------------------------- 27
Lunch Break
------------------------------------------------------------- 27
Lunch Payments
------------------------------------------------------------- 27
Student Driving and Parking
-------------------------------------------- 27
Telephone Usage
--------------------------------------------------------- 28
Food and Drinks in the Classroom
------------------------------------ 28
Vending Machine Usage
------------------------------------------------ 28
Wildcat Action Line
----------------------------------------------------- 28
Welch JH/HS
Breakfast and Lunch Fees ---------------------------------------------- 28
Class Changes
------------------------------------------------------------ 29
Internet Usage
------------------------------------------------------------ 29
Class Organization ------------------------------------------------------ 29
Student Insurance
-------------------------------------------------------- 29
Library Policies
----------------------------------------------------------- 29
Textbooks
----------------------------------------------------------------- 29
Visitors to School
-------------------------------------------------------- 29
Unauthorized Persons at School
--------------------------------------- 29
Use of School
Facilities------------------------------------------------- 29
Equal Opportunities Policy Notification
------------------------------ 30
Guidance and Counseling
Program------------------------------------ 30-31
Internet Terms and
Conditions------------------------------------------ 31-32
The Welch Public School
District Student Handbook has been published in order to inform students and
parents about district policies and procedures.
Questions about the handbook should be directed to the elementary school
office at 788-3130 or the secondary school office at 788-3222. Copies, of the actual Welch Public Schools
Policy Manual, are available for review at the elementary and secondary school
sites upon request.
Through the cooperative
commitment of the family, community, and school, students will become
knowledgeable, ethical, and successful contributors to society.
This handbook will serve as a
guide to policies, regulations, and information important to your academic
endeavors. Familiarizing yourself with
the contents of this handbook will enable you to proceed successfully as you
continue through your junior high and high school careers. The faculty and administration encourage you
to meet the challenges life presents you with vigor and determination. Always pursue knowledge, for an investment in
knowledge pays the best interest.
ADMINISTRATION BOARD
OF EDUCATION
Dr. R. Clark McKeon Dennis McCord
Superintendent President
Noah Francis Steve Harris
Principal Vice
President
Cathey Forrest
Clerk
Brad
Mount
Member
George
Moore
Member
Superintendent 788-3319
JH/HS
Principal 788-3222
Elementary
Principal 788-3130
Counselor 788-3602
Bus Barn 788-3123
Gym or Field House 788-3218
Math or Art Classrooms 788-3125
Voc Business Classroom 788-3126
Library 788-3397
Voc Agriculture Classroom 788-3476
Tech Ed Classroom 788-3426
Home Ec Classroom or Teacher Lounge 788-3124
English or Special Ed Classrooms 788-3505
Cafeteria 788-3122
School attendance is
compulsory until the student reaches the age of 16. One year of attendance will be equivalent to
36 five-day weeks or 180 days with five used for professional meetings. Students are required to be in attendance a
minimum of 90% each semester to receive credit for any course in which the
student is enrolled. If a student
accumulates more than nine absences in any class during a semester grading
period, the student will fail that course for the semester. In considering days missed, all absences
(excused and unexcused) will be counted except Activity Absences. In cases where the absence limit has been
exceeded, the principal may recommend that the board waive properly documented
absences so that the student will not fail due to irregular attendance. Proper documentation of absences refers to
written proof of doctor/dentist appointments, hospital stays, extended illness,
court dates, or other excused absences.
Notes from parents/guardians will excuse absences but will not be
considered proper documentation.
Students will be referred to the district attorney when excessive
absences are accumulated.
Excused,
Unexcused Absences
When a student is absent from
school, the parent/guardian will call the school or send a note within
twenty-four hours for the absences to be considered as excused. No notification will result in an unexcused
absence. Excused absences will be
granted for the following reasons:
(1) Personal or family illness;
(2) Medical appointments;
(3) Legal matters;
(4) Extenuating circumstances deemed necessary by the
principal;
(5) Observance of religious holidays;
(6) Driver’s license exam (2 days maximum); and
(7) College visitation (1 day maximum, seniors only by
arrangement).
Unexcused absences include
school time missed as a result of sleeping late, repeated car trouble,
vacations, day trips, working outside of school, out of school suspension, not
being prepared for class, or being taken out of class by the parent for an
invalid reason.
Any student who has ten (10)
days of consecutive unexcused absences will be dropped from the membership
rolls of the school and be reported to the State Department of Education.
Collecting and turning in
makeup assignments is the responsibility of the student. Upon return to school, the student has as
many days to makeup work as days missed.
If turned in by the allotted time, assignments can be made up at 100% (for
excused absences) or 75% (for unexcused absences) of total points scored on the
assignment.
Activity
Absences
The student will be allowed to
be absent from the classroom for a maximum of ten days per semester to
participate in school-sponsored activities.
The student will complete an Activity Sign Out Sheet (see example in
Appendix) and submit it to the activity sponsor the afternoon prior to leaving
on the activity. The sign out sheet will
be initialed by each of the student’s teachers indicating that the student has
completed the work to be missed or has made proper arrangements. The sign out sheets will be collected by the
activity sponsor and turned into the office prior to leaving on the activity. No student will be allowed to leave on an
activity without turning in a completed sign out sheet.
Absences for the following
reasons will not be counted against the 10-absence limit:
(1) Participation in school sponsored state/national level
contests by which the student earns the right to compete;
(2) Any activity held on campus sanctioned by the
principal;
(3) Serving as Page in the Legislature;
(4) On campus visits by college representatives/vocational
representatives;
(5) College entrance exams;
(6) Field trips in conjunction with a unit being taught in
a particular class;
(7) Students excused to make appearances before local civic
groups; and
(8) Grade level field trips to area vo-tech schools.
In order to compete in
competitive sports or any extra curricular activity, the student is required to
be in attendance a full seven period day the day of the activity or event. Excused absences approved by the
administration may be considered for exemption to this requirement.
Tardies
A student who is less than
fifteen minutes late to class is tardy.
After fifteen minutes, the tardy becomes an absence. Tardies will be excused for legitimate
reasons only. Each time a third
unexcused tardy is accumulated in any one class period, that tardy becomes an
unexcused absence.
Teachers will require a signed
admit slip from students entering class tardy or following an absence. Admit slips for an absence should be obtained
from the office prior to the beginning of school, on the morning of return. Students will not be admitted to class
without an admit slip. If the student
must leave during class to get an admit slip, the student will be given an
unexcused tardy.
On those occasions where
illness or other valid reason necessitates a student leaving the building,
school officials will attempt to contact the parents. Students may then be released to the parent
or other designated adult. Parents,
legal guardian, or designated adult will be required to sign the student out on
the check-out sheet in the office. Older
siblings or family members will be allowed to check the student out only with
prior written notification from parents.
If someone other than the parent or family member will be picking up the
student, the parent must contact the school in writing or by phone. Under no circumstances will a student be
allowed to go home on their own.
Students who come to school
during the school day, after the first period bell rings, are required to check
in at the office, upon their arrival.
Students are required to sign out any time they leave campus during the
school day. Students will not be allowed
to sign out until the office receives written or verbal permission for the
student to do so from that student’s parent or guardian. Parents may also come to school in person and
sign their child out. Students may not
sign themselves out. Common reasons for
signing out include going to a doctor appointment, dentist appointment,
orthodontist appointment, and etc.
Students who leave school without receiving parental approval and
singing out will be considered truant and disciplined accordingly.
All students have the same
civil rights. These rights are limited
by the capacity of each student to discharge the particular responsibilities
necessarily linked to each right. These
student rights and responsibilities listed here in no way limit the authority
of school officials to deal with disruptive students.
Student Rights
1.
Students have the
right to expect that attending school will be productive.
2.
Rules and
regulations should be common knowledge to every student.
3.
Students have the
right to compete for student office and to vote in student elections.
4.
Students have the
right to expect that materials presented in courses be relevant and appropriate
to the maturity level and intellectual ability of the student and that various
views related to topics and materials will be presented or introduced.
5.
Students will be
permitted to use school facilities for approved extracurricular activities with
proper faculty supervision and should be encouraged to participate in clubs,
recreational events, and other related activities.
6.
Students have a
right to an education and quality educational opportunity. Punishments that
deprive students of this right will be used only in extreme cases. Punishments will be reasonable, consistent,
fair, and resorted to only when students violate school rules.
Student Responsibilities
1.
Students will
attend school daily (except when ill), attend all classes, and be on time to
class.
2.
Students will come
to class prepared with proper materials such as textbooks, paper, writing
utensils, and etc.
3.
Students will be
aware of all rules and regulations defining student behavior. Students will conduct themselves according to
these guidelines.
4.
Students should be
willing to volunteer information in disciplinary cases if they have related
knowledge.
5.
Students should
willingly and dutifully serve that segment of the student body that they
represent.
6.
Students will make
sure that no individual group is allowed to monopolize class time. The dignity of all should be respected and no
one should be allowed to abuse others. Freedom can only be exercised as long as
it does not interfere with the educational process of others.
7.
Students will be
responsible for their own education after returning to school following an
absence by keeping up with missed work.
8.
Students should
develop the best school record of which they are capable.
9.
Students will
maintain a clean and pleasant atmosphere in the building and on the grounds.
10. Students will follow the directions of teachers,
administrators, and other responsible school officials.
The grading scale for all
classes in the
98 – 100% A+ Excellent
94 – 97% A
90 – 93% A-
87 – 89% B+ Above Average
84 – 86% B
80 – 83% B-
77 – 79% C+ Average
74 – 76% C
70 – 73% C-
67 – 69% D+ Below Average
64 – 66% D
60 – 63% D-
0 – 59% F Failing
*In addition to the above
grading scale, some elementary courses (band, art, spanish, and athletics) and
grade levels (pre-school, kindergarten) utilize the S (satisfactory) or U
(unsatisfactory) grading system.
**Students must score a
minimum of 60% in order to pass a course for the semester and avoid possible
retention or repetition of a required course for graduation credit. Report cards are distributed at the end of
each nine-week period. Semester grades
are recorded on a student’s permanent record.
Weekly progress reports are mailed to parents or guardians of students
who are failing or near failure beginning with the third week of each grading
period.
A grade mark of “I”
(incomplete) will be assigned when the student fails to complete all
requirements of a particular course. If
these requirements are not completed by the end of the next nine-week grading
period, the “I” will be changed to an “F”.
An important goal of Welch
Public Schools is to identify and provide appropriate educational experiences
for those students who exhibit evidence of high performance capability in areas
such as intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership, or specific subject area
ability. It is recognized that these
students require additional learning opportunities and experiences to fully
develop their capabilities.
The site committee on gifted
educational programming coordinates identification of gifted students and
implements the gifted education program.
Identification of gifted students is nondiscriminatory and based upon a
nomination process. Students nominated
are evaluated using testing and non-testing methods. Placement decisions are based upon multiple criteria
including a score in the top 3% on a nationally standardized test, referral,
student products, student performance checklists, or other relevant
information. Gifted education includes
multiple programming options and curriculum differentiated in breadth, depth,
and pace. The secondary gifted program
includes individualized instruction, proficiency based promotion, enriched
classes, independent study, continuous progress, cluster groups, instructional
groups, cross grade groups, curriculum compacting, dual enrollment,
correspondence courses, concurrent enrollment, advanced placement courses, and
content enrichment.
Student enrollment will be
held in the month of May for the following school year. Students are expected to sign up for the next
year’s classes at that time. An
additional opportunity to enroll will be announced in the newspaper and occur
approximately one to two weeks before the start of the school year.
All students will enroll in a
full schedule. Exceptions will be made
for high school students enrolling in the
Concurrent Enrollment offers
the high school student the opportunity to earn college credits before
graduating from high school. A twelfth
grade student enrolled in an accredited high school may be admitted
provisionally to a college or university in the Oklahoma State System of Higher
Education as a special student upon meeting and satisfying the requirements as
set forth in this section.
1.
If the student has
achieved a composite American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test
(SAT) score using
(A)
Comprehensive
Universities – ACT/SAT 75th percentile;
(B)
Regional
Universities – ACT/SAT 62nd percentile; and
(C)
Two Year Colleges
– ACT/SAT 46th percentile.
2.
The student must
be eligible to satisfy requirements for graduation from high school (including
curricular requirements for college admission) no later than spring semester of
the senior year.
An eleventh grade student
enrolled in an accredited high school may be admitted provisionally to a
college or university in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education as a
special student upon meeting the requirements of this section.
v
If the student has
achieved a composite score which places him/her at or above the 90th
percentile on the ACT using Oklahoma norms.
v
If the student’s
combined verbal and mathematical score on the SAT places him/her at or above
the 90th percentile using national norms.
v
If the student’s
composite ACT/SAT is not at the 90th percentile, but the student’s
sub score is at the 90th percentile he/she may enroll in coursework
in the discipline with the required score providing the student does not have a
curricular deficiency in the subject area.
A high school student admitted
under the provisions of this section may enroll in a combined number of high
school and college courses per semester not to exceed a full time college
workload of 19 semester credit hours.
For purposes of calculating workload, one half high school unit shall be
equivalent to three semester credit hours of college work. High school students enrolling concurrently
in off campus classes may only enroll in liberal arts and science courses.
Concurrently admitted high
school students will not be allowed to enroll in any zero level courses offered
designed to remove high school deficiencies.
A high school student
concurrently enrolled may continue concurrent enrollment in subsequent
semesters if he/she achieves a college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or
above on a 4.0 scale.
Credit for college courses may
not be used to meet state mandated core curriculum requirements. Electives and coursework above the state
mandated core curriculum taken at the college level may be counted towards
meeting the minimum graduation requirements.
Students may take
correspondence courses according to the following qualifications:
(1) The student must have administrative approval prior to
taking the class;
(2) The student must take the course from an accredited
institution of higher learning in
(3) The student will not be permitted to take by
correspondence any high school course that is offered in the local high school,
unless there is a scheduling conflict;
(4) Students are eligible to take correspondence courses
during their junior and senior years; and
(5) Total correspondence and residence credits earned shall
not exceed seven units during any one school year.
Students who are registered as
regular high school students are classified as follows:
(1) Freshmen (completed
0 – 6 units of credit);
(2) Sophomore (completed
7 –12 units of credit);
(3) Junior (completed
13 – 18 units of credit); and
(4) Senior (completed
more than 18 units of credit).
Parent Teacher Conferences
will be held on a regular basis occurring at the midway point of each nine week
grading period. Conferences will be held
from
Seniors from each year’s
graduating class who hold a 4.0 GPA will be chosen as Top Scholars. Selection shall be based upon semester grades
from the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
(first semester only) grade years. If no
senior has a cumulative 4.0 GPA, the two senior students with the highest GPA’s
will be chosen as Top Scholars. Driver’s
Education will not be included in the calculation process. Only students who
have attended
The top student of each class,
grades 7-12, will be recognized at the end of each year. Selection will be based upon the highest GPA
in the four core subjects (math, science, language arts, and social studies)
for the entire year.
Students are eligible for
nomination into the State Honor Society based upon the following criteria: (1)
the student must be enrolled in at least the four core subject areas (math,
science, language arts, and social studies); and (2) the student must have a
GPA in the top 10% of the student body during the last semester of the
preceding year and the first semester of the current year.
Students will be recognized
for academic achievement at the end of each nine-week grading period. Students will be identified and classified
according to GPA and the following categories:
GPA of 3.75 – 4.0 Superintendent’s
Honor Roll
GPA of 3.5 – 3.74 Principal’s
Honor Roll
GPA of 3.0 – 3.49 Honorable
Mention
As used in this policy,
promotes means to pas a student who has successfully completed the requirements
for a particular grade into the next higher grade at the end of the school
year. Retain means to withhold a student from advancing into the next higher
grade at the end of the school year and to indicate on the student’s record
that he has not successfully completed such grade.
*Elementary Students- A
committee will be formed to carefully review the decisions regarding
retention. The committee will be
composed of a classroom teacher, a counselor, building principal, and
additional personnel who may be assigned when appropriate.
Strong supportive evidence
must be presented to the student and parent regarding retention. This evidence will be based on:
a.
Testing over
subject matter presented
b.
Assignments
related to subject matter
c.
Student level of
maturity
d.
The student’s
attendance record
In the event that the teacher,
school, or parent cannot reach an agreement regarding retention of a student,
the issue shall be brought to the principal.
He will render a decision that is in accordance to state statute and
Board of Education Policy.
**Secondary students- Students
shall be promoted or receive credit for a course of study if a grade average of
60% or above has been achieved on a semester basis. Students in grades 7 and 8 must achieve a
grade average of 60% or higher in three major courses of study to be promoted
to the next higher grade. The major
courses of study are math, science, language arts, reading, and social
studies. Students in grades 9 through 12
will not be retained, however, if a grade average of 60% is not achieved in a
course, that course will most likely have to be repeated in order to earn
legitimate credit for graduation.
Beginning with the graduates
of 2002 – 03 and thereafter, a minimum of twenty five (25) units of credit must
be earned for graduation from
English 4
units (Eng I, Eng II, Eng III, and English IV)
Math 3 units (Alg I plus 2 units of Math
equal to or above Alg I)
Social Studies 3
units (1 unit US Hist, 1 unit Govt, and 1 unit OK/World Hist)
Science 3
units (Biology I plus 2 units of Sci equal to or above Bio I)
Fine Arts 2
units (choose from Art, Human., Band, Music, Yearbook, Wood, or Desktop)
Electives 10 units
Total 25 units
All classes will be graded
upon a 4.0 grade scale and are worth 1 full credit for graduation.
Advanced Placement courses may
be substituted for a particular requirement in the associated area on a
course-by-course basis. Concurrent
Enrollment during the senior year may also be substituted for a particular
requirement.
All references to “a unit of
credit” refer to a Carnegie Unit as defined by the North Central Accreditation
Association.
Teachers will assign homework
when necessary. It is the duty of the
student to complete the homework and turn it in on time. It is the duty of the parent to check to see
if homework has been assigned and provide for its completion. Turning in assignments or homework after the
due date may result in receiving zero credit or a reduced score because of
lateness.
Homework
Philosophy
Educational success of all
students is based on the collaboration among teachers, parents, and
students. Support of learning occurs
when parents become involved in the learning process by:
(1) Communicating with the student and teacher about
homework;
(2) Providing a routine time and place for the student to
do assignments;
(3) Helping locate needed resources; and
(4) Encouraging the student.
Homework is an important
factor in educational achievement.
Developmentally appropriate homework meets the individual academic needs
of the student. Teachers assign homework
to reinforce classroom activities, to extend learning, and to facilitate
long-term projects. Homework fosters the
development of self-discipline and effective work habits.
Students entering Welch Public
Schools for the first time are required to furnish official proof of date of
birth and proper immunization. Upon
admission, the student will be placed only in the grade that is consistent with
previous academic success verified by valid student records. Students may attend public schools up to the
age of 21. Overage students may be
admitted at the discretion of the administration and upon payment of
tuition. The Board of Education of
District I-17 Welch,
The residence of any child for
school purposes is the legal residence of the parents, guardian, or person who
has legal custody of the child that holds legal residence within the district
and contributes in a major degree to the support of such child. An entirely self supporting student is
considered a resident of the school district if the student lives and
attends school in Welch. Issues of r