Yoakum Junior High Handbook
Section III: General Information
Introduction
Attendance Policy
Doctor/Dentist Appointments
Saturday School for Making Up Attendance
Make-Up Work
Closed Campus Philosophy
Duty Teachers
Morning Procedure
Lunch Hour Procedure
Cafeteria
Transportation
Fire Drill Instructions
Physical Education
Textbooks
Assembly
Lockers
Party Invitations, Notes, and Letters
Soliciting at School
Use of Restrooms
Radio, Tape Recorders, and Video Machines
Cellular Phones and Pagers
Refreshments
Requirements for Athletics
Insurance
Waiver of Fees
Access to Education Records
Handicap, Special Education Coordinator and Homeless Liaison
Title IX, Title, II, G/T & Bilingual Coordinator
Options and Requirements For Providing Assistance to Students
Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education
A. Introduction
A child’s education succeeds best when there is a strong
partnership between home and school, a partnership that thrives on communication.
Your involvement in this partnership can include:
- Encouraging your child to put a high priority on education and working with
your child on a daily basis to make the most of the educational opportunities
the school provides.
- Becoming familiar with all of your child’s school activities and with
the academic programs, including special programs, offered at Y.I.S.D. to
promote the child in the developmental process.
- Setting up an appointment to speak with a teacher, counselor or principal
by contacting the school office at 293-3111.
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B. Attendance Policy
Regular school attendance is essential for the student to make
the most of his or her education---to benefit from teacher-led activities, to
build each day’s learning on that of the previous day, and to grow as
an individual.
It is also the law in Texas:
A student between the ages of 6 and 18 MUST attend school and
District-required tutorial sessions unless the student is otherwise legally
exempted or excused. School employees must investigate and report violations
of the state compulsory attendance law. A student absent without permission
from school, from any class, or from required tutorials, will be considered
truant and subject to disciplinary action. Truancy may also result in assessment
of penalty by a court of law against the student and his or her parents. To
receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the
days the class is offered. The actual number of days a student must attend in
order to receive credit will depend of whether the class is for a full semester
or for a year. The attendance committee will review with the parents the students’
absences, and if the committee determines that the parents and student have
abused absences due to extenuating circumstances, the committee may
(1) deny class credit,
(2) require a doctor’s permit,
(3) have student complete additional assignments, as specified by the committee,
(4) have student satisfy time-on-task requirements before and/or after school,
(5) have student attend tutorial sessions as scheduled,
(6) have student attend Saturday classes,
(7) have student maintain the attendance standards for the rest of the semester
or year
Students have 2 days to bring in their notes for being absent.
After that it will become unexcused. If a student is absent for more than 3
days in succession, a doctor’s note will be required.
1. Extenuating circumstances will include:
A. Religious holy days under Education Code 21, 035(f).
B. Medical or dental appointments.
C. School-sanctioned extracurricular activities not exceeding the limit
established in FM(LOCAL).
D. Family emergencies or unforeseen or unavoidable instances requiring immediate
attention.
E. Participation in a substance-abuse rehabilitation program.
F. Required appearances in court or in legal proceedings.
G. Absences related to being a migrant student.
H. Days of suspension, provided required assignments are satisfactorily
completed.
I. Absences due to being a runaway under Family Code 51.03(3).
J. Approved college visitations.
K. Personal illness.
L. Death in the family.
M. Quarantine.
N. Weather or road conditions making travel dangerous.
O. Any other unusual cause acceptable to the principal or superintendent.
Please note:
A student absent from school for any reason other than for a documented health
care appointment will not be allowed to participate in school-related activities
on that day or evening.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
Unexcused absences are not acceptable at Yoakum Junior High. Parents and students
will be prosecuted if the student misses 3 or more unexcused days in a 4 week
period, or 10 or more days in a 6 month period. Parents will be notified if
an unexcused absence occurs.
2. Doctor/Dentist Appointments
Appointments should be made at a time the student will miss the least amount
of school time.
Students who have medical appointments and attend school at least one period
of the day, will not be counted absent on the official attendance role provided
documentation is returned from the medical office within two days. However,
students who have medical notes signed by the doctor and do not attend any
part of the day will be considered absent.
3. Saturday School for Making Up Attendance
a. Held in one location at the Jr. High
b. From 8:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.
c. Students can bring a sack lunch and money for a drink from the soda machines.
d. Any student who does not follow all the rules will be sent home and no
credit will be given to that student that day. A discipline referral may be
written up and acted on by the principal on the next school day.
e. There will be a list of Saturday School Attendance days given to your child
to makeup if they are in trouble for missing too many days at school.
TARDIES:
Promptness is very important. Students are to be in their seats and ready
to work when the bell sounds. The teacher will confer with the student concerning
tardies. The teacher may assign discipline for the first FIVE tardies. After
the fifth tardy to a class each semester, the teacher will refer the student
to the Assistant Principal. At that time the student will be assigned detention,
swats, or in-school suspension.
4. Make Up Work
Students are responsible for make-up work immediately upon returning
to school. The student should ask his/her teachers for detailed assignments
covering the work that was missed. This is the student’s responsibility,
not the teacher’s. This work should be completed promptly and returned
to his/her teachers.
Students will be able to make up work when they return to school. They will
be allowed the same number of days as they were absent to complete their work.
Exceptions are made in cases of prolonged illness; however, students are expected
to make arrangements to keep up with school assignments. THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR GETTING THEIR WORK FROM THE TEACHER IN ALL THEIR CLASSES.
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C. Closed Campus Philosophy (Student restriction to campus)
Upon arrival at school, no student is to leave the school campus until leaving
for home. If it is necessary for a student to leave school, he/she must sign
out and be picked up in the office or nurse’s station by a parent or guardian.
D. Duty Teachers
There are a number of teachers on special duty each school day. These teachers
have supervision over the building, playgrounds, bus lines, cafeteria, etc. Each teacher has the authority and responsibility to correct students
anywhere and anytime.
E. Morning Procedure
- Students walking or riding a bike to school should enter the school campus
through the mall entrances.
- Students who are dropped off at school should enter through the west side
entrance
- Bus students should proceed to the mall area by the walkway on the east
side of the school.
- Students in the mall area are to remain seated and to be orderly. (No
running, horseplay, whistling, etc.) Running and games should take place
on the school grounds that are provided for that purpose.
- Hallway doors will be open at 7:50-8:00 for students to:
1. Secure admittance slips in the office
2. Report to a teacher - tutorials or conferencing
3. Report to the office
4. Go to the library – read/research/study
5. Go to the computer lab
- Between 8:00-8:10 students should not be in the hallways.
- At 8:10 the first bell rings and students have three minutes to report
to their first period class. A second bell will ring at 8:13 and students
should be in their desks ready for teacher instructions.
- There are three minutes between class periods during the day. Students
should move quickly to each class and not be tardy. After five unexcused
tardies the teacher will send the student to the Assistant Principal for
disciplinary action.
- Restrooms should be used between classes. If a student needs to use the
restroom often during the day, a note is needed explaining the reason. Students
should always check-in with their teachers prior to going to use the restroom.
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F. Lunch Hour Procedure
- Sack lunches will be eaten in the cafeteria.
- Junior High students eating off school campus must sign out and be accompanied
by a parent or guardian.
- Students who eat in the cafeteria are to stay on the covered walk all
the way to the cafeteria. Junior High students are to stay away from the
high school buildings. Students are to walk to the cafeteria in an orderly,
mannerly way. They are to obey teachers on duty without question.
- Hallway doors will remain closed during the noon period.
- Students in ISS or AEP will eat a sack lunch (ISS students should eat
in the ISS room.-parents please honor this when possible).
G. Cafeteria
The school district has designated Chris Kvinta, P.O. Box 737, Yoakum, TX telephone
number 293-3162 as Free and Reduced Lunch coordinator.
We ask students to observe the following cafeteria rules:
- Students must walk to the cafeteria and stay under the covered walkway.
Students are subject to disciplinary action if they run to the cafeteria or
if they are disruptive in line or in the cafeteria.
- Students should cooperate at all times with the personnel.
- Quiet conversation may take place.
- Students should return trays to the proper place when finished and leave
the cafeteria.
- Milk cartons must be emptied in the proper container.
- Prices: Visiting Adults $3.00; Teachers $2.75; Students $2.25; Reduced $0.40
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H. Transportation
The school district has designated Chris Kvinta, P.O. Box 737, Yoakum, TX,
telephone number 293-3162, as transportation director.
- Bus Regulations: Students riding in the bus will at all
times conduct themselves as if
they were in the classroom at school.
- On the first Bus Conduct Report, the campus administrator will conference
with the student and administer whatever discipline they consider appropriate.
Parental notification will be sent home with the student.
- On the second Bus Conduct Report, the campus administrator will conference
with the student and administer whatever discipline they consider appropriate,
and the student is placed on probation. Parental notification will be
sent home with the student.
- On the third Bus Conduct Report, the campus administrator will conference
with the student, and the student will be suspended off the bus for three
school days. Parental notification will be sent home with the student.
- On the fourth Bus Conduct Report, the campus administrator will conference
with the student, and the student will be suspended off the bus for five
school days. Parental notification will be sent home with the student.
- On the fifth Bus Conduct Report, the campus administrator will conference
with the student, and the student will be suspended off the bus for the
remainder of the semester. Parental notification will be sent home with
the student.
- Any student who engages in serious misbehavior on the bus which threatens
the safety of the driver or the other students, may be suspended from
riding the bus on their first or second Bus Conduct report. Parental notification
will be sent home with the student.
VIDEO TAPING IS TAKING PLACE ON THE SCHOOL BUSES IN Y.I.S.D.
Students riding the school bus, or in any other school sponsored vehicle,
must ride to and from the school activity on the bus or other school-sponsored
vehicle. Students may ride with their parents provided they present to the
sponsor before the time of departure, a written statement signed by a parent
or guardian.
Evening:
Buses 1, 4, 7, 10 load under the covered walk at end of 7th and 8th grade
hall.
Buses 2, 5, 8, 11 load under covered walk at end of 6th grade hall.
Buses 3, 6, 9 load on grass at north edge of building.
Those students who do not ride buses should leave the campus through the
mall.
- Car Regulation:
Junior High students should not drive a car to school.
- Bicycles:
Students should park their bicycles in the bicycle rack located near the mall
entrance. All bicycles are to be locked. The school will not be responsible
for any lost or stolen bicycles
Notice To Students And Parents Regarding The Use Of Video Recorders On School
Buses
The District has installed video recording equipment on all school buses to
monitor school transportation, and will be videotaping bus routes at random
during the school year. Each bus has been equipped with a video monitor box,
in which a video recording device may be installed. Students will not be notified
when a recording device has been installed on their bus.
Tapes shall be reviewed as needed, and will serve as evidence of student misconduct
when reported by the driver. Students found to be in violation of the District's
bus conduct rules shall be notified, and disciplinary action will be initiated.
Videotapes shall be treated as protected student records under the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act. The following guidelines shall apply:
- Tapes shall remain in the custody of the Transportation Supervisor.
- Parents or students who wish to view a videotape in response to disciplinary
action taken against a student may request such access under the procedures
set out in the School Board Policy Manual, under section FL (Exhibit).
-
Persons unrelated to a disciplinary incident shall not
be permitted to view bus videotapes.
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I. Fire Drill Instructions:
Fire drill should be a serious matter with students and teachers. When a fire
alarm is sounded, the student should walk quietly along the designated route
under the direction of the teacher, immediately evacuating the building. All
students will stay in line and refrain from talking. Doors should be closed
before leaving the room and the building. Running is not permitted. Every student
should learn the meaning of these bells:
3 bells---FIRE---March out in orderly manner
1 bell----HALT---Stand at attention
2 bells---RETURN-March back to room
(See separate sheet for fire drill procedure – located in each classroom)
J. Physical Education
Physical Education is a required subject just as academic subjects are required.
Students are expected to wear blue shorts, white T shirts or blouses, white
socks and tennis shoes not worn for regular street wear. Students are expected
to shower each day after activities and to wear deodorant. No aerosol cans are
permitted.
K. Textbooks
Any student who loses a book(s) owned by the Yoakum Independent School District
or the State of Texas must pay the full replacement cost of an identical volume(s).
Students are to cover text books and keep them covered. Books
should be kept clean. Writing on the pages or pulling the covers loose is forbidden.
A student’s name should be written in the inside cover for identification.
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L. Assembly
Students will report quickly to assembly as scheduled just as they would report
to classes. Students will sit in assigned sections. Those on the program should
be treated with courtesy, as one would like to be treated. Students attending
are expected to participate unless previously excused.
M. Lockers
The only lockers that students will have access to is their P.E. or athletic
lockers. If a lock is issued to a student, then he or she is responsible for
replacing the lock if it is lost. Lockers will be periodically checked by the
administrators.
The school has the right to search desks, lockers, and students, if
there is reasonable cause to believe it is necessary.
N. Party Invitations, Notes, Letters, Flowers, and Balloons
Party invitations are not to be distributed at school. Notes and letters to
friends should not be written or given out at school. No flowers or balloons
should be distributed at school.
O. Soliciting at School
No student or anyone else is allowed to sell items at school that are not school
sponsored.
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P. Use of Restrooms
In order to keep the restrooms clean and orderly, students must conduct themselves
as young adults. Restrooms are to be used at breaks only, except in emergency
cases and then, with teacher permission.
Q. Radios, Tape Recorders, Video Recorders, and
Electronic Games
Students are not to bring these items to school. Special permission will be
granted to students if these items are needed for educational purposes.
R. Cellular Phones and Pagers
Cellular phones and pager devices are not permitted to be used or visible on
campus during the school day. Cell phones must remain turned off during the
instructional day, including during all testing. The use of cell phones in locker
rooms or restroom areas at any time while at school or at a school-related or
school-sponsored event is strictly prohibited. Phones and pagers being displayed
or used during the school day will be confiscated. Any disciplinary action will
be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and TEC 37.082. This includes
a $15 recovery fee and the release of the communication device to a parent or
guardian.
S. Refreshments
Snacks and drinks can be purchased in the mall after meal times. Students should
not eat or drink in the computer labs or gym. Chewing gum is forbidden on the
Jr. High Campus. Litter should be placed in the garbage containers.
T. Requirements for Athletics
In order to participate in junior high athletics or cheerleading, a student
must pass all courses. This is in effect on a three-week basis.
U. Insurance
School insurance is available for all students wishing to purchase such insurance.
However, it is the parents’ responsibility to read the policy to determine
coverage, its duration, and claim procedures. Special attention should be given
to certain limitations stated in these insurance plans. The following plans
are available:
Plan 1. At School Plan. Covers students during the school day
as defined in the policy.
Plan 2. 24 Hour Plan. Provides 24 hour coverage for students
as defined in the policy.
Teachers or the counselor will have insurance forms available for students.
Also, the school provides limited co-insurance coverage for students participating
in athletics, band, cheerleading, and U.I.L. literary events. This coverage
is limited to practice, participation, and traveling to and from the event.
This insurance will not cover other accidents that may occur during the school
day. Coaches, band directors, and teachers will have on file and turn in to
the principal names of students participating in U.I.L. sponsored events.
Note: The Yoakum School District will not underwrite the medical
expenses of any student injured at school or at school functions.
V. Waiver of Fees
Upon receipt by the District of reliable proof that a student and his or her
parent or guardian are unable to pay a fee or deposit required by the school,
such fee or deposit shall be waived. Such student and his or her parent or guardian
must present evidence of their inability to pay to the appropriate principal
who shall determine eligibility for a fee waiver.
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W. Access to Education Records
Access to the education records of a student who is or has been in attendance
at a school in the District shall be granted to the parent of the student. The
District may presume that the parent has authority to inspect and review the
student’s records unless the District has been advised that the parent
does not have the authority under applicable state law. Whenever a student has
attained eighteen years of age and is no longer dependent or is attending an
institution of post-secondary education, the permission or consent required
of, and the rights accorded to, the parent of the student by this policy shall
hereafter only be required of and accorded to the student. If material in the
education record of a student includes information on another student, only
that portion of the material relating to the individual student may be inspected
and reviewed.
Mistakes in student records may be amended by following the procedure of policy
FL (Local). Within 15 school days of the record custodian’s receipt of
a request to amend records, the District shall notify the parents in writing
of its decision on the request and, if the request is denied, of their right
to a hearing. If a hearing is requested, it shall be held within ten school
days after the request is received. Parents shall be notified in advance of
the date, time, and place of the hearing. An administrator who is not responsible
for the contested records and who does not have direct interest in the outcome
of the hearing shall conduct the hearing. The parents shall be given a full
and fair opportunity to present evidence; and, at their own expense, may be
assisted or represented at the hearing. The parents shall be notified of the
decision in writing within ten school days of the hearing. The decision shall
be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and shall include a
summary of the evidence and reasons for the decision. If the decision is to
deny the request, the parents shall be informed that they have 30 school days
within which to exercise their right to place in the record a statement commenting
on the contested information and/or stating any reason for disagreeing with
the District’s decision.
X. Handicap, Special Education Coordinator & Homeless
Liaison
The school district has designated Brenda Westmoreland, P.O. Box 737, Yoakum,
Texas, telephone number 293-3162, as the person to coordinate its efforts to
comply with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Special
Education. “In compliance with the State Board of Education rule, 89.246
Memorandum of Understanding on Transition Planning for Students Receiving Special
Education Services, we are providing information on transition planning for
students 14 years old to you. Transition planning are those activities planned
to assist students in moving from the school program into the world of work
and adult services. For any student who receives special education services
and before he or she turns 16 years old, he/she will have developed and annually
reviewed an Individual Transition Plan (ITP). This plan is intended to prepare
each student for community living and work after he or she is no longer receiving
special education services. The transition meeting will be scheduled with you
and your child as he or she approaches the age requirements for transition planning.
The meeting may be scheduled in conjunction with an ARD (Admission, Review,
and Dismissal) meeting. Mrs. Westmoreland has been designated as the homeless
liaison.
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Y. Title IX, Title II, and Gifted & Talented/Bilingual
Coordinator
The school district has designated Brenda Westmoreland, P.O. Box 737, Yoakum,
Texas, telephone number 293-3162, as the person to coordinate its efforts to
comply with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as amended, Title
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and GT/Bilingual education.
Options and Requirements
For Providing Assistance to Students Who Have Learning
Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education
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 of the district
receives the written consent. The district must give a copy of the report to
the parent.
If the district determines that the evaluation is not needed, the district
will provide the parent with a written notice that explains why the child will
not be evaluated. This written notice will include a statement that informs
the parent of their rights if they disagree with the district. Additionally,
the notice must inform the parent how to obtain a copy of the Notice of Procedural
Safeguards - Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities.
The designated person to contact regarding options for a child experiencing
learning difficulties or a referral for evaluation for special education is:
Contact Person: Gabe Adamek
Phone Number: (361) 293-3111
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