Parent Student Handbook |
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Below you will find a rather lengthy Parent/Student Handbook. Clicking the subject area just below will quickly jump you down the page to the desired topic; or just scroll down the page until you find a topic of interest. Absences Welcome to School Vision Mission Absences Perfect Attendance: Tardies: In the event students are late coming to school, they need to check in with the office. Students will not be admitted to class unless they have been to the office. It is important that each student makes every effort to be on time. It is an interruption in their learning when they arrive late. Attendance Law: Students and parents must be informed of the compulsory attendance law each year. A student's parents or guardian will be informed in writing or by phone if the juvenile has one unexcused absence within any month during the school year. A conference with the parents/guardian and juvenile will be scheduled after two unexcused absences within any month during the current school year; if a regularly scheduled parent-teacher conference day is to take place within thirty days of the second unexcused absence, the district may schedule the required conference on that day. In addition, quarterly attendance letters are sent to parents of students not making the required 90% attendance for all students. Letters are also sent to parents of students with excessive tardies. The law permits a school to take one of the following actions after five or more unexcused absences: Attendance officer may petition the juvenile court to assume jurisdiction for the purpose of alleging a violation of the compulsory attendance law by the parent. A petition alleging a violation of the compulsory attendance law by a child may be filed with the juvenile court by the child's parent or the school attendance officer at the parent's request. The law authorizes the court to order the child be punished by detention or alternatives to detention such as community service hours or participation in dropout prevention programs, or referral to a community truancy board if available. Alexander Young Parent Group Appropriate Dress All articles of clothing must be free of any references to tobacco, drugs, alcohol, sex, gangs, profanity or anything disruptive to the learning process. Students are not allowed to wear hats, including scarves in the building unless needed for a medical reason and must be approved by the Principal. Some items that are considered inappropriate for school are as follows:
All matters of appropriate dress will be handled by the Principal. Bicycles Birthday Invitations and Gifts Birthday Treats Bullying and Harassment
Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying. “Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, gender identity, and marital status. Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including: slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral or physical actions. “Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act whether or not the impact or results were intended. Anyone may use informal procedures to report and resolve complaints of harassment, intimidation or bullying. In addition, anyone may initiate a formal complaint of harassment, intimidation or bullying, even if the informal complaint process is being utilized. Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation at Alexander Young Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Exposure repeatedly and over time to negative actions (intentionally or unintentionally inflicted or attempts at injury/discomfort upon another) by one or more students---an imbalance of power. 2. Can also be single severe incident designed to inflict harm or discomfort 3. Can be Verbal: Threats, name calling, intimidation, taunting, teasing Physical: Hitting, pushing, kicking Nonverbal: hard looks, exclusion, dirty gestures 4. Can be Direct: Open attacks Indirect: Isolation and exclusion Comments, Gestures and Threats: 1. May involve verbal, nonverbal and or written actions 2. Are often not a one-time occurrence--patterns of behavior will be noted 3. Typically occur in context of other actions--friendship issues, affiliation, etc. Gender Differences in Bullying: Girls: Boys: *Scapegoating *Broadcasting strengths *Backstabbing *Rumors *Belittling *Fights *Rumors *Weapons *Possible direct physical *Deliberate humiliations assault CHILD FIND NOTICE Any child with a disability, from birth through age 21, may be eligible for special education and related services. For information about eligibility, please contact your neighborhood school or Aberdeen Special Services Department (538-2018) for further information. This notice is intended to comply with the applicable requirements in WAC 392-172-100. Communicable Diseases/Parasites Discipline Policy for Alexander Young Teachers and principals have the authority and responsibility, in accordance with WAC 180.40.235 and RCW 28A.58.100 to maintain a safe school environment. Students also have the right to know the standard of behavior expected of them. 1. Students entering the building during recess must get a pass from a teacher or the instructional assistant on duty. 2. Students are expected to be in the classroom ready for school by 8:35. 3. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated. Initially this problem will be handled in the classroom. If the student’s performance does not improve, the principal will counsel with the student and/or the parent to determine what alternative is necessary. 4. Everyone at Alexander Young, students and adults alike will be treated with respect at all times. 5. Students are not allowed to bring weapons or dangerous play things to school. This includes pocket knives and toy weapons. 6. Vulgar or profane language is not to be used. 7. Vandalism is a serious offense. Every effort will be made by the school district to recover losses suffered in all acts of vandalism. 8. Students who willfully disobey directions will be referred to the principal. 9. The possession of tobacco on the school grounds is forbidden. 10. The causing of a fight is a very serious offense. Students should make every effort to avoid a fight. Students involved in a fight will be sent to the principal. This includes fights before and after school while students are going to and from school. A fight will result in suspension. 11. Students of Alexander Young are expected to respect the property of others. Not only those of their fellow students but also that of residents in the attendance area. Students are expected to treat others as they would like to be treated. 12. Bark chips, rock, snowball or ice throwing is extremely dangerous and is not allowed on the school grounds. Students guilty of this offense will be referred to the principal for discipline. 13. Each student has the right to an environment free of fear and intimidation. Bullying and harassment is a serious infraction. 14. Gum is not allowed in the building. 15. Spitting is not allowed. 16. Students are not allowed to bring personal toys to school. Toys will be taken away and returned to students at the end of the school year. Please note: Proper authorities will be notified if students engage in illegal behavior, such as assault (fighting) or threats made on another student or adult. District Corrective Actions or Punishment "Expulsion" is the exclusion from school or individual classes for an indefinite period. "Suspension" is the exclusion from school, or individual classes for a specific period of time, after which the student has a right to return. A suspension is "short term" if it is for a period of 5 consecutive school days or less. Separate short-term suspensions shall not total more than 10 school days in a semester for any student in grades K-4. Separate short-term suspensions shall not total more than 15 days in a semester for a student in any other grade. Students' grades shall not be affected substantially as a result of a short-term suspension. Suspensions which exceed 10 consecutive school days are long-term suspensions. "Discipline" constitutes all other forms of corrective action or punishment, including brief exclusions from a class for not more than the remainder of the class period, including exclusion from any other type of activity conducted by or for the district. Discipline shall not adversely affect specific academic grade, subject, or graduation requirements, so long as all required work is performed. As a general rule no student shall be suspended for a short or long term unless other forms of corrective action or punishment reasonably calculated to modify his/her conduct have previously been imposed upon the student as a consequence of misconduct of the same nature. However, a student may be suspended for exceptional misconduct, other than absenteeism, when such misconduct is of frequent occurrence or is serious in nature and/or is disruptive to the operation of the school. The superintendent, following consultation with a representative committee of administrators, staff, parents, and citizens, shall recommend for board approval, the nature and extent of the corrective actions and/or punishments which may be imposed as a consequence of prescribed misconduct. An exception may be granted by an administrator and/or hearing officer when warranted by extenuating circumstances. Suspensions or expulsions shall be used only for instances of serious student misconduct. Prior to the imposition of a corrective action or punishment upon a special education student, the school principal and special education staff who have knowledge of the student's handicapping condition will determine if there is a causal relationship between the handicapping condition and the misconduct giving rise to the corrective action or punishment. When a relationship is found to exist, special education programming procedures shall be employed. Once a student is expelled in compliance with district policy, the expulsion shall be brought to the attention of appropriate local and state authorities, including, but not limited to, the local juvenile authorities acting pursuant to the statutes dealing with the Basic Juvenile Court Act, in order that such authorities may address the student's educational needs. No student shall be expelled, suspended, or disciplined in any manner for the performance of or failure to perform any act not related to the orderly operation of the school or school sponsored activities or any other aspect of the educational process. The superintendent shall have the authority to discipline, suspend or expel students. The superintendent shall identify the conditions under which a teacher may exclude a student for all or any portion of a school day and shall also designate which staff have the authority to initiate or to impose discipline, suspensions or expulsions. The following actions are considered exceptional misconduct for students. Corrective actions will be imposed as a consequence of exceptional misconduct. Possessing, selling and/or using alcohol, drugs, illegal chemical substances, or improper use of inhalants or over the counter drugs Threatening or verbal abuse, fighting or fighting words, all forms of harassment or for situations where administrative staff feel there is a threat to staff or students Setting fire or damaging school, staff, or other students’ property Possession and/or using weapons or explosive devices Possessing and/or using firearms Possessing/using tobacco products Disrupting the educational process Interference by force or violence Theft Drug/Alcohol Policy The use of illicit drugs and unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful. No student shall consume or have in his possession any alcoholic beverage on any school grounds, or immediately prior to, or while engaged in, or scheduled to be engaged in, any school activity, or while on the way to, or from, school or a school activity. Students under the influence, or in possession of, drugs/alcohol illegally will be subject to the following actions: They will be removed from the class or activity where they will be isolated from others. The student's parent, guardians, or other designated responsible persons will be notified. Law enforcement officials may be contacted and the facts reported to them Consequences: a) long-term suspension or suspension for the remainder of the semester or expulsion; or b) students who agree to a drug/alcohol assessment by a Drug/Alcohol Counselor to determine if a chemical problem exists, and who agree to follow the recommendations made by the assessment counselor during the follow-up conference, may be placed on a short-term suspension. • Students taking prescribed medication must be able to produce a doctor's authorization if requested to do so. • Compliance with standards of conduct is mandatory. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The right to request the amendment of student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the Aberdeen School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on a official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: *State Law Qualification: Although FERPA allows 45 days to honor a request, the state policy records law requires an appropriate response to a "public records" request within five business days. RCW42.17.320 General Information 2. Students not eating breakfast are not to arrive at school before 8:20 in the morning. Arriving early can lead to problems. There is no supervision available for students before that time. Lunch pails, duffel bags, etc. are the students' responsibility on the playground. 3. Students who walk home after school are asked to leave as soon as school is dismissed. 4. Crossing guards cross students at busy intersections for their safety. Please cross streets where directed so injuries can be avoided. 5. Parents are encouraged to visit school whenever they can. Please call the principal a day in advance to arrange a classroom visitation. All visitors must check in at the office and pick up a visitor's button before entering the halls or a classroom. All visitors must wear a visitor's button. This identifies authorized visitors for our staff and students. 6. Parents visiting the school must enter through the main entrance. The other street entrances will remain locked during the school day. This will help monitor adult visitors to insure student and staff safety. Parents must sign in at the office and wear a visitor badge. 7. If you have something to deliver to your child, please bring it to the office and we will see that he/she gets it. 8. Parents are not to wait for their children in the halls outside classrooms. Please meet your child outside the school. This helps to maintain a quiet and undisturbed learning atmosphere through the end of the school day.
Homeless
Then, your preschool-aged and school-aged children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Your children have the right to:
When you move, you should do the following: Contact the school district’s local liaison for homeless education (see phone number below) for help in enrolling your child in a new school or arranging for your child to continue in his or her former school. (Or, someone at a shelter, social services office, or the school can direct you to the person you need to contact.) Contact the school and provide any information you think will assist the teachers in helping your child adjust to new circumstances. Ask the local liaison for homeless education, the shelter provider, or a social worker for assistance with clothing and supplies, if needed. Local Area Contacts: Heather Lawhead – 360-538-2253 Shawn Dickson – 360-538-2018 State Coordinator: Melinda Dyer – 360-725-6050 If you need further assistance, call the National Center for Homeless Education at the toll-free Help Line number: 1-800-308-2145 Insurance Lost and Found Medicines School staff will supervise the administration of the medication. A form is provided at the end of the handbook. Additional copies may be picked up in the office. Please do not send your child to school with any medication (such as aspirin, cough syrup, etc.)...It may get into the wrong hands. Music No Child Left Behind Notification of Teacher Quality Nondiscrimination Compliance Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer and/or Section 504/ADA Coordinator. Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Shawn Dickson Release of Student Information
Parents may request that any or all of these categories of information, including personally identifiable photographs, not be release without their prior consent. To make such a request, please contact the principal at your child’s school. Reporting Incidents School Mascot/Colors School Records Update Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment occurs when:
Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to adult, student to student, adult to adult, male to female, female to male, male to male, and female to female. The district will take prompt, equitable and remedial action within its authority on confirmed reports of sexual harassment. Engaging in sexual harassment will result in appropriate discipline and/or other sanctions against the offending person. Sexual Harassment at Alexander Young Sexual Harassment is an issue that concerns all members of a school environment from Kindergarten students to the staff 1. Remarks or behaviors that are: *unwelcome *uninvited behaviors 2. It can be verbal, non-verbal, visual or physical in nature. Examples of Harassment: Verbal:
Nonverbal:
Visual:
Physical:
All of the behaviors above will be dealt with seriously. Students at Alexander Young need to believe that they are in a safe environment and it is the responsibility of school staff to make that a reality for our students. Student Conduct Policy Respect for the Law and the Rights of Others - While in the school, the student shall respect the rights of others. Students who involve themselves in criminal acts on school property, off school property at school-supervised events, or off school property are subject to disciplinary action by the school and prosecution under the law. Alteration of records - A student who falsifies, alters, destroys a school record or any communication between home and school shall be subject to corrective action. Cheating - Any student who knowingly submits work of others represented as his/her own shall be considered to have cheated. Cheating also includes the aiding and abetting of cheating by others. A student caught cheating shall be subject to corrective action or punishment. Attendance - A student shall not be absent or tardy from classes without an approved excuse. Such a student shall be subject to corrective action or punishment. Alcohol, Chemical Substances and Tobacco Products - A student shall not knowingly possess, use, transmit, be under the influence of, or show evidence of having used any alcoholic beverage, illegal chemical substance or opiate, or tobacco product. Disruptive Conduct - A student shall not intentionally cause a substantial and material disruption of any school operations. Illustrative of the kinds of offenses, including, but not limited to are: Occupying a school building or school grounds in order to deprive others of its use; Blocking the entrance or exit of any school building or room in order to deprive others of passing through; Setting fire to or substantially damaging school property; Using, or threatening to use, firearms, explosives or other weapons on the school premises, including use by an unauthorized student of a personal protection spray device, or use of such device in other than self-defense as defined by state law; Preventing students from attending a class or school activity; Blocking normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a school campus; Interfering seriously with the conduct of any class or activity; and Gambling or encouraging other students to gamble Damage or Theft of Property - A student shall not intentionally or with gross carelessness damage school or private property. Extortion, Assault or Causing Physical Injury - A student shall not extort anything of value, threaten injury or attempt to cause physical injury or intentionally behave in such a way as could reasonably be expected to cause physical injury to any person. Leaving Campus During School Hours - A student shall not leave the school campus during the school day unless excused by the school office. Loitering - A student shall be expected to leave the school campus at the official close of the school day unless permission to do otherwise has been granted. Vulgar or Lewd Conduct - Any lewd, indecent or obscene act or expression is prohibited. Weapons and Dangerous Instruments - A student shall not possess or transmit any object that can reasonably be considered a firearm, air gun or a dangerous weapon. Students over eighteen years of age and students between fourteen and eighteen years of age with written parental or guardian permission may possess personal protection spray devices. No one under eighteen years of age may transmit such devices, nor may they be used other than in self-defense as defined by state law. Possession, transmission or use of personal protection spray devices under any other circumstances is a violation of this rule. Minor conduct violations will result in any or all of the following: 2. The student may be referred to the principal (this option can be exercised by teachers or instructional assistants). The adults will then work together to determine the best plan. If students are referred to the principal, parents will be notified by student referral that must be signed and returned. If any parents have concerns or questions regarding student conduct and/or consequences, they are encouraged to contact the school. Student Government Student Rights and Responsibilities
Student Lunches Temporary Dismissal Tobacco Free and Weapon Free Zone Use of the Telephone |
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