Administration / 4
District Policies
Foreword / 6
Mission Statement / 6
Message from the Superintendent / 6
Mississippi Department of Education
Reading Initiative / 7
Title IX and VI / 7
Section 504 (Non-Discrimination on the Basis
of Disability Policy) / 8
Intervention Process / 8
Notification of Rights under the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) for Elementary and Secondary Institutions
Enrollment Procedures
Admission Policies / 10
Residence Verification / 13
Withdrawal Procedure / 14
Homeless Children / 14
Home Schooled Children / 15
Attendance Policies
Absences / 15
Excused Absences / 16
Extended Absences / 16
Make-up Work / 17
Sign-Out Procedures / 17
Check Out/Check Ins / 18
Late to Class (Periods 2 - 4) / 18
Leaving Class / 18
Leaving School Grounds / 18
Health Policies
Communicable Diseases / 19
Health Policies Regarding Immunizations / 21
Headlice / 21
Medications / 22
Academic Guidelines
Policies Regarding Selection of Subjects / 24
Grades / 25
Grade Level Classification / 25
Exemption Policy / 26
Subject Area Tests / 27
District Assessments / 28
Electronic Communication Devices' Policy in
Relation to SATP / 28
Awarding and Recording of Grades / 28
Course Audit Policy / 29
Reports of Student Progress / 29
Honor Roll / 29
Change of Schedule / 29
The Awards Day Program / 29
Standards for Participation in
Extra-Curricular Activities / 30
Home Study Programs / 30
Graduation Information / 30
MS Scholars Core Curriculum / 32
Computation of Grade Point
Average for Seniors / 33
Valedictorian and Salutatorian/
Recognition for Academic Achievement / 33
Participation in Graduation Ceremonies/Discipline Violations / 34
Quality Point Equivalency Scale / 35
Student Conduct Procedures
Code of Conduct / 37
Addendum to Code of Conduct / 38
Jackson County School District Violence Policy / 39
Sexual Harassment - Employees and Students / 39
Mississippi School Safety Act of 2001 / 41
Prevention of School Violence / 42
Discipline Ladder / 44
Assertive Discipline Program / 46-47
Transportation Services
School Bus Discipline / 48
Established Rules of Behavior / 49
Interference with School Buses / 50
Parents Picking up Students or Riding Different Buses / 50
Bus Videos / 51
Safety Regulations / 52
Parent Information
Parents' Participation / 53
Grievance Procedure / 53
School Dress Code / 53-57
Students not in Compliance with
Dress Code Policy / 59
Financial Hardship / 59
General Information
Tips of Courtesy / 60
Care of Buildings / 60
Homeroom / 60
Lockers / 60
Textbooks / 61
Library Books / 61
CONNECT-ED / 61
Emergency Operations / 62
School Insurance / 62
Blood Drives / 62
Visitors / 62
Attendance at Prom / 63
Announcements / 63
Guidance Services / 64
Science/Technology Laboratories / 64
Student Parking Lot / 64
Use of Telephone / 65
Cellular Phone Policy / 65
Electronic Device Policy / 66
Computer/Internet Appropriate Use Policy / 67
Personal Safety / 68
Food Services / 72
Behavior in the Cafeteria / 73
Local School Wellness Policy / 73
Commitment to Physical Activity/Physical Education / 76
Board Of Education
Kenneth A. Fountain Chairman
Randal B. Turner Vice-Chairman
David A. Sims Secretary
Troy Frisbie Member
Glenn A.Dickerson Member
Jack Pickett Board Attorney
Superintendent
Barry Amacker, Ed.D.
Administration
Central Office
826-1757
Dr. Susan Benson, Ext. 315 Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Lisa McCartney, Ext. 303 Curriculum Director
Tonya Green Ext. 320 Director of Special Education
Lark Christian, Ext. 310 Director of Food Service
Carol Rudolph Ext. 318 Technology Director
Laura McCool, Ext. 306 Director of Human Services and Risk Management
Harold Rushing, 826-4842 Business Manager
William Rushing, 826-4842 Assistant Business Manager
Technology Center
Diane Novak, 826-5944 Director of Vocational-Technical Education
Jackson County Alternative School
Karl Swanson, 826-2177 Principal
St. Martin Attendance Center
Dr. Michael Van Winkle, 875-0256 Assistant Superintendent
Dina Holland, 875-8418 Grades 9-12, High School Principal
Stephanie Gruich, 818-4833 Grades 6-8, Middle School Principal
Valerie Martino, 818-2849 Grades 4-5, Upper Elementary School Principal
Dr. Christopher Williams, 392-1387 Grades K-3, North Elementary School Principal
Judith Moore, 875-3204 Grades K-3, East Elementary School Principal
St. Martin Attendance Center (cont.)
John Scott………………………………………... Assistant Principal, High School
Shea Scarborough …………………… …………..…Assistant Principal, 9-12 High School
Mary Miller Assistant Principal, 9-12 High School
Michelle Wilson Assistant Principal, Middle School
Patricia Keaney Assistant Principal, Middle School
Cindy Honeycutt Assistant Principal, Upper Elementary School
Dr. Brigette Myers Assistant Principal, North Elementary School
Charlene Peace……………………… ….………………..Assistant Principal, East Elementary
Vancleave Attendance Center
Hal Holmes, 826-3626 Assistant Superintendent
Todd Knight, 826-4701 Grades 9-12, High School Principal
Jill Davis, 826-5902 Grades 6-8, Middle School Principal
Amy Peterson, 826-5982 Grades K-2, Lower Elementary School Principal
Penny Westfaul, 826-4581 Grades 3-5, Upper Elementary School Principal
Anthony Gruich Assistant Principal, High School
Paul Wallace…………………………………… ……..…….....Assistant Principal, High School
Robert McRaney Assistant Principal, Middle School
Donna Knight Assistant Principal, Lower Elementary
Karen Glass Assistant Principal, Upper Elementary
East Central Attendance Center
Dino Vecchio, 588-7025 Assistant Superintendent
James Hughey, 588-7000 Grades 9-12, High School Principal
R.L. Watson, 588-7009 Grades 6-8, Middle School Principal
Mary Tanner, 588-7060. Grades K-2, Lower Elementary School Principal
Lynn Brewer, 588-7019 Grades 3-5, Upper Elementary School Principal
Sheree Nelson Assistant Principal, High School
Marty Floyd Assistant Principal, High School
Cecilia Corkhill Assistant Principal, Middle School
Becky White Assistant Principal, Lower Elementary School
Tammy Wolverton Assistant Principal, Upper Elementary
Elizabeth Butler Administrative Assistant, Middle School
Foreword
A student who is informed concerning the rules and regulations, policies, and other important matters of school life will probably encounter few embarrassing situations and is more likely to succeed in school.
The student handbook is published in order that the students and parents may become familiar with the objectives of school life and the way they are carried out at the secondary schools. Each student should study the student handbook, and it should be used as a reference throughout the year.
The rules and regulations contained in the handbook are necessary for the best interest of all concerned. If they are observed carefully, old and new students alike will have a much happier and more interesting experience in school.
Mission Statement
Of the
Jackson County School District
The mission of the Jackson County School System is to provide an educational climate
where all students have an opportunity to achieve academic success, develop physical
and emotional well-being, and become productive and responsible citizens within a
setting that is as safe and secure as possible.
Message from Superintendent
It is the goal of our Student Handbook to provide policies, procedures, and information
to guide students and inform parents. We believe by providing this information in
the following format, an informative overview of both individual school and school
district procedures is available for students and parents.
Our staff encourages and expects students and parents to read this handbook.
This knowledge will help ensure the success of our students in school by enabling
pertinent rules and regulations to be followed.
Our school culture encourages and welcomes questions from students and parents
in regard to policies and/or procedures. The teachers, counselors, and principals are
available and willing to answer any questions or address any concerns about our
policies.
By encouraging open communication among parents, students, and staff, and
cooperating to provide what is best for our students, we will have an excellent school
year. We wish each of you the very best in the 2011 - 2012 school year.
Mississippi Department of Education Reading Initiative
The Jackson County School Board endorses the goals established by the Mississippi
Board of Education to improve the reading skills of all students in the state.
Goal One: All children will exit kindergarten with appropriate readiness skills.
Goal Two: All first through third grade students will demonstrate a growing proficiency in reading so that they will exit third grade as readers.
Goal Three: All fourth through ninth grade reading scores will increase.
Goal Four: Mississippi students will demonstrate a growing proficiency in reading and will reach or exceed the national average in reading within the next decade.
Title IX & VI
The Jackson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race,
color, religion, national origin, or disability, and is in compliance with Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Title IX
& Title VI Coordinator for the Jackson County School District is Dr. Susan Benson,
P.O. Box 5069, Vancleave, MS 39565-5069. Phone: 826-1757.
Section 504
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability Policy
The Jackson County School District will not discriminate on the basis of disability
in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities to
the extent provided by law.
The person holding the position of Assistant Superintendent has been designated as
the Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator and will handle inquiries
regarding the Jackson County School District's nondiscrimination policies, the filing of
grievances, and requests for copies of grievance procedures covering discrimination on
the basis of disability:
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Dr. Susan Benson, Assistant Superintendent
4700 Colonel Vickrey Rd.
P.O. Box 5069
Vancleave, MS. 39565-5069
Section 504
Nondiscrimination On The Basis Of Disability Policy
The Jackson County School District will not discriminate on the basis of disability inadmission or access to, or treatment or employment in its program and activities to the extent provided by law.
The person holding the position of Assistant Superintendent has been designated as the Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator and will handle inquiries regarding the Jackson County School District’s nondiscrimination policies, the filing of grievances, and requests for copies of grievance procedures covering discrimination on the basis of disability:
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Dr. Susan Benson, Assistant Superintendent
4700 Colonel Vickrey Road
P.O. Box 5069
Vancleave, MS 39565-5069
Phone: 826-1757
Each School has a Team in place to review all 504 requests. Parents should contact the principal of their respective schools if their child has a disability which substantially limits the student’s ability to learn (and the student is ineligible for services under IDEA).
Special Education for Children with Disabilities
A variety of programs in special education may be offered based on identified and
approved student needs. Services are provided for children with disabilities who have
been evaluated and determined eligible. Services are provided in the Jackson County
School District under the direction of trained and certified staff members.
For further information regarding Special Education for children with disabilities, please contact Mrs. Tonya Green, Director of Special Education.
Intervention Process
An instructional model designed to meet the needs of every student is in place in all
Jackson County schools. The model consists of three tiers of instruction: Tier I: quality classroom instruction based on Mississippi Curriculum Frameworks, Tier II: focused supplemental instruction, and Tier III: intensive interventions specifically designed to meet the individual needs of students. Teachers will use progress monitoring information to a) determine if each student is making adequate progress; b) identify any student as soon as he/she is falling behind; and, c) modifying instruction early enough to ensure that every student gains essential skills. Monitoring of student progress is an on-going process that may be measured through informal classroom assessment, benchmark instrument assessment instruments, and large scale assessments.
If strategies in Tier I and Tier II are unsuccessful, students must be referred to the
school’s Teacher Support Team (TST). The TST is the problem-solving unit responsible for interventions developed at Tier III. Interventions will be designed to address the deficit areas, be research-based, be implemented as designed by the Teacher Support Team, and be supported by data regarding the effectiveness of the interventions. Parents will be contacted and invited to participate in the process when a student is referred to the Teacher Support Team (TST).
Notification of Rights under the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
For Elementary and Secondary Institutions
The Family Educational Right and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford parents and students
over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s
educational records. They are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational 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.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading.
Parents or eligible students may ask the Jackson County 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.
3. 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 unit 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 an 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 educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.