Board of Education / 4
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.