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AvalonIndependent School District
Student Handbook
2016 - 2017
Student Handbook
Graduation Information
Student Code of Conduct
Extracurricular Student Code of Conduct
Adopted by the Avalon ISD Board of Trustees
June 23,, 2016
“HOME OF THE MIGHTY EAGLES”
AvalonIndependentSchool District
County, District, Campus number: 070-901-001
P.O. Box 455
Elementary Building 104 FM 55 & HighSchoolBuilding 111 E. Main
Avalon, Texas 76623
Phone: (972) 627-3251 - fax: (972) 627-3220
SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. David Del Bosque
ADMINISTRATIONBOARD OF TRUSTEES
KhristopherMarshallHigh School PrincipalToddBrunerPresident
Jody TenneryElementary PrincipalDavid ArriagaVice-President
Tony HernandezMiddle School PrincipalWendy RodriguezSecretary
Transportation DirectorTerry Shears
Neva Del BosqueCounselorShane Gill
Special Programs Director
Sandra BernekingSpecial Education Director
Dwayne BetikTechnology Director
Alice ComptonBusiness Manager
District Mission Statement
Avalon Independent School District believes all children can learn. This school district shall ensure that all students will be given the opportunity to discover and achieve their potential scholastically, emotionally and physically. The Avalon Independent School District will provide a quality learning environment that includes the best in faculty and staff, as well as an environment that is clean and safe, caring and thoughtful, motivating and challenging. The faculty and staff, with the community, will work together to provide students the opportunity to reach their potential and become positive members of society.
Purpose and Organization
The purpose of this Student Handbook is to give Avalon ISD students and their parents an understanding of the general rules and guidelines for attending and receiving an education in our schools.
The Handbook is organized in the following sections:
•Section I: Required Notices and Information for Parents
•Section II: Information for Students and Parents listed in alphabetical order
When the Handbook uses “we” or “our,” it means the school district and/or school administrators. When the Handbook uses “you” or “your,” it means the parent, legal guardian, or person who has accepted responsibility for a student, at least in regard to school matters. From time to time, the Handbook will use more general terms, such as “parents” and “school officials.” Regardless of the particular terminology, our intention is to speak directly to you as the adults who are responsible for working with us, the school officials, to make your children’s experience with the Avalon public schools a positive educational experience.
The Student Handbook has been developed by school district administrators with assistance of teachers, students, and parents. The content is reviewed by the Board of Trustees and is intended to be consistent with formally adopted school board policies. If there is an apparent contradiction between information in the Handbook and a formally adopted board policy, the school administration will interpret the Handbook in a way that is consistent with policy and may request guidance from the Board of Trustees.
The Student Handbook is not a contract between the school and parents or students. It can be amended at any time at the discretion of the school district. If the district makes changes to the Handbook during a school year, the administration of the district and the campus will communicate those changes in ways that are designed to inform parents and students of the new or revised information.
GENERAL CURRICULUM INFORMATION
Avalon ISD operates a Pre-K-12 program that meets all state curriculum requirements. Avalon ISD is organized by one campus with two buildings, elementary with grades Pre-K to 5 and secondary with grades 6 to 12. A free full-day pre-kindergarten program is available for children who are at least four years old on September 1 and who are eligible because they cannot speak or understand English, because they are homeless, or because they are educationally disadvantaged. If you think your child or children are eligible, please contact the principal. The operation of the program may vary from year-to-year based on the number of qualifying students.
Administration, Faculty and Staff
Administration Central Office
Dr. David Del BosqueSuperintendent
Alice ComptonBusiness Manager
Patty HernandezSuperintendentSecretary
Dwayne BetikDistrict Technology Director
Elementary Office
Jody TenneryElementary Principal
Cindy CashionElementary Secretary/Coach
High School Office
Khristopher MarshallHigh School Principal
Tony HernandezMiddle School Principal/Transportation Director
Teresa HarrisSecondary Secretary/Lunch Program
Neva Del BosqueDistrict Counselor /Director of Special Programs
Janice GillaspieAssistant to the Director of Special Programs/Registrar
Sandra BernekingSpecial Education
Faculty
Sue MorrisonPre-K
Melissa GillPre-K
Cissy DeansK
Gina TenneryK
Dionne Sauers1st
Terri Morton1st
Jennifer Holley2nd
Gena Lyon2nd
Elsabe Munger3rd
Galyn Haisler3rd
Kristin Riddle4th /5th
Michele Stephens4th/5th
Amanda ZabojnikElementary Art
Julie CarterElementary Science/Reading
Sharrie WeaverSpecial Education
Olivia PinalesSecondary Spanish
Brandy Goodman6thMath and Science/Coach
April Marshall6thELA and History
April Maddox7th, 8thScience, Ag
Scott PresnallSocial Studies, English
Stacey HasbrookSecondary English
Tony SinclairSocial Studies
Denise CampbellScience 9-12
Malcolm ColePE/Math 7, 8/Coach
Brettne Cole7th & 8thEnglish / Reading
Bethany Bland4th &5th /Technology Assistant
Sandra BernekingSpecial Education /Odyssey
Para-Professional
Elsa Aguirre Teacher Aide
Pam DuboseLibrarian
Angela EscobarPre-K
Nakia MackPre-K
Crystal LopezTeacher Aide
Kennette OdlozilTeacher Aide
Patricia OzymyTeacher Aide
Tammy RodrigueTeacher Aide
Ronola ShearsTeacher Aide/Coach
John De La GarzaTeacher Aide/Coach
Denise WimbishLibrarian
Cafeteria
Debbie HensonFood Preparation
Amanda Barnhill Food Preparation
Maintenance/Custodians
Chuck EllisonMaintenance
James CashionMaintenance
Steve HolleyMaintenance
Maria EstradaCustodian
Route Bus Drivers
Elsa AguirreBus #5
Angela EscobarBus #8
2016-2017 School Calendar
AvalonIndependentSchool District Student Handbook
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Fall Semester 2016
August 15Staff development
August 16Staff Development
August 17Staff Development
August 18Teacher workday
Meet the teacher night
August 19Teacher workday
August 22Classes begins
September5Holiday
September 271st grading period ends
September 282nd grading period begins
October 14Early Dismissal
Fall Festival
October 17Student Fair Day
Staff Development
October 28Flex Day
November 11Veteran’s Day Assembly
November 22ndgrading period ends
November 33rdgrading period begin
November 21Thanksgiving holiday begins
November 28Classes resume
December 16Early Release
3rd grading period ends
December 19Winter Break begin
Spring Semester 2015
January 4Classes resume
4th grading period begins
January 16MLK Holiday
February 10Flex Day
February 20Presidents Day
February 174thgrading period ends
February 215th grading period begins
March 3Flex Day
March 10Inclement Weather Day
March 13Spring Break begins
March 20Classes resume
March 25Early Release
April 135thgrading period ends
April 14Holiday
April 17Inclement Weather Day
April 186th grading period begin
May 26Graduation
Flex Day
May 29Holiday
May 30Flex Day
May31Flex Day
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Acknowledgment of
Student Handbook
My child and I have been offered the option to receive a paper copy or to electronically access at the Avalon ISD Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct for2016–2017.
I have chosen to:
Receive a paper copy of the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct.
Accept responsibility for accessing the Student Handbook by visiting the Web address listed above.
I understand that the handbook contains information that my child and I may need during the school year and that all students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. If I have any questions regarding this handbook or the Student Code of ConductI should direct those questions to the principal at 972-627-3251.
Printed name of student:
Signature of student:
Signature of parent:
Date:
Notice Regarding Directory Information and
Parent’s Response Regarding Release of Student Information
State law requires the district to give you the following information:
Certain information about district students is considered directory information and will be released to anyone who follows the procedures for requesting the information unless the parent or guardian objects to the release of the directory information about the student. If you do not want Avalon ISD to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing within ten school days of child’s first day of instruction for this school year.
This means that the district must give certain personal information (called “directory information”) about your child to any person who requests it, unless you have told the district in writing not to do so. In addition, you have the right to tell the district that it may, or may not, use certain personal information about your child for specific school-sponsored purposes. The district is providing you this form so you can communicate your wishes about these issues.
For the following school-sponsored purposes: Avalon ISD has designated the following information as directory information:
- Student’s name
- Address
- Telephone listing
- E-mail address
- Photograph
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Dates of attendance
- Grade level
- Most recent school previously attended
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height, if a member of an athletic team
- Enrollment status
Student identification numbers or identifiers that cannot be used alone to gain access to electronic education records
Directory information identified only for limited school-sponsored purposes remains otherwise confidential and will not be released to the public without the consent of the parent or eligible student.
Parent: Please circle one of the choices below:
I, parent of ______(student’s name), (do give)(do not give) the district permission to use the information in the above list for the specified school-sponsored purposes.
Parent signature Date
For all other purposes, Avalon ISDhas designated the following information as directory information:
- Student’s name
- Address
- Telephone listing
- E-mail address
- Photograph
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Dates of attendance
- Grade level
- Most recent school previously attended
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height, if a member of an athletic team
- Enrollment status
- Student identification numbers or identifiers that cannot be used alone to gain access to electronic education records
Please note that if this form is not returned within specified timeframe above, the district will assume that permission has been granted for the release of this information.
Parent’s Objection to the Release of Student Information to
Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education
Federal law requires that the district release to military recruiters and institutions of higher education, upon request, the name, address, and phone number of secondary school students enrolled in the district, unless the parent or eligible student directs the district not to release information to these types of requestors without prior written consent.
Parent: Please complete the following only if you do not want your child’s information released to a military recruiter or an institution of higher education without your prior consent.
I, parent of ______(student’s name), request that the district not release my child’s name, address, and telephone number to a military recruiter or institutions of higher education upon their request without my prior written consent.
Parent signature Date
Table of Contents
Purpose and Organization
GENERAL CURRICULUM INFORMATION
PREFACE
SECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS
CONSENT, OPT-OUT, AND REFUSAL RIGHTS
Consent to Conduct a Psychological Evaluation
Consent to Display a Student’s Original Works and Personal Information
Consent to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction if Student is Under Age 14
Consent to Video or Audio Record a Student When Not Otherwise Permitted by Law
Prohibiting the Use of Corporal Punishment
Limiting Electronic Communications with Students by District Employees
Objecting to the Release of Directory Information
Objecting to the Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
Participation in Third-Party Surveys
Consent Required Before Student Participation in a Federally Funded Survey, Analysis, or Evaluation
“Opting Out” of Participation in Other Types of Surveys or Screenings and the Disclosure of Personal Information
REMOVING A STUDENT FROM INSTRUCTION OR EXCUSING A STUDENT FROM A REQUIRED COMPONENT OF INSTRUCTION
Human Sexuality Instruction
Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence in Grades 3–12
Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags
Religious or Moral Beliefs
Tutoring or Test Preparation
RIGHT OF ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS, CURRICULUM MATERIALS, AND DISTRICT RECORDS/POLICIES
Instructional Materials
Notices of Certain Student Misconduct to Noncustodial Parent
Participation in Federally Required, State-Mandated, and District Assessments
Student Records
Accessing Student Records
Authorized Inspection and Use of Student Records
Teacher and Staff Professional Qualifications
STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Children of Military Families
Parental Role in Certain Classroom and School Assignments
Multiple Birth Siblings
Safety Transfers/Assignments
Service/Assistance Animal Use by Students
Students in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care)
Students Who Are Homeless
Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need Special Education Services
Students Who Receive Special Education Services with Other School-Aged Children in the Home
Students Who Speak a Primary Language Other than English
Students with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected Under Section 504
SECTION II: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE
Compulsory Attendance
Age 19 and Older
Between Ages 6 and 19
Prekindergarten and Kindergarten
Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance
All Grade Levels
Secondary Grade Levels
Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance
All Grade Levels
Age 19 and Older
Between Ages 6 and 19
Attendance for Credit or Final Grade (Kindergarten–Grade 12)
Official Attendance-Taking Time (All Grade Levels)
Documentation After an Absence (All Grade Levels)
Doctor’s Note After an Absence for Illness (All Grade Levels)
Driver License Attendance Verification (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
ACCOUNTABILITY UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL LAW (All Grade Levels)
AWARDS AND HONORS (All Grade Levels)
BULLYING (All Grade Levels)
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
CELEBRATIONS (All Grade Levels)
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND OTHER MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN (All Grade Levels)
CLASS RANK/HIGHEST-RANKING STUDENT (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
CLASS SCHEDULES (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS (All Grade Levels)
COMPUTER RESOURCES
CONDUCT (All Grade Levels)
Applicability of School Rules
Campus Behavior Coordinator
Disruptions of School Operations
Social Events
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
COUNSELING
Academic Counseling
Elementary and Middle/Junior High School Grade Levels
High School Grade Levels
Personal Counseling (All Grade Levels)
COURSE CREDIT (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION—If a Student Has Taken the Course/Subject (All Grade Levels)
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION FOR ADVANCEMENT/ACCELERATION—If a Student Has Not Taken the Course/Subject
Grade Acceleration
Students in Grades 1–5
Students in Grades 6–12
DATING VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION (All Grade Levels)
Dating Violence
Discrimination
Harassment
Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Harassment
Retaliation
Reporting Procedures
Investigation of Report
DISCRIMINATION
DISTANCE LEARNING
All Grade Levels
Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) (Secondary Grade Levels)
DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT POINT SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE, PUBLISHED MATERIALS, OR OTHER DOCUMENTS (All Grade Levels)
School Materials
Nonschool Materials
From Students
From Others
DRESS AND GROOMING (All Grade Levels)
ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES (All Grade Levels)
Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Mobile Telephones
Possession and Use of Other Personal Electronic Devices
Instructional Use of Personal Telecommunications and Other Electronic Devices
Acceptable Use of District Technology Resources
Unacceptable and Inappropriate Use of Technology Resources
END-OF-COURSE (EOC) ASSESSMENTS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (All Grade Levels)
EXEMPTIONS FOR SEMESTER EXAM
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS (All Grade Levels)
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AND JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY SELECTION PROCEDURES
Standards of Behavior
Offices and Elections
FIELD TRIPS
FLEX DAY INFORMATION
FOOD SERVICE / FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE FOOD PROGRAM
FUNDRAISING (All Grade Levels)
GANG-FREE ZONES (All Grade Levels)
GENDER-BASED HARASSMENT
GRADE-LEVEL CLASSIFICATION (Grades 9–12 Only)
GRADING GUIDELINES (All Grade Levels)
GRADUATION (Secondary Grade Levels Only)
Requirements for a Diploma for a Student Enrolled in High School Prior to the 2014–15 School Year
Requirements for a Diploma Beginning with the 2014–15 School Year
Testing Requirements for Graduation
Minimum, Recommended, and Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Graduation Programs
Foundation Graduation Program
Personal Graduation Plans for Students Under the Foundation Graduation Program
Available Course Options for All Graduation Programs
Certificates of Coursework Completion
Students with Disabilities
Graduation Activities
Graduation Speakers
Graduation Expenses
Scholarships and Grants
HARASSMENT
HAZING (All Grade Levels)
HEALTH-RELATED MATTERS
Student Illness (All Grade Levels)
Bacterial Meningitis (All Grade Levels)
Food Allergies (All Grade Levels)
Head Lice (All Grade Levels)
Physical Activity Requirements
Elementary School
Junior High/Middle School
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) (All Grade Levels)
Other Health-Related Matters
Physical Fitness Assessment (Grades 3–12)
Vending Machines (All Grade Levels)
Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Prohibited (All Grade Levels and All Others on School Property)