The mission of Weakley County Schools is to provide an
educational environment that will encourage students to achieve
their full potential as they prepare for unique roles as
contributing
members of our complex and changing society.
Website:
www.weakleycountyschools.com
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2005-2006
CALENDAR...............................................................................................
1
INTRODUCTION AND
PHILOSOPHY..............................................................................................................
2
GOALS
........................................................................................................................
3
SCHOOL
ADMISSIONS..............................................................................................
3
TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS .........................................................................................
4
ATTENDANCE POLICY..............................................................................................
5
ABSENCES AND EXCUSES......................................................................................................
6
GRADING AND REPORTING SYSTEM.....................................................................
7
PROMOTION, RETENTION AND GRADUATION
..................................................... 8
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................
10
STUDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
.......................................................................... 12
ELECTRONIC MEDIA – ACCESS AND ACCEPTABLE
USE................................. 13
DISCIPLINE POLICY ................................................................................................
14
CODE OF DISCIPLINE ...........................................................................................................
16
BUS TRANSPORTATION.........................................................................................
24
STUDENT LOCKERS
...............................................................................................
24
STUDENT FEES AND OTHER CHARGES..............................................................
25
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
...............................................................................
25
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL
PROGRAM................................................................... 26
SCHOOL
VISITORS..................................................................................................
27
EXTENDED EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES................................................................. 27
SPECIAL EDUCATION...........................................................................................................
27
TYPES, LOCATION, AND ACCESS TO RECORDS
............................................... 28
PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT TEACHERS
................................................ 28
GRIEVANCE
PROCEDURES...................................................................................
29
HARASSMENT/DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES................................................ 29
DIRECTORY..............................................................................................................
30
1
2005-2006 CALENDAR
August 1 (Mon.) In-Service/Workday
August 2 (Tues.) In-Service/Workday
August 3 (Wed.) In-Service/Workday
August 4 (Thurs.) Registration of Students (No buses)
August 5 (Fri.) In-Service/Workday
August 8 (Mon.) School Begins (1st Full Day for Students)
September 5 (Mon.) Labor Day (No School)
October 13 (Thurs.) Parent Teacher Conference (No School for
Students)
October 14 (Fri.) Staff Development (No School for Students)
October 17 (Mon.) Fall Break (No School)
October 18 (Tues.) Fall Break (No School)
November 23-25 (Wed.-Fri.) Thanksgiving (No School)
December 20 (Tues.) Christmas Break – Early Dismissal - No Lunch
Served
January 4 (Wed.) Students Return to School – Begin Second Semester
January 16 (Mon.) Martin Luther King Day (No School)
January (to be announced) Parent Teacher Conference (Three Hours
after School)
February 17 (Fri.) Staff Development (No School for Students)
February 20 (Mon.) All Presidents’ Day (No School)
March 17 (Fri.) No School
March 27 – 31 (Mon.-Fri.) Spring Break (No School)
April 13 (Thurs.) No School
April 14 (Fri.) No School
April 17-28 Achievement Testing
May 3-5 (Wed.-Fri.) Gateway Testing
May 23 (Tues.) Last Day of School – Early Dismissal – No Lunch
May 24 (Wed.) Workday for Teachers (No School for Students)
May 25 (Thurs.) ½ Day Workday (Report Cards – Buses Will Not Run)
The first four snow days will not be made up. Any subsequent snow
days will be made up
as follows: (1) Jan.3; (2) Jan. 16; (3) Feb. 20; (4) April 13; (5)
May 24; (6) March 17; (7)
March 27; (8) March 28; (9) March 29; (10) March 30; (11) March
31; (12) Add to end of
year.
2
INTRODUCTION AND
Welcome to Weakley County Schools. The mission of Weakley County
Schools is to
provide an educational environment that will encourage students to
achieve their full
potential as they prepare for unique roles as contributing members
of our complex and
changing society.
In order for our system to remain superior, students, parents,
teachers, staff members,
and administrators must work together in a cooperative effort to
ensure that you receive
every educational opportunity available.
This handbook has been prepared to acquaint you and your parents
with the policies,
procedures, and activities of our schools. We hope the information
contained within the
handbook will enable you and your parents to become better
informed of our school
system's policies and procedures. We believe a well-informed
community leads to a
positive and safe school environment.
Each school has a definite schedule, and students are expected to
be in school during
the designated hours. Parents should not request permission for
students to leave school
for activities such as personal appointments, tanning sessions,
errands, or other activities
that should be scheduled after school hours. Your cooperation is
appreciated.
Information in this handbook reflects the current policies of
Weakley County Schools.
Policies are subject to change at any time by action of the
Weakley County Board of
Education.
Weakley County Schools will not discriminate against any student
based on race,
creed, color, handicap, national origin, sex, age, political
affiliation, or beliefs.
PHILOSOPHY
We believe...
♦ All children can learn.
♦ Parental and community involvement
is essential for success.
♦ Readiness needs should be addressed.
♦ Strong leadership is the key to
effective schools.
♦ A clear focus should be placed on
academics.
♦ Good character traits and ethical
conduct should be emphasized throughout the
educational process.
♦ Sensitivity to the needs of all
children should be maintained.
♦ Each student deserves the best
possible teachers.
♦ Administrators, teachers, and staff
members will convey high student expectations
and positively reinforce students when they meet those
expectations.
♦ Students deserve a positive learning
environment.
♦ Information access and application
skills are key components to learning.
♦ Mutual respect and integrity among
all members of the educational community should
be instilled.
3
GOALS
The Weakley County School System has established the following goals
as a means of
accomplishing its stated Philosophy.
I. Learning
A. All schools will prepare students to be lifelong learners.
B. Students will be ready to learn.
C. Learning will be coordinated, sequenced, and integrated.
D. State and national goals will be met and exceeded.
II. Personnel
A. Professional development will be thorough and ongoing.
B. Schools should have a sharing relationship with other schools.
C. Highly qualified personnel will continue to be employed.
III. Community
A. Parent and school interaction will be promoted.
B. The community will be involved and demonstrate a sense of
ownership.
C. Business interaction and involvement will be encouraged.
IV. Safety
A. Schools will be safe and drug-free.
B. Schools will foster an environment of mutual respect.
C. Schools will continue to be upgraded and well maintained.
V. Technology – All schools will be 21st Century compatible.
VI. Funding
A. Adequate and equitable funding for support of our goals will be
secured.
B. Building needs will be addressed.
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
Children must be five (5) years of age by September 30 of the
current year in order to
enroll in kindergarten, and be six (6) years of age by the same
date to enroll in grade one.
Admission of foreign exchange students is governed by Weakley
County Board of
Education Policy (6.502).
Students entering school for the first time must have the
following:
1. Birth certificate.
2. Social Security Number.
3. Proof of proper immunization:
a) DPT (4 doses),
b) Polio (4 doses),
c) MMR (2 doses),
d) HBV (3 doses),
e) HIB (4 doses) if not administered with HBV
f) Varicella – Chicken Pox – 1 dose
after the first (1st)
birthday or a
diagnosed history of disease
4. Physical examination after January 1 of this year.
5. Proof of residence with a parent or a legal guardian.
6. Completion of registration forms including the "Student
Accident
Information" form.
4
Transfers and Withdrawals
1. Students seeking to transfer from one school within
school within
to transfer to their school principal before April 15. Any request
for transfer must be
discussed between the principals involved and may necessitate
discussions with the
Director of Schools.
2. Any transfer request for
the upcoming school year made after April 15, but before
the opening day of school, must
be approved by the Director of Schools.
3. Requests for transfer during
the school year (i.e. after the opening day of
school) will
be considered if both principals consent to the transfer. The
Director of Schools may
approve the transfer, or if the situation requires, present the
request to the Weakley
grading period whenever possible.
4. When a student must change schools because of moving from one community to
another, he/she must contact each
Principal/Counselor for exiting/entering
information/procedures.
5. No transfer in
action from another school.
6. The Board may deny admission of any student who has been
expelled or suspended
from another school system although the student has established
residency in Weakley
County. The Director of Schools, or his designee, shall
investigate the facts
surrounding the suspension from the former school system and make
a
recommendation to the Board. If a student is accepted for
admission and it is
determined that the student is under a disciplinary action in
another school system,
the Board may dismiss the student.
7. The enrollment in, or the transfer to, any
or outside the county, which would result in the student living
with a person or
persons not having legal custody of the student, must have the
approval of the
consultation with the Director of Schools, where the situation warrants, until the
Board meets.
8. The student must furnish his own transportation if he/she is
attending a school
outside his zone of residence.
Transfer Option for Students Victimized by Violent Crime at School
Under the
school student who is the victim of a violent crime as defined
under Tennessee Code
Annotated 40-38-111(g) or the attempt to commit one of these
offenses as defined under
Tennessee Code Annotated 39-12-101 shall be provided an
opportunity to transfer to
another grade-level appropriate school within Weakley County
Schools.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Director
of Schools.
5
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The Weakley County Board of Education believes that attendance is
a key factor in
student achievement; therefore, all students are expected to be
present each day that
school is in session.
All students are to be full-time students. High school students
must be enrolled each
semester in subjects producing a minimum of five credits per year.
In schools using block
scheduling, high school students must be enrolled each semester in
subjects producing a
minimum of three credits per semester toward graduation.
All children will be required to attend school regularly from
their sixth birthday to
their eighteenth birthday, as outlined in the compulsory
attendance statute. (
Code Annotated 49-6-3001)
PARENTS are responsible for the attendance of their children
within the compulsory
attendance age.
A student who is habitually absent without permission or absent
excessively will be
referred to the Weakley County Truancy Board. If truancy continues
after the Truancy
Board appearance, the student and the student's parents will be
cited into Juvenile Court.
The parent(s) who refuse(s) or fail(s) to have the child attend
school regularly will be guilty
of a misdemeanor and may be punished in accordance with the law.
Students have the right to a free and appropriate public
education, which includes the
right to equal educational opportunities without regard to race,
sex, religion, or economic
status.
Students have the responsibility to attend school regularly.
Students may not leave the
school grounds without permission of the school principal. (An
Off-Campus Permit is
required in grades 9-12.)
Schools must establish procedures for admitting students who have
been absent or
tardy to class, maintain accurate records of student absences or
tardiness, and report this
information to the Weakley County Schools Attendance Supervisor.
The only exceptions will be as follows:
1. Students certified by a physician to be physically unable to
attend. These children
must then be considered for homebound instruction.
2. Students suspended or expelled by the Weakley County Board of
Education.
3. Students dismissed from compulsory attendance by the Weakley
County Board of
Education at the request of the principal and/or the
parents/guardians.
4. Students exempt from attendance as defined in Tennessee Code
Annotated
49-6-3005.
6
Absences and Excuses
After missing school, the student should bring a note from the
parent/guardian or
doctor to the principal outlining the reason for the absence(s).
The principal will
determine if the absence is excused or unexcused. All absences,
excused and unexcused,
will be properly recorded using the computer attendance program.
Excused absences will be granted for the
following:
1. Illness of the student or appointments with a doctor or
dentist. (A doctor’s statement
may be required.)
2. Illness in the immediate family that would require the help of
the student in the home.
(Doctor's statement may also be required.)
3. Death in the immediate family.
4. Religious holidays regularly observed by persons of the
student's faith.
5. Approved educational activities.
a. A maximum of five (5) days during the school year may be
excused for
educational activities (i.e., travel/study trips, participation in
academic contests,
etc., which are not sponsored by the school or school system.)
Request for
approval must be made before the activity.
b. A request for approval for educational activities exceeding
five (5) days must be
presented to the principal in writing. It will be referred to the
Board of Education for consideration and/or approval as an excused
absence.
6. Documented court appearances.
7. Circumstances, which in the judgment of the principal, create
emergencies over which
the student has no control.
Special conditions are to be expected in the event of repeated
absences. After five (5)
absences, the principal may require a note from the doctor at any
time.
After five (5) unexcused absences, the principal will report the absence by phone to
the attendance supervisor. The attendance supervisor will follow
the procedures
established by law. (
A
student in grades 9-12 who has five or more unexcused absences in a
semester
course or more than eight unexcused absences in a year longcourse
will
not receive credit for that course. (This policy does
not apply at
attendance options. Consult the principal's office at your school
for a copy of the
attendance policy at that school.)
As positive incentives, students who meet certain criteria in
attendance and scholarship
will be rewarded. Students in grades K-5 will be rewarded at their
school. Students in
grades 6-12 are required to take a comprehensive exam in each
subject at the end of the
second semester. Graduating seniors will be excused from second
semester final exams in
each course if they have a 95 or above average in that course.
7
During testing times, seniors who are exempt are required to be
present or they will be
counted absent. The last instructional day before second semester
exams will be the cut
off point for counting absences for test exemption purposes.
Tardiness
A student being late three (3) times will constitute one (1)
absence. In departmental
settings, each teacher may count tardiness.
Make-up Opportunities
A student who has an unexcused absence has no right to make up for
credit any work
missed during that absence.
Any homework or test assigned prior to an absence will be due the
day the student
returns to school.
Homework or tests assigned during a student's absence must be
completed and turned
in by the same number of days absent plus one day.
Any homework or test not made up during the specified time will
result in a zero for
that work.
Arrangements for make-up work or tests are the student's
responsibility.
Dismissal Procedures
Requests for dismissal before the close of the school day must be
presented in writing,
in person, or by phone by the parents/guardians either to the
principal or to a designated
person.
The dismissal of school or any group of pupils to participate in
athletics, band, or any
other similar activity is not permitted except with the consent of
the
Board of Education.
No student shall be permitted to leave school premises during the
school day without
the written request of the parents/guardians, except in cases of
illness or accident.
Students shall not be permitted to leave school to go to lunch.
If illness or an accident occurs, the parent or guardian will be
notified immediately.
The parent will be urged to arrange to transport the student home.
GRADING AND REPORTING SYSTEM
Report cards will be issued every six weeks except at schools
using block scheduling.
The grading scale is:
A 95-100 U Unsatisfactory
B 85-94 N Needs Improvement
C 75-84 I Improving but not
D 70-74 yet satisfactory
F Below 70 S Satisfactory
Kindergarten: All academic subjects shall be reported as U, N, I,
or S.
8
Grades 1-2:
F. Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, Writing, Physical
Education,
and Safety shall be reported as S, I, or U.
Note: Grade 1 shall be allowed to report all student progress S,
I, or U the first six
weeks of school only.
Grades 3-5:
reported as numerical grades. Art, Music, Writing, Health,
Physical
Education, and Safety shall be reported as S, I, or U.
Grades 6-12: All subjects (except 6-7-8 music) shall be reported
as number grades.
Weighted Grades: Grades will be weighted in the following courses:
All Honors Courses (with approved curriculum)
All Foreign Languages at Level III & IV
All Advanced Placement Courses (with approved curriculum)
Chemistry I & II
Biology II
Physics
Math IV
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
PROMOTION, RETENTION AND GRADUATION
This policy is designed to provide system-wide uniformity in
standards upon which
promotion is based. Promotion or retention shall be considered
based on what is best for
the student. In exceptional cases, the teacher, principal, or the
Director of Schools will
make the final decision.
Normally, students will progress annually in sequential order from
grade to grade.
Retention may be used when, in the judgment of the parent and
teacher, retention is in the
best interest of the student. The professional staff is expected
to place students at the
grade level best suited to them academically, socially, and
emotionally. Decisions to retain
are subject to review and approval of the principal after
consultation with the teacher and
parents.
In order to maximize the opportunity for remediation, students
with areas of
improvement shall be identified as early as possible in the school
year. Parents shall be
notified when specific needs are identified and shall be informed
periodically of remedial
efforts and given progress reports. In the case of failing work
being done by the student,
the parents shall be informed early so that the school and home
may cooperate in helping
the student improve. Before a student is retained, the parents
shall be notified and
requested to participate in a conference.
Official written notification of student progress is made by
report card. Report cards
are sent home to parents with the student at the end of each
grading period and should be
signed by parents and returned. Parent-teacher conferences are
held twice each year to
discuss student progress. Teachers should use phone calls and/or
written notes to parents
to inform them of student progress as the need arises.
9
The following factors shall be considered in making a decision on
promotion and
retention:
1. Record of satisfactory attendance.
2. Students who have been identified as having special concerns
including high-risk
students and other students with special needs shall be given
special consideration.
3. Promotion for special education students with disabilities will
be determined by the
IEP-Team.
4. Students shall have mastered essential skills sufficiently to
ensure a likelihood of
success at the next grade level.
5. Flexible placement, use of conditional promotion, remedial
summer programs,
assignment to transitional classes, and other approaches to
meeting the needs of
students shall be given consideration.
6. Retention shall not be used as a disciplinary measure.
A number of considerations would be taken into account in making
this decision.
Among them are:
1. The age of the pupil in relation to those with whom the student
would work the
following year;
2. Observation of the child's emotional, social, and physical
maturity;
3. The concerns of the parents;
4. The degree to which low achievement is reflected throughout the
student’s work;
5. Measurable evidence of low achievement in several key subjects
that could be
remediated through
retention;
6. The anticipated effect of the decision on the child;
Once the decision to retain has been made, the following actions
occur:
1. A report of each student retained shall be made to the Director
of Schools.
2. Documentation verifying deficiencies shall be placed in the
student's record.
3. Parents shall have the right to appeal any decision through
appeal procedures
established by board policy. The teacher shall be consulted at
each level of the appeal
procedure.
4. Educational experiences for the repeated year shall be varied
in order to provide an
appropriate instructional program. Variations may include, but are
not limited to:
a. Different teacher(s),
b. Different techniques and strategies,
c. Different materials,
d. Varying lengths of time per subject and/or physical setting in
the classroom.
10
To help determine the effectiveness of retention toward improving
student
achievement, the progress of retained students shall be monitored
for at least three (3)
years.
Middle school students must have a passing grade in at least five
(5) of the major
subjects before being promoted. The major subjects are
English/Spelling,
Health/Physical Education, Social Studies, and Science. No student
will be socially
promoted into the 9th grade if he/she has not been previously
retained.
No student will be retained over twice in the same grade -
exceptions will be brought
to the Director of Schools.
High school students will receive course credit only when the
following criteria are
met:
1. The student has had satisfactory attendance. (A student in
grades 9-12 who has five
(5) or more unexcused absences in a semester course or more than
eight (8)
unexcused absences in a year course will not receive credit for
that course.)
2. The student has accounted for all books, fees, etc.
3. The student has completed all requirements of assigned programs
such as a
drug/alcohol program.
Making Passing Grades and the
According to state law, if a student (aged 15-18) does not make a
passing grade in at
least three (3) full credit subjects (2 on a block schedule) at
the end of semester grading,
the school system is required to report that information to the
state. The
Attendance Supervisor shall report the information to the
Department of Safety, which
will notify the student that their license is suspended or that
the student may not obtain a
license. The school system will not submit any verification of
improvement until the
completion of the next
semester following the student’s license
suspension. (
Code Annotated 49-6-3017)
Classification of Students
To be classified a sophomore; a student must have four (4)
credits, one (1) of which
must be a credit in English I.
To be classified a junior; a student must have nine (9) credits,
two (2) of which must
be credits in English I and English II.
To be classified a senior; a student must have fourteen (14)
credits, three (3) of which
must be credits in English I, English II and English III.
Students may not take more than one (1) English class per year for
the first three years
they are enrolled in high school. In the event that a student has
been in high school three
years and can graduate at the end of the school year or by
attending summer school, the
student may register for English III and English IV during the
fourth year.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass the Tennessee
Comprehensive Testing
Program Competency Test. Beginning with the Class of 2005 (9th graders in 2001-2002),
all students will be required to pass Gateway Exams in Algebra I,
English II, and Biology
in order to graduate.
11
The following twenty (20) units shall be required for students
graduating with a
Regular Diploma in the college path:
Courses Number of Credits
English 4
Math 3*
Science 3**
Social Studies 3***
Lifetime Wellness 1
Software Tools 1
Foreign Language 2****
Visual/Performing Arts 1
Electives 2
TOTAL 20
*Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II are required.
**One credit must be Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
***
**** Both credits must be in the same language.
The following twenty (20) units shall be required for students
graduating with a
Regular Diploma in the technical path:
Courses Number of Credits
English 4
Math 3*
Science 3**
Social Studies 3***
Lifetime Wellness 1
Software Tools 1
Technical Major 4****
Electives 1
TOTAL 20
*Includes one unit of Algebra I.
**Principles of Technology I is a pre-requisite for most technical
courses.
***
****Four credits must focus on a particular technical area.
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements at UTC, UTK, and UTM
The minimum undergraduate admissions requirements at all campuses
of The
Subject Area Units Required
English 4
Algebra 2
Geometry, Trigonometry, Advanced Math,
or Calculus 1*
Science, including at least one year of
Biology, Chemistry, or Physics 2**
American History 1
European History, World History, or
World Geography 1
12
A single foreign language 2
Visual/Performing Arts 1
*For admission to UT-Chattanooga, this credit must be Geometry.
**For admission to UT-Chattanooga, both credits must include lab
work.
These requirements apply to all regular freshman applicants.
Different requirements
may be specified for special categories of applicants including
international students,
students who submit GED scores in lieu of a high school diploma,
re-entry students, early
admission students, and students taking university courses while
still in high school.
While a non-degree student does not have to meet all of these
requirements, conversion at
any time to degree-seeking status will require a student to meet
all requirements that have
not been satisfied, either in high school or through completion of
college courses.
Applicants with foreign language deficiencies from those high
schools not offering all
the required subjects may be admitted to the University with
proper approvals; however,
such deficiencies must be removed during the first two years of
university work. Courses
required to remove foreign language deficiencies can only be used
to satisfy elective
requirements.
STUDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY
Traumatic incidents are unpredictable and pose a threat to the
positive learning
environment Weakley County Schools strives to provide students. To
lessen the
potentially adverse effects critical incidents (natural or
manmade) pose, a "Crisis
Management Plan" has been adopted. The manual has specific
individual school plans
and defines critical incidents. It outlines roles and
responsibilities for students, faculty,
and staff in the event of a traumatic event. It also provides
instruction for involving
parents, community resources and the media in restoring normalcy
to the school site.
The Safe and
importance placed on efforts to eliminate violence in schools.
Each school in the county
developed individual safety teams and has designated a
representative to serve on the
Weakley County Schools Safety Committee. These committees review
site safety plans,
issues, and system educational needs related to violence in the
school system.
Additionally, the school system is represented on the Weakley
County Safety Committee
to ensure school-related issues receive proper review.
Emergency Drills
In order to educate our students about the proper reaction to certain
emergencies,
Weakley County Schools takes at least these actions:
1. Fire Drills shall be conducted in each school monthly with two
being held within the
first thirty days of school.
2. Other safety drills shall be held three times each year
including Tornado Drills,
Earthquake Drills, and Intruder Drills.
3. The Earthquake Procedure Plan is reviewed annually.
Administration of Medication
All medication must be personally handed
to a school system employee by a parent or
guardian. Do not send any medication
by your student.
13
All medications must be provided to the
school in the original, pharmacy labeled
container. The container must display all of the following
information:
1. The student’s first and last names.
2. Prescription number.
3. Medication name and dosage.
4. Administration route and other directions for administration.
5. Date prescription filled.
6. Licensed prescriber’s name.
7. Pharmacy name, address, and phone number.
Non-prescription drugs (including lotions, salves, ointments, Tylenol,
cough syrups,
etc.) also must be delivered to a school system employee in the
manufacturer’s original
labeled container with ingredients listed. The student’s name must
be affixed to the
container. A permit to administer and direction for administration
must accompany the
medication.
All medications will be kept locked in a designated area within
the school and will be
dispensed only by duly appointed school system employees.
Prescription medications must have a permit from the
parent/guardian and the
physician for administration. Please discuss with the physician
the feasibility of
administering medications outside school hours. Non-prescription
medications must also
have a signed permission form from the parent-guardian for
administration. These
permits must be written. Permission
given verbally or over the telephone is not
acceptable.
Accident/Sickness Reports
Student information forms will be kept on file in each school
office. Students are
encouraged to report injuries as soon as possible. Accident report
forms are available
through each school office. In case of student accidents, the
school is not responsible for
medical bills.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA – ACCESS AND ACCEPTABLE USE
The Weakley County Board of Education supports the privilege of
students to have
reasonable access to various information formats and believes it
incumbent upon students
to use this privilege in an appropriate and responsible manner.
A written parental request shall be required prior to the student
being granted
independent access to electronic media involving district
technology resources. The
Parent and Student Acknowledgement Card delivered with this
handbook shall serve as
parental request for and agreement to student access to electronic
media. This form shall
be kept on file as a legal, binding document until the student
leaves the school or until it is
modified or rescinded.
Access is a privilege, not a right, and entails responsibility.
Students are responsible for
good behavior using school technology resources as they are in a
classroom.
Communications on the network are public in nature. General school
rules for behavior
and communications apply.
When using electronic media, students should understand:
14
1. The Technology Department must approve the installation of all
software.
2. Malicious attempts to harm or destroy hardware, software, or
data are prohibited.
Destruction of hardware or software is vandalism and will be
addressed according to
the discipline policy of Weakley County Schools.
3. The illegal installation or transmission of copyrighted
materials is prohibited.
4. All files and messages are subject to review by Weakley County
Schools personnel.
5. Materials that are obscene, offensive, threatening, or otherwise
intended to harass or
demean recipients should not be transmitted.
6. Private, commercial, or illegal use is prohibited.
7. Files, data, or information of others must not be improperly
accessed or misused.
8. Backup copies of documents are the responsibility of the
student.
9. Personal information should never be given out over the
Internet except in the
performance of the business of Weakley County Schools.
10. The student has the responsibility to take precautions to
prevent the spread of
software viruses.
In order to modify or rescind the agreement to access electronic
media, the student's
parent/guardian (or the student who is at least 18 years old) must
provide the school
principal with a written request.
School officials shall apply the same criterion of educational
suitability used to review
other educational resources when questions arise concerning access
to specific databases
or other electronic media.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
One of the greatest opportunities offered to members of a
democratic society is public
education. As with other privileges, there are also inherent
responsibilities. In a social
situation such as the public schools, all participants – students,
parents/guardians,
teachers, administrators, and others in the educational process –
have the right and
responsibility to know the basic standards of conduct and behavior
that are expected. No
student or other person involved in the public schools can realize
his/her rights unless
he/she exercises self-discipline and care to afford all others
their rights.
Philosophy for Discipline
In order to grow educationally, socially, and emotionally,
students need to be in an
environment in which there are concerned teachers who will set
firm, consistent limits
while providing warmth and support for appropriate behavior. No
child will be allowed
to engage in behavior that is self-destructive or violates the
rights of peers or teachers.
Teachers have a right to:
1. Establish a classroom structure and routine that provides the
optimal learning
environment.
2. Determine and request appropriate behavior from the student
that encourages positive
social and educational development.
3. Ask for help from parents, the principal, and others when
assistance is needed.
Students have a right to:
15
1. Have a teacher who is in the position to and who will help the
child limit inappropriate
self-destructive behavior.
2. Have a teacher who is in the position to and who will provide
the child with positive
support for appropriate behavior.
3. Choose how to behave and know the consequences that will
follow.
4. Be in an orderly and safe educational environment.
The cooperation of parents and students is essential if good
discipline in schools is to
be achieved. Parents may contribute to good discipline by
accepting the responsibility to:
1. Maintain a positive attitude toward education.
2. Show an interest in their child's progress through regular
communication with the
school.
3. Teach their child to dress in a neat, clean, well-groomed, and
appropriate manner.
4. Ensure their child's regular daily attendance.
5. Report and explain any absence to the school.
6. Teach their child respect for authority.
7. Cooperate with school personnel in solving disciplinary
problems.
No teacher, regardless of experience or training, is capable of
working successfully with
every student without support. Students need to know what response
there will be to
their behavior by the teacher, both positive and negative. All
students need to know that
they and their positive behaviors are appreciated.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide a concise outline of
rights and responsibilities
of those directly involved in the educational process in Weakley
County Schools, including
students, parents/guardians, and school personnel. This policy
does not address every
possible offense, nor does it address every possible disciplinary
action that could be taken
by school personnel; instead, offenses and disciplinary actions
are addressed in general
categories. The policy offers the administrator, teacher, parent,
and student a guide to
enable them to act in good faith and make decisions about student
conduct.
Application of Policy
This policy applies to EVERY student who is under the jurisdiction
of the Weakley
policy will also apply at any extra-curricular activity including
but not limited to an athletic
contest, a band contest, or a field trip and at any other times
and places where teachers
and school administrators have jurisdiction over students. This
policy and all
consequences also apply to students when they are being
transported on school buses.
This code attempts to match specific consequences with specific
behavior. The
numbers in parentheses, which follow each rule, refer to
consequences that may be used if
misbehavior occurs. Under certain circumstances, specific action
is mandatory and is
identified by an asterisk (*).
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School personnel are encouraged to utilize realistic and
appropriate methods of
discipline. For example, cleaning the bathroom walls is an
appropriate consequence for
writing on them.
When determining the consequence, the following circumstances
should be taken into
consideration:
1. Age and/or grade level of student
2. Frequency and seriousness of misconduct
3. Attitude of student
Corporal punishment and behavior involving disorderly conduct,
weapons, or search
and seizure will be handled according to Tennessee Code Annotated.
The following rules, regulations, and procedures in no way attempt
to replace or
remove routine classroom discipline from the teachers in
at their disposal any appropriate disciplinary measure that has
proven successful.
Code of Discipline
I. Respect for Persons and Property – Dress Code (The principal
and faculty
have the right and responsibility to monitor and enforce the dress
code.
The principal or designee has the authority to determine if any
attire is
improper, detrimental to the teaching-learning process, or
prejudicial to
good order at school.)
A. Students must:
1. Wear clothing, accessories, and hairstyles that are neither
hazardous to
health or safety nor disruptive to the teaching-learning process.
(1-8)
2. Wear pants, shorts, or skirts at the waist level. If necessary
to maintain
clothing at the waist level, a belt will be worn and must be
buckled. (1-8)
3. Wear shirts and tops that completely cover the abdomen, back
and
shoulders and must not have low-cut necklines or underarm areas.
(1-8)
4. Wear shoes at all times. (1-8)
5. Remove head coverings inside the school building. (1-8, 10)
6. Cover any tattoos. (1-8)
7. Meet minimum standards of cleanliness. (1-8)
B. Students must not:
1. Wear haircuts, hairstyles, or hair colors that are
non-traditional to the
point of causing distractions. (1-8)
2. Wear sagging pants. (1-8)
3. Wear clothing that advertises or promotes tobacco, drugs, drug
paraphernalia, alcoholic beverages, violence, or displays profane
or
suggestive language. (4*, 1-8, 10)
4. Wear clothing in middle and high school that is shorter than
the top of
the kneecap when standing. Appropriate modifications may be made
in
middle and high school physical education classes, wellness
classes,
athletic activities, and band activities. (1-8)
5. Wear see-through or form-fitting garments as outer garments
including
tights and leggings. (1-8)
6. Wear trench coats or other coats or clothing or accessories
that are
disruptive or hazardous to health or safety. (1-8, 10)
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7. Wear body piercing jewelry/accessories except in the ear lobe
and the
jewelry/accessories must be modest and of appropriate length.
(1-8, 10)
II. Respect for Persons and Property – General Conduct
Students have the right
to be treated with respect and the responsibility to treat
others with respect.
Students have the right
to a safe and orderly environment in which to learn and
the responsibility to treat school property and the property of others with
respect and to behave in a manner that does not interfere with the
rights of others
and is not harmful to the health and safety of others.
A. All students must:
1. Bring materials and supplies such as paper, pencil, book, etc.
(1-7)
2. Complete assigned work. (1-7)
3. Use class time properly. (1-7)
4. Take home and return required forms. (1-7)
5. Abide by rules and regulations regarding field trips. (1-9)
6. Obey teachers and all other professional staff members. (1-9)
7. Obey the school's rules. (1-16)
8. Account for all textbooks, library books, or other school-owned
materials
issued to them. (5, 11, 13)
B. Students who ride a bus must:
1. Be ready on time and at the designated bus stop. (4*, 9)
2. Stand clear of the bus and not cross the road or highway until
the bus
comes to a complete stop. (4*, 9)
3. Load in an orderly manner and be seated before the bus starts.
(4*, 9)
4. Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. (4*, 9)
5. Keep arms, feet, and head inside the bus at all times. (4*, 9)
6. Keep books, lunch boxes, etc. in the lap and pencils and pens
in book
satchels, books, or purses at all times. (4*, 9, 10)
7. Not bring large containers, glass objects, or balloons of any
type onto the
bus. (4*, 9, 10)
8. Observe the same rules of conduct as in a classroom. (Talk
quietly and
be courteous.) (4*, 9)
9. Not eat, drink, or use tobacco on the bus. (4*, 8, 9, 10)
10. Obey the bus driver promptly and courteously to help maintain
a safe
environment for all students on the bus. (4*)
C. Students who drive must:
1. Vacate cars immediately upon arrival at school and not enter
them again
until the close of the school day. (4*, 5-8)
2. Remove keys and lock the vehicle. (4*, 5-8)
3. Have a valid Tennessee Driver's License [or permit]. (4*, 5-8)
4. Park in student parking area(s). (4*, 5-8, 16)
5. Not be a middle school student. No middle school student shall
be
allowed to drive a motor vehicle on the school campus.
D. At school-sponsored functions or on school grounds, students
may not:
1. Disrupt the bus, class, or school by:
a) Making unnecessary, rude, or disrespectful remarks. (1-8)
b) Bothering or annoying others. (1-8)
18
c) Being out of their seats without permission. (1-8)
d) Bringing unauthorized items to school. (4*, 6-8, 10*)
e) Engaging in any other behavior that causes disruption. (1-8)
2. Intentionally damage textbooks, library books, or other
materials. (4*,
5-9, 11, 13)
3. Run in halls or buildings. (1-8)
4. Leave the class or school grounds without permission. (4*, 13,
16)
5. Throw or project any object. (1-8)
6. Cheat or copy. (1-8, 12)
7. Possess, smoke, or use any natural, synthetic, or simulated
tobacco
products anywhere on school grounds. (See Section IV and V.)
8. Possess or use alcohol and drugs. (See Section V and VI.)
9. Defy the authority of any member of the staff or any other
person
officially designated in authority, including but not limited to
chaperons.
(1-9, 12)
10. Engage in physical conduct of a sexual nature. (4*, 13*, 8,
12, 14-16)
11. Gamble. (4*, 5-8, 10, 12-16)
12. Commit an act of indecent exposure. (4*, 13*, 8, 12, 14-16)
13. Commit any act that interrupts the orderly conduct of the
school. (1-16)
14. Fight or engage in any other physical contact that could
result in injury.
(1-9, 12-16)
15. Persist in breaking rules. (8, 12, 15, 16)
16. Use profane, obscene, indecent, or immoral language or
gestures. (1-8,
4*, 12-15)
17. Use abusive language such as slander, public accusation, and
racial,
ethnic, or religious slurs. (4*, 1-9, 12-15)
18. Bring cell phones, pagers, radios, tape players, pets, or
playing cards to
school. (4*, 10)
19. Haze other students. For initiations, school officials shall
regulate the
dress of pupils when this dress is considered unacceptable for
school
attendance. (4*)
20. Possess knives, guns, firearms, or use any other object to
inflict injury to
person or property. (4*, 8, 10*, 13, 15, 16 and Section V.)
21. Commit any act of sexual harassment. (4*)
22. Commit any other criminal acts, which include, but are not
limited to the
following:
a) Arson - willfully setting fire to real or personal property.
(4*, 13*,
14-16*)
b) Assault - attempting or threatening, physically or verbally, to
do
bodily harm to another. (4*, 13*, 14-16)
c) Battery - unlawfully doing bodily harm to another. (4*, 13*,
14-16*)
d) Blackmail - extorting or attempting to extort money or property
by
the threat of exposure. (4*, 13*, 16)
e) Burglary - breaking into a building or vehicle for the purpose
of
removing personal or real property. (4*, 13*, 14-16*)
f) Coercion - compelling others to act or take actions against
their will,
restraining by force, or repressing. (4*, 12, 13*, 16)
g) Extortion - attempting to take property or money from another
by
threat or use of force. (4*, 13*-16)
h) Stealing - taking away secretly something that does not belong
to
one. (4*, 13*, 15, 16)
19
i) Forgery - falsifying a
document or signature. (4*, 13*, 12-16)
III. Free Speech and Student Publications
Students have the right
to express their opinions and points of view subject to
reasonable time, place, and content limitations consistent with
law and the
responsibility to listen
courteously to the opinions and points of view of others.
A. All students must:
1. Obtain prior approval from the principal to distribute or post
materials
and to circulate petitions or surveys. (4*-8, 10, 12-16)
2. Use discretion in the production of any school publication.
(4-8)
3. Obtain approval of contents by the principal before printing
any school
publication. (4*-8)
4. Obtain permission to solicit funds or sell advertisements for
school
publications. (4-8)
5. Abide by the rules concerning student publications. (4-8)
B. Students may not:
1. Circulate petitions or surveys during class time. (1-8)
2. Display or wear controversial symbols that will disrupt or
interfere with
the orderly operations of schools. (1-8)
3. Print articles, pictures, or comments, which could be harmful
or cause
embarrassment to others, the school, or the community. (1-8)
4. Distribute on school grounds any commercial, political,
pornographic, or
other unauthorized materials. (1-8)
Sections I-III Consequences:
1. Teacher/student conferences.
2. Disciplinary action by teacher.
3. Detention.
4. Principal involvement.
5. School/parent conference.
6. Corporal punishment.
7. In-school suspension.
8. Suspension.
9. Suspension of bus riding privileges. (Student must attend
school and
parent must provide transportation.)
10. Confiscation.
11. Compensation, work detail, etc.
12. Administrative referral to student services and/or outside
agencies, which
may result in placement in special programs.
13. Immediate parent notification.
14. Refer to Mental Health Center.
15. Refer to Board of Education for hearing.
16. Refer to law enforcement authorities.
IV. Use of or Possession of Alcohol
Use, possession, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages is
not permitted in
school buildings, on school property, in a school vehicle, or at school
functions at
any time. Any evidence of any consumption of alcohol or a trace of
alcohol in
one’s body is a violation of this policy. Possession includes
having the alcohol on
the person, in the immediate vicinity of the person, or among the
personal
20
possessions (backpacks, luggage, locker, automobile, etc.) of the
individual.
Consequences of violating this policy accumulate throughout grades
K-12.
First Offense – The student will be
remanded to the Alternative School for a
minimum of 30 days, be suspended for two (2) days, and denied
extracurricular
privileges for the remainder of the semester. (The Principal and
Director of
Schools will handle first offense infractions involving students
in grades K-5.)
Additionally, a Student Assistance Program professional must
evaluate the
student.
Second Offense – The student
will be suspended until the next meeting of the
Weakley County Board of Education with a recommendation that the
student be
expelled for the remainder of the school year. In order to be readmitted
to
Weakley County Schools, the student and the parent(s) or
guardian(s) must
request a hearing with the Board of Education.
After the principal determines the student has violated this
policy, the student will
be referred to the Weakley County Juvenile Office. The principal
will hold a
hearing with the student, the parent(s) or guardian(s), and a
representative of the
Weakley County Juvenile Office. Students who are 18 years old or
older will be
cited for adjudication in General Sessions Court.
In addition to sanctions imposed by the Principal/Board of
Education, the
appropriate court may impose additional sanctions.
Chapter Number 64 of the Public Acts of 1989, informally called
the Drug-Free
Youth Act, amends the motor vehicle operator licensing laws so as
to provide
that any child less than 18 years old who is convicted of any
offense involving the
possession, use, sale, or consumption of prohibited drugs or
alcohol shall not be
issued a driver's license or shall have his existing license suspended.
This denial
of driving privileges shall be effective for one year or until the
child reaches 17
years old for the first offense and for two years or until the
child reaches 18 years
old for subsequent offenses. Under certain circumstances, the license
may be
issued or reinstated upon payment of a fee and the completion of a
driver's safety
course or an approved alcohol/drug abuse intervention program.
Any student under the influence of drugs or alcohol should not be
allowed
to drive an automobile. This applies to
after school hours as well as the regular
school day. Arrangements will be made with the parent(s) or
guardian(s) for
transportation. If the parent(s) or guardian(s) cannot be reached,
a representative
of the Weakley County Juvenile Office should take the student
home.
V. Use of or Possession of Drugs
This policy includes, but is not limited to, the following: Any
narcotic drug,
amphetamine, barbiturate, hallucinogenic drug, marijuana, or other
intoxicants of
any kind (as defined by law).
Students will not possess, sell, barter, give away, transmit, or
use barbital or
legend drugs, or controlled substances whose possession is
prohibited; in school
buildings or on school grounds at any time, or in school vehicles
and/or buses, or
off school grounds at a school-sponsored activity, function, or
event.
A student may be subject to testing for the presence of drugs in
the student's
body if there are reasonable indications to the principal that
such student may
21
have used or be under the influence of drugs. The need for such
testing may be
brought to the attention of the principal through a search,
observed or reported
use of drugs by the student on school property, or other
reasonable information
received from a teacher, staff member or other student. (TCA
49-6-4213)
Any student caught at school or any school function under the
influence of any
controlled substance or in possession of either of these without a
doctor's
prescription is in violation of the Weakley County Board of
Education Drug Use
and Zero Tolerance Policies. After the principal determines the
student has
violated this policy, the student will be referred to the Weakley
County Juvenile
Office. The principal will hold a hearing with the student, the
parent(s) or
guardian(s), and a representative of the Weakley County Juvenile
Office. Students
who are 18 years old or older will be cited for adjudication in
General Sessions
Court.
In addition to sanctions imposed by the Principal/Board of
Education, the
appropriate court may impose additional sanctions.
Chapter Number 64 of the Public Acts of 1989, informally called
the Drug-Free
Youth Act, amends the motor vehicle operator licensing laws so as
to provide
that any child less than 18 years old who is convicted of any
offense involving the
possession, use, sale, or consumption of prohibited drugs or
alcohol shall not be
issued a driver's license or shall have his existing license
suspended. This denial
of driving privileges shall be effective for one year or until the
child reaches 17
years old for the first offense and for two years or until the
child reaches 18 years
old for subsequent offenses. Under certain circumstances, the
license may be
issued or reinstated upon payment of a fee and the completion of a
driver's safety
course or an approved alcohol/drug abuse intervention program.
Any student under the influence of drugs or alcohol should not be
allowed
to drive an automobile. This applies to
after school hours as well as the regular
school day. Arrangements will be made with the parent(s) or
guardian(s) for
transportation. If the parent(s) or guardian(s) cannot be reached,
a representative
of the Weakley County Juvenile Office should take the student
home.
VI. Use of or Possession of Tobacco
Students may not possess or use natural, synthetic, or simulated
tobacco products
on campus during the school day. The same applies to students
involved in any
school-sponsored activity after 3:00 p.m. including any
school-related bus travel.
Consequences of violating this policy accumulate throughout Grades
K-12.
First Offense:
1. Paddling or suspension of student (at the discretion of the
principal).
2. Letter to parents/guardians explaining the violation and the
consequences of further violations by the student.
Second Offense:
1. Suspension of student.
2. Meeting of principal with parents/guardians and student before
the
student will be readmitted to school.
Third Offense:
1. Suspension of student.
22
2. Hearing with student and parents/guardians before Weakley
County
Hearing Board to determine procedures for readmission to school.
VII. Zero Tolerance Policy
In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment free of
drugs, drug
paraphernalia, violence and dangerous weapons, any student who
engages in the
following behaviors will be subject to suspension for a period of
not less than one
(1) calendar year. The Director of Schools shall have the
authority to modify this
suspension requirement on a case-by-case basis. Zero tolerance
acts are as
follows:
A. Bringing or possessing a drug, drug paraphernalia, or a
dangerous weapon
onto a school bus, onto school property or to any school event or
activity.
B. Being under the influence of a drug.
C. Assaulting or threatening to assault a teacher, student, or
other person.
VIII. Corporal Punishment Guidelines
When corporal punishment is administered, the teacher or principal
shall apply it
in a humane manner.
A written record of corporal punishment shall be kept on forms
provided by the
Director of Schools.
Another teacher or faculty member must be a witness when corporal
punishment
is administered. Corporal punishment should not be administered in
the presence
of other students.
Corporal punishment should never be administered with malice. The
punishment
must be reasonable.
IX. Suspension Guidelines
Any principal, principal-teacher, or assistant principal of any
public school in this
state is authorized to suspend a student from attendance at
school, schoolsponsored
activities, or from riding a school bus for good and sufficient
reasons.
Any principal, principal-teacher, or assistant principal may
suspend any student
from attendance at a specific class, classes, or school-sponsored
activity without
suspending such student from attendance at school for good and
sufficient
reasons pursuant to the in-school suspension policy adopted by the
Weakley
County Board of Education.
Upon suspension of any student other than for in-school
suspensions of one (1)
day or less, the principal shall notify the parent or guardian and
the Director of
Schools or his designee.
Except in an emergency, no principal, principal-teacher, or
assistant principal shall
suspend any student until that student has been advised of the
nature of his
misconduct, questioned about it, and allowed to give an
explanation.
If, at the time of the suspension, the principal,
principal-teacher, or assistant
principal determines that any offense has been committed which, in
the judgment
of the principal, would justify a suspension of more than ten (10)
days, such
person may suspend a student unconditionally for a specified
period of time or
upon such terms and conditions as are deemed reasonable.
23
The principal, principal-teacher, or assistant principal shall
immediately give
written or actual notice to the parent or guardian and the student
of the right to
appeal the decision to suspend for more than ten (10) days. All
appeals must be
filed, orally or in writing, within five (5) days after receipt of
the notice and may
be filed by the parent or guardian, the student, or any person
holding a teaching
license who is employed by the school system if requested by the
student.
A hearing shall be held no later than ten (10) days after the
beginning of the
suspension. The notice of the time and place of this hearing shall
be given in
writing to the parent and principal by the Hearing Authority.
After the hearing, the Weakley County Board of Education may order
removal of
the suspension unconditionally or upon such terms and conditions
as it deems
reasonable, assign the student to an alternative program or
suspend the student
for a specified period of time.
In the event the suspension occurs during the last ten days of any
semester, the
student may be permitted to take such examinations or submit such
required
work as is necessary to complete the course of instruction for
that semester.
X. Alternative Education Services
Weakley County Schools operates an alternative school staffed by a
special
education teacher who serves as program director, three
paraprofessionals, and a
counselor who conducts day treatment.
Students may be remanded to punitive placement at the Alternative
School by a
disciplinary board, the truancy board, the tobacco board, the
zero-tolerance board
or an individualized education plan. The length of the stay varies
with the degree
of the offensive behavior.
Students remanded to punitive placement must maintain appropriate
behavior
and a passing average in all courses from their home school.
Students must also
participate in character education classes and perform community
service
projects. Students remanded to punitive placement will not be
permitted to
participate in or attend extracurricular activities. Participation
in extracurricular
activities will be denied during any waiting period that occurs
before actual
assignment to the Alternative School begins and will continue
until such
assignment is completed. Students should be aware that due to a
limited number
of places in the Alternative School, some waiting period might be
necessary
before placement begins. The actual time during which a student
may be denied
participation in extracurricular activities may vary on a
case-by-case basis
depending on availability of openings and length of time assigned
to the punitive
placement.
Short-term out-of-school suspensions may be served at the
Alternative School
through the C.A.S.T.L.E.S. (Character and Success Through Learning
Experiences in Service) Program. The student attends the
alternative school in
the morning and performs community service at participating
agencies in the
afternoon. If assignments are completed correctly and work in the
community is
satisfactory, the student may be counted present for the day(s) and
receive credit
for the schoolwork.
24
The Olive Branch day treatment program also is provided at the
Alternative
School, staffed by Carey Counseling Center. This five day per
week, three hour
per day course focuses on drug and alcohol issues, decision-making
skills, and
anger management.
The Alternative School Program Director works closely with the
Weakley County
Schools Safe and Drug-Free School Coordinator, the Weakley County
Juvenile
Court and area agencies to research, improve and expand existing
services.
XI. Secret Societies/Gang Activity
The Weakley County Board of Education desires to keep schools and
students
free from the threats or harmful influence of any groups or gangs
that advocate
drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior. The principal or his
designee shall
maintain reasonable supervision of school premises, school
vehicles, and schoolrelated
activities to deter gang intimidation of students and
confrontations
between members of different gangs.
The Board prohibits the presence on school premises, in school
vehicles and at
school-related activities of any apparel, jewelry, accessory,
notebook, or manner of
grooming which by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, or
any other
attribute denotes membership in gangs that advocate drug use,
violence, or
disruptive behavior. This policy shall be applied at the
principal's discretion or his
designee as the need for it arises at individual school sites. Any
such activity will
be reported to the office of the Director of Schools as soon as
possible.
Many students become involved in gangs without understanding the
consequences of gang membership. Early intervention is a key
component of
efforts to break the cycle of gang membership.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Riding the school bus is a privilege extended to students that can
be removed at any
time for disruptive and unsatisfactory conduct. All pupils being
transported are under the
authority of the bus driver and must obey the driver's requests.
School Bus Safety Rules
1. The school system is responsible for a student from the time
the student boards the
bus in the morning until the student disembarks in the afternoon;
therefore, the
student's behavior on the bus is expected to be the same as it is
at school and will be
handled accordingly.
2. A student shall become ineligible for transportation when the
student disobeys state
or local regulations and rules pertaining to pupil transportation
or when the student's
behavior causes a disturbance on a school bus.
3. Principals may suspend or recommend expulsion of students for
disobedience or
disturbance on a bus in the same manner as for any infraction
occurring at school.
STUDENT LOCKERS
A student using a locker that is the property of the school system
has no right of
privacy in that locker or its contents. All lockers or other
storage areas provided for
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student use on school premises remain the property of the school
system and are provided
for the use of students subject to inspection, access for
maintenance and search. Notice
shall be posted in each school that lockers and other storage
areas are school property and
are subject to search.
STUDENT FEES AND OTHER CHARGES
Student fees and charges will be assessed in accordance with the Weakley
County
Board of Education Policies.
Each teacher should seek approval of the principal before
collecting fees from
students. The principal should approve all fees before students
are charged. Students
should receive receipts for fees paid if requested.
Textbooks are furnished by the Weakley County Board of Education.
Each student
will be responsible for all textbooks assigned. Any lost or
damaged textbooks must be
replaced or repaired by the student. The cost for replacing or
repairing any textbook will
be the responsibility of the student and the parents.
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
The Child Nutrition Program is an integral part of the total
education program. This
program was established by Congress to safeguard the health and
well-being of the
nation's children. This enables Weakley County Schools to serve
wholesome, low-cost
lunches and breakfasts to children each school day.
Offer vs. Serve for Lunch
All school cafeterias will offer all five required food items;
however, students are
permitted to decline up to two of the required food items. The
decision regarding which
food items to decline rests solely with the student. A student's
decision to decline food
items shall not affect the price of his/her lunch.
Offer vs. Serve for Breakfast
All school cafeterias (with the exception of Westview High School)
will offer all four
required food items; however, students are permitted to decline
one of the required food
items. The decision regarding which food item to decline rests
solely with the student. A
student's decision to decline food items shall not affect the
price of his/her breakfast.
Free and Reduced Price Meals
The Application for Free or Reduced Meals is a family application.
All children in the
same family should apply on one application even if children are
in different schools
within the county. This application may be submitted at any
school.
Students from families who were receiving TANF (Families First) or
food stamps on
June 30, 2005 are automatically eligible for free meals (breakfast
and lunch). An
application is NOT required. Parents not wanting this benefit should notify their
school.
Students from families who did not receive TANF (Families First)
or food stamps on
June 30, 2005, and who wish to apply for free or reduced price
meals must fill out a new
application for the 2005-2006 school year. Last year's application
approval is valid
through September 9, 2005. After that date, any student not
receiving food stamps or
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TANF must have an approved 2005-2006 application on file in order
to receive free or
reduced price meals.
Parents should complete one application per family. Example: If a
family has a
student in grade 2 at Martin Primary, a student in grade 5 at
Martin Elementary and a
student in grade 6 at Martin Middle School, then all the students’
names in that family
should be listed on one application that can be submitted to any
one school. Applications
should not be submitted to all schools.
Meal Payments
The cafeteria manager or designee collects breakfast and lunch meal
payments in the
cafeteria. Students may pay cash or pay in advance for both
breakfast and lunch.
Breakfast cost is $0.90 (grades K - 12). Lunch cost is $1.50
(grades K - 5, except
Dresden grade 5) and $1.65 (grades 5 - 12 in Dresden and grades 6
- 12 elsewhere).
Reduced price meals for all grades are $0.30 for breakfast and
$0.40 for lunch.
Charging Policy
Students in grades K-5 may charge one breakfast and one lunch.
This service is
designed to cover emergency situations only. It is not designed to
provide a credit service
for continuous charging and collecting for student meals. Students
may not charge again
until the previous charge has been paid.
Neither students in grades 6-12 nor adults/faculty may charge
meals. A la carte items
may not be charged at any grade level.
Check Cashing Policy
Personal checks may be taken for the payment of school lunch and
breakfast, but may not
be cashed for the purpose of making change or as an accommodation
to individuals.
Sale of Competitive Foods
Any competitive foods (vending machines, candy sales, etc.) made
available for sale to
students during the serving of lunch shall be under the management
and control of the
staff of the Child Nutrition Program. Therefore, all food sales to
students are prohibited
during the serving of breakfast and lunch except in the school
cafeteria.
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Purpose
Dresden Elementary School, Martin Elementary School and Martin
Primary School
offer a before/after school program for students enrolled in these
schools. The program
provides a convenient, protective, and nurturing environment for
children. Students in
the program are provided an after-school snack, homework/tutorial
assistance, and a
play/relaxation time.
Policies and Procedures
Eligibility: Students in grades K-5 enrolled at participating
schools.
Hours of operation: Program operates each full day school is in
session.
Dresden: A.M.: 6:30-7:30; P.M.: Dismissal to 5:30
Martin: A.M.: 6:30-7:20 P.M.: Dismissal to 5:30
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Dismissals: Failure to comply with discipline standards
established by the Weakley
County Board of Education, School Principal and Before/After
School Program Staff for
the purposes of safety and smooth operation of the program and/or
failure to keep fee
payments current are grounds for dismissal.
SCHOOL VISITORS
Parents are encouraged to visit and are welcome at all schools.
Other visitors are
welcome with the following restrictions:
1. All visitors must report to the office, sign in, and receive a
visitor's pass before
entering the building or classrooms.
2. Conferences with teachers should be scheduled through the
school office.
3. Students are not allowed to bring friends or relatives to
school with them to attend
classes or visit during the school day.
EXTENDED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
1. Pre-School Program
2. Summer Remediation
3. Summer Enrichment
4. Partners-In-Education Program
5. Weakley County Center for Adult and Continuing Education
A. Adult Education Program
B. Adult High School
C. GED Option Program
D. Workforce Investment Act Program
E. Families First Program
Special Education
Special Education services are available to students with
disabilities from age three
through twenty-one. All eligible students with disabilities
residing within the Weakley
County School System will be provided with a free and appropriate
public education.
The following disabilities are covered under state law as being
possibly eligible for
special education services: learning disabled, mentally retarded,
intellectually gifted, speech
impaired, language impaired, seriously emotionally disturbed,
autism, health impaired,
physically impaired, deaf, hearing impaired, blind, visually
impaired, deaf-blind, multidisabled,
other-functionally delayed, other-developmentally delayed, and
traumatic brain
injury. Prior to the institution of an Individualized Education
Program (IEP) for a
student, the disability must be documented through specific
evaluations and consensus of
a Special Education IEP Team.
Referrals for students suspected of having a disability may be
submitted through the
student’s classroom teacher, the principal, the school counselor,
any special education
teacher, or by contacting the Special Education Department at
731-364-5554.
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TYPES, LOCATION, AND ACCESS TO RECORDS
Schools collect and maintain student records to provide for the
growth and
development of individual students, to provide information to
parents and authorized
staff, and to provide a basis for the evaluation and improvement
of school programs.
State and Federal laws provide that schools must provide parents
of students access to
official records directly related to the students and an
opportunity for a hearing to
challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate,
misleading, or otherwise
inappropriate.
The primary source for access to most records is the elementary or
secondary school
where a student is enrolled. The principal is the authorized
custodian for these records.
Some special education records are maintained within the Special
Education Department
located in the Director of Schools' office. Student records may
include attendance,
scholarship, medical, discipline, and special education.
The Weakley County School System has designated certain
information contained in
the education records of its students as directory information for
purposes of the Family
Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The following
information regarding
students is considered directory information: name, address,
telephone number, date and
place of birth, major field of study, participation in recognized
activities and sports, weight
and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance,
diploma awarded, honors,
and awards.
Directory information may be disclosed by this institution for any
purposes in its
discretion without the consent of a parent of a student or the
student who is of legal age
(18 years). The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 allows schools to
give the United
States Military access to directory information regarding students
unless there is a specific
direction from a parent denying that request. Parents of students
and students of legal age
have the right to refuse the designation of any or all of the
above information as directory
information. In that case, this information will not be disclosed
except with the consent
of a parent or the student of legal age or as otherwise allowed by
FERPA.
Any parent or student of legal age refusing to have any or all of
the designated
directory information disclosed must file written notification to this
effect in the
principal's office. In the event a refusal is not filed, this
institution assumes that neither a
parent of a student or the student of legal age objects to the
release of the directory
information designated.
Weakley County Schools may destroy some school records after a
student has
graduated or otherwise left the system for a period of five years.
The student or parent
has the responsibility to obtain copies of records they wish to
maintain before the end of
this five-year period. A reasonable fee may be charged by the
school system for the
reproduction of these records.
PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT TEACHERS
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires the school system to
notify parents
that only “highly qualified teachers” may be employed to work with
our children. If a
situation should arise in which the district plans to employ a
teacher for over four weeks
who does not meet the “highly qualified requirements”, parents of
students affected will
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be notified. In addition, all parents have the right to request
information about the
professional qualifications of their child’s teacher.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Valid complaints and concerns should be addressed to the proper
person(s) in the
following order:
1. Person immediately responsible (teacher, bus driver, custodian,
etc.).
2. School Principal.
3. Director of Schools.
4. Weakley County Board of Education.
Harassment/Discrimination Grievance Procedures
Any student of this school district who wishes to file a
harassment/discrimination
grievance against another student or an employee of the district
may file a written or oral
(recorded, if possible) complaint with their school principal. If
the principal is the
offending party or if the student requests a person of the same gender,
the complaint may
be filed with a district complaint manager. Students may also
report an allegation of
harassment/discrimination to any teacher or other adult employed
in the school who shall
inform the student’s principal or district complaint manager of
the allegation. The
complaint should include the following information:
1. Identity of the alleged victim and person accused;
2. Location, date, time and circumstances surrounding the alleged
incident;
3. Description of what happened;
4. Identity of witnesses; and
5. Any other evidence available.
The complaint/grievance may also be sent to:
Complaint/Grievance Manager
Weakley County Schools
8319 Highway 22 Suite A
Dresden, TN 38225
Additional Contact Information on Student Rights and Services
Answers to many questions and much helpful information may be
obtained from the
principal’s office in each school. That office is always the first
resource for information.
The second resource would be the Weakley County Schools Central
Office. Additional
resources can be found by calling the Tennessee Department of
Education at
1.888.212.3162 or by visiting
www.state.tn.us/education/speced/index.htm.
Other organizations may be helpful for those seeking support,
information, or training.
Contact information for those organizations may be obtained at the
Weakley County
Schools Special Education Department at 731.364.5554.
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DIRECTORY
Adult Learning Center 364-5481 Julia Rich
8250 Highway 22 Fax 364-3580 Director
Dresden, TN 38225
Alternative School 364-3979 Joyce Hale
8250 Highway 22 Fax 364-3979 Director
Dresden, TN 38225
Central Office 364-2247 Richard Barber Steve Ramsey
8319 Highway 22, Suite A Fax 364-2662 Director of Schools Asst
Director
Dresden, TN 38225
Dresden Elementary School 364-3401 Mike Laughrey
Diana Griffin
759 Linden Street, Suite B Fax 364-5537 Principal Asst Principal
Dresden, TN 38225
Dresden Middle School 364-2407 Jeff Kelley Dewey Chism
759 Linden Street, Suite A Fax 364-5840 Principal Asst Principal
Dresden, TN 38225
Dresden High School 364-2949 Chuck West Scott Hewett
7150 Highway 22 Fax 364-5328 Principal Asst Principal
Dresden, TN 38225
Gleason School 648-5351 Randy Frazier Mitchell Parham
92-99 State Championship Drive Principal Asst Principal
Gleason, TN 38229 Fax 648-9199
Greenfield School 235-3424 Jackie Vaughan Willie Trevathan
319 W. Main Street Fax 235-3480 Principal Asst Principal
Greenfield, TN 38230
Martin Elementary School 587-2290 Teresa Ross Jane Hudgins
300 S. College Street Fax 587-2877 Principal Asst Principal
Martin, TN 38237
Martin Middle School 587-2346 Nate Holmes Mike Stigall
700 Fowler Road Fax 588-0529 Principal Asst Principal
Martin, TN 38237
Martin Primary School 587-9033 Sandra Robbins Athalia
Donaldson
215 S. College Street Fax 587-6699 Principal Asst Principal
Martin, TN 38237
Sharon School 456-2672 Tim Trimble Dianne Barber
254 N. Woodlawn Street Fax 456-2750 Principal Asst Principal
Sharon, TN 38255
Westview High School 587-4202 David Byars
Rusty Taylor
8161 Highway 45 Fax 588-0806 Principal Asst Principal
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Central Office 350
5600