HANCOCK COUNTY

MIDDLE/HIGH

SCHOOL

2008-2009

STUDENT HANDBOOK

OF

GUIDELINES, RULES, AND PROCEDURES

Dr. Michael D. Belcher, Principal

Mr. Donnie Seal, Vice-Principal

Dr. Angela Kinsler, Middle School Specialist

Mrs. Becky Holt, Guidance Counselor

Mrs. Deborah Gibson, Guidance Counselor

Hancock Middle/High School

2700 Main Street

Sneedville, TN 37869

Phone: (423) 733-4611

Fax (423) 733-1427

www.hancockcountyschools.com

CONTENTS
GREETINGS/GUIDANCE	Page Number in the Handbook
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY	1
TOP 10 IMPORTANT RULES	2
RULES AND GUIDELINES	3-15
LEAVING SCHOOL/ILLNESS DRIVING & PARKING	3
OPENING & CLOSING SCHOOL	4
VANDALISM - DISRUPTION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS SEARCH AND SEIZURE	5
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT	6
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Grades/ Lockers/Textbooks/Telephones/Visitors	7
SMOKING POLICY AND REASONABLE SUSPICION OF SMOKING PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION FUNDRAISERS CAFTERIA/LUNCH PERIODS	8
HALL PASSES ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ALCOHOL AND DRUGS/WEAPONS	9
STUDENT DRESS CODE	10-11
ATTENDANCE POLICY Late to class/school/excused & unexcused absences	12-13
TRUANCY BOARD	13-14
FIGHTING POLICY	15
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS	16
SCHOOL-PARENT INVOLVEMENT NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND	17
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS Child Advocacy Group Information	18
SCHOOL –PARENT COMPACT	19
STUDENT DISCRIMATION	20
SCHOOL CALENDAR	21

_________________________________________________

Dear Students of Hancock High and Middle School,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our school. The staff and

faculty joins me in saying we’re happy you are here with us.

We will work hard at insuring your school years are both

enjoyable and beneficial.

As a student here, you will be responsible and accountable

for several things, such as:

• Attending school regularly and missing only when

completely necessary

• Obeying school rules and respecting all adults and

other students

• Putting forth a good effort and trying to learn
• Keeping up with your classes and insuring your on

track to graduate

• Helping us keep your parents/caretakers informed

of school issues and events

This handbook will help you succeed, our intent is that you

will use it as a guide; we suggest you read it carefully and

become familiar with it. It will help you understand the

rules, policies and procedures you will be expected to go by

while on this campus.

As your principal, I promise you that I will work hard at

providing you a safe, enjoyable, fair, caring, and nurturing

environment in which to learn.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael D. Belcher, Principal

GUIDANCE

A guidance counselor is available to assist students in planning schedules,

checking records, and completing forms for continuing education after high

school. Each student should have a conference with the counselor not less

than once a year.

Becky Holt, Guidance Counselor Debrorah Gibson, Guidance Counselor

EACH STUDENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO:

• Know and adhere to reasonable rules and regulations

established by local boards of education and implemented

by school administrators and teachers.

• Respect the human dignity and worth of every individual.
• Refrain from libel, slanderous remarks, and obscenity in

verbal and written expression.

• Study diligently and maintain the best possible level of

academic achievement.

• Be punctual and present in the regular school program.
• Dress and groom in a manner that meets reasonable

standards of health, cleanliness, modesty, and safety.

• Help maintain and improve the school environment,

preserve school property, and exercise the utmost care

while using school facilities.

• Refrain from gross disobedience or misconduct or behavior

which would lead to any physical harm or that disrupts the

educational process.

• Respect the reasonable exercise of authority by school

administrators and teachers in maintaining discipline

in the school and at school-sponsored activities.

• Carry only those materials which are acceptable under the

law and accept the consequences for the articles stored in

individual lockers.

• Do not have in your possession or participate in the use of

alcohol, illegal drugs, or other unauthorized substances.

• Obey the law and the rules listed in this handbook.

TOP 10 IMPORTANT RULES TO REMEMBER:

1. All middle school students are expected to stay on their side of the

building. Likewise, all high school students are expected to stay

on their side. Any student caught on the wrong side of the building,

without permission or just reason will be punished accordingly.

2. Acts of bullying, promoting fights, or fighting will absolutely not

be tolerated. All students have the right to attend school in a friendly,

safe, environment.

3. No students will be allowed to kiss, hug, etc. on the campus, public

displays of affection will not be tolerated.

4. No littering, period! Put all trash in trash cans, students caught

purposefully littering will be punished.

5. Any student caught throwing gum on the sidewalk or building floors

will be punished accordingly.

6. When the school day begins, no student is allowed to open the exit

doors to allow adults entrance into the building. Everyone must enter

through main office.

7. No alcohol or drugs allowed, period. Any student caught with drugs,

alcohol, etc. are subject to Zero Tolerance and may be expelled from

school.

8. No knives, guns, (or implements that could be considered weapons)

are allowed on campus, any violations are subject to Zero Tolerance,

and the student may be expelled from school.

9. All students are expected to show respect for their selves, other students

teachers, staff and administrators. Acts of disrespect will not be

tolerated.

10. No destruction of school property will be tolerated, any student caught

destructing school materials, desks, floors, walls, etc. will be dealt with

appropriately.

RULES AND GUIDELINES

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY

Any student leaving early for any reason must obtain

the permission of the principal or designee and must

sign out in the office. No student can leave and return

without permission from the office. This does not

constitute an excused absence.

Notes from the parents will not be accepted unless they

have a telephone number for a parent for verification by

the office.

Adult students, those 18 years old or older, must have

consent from parent(s) on file in order to sign themselves

out of school.

A parent or guardian must report to the front counter

to pick up a student.

Any student who does not properly check out is

considered truant.

ILLNESS

Students who become ill shall report to the office

for referral to the school clinic.

STUDENT DRIVING AND PARKING

· A valid Tennessee driver’s license and a parking fee of $ 20

are required of all student drivers.

· Students must park in designated areas in assigned space.

· Upon arrival on campus student’s should exit vehicle and

enter building immediately.

· No student will return to parking lot without permission of

an administrator.

· Campus speed limit is 15 mph on the entrance way

and 5 mph in the parking and loading areas.

· Driving privileges will be revoked and a suspension issued

as a result of taking another student off campus without

authorization, by leaving campus without permission, and/or

by being repeatedly tardy to school.

· Driving privileges can also be suspended if driver doesn’t

have three passing grades

and less than 15 unexcused absences.

· Illegally parked vehicles will be towed.

OPENING AND CLOSING OF SCHOOL

Students arriving early or leaving after official

dismissal time are expected to remain in designated

areas of the building and campus while waiting for

school to begin in the morning and for buses or other

rides in the afternoon.

VANDALISM

It is the policy of the Hancock County School System

to require any student who defaces or destroys school

property to restore or replace the damaged item. A

student or students, who commit vandalism may also be

cited to Juvenile Court.

DISRUPTION OF THE ECUCATIONAL PROCESS

No student shall by the use of violence, force, noise,

coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, active and passive resistance,

dialing 911 or pulling the fire alarm, or any other conduct,

cause the disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission,

process or function of the school, urge other students to

engage in such conduct. Dialing 911 or pulling the fire alarm

without proper provocation is a Class B misdemeanor, that can

results in up to 45 days in jail and up to $ 200.00 in fines plus

court cost. In addition, to being cited to court students pulling

the fire alarm will be subject to suspension, alternative school or

expulsion.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE

School authorities are charged with the responsibility of

safeguarding the students in their care. In the discharge

of that responsibility school authorities may search student’s

property (including vehicles, purses, backpacks, gym bags,

etc.) or a student, with or without the student’s consent.

USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVISES

All electronic devises, including cell phones, MP3 players etc.

shall be turned off upon entering the building, and remain off

during school hours. If and when a violation occurs, the following

actions shall be taken:

1^st offense, the device is confiscated and taken to the office of the

vice-principal where it will remain until a parent or legal guardian

comes and picks it up, (the student must not be given the phone back

by the parent at school the same day it is taken away.)

2^nd offense, the device is confiscated and taken to the office of the

vice-principal, where it will remain for 1 week, and then may be

picked up by the parent or legal guardian of the student.

3^rd offense, the device is confiscated and taken to the office of the

vice-principal, where it will remain for the rest of the semester, and

then may be picked up by the parent or legal guardian of the student.

NOTE: Any student caught using a cell phone to film a violent,

vulgar or offensive act will be punished as if it is their 3^rd offense

and lose their phone privileges for the rest of the semester.

Exception: a student may use their cell phone during the school day

in emergency situations only, or if they get permission by their teacher

or a school administrator, all other excuses will not be tolerated and the

above rules will apply. (Emergencies are situations that are critical, and

must be real and confirmable.)

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students who participate in extra-curricular activities

are required to be in attendance the full day of the

event, or have permission from the principal to

participate under special circumstances.

GRADES

A (4.0) = 93 – 100

B (3.0) = 85 – 92

C (2.0) = 75 – 84

D (1.0) = 70 – 74

F (0.0) = 0 – 69

28 credits required for graduation.

LOCKERS

Lockers will be assigned to each student. Locks will be rented

from the school office. The cost is $5.00. If other locks are used

on school lockers, they will be removed. Students cannot share

lockers or switch lockers or locks without permission from the office.

Students are expected to keep lockers clean and understand that the

school has the right to inspect or search lockers at any time.

Unannounced and random drug dog searches will also be conducted.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are issued free. When textbooks are issued to a student he

or she is financially responsible for those textbooks. If a textbook is

not returned or lost, the student must pay for the textbooks.

TELEPHONES

Office telephones are not for student use and should not be used

without permission. Only in cases of emergency will students be

called to the phone during class.

VISITORS

Hancock High and Middle School is a closed campus. Visitors

are not permitted except for official reason approved by the

principal’s office. Students should not bring guests to school

or have visitors from outside. Any visitor who has reason to

be on campus should report to the office, sign in, and receive

a visitor’s permit. Students are not to bring young children to

school at any time.

SMOKING POLICY

Students at Hancock High/Middle School are not allowed to

have in their possession or be found to use any tobacco product.

Should a student get caught with or get caught partaking of a

tobacco product, the following procedures will be employed.

1^st offense – students will be given 2 days of in-school suspension,

and their parents will be notified.

2^nd offense and thereafter – students will be sent to juvenile

court and the juvenile judge will deal with them appropriately as

state law mandates.

REASONABLE SUSPICION OF SMOKING

Any student who has a very strong odor of cigarette smoke

as s/he speaks, may be associated with recent smoking and may

be disciplined with smoking on school grounds.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Demonstration of affection between students is personal and not

meant for public display. This included touching, petting, or any

other contact that may be considered sexual in nature.

FUNDRAISERS

Sale of fundraising items is to be done only by principal approved

school sponsored organizations. Selling without the principal’s

permission or during class time is strictly prohibited.

CAFETERIA/LUNCH PERIOD

In order for the cafeteria to operate efficiently, students should wait

their turn in line, eat quietly, take all trays and silverware to the

designated disposal areas, and not seat more at a table than it was

designed to accommodate.

All food and drinks must be eaten in the cafeteria. No soft drinks

are allowed in the cafeteria. No food is to be brought or delivered to

students on campus during school hours.

HALL PASSES

Each student must have a hall pass as evidence of teacher permission

to leave the room during class time. A tardy will be given for not

having a hall pass when out of the classroom.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

All students on the campus are subject to drug and

alcohol testing. The principal and assistant principal

are authorized to order drug testing for individual students

when there is a reasonable cause to believe that a violation

has occurred. (a copy of the complete policy is on file at the

school, for those interested in receiving a copy).

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Students will not possess, distribute or be under the

influence of illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages in

school buildings or on school grounds, in school

vehicles or buses, or at any school-sponsored activity

at any time, whether on or off school grounds. If a

student violates this policy, he/she will be subject to

expulsion from school.

WEAPONS

Students shall not possess, handle, transmit, use or attempt

to use any dangerous weapon in school buildings or on

school grounds at any time, or in school vehicles and/or

buses or off the school grounds at a school-sponsored

activity, function or event.

If a student violates this policy, he/she will be subject to

expulsion from school.

STUDENT DRESS CODE

Students should dress appropriately at all times (attire should be size

appropriate). Dress should never distract from school activities or prove

a hazard to the student’s safety or to the safety of others. In the judgment

of the administration, a student not appropriately attired or whose grooming

constitutes a distraction or disturbance to the school environment will be

sent home and not readmitted until he/she is properly attired or groomed.

The following attire is inappropriate:

• Hats/headbands
• Tank tops, jerseys, shirts, blouses, sweaters, or dresses that are

revealing (including spaghetti straps)

• Jeans with holes
• Clothing which allows undergarments/tights to be visible when

Standing or sitting

• Any clothing that has obscene or profane language, depiction of

alcoholic beverages or unlawful substances, and/or gang related.

• Clothing which exposes the midriff (Tops must extend below the

beltline)

• Pajamas
• Clothing containing messages or symbols promoting racial discord.
• Tattoos, either permanent or temporary ( these must be covered if

possible)

• Body piercing jewelry (except of the ears)
• Hair that is sprayed or dyed in unnatural colors such as blue, pink,

green, orange or yellow

• No short skirts with tights. Shorts, skirts, Capri pants, and dresses

must be knee-length or longer.

· 1^st period teachers will assume responsibility for overseeing dress code compliance.

Students in violation of dress code will be sent to the office.

· In situation where a disagreement exists regarding this dress code, the principal

shall make the final decision.

· A written record of violators will be kept in the office. Obvious violators will

be required to change or sent to In-School for the remainder of the day.

Students will be unexcused for class missed for dress code violations.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

LATE TO CLASS

Any student entering any classroom after the tardy

bell rings is considered late. (Teachers will keep a

tardy list and turn it in at the end of the day.) Students

who accumulate four (4) tardies per semester will be placed in

in-school detention. Principals who catch students late

for class may issue punishment in addition to giving a tardy.

LATE TO SCHOOL

Any student who arrives at school after the first tardy bell

shall report to the office.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Excused absences will not count as penalty absences.

However, students are responsible for making up

missed class work. Excused absences will be given

for the following reasons:

1. Illness with doctor or dentist, etc. verification

2. Death in the family

3. Recognized religious holiday

4. School sponsored activities

5. Extreme family hardships

6. Student absences approved by the principal

7. Forced school suspensions

8. Two parent notes per semester

NOTE: Excuses for tardies or absences must be turned in

to the office within two days from occurrence.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

An unexcused absences is any absence that is not listed above

As being excused.

Students who are absent from school may not participate in after

school activities unless approval is granted by an administrator.

A student may miss (unexcused) three (3) times during a nine-week

grading period without having his/her grade penalized for absences.

However, he/she is expected to make up any work missed. After three

(3) unexcused absences in a nine-week grading period, make-up work

and grade penalties may be given at the discretion of the teacher.

TRUANCY BOARD

Students who accumulate (3) unexcused absences in a school year will be

sent a warning letter advising them that if they accumulate a total of (5)

unexcused absences they will be required to visit the truancy board, (along

with their parent or legal guardian) to explain the reasons why the student

is not attending school properly. If a student has another unexcused absence

after being at the truancy board the student and parent will be sent to juvenile

court to answer to the juvenile judge.

School attendance is required to get and keep a drivers license!

Driver’s License and School Attendance

Parents and student equally need to be aware of the Tennessee State

Statute 49-6-3017. This statute “Minors withdrawn from secondary

school – denial of motor vehicle license or permit” explains when a

student loses his/her driver’s for failure to attend school TCA 49-6-3017.

The Department of Safety shall deny a license or instruction permit to any

person under eighteen (18) years of age who not at the time of application

of a driver license present a diploma or other certificate of graduation issued

to the person from a secondary high school of this state or any other state, or

documentation that the person is:

1. Enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a

General Educational Development Certification (GED) from a state-

approved institution or organizations, or has obtained such certificate;

2. Enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress in a secondary

school of this state or any other state; or

3. Excused from such requirement due to circumstances beyond the

applicant’s control.

The definitions of “withdrawn” and “making satisfactory academic

progress” should be of interest to students and their parents. The state

of Tennessee considers withdrawal to be more than 10 consecutive or

15 days total unexcused absences during a single semester. It is

pertinent to note that the state does not consider for this section that

suspension, expulsion, or confinement in a correctional facility as

being beyond the student’s control. The state considers satisfactory

academic progress to be a passing grade in at least 3 full unit subjects

at the conclusion of any grading period.

Once a student is not in compliance with these requirements, his/her

driving privileges either will not be granted or will be revoked until the

next grading period providing the student’s attendance and grades at

that time are incompliance. A second noncompliant notice suspends

driving privileges until the student reaches the age of 18.

The Tennessee Department of Safety requires a noncompliant

Student to surrender their driving license/permit until the student

attends school and fulfills the legal requirements for reinstatement.

Failure to surrender the driving license/permit will result in a higher

reinstatement fee.

NOTE: It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school of a

change of address within the county or state or if moving out

of state.

FIGHTING POLICY

Acts of aggression or of the physical nature will not be

tolerated on the campus of Hancock Middle/High School.

Students who participate in “fighting” or those exhibiting

the action of hitting, pushing, slapping, shoving, grabbing

kicking, etc. another individual will be punished as follows:

1^st Offense –

Verbal reprimand, or

3 days in-school suspension, or

paddling, or

3 days out of school suspension, or

recommendation for placement in the alternative school

at Kingswood Academy, or

Expulsion

2^nd Offense –

3 days out of school suspension, or

recommendation for placement in the alternative school

at Kingwood Academy, or

Expulsion

3^rd Offense –

10 days out of school suspension, or

recommendation for placement in the alternative school

at Kingswood Academy, or

Expulsion

4^th Offense –

Recommendation for placement in the alternative school

at Kingswood Academy, or

Expulsion

NOTE: Punishment will be based on intent and

circumstances of fight, and will be administered at the

administrator’s discretion.

THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND

PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

Statue: 20 U.S. Section 1232g. Regulations: 34 CFR Part 99.

FERPA provides that an LEA that receives

Department funds may not have a policy or

practice of denying parents the right to:

• Inspect and review education records

(34 CFR section 99.10)

• Seek to amend education records

(34 CFR section 99.20, 99.21, and 99.22).

• Consent to the disclosure of personally

identifiable information from education

records. (34 CFR section 99.30 and 99.31).

These rights transfer to the student when he or she

turns 18 years of age or enters a postsecondary

educational institution at any age (“eligible student”).

THE PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS

The Protections of Pupil Rights Amendment

(PPRA), 20 U. S. C. – 1232h, requires Hancock

County School District to notify you and obtain

consent or allow you to opt your child out of

participating in certain school activities. These

activities include a student survey, analysis,

or evaluation that concerns one or more of the

following eight areas

(“protected information surveys”):

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student

or student’s parent;

2. Mental or psychological problems of the

student or student’s family;

3. Sex behavior or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or

demeaning behavior.

5. Critical appraisals of others with whom

respondents have close family relationships;

6. Legally recognized privileged relationships,

such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;

7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of

students or parents; or

8. Income, other than as required by law to

determine program eligibility.

This requirement also applies to the collection,

disclosure or use of student information for

marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”), and

certain physical exams and screening.

School - Parent Involvement Policy

Title I, Section 1118(b)

Must be developed with, distributed to and agreed upon by parents

of participating children. What: Describe the means for carrying out

the requirements of section 1118(c) through (f). Must update periodically

to met the changing needs of parents and the school.

A. Each school shall –

1. Convene an annual meeting. 2. Offer a flexible number of meetings.

3. Involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of programs

under Title I.

4. Provide parents of participating children:

• timely information about Title I programs
• school performance profiles and individual assessment results.
• A description and explanation of the curriculum, assessments, and expectations.
• Opportunities for regular meetings.
• Timely response to parent’s suggestions, and

5. If the school wide program plans are not satisfactory, submit parent

comments to the LEA;

B. Develop jointly with parents a school-parent compact that outlines how

parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for

improved student achievement and the means by which the school and parents

will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the state’s high

standard.

C. Build capacity for involving parents; and

D. To the extent practicable provide full opportunities for the participation

of parents with limited English proficiency or with disabilities.

No Child Left Behind

Parents will receive notification if the district employs a teacher for over

four weeks who does not meet highly qualified requirements. Contact your

child’s teacher or principal for more information.

Qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who instruct their child can

be reviewed at the school or at central office.

Parents have the right to request that their child’s name, address and phone

number not be released to military recruiter without prior written consent.

The district has a written parent involvement policy. If you have not seen one

and would like one contact your school

If a child were to become the victim of a violent crime, parents will receive

written notification that their child has the right to transfer to another school

within the district.

Parents of students in schools identified as unsafe are notified in writing of

their rights.

If you need assistance with interpreting your child’s report card, T-Cap or

Gateway scores contact your school.

This is a Title I school wide project school.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

HANCOCK COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

RECOGNIZES THE FOLLOWING:

The primary intent of society in establishing the public school, is

To provide an opportunity for learning, that the students have full

Rights of citizenship as delineated in the United States Constitution

and its amendments, that citizenship rights must not be abridged,

obstructed, or in other ways altered except in accordance with due

process of law, and that education is one of these citizen rights.

And that:

It is the policy of the Hancock County School System not to

Discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,

age, or disability in its educational programs or employment

policies as required by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act

of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (1972) Educational

Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and

the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Inquires regarding compliance with Title IX, section 504 or the

American with Disabilities Act should be directed to the office of

The Director, Hancock County Schools, Main Street, Sneedville, TN

or to the Office for Civil Right, U.S. Department of Education,

Washington, D.C.

Gary Seal, Title VI, Title IX Coordinator, 429 Court Street

(Central Office), Sneedville, TN 37869, (423) 733-4403, E-Mail:

SealG@Ten-Nash.Ten.K12.TN.US, or the Office for Civil Rights,

U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

PERMANENT RECORD

According to the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the

Parent/guardian or student age 18 or over is permitted to inspect

and review educational records relating to the student.

Child Advocacy Group Contact Information

Answers to many questions and much helpful

information may be obtained from the State

Department of Education by calling 1-888-212-3162

or visiting

http://www.state.tn.us/education/speced/index.htm.

Legal Services Division

Division of Special Education,

Tennessee Department of Education

710 James Robertson Parkway

Andrew Johnson Tower, 5^th Floor

Nashville, TN 37243-0380

Phone: 615-741-2851

Fax: 615-253-5567 or 615-532-9412

East Tennessee Regional Resource Center

2763 Island Home Blvd.

Knoxville, TN 37290

Phone: 865-594-5691

Fax: 865-594-8909

HANCOCK COUNTY HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL

SCHOOL-PARENT COMPACT

Hancock County High/Middle School and the parents of students participating

in activities, services and programs funded by Title 1, Part A of the Elementary

and Secondary Act (ESEA), agree that this compact outlines how the parents

and the entire school staff will share the responsibility for improved student academic

achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build

and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the state’s high performance

standards.

• This School-Parent Compact is in effect during the 2008-2009 school year.

School Responsibilities

Hancock County High/Middle school will:

1. Provide high quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective

learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the states

student academic achievement standards.

2. Have high expectations of ourselves, students and other staff.

3. Display respect for all.

4. Determine the student’s educational needs and adjust the instruction to

accommodate those needs.

5. Provide a safe environment.

6. Hold teacher conferences twice per school-year during which this compact will

be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement. This school-year

sessions will be October 23, 2008 and March 19, 2009.

7. Provide parents with frequent reports on their child’s progress.

8. Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class,

and to observe classroom activities in an appropriate manner.

Parent Responsibilities

We, as parents, will support our children’s learning in the following ways:

1. By monitoring attendance.

2. By making sure homework is completed.

3. By limiting the amount of television our children watch.

4. By volunteering in my child’s classroom.

5. By participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to my child’s education.

6. By staying informed about my child’s education and communicating with the

school by promptly reading all notices from the school, and by responding by

mail or some appropriate manner.

Signature:_____________________________________

Student Responsibilities

1. Attend school regularly.

2. Take responsibility for own learning.

3. Come to school with needed materials (paper, pencils, etc).

4. Complete and return homework assignments.

5. Obey school rules.

6. Bring home all teachers notes, school letters, etc.

Signature: ____________________________________________

Principal Agreement

I support this form of parent involvement. Therefore, I shall strive to do the following:

1. Provide a safe environment that allows for positive communication between the

teacher, parent and student.

2. Encourage teachers to regularly provide homework assignments that will

reinforce classroom instruction.

Signature:____________________________________________

Student Discrimination/Harassment and

Bullying/ Intimidation

Discrimination/Harassment (Sexual, Racial Ethnic, Religious)

Students shall be provided a learning environment free from sexual, racial, ethnic

and religious discrimination/harassment.¹ It shall be a violation of this policy for

any employee or any student to discriminate against or harass a student through

disparaging conduct or communication that is sexual, racial, ethnic or religious in

nature. The following guidelines are set forth to protect students from discrimination

or harassment:

Student discrimination/harassment will not be tolerated.² Discrimination/harassment is

defined as conduct, advances, gestures or words either or spoken of a sexual, racial,

ethnic or religious nature which:

1. Unreasonably interfere with the student’s work or educational opportunities; or

2. Create an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment; or

3. Imply that submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term of

Receiving grades or credit; or

4. Imply that submission to or rejection of such conduct will be used as a basis for

determining the student’s grades and/or participation in a student activity.

Bullying/Intimidation

Students shall be provided a safe learning environment. It shall be a violation of this

Policy for any student to bully, intimidate or create a hostile educational environment

for another student. The policy addresses conduct taking place on school grounds, at

any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided transportation, or at any official

school bus stop immediately before boarding and immediately following deboarding.³

Alleged victims of the above-referenced offenses shall report these incidents immediately

to a teacher, counselor or building administrator.⁴ Any allegations shall be fully

investigated by a complaint manger (as set forth in Student Concerns, Complaints and

Grievances 6.305).

The privacy and anonymity of all parties and witnesses to complaints will be respected.

However, because an individual’s need for confidentiality must be balanced with obligations

to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the

accused, to conduct a through investigation or to take necessary action to resolve a complaint,

the identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to

individuals with a need to know.

A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and

including termination. A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective

or disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

There will be no retaliation against any person who reports harassment or participates

in an investigation. However, any employee who refuses to cooperate or gives false

information during the course of any investigation may be subject to disciplinary action.

The willful filing of a false report will itself be considered harassment and will be

treated as such.

An employee disciplined for violation of this policy may appeal the decision by contacting

The Federal Rights Coordinator or the Director. Any student disciplined for violation of

this policy may appeal the decision in accordance with disciplinary policies and procedures.

Legal References:

1. TCA 49-6-3109 3. TCA 49-6-1014-1019

2. Title VII; 29 CFR 1640.11; 4. Title IX (20 U.S. 1681-1686)

Davis V. Monroe County Board of Education, No. 97-834

HANCOCK COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

SCHOOL CALENDAR

2008-2009

August 4-5 In-Service Days

August 6 Administrative Day

August 7 1^st School Day (Full Day)

September 1 Labor Day

October 6 - 10 Fall Break

October 23 Parent/Teacher Conference *

October 24 In-Service Day

November 11 Veterans Day

November 26 Abbreviated Day

November 27 – 28 Thanksgiving Break

December 2 – 5 Gateway Testing

December 9 – 12 End-of-Course Test

December 22 Abbreviated Day

December 23 – January 5 Christmas Break

January 2 Administrative Day

January 5 1st Full Day 2^nd Semester

January 19 Martin Luther King Day

February 3 - 4 Writing Assessment

February 13 In-Service Day

February 16 Presidents’ Day

March 9 – 13 Spring Break

March 19 Parent/Teacher Conference*

March 27 In-Service Day

April 10 Good Friday

April 17 Administrative Day

April 20 – 24 TCAP Achievement Test

May 5 – 8 Gateway Testing

May 12 – 15 End-of-Course Test

May 18 Administrative Day

May 25 Memorial Day

May 29 Last Day of School (Abbr. Day)

June 8 – July 2 Summer School

* Parent-Teacher conferences 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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