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denton independent school district 2011-2012 student handbook and student code of conduct este manual escolar y código de conducta de alumnos completo está disponible en español pregunte en la administración de su escuela si le interesa obtener un ejemplar en español.

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you have the right to a danger-free school you have the right not to be bullied in school you have the right to a drug-free school you have the right to remain in a safe school these are your rights choose to care choose to care is a means to report safety and security concerns of all kinds and is available for use by students parents and staff if you know about something that could harm you or someone you know report it to your teacher counselor or principal but if reporting what you know is something you are not comfortable with you can report it on-line choose to care is safe secure and confidential and you can do this anonymously help is just a click away www.choosetocare.com what no computer access call toll-free 1-877-277-3812 remember choose to care is a means to report safety and security concerns of all kinds and is available for use by students parents and staff.

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2011-2012 denton independent school district student handbook student code of conduct approved by disd board of trustees june 28 2011 and in pursuit of excellence the mission of the denton public schools in partnership with the home and community is to provide the best educational opportunities in a challenging yet supportive environment where individuals and cultural diversity are respected so that our students become knowledgeable and responsible citizens who are capable of life-long learning and who have developed the necessary skills to contribute productively to a complex and ever-changing world mission statement the denton independent school district does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex disability or age in its programs and activities the following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies title ix coordinator mr jamie wilson deputy supertintent 1307 n locust street denton tx 76201 940-369-0032 section 504 coordinator melanie lewis director of counseling services 1307 n locust street denton tx 76201 940-369-0160 title ii title ix coordinator mr dennis stephens executive director of human resources 1307 n locust street denton tx 76201 940-369-0040

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table of contents preface 1 2011-2012 campus directory 2 what s new and important for 2011-2012 3 student handbook/student code of conduct acknowledgement 4 2011-2012 statement of receipt 5 notice to parents release of information 6 basic handbook information 7 contents section i required notices and information for parents 9 statement of nondiscrimination 11 parental involvement 12 working together 12 parental rights 12 obtaining information and protecting student rights 12 opting out of surveys and activities 13 displaying a student s artwork and projects 13 requesting professional qualifications of teachers and staff 13 reviewing instructional material 14 inspecting surveys 14 accessing student records 14 granting permission to video or audio record a student 14 removing a student temporarily from the classroom 14 excusing a student from reciting the pledges to the u.s and texas flags 15 excusing a student from reciting a portion of the declaration of independence 15 requesting notices of certain student misconduct 15 requesting transfers for your child 15 requesting classroom assignment for multiple birth siblings 16 other important information for parents 16 parents of students with disabilities 16 request for the use of a service animal 16 options and requirements for providing assistance to students who have learning difficulties or who need or may need special education services 16 parents of students who speak a primary language other than english 17 procedural safeguard-rights of parents of students with disabilities 17 services for title i participants 17 student records 18 student success initiative 19 directory information 20 directory information for school-sponsored purposes 20 release of student information to military recruiters and institutions of higher education 20 bacterial meningitis 21 section ii information for students and parents 23 absences/attendance 25 compulsory attendance 25 attendance for credit secondary 26 absences 27 parents note after an absence 28 doctor s note after an absence for illness 28 excused absences for college visits 28 tardiness 29 driver license attendance verification 29 important driver;s license implications 29 academic programs 29 after school programs 30 bicycles and skateboards 30 bullying 30 cafeteria services 31 meal prices 31 career and technology programs 32 child sexual abuse 32 class rank /highest ranking student 33

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earned gpa 34 ranking gpa 34 transfer courses 35 ties 35 conversions 36 conversion of university letter grades 36 closed campus 36 college credit courses 36 complaints and concerns 37 conduct 37 applicability of school rules 37 disruptions of school operations 38 radios cd players other electronic devices and games and cell phones 38 social events 39 correspondence courses see distance learning pg 42 42 counseling 39 academic counseling 39 personal counseling 40 psychological exams tests or treatment 40 credit by exam if a student has taken the course 40 credit by exam if a student has not taken the course 41 dating violence discrimination harassment and retaliation 41 dating violence 41 discrimination 41 distance learning 42 harassment 42 sexual harassment 43 retaliation 43 reporting procedures 43 investigation of report 43 discrimination 44 distribution of published materials or documents 44 school materials 44 nonschool materials from students 44 nonschool materials from others 45 dress and grooming 45 enrollment requirements 46 proof of residence 47 proof of age 47 transfer of records 47 head start program 47 pre-kindergarten 47 kindergarten 47 first grade 48 all other grades 48 extracurricular activities clubs and organizations 48 no-pass no-play 48 fees 49 fund-raising 50 grade classification 50 grading guidelines 50 kindergarten and first grade 50 grades two through five 50 grades six through twelve 51 middle school and high school 51 graduation 51 requirements for a diploma 51 graduation programs 52 certificate of coursework completion 53 students with disabilities 53 graduation speakers 54 graduation expenses 54 state scholarships and grants 55 harassment 55 hazing 55 health-related matters 55 physical activity for students in elementary and middle school 55 school health advisory council 56 physical fitness assessment 56 vending machines 56 other health-related matters 56 tobacco prohibited 56

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asbestos management plan 57 pest management plan 57 health services 57 contagious diseases conditions 57 first aid school exclusion for health reasons 58 student health and safety-when behavior is a concern 58 homeless students 59 homework 59 immunization 59 law enforcement agencies 60 questioning of students 60 students taken into custody 60 notification of law violations 61 school resource officer 61 limited english proficient students 62 makeup work 62 routine and in-depth makeup work assignments 62 daep or in-school suspension makeup work 63 medicine at school 63 general medication information 63 elementary medications 65 secondary medications 66 middle school medications 66 high school medications 66 psychotropic drugs 67 parental involvement 67 how parents can help 67 parent conferences 67 parent involvement opportunities 68 parent-teacher association 68 parenting education 68 pledges of allegiance and a minute of silence 68 prayer 68 promotion and retention 69 release of students from school 70 report cards progress reports and conferences 71 retaliation 71 safety 72 accident insurance 72 drills fire tornado and other emergencies 73 emergency medical treatment and information 73 emergency school-closing information 73 school facilities 73 elementary student day 73 secondary student day 74 use by students before and after school 74 conduct before and after school 74 use of hallways during class time 75 library 75 meetings of non-curriculum-related groups 75 student information 75 school supplies 75 school telephone 76 searches 76 students desks and lockers 76 electronic devices 76 vehicle on campus 77 trained dogs 77 metal detectors 77 drug-testing 77 special programs 77 bilingual/esl 77 two-way dual language 78 communities in schools 78 expo program gifted and talented 78 physical education 78 special education 79 child find 79

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standardized testing 80 sat/act scholastic aptitude test and american college test 80 staar state of texas assessments of academic readiness 80 grades 3-8 80 end-of-course eoc assessments for students in grades 9-12 81 taks texas assessment of knowledge and skills 82 thea texas higher education assessment 82 other assessments 82 student tutorial program 82 summer school 83 dyslexia program 83 read 180 84 reading recover/descubriendo la lectura dll 84 grades 3-5 reading intervention 84 steroids 85 student speakers 85 summer school 85 tardiness 85 textbooks 85 title ix 86 transfers 86 transportation 87 school-sponsored trips 87 buses and other school vehicles 88 vandalism 89 video cameras 89 visitors to the school 89 general visitors 89 visitors participating in special programs for students 89 volunteer program 89 withdrawing from school 89 section iii student code of conduct 91 statement of philosophy 93 the purpose of the student code of conduct 93 standards for student conduct 95 general misconduct violations 96 formal removal by teacher 98 removal from the regular educational setting suspension and/or placement in a disciplinary alternative educational program 100 expulsion 102 zero tolerance violence provisions 104 transportation services 105 electronic communication and data management disd acceptable use policy 108 appendix 115 denton isd academic integrity policy i elementary school grade calculations grade 2-5 vi middle school grade calculations vii high school grade calculations ix ap grade calculations xii glossary xiv internet resources the following websites on the internet can provide valuable information regarding the contents of this document www.dentonisd.org website of the denton isd all board policies can be accessed through the district webpage by clicking board policy online www.dentonisd.org www.tea.state.tx.us website of the texas education agency the texas education code tec can be accessed in the section titled school law and rules www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/petoc.html the texas penal code provided by the texas legislature

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preface dear parent and student the student handbook and student code of conduct are designed to provide each family with information about the procedures that your school and your school district follow changes in policy that affect these documents will be shared through school newsletters and other parent and student communications available both printed and electronically we believe that these documents are useful references for your family the district requires that the school receive a signed statement from each student s parent that the student handbook and student code of conduct have been received and reviewed please review the materials and return the form to your child s school we encourage each parent to become an active member of the educational team we hope that parents will take time to get to know their child s teachers and principal our community has created a quality school system for our students the investment that parents and the community have made combined with our district s outstanding teachers and staff make a strong learning environment for students sincerely ray e braswell ph.d superintendent of schools 1307 n locust st denton tx 76201 940-369-0002 1

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2011-2012 campus directory high schools denton high school 1007 fulton denton 76201 369-2000 fred moore high school 815 cross timbers denton 76205 369-4000 guyer high school 7501 teasley lane denton 76210 369-1000 ryan high school 5101 e mckinney denton 76208 369-3000 sarah and troy lagrone advanced technology center 1504 long road denton 76207 369-4850 middle schools calhoun middle school 709 congress denton 76201 369-2400 crownover middle school 1901 creekside corinth 76210 369-4700 harpool middle school 9601 stacee ln argyle 76226 369-1700 mcmath middle school 1900 jason drive denton 76205 369-3300 navo middle school 1701 navo road aubrey 76227 972-347-7500 strickland middle school 324 windsor denton 76209 369-4200 alternative campus davis school 1125 davis denton 76205 369-4050 joe dale sparks 410 south woodrow lane denton 76205 349-2468 elementary schools blanton elementary 9501 stacee ln argyle 76226 369-0700 borman elementary 1201 parvin denton 76205 369-2500 cross oaks elementary 600 liberty crossroads 76227 972-347-7100 evers park elementary 3300 evers parkway denton 76207 369-2600 ginnings elementary 2525 n yellowstone place denton 76209 369-2700 hawk elementary 2300 oakmont corinth 76210 369-1800 hodge elementary 3900 grant parkway denton 76208 369-2800 houston elementary 3100 teasley lane denton 76205 369-2900 lee elementary 800 mack drive denton 76209 369-3500 mcnair elementary 1212 hickory creek road denton 76210 369-36001212 l a nelson elementary 3909 teasley ln denton 76210 369-1400 eugenia porter rayzor elementary 377 rayzor road argyle 76226 369-4100 2 newton rayzor elementary 1400 malone denton 76201 369-3700 paloma creek elementary 1600 navo rd aubrey 76227 972-347-7300 pecan creek elementary 4400 lakeview blvd denton 76208 369-4400 providence elementary 1000 fm 2931 aubrey 76227 369-1900 rivera elementary 701 newton denton 76205 369-3800 wayne stuart ryan elementary 201 w ryan road denton 76210 369-4600 savannah elementary 1101 cotton exchange dr aubrey 76227 972-347-7400 stephens elementary 133 garza shady shores 76208 940-369-0800 wilson elementary 1306 e windsor denton 76209 369-4500 ann windle school for young children 901 audra lane denton 76209 369-3900 emilio popo guadalupe lupe gonzalez school for young children 1212 long road denton 76207 369-4360

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some frequently asked questions and important things to know please note see page 29 for important driver s license information what options are available for receiving a copy of the student handbook/student code of conduct the student handbook/student code of conduct is available on-line at www.dentonisd.org or you may request a printed copy see page 4 for the student handbook/student code of conduct acknowledgement form how many absences are too many state law requires that a student be present 90 of the days a class meets in order to receive credit in high school classes that are blocked and meet every other day a student with more than 4 unverified absences in the fall semester or 5 unverified absences in the spring semester will lose credit in that class middle school and elementary school students whose classes meet every day lose credit if they have more than 8 absences in the fall semester or 10 unverified absences in the spring semester in addition truancy charges may be filed with the appropriate court when a student has 4 or more unverified absences all or any part of a day in a one-month period or 10 or more unverified absences in a six-month period please see section titled absences for additional information what should i do about this directory information please refer to page 6 of this handbook for a description of what constitutes directory information for your child note if you do not want all or part of this list released as public record when requested as the law requires please sign and return the notice to parents release of directory information no later than one week after receiving the student handbook and student code of conduct what s the deal with the new nutrition guidelines does this mean i can t take cupcakes to school for my child s birthday please review page 31 of this handbook to see all of the new state and federal nutrition guidelines the availability of foods of minimal nutritional value fmnv has been severely restricted the texas department of agriculture tda regulates child nutrition programs and issued the following clarification on august 26 2004 tda recognizes that celebrating student birthdays with a classroom party is a time-honored tradition that provides the opportunity for parental involvement in the education of their children which is beneficial for students parents and teachers foods otherwise restricted by the policy are permitted in classroom student birthday parties it is recommended such parties be scheduled after the end of the lunch period for the class so that these celebrations will not replace a nutritious lunch federal regulations do not permit foods of minimal nutritional value to be served in the food service area during meal periods what are meal prices for 2011-2012 breakfast elementary 1.10 middle school 1.35 high school 1.35 adults/guests 1.60 lunch elementary middle school high school adults/guests what s new and important for 2011-2012 2.50 2.75 2.75 3.00 what s this i hear about secondary students being allowed to bring their personal communication devices or laptops to school if you are in the 6th through 12th grade you can bring your laptop or wireless device to use in class with your teacher s and the principal s approval but there is a catch you need to be aware of before you bring your laptop or wireless device you will need to give your password and username to the campus technology specialists on your campus and you have to be sure that you have read and signed the student aup this is our chance to show that we are responsible students who really want to learn the most up to date information what about the use of metal detectors at the district s secondary schools the district employs both walk-around and hand-held metal detectors at the district s secondary schools the purpose of these devices is to provide for a higher level of safety for students and staff walkthrough detectors are used regularly on a random basis throughout the year the hand held detectors are used after an alert is sounded by the walk-through device to pinpoint the location of the item that is triggering the detector what is the district s stance on early release due to inclement weather or emergency events for a variety of safety and practical reasons it is not the practice in denton isd to have unscheduled early closings due to emergency events many children would be delivered to homes with no adult present bus drivers might not be able to come in early to drive parents who work at longer distances might have difficulties getting home or making appropriate child care arrangements etc parents may however choose to pick up their children from school at any time during a critical event as long as usual safety procedures are followed what if i ve got a question that isn t asked here contact the office of the deputy superintendent at 940-369-0032 3

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student handbook student code of conduct acknowledgement dear student and parent as required by state law the denton board of trustees has officially adopted the student handbook student code of conduct in order to promote a safe and orderly learning environment for every student we urge you to read this publication thoroughly and to discuss it with your family if you have any questions about the required conduct and consequences for misconduct we encourage you to ask for an explanation from the student s teacher or campus administrator for each of the attached pages student and parent should sign in the spaces provided please return the signed pages to the student s school thank you dr ray braswell superintendent of schools we acknowledge that we have received a copy of or viewed online the denton independent school district denton isd student handbook student code of conduct for the 2011-2012 school year and understand that students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the disciplinary consequences outlined in the code r i choose to access the electronic form of the student handbook student code of conduct on-line at www.dentonisd.org i request to receive a printed hard copy of the student handbook student code of conduct i understand that the campus will forward a copy to me as quickly as possible upon receipt of this request r failure to sign and return this form does not exempt me/us from compliance with the laws policies rules and regulations of the state of texas or of the denton independent school district date printed name of student printed name of parent guardian 4 name of school signature of student signature of parent guardian grade

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2011-2012 statement of receipt student name last first teacher name the denton independent school district annually provides for signed statements by the student and parent that they have received and reviewed a copy of the student handbook and student code of conduct included in the student code of conduct is the district s electronic communication acceptable use and data management acceptable use policy see page 102 after reviewing this information together the parent and student should sign the form below we student and parent have received and reviewed the denton independent school district student handbook and student code of conduct we understand that we are expected to become familiar with the policies procedures and consequences explained in these documents we understand that the student will be held accountable for the behavior and consequences outlined in the student code of conduct at school and at school-sponsored/school related activities including school-sponsored travel and for any school-related misconduct regardless of time or location we understand that any student who violates the student code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action we understand that a lack of knowledge of the policies listed in the plan will not be an acceptable defense in the event of a policy violation i understand that in science courses grades 6-12 my child will be required to identify use and apply all laboratory safety procedures and guidelines and to successfully complete a safety assessment students will receive detailed information regarding specific safety procedures as they apply to each individual course students will also be held accountable for their behavior during laboratory activities and must take precautions for their own safety as well as the safety of their peers i have read the acceptable use policy with my child we have discussed it together and he/she understands that these expectations apply to the use of the district s computers telephones and any other communication technology that is used at school i understand that the internet will be used in class activities and that safeguards are being taken to minimize the chance of accessing inappropriate materials i know that all students will be expected to follow specific directions regarding the use of the internet whether during class or during leisure time i further understand that should my child deliberately access a site that is unacceptable for a given assignment or access a site without prior permission he/she will be referred to an administrator we further understand that school counselors will assume consent to work with students unless otherwise requested not to in writing please sign detach and return to school within one 1 week of enrollment student s name printed school and grade level signature parent or guardian signature student date please sign detach and return to school within one 1 week of enrollment 5 2011-2012 statement of receipt

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notice to parents release of information student name last first teacher name 2011-2012 notice of disclosure of student directory information each year denton isd must notify parents and students concerning disclosure of student directory information under the family educational rights and privacy act which gives parents the right to privacy of student record information ferpa is a federal law which applies to public schools and state or local education agencies that receive federal educational funds parents must make a decision and inform the district as to whether they consent or do not consent to the release of directory information certain information about district students is considered directory information and will be released to anyone who follows the procedures for requesting the information unless the parent or guardian objects to the release of the directory information about the student if you do not want denton isd to release directory information from your child s educational records without your prior written consent you must notify the district in writing within one week of enrollment by submitting this form denton isd has designated the following information as directory information student name telephone number date and place of birth degrees major field of study most recent educational institution attended participation in officially recognized activities and sports weight and heights of athletic participants i object to the release of all directory information address e-mail address photograph honors and awards received dates of attendance grade level please note if you have objected to the disclosure of directory information denton isd will not be able to include your childs photo/information in student directories student yearbooks or district publications such as athletic game programs concert programs commencement programs group or individual photos cable news segments disd website broadcast or print media or district press releases to broadcast media newspapers or other publications throughout the course of the school year disd will do a survey with questions concerning student drug use and campus safety the district will use the information to improve both campus safety and substance abuse programming i object to my child participating in the survey concerning student drug use and campus safety for high school students only release of information to military recruiters or institutions of higher education i also understand that to be in compliance with the no child left behind act of 2001 the district will release to military recruiters and institutions of higher learning upon request the name address and telephone listing of my child unless i direct the district not to release the information without my prior written consent this objection must be filed with the principal within 10 school days of my child s first day of instruction for the school year i object to the release of my student s name address and telephone number to a military recruiter i object to the release of my student s name address and telephone number to an institution of higher learning please sign detach and return to school within one 1 week of enrollment if objecting to release of student information student s name printed signature parent or guardian school and grade level date 2011-2012 notice to parents release of directory information please sign and return only if objecting to release of student information 6

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the denton independent school district student handbook hereinafter referred to as the district is designed to provide a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will need during the school year in an effort to make it easier to use the handbook is divided into two sections section i required notices and information for parents with notices that the district must provide to all parents as well as other information to assist you in responding to school-related issues we encourage you to take some time to closely review this section of the handbook and topic for quick access when searching for information on a specific issue section ii information for students and parents organized alphabetically by please be aware that the term the student s parent is used to refer to the parent legal guardian or any other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student both students and parents should become familiar with the denton independent school district student code of conduct which is a document adopted by the board and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning that document may be found as a section in this handbook posted at www.dentonisd.org and available in the principal s office of each campus the student handbook is designed to be in harmony with board policy and the student code of conduct please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year changes in policy or other rules that affect student handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications in case of conflict between board policy or the student code of conduct and any provisions of the student handbook the provisions of board policy or the student code of conduct that were most recently adopted by the board are to be followed after reading through the entire handbook with your child keep it as a reference during this school year if you or your child has questions about any of the material in this handbook please contact your child s campus please note that references to policy codes are included so that parents can refer to current board policy a copy of the district s policy manual is available for review in the school office or online at www.dentonisd.org the rules in this handbook have been approved by the denton isd board of trustees denton isd elementary and secondary schools are accredited by the texas education agency and the southern association of colleges and schools 7

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