Nicoma Park Jr

Nicoma Park Junior High Student Handbook

PHILOSOPHY

Nicoma Park Junior High is founded on the philosophies of exploration, experimentation, and excellence. Students are encouraged to explore using abstract thought processes in order to expand their opportunities in an ever-changing complex world. They are encouraged to think and to expand the power of their minds so that they can adequately face change and challenge.

TARDY POLICY

A tardy is defined as the student not being in assigned work area when the tardy bell rings. It is the responsibility of the student to get to school and class on time. The district provides transportation to and from school. Should a student and his/her parent choose to provide their own transportation, it is incumbent on them to arrive on time. Tardies will not be excused. When students arrive late a parent must come to the office to admit the student.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance in class is an integral part of a student's education. The following information is pertinent to the attendance policy.

An absence is defined as any time a student misses more than fifteen (15) minutes of a class period during the school day. An excused absence is failure to attend class due to an unavoidable reason, such as illness. An unexcused absence is a day of class for which no credit will be received. A documented absence is an absence for which further confirmation has been received, for instance a note from a doctor to confirm an illness.

If an absence is excused, it is the responsibility of the student and/or parent to make arrangements for completing missed daily work.

(See information on Make-up work.)Tests or assignments missed during an unexcused absence may not be made up. State mandates tests must be taken in all cases.

For any excused absence, a student has two (2) days to make up a missed assignment or test. It is the student’s/parent’s responsibility to notify the teacher in regard to missed assignments or tests. If the timeline is met, there should be 100% credit; if not, zero credit. Exceptions to this practice may be allowed if there is mutual agreement between the appropriate parties.

When a student misses class to participate in school-sponsored activities, he/she is not counted absent.

By state statute, it is the duty of the parent or guardian of a student to notify the school concerning the cause of any absence. This should be done between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the day the student misses school. It is the duty of school personnel to make every reasonable effort to notify the parent or guardian of an absence for any part of the school day unless the parent or guardian notifies the school of such absence. It is important for students to accept responsibility for their absences. Accordingly, if a student is out of school without a valid reason, he/she will not be allowed to make up the missed work. An absence of this nature is know as an UNEXCUSED absence.

To implement Board Policy EBM and encourage attendance in school, the following procedures and guidelines shall be used:

1. No student shall be absent more than six (6) times in any one nine-week period without proper documentation.

2. Any student who has more than six (6) absences, without proper documentation, may not receive a passing grade in the appropriate subjects or grade level for that nine-week period.

3. If a student has an unexcused absence, the student will receive a zero (0) for all work missed. The student is still expected to make up the work in addition to receiving some disciplinary action toward the student.

4. When a student has accumulated six (6) undocumented absences, the school will notify

the parents as soon as possible that the student is in danger of failure.

5. Principals will make final determinations as to whether or not an absence is excused or unexcused and the acceptability of documentation.

6. In some cases, tests and assignments missed during an unexcused absence may not be made

MAKE-UP WORK: To insure that make-up work does not become a burden to the student or the teacher, a parent may contact the main office to request assignments to be collected and sent home for students who are absent three or more consecutive days.

ASSIGNMENTS KNOW IN ADVANCE: Long term assignments such as special projects or term papers are due upon the student’s return. Any examination or test announced during the student’s presence in class or which is regularly scheduled (e.g., nine weeks or semester} which is missed may be administered upon the student’s return.

SCHOOL ACTIVITY ABSENCES: In the event there is foreknowledge of the absence, as in the case of scheduled school activities, the work must be turned in either on the last day of attendance or the day the student returns.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

In order to withdraw from school, the withdrawing student's legal parent/guardian must complete and sign a parental consent form in the counseling office.

Each teacher must also sign the release form before the student can clear the school.

All fines, fees, and damages must be paid prior to being released by the school.

All school property must be returned to the issuing teacher/sponsor/coach.

The completed withdraw release form must be returned to the counseling office for final processing.

The school WILL NOT forward credit information to the student's new school until the student satisfies all obligations.

CLOSED CAMPUS AT NPJH

The Choctaw/Nicoma Park Board of Education adopted a policy for closed campus at Nicoma Park Junior High School effective January 3, 1978. No student will be allowed to leave the campus except in emergency situations authorized by the principal.

CHECK OUT/EARLY DISMISSAL

A parent or legal guardian must check the student out through the office before they will be allowed to leave campus. Phone calls or notes will not be accepted.

CONDUCT CODE FOR C/NP SCHOOLS

Students in the Choctaw/Nicoma Park School District are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will continue to bring honor to the school and community. This code is intended as a guideline for acceptable conduct so that students may be aware of the type of behavior that is necessary for C/NP schools to maintain the high reputation for which they are known.

We shall enforce good, common sense discipline throughout the year. There is little need for rules and penalties if the student remembers that he/she is a citizen of the Choctaw/Nicoma Park community and everything that is done reflects on school, community, and home. All discipline problems will be dealt with accordingly in the office of the vice-principal or principal.

Pupils must remember that the teacher in charge of the class is the person with authority during that time. Individual teachers may post rules which pertain solely to their specific classroom settings. Teachers dedicate themselves to helping young people and anyone guilty of disturbing this effort is hurting the entire school. Disrespect toward any faculty member or service personnel, by act, word or deed will NOT be tolerated. Anyone who misbehaves may be sent out of the class and must get a permit from the principal's office to return to class.

Disciplinary suspension may be imposed when a student has substantially disrupted or interfered with the educational process, endangered the health or safety of others, or caused damage to property.

The building principal, his or her administrative designee, or the superintendent of schools may suspend a student from school. Misconduct for which suspensions may be imposed includes, but is not limited to:

1. Disruption of School: A student shall not by use of violence, force or coercion, threat, or by any other means cause material disruption or obstruction of any part of school including extracurricular activities.

2. Damage of School Property: A student shall not cause or attempt to damage any part of school property. In addition to suspension, restitution may be required by the student and/or his/her guardian(s). In addition, should it be deemed necessary, charges may be filed with the local authorities.

3. Assault/Assault & Battery: No student shall commit an act or seriously threaten an act of physical violence whereby the perpetrator causes, or attempts to cause or seriously threatens to cause physical harm to another, especially to teachers, other school personnel or other students. Incidents involving initiations, hazing, intimidation, and/or related activities which may cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to students are prohibited.

4. Dangerous Weapons, Instruments, and Paraphernalia: A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or conceal any object that would be potentially dangerous to anyone else or himself while on school property or at a school activity. Violation(s) could result in long-term suspension up to one calendar year.

5. Narcotics, Drugs and Other Controlled Substance or Any Substances Presented as such: A student shall not possess, use, transmit, conceal, or be under the influence of these harmful items while on school property, while under the jurisdiction of the school, or at a school activity. Drug paraphernalia will not be brought to school.

6. Alcoholic Beverages: A student shall not possess, use, transmit, conceal, or be under the influence of these harmful items while on school property, while under the jurisdiction of the school, or at a school activity.

7. Tobacco: According to state law, a student shall not use, possess, conceal, or transmit tobacco in any form on school property or while at a school activity. Violation of this rule constitutes a serious offense, and possible suspension from school.

8. Criminal Behavior: Criminal behavior is defined by law including, but not limited to, assault, battery, larceny, robbery, malicious mischief, vandalism, unlawful assembly, fighting, malicious use of the telephone, false alarms and reports, arson, forgery, and gambling.

9. Insubordination and Disrespect: A student shall not disregard or refuse to comply with reasonable requests of school employees or the reasonable directions given by a teacher or school official. Students will not promote anarchy or sedition through the display of related symbols.

10. Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle While on School Property: A student shall not

operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner on school property during the school day or at a school activity.

11. Profanity, Obscene Language and Gestures, Racial or Ethnic Slurs: A student shall not use profanity, obscene language or gestures, racial or ethnic slurs at school or at a school activity.

12. Chronic Absenteeism and/or Truancy: A student shall attend school in compliance with the compulsory attendance laws of the State of Oklahoma and with the attendance policy as established by the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Board of Education. Truancy from school for a day or any portion of a day is not permitted.

13. Violation of Board of Education Policies, Rules, and Regulations: A student shall not violate established policies, rules or regulations of the Board of Education.

14. Repeated Violations of School Rules: A student shall not violate established policies, rules, or regulations of the school.

15. Cult/Gang Behavior: It is the policy of this school district that participation in secret fraternities or sororities, or in other clubs not sponsored by established agencies or organization is prohibited. Gangs which initiate, advocate, promote activities which threaten the safety or well-being of persons or property on school grounds or which disrupt the school environment are harmful to the educational process. The use of hand signals, graffiti, or the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute which indicates or implies membership or affiliation with a gang, presents a clear and present danger to the school environment and educational objectives of the community and is forbidden and is subject to disciplinary action.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Students who become involved in areas of problem behavior (violations of the serious misconduct code included) will be subjected to certain disciplinary actions. Depending upon the seriousness of the behavior problem, one or more of the following actions may be taken by school officials:

1. INFORMAL TALK: A school official will talk with the student and try to reach an agreement regarding how the student should behave.

2. CONFERENCE: A formal conference is held between the student and one or more school officials. During this conference, the student must agree to change his/her behavior.

3. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: A parent or legal guardian is notified by telephone, personal contact or letter. A conference may be requested or required and may be conducted between the student, his/her legal guardian, appropriate school officials, and other individuals involved. A student may be suspended from class pending such meeting.

4. DETENTION: A student may be assigned time in detention, either during the lunch period, after or before school or on a Saturday in a

designated area under the supervision of a faculty member.

5. WORK DETAIL: Under certain circumstances, a student may be assigned to or, with the agreement of a building administrator, be assigned by choice to serve on work detail before or after school or during the lunch period.

6. DISCIPLINARY WRITING ASSIGNMENT: A student may be assigned copy work from the student handbook, a selected text, or an appropriate writing project either as discipline for certain minor offenses or in conjunction with other discipline as deemed appropriate by the building administrator or his/her designee.

7. ATTENDANCE/BEHAVIOR CONTRACT: A student will be put on an attendance and/or behavior contract at the discretion of the site administrator.

8. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT: Corporal punishment may be used for infractions of school rules. Such punishment shall be administered in accordance with the law, state and local guidelines.

9. (ISI) IN-SCHOOL INTERVENTION: In school intervention (ISI) provides an alternative to some suspensions that would normally require disassociation from school. The purpose of ISI is to alter the attitudes and habits which are detrimental to the educational process by providing an environment in which a student's behavior may be modified. Once a student is placed in ISI he/she must complete the number of days that he/she was assigned to ISI and complete assigned work before being readmitted to the regular classroom. Days absent during the ISI assignment do not count as days in ISI. Any change to this procedure will be at the discretion of the site administrator.

A student who is assigned to ISI cannot attend school activities until he/she has completed ISI.

10. SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION: Short-term suspension is a suspension of ten (10) or fewer days. The student who is suspended out of school is also suspended from all related activities for the period of suspension. The student is informed that he/she is subject to a short suspension and may discuss his/her side with the appropriate school official. Parents will be notified of the action taken. The student may be advised of district or community alternatives.

11. LONG-TERM SUSPENSION: Long-term suspension is a suspension of ten (10) or more days. The student is informed that he/she is immediately suspended from school and that a recommendation for long-term suspension may be made. A long-term suspension includes the removal of a student from school, from school activities, and all related school functions. The student and his/her legal guardian will be notified of his/her rights and be explained their due process rights. The student may be advised of district or community alternatives. A long term suspension may be up to a calendar year.

12. SUSPENSION PROCESS: Students will be suspended in accordance with the law, state and local guidelines. Unless an emergency situation exists relating to health or safety, the student shall receive prior notice of the suspension, specification of charges and an opportunity to present his/her view of the alleged misconduct. The suspending administrator may postpone these procedures if there is a risk that harm will occur if the suspension does not take place immediately. In all cases, an administrator will notify the legal guardian by letter, and when possible, by telephone. The Board of Education will have the right of final review of the suspension action.

In the event of long term Out-of-School Suspension for a non-violent offense, the student will be given the opportunity to have home-based school work assignments, to be monitored by the parent or legal guardian. Students will earn credit for home-based assignments completed and submitted. Suspension days are unexcused.

In special cases, as determined to be necessary by the administrator ordering the suspension, a

long-term suspension may be continued beyond ten calendar days pending the occurrence of some specific action (e.g., a physical or psychological examination, incarceration by court action, or action by the Board of Education regarding suspension.)

General Discipline Statement: The principal has the right to alter any of the steps above, if unusual circumstances surround the offense.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public Schools strongly disapproves and does not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind. District policy prohibits unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual acts or favors, with or without accompanying promises, threats or reciprocal favors or actions, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature including lewd or sexually suggestive comments, off-color language or jokes of a sexual nature, gestures, slurs and other verbal, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual's sex; or any display of sexually explicit pictures, greeting cards, articles, books, magazines, photos or cartoons, which adversely affect a student.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURE:

1. If any student perceives comments, gestures or actions from any employee or student to be offensive, the student should notify his/her principal and/or counselor.

2. The administrator will promptly investigate any complaints of sexual harassment, and will take immediate action to resolve such complaints. No individual will suffer reprisals for reporting any incidents of sexual harassment or making any complaint.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION:

Any student who is found to be responsible for sexual harassment will be subject to appropriate discipline. The severity of disciplinary action will be based upon the circumstances of the infraction.

DRESS CODE

PURPOSE:

The intent of these guidelines is to encourage the individual to develop pride in school, but more importantly, pride in self. Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public Schools believes that the student should have the opportunity to be involved in deciding what he/she wears to school. The student may make daily choices within the following guidelines:

1. For safety and sanitation, it is mandatory that SHOES be worn at all times in school.

2. HAIR may be worn without restriction as to style, cut or length as long as it is not a classroom disruption, and it is apparent that a generally accepted level of hygiene is met. In lab classes, hair restraints may be required for safety reasons.

3. Extreme MAKEUP is not allowed.

4. Wearing any apparel which displays or encourages the following is NOT ACCEPTABLE:

A. The use of alcohol, drugs, or marijuana

B. Immoral, illicit, indecent or illegal acts

C. Profanity, racial or degrading statements

D. Anarchy or Sedition

5. Apparel worn to school will be chosen to reflect good taste, modesty, and respect for yourself and the others in our school. Such apparel will be appropriate to the classroom situation and will not be altered or modified to accentuate or expose or be suggestive or cause undue disruption to the educational process.

AVOID choosing from the following examples of inappropriate school clothing:

1. "FISH NET" SHIRTS OR BLOUSES worn independently; TOPS WITHOUT SHOULDER STRAPS or TOPS WITH STRAPS which are too revealing, SHIRTS OR TOPS that are not large enough to cover the whole midriff, or distract from the education process.

2. ATHLETIC SHORTS, GYM SHORTS, or CYCLE SHORTS, or SHORTS or SKIRTS which are disruptive or inappropriate should not be worn.

3. Garments which are sold or marketed as UNDERGARMENTS or SLEEPWEAR may not be worn as outer wear;

4. NO HATS/CAPS/BANDANAS or OTHER HEADGEAR may be brought inside any campus building by either male or female.

5. GANG RELATED CLOTHING, COLORS, AND PARAPHERNALIA are prohibited;

6. Jewelry or personal items or manner of dress which could cause harm to self or others. An example of this is, but not limited to, chains which are excessively lengthy and/or heavyweight.

7. SATANIC or CULT DRESS and related symbols;

8. BELOW THE WAISTLINE jeans, slacks, or pants;

9. Shredded, tattered, or holey clothing.

10. OBSCENE OR PROFANE LANGUAGE OR SYMBOLS on clothing that is suggestive or has double meaning.

Any process requires cooperation, discrimination and tolerance among all individuals involved. Initially, the responsibility of choosing appropriate dress is that of the student. The teacher is given the responsibility of determining the acceptability of the choices, within the teaching environment.

In order to avoid, as much as possible, any loss of classroom time, resolution of any difference of opinion will be left to the teacher and student. All unresolved differences will be left to the discretion of the school administrator.

Where a unique teaching environment exists, a department may extend these guidelines for the health and safety of the student. Such guidelines will be approved by the principal, posted in that classroom and apply only in that classroom.

HALL PASSES

Written hall passes provided in the agenda shall be used to send students out of the classroom on errands, to the media center, restrooms, nurse's office, counselor, or principal's office, etc. This pass should contain the student’s name, date and time to be excused, destination, sending teacher’s room number, and sending teacher’s signature. The receiving teacher must sign and note time of arrival and departure of student.

MEDIA CENTER USE

We are proud of our media center and the people who staff it. Please cooperate with them in the use of the media center.

1. Please return all books promptly. Others may be waiting for them.

2. Do not cut articles from the magazines.

3. Appropriate behavior in the media center is essential. Keep quiet, work alone, and stay put unless you need to use the automated card catalog.

4. If you need a book that is checked out, the media specialist will help you locate the book, or put a reserve on the book.

5. Library books must be returned in the same condition as they were when they were checked out.

6. A pass from your teacher to use the media center is necessary.

7. Media specialists are entitled to the same consideration given to teachers. Theirs is a busy job. Please cooperate.

8. Overdue books are fined at ten cents ($.10) per school day.

9. A copy machine is available in the media center for ten cents ($.10) per page.

INTERNET ACCESS

Students may have access to the Internet with permission from parents. Internet permission forms are available in the Library Media Center.

Violation of the Internet Use Policy will result in forfeiture of all Internet user privileges. Violators shall also be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

CAFETERIA

The following are some suggestions to help you to have a clean, orderly place to come and eat your lunch:

1. Observe the rules of good etiquette in the lines and at your table, as though you were at home.

2. When you have finished eating, return your tray to the dishwashing counter, carefully placing silverware, trays, and drink containers in designated places. Place all paper in wastebasket before leaving the cafeteria.

3. Finish your lunch including candy, ice creams, fruit, etc., before leaving the cafeteria. Food is not to be taken outside the cafeteria.

4. NO LUNCHES WILL BE CHARGED IN THE CAFETERIA.

5. Upon leaving the cafeteria, students should go directly to the commons until the lunch

period is over.

CONSUMPTION OF FOOD OR DRINKS

No food items, candy, or soft drinks, etc., can be consumed during classes or class breaks unless it is necessary due to a medical reason. No open containers of drink are allowed in any of the school buildings except those areas where such items are sold. Vending machines may not be used during class periods or passing periods.

EXCESSIVE DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Excessive displays of affection will not be tolerated in the classroom, halls, or anywhere on the school grounds, including extracurricular activities. Violators will be referred to the principal's office for disciplinary action.

ELECTRONIC GAMES, RADIOS, CD/TAPE PLAYERS, LASERS, ETC.

Any type of toy, game, radio, CD/tape player, laser, etc. is not to be brought to school or taken to any class unless they are needed as part of the class activity as required by the teacher.

In accordance with Oklahoma State Statutes, no student will be allowed to bring cellular telephones or paging devices to school . Such devices will be confiscated by school personnel.

BUS RIDERS POLICY

CONDUCT OF STUDENTS: School transportation is a privilege provided for the convenience and safety of the students. Undesirable conduct by the students can create a very dangerous situation. It may not only cause someone to be injured inside the bus, but it could lead to a collision with another vehicle. If the driver is distracted by student behavior, any of the above could result. The conduct of a student on a school bus should be the same as is expected in the classroom, except for quietly visiting with one sitting next to him. There is to be no loud talking nor moving about while on the bus.

No one is to put any part of his/her body out of a window nor throw any object out of the school bus window. Hands and feet are to be kept out of the aisle and any object carried on the bus is to be held in the student's lap or placed where the driver requests.

Students are to obey requests of the driver the same as they would a teacher.

REGISTRATION FORM: On or before the first Monday after school begins, all bus riders must fill in a School Bus Rider Registration form. The form may be obtained at the school site. It is to be handed to the school bus driver. The student has registered to ride that bus route and is to ride no other route without a transfer. School bus drivers have the authority to assign seats, if so desired.

ENTERING THE BUS: All students are to stand back until the bus comes to a complete stop, then line up in order to enter the bus single file with no pushing and shoving. Once inside the bus, go directly to a seat and sit down. If the driver has assigned a student a seat, that is the seat he is required to sit in.

DEPARTING THE BUS: All students are required to remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. When the bus stops, students who get off at the stop are to depart single file as quickly as possible and get away from the bus. If a student must cross the street, he/she is to quickly walk approximately ten steps in front of the bus and wait for the driver to signal when it is safe to cross. Never walk behind a bus!

SMOKING, EATING, AND SOFT DRINKS ARE PROHIBITED ON THE SCHOOL BUS.

BUS ZONE: Parents are to unload or pick up students in the first two lanes closest to the street before or after school. Buses will be unloading students at the door and we don't want any of our students getting hurt or late because of a traffic accident.

BUS PASSES: All students are to get off the bus at school or at their regular stop unless they have a bus pass issued from the school office. A student must have parental consent before being issued a bus pass. If a student is going to another student’s home, a written notification from parents of each student is required.

DEFACING A SCHOOL BUS: Any student caught writing on a bus, tearing or cutting a seat, tearing off padding or defacing a bus in any manner may be suspended immediately from riding a school bus. Parents of such students are legally liable for damages.

DISCIPLINE: For the first three offenses, the principal is to take whatever action deemed necessary to correct unacceptable conduct by a student while being transported in school transportation. For the fourth offense, the principal may suspend the student from riding the bus for the remainder of the school year. Proper notification of student, parent, driver, and transportation director is necessary.

DRIVING PERMITS

NO NICOMA PARK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MAY DRIVE A CAR TO SCHOOL!! Those who ride motorcycles to school must provide the office with a copy of their driver's license and insurance verification. Motorcycle riders must park their bikes in a designated area and leave them there until time to go home. A student must not drive a motorcycle illegally and he/she must drive it safely.

TEXTBOOKS

Take good care of your textbooks because:

1. Textbooks are property of the State of Oklahoma.

2. Cover your books to protect them. Covers are usually available in the office free of charge.

3. Write your name in every book checked out to you for class.

4. Let your teacher know immediately when you receive a book if it has ink blots, pages missing or torn, so that you won't be held responsible.

5. Repair tears in your own books. The books will last much longer.

6. Make no marks in books except your name.

7. You must pay for any book you lose or damage.

8. You are responsible for any and all books checked out to you regardless of what happens to the book.

LOCKERS/LOCKS

Lockers and locks are issued to each student for their use. The school will not be liable for items taken out of the lockers. Students are assigned lockers and MUST NOT CHANGE LOCKERS WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE. Student's lockers will be periodically inspected and any writing or drawing outside or inside lockers will be removed by the student(s) assigned to the locker. ANY DAMAGE TO THE LOCKER WILL BE PAID FOR BY THE STUDENT TO WHOM THEY ARE ASSIGNED. Money and valuable items should be brought to the office for safe storage.

TELEPHONE USE

The office telephones are for school business. You are not to ask to use the phone to plan your personal business (e.g., spending the night with a friend, riding the bus home with a friend, go shopping, etc.). We realize sometimes school events may change starting times or be cancelled altogether, or students may need a ride home after a late night event. In these instances, students will be allowed to use school phones to contact their parents and relay the information. A pay phone is also available for student use before/after school.

SALES/FUNDRAISERS

Students are not allowed to sell anything at school-sponsored activities unless it is approved in advance by the site principal.

VISITORS

No friends or relatives will be allowed to visit during normal school hours. We invite parents and others who have business to come by the office and we will help them in any way possible. We welcome and encourage parents to participate in the education of their children.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES

In the event that it becomes necessary to evacuate the building, teachers will follow this procedure for drills as well as actual emergencies.

1. Teachers will instruct the students as to which exit to use and the designated route for them to take to their assembly point.

2. The teacher will be the last one out of the room to insure that all students have left.

3. Upon arriving at the designated site, teachers will call roll to insure that everyone is out of the

building.

4. Students will fall into rows and remain quiet until told to return to the building.

5. The signal to evacuate is a continuous ringing of the bells and an intercom announcement.

STORMS/TORNADOS:

In the event of a tornado warning (tornado sighted nearby) teachers and students will be warned by an intermittent ringing of the bells. All windows are to be shut. Doorways are to be cleared of students. The following procedure is to be followed:

1. In case of a tornado or a tornado drill, notification will be made by announcement on the intercom.

2. All students go to the main hallway or to the hallway in the 200 building and be seated on the floor.

3. Face the wall and cover your face with your hands.

4. Teachers should be the last to leave the room.

5. Stay there until notification is made

otherwise.

ELIGIBILITY

OKLAHOMA SECONDARY SCHOOLS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

The Nicoma Park Junior High School is a member of the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association and is bound to observe the rules of the Association. These rules include criteria for determining the eligibility of students to participate in various activities such as FFA, FHA, Student Council, Oklahoma Music Association, Band, Cheerleading, Athletics, and other school activities.

The criteria are:

1. A student must be in attendance at least 80% of the time.

2. Beginning with the third week of the semester, a week-to-week (Monday to Sunday) grade check will be conducted on all activity students. Any "F" will result in a one-week probation period. If any "F" remains at the end of the probation, the student is ineligible until passing all subjects.

3. A student must pass five subjects to be eligible for the next semester.

4. A student must adhere to all school and team conduct policies.

5. A student must be under 16 years of age on September 1.

6. A student may not participate more than six (6) semesters in junior high school.

7. A student must attend school the entire day he/she participates in any activity in which he/she represents the school. Students with medical appointments will be exempt, providing they notify the principal at least 24 hours in advance.

GRADING SYSTEM

A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90-100

B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80-89

C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70-79

F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Below 60

I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Incomplete

AF. . . . . . . . . Administrative

Failure

(See attendance policy)

SCHEDULE CHANGE PROCEDURE

If a parent calls to request a schedule change, these procedures must be followed and completed:

? Application form may be obtained from the counseling office.

? Application forms must be completed and returned to counseling office.

? Conference will be scheduled with parent, teacher and counselor.

? If no solution is reached, the principal will schedule a conference with the parent. The counselor and teacher may or may not attend.

? After the above procedures are completed, the principal will make the final decision regarding any schedule change.

REPORT CARDS/PROGRESS REPORTS

Report cards are issued four times a year and progress reports during the halfway mark of each nine-week period. Individual conferences may be arranged with teachers, counselors, or the principals by calling the school office. With regularly-scheduled parent/teacher conferences, appointments are scheduled by calling the school office.

FRESHMEN PROMOTION

Nicoma Park Junior High School requires that a student pass at least eight (8) credits to be enrolled as a sophomore -- four of these must be math, English, science, and social studies.

PROMOTION DRESS CODE: Formal dress is prohibited at promotion. Example, tuxedos or floor-length dresses. Rule of thumb ---- clothes that you would wear to church are acceptable. No hats will be worn during promotion.

GUIDANCE SERVICES

The counseling office is open to all students who wish to talk with a counselor about any area of concern. It is the main function of our counselor to help students deal with problems, frustrations, or situations that they encounter.

Another purpose of our counselor is to assist students in deciding where they want to go, what they want to do, and how best to accomplish these things.

The Achievement and Criteria Reference Tests are given each spring to grades 7 and 8 as stipulated by state law. Students receive an individual or parent report to inform parents and students of testing results. Parents or students are encouraged to call or visit the counselor's office should they have questions regarding the testing results.

Diagnostic evaluations are administered upon teacher or parent request. Information from the evaluation is discussed with parents in order to make the best educational decisions for the student.

At parent request, a counselor will check on a student's grades in an effort to make both students and parents aware of success or problems being experienced in academic areas.

MEDICATION/PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Students who must take medication at school are required to leave their medication and over-the-counter drugs in the nurse's office located in the main office of our building. A "Medication Form" must also be completed and returned with the medication to the office before the student will be allowed to take the medication. Possession of any kind of medication without permission is not allowed.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS PRIVACY ACT

In the course of your young person's education, the school district will keep records as deemed necessary to provide programs to meet his/her needs and interests. You, the parent/guardian, have the right to:

1. Inspect and review the student's education records;

2. Request the amendment of the student's education records to insure that they are accurate or not otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights;

3. Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records, except to the extent that the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act and the regulations in this part that authorize disclosure without consent;

4. File with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by the agency or institution to comply with the requirements of the Act and this part.

5. Obtain a copy of the policy adopted under the Act.

6. A copy of the adopted Policy and Procedures for the Family Education Rights Privacy Act is

available at the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Board of Education and in the administrative office at each school site.

7. The school district will notify parents of students who have a primary or home language other than English of F.E. R. P.A. rights.

PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS SECTION

504 PARENT AND GUARDIAN RIGHTS

1. Right to file a grievance with the school district over an alleged violation of Section 504

regulations.

2. Right to have an evaluation that draws on information from a variety of sources.

3. Right to be informed of any proposed actions related to eligibility and plan for services.

4. Right to examine all relevant records.

5. Right to receive all information in the parent/guardian's native language and primary mode of communication.

6. Right to an impartial hearing if there is disagreement with the school district's proposed action.

7. Right to be represented by counsel in the impartial hearing process.

8. Right to appeal the impartial hearing officer's decision.

It is the policy of the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public Schools to provide a free and appropriate public education to each handicapped student within its jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the handicap. It is the intent of the district to ensure that students who are handicapped within the definition of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are identified, evaluated and provided with appropriate educational services.

CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE

It is the policy of the Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public Schools to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, qualified handicap or veteran in educational programs and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, educational services, financial and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of this policy may be referred to the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Operations,

Compliance Coordinator, Choctaw/Nicoma Park Public Schools, 12880 N.E. 10th Street, Choctaw, Oklahoma, 73020.

Area Code/Telephone: (405)769-9882.

HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

The Choctaw/Nicoma Park School district would like to insure that all handicapped children within its jurisdiction are identified, located and evaluated. If you know of a child (3-21 years of age) that is possibly handicapped and has not been identified by this school district, please contact the special services office at (405) 769-8389. The Choctaw/Nicoma Park Schools provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or qualified handicapped in its educational programs and activities.

STUDENT PRIVACY RIGHTS

A change in the State Law (Section 24-102 of Title 70) requires local schools to inform their students in the discipline policies that the student can expect no privacy concerning school lockers, desks, or other school property. Pupils shall not have any reasonable expectation of privacy towards school administrators or teachers in the contents of a school locker, desk, or other school property. School personnel shall have access to school lockers, desks, and other school property in order to properly supervise the welfare of pupils. School lockers, desks, and other areas of school facilities may be opened and examined by school officials at any time and no reason shall be necessary for such search.