2012-2013 Box Elder High School Disclosure Statement
Parents & Students,
Welcome back for the start of a new school year. We wanted to communicate to you some of the most important school policies and
expectations. This is not meant to be a complete list of all school policies, but a review of the most commonly asked questions by parents and
students. For a complete list of school and district policy, please refer to www.behs.besd.net under policies or www.besd.net under school
board policies.
Attendance & Citizenship
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance at school increases the opportunities for students to benefit from their educational programs. The Utah
Compulsory Attendance Law (53A-11-101) directs parents to require their children between the ages of six and eighteen years to attend school.
Frequent absences of students from daily classroom experiences disrupt the instructional process.
Because of Box Elder School District’s commitment to quality education, there is concern when a student misses school for any reason. In
keeping with State Law and to promote the educational goals of the school district, the following attendance procedure is established for Box Elder
High School:
Definitions
1. Absent – A student does not attend the given class period.
2. Excused Absence – Following the absence of a student, a parent/guardian has contacted the school and indicated the dates and
reasons for the absence. (Code V or P)
3. Unexcused Absence – Following the absence of a student, a parent/guardian has not contacted the school to indicate the dates or
reasons for the absence. (Code X)
4. Pre-Arranged Absence - If a student knows they will be absent for more than three days, they should obtain a Pre-Arranged
Absence Form from the Attendance Secretary prior to the absence. (Code Q)
5. School Excused Absence – A student has been absent from school while involved in an approved school activity and under the direct
supervision of a district employee. (Code A)
6. Truancy – A student is truant if found not to be in their scheduled class during school time without parent or school consent. (Code S
for Sluff)
7. Tardy - A student is tardy if they are not in the classroom when the bell rings. (Code T)
Excusing Student Absences
1. All student absences must be excused by a parent/ legal guardian or the school
2. Parents/guardians excuse an absence by sending a note with their student, calling the attendance office (435. 734.4855),
or by e-mail ([email protected]), upon their return to school.
3. A teacher/coach/advisor excuses a student’s absence by contacting the attendance office
4. The excuse should include the days missed and the reason for the absence
5. Excuses must be reported no more than two days following the return of the student to school
Teacher and Administrative Actions for non-attendance and excessive tardies
1. The School Messenger auto-caller will report unexcused absences to parents each evening.
2. When a student has accumulated 3 tardies in a class, the teacher will refer the student to Citizenship Class. (See explanation below)
3. When a student has accumulated 3 unexcused absences in a class, the teacher will refer the student to Citizenship Class.
4. When five or more days or one class missed 5 or more times (unexcused) accumulate, a meeting between the student, parent and
administration will occur.
5. If this meeting does not resolve the issue, the student may be referred to Truancy Class sponsored by the Juvenile Court.
6. When a student accumulates ten or more truancies they will receive a habitual truancy referral to juvenile court.
Arriving Late to Class
Students arriving late to school or to a specific class with a parent note excusing their tardy or absence, should go to the Attendance
Office to receive a check-in slip to give to their teacher. Students that are arriving late without a parent note excusing their tardy or absence,
should go straight to class where they will be marked tardy.
Leaving School during School Hours
Students will be allowed to check out of school for medical appointments, court appearances, illness, funerals, and other events deemed
essential by the student’s family. This can be done either by a parent note or phone call (not by e-mail). Before leaving the campus, the student
must obtain a Permit to Leave School from the Attendance Office. Upon returning to the school, students will then check in at the Attendance
Office. Students failing to check in and out through the attendance office will be considered truant for those classes missed and may be cited.
Notes or phone calls which are not authorized by the Legal parent/guardian, will be referred to administration.
Citizenship Issues in the Classroom
Should a student’s behavior begin to become a problem for a teacher, the teacher will privately visit with student concerning their
behavior. If the problem persists, the teacher will notify the parent of the issue; asking for their assistance in correcting the problem. If these steps
fail to cause a positive change; the teacher will issue a Citizenship Referral that will require the student to attend Citizenship Class (see below).
Unsatisfactory Citizenship
If after concerted effort, including referral to Citizenship Class, a student’s behavior does not improve, to the levels described below, for
at least a level of “Needs Improvement”; they will receive an “Unsatisfactory” citizenship grade from their teacher at the end of the trimester. If
student behavior is being addressed by the administration and behavior does not change to appropriate levels, an administrative U will be issued.
The cost to remediate a U is $30.00 payable to: BEHS and must be cleared through the financial secretary in the main office.
Citizenship Issues on School Grounds, Vehicles, or Activities
The administration will issue a Citizenship Referral and/or an administrative U, for inappropriate behavior before, during, or after the
school day (including district transportation), and at all school-sponsored activities.
Citizenship and Graduation
Students with any unsatisfactory citizenship grades on their official record will not be allowed to participate in their graduation ceremony
(Board Policy 4075 Earning Credit). To make up an unsatisfactory citizenship grade and be reinstated on the graduation program will require the
payment of a $30.00 fine for each unsatisfactory grade.
Citizenship Class – After school or Lunch time
Upon receiving a Citizenship Referral, a student has two options to complete the Citizenship Class. Option 1: The student must attend
three, one-hour sessions after school. The class will begin at 3:10 pm in room W-7. Option 2: The student must attend four, Thirty-five minute
sessions during lunch-time. The class will begin 5 minutes after lunch begins in room P-4. Both options must be completed by the end of the next
week. The Citizenship Class will be held Monday – Thursday each week. (Different schedules will be used on Holidays) If a student is late, they will
not be allowed to attend that session. To attend the class, a student must bring homework or a book to read; without these materials, they will not
be allowed to attend. During the class, students will not be allowed to use any electronic devices (except a calculator, if needed for their
homework), sleep, or sit doing nothing. If this should occur, the session will not count. If a student does not complete the Citizenship Class as
described above during that week, they will be referred to an administrator, who will increase the requirement for Citizenship Class, or take other
actions. A $5.00 processing fee will be collected prior to the first session of the class. Until the fee is paid, admission to the class is prohibited. It is
the student’s responsibility to arrange for transportation home after class.
Electronic Devices including Cell Phones
Electronic Devices including cell phone use has been determined to be an educational disruption. All devices will be turned off, not used,
and be kept out of sight during class time unless directed by the school and/or teacher for an educational purpose.
Teacher Action
1. Step one: A verbal warning will be given by the teacher to the student
2. Step two: The teacher will refer the student to Citizenship Class
3. Step three: If the behavior continues, the student will be given a “U”.
Dress Code Policy
The Board of Education of the Box Elder School District recognizes that standards of proper dress and grooming affect the behavior of
students, that there are sanitation and safety factors directly related to proper dress and grooming, and that school administrators, teachers and
parents need clear dress and grooming guidelines so that rules of dress and discipline can be enforced consistently. Box Elder High School has set
the following standards for school dress and appearance during school hours and at all school-sponsored activities.
Hair:
All students shall wear their hair in a clean and well-groomed manner. Extreme hairstyles or colors that are found to disrupt the
educational process will be dealt with on an individual basis.
Clothing: Clothing shall not be worn which is so extreme that it may disrupt or interfere with the educational process or that it might pose a safety
risk. The following are minimum standards deemed to protect the educational process and the safety of all:
•
All shirts must have a sleeve. No tank tops, bare midriffs, off-the shoulder or backless blouses, or sheer fabrics. The neckline of all shirts
and blouses shall be at, near, or above the collar bone.
•
Clothing shall not be extreme or slovenly. No sagging clothing will be allowed.
•
Clothing shall not be worn as a badge of protest, defiance, or dissent.
•
Shorts, if worn, shall be the dress or walking type. No short-shorts or mini-skirts.
•
Appropriate footwear must be worn at school and at all school-sponsored activities.
•
Any clothing that pertains to or insinuates the use of illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, pornography, or profane language will not be
permitted. These items may be confiscated.
•
Shirts must be worn at all times, even at extra-curricular activities.
•
Chains (other than simple necklaces or bracelets) may not be worn.
•
Exaggerated cosmetics or body paint are unacceptable.
•
A student must be identifiable at all times (no masks, painted faces, etc.)
Any student found in violation will be required to comply with the dress code before returning to class.
Consequences: Due process for any dress and grooming infractions will be as follows:
1. First offense – Student will be brought to an administrator for a warning and to comply with the policy. Parents notified.
2. Second offense – Student will be brought to an administrator and referred to citizenship class. Parents again notified.
3. Third offense – Student will be brought to an administrator and will receive an administrative “U,”
4. Fourth offense - Student will be brought to an administrator to be suspended until a parent conference is held.
Grading Policy – District Policy 4103
A. Grading
1. Student work and assessments will be based on standards from the Utah State Curriculum.
2. Grades on report cards will accurately reflect students’ academic proficiency in relation to course standards.
3. Student proficiency is measured in a variety of ways including; projects, reports, tests, observations, discussions and
performance tasks.
4. Extra credit will not be included in the academic grade. Additional opportunities for all students to demonstrate
increased proficiency will be provided through extensions and remediation.
5. Grades will be determined based on the Box Elder School District grading scale.
6. Attendance, tardies and behavior will not be included in the academic grade.
B. Reporting
1. Report cards will be issued a minimum of three times each school year.
2. Student proficiency data will be updated weekly using the electronic grade book.
3. Students and parents will be informed as soon as possible when a student’s academic performance, citizenship, or
behavior becomes unsatisfactory or shows a marked or sudden decline.
C. Interventions
1. Interventions (re-teaching) will be provided when a student performs below proficiency.
2. When intervention opportunities are provided within the school day, identified students will be required to participate.
Please retain this disclosure statement for your reference. Please sign, detach and return the bottom portion below with your student to their first
hour teacher within the first week of the trimester! If you have any questions, please call the school at 435-734-4840 to talk to an administrator.
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Date:
Student:
___________
I have read and understand the BEHS School-Wide Disclosure Statement, including the other policies listed at
www.behs.besd.net and www.besd.net. By signing below, I acknowledge that I am willing to abide by the rules and
expectations written therein.
Student Name: _____________________________________ Student Signature: _____________________________________
(please print)
Parent/Guardian: I have read and understand the BEHS School-Wide Disclosure Statement, including the other policies listed at
www.behs.besd.net and www.besd.net. By signing below, I acknowledge that I am willing to assist my
son/daughter in following the rules and expectations of BEHS.
Parent/Guardian Name: _____________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________
(please print)
Please return this form after signing to your first hour teacher by the end of the week.