COOLIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT –
PARENT HANDBOOK
WELCOME
To Students and Parents: Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year. For this new year to be
successful for your child, we must all work together: students, parents, teachers, and other
school staff members. The Coolidge Independent School District Student – Parent Handbook is
designed to provide a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will
need during the school year. Please be aware that term “student’s parent” is used to refer to the
parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume school related responsibility
for a student. Both students and parents must be familiar with the Coolidge ISD Student Code of
Conduct, required by state law and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for
learning. That document may be found as a separate document sent home to parents with
additional copies to be kept in the Administrative Offices.
PURPOSE OF STUDENT – PARENT HANDBOOK
The Student – Parent 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. This handbook contains information relevant to
procedures and guidelines for students in grades 6-12. These topics cover some of the most
commonly addressed areas of student life on our campus. Complete Coolidge ISD Policies may
be obtained from our district Administration Office or accessed online at
www.coolidge.k12.tx.us. I urge you to become familiar with this document and others you may
receive in the coming school year. Throughout the school year you may receive other
information relevant to particular activities and programs. Our policies and procedures are
designed to further our goal of providing the best education possible for the children of
Coolidge ISD. Instructional time is to be protected, and these guidelines will ensure that our
goal is met. Coolidge ISD is an organization that strives for excellence by providing a quality
educational system that develops successful leaders, teachers, students, and community
partnerships. We value mutual respect and trust among all stakeholders. This leads to
producing life-long learners ready to become an integral part of society.
Please note that additional guidelines for just Elementary Students will be found in the
Addendum attached.
Sincerely,
Justin D. Cox, Coolidge JH/HS Principal
Laci Lowry, Coolidge Elem. Principal
1
Coolidge Independent School
District Student - Parent
Handbook 2016-2017
COOLIDGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
1002 Kirven Street
Coolidge, Texas 76635
(254) 786-2206
Fax (254) 786-4835
www.Coolidge.k12.tx.us
Dr. Robert Lowry, Superintendent… 786-2206 Ext. 225
Contents
School Attendance
3
Coolidge ISD
Contact Information: (254)786-4822
Academics
5
Justin Cox Principal………………………
Ext. 224
Counseling Services
8
Laci Lowry, Elem. Principal…………..
Ext. 227
Special Programs
8
Parent & Student Rights
10
Dress & Grooming
13
Conduct
14
Law Enforcement Issues
17
Health Issues
18
Nutrition Service
23
Transportation
24
Miscellaneous Distribution of Material
25
Electronic Services
26
Emergency Information
26
Extracurricular Activity
26
Fees
26
Fundraising
27
Pledge/Moment of Silence
27
School Facilities
27
Information for Coolidge High School Only
28
Acknowledgement Forms
31
Elementary School Addendum
33
Johnnie McClinton, Counselor……………..Ext. 226
Vanessa Levingston, PEIMS Coordinator...Ext. 245
Nondiscrimination Statement
Coolidge ISD does not discriminate on the basis
of gender, age, race, nationality, religion,
disability, socioeconomic standing or nonproficiency in English language skills in providing
educational services for students’ benefits, in
accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational
Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The
following District staff members have been
designated to coordinate compliance with these
requirements:
Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding
discrimination on the basis of sex:
Justin Cox– 786-4822 Ext.224
Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns
regarding discrimination on the basis of
disability:
Johnnie McClinton- 786-4822 Ext.226
Special Education Services:
Lynn Donley- 786-4822 Ext. 250
Liaison for Homeless Children and Youths,
coordinating services for homeless students:
Johnnie McClinton— 786-4822 Ext.226
Parent Involvement Coordinator, coordinating
services for Title I programs:
Justin Cox 786-4822
Foster Care Liaison
Johnnie McClinton 786-4822 Ext. 226
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SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
a pass to sign out. A student who becomes ill
during the school day should, with the teacher’s
permission, report to the school nurse. The nurse
or principal will determine whether the student
should be sent home and will notify the student’s
parent/legal guardian.
Regular school attendance is essential for the
student to make the most of his or her
education—to benefit from teacher-led activities,
to build each day’s learning on that of the
previous day, and to grow as an individual.
Students must always check out at the
Attendance Office when leaving campus and
check in at the Attendance Office when returning
to campus.
Compulsory Attendance
A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after
his or her 18th birthday is required to attend each
school day until the end of the school year.
If a student 18 or older has more than five
unexcused absences in a semester district may
revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s
presence on school property thereafter would be
unauthorized
and
may
be
considered
trespassing.
Failure
to
Attendance
Comply
with
In the event that a note or phone call is
discovered to not be authentic, school
disciplinary action (and in some cases legal
action) will be taken.
A parent wishing to withdraw a student from
school must present a signed request to the
principal or registrar stating the reason for the
withdrawal and the effective date. The school
may provide an automated call for any class
absence. Periodic written documentation will be
sent by teachers and administrators. An informal
notice of absences is also documented on the
student’s report card.
Compulsory
If a student age 12 through age 17 violates the
compulsory attendance law, both the parent and
student could be charged with a criminal offense.
School employees must investigate and report
violations of the state compulsory attendance
laws. A student absent without permission from
any class will be considered in violation of the
law and subject to disciplinary action.
Failure to receive such notice about lack of
attendance is not a defense to prosecution for
the parent/legal guardian’s failure to require a
child to attend school nor for the student’s
failure to attend school.
For a student younger than 12 years of age,
deliberate nonattendance may also result in
assessment of penalties by a court of law against
both the student and his/her parent/guardian. A
complaint against the parent/ guardian may be
filed in the appropriate court if the student is
absent from school on ten or more days or parts
of days within a six-month period in the same
school year, or is absent on three or more days
or parts of days within a four-week period.
Conduct indicating a child is in need of
supervision can also include that the child had
voluntary absences for 3 or more days in a fourweek period without the consent of the child’s
parent/legal guardian.
Procedure After Absences
A written note from a parent is required upon
the student’s return to school and is to be
delivered to the Attendance Office within three
days of return. The note must include the
student’s name, student identification number,
grade level, the date’s) absent, the reason for the
absence, the parent’s daytime phone number,
and a parent’s signature.
Truancy charges are filed on a student who has
seven or more total accumulated tardies for the
semester in all classes. Leaving school during the
day without permission from a principal or the
school nurse is not permitted
Notes may also be faxed or e-mailed to the
campus attendance office. Notes must be
received by the Attendance Office within 3 days
of the student’s return to school. For excused
absences exceeding 5 consecutive days, a note
from a doctor is required OR approval of the
student’s principal will be required.
Pre- arrangements can be made in the morning
for a student to leave during the day when a
parent/guardian calls in or sends a note to the
Attendance Office.
The attendance clerks can then give the student
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subject to approval by the District’s Board of
Trustees.
Circumstances that constitute an excused
absence should include: personal illness, family
emergency (should be clarified with death,
funeral or life/death family illness), military duty
and quarantine. A note signed by the student,
even with the parent’s permission, will not be
accepted unless the student is 18 or older.
The District shall make no distinction between
absences for UIL activities and absences for other
extracurricular activities approved by the Board.
A student shall be allowed ten extracurricular
absences not related to post-district competition,
five absences for post-district competition prior
to state, and two absences for state competition.
Please note:
• A student absent from school for any reason
other than for a documented health care
appointment will not be allowed to
participate in school-related activities on that
day or evening. Extenuating circumstances
will be reviewed by the principal.
• A student absent for any reason should
promptly make up specific assignments
missed and/or complete additional in-depth
study assigned by the teacher. A student who
does not make up assigned work within the
time allotted by the teacher will receive a
grade of zero for the assignment. Students
will be allowed to make up work in
accordance with CISD if the absence is
classified as excused.
• Class
time
is
important.
Doctor’s
appointments should be scheduled, if
possible, at times when the student will not
miss instructional time.
Excused Absences Include:
• Observance of religious holy days,
including travel for that purpose. (One
day to travel to the location and one day
to return.)
• Appearing at a governmental office to
complete
paperwork
required
in
connection with the student’s application
for United States citizenship;
• Attending a required court appearance
documented by a probation officer.
• Taking
part
in
a
United
States
naturalization oath ceremony; or serving
as an election clerk
• A temporary absence resulting from an
appointment
with
health
care
professionals for the student or the
student’s child if the student commences
classes or returns to school on the same
day of the appointment.
• An absence required by state or local
welfare authorities.
• A family emergency or unforeseen or
unavoidable
instance
requiring
immediate attention.
• College visitation’s) with prior approval
by the student’s principal.
• Days of suspension.
• A migrant student’s late enrollment or
early withdrawal.
• Completion of a competency-based
program for at-risk students.
• Late enrollment or early withdrawal of a
student under Texas Youth Commission.
• Participation in a substance abuse
rehabilitation program.
• Homelessness as defined in federal law.
Tardy
A student is tardy to class when a student is not
in the classroom before the tardy bell rings. A
student is absent to a class when a student
arrives to class later than ten minutes after the
tardy bell. Truancy charges are filed on a student
who has seven or more total accumulated tardies
for the semester in all classes.
Course credit
To receive credit in a class, a student must
attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is
offered. (Most semesters, this means that a
student should have no more than 9 absences of
any kind in a class.) The actual number of days a
student must attend in order to receive credit will
depend on the exact number of days in the
semester.
Attendance Committee Reviews
If a student is denied course credit based on
nonattendance,
the
student,
parent,
or
representative may submit a letter (available in
all administrators’ offices) to the student’s
administrator requesting award of credit.
A student who attends fewer than 90 percent of
the days the class is offered cannot receive credit
for the class unless the attendance review
committee finds that the absences are the result
of extenuating circumstances, such as: An
extracurricular activity or public performance,
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ACADEMICS
Petitions for credit should be filed within seven
calendar days of notice. Attendance letters may
not be submitted after thirty days beyond the
end of the semester.
GRADE REPORTING
Grades PK – 5 : See Addendum
The attendance committee shall review the
student’s entire attendance record and the
reasons for the absences and shall determine
whether to award credit. Written notice of the
decision shall be mailed to the parent or
guardian.
The attendance committee is required to
consider extenuating circumstances for students
absent from school. If the committee determines
that there are no extenuating circumstances, the
student or parent may appeal the decision to the
Superintendent.
Grades 6 – 12 : A minimum of 12 grades should
be recorded for each grading cycle to arrive at a
six-week grade. At least 60 percent of these
grades shall be major grades. Daily grades,
homework, notebooks, projects, and the like may
be counted as up to 40 percent of the six-week
grades. However, no one grade of this group
should count for more than 20 percent of the sixweek grade.
Report Cards/Progress Reports/Conferences
Report cards with each student’s grades or
performance and absences in each class or
subject are issued to parents at least once every
six weeks.
At the end of the first three weeks of a grading
period, parents are given written notice if the
student’s performance in any course is near or
below 70, or is below the expected level of
performance.
If the student receives a grade lower than 70 in
any class or subject during a grading period, the
Parent may be requested to schedule a
conference with the teacher of that class or
subject. Teachers follow grading guidelines
approved by the principal that have been
designed to reflect each student’s academic
achievement for the grading period, semester, or
course.
State law provides that a test or course grade
issued by a teacher cannot be changed unless
the Board determines that the grade was
arbitrary or contains an error, or that the teacher
did not follow the District’s grading policy.
Questions about grade calculation should first be
discussed with the teacher; if the question is not
resolved, the student or parent may request a
conference with the principal.
The report card or unsatisfactory progress report
will state whether tutorials are required for a
student who receives a grade lower than 70 in a
class or subject. Unsatisfactory progress reports
must be signed by the parent and should be
returned to the school within three days.
Credits: When a student successfully completes a
semester of work with a grade of 70 or higher, ½
credit is earned.
For absences evaluated by the committee, the
committee may impose conditions on the receipt
of credit, such as requiring the student to:
• Complete additional assignments
• Attend Saturday classes
• Make-up time minute for minute.
• Complete parent/student joint projects.
The actual number of days a student must attend
in order to receive credit will depend on whether
the class is for a full semester or for a full year. If
credit is lost, the attendance committee will
decide how the student may regain credit.
The student or parent may appeal the
committee’s decision, in writing, to the Board.
The Superintendent will review all appeals of
campus committee decisions. The decision of the
may be appealed to the Board by submitting a
written request. Appeals shall be handled as
provided by the student complaint policies.
Enrollment
Verification
Forms
Enrollment
Verifications Forms (TEA FORMS) are required for
entry into a drivers education program, getting a
driver’s license, and each time a license is
renewed. These forms are for the Dept. of Public
Safety to verify that the student has been in
school (each class) 90% of the time each
semester. These forms are obtained from the
Front Office. The student MUST meet the Texas
Education Agency standard for 90% attendance at
that time in order to obtain the TEA/VOE form.
Grade Averages
5
Yearly averages Grades 6-8: The yearly average
for a subject shall be calculated by adding the
six-week grades and dividing by six. For level I
foreign languages that are taught in a two-year
sequence in the middle school, the average of all
six-weeks grades shall count 80 percent of the
semester grade.
Semester grades for grades 9-12: The semester
grade for high school-level work (grades 9-12) for
which a Carnegie Unit of credit is earned shall be
calculated from the six-week grades and the final
exam. Each six weeks grade of the semester will
be counted twice and the semester final will
count once. Therefore, the semester final will
count as 1/7 of the total semester average.
Make-Up Work Policy
Students shall be permitted to make up
assignments and tests after absences. Teachers
may assign additional work to ensure students
who
have
been
absent
have
sufficient
opportunity to master the essential knowledge
and skills or to meet subject or course
requirements. The assignments shall be based on
the instructional objectives for the subject or
course and may provide greater depth of subject
matter than routine make-up work. It is the
student’s responsibility to request makeup
work.
The teacher will provide the opportunity for the
make-up work. When a student is absent one
day, the student may be required to make up any
work missed upon return to school or have one
day provided to make up the assignment.
When a student is absent more than one day, a
grace period equal to the number of days missed
plus one is allowed for make-up work. If the
assignment was made prior to the absence, the
teacher may require the work the day the student
returns.
On long-range projects (such as term projects,
science projects, any major project) or
announced tests where the due date is
established well in advance, the student may be
penalized ten points on a 100-point scale, or, if
another scale is used, ten percent per day for
each day beyond the due date.
The teacher may use discretion regarding
extension of the due date based on the nature of
the absence or extenuating circumstances. Longrange projects will not be accepted for credit
after ten school attendance days beyond the due
date.
If a student is absent on the day of a previously
announced test, he or she should take the test
on the day he or she returns or on a day
arranged with the teacher. At all levels, the
teacher may use discretion regarding the
extension of the late work due to extenuating
circumstances. Exceptions to this policy may be
made for students assigned to an alternative
educational setting.
The district shall not impose a grade penalty for
make-up work after an unexcused absence, with
the exception that students shall receive a zero
for makeup work after a truancy absence. The
District shall not impose a grade penalty for
make-up work after an absence due to
suspension.
Class Rank
The scale for weighting high school courses to
determine class rank is as follows
90 - 100 =A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
69 or below = Failing
Class rank shall be determined by weighted
grade points that correspond to the level of
difficulty of the courses. Weighted grade points
shall be used in determining class rank but shall
not be shown on the academic achievement
record.
One point shall be added to the numerical
semester grade points earned in any Pre-IB/ PreAP/honors class and academic courses. Two
points shall be added to the numerical semester
grade points earned in any Advanced Placement
(AP) course, any international baccalaureate (IB)
course, or specified college course.
Grades resulting from the following courses shall
not be included when calculating grade point
average and class rank: Correspondence courses,
Credit
by
examination
(remediation
and
acceleration) Off-campus (pre-approved) physical
education equivalents.
Grade point averages for transfer students shall
be determined by the following:
Course weighting shall be determined by
considering equivalent courses taught at
Coolidge High School or equivalent courses
recognized by TEA.
Grades considered for class rank must be from a
state-accredited high school. If a student
transfers from a non-accredited school, only
grades earned while at Coolidge High School
shall be used for determining grade point
average and class rank.
Grades 6-12:
6
Late work penalties shall not be more severe than
the following standards:
Fifteen points off on a 100-point scale, or if
another scale is used, fifteen percent off for each
school attendance day the assignment is late.
After the second school attendance day if late
work has not been turned in, work shall not be
accepted and the student receives a zero.
Grade Promotion/Classification In grades 6-8,
promotion to the next grade level shall be based
on an overall average of 70 on a scale of 100
based on course-level, grade-level standards
(essential knowledge and skills) for all subject
areas, and a grade of 70 or above in language
arts and mathematics and either science or social
studies.
With Prior Instruction
A student who has received prior instruction in a
course —but failed the course with a grade not
less than 60—may be permitted by the District to
earn credit by passing an examination on the
essential knowledge and skills defined for the
course. The Texas Education Agency has
approved exams to be ordered by CISD from an
approved institution. To receive credit, a student
must score at least 70 on the examination. The
attendance review committee may allow a
student with excessive absences to receive credit
for a course by passing an examination.
A student may not use this examination to regain
eligibility to participate in extracurricular
activities.
Credit by exam must be complete with the final
grade reported to the counselors’ office in order
to participate in graduation exercises.
A Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) will be prepared
for any student in a middle school or beyond
who did not perform satisfactorily on a statemandated assessment test or is determined by
the District as not likely to earn a high school
diploma before the fifth school year following
enrollment in grade 9.
The PGP will be designed and implemented by a
counselor, teacher, or other staff member
designated by the principal. The plan will identify
the student’s educational goals and include
consideration of the parent’s educational
expectations for the student.
Beginning in school year 2007-2008, students
enrolled in grade 8 must pass the STAAR reading
and math tests to be promoted to grade 9.
Students must also meet standards established
by the district in order to be promoted in each
grade. After the ninth grade, students are
classified according to the number of credits
earned toward graduation.
Classification shall be determined by credits
earned:
Freshman – fewer than four (4) state credits
Sophomore – at least four (4) state credits
Junior – at least nine (9) state credits
Senior – at least fifteen (15) state credits
Graduate – at least twenty-four (24) state credits
and mastery of Exit Level TAKS/EOCs.
Certain students—some with disabilities and
some with limited English proficiency—may be
eligible for exemptions, accommodations, or
deferred testing. For more information, see the
principal, counselor, or special education
director.
Without Prior Instruction
A student will be permitted to take an
examination to earn credit for an academic
course for which the student has no prior
instruction. A student must score 90 or above on
a test ordered by CISD from an approved
institution. The dates on which examinations are
scheduled during the school year include:
The passing score required to earn credit on an
examination for acceleration is 90.
A student planning to take an examination for
acceleration (or the student’s parent) must
register with the principal or designee no later
than 30 days prior to the scheduled testing date.
All costs for these exams are the responsibility of
the student. No fee reduction is awarded for
students on the free or reduced lunch program.
The District will not honor a request by a parent
to administer, on some other date, a test
purchased by the parent from a State Boardapproved university.
For further information and specific district
policy in this regard, contact the campus
counselor or campus principal.
Correspondence Courses
The District permits high school students to take
correspondence courses for credit. Students in
grades 9-12 may earn credits toward high school
graduation by these means.
A maximum of 3 units of credits may be earned
by correspondence from the University of Texas
Credit by Examination
7
or Texas Tech University. Correspondence
courses are to be used as enrichment or in case
of emergency and are not a substitute for the
regular school program.
All correspondence work must be completed with
the final grade reported to the high school in
order to participate in graduation exercises.
For further information and specific district
policy in this regard, contact the campus
counselor or campus principal. Students
interested in taking a correspondence course
need prior approval from their counselor.
The preparation for a correspondence course
requires self-discipline and work outside the
school day. The grade will not count in class
ranking. Costs for correspondence courses are
the responsibility of the student.
another student’s work—homework, class work,
test answers, etc.—as one’s own or allowing the
same.
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s original
ideas or writing without giving credit to the true
author. A student found to have engaged in
academic dishonesty will be subject to loss of
credit for the work in question, as well as
disciplinary penalties, according to the Student
Code of Conduct.
The determination that a student has engaged in
academic dishonesty shall be based on the
judgment of the classroom teacher or other
supervising professional employee, taking into
consideration written materials, observation, or
information from students.
State Approved Instructional Material
State-approved instructional material is provided
free of charge for each subject or class.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Academic Counseling Students and parents are
encouraged to talk with a school counselor,
teacher, or principal to learn about course
offerings, the graduation requirements of various
programs, and early graduation procedures.
Each spring, students in grades 8 through 11 will
be provided information on anticipated course
offerings for the next year and other information
that will help them make the most of academic
and vocational opportunities. The student and
counselor will examine the students annual
progress to make sure the student meeting
graduation requirements.
Students who are interested in attending a
college, university, or training school, or
pursuing some other type of advanced education,
should work closely with their counselor so that
they take the courses that best prepare them.
The counselor can also provide information
about entrance examinations required by many
colleges and universities, as well as information
about financial aid, housing, and scholarships.
Text Books
Books must be covered by the student, as
directed by the teacher, and treated with care.
A student who is issued a damaged book should
report the damage to the textbook coordinator
or teacher. Any student failing to return a book
issued by the school loses the right to free
textbooks until the book is returned or paid for
by the parent. However, a student will be
provided textbooks for use at school during the
school day.
Computer Resources
To prepare students for an increasingly
computerized society, the district has made a
substantial investment in computer technology
for instructional purposes. Use of these
resources is restricted to students working under
a teacher’s supervision and for approved
purposes only.
Students and their parents will be asked to sign a
user agreement (separate from this handbook)
regarding use of these resources; violations of
this agreement may result in withdrawal of
privileges and other disciplinary action.
Students and parents should be aware that
electronic communications, including e-mail
using district computers, are not private and may
be monitored by district staff.
Personal Counseling
The school counselor is available to assist
students with a wide range of personal concerns,
including such areas as social, family, emotional,
or substance abuse issues.
The counselor may also make available
information about community resources to
address these concerns. Students who wish to
meet with the counselor should make an
appointment at the appropriate office.
Please note: The school will not conduct a
psychological examination, test, or treatment
without first obtaining the parent’s written
Academic Dishonesty / Cheating / Plagiarism
Academic dishonesty—cheating or plagiarism—is
not acceptable. Cheating includes the copying of
8
consent, unless required by state or federal law
for special education purposes or by the Texas
Education Agency for child abuse investigations
and reports.
and requirements for providing assistance to
students who have learning difficulties or who
need or may need special education services: If a
child is experiencing learning difficulties, the
parent may contact the District’s Special Services
Director to learn about the District’s overall
general education referral or screening system
for support services.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The District provides special programs for gifted
and talented students, homeless students,
bilingual students, migrant students, students
with limited English proficiency, dyslexic
students and students with disabilities.
The coordinator of each program can answer
questions about eligibility requirements, as well
as programs and services offered in the District
or by other organizations. A student or parent
with questions about these programs should call
the school’s office.
This system links students to a variety of support
options, including referral for a special education
evaluation. Students having difficulty in the
regular classroom should be considered for
tutorial, compensatory, and other support
services that are available to all students.
At any time, a parent is entitled to request an
evaluation for special education services. Within
a reasonable amount of time, the District must
decide if the evaluation is needed. If evaluation is
needed, the parent will be notified and asked to
provide consent for the evaluation.
The District must complete the evaluation and
the report within 60 calendar days of the date
that the district receives the written consent. The
District must give a copy of the report to the
parent. If the District determines that the
evaluation is not needed, the District will provide
the parent with a written notice that explains why
the child will not be evaluated.
This written notice will include a statement that
informs the parent of their rights if they disagree
with the District. Additionally, the notice must
inform the parent how to obtain a copy of the
Notice of Procedural Safeguards – Rights of
Parents of Students with Disabilities. Special
Education Records Parents of a student with
disabilities who has been provided special
education services by the District will be notified
when any information that specifically identifies
the student is no longer needed. If the parent
requests destruction of the information and the
time established by law for retention has expired,
the records will be destroyed. However, if the
retention period established by law has not
expired, the material will be deleted from the
records, but the records will be maintained until
the time has expired. The designated person to
contact
regarding
options
for
a
child
experiencing learning difficulties or a referral for
evaluation for special education is:
Dyslexia
Coolidge Independent School District provides a
program for early identification, intervention, and
support for students with dyslexia and related
disorders.
Students identified for dyslexia services will be
provided those services at their home campus.
For further information, contact your student’s
counselor, or principal at the campus office.
Gifted/Talented Identification/Criteria
Students may be nominated for the gifted and
talented program at any time by teachers,
counselors, parents, or other interested persons.
The criteria for gifted/talented is specific to the
state definition of gifted and talented and
ensures the fair assessment of students with
special needs, such as the culturally different, the
economically disadvantaged, and students with
disabilities.
504 Child Find Notice
Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, the district has a duty to identify, refer,
evaluate and if eligible, provide a free,
appropriate public education to disabled
students. For additional information about the
rights of parents of eligible children, or for
answers to any questions about identification,
evaluation and placement into Section 504
programs, please contact the District’s Section
504 Coordinator Johnnie McClinton at : Coolidge,
Texas 76635 (254-786-4822).
Lynn Donley— 786-4822 Ext. 250
Special Education Services
As outlined in the Texas Education Codes
26.0081 and 29.004, note the following options
Grade level counselor at your school Johnnie
McClinton- 786-4822 Ext. 226
9
School activities involving the collection,
disclosure, or use of personal information
collected from your child for the purpose of
marketing or selling that information.
Any
non-emergency,
invasive
physical
examination or screening required as a condition
of attendance, administered and scheduled by
the school in advance and not necessary to
protect the immediate health and safety of the
student.
Exceptions are hearing, vision, or scoliosis
screenings, or any physical exam or screening
permitted or required under state law. As a
parent, you also have a right:
Principal at your school Justin Cox 786-4822
Ext.224
PARENT & STUDENT RIGHTS
Student or Parent Complaints and/or Concerns
A phone call or a conference can usually address
complaints and/or concerns from students or
parents with the teacher. Parents and students
may also contact a counselor, special education
representative or the principal on campus for
assistance.
In general, a parent or student should follow the
campus protocol when voicing a concern or
complaint. If unresolved, a written complaint and
a request for a conference should be sent to the
Superintendent.
If still unresolved, the District has adopted a
standard complaint policy at policy code in the
policy manual.
A copy of this policy may be obtained on the
District’s website, www.Coolidge.k12.tx.us.
NCLB – High Qualified
To
request
information
regarding
the
professional qualifications of your child’s
teachers, including whether the teacher has met
state qualifications and licensing criteria for the
grade levels and subject areas in which the
teacher provides instruction; whether the teacher
has an emergency permit or other provisional
status for which state requirements have been
waived; and undergraduate and graduate degree
majors, graduate certifications, and the field of
study of the certification or degree.
You also have the right to request information
about the qualifications of any paraprofessional
who may provide services to your child. To
review teaching materials, textbooks, and other
teaching aids and instructional materials used in
the curriculum, and to examine tests that have
been administered to your child. To inspect a
survey created by a third party before the survey
is administered or distributed to your child; and
to review your child’s student records when
needed.
These records include: -Attendance records, -Test
scores,
-Grades,
-Disciplinary
records,
Counseling records, -Psychological records, Applications
for
admission,
-Health
and
immunization
information,
-Other
medical
records, -Teacher and counselor evaluations, Reports of behavioral patterns, and -State
assessment
instruments
that
have
been
administered to your child.
Parents may deny any written request from the
District to make a videotape or voice recording of
your child. State law, however, permits the school
to make a videotape or voice recording without
parental
permission
for
the
following
circumstances:
When it is to be used for school safety; - When it
relates to classroom instruction or a co-curricular
Obtaining Information and Protecting Student
Rights
Your child will not be required to participate
without parental consent in any survey, analysis,
or evaluation— funded in whole or in part by the
U. S. Department of Education—that concerns:
Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or
the student’s parent. Mental or psychological
problems of the student or the student’s family.
Sexual behavior or attitudes. Illegal, antisocial,
self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the
student has a close family relationship.
Relationships privileged under law, such as
relationships with lawyers, physicians, and
ministers.
Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the
student or parents. Income, except when the
information is required by law and will be used to
determine the student’s eligibility to participate
in a special program or to receive financial
assistance under such a program.
You will be able to inspect the survey or other
instrument and any instructional materials used
in connection with such a survey, analysis, or
evaluation.
“Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities
As a parent, you also have a right to receive
notice and opt your child out of participating in:
Any survey concerning the private information
listed above, regardless of funding.
10
or extracurricular activity; or -When it relates to
media coverage of the school.
Parents may request removal of a child
temporarily
from
the
classroom,
if
an
instructional activity in which your child is
scheduled to participate conflicts with your
religious or moral beliefs.
The removal cannot be for the purpose of
avoiding a test and may not extend for an entire
semester. Further, your child must satisfy gradelevel and promotion requirements as determined
by the school and by the Texas Education
Agency.
Review the information in the student handbook
(the Student Code of Conduct) with his or her
child and sign and return the acknowledgment
form’s) and the Directory Information notice.
A parent with questions is encouraged to
contact the principal. Become familiar with all of
your
child’s school activities and with the
academic programs, including special programs,
offered in the District.
Discuss with the counselor or principal
questions, such as concerns about placement,
assignment, or early graduation, and the options
available to the child. Monitor the child’s
academic progress and contact teachers as
needed. Attend scheduled conferences and
request additional conferences as needed.
To schedule a telephone or in-person conference
with a teacher, counselor, or principal, please call
the school office for an appointment. A teacher
will usually arrange to return the call or meet
with the parent during his or her conference
period or at a mutually convenient time before or
after school.
Parents may request that your child be excused
from participation in the daily recitation of the
Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag.
The request must be in writing. State law does
not allow your child to be excused from
participation in the required moment of silence
or silent activity that follows.
To request that your child be excused from
recitation of a portion of the Declaration of
Independence. State law requires students in
social studies classes in grades 3 – 12 to recite a
portion of the text of the Declaration of
Independence during Celebrate Freedom Week
unless :
Participate in campus parent organizations.
Parents have the opportunity to support and be
involved in various school activities, either as
leaders
or
in
supporting
roles.
Parent
organizations include: Campus Performance
Improvement Committee (CPIC), Parent Teacher
Student Organization (PTSO), and various booster
clubs.
Offer to serve as a parent representative on the
District-Level
or
campus-level
planning
committees formulating educational goals and
plans to improve student achievement. For
further information, contact the school principal.
Attend Board meetings to learn more about
District operations, including the procedure for
addressing the Board when appropriate.
Student records A student’s school records are
confidential and are protected from unauthorized
inspection or use. A cumulative record is
maintained for each student from the time the
student enters the District until the time the
student withdraws or graduates. This record
moves with the student from school to school. By
law, both parents, whether married, separated, or
divorced, have access to the records of a student
who is under 18 or a dependent for tax
purposes. A parent whose rights have been
legally terminated will be denied access to the
records if the school is given a copy of the court
order terminating these rights.
Both federal and state law safeguard student
(1)
You
provide
a
written
statement
requesting that your child be excused
(2)
The District determines that your child
has conscientious objection to the recitation
(3)
You are a representative of a foreign
government to whom the United States
Government extends diplomatic immunity.
To request in writing, if you are a no custodial
parent, that you be provided for the remainder of
the school year a copy of any written notice
usually provided to a parent related to
misconduct that may involve placement in a
Disciplinary Alternative Education Program
(DAEP) or expulsion. See policies FL (LEGAL) and
(LOCAL), FO (LEGAL) and the Student Code of
Conduct.
Parent Involvement Education succeeds best
when there is a strong partnership between
home and school, a partnership that thrives on
communication and interaction and includes
parents, teachers, and the Board of Trustees.
Every parent is urged to: Encourage his or her
child to put a high priority on education and
commit to making the most of the educational
opportunities the school provides.
11
records from unauthorized inspection or use and
provide parents and “eligible” students certain
rights. For purposes of student records, an
“eligible” student is one who is 18 or older OR
who is attending an institution of postsecondary
education.
agencies or in response to a subpoena or court
order.
A school to which a student transfers or in which
he or she subsequently enrolls. Release to any
other person or agency—such as a prospective
employer or for a scholarship application— will
occur only with parental or student permission as
appropriate.
Release of Information
The law specifies that certain general information
about Coolidge Independent School District is
considered “directory information” and will be
released to anyone who follows procedures for
requesting it. That information includes: A
student’s name, address, telephone number, and
date and place of birth.
The District must comply with a request by a
education for students’ names, addresses, and
telephone listings, unless parents have advised
the District not to release their child’s
information without prior written consent.
Inspection of Records
The principal is custodian of all records for
currently enrolled students at the assigned
school. The superintendent is the custodian of all
records for students who have withdrawn or
graduated. Records may be reviewed during
regular school hours upon completion of the
written request form.
The student’s photograph participation in
officially recognized activities and sports, and
weight and height of members of athletic teams.
The student’s dates of attendance, grade level,
enrollment status, honors and awards received in
school and most recent school previously
attended.
The records custodian or designee will respond
to reasonable requests for explanation and
interpretation of the records.
The student’s e-mail address. The parent or an
eligible student may prevent release of any or all
directory information regarding a student. This
objection must be made in writing to the
principal within ten school days of the child’s
first day of instruction for this school year.
If circumstances effectively prevent inspection
during these hours, the District will either
provide a copy of the requested records, or make
other arrangements for the parent or student to
review the requested records. The records
custodian or designee will respond to reasonable
requests for explanation and interpretation of
the records.
Virtually all information pertaining to student
performance, including grades, test results, and
disciplinary records, is considered confidential
educational records. Release is restricted to: The
parents—whether
married,
separated,
or
divorced—unless parental rights have been
legally terminated and if the school is given a
copy of the court order terminating these rights.
A parent (or the student if he or she is 18 or
older or is attending an institution of
postsecondary education) may inspect the
student’s records and request a correction if the
records are considered inaccurate or otherwise in
violation of the student’s privacy rights.
Federal law requires that, as soon as the student
becomes eligible, control of the records go to the
student. However, the parents may continue to
have access to the records if the student is a
dependent for tax purposes.
If the District refuses the request to amend the
records, the requestor has the right to request a
hearing. If the records are not amended as a
result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 school
days to exercise the right to place a statement
commenting on the information in the student’s
record.
District staff members who have what federal law
defines as a “legitimate educational interest” in a
student’s records. Such persons would include
school officials (such as Board members, the
Superintendent, and principals), school staff
members (such as teachers, counselors, and
diagnosticians), or an agent of the District (such
as a medical consultant). Various governmental
Although improperly recorded grades may be
challenged, contesting a student’s grade in a
course is handled through the general complaint
12
DRESS AND GROOMING
process defined by policy.
The Dress code for Elementary Students can
be found in the Addendum Attached
Copies of student records are available at a cost
of ten cents per page or $2.00 per folder,
payable in advance. If the student qualifies for
free or reduced price lunches and the parents
military recruiter or an institution of higher to
view the records during regular school hours,
one copy of the record will be provided at no
charge upon written request of the parent.
The District’s dress code is established to teach
hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruptions,
avoid safety hazards, teach respect for authority,
and
prepare
each
student
for
future
employability. Hair is to be kept neat and clean.
It should not touch the shoulders or extend
below the eyebrows or ear lobes. No beards,
goatees, side burns, or mustaches will be
allowed.
No extreme or outlandish haircuts that distract
from classroom instruction will be allowed.
Mohawk hairstyles or Mohawk like hair styles are
not allowed.
Any violation of the CISD dress code will be
documented as a discipline referral and handled
according to the procedures outlined in the
Student Code of Conduct.
The following guidelines are minimum standards
as defined by the CISD Board of Trustees.
• Shoes shall be worn at all times.
• Shoes should be appropriate for identified
physical activities.
• Short dresses, short shorts, and short
skirts are not acceptable. They must be
longer than the student’s extended
fingertips when the pupil’s hands are held
to the side of the body.
• Uniforms that do not meet the dress code
requirements may be worn as approved
by the campus principal.
• Sunglasses shall be worn outside only.
• Clothing that advertises alcohol, drugs,
tobacco, the occult, or gangs are not
permitted.
• Clothing that promotes violence or is
lewd, offensive, vulgar, contains obscene
language,
or
that
materially
or
substantially disrupts is not permitted.
• Hair shall be a natural color, clean, wellgroomed, and worn in a manner and style
that is not distracting in the learning
environment.
• No sleeveless garments are allowed.
• Tattoos that materially or substantially
disrupt shall be covered.
• Students shall not wear:
o Low-cut necklines (front and
back);
o See-through apparel or clothing
with holes;
Parents may be denied copies of a student’s
records:
after the student reaches age 18 and is no longer
a dependent for tax purposes; when the student
is attending an institution of postsecondary
education; if the parent fails to follow proper
procedures and pay the copying charge when the
District is given a copy of a court order
terminating the parental rights.
Please note: Parents or eligible students have
the right to file a complaint with the U.S.
Department of Education if they believe the
District is not in compliance with federal law
regarding student records. The District’s policy
regarding student records is available from the
principal’s office.
Right of Access
The parent’s or eligible student’s right of access
to and copies of student records does not extend
to all records. Materials that are not considered
educational records— such as teachers’ personal
notes about a student that are shared only with a
substitute teacher—do not have to be made
available to the parents or student. Certain
officials from various governmental agencies may
have limited access to the records.
The District forwards a student’s records upon
request and without prior parental consent to a
school in which a student seeks or intends to
enroll.
Records are also released in accordance with a
court order or lawfully issued subpoena. Unless
the subpoena is issued for law enforcement
purposes and the subpoena orders that its
contents, existence, or the information sought
not be disclosed, the District will make a
reasonable effort to notify the parent or eligible
student in advance of compliance.
Parental consent is required to release the
records to anyone else. When the student
reaches 18 years of age, only the student has the
right to consent to release of records.
13
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Tube-tops,
halters,
spaghetti
straps, half shirts, tank tops,
muscle shirts, crop tops, or any
shirt which allows the navel or bra
to show.
Any shirt/blouse that does not
come to the waistband or exposes
the midriff while standing, walking
or sitting must be worn with an
undershirt that tucks in;
Extremely tight fitting clothes,
such as leggings. If you do wear
leggings you must wear a shirt or
skirt that is fingertip length or
shorts must be worn over the top
of the leggings.
Curlers or pin curls in the hair;
House shoes, slippers or shoes
with wheels;
Hats, caps, sweatbands, hoods, or
head coverings inside the building
at school.
Clothing that may be identified as
gang related, including bandanas;
Pocket chains, including chains
attached to wallets, footwear, or
backpacks;
Pants that are excessively long,
large, or sag below the top of the
hip line or allow undergarments to
show;
Clothing that is worn in any other
way than the way it was designed
to be worn;
Pajamas or loungewear.
Boys are not allowed to wear
earrings to school or any school
sponsored event.
Body piercing, other than earrings,
including but, not limited to nose
rings and studs, eyebrow loops
and studs, lip rings and studs,
tongue piercing and the like.
Sagging pants are not allowed.
Violations may not be covered up by other
clothing, i.e., jacket, sweater. Any absences
resulting from a student leaving campus or
missing class due to a dress code violation will
be marked unexcused.
Repeated dress code offenses may result in more
serious disciplinary action. Appropriate discipline
procedures shall be followed in all cases in
accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Dress for Extracurricular Activities
The principal, in cooperation with the sponsor,
coach, or other person in charge of an extracurricular activity, may regulate the dress and
grooming of students who participate in the
activity.
Students who violate dress and grooming
standards established for such an activity may
be removed or excluded from the activity for a
period determined by the principal or sponsor,
and may be subject to other disciplinary
action, as specified in the Student Code of
Conduct.
CONDUCT
Conduct Before and After School Teachers and
administrators have full authority over student
conduct at before- or after-school activities on
District premises and at school-sponsored events
off District premises, such as play rehearsal, club
meetings, athletic practice, and special study
groups or tutorials.
Students are subject to the same rules of conduct
that apply during the instructional day and will
be subject to consequences established by the
Student Code of Conduct or any stricter code of
conduct
for
extracurricular
participants
established by the sponsor in accordance with
Board policy. Loitering or standing in the halls
between classes is not permitted.
During class time, a student must have a hall
pass to be outside the classroom for any
purpose. Failure to obtain a pass will result in
disciplinary action.
Violations/Consequences
If the principal determines that a student’s dress
and/or grooming violates the dress code, the
student shall be given an opportunity to correct
the problem at school by changing clothes.
Applicability of School Rules and Discipline
As required by law, the District has developed
and adopted a Student Code of Conduct that
prohibits certain behaviors and establishes
standards of acceptable behavior – both on and
off campus – and consequences for violation of
If not corrected, the student shall be assigned to
in-school suspension for the remainder of the
day or until a parent or designee brings an
acceptable change of clothing to the school.
14
the standards. Students need to be familiar with
the standards set out in the Student Code of
Conduct, as well as campus and classroom rules.
during an assembly. Uses force, violence, or
threats in an attempt to prevent people from
entering or leaving District property without
authorization from an administrator. Disrupts
classes while on District property or on public
property that is within 500 feet of District
property. Class disruption includes making loud
noises; trying to entice a student away from, or
to prevent a student from attending, a required
class or activity; entering a classroom without
authorization and disrupting the activity with
profane language or any misconduct. Interferes
with the transportation of students in District
vehicles.
To
achieve
the
best
possible
learning
environment for all students, the Student Code of
Conduct and other campus rules of behavior will
apply: During the regular school day or while a
student is going to and from school on District
transportation; Within 300 feet of school
property; While a student is in attendance at any
school related activity, regardless of time or
location; For any misconduct at any schoolrelated event, regardless of time or location.
Social Events (not including co-curricular or
extracurricular activities)
School rules apply to school social events to
which a student brings a guest. Guests are
expected to observe the same rules as students
attending the event, and the person inviting the
guest will share responsibility for the conduct of
the guest. A student attending a social event will
be asked to sign out when leaving before the end
of the event; anyone leaving before the official
end of the event will not be readmitted.
BULLYING: Definition, Prevention, Policies &
Procedures
Definition: Subject to engaging in written or
verbal expression, expression through electronic
means, or physical conduct that occurs on school
property, at a school-related activity, or in a
vehicle operated by the district and that: (1) has
the effect or will have the effect of physically
harming a student, damaging student’s property,
or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm
to the student’s person or damage to the
students property. (2) Is sufficiently severe,
persistent, and pervasive enough that the action
or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or
abusive educational environment for a student.
Detention Hall/Tutoring Students may be
assigned after school detentions/ tutoring by
their principal for violating school rules. Students
will be given a 24-hour notice as to when to serve
the detention/tutoring session. Students are
expected to follow the detention/ tutoring rules:
1. Bring specific materials to study
2. No sleeping
3. No talking
4. No CD players or other electronic devices
5. Students must work/study the entire
time
6. Students removed for bad behavior or
not working/studying will not receive credit
for attending that day of detention/tutoring.
PROCEDURE: A student who believes he or she
has been bullied by another student or by a
District employee is encouraged to report the
incident to the counselor, or principal.
POLICY: A substantiated complaint against a
student will result in disciplinary action,
according to the nature of the offense and the
Student Code of Conduct.
Harassment on the Basis of Race, Color,
Religion, National Origin, or Disability
Students must not engage in harassment
behaviors motivated by race, color, religion,
national origin, or disability directed toward
another student. Students are expected to treat
other students and District employees with
courtesy and respect; to avoid any behaviors
known to be offensive; and to stop these
behaviors when asked or told to stop.
Disruptions
In order to protect student safety and sustain an
educational program free from disruption, state
law permits the District to take action against any
person, student or no student, who: Interferes
with the movement of people in an exit, an
entrance, or a hallway of a District building
without authorization from an administrator.
Interferes with an authorized activity by seizing
control of all or part of a building. Uses force,
violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent
participation in an authorized assembly. Uses
force, violence, or threats to cause disruption
The District encourages parental and student
support in its efforts to address and prevent
harassment in any form in the public schools.
Students and/ or parents are encouraged to
15
discuss their questions or concerns about the
expectations in this area with a teacher,
counselor, or principal. A student who believes
he or she has been harassed by another student
or by a District employee is encouraged to report
the incident to the counselor, or principal. The
allegations will be investigated and addressed.
be completed within seven calendar days of the
conference. The student and/or parent will be
informed if extenuating circumstances delay
completion of the investigation.
The student will not be required to present a
complaint to a person who is the subject of the
complaint. If the resolution of the complaint by
the principal [principal’s designee] is not
satisfactory to the student or parent, they may,
within seven calendar days, request a conference
with the Superintendent or designee.
A substantiated complaint against a student will
result in disciplinary action, according to the
nature of the offense and the Student Code of
Conduct. The student or parent may appeal the
decision of the principal regarding the outcome
of the investigation in accordance with policy.
Prior to or at this conference, the student and/or
parent must submit the complaint in writing and
must include:
Sexual Harassment / Sexual Abuse
The District encourages parental and student
support in its efforts to address and prevent
sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the
public schools. Students and/or parents are
encouraged to discuss their questions or
concerns about the expectations in this area with
a teacher, counselor, or district Students must
not engage in unwanted and unwelcome verbal
or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed
toward another student or a District employee.
(1) a complete statement of the complaint
(2) any evidence supporting the complaint,
(3) a statement about how the matter should be
resolved,
(4) the student’s and/or parent’s signature, and
the date of the conference with the principal, the
principal’s designee.
If the resolution by the Superintendent or
designee is not satisfactory, the student and/or
parent may present the complaint to the Board at
the next regular meeting. Information on the
procedure for addressing the Board can be
obtained from any campus office or the
Superintendent’s office. For more information
about parent and student rights, you may
request a copy of the District’s Notice of Parent
and Student Rights found in the District’s Policy
Manual.
This prohibition applies whether the conduct is
by word, gesture, or any other sexual conduct,
including requests for sexual favors.
The District will notify the parents of all students
involved in sexual harassment by student’s)
when the allegations are not minor, and will
notify parents of any incident of sexual
harassment or sexual abuse by an employee.
Vandalism
The taxpayers of the community have made a
sustained
financial
commitment
for
the
construction and upkeep of school facilities.
To the greatest extent possible, complaints will
be treated as confidential. Limited disclosure
may be necessary to complete a thorough
investigation. A complaint alleging sexual
harassment by another student or sexual
harassment or sexual abuse by a staff member
may be presented by a student and/or parent in
a conference with the principal or designee.
To ensure that school facilities can serve those
for whom they are intended-both this year and in
the coming years—littering, defacing, or
damaging school property is not tolerated.
Students will be required to pay for damages
they cause and will be subject to disciplinary
consequences in accordance with the Student
Code of Conduct.
The parent or other advisor may accompany the
student throughout the complaint process. A
person who is the same gender as the student
ordinarily will hold the first conference with the
student. The conference will be scheduled and
held as soon as possible, but no later than seven
calendar days of receipt of the complaint.
Corporal Punishment
Corporal punishment is administered by CISD,
according to board policy. Corporal punishment
is only one form of discipline, other forms that
The principal [principal’s designee] will conduct
an appropriate investigation, which ordinarily will
16
may be implemented are tutorials before and
after school, ISS during and after school,
Extended after school detention, Saturday
School, DAEP (students placed in DAEP shall not
be provided transportation unless he or she is a
student with a disability who has transportation
designated as a related service in the students
IEP).
raises what the principal considers to be a valid
objection.
Violations of Law Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and
Weapons
Under state and federal law, a student is not
allowed to possess, sell, give away, or use
alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco products, guns, or
other weapons on school property or at a schoolrelated or school-sanctioned activity, on or off
school property.
Students Taken into Custody
State law requires the District to permit a student
to be taken into legal custody: To comply with an
order of the juvenile court. To comply with the
laws of arrest. By law enforcement officer if there
is probable cause to believe the student has
engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct in
need of supervision.
To a probation officer if there is probable cause
to believe the student has violated a condition of
probation imposed by the juvenile court and to
comply with a properly issued directive to take a
student into custody.
By an authorized representative of Child
Protective Services, Texas Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services, a law
enforcement officer, or a juvenile probation
officer, without a court order, under the
conditions set out in the Family Code relating to
the student’s physical health or safety.
Before a student is delivered to a law
enforcement officer or other legally authorized
person, the principal will verify the officer’s
identity and, to the best of his or her ability, will
verify the official’s authority to take custody of
the student.
The principal will ordinarily attempt to notify the
parent unless the officer or other authorized
person raises what the principal considers to be
a valid objection to notifying the parents. Since
the principal does not have the authority to
prevent or delay a custody action, notification
will most likely be after the fact.
The principal ordinarily will be present unless the
interviewer raises what the principal considers to
be a valid objection. If the event is part of a child
abuse investigation, the principal will cooperate
fully regarding the conditions of the interview.
Having one of these items in a privately owned
vehicle that the student has driven to school and
parked on District property is also prohibited.
Gangs and Other Prohibited Organizations
Under state law, a student is prohibited from
membership or involvement in a public school
fraternity, sorority, secret society, or gang.
Hazing Activities
State law also prohibits a student from
participating in any hazing activities. A student is
guilty of hazing when he or she takes direct
hazing action; encourages or assists someone
else to take action; recklessly permits such
action; has knowledge of planned action or
action that has occurred without reporting that
knowledge in writing to a school official.
School Safety Transfer Policy
If a student who becomes the victim of a violent
criminal offense while in school or on school
grounds, or is attending a persistently dangerous
school as defined by TEA, may apply to attend
another District school.
Notification of Law Violations
The District is also required by state law to
notify: all instructional and support personnel
who have responsibility for supervising a student
who has been arrested or referred to the juvenile
court for any felony offense or for certain
misdemeanors.
All instructional and support personnel who have
regular contact with a student who has been
convicted or adjudicated of delinquent conduct
for any felony offense or certain misdemeanors.
Searches In the interest of promoting student
safety and attempting to ensure that schools are
LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUES
Questioning of Students When law enforcement
officers or other lawful authorities wish to
question or interview a student at school: The
principal will verify and record the identity of the
officer or other authority and ask for an
explanation of the need to question or interview
the student.
The principal ordinarily will make reasonable
efforts to notify parents unless the interviewer
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safe and drug free, District officials may from
time to time
conduct searches. Such searches are conducted
without a warrant and as permitted by law.
complete an emergency care consent form
(Registration form) and information about each
student’s medical history, etc.
Parents should keep emergency care information
up to- date (name of doctor, emergency phone
numbers, allergies, etc.) Please contact the
school nurse to update any information. Public
schools in Texas have been granted immunity by
the legislature from liability for student
accidents.
The District does make available an optional,
low-cost student accident insurance program to
assist parents in meeting medical expenses.
More information is available at each school.
Parents should be aware that the District, the
School Board, and its employees are immune
from civil liability, except for acts constituting
gross negligence, for damages or injuries
resulting from the administration of medication
to a student, provided such administration
conforms to the requirements of Board Policy.
The District is not responsible for complications
resulting from adverse drug reactions.
Nurse’s Office
The purpose of the nurse’s office is to provide
first aid in case of emergencies or illness. Except
in an emergency, students will only be admitted
to the nurse’s office with a pass from the
student’s teacher.
When the student’s parent/guardian needs to be
contacted regarding an illness or injury, the
school nurse or campus administrator will make
the contact. The school nurse can administer first
aid, provide vision and hearing screening, keep
immunization
records
along
with
health
education.
If your student has symptoms of illness at home:
Do not send your student to school if they have
vomiting,
diarrhea,
severe
cough/cold
symptoms, skin abscess, or temperature of 100
or more. All students must be free of fever for at
least
24
hours,
without
fever-reducing
medication, before returning to school. If your
doctor tells you that your child has an illness that
can spread from person to person such as:
chicken pox, strep throat, pink eye, staph, mono,
or if your child has an abscess, boil or a spider
bite please let the school nurse know.
Make sure to provide emergency contact phone
numbers for use in the event you are unable to
be reached for a sick or injured student.
If your number changes, please notify both the
campus office and the nurse. In the event that we
cannot reach you or the emergency contacts you
have provided, Coolidge ISD reserves the right to
contact local EMS or law enforcement if needed.
Trained Dogs
Trained dogs’ sniffing of cars and lockers does
not constitute a search under the Fourth
Amendment. The alert of a trained dog to a
locker or car provides reasonable cause for a
search of the locker or car only if the dog is
reasonably reliable in indicating that contraband
is currently present.
Students’ Desks and Lockers
Students’ desks and lockers are school property
and remain under the control and jurisdiction of
the school even when assigned to an individual
student. Students are fully responsible for the
security and contents of the assigned desks and
lockers.
Students must be certain that the locker is
locked, and that the combination is not available
to others. Searches of desks or lockers may be
conducted at any time there is reasonable cause
to believe that they contain articles or materials
prohibited by District policy, whether or not a
student is present. The parent will be notified if
any prohibited items are found in the student’s
desk or locker.
Videotaping of Students
For safety purposes, video/audio equipment will
be used to monitor student behavior on buses
(and in common areas on campus). Students will
not be told when the equipment is being used.
The principal will review the tapes routinely and
document student misconduct. Discipline will be
in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
A parent who wants to view a videotape following
discipline of that parent’s child may request
access in accordance with in the District’s board
policy manual.
HEALTH ISSUES
School Nurse Services
If a student becomes ill or is injured, the student
will be instructed to be seen by the nurse. If a
student has a medical emergency at school or at
a school-related activity when the parent cannot
be reached, the school will need to have written
parental consent in order to obtain emergency
medical treatment.
Therefore, parents are asked each year to
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For the protection of all students, any student
with the following symptoms will not be allowed
to stay at school. if the student has a
temperature of 100 degrees or more, if the
student had a temperature of 100 degrees or
more within the last 24 hours even if feverreducing medication was given, is suspected of
having a contagious/communicable disease, has
a skin boil or abscess that has not been treated
by a physician, is vomiting or has diarrhea, has a
severe stomachache, headache or earache, is
unable to remain in class due to an injury, has
active live head lice. All students should be free
of fever for at least 24 hours before returning to
school.
provide information about bacterial meningitis to
its students and their parents each school year.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of
the brain and spinal cord, caused by viruses,
parasites, fungi and bacteria. Viral meningitis is
usually treatable and recovery is complete.
Parasites and fungi meningitis are rare. Bacterial
meningitis is serious and always requires medical
intervention. Meningitis makes a person very ill,
usually occurring over one or two days, but it can
also rapidly progress in a matter of hours.
Symptoms may include: Severe headache; High
temperature; Rash of tiny, red-purple spots;
vomiting; Sensitivity to bright lights; Neck
stiffness, joint pains; Drowsiness or confusion.
Meningitis is not as contagious as the common
cold or the flu, and is not spread by casual
contact or by breathing the air where a person
with meningitis has been. It is spread when
people exchange saliva (such as kissing, sharing
drinking containers, utensils or cigarettes).
Bacterial meningitis can be prevented by a
common sense approach. Do not share food,
drinks, utensils, toothbrushes or cigarettes.
Exemption from P.E.:
Students will not be exempted from P.E. without
a physician directive stating that the student
must be excluded and how long the exclusion
will be. The nurse will not provide excuse notes
for P.E. or Athletics except in cases of asthma
flare-ups during school hours.
Asthma Action Plan House
Bill (HB) 1688, passed by the 77th legislature
and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry,
allows a student with asthma to possess and selfadminister prescription asthma medication. A
student may possess and self-administer asthma
inhalers on school property or at a school related
event with the following in place: A statement in
writing from the doctor that the student may
carry the inhaler on his/her person. This must
be obtained each school year.
The student has written permission from a
parent/ guardian and a physician or licensed
health care provider; a copy of the physician
statement (Asthma Action Plan) is on file and
kept in the school clinic.
The physician statement (Asthma Action Plan) is
updated or revised within one year.
Students who do not use their asthma
medication for their own use and/or allow other
students access to their medication will be
subject to disciplinary action as specified in the
Coolidge ISD Student Code of Conduct.
There are vaccines against pneumococcal
disease and four meningococcal groups.
Immunity develops within seven to ten days after
the vaccine is given and lasts for up to five years.
For more information contact your family doctor,
the staff at the local or regional health
department and/or your school nurse.
Additional information may also be found at the
web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention:
www.cdc.gov
and
the
Texas
Department of State Health Services at www.
dshs.state.tx.us.
Head Lice
Coolidge ISD follows the recommendations of the
Texas Department of State Health Services and
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
regarding screening for head lice. According to
the AAP: Head lice are not a health hazard or a
sign of uncleanliness and are not responsible for
the spread of any disease. The gold standard for
detecting head lice is finding a live louse on the
head.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES / CONDITIONS
To protect children from contagious illnesses,
students infected with certain diseases are not
allowed to come to school while contagious, as
outlined by the Department of State Health
Services (formerly known as the Texas
Department of Health). Bacterial Meningitis
Information State law requires school districts to
This can be difficult, because the louse can crawl
very fast. Lice cannot hop or fly. The tiny eggs, or
nits, may be easier to spot, especially at the nape
of the neck or behind the ears. Nits (eggs) take
about one week to hatch, then another week to
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mature and lay eggs. Check your child’s hair
often. It is probably impossible to totally prevent
head lice infestations. Young children come into
close head to- head contact with each other
frequently.
in 10-14 days.
NEVER use animal/flea shampoo, kerosene,
gasoline or any other harmful agent on your
child. Fleas and lice are NOT the same. Flea
products do not kill lice and lice products do not
kill fleas. Campho-Phenique, hair products, and
dying or coloring the hair DO NOT kill lice and
their nits. REMOVE ALL NITS. This assures TOTAL
lice treatment.
Teach children to not share personal items such
as combs, brushes, hats, batting helmets, hair
accessories, etc. They should place coats,
jackets, sweaters, hats, etc. in their backpacks at
school when they are not being worn.
Follow package directions and use the lice/nit
removal comb. NIT REMOVAL MUST BE DONE
PRIOR TO RETURNING TO SCHOOL.
If your child’s class has an activity where they
bring blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, etc. run
these items through the hottest cycle in the dryer
as soon as they get home before they come in
contact with other items. Where children are
together, adults should be aware of the signs and
symptoms of head lice infestation, and affected
children should be treated promptly to minimize
spread to others.
Screening for nits alone is not an accurate way of
predicting which children will become infested,
and screening for live lice has not been proven to
have an important effect on the incidence of
head lice in a school community over time. In
addition, such screening has not been shown to
be cost-effective.
All household members should be checked
routinely (weekly is optimal) for head lice, and
only those with live lice or nits close to the scalp
should be treated.
This process, although time consuming, will need
to be repeated daily to ensure complete removal
and prevent further re-infestation. It is wise to
treat family members who share a bed with the
person with infestation, even if no live lice are
found. Items such as clothing, furniture, or
carpeting that have been in contact with the head
of the person with infestation in the 24 to 48
hours before treatment should be considered for
cleaning, given the fact that louse survival off the
scalp beyond 48 hours is extremely unlikely.
Washing,
soaking,
or
drying
items
at
temperatures greater than 130°F will kill stray
lice or nits. Furniture, carpeting, car seats, and
other fabrics or fabric-covered items can be
vacuumed. Campus-wide head checks will not be
done. We encourage parents/guardians to
routinely check their student’s head for lice as
part of routine personal hygiene.
Treating as a preventive measure does not work
and only leads to resistance to the products that
are available. Lice are reddish-brown, wingless
insects. Do not confuse nits with dandruff,
hairspray or hair gel. If it can easily be removed
or dislodged, it is probably not a nit. Nits attach
with a cement or glue-like substance and are
difficult to remove. Consult your physician or
pharmacist before using lice treatment pesticides
when the person is pregnant, nursing, has
allergies or asthma, epilepsy, has pre-existing
medical conditions, or has nits in the eyelashes
or eyebrows.
Medicine At School
Coolidge Independent School District School
Board policy states that employees of the school
district may give medicine to a student provided:
There is a written note from the parent/guardian
of the child, requesting the time and amount of
medicine to be given. Verbal consent is not
accepted. There must be a written note. All
medications must be provided by the parent.
The medicine is in the original container and
properly labeled. Medication includes not only
prescription medication but also over-the-counter
medications
(i.e. cold/flu, anti-itch, pain
relievers,
and
stomach
pain
relievers).
Parents/guardian must bring the medication to
the school nurse. School staff will not accept
medications brought by students. Ask the
pharmacist for an extra prescription bottle for
the medication the student will bring to school.
NEVER use pesticides on or near the eyes.
Remember, all lice killing products are
pesticides. Follow the directions carefully and
completely. If the product fails, do not switch to
another product without contacting your
physician. This can be potentially harmful.
Manual removal of the nits is a must with any lice
treatment. Follow the package directions
completely, including the instructions to repeat
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diseases or must present a statement indicating
that “reasons of conscience”; medical or religious
reasons exempt the student from being
immunized.
Required immunizations include: diphtheria,
tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles (rubella),
mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, hepatitis A (for
certain grade levels) and chicken pox, varicella
menigi coceal for certain age levels.
The school nurse can provide information on
age-appropriate doses or on an acceptable
physician validated history of illness required by
the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Be aware that giving aspirin products after a
fever can result in a serious illness called Reye’s
Syndrome. Coolidge Independent School District
is not responsible for any complications resulting
from adverse drug reactions. If medication must
be taken during school hours, please follow
these guidelines: For medications ordered twice
daily, the first dose should be given at home
before the child leaves for school and the second
after
returning
from
school.
Of
those
medications
ordered three or four times daily, only the
second dose will be given at school.
If a student should not be immunized for medical
reasons, a parent must present an affidavit or
certificate signed by a U.S. licensed physician
stating that, in the doctor’s opinion, the
immunizations required would be harmful to the
student’s health and well-being of any member
of the family or household.
Unless a lifelong condition is specified, the
affidavit or certificate is valid only one year from
the date signed by the physician and must be
renewed every year for the exclusion to remain in
effect. For “Reasons of Conscience” the student
must provide an affidavit signed by a parent or
legal guardian. The affidavit must be a form
provided by the Department of State Health
Services. A TB skin test is required for all
students entering school from another country.
We must follow the usual recommended dosage
for the child’s age unless we receive specific
written instructions from the doctor. Any aspirin
products, adult or extra strength over-thecounter medication, such as (Aspirin, Pepto
Bismol, Aleve, Advil, Excedrin, etc.) will not be
given to students without a doctor’s note or
prescription.
The school does not keep stock medications. For
all long-term medication a Coolidge Independent
School District Medication Administration Record
must be completed by the student’s parents and
kept in the school clinic.
These forms are available in the school clinic. All
medications must be brought to the school by
the student’s parent/ guardian. All medications
must be stored in the school clinic. Only qualified
school personnel may administer medication.
Medications are not to be kept with a student or
in desk, lunch box, pocket, etc. These rules are
necessary for the safety of all students.
HEALTH SCREENINGS
Vision and Hearing Screening New students
enrolling in the District will be screened for
vision and/or hearing problems. All students in
grades Pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, and 7 will be screened
for vision and hearing problems annually during
the school year.
Administering Medicine During Field Trips
If the above steps are in place and a second
properly labeled bottle is provided, the nurse can
have the teacher provide a student’s medication
at the appropriate time while on a field trip. The
parent or legal guardian must provide medicines
for overnight trips with proper written approval
for administering the medication by a school
official.
UIL Participation
All upper level students desiring to participate in
the UIL athletic competition shall submit annually
a statement from a physician licensed to practice
in the state indicating that the student has been
examined and is physically able to participate in
the athletic program, drill team, cheerleading, or
marching band.
Immunizations
Texas State Law requires all students be current
on immunizations in order to attend school.
Students entering Coolidge ISD have a 30 day
provisional enrollment period to provide their
immunization records.
All students must be immunized against certain
Spinal Screening
Coolidge ISD conducts spinal screenings to
detect signs of abnormal curves of the spine at
their earliest stages. State law requires all
children in grades 5 and 8 to be screened. The
procedure for screening requires trained
screeners, Coolidge ISD nurses, to look at the
21
student’s back while the student stands and then
bends forward.
If a student has a medical emergency at school or
at a school-related activity it is the District’s
policy to contact professional emergency
personnel to transport the student to the nearest
emergency facility. Parents are asked each year
to complete an emergency care form that
contains information about the child’s doctor,
emergency contact phone numbers, allergies to
medications, etc.
Parents should keep emergency care information
up-to-date. Please contact the school nurse to
update any information to ensure that the
District has the most current information on
record.
The District is not responsible for medical
expenses associated with a student’s injury. The
District does make available, however optional
low-cost student accident insurance to assist
parents
in
meeting
medical
expenses.
Applications are available in the District athletic
offices. A parent who desires coverage for his or
her child will be responsible for paying insurance
premiums and for submitting claims through the
insurance program.
Boys and girls will be seen separately and
individually. Two screeners are present for each
student. We assure you that privacy will be of the
utmost concern and priority.
BOYS WILL BE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THEIR
SHIRTS. GIRLS ARE REQUESTED TO WEAR A BRA
OR THE TOP OF A TWO PIECE SWIMSUIT UNDER
THEIR SHIRT. THEIR SHIRT WILL ONLY BE
REMOVED DURING THEIR INDIVIDUAL SCREENING.
Parents will receive the results of the screening
only if professional follow-up is needed. This
procedure does not replace your need for regular
health care and check-ups. If the parent chooses
for the student to not participate in the
screening, the student must provide a written
statement from his/her physician giving the
school the results of the physician’s finding for
that school year.
If, for religious reasons, the student does not
wish to be screened, the student is to submit an
affidavit of exemption, notarized, to the school
clinic. Fitness Testing Coolidge ISD is committed
to assisting our parents and students understand
the importance of physical wellness and have
initiated a variety of programs to promote
physical health and wellness.
Safety/Accident Prevention
Student safety on campus and at school-related
events is a high priority of the District. Although
the District has implemented safety procedures,
the cooperation of students is essential to ensure
school safety. A student should: Avoid conduct
that is likely to put the student or other students
at risk.
Follow the behavioral standards in this handbook
and the Student Code of Conduct, as well as any
additional rules for behavior and safety set by
the principal, teachers, or bus drivers. Remain
alert to and promptly report safety hazards, such
as intruders on campus. Know emergency
evacuation
routes
and
signals.
Follow
immediately the instructions of teachers, bus
drivers, and other District employees who are
overseeing the welfare of students.
Texas Senate Bill 530 requires that the
FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment be
administered to all students in grade 3-12 twice a
year.
The FITNESSGRAM physical assessment: sets a
baseline fitness zone from which students can
set goals to maintain or improve their fitness
level; tests all students regardless of age, gender
or ability; does not place an emphasis on skill or
sports-related fitness; does not compare
students to other students.
Pest Management Program
Pesticides are periodically applied on each
school campus as part of an integrated pest
management program. All persons applying
pesticides on a school campus are required to
receive special training in pesticide application
and pest control. In addition, Coolidge ISD has a
policy that requires use of non-chemical pest
control tactics whenever it is possible that
pesticides may periodically be applied. For
questions about pesticide use, including the
types and times of treatments, contact: Debra
The assessment includes: Height and weight assesses body composition/ BMI 1 Mile Run measures students’ aerobic capacity Curl ups assesses abdominal strength and endurance
Trunk lift - assesses strength and flexibility 90°
push-up or modified pull-up or flexed arm hang
assesses upper body strength and endurance
Back-saver sit’n reach or shoulder stretch assesses flexibility.
Emergency Medical Treatment
22
Price 1002 Kirven Street Coolidge, Texas 76635
(254) 786-2206
course of providing health care to individual
students. Accommodating Students with Special
Needs:
Special
Needs
Students
whose
Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan
indicates the use of an FMNV or candy for
behavior modification (or other suitable need)
may be given FMNV or candy items. School
Events: Students may be given FMNV or candy
items during the school day for up to three
different events each school year to be
determined by school officials as part of school
policy and included on the school calendar.
These items may not be given during meal times
in the areas where school meals are being served
or consumed.
NUTRITION SERVICES
Coolidge ISD participates in the National School
Lunch Program and offers students nutritionally
balanced lunches daily. Free and reduced-price
lunches are available based on financial need.
Information about a student’s participation is
confidential. Eligibility is based on household
income guidelines established by the federal
government. In order to participate each year, a
new meal application must be completed and
submitted to the School Nutrition Services office
for approval. Meal benefits from the previous
year will expire 30 days from the first day of
school, unless a new application is submitted.
Applications are processed in the order they are
received and must be returned to the office for
approval. To avoid a delay in receiving meal
benefits, please do not return meal applications
to the school office or to the school cafeteria.
Applications cannot be processed without an
original signature; therefore, we cannot accept
faxed applications. Contact the Cafeteria
Manager.
Compliance and Penalties
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
administers the National School Lunch Program,
School Breakfast Program and After School Snack
Program through its Food and Nutrition Division.
Responsibilities include processing claims for
reimbursement, providing special marketing
projects and procurement assistance to promote
more nutritious eating habits, conducting on-site
compliance monitoring and coordinating training
through the 20 regional Education Service
Centers. TDA will aggressively enforce and
diligently monitor the Texas School Nutrition
Policy to ensure compliance. When violations of
this policy are noted, TDA will disallow all meal
reimbursement for the day and require the
school to reimburse the food service account for
the lost reimbursement. A documented corrective
action plan will be required and will be
monitored diligently to ensure continued
compliance.
Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV)
All districts that participate in the School
Breakfast and the National School Lunch Program
must restrict the use of foods of minimal
nutritional value (FMNV) and competitive foods
per the Texas Department of Agriculture
Nutrition Policy. Elementary school campuses
may not serve or provide access for students to
FMNV and all other forms of candy at any time
anywhere on school premises until the end of the
last scheduled class. An exception is that a
parent may provide FMNV or candy items for
their own child, but they may not provide
restricted items to other children at school.
Middle school campuses are not allowed to have
FMNV at any time, anywhere on school premises
until after the end of the last lunch period. High
schools cannot have FMNV during meal periods
in areas where reimbursable meals are served
and/or consumed. Foods in the classroom are
limited to approved annual events per school
year to be determined by campus.
Meal Payments
Paying in advance for meals is recommended and
will eliminate the need to send cash with your
child each day. You may send any dollar amount
to be credited to your child’s meal account. If
possible, please send checks instead of cash to
the cafeteria. CISD cannot be responsible for
cash that is lost or misplaced. Checks should be
made payable to CISD School Nutrition. Please
include child’s name, and grade, on the check.
We recommend that all checks or cash be
brought directly to the cafeteria upon arrival to
school.
2016-17 Meal Prices
Student Breakfast K – 12 Free
Adult Breakfast $2.00
Student Lunch K-5th Grade $2.00,
FMNV and Candy Exemptions
School Nurses: This policy does not apply to
school nurses using FMNVs or candy during the
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miles from school. This service is provided at no
cost to students. Bus routes and any subsequent
changes are posted at the school.
6th -12th Grade $2.25
Adult Lunch $3.40
Further information may be obtained by calling
Transportation Services at 254-786-2206 ext.
230.
Low Account Balances & No Charge Policy
When student accounts reach or fall below $5.00,
the cashier will verbally remind students their
meal account funds are low. School Nutrition
Services enforces a no charge policy at the
secondary level. Students without money or
students that have depleted their meal account
funds will be provided an Emergency meal in lieu
of the regular priced cafeteria meal. The
emergency meal will consist of a sandwich and
milk. No fee will be charged for the emergency
meal. Emergency meals are only given for three
days.
Students are expected to assist district staff in
ensuring that buses remain in good condition
and that transportation is provided safely. When
riding school buses, students are subject to
behavioral standards established in this hand
book and the Student Code of Conduct.
Students must: Follow the driver’s directions at
all times. Enter and leave the bus in an orderly
manner at the designated bus stop nearest
home. Keep feet, books, band instrument cases,
and other objects out of the aisle. Not deface the
bus or its equipment. Not put head, hands, arms,
or legs out of the window, hold any object out of
the window, or throw objects within or outside of
the bus. Upon leaving the bus, wait for the
driver’s signal before crossing in front of the
bus. Students must wear seat belts at all times
when riding in a district van or passenger car.
Misconduct will be punished in accordance
with the Student Code of Conduct; bus-riding
privileges may be suspended. Video cameras
may be used in District vehicles to promote
compliance with the rules of conduct. Videotapes
are protected student records subject to the
provisions in Board policies at FL(LOCAL).
Ala Carte Purchases
Students may purchase ala carte items such as
fruit juice, extra milk, and snack items for an
additional charge. If you wish to restrict ala carte
purchases, please contact the Cafeteria Manager
at the school so a block can be placed on the
meal account.
Special Dietary Needs
All special dietary requests must be made in
writing to School Nutrition Services’ office. All
special dietary requests must be supported by a
physician’s medical statement. The medical
statement must include: 1) Identification of
special dietary condition which restricts child’s
diet,2) The foods to be omitted from the child’s
food of choice of foods to be substituted.
Travel – School-Sponsored
Students who participate in school-sponsored
trips are required to use transportation provided
by the school to and from the event. The
principal, however, may make an exception if the
parent personally requests that the student be
permitted to ride with the parent, or the parent
presents — no later than the day before the
scheduled trip — a written request that the
student be permitted to ride with an adult
designated by the parent.
Food Allergies
The district has developed and annually reviews a
food allergy management plan, which addresses
employee training, dealing with common food
allergens, and specific strategies for dealing with
students diagnosed with severe food allergies.
When the district receives information that a
student has a food allergy that puts the student
at risk for anaphylaxis, individual care plans will
be developed to assist the student in safely
accessing the school environment. The districts
food allergy management plan can be accessed
by the school nurse.
FIELD TRIP PROCEDURES
SUPERVISION: On each field trip, a minimum
student/staff member –chaperon ratio of 8:1 will
be required. If the field trip is for several hours in
length and /or students are traveling to an open
area such as Six Flags, students will be required
to report to staff/chaperons at least one time at a
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
The district makes school bus transportation
available to all students living two or more
24
pre-appointed area. The building principal may
wish to expand upon the number of chaperons
required and how many times students will need
to report to a pre-appointed area.
The Elementary School Principal may require all
elementary students to be accompanied by a
staff member and /or chaperon at all times.
establish a meeting point.
(3) Staff members are required to notify the
building principal upon any deviation of rules
and procedures or any unusual occurrence by
students, chaperons or staff as soon as it is
practical.
Transportation of Students in Foster Care
ESSA requires each Texas school district to
collaborate with the Texas Department of Family
and Protective Services (DFPS) to develop and
implement clear, written procedures for how
transportation to maintain a student in foster
care in his or her school of origin (unless it is not
in the student’s best interest) will be provided,
arranged, and funded.
CHAPERONES:
The purpose of chaperon supervision for
students can vary due to the maturity and
cooperation of the students. Chaperones are
expected to comply with school policies, follow
the directions given by the coordinating teaches,
work cooperatively with other volunteers and
school staff members, and model appropriate
behaviors for students.
Procedures for transportation of students in
foster care
CISD Foster Care Liaison Dr. Johnie McClinton,
will work directly with DFPS officials to determine
which educational setting, (school of origin or
another educational organization) is in the best
interest of the student residing in Foster Care. If
their determination yields a decision to keep the
student at his or her school of origin
transportation plans will be drafted on a care-bycare basis.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS:
All chaperons will be required to submit to a
criminal background check before they will be
allowed to accompany students on a CISD field
trip. Forms can be picked up in the
superintendent’s office.
DIRECTIVES FOR SUPERVISORY STAFF:
Staff members and chaperons will receive written
directives before a field trip from the principal.
These directives will provide staff/chaperons with
the expectations required for supervising CISD
students. Failure by a chaperon to provide
supervision as directed will result in that
chaperon being excluded from attending future
field trips.
Vehicles on Campus
Vehicles parked on school property are under the
jurisdiction of the school. School officials may
search any vehicle any time there is reasonable
cause to do so, with or without the presence of
the student. A student has full responsibility for
the security of his or her vehicle and must make
certain that it is locked and that the keys are not
given to others. [See also the Student Code of
Conduct.]
SEEK ON –SITE ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY:
Seeking assistance from management, law
enforcement, etc. if necessary is not only
prudent, it is the proper procedure to follow.
Although stressful for some parents, it is a fact
that separation or displacement occurs every day
at major parks, e.g. Six Flags, Disneyland, etc.
Many times a request for assistance does not
involve school students, but children that
become separated from their own parents.
Parking Regulations
Each campus has designated parking for staff,
visitors and students (high school). Parking in
unauthorized locations, such as reserved spaces
or fire lanes, may result in towing and/or
citations. Parking Permits (High School Only)
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors will be issued
parking permits after application requirements
are met. High school students parking permits
are $15.00. The following must be presented
when purchasing a permit: Valid driver’s license
and proof of insurance.
COMMUNICATION:
(1) If
warranted,
staff
members
and
chaperons are required to provide
students with staff members and
chaperons’ contact information before
students leave school to embark on a trip.
(2) If warranted and if the field trip
destination is to an open area such as Six
Flags, staff members and chaperons must
DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIAL
25
School Materials
School publications distributed to students may
include the student newspaper and student
yearbook. All school publications are under the
supervision of the teacher, sponsor, and
principal.
will not be available for return until that
afternoon at 3:30 p.m. A student who violates
this policy for a second time and beyond must
pay $15. The device will be available for return
that afternoon at 3:30 but must be retrieve by
the parent or guardian of the student. If after a
period of 30 calendar days, the device has not
been claimed, the district may dispose of the
telecommunication device in accordance with
law.
Nonschool Materials
Written
materials,
handbills,
photographs,
pictures, petitions, films, tapes, posters, or other
visual or auditory materials may not be posted,
sold, circulated, or distributed on any school
campus by a student or a community member
without the prior approval of the principal. If the
material is not approved within two school days
of the time it was submitted, it should be
considered disapproved. Disapprovals may be
appealed by submitting the disapproved material
to the Superintendent or designee; material not
approved by the Superintendent or designee
within three days is considered disapproved. This
disapproval may be appealed to the Board in
accordance with policy FMA(LOCAL).
Any student who posts material without prior
approval will be subject to disciplinary action.
Materials displayed without this approval will be
removed. All approved material will show the
signature of an administrator. The principal will
designate an area within the school building as
the location’s) for approved nonschool materials
to be placed.
Cameras, Radios, CD Players, IPODS, Other
Electronic Devices, Games, Laser Pointers
Students are not allowed to bring cameras,
radios, tape or CD players, IPODS, other
electronic devices, toys or games to school or on
school busses except for instructional purposes
with an administrator’s approval. These items
will be confiscated and returned at the discretion
of the principal. Laser pointers are not allowed
on campus per board policy.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Drills – Fire, Tornado & Other Emergencies
From time to time, students, teachers, and other
District employees will participate in drills of
emergency procedures. When the alarm is
sounded, students should follow the direction of
teachers or others in charge quickly, quietly, and
in an orderly manner.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Emergency School-Closing Information
School closing information in emergency
situations will be made available to all local radio
and television stations and posted on the
District’s website at www.Coolidge.k12.tx.us.
Telecommunications Devices
Students shall not use telecommunications
devices, including but not limited to: cellular,
wireless, mobile, or portable phones, pagers, or
beepers anytime after the first bell and prior to
the dismissal bell. These devices will be picked
up by the campus administrator during
standardized testing such as EOC/TAKS and
returned once all testing is completed for the
day. Students who violate this policy shall be
subject to disciplinary measures in accordance
with local policy and the Student Code of
Conduct. District employees shall confiscate any
telecommunications device used in violation of
this policy. Staff is not responsible for the theft /
lost of electronic devices.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY
PARTICIPATION
Extracurricular participation is a privilege not a
right. In order to participate in extracurricular
activities students must conduct themselves in a
positive manner. Students who fail to conduct
themselves in a positive manner may be removed
from the team, suspended or not be allowed to
participate.
Eligibility for participation in extracurricular
activities is governed by school policy, state law
as well as rules of the University Interscholastic
League (UIL), a statewide association overseeing
inter
district
competition.
The
following
requirements apply to all extracurricular
activities: A student who receives at the end of a
A student who violates this policy for the first
time shall have the device confiscated and
retained by the campus administrator. To retrieve
the device, the student must pay $15. The device
26
•
•
grading period a grade below 70 in any academic
class, other than a class identified as honors or
advanced by either the State Board of Education
or by the local Board, may not participate in
extracurricular activities for at least three school
weeks.
•
•
A student with disabilities who fails to meet the
standards in the individualized education
program (IEP) may not participate for at least
three school weeks. An ineligible student may
practice or rehearse. A student is allowed in a
school year up to ten absences not related to
post-district competition, a maximum of five
absences for post-district competition prior to
state, and a maximum of two absences for state
competition. All extracurricular activities and
public performances, whether UIL activities or
other activities approved by the Board, are
subject to these restrictions. A student who
misses a class because of participation in an
activity that has not been approved will receive
an unexcused absence. Please note: Sponsors of
student clubs and performing groups such as the
band, choir, and drill and athletic teams may
establish standards of behavior and athletic
teams may establish standards of behavior
including consequences for misbehavior—that
are stricter than those for students in general. If
a violation is also a violation of school rules, the
consequences specified by the Student Code of
Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition
to
any
consequences
specified
by
the
organization.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Security deposits
Personal physical education and athletic
equipment and apparel.
Voluntarily
purchased
pictures,
publications, class rings, yearbooks,
graduation announcements, etc.
Voluntarily purchased student accident
insurance.
Musical instrument rental and uniform
maintenance when uniforms are provided
by the District;
Personal apparel used in extracurricular
activities that becomes the property of
the student.
Parking fees and student identification
cards.
Fees for lost, damaged, or overdue
library books.
Photography supply fee.
Fee for lost and damaged textbooks.
Art supply fees for optional courses
offered for credit that require use of
facilities not available on District
premises (i.e., bowling and golf ).
Any required fee or deposit may be waived if the
student and parent are unable to pay. Application
for such a waiver may be made to the
appropriate principal. Failure to pay required fees
may result in the loss of permission to
participate in certain ceremonies or activities.
FUNDRAISING
Cheerleading/Drill Team/Spirit Groups
Guidelines for tryouts and memberships to
cheerleading contact Valerie Henson (HS), Jaree
Loper (JH), for flag core please contact Rhonda
Ivy.
Student clubs or classes, outside organizations,
and/or parent groups occasionally may be
permitted to conduct fund-raising drives for
approved
school
purposes
with
prior
administration
approval
and
under
the
supervision of the project sponsor. Student
participation in approved fund-raising activities
shall not interfere with the regular instructional
program. Funds raised shall be received,
deposited, and disbursed in accordance with
board policy. Except as approved by the
Superintendent or Principal, fund-raising by the
general public or public or private organizations
or clubs is not permitted on school property.
FEES
Materials that are part of the basic educational
program are provided with state and local funds
and are at no charge to a student. A student,
however, is expected to provide his or her own
pencils, paper, erasers, and notebooks and may
be required to pay certain other fees or deposits,
including:
• Costs for materials for a class project
that the student will keep.
• Membership dues in voluntary clubs or
student organizations and admission
fees to extracurricular activities.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / MOMENT OF
SILENCE
27
Texas law requires students to recite the Pledge
of Allegiance to the United States flag and the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag each day.
Parents may submit a written request to the
principal to excuse their child from reciting a
pledge. A minute of silence will follow recitation
of the pledges. The student may choose to
reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other
silent activity so long as the silent activity does
not interfere with or distract others. Each student
has a right to individually, voluntarily, and
silently pray or meditate in school in a manner
that does not disrupt instructional or other
activities of the school. The school will not
require, encourage, or coerce a student to
engage in or to refrain from such prayer or
meditation during any school activity.
not available to others. Searches of lockers may
be conducted at any time there is reasonable
cause to believe that they contain articles or
materials prohibited by District policy, whether
or not a student is present. The parent will be
notified if any prohibited items are found in the
student’s locker.
Meetings of Non-curriculum-Related Groups
Students are permitted to meet with noncurriculum-related groups during the hours
designated by the principal before and after
school. These groups must comply with the
requirements of board policy. . Pest Control
Information The District periodically applies
pesticides inside buildings. Except in an
emergency, signs will be posted 48 hours before
application. Parents who want to be notified prior
to pesticide application inside their child(ren)’s
school assignment area may contact the school’s
office. Telephones If available, students may use
free or pay telephones on campus. Students are
required to keep their personal call to three (3)
minutes or less. Students will not be called from
a class in order to answer telephone calls, nor be
permitted to make calls during class. Telephone
messages will not be delivered to students
except in medical or extreme emergencies with
approval of an administrator.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
Use By Students Before and After School
Certain areas of the school will be accessible to
students before and after school for specific
purposes. Students are required to remain in the
area where their activity is scheduled to take
place unless the teacher or sponsor overseeing
them gives permission to go to another area of
the building or campus. After dismissal of school
in the afternoon, and unless involved in an
activity under the supervision of a teacher,
students must leave campus immediately.
Visitors
Parents are welcome to visit District schools. For
the safety of those within the school, all visitors
must first report to the campus main office.
Visits
to
individual
classrooms
during
instructional time are permitted only with
approval of the principal and teacher and so long
as the duration or frequency does not interfere
with the delivery of instruction or disrupt the
normal school environment. Small children will
be permitted in the administrative offices only.
Children of Coolidge ISD students are not
permitted to visit the parent(s) campus without
prior approval from the campus principal.
Library
The library is a learning laboratory with books,
computers, magazines, and other materials
available for classroom assignments, projects,
and reading or listening pleasure. Students may
use the library as authorized. Students must have
CISD
Electronic
Communications
Systems
acceptable use policy forms on file in order to
use
library
network
computers.
Library
computers are to be used for school-related
research and work processing. No games may be
played. Further regulations about the use of the
library before, after, and during the school day
may be formulated throughout the school year by
the administrative and/or library staff.
Information for Coolidge High
School Only
Lockers
Lockers are school property and remain under
the control and jurisdiction of the school even
when assigned to an individual student. The
student has full responsibility for the security of
the assigned locker and for making certain that
the locker is locked and that the combination is
CLASS RANKING
For two school years following their graduation,
students who are ranked in the top ten percent
of their graduating class are eligible for
automatic admission to Texas general academic
universities and colleges. Students and parents
28
1. Grades considered for class rank must be
from a state-accredited high school.
2. If a student transfers from a nonaccredited school, only grades earned at
CHS shall be used for determining grade
point average and class rank. Courses
that are not graded, such as office aide,
study hall, or AP labs, will not be
considered for class rank.
should see the student’s counselor for further
information about how to apply and the deadline
for
application
to
Texas
Colleges
and
Universities. Unofficial class rankings for seniors
are available at any time. The official class
rankings for graduation honors will be available
after the fifth six weeks. To be eligible for
highest honors (top 2% of graduates), a student
must have been enrolled in Coolidge for at least
two full academic years. Grades received for
correspondence courses and grades received for
credit by exams (remediation and acceleration)
will not be considered for grade point average
and rank. Any course retaken to improve the
grade will be awarded the higher of the two
grades. Credit will not be awarded twice.
COLLEGE DAYS (VISITS)
Coolidge High School students are allowed two
excused absences to visit the College or
University of their choice. A college day may be
taken in the spring semester of the junior year
(before April 1) or anytime during the senior year
(before April 1).
For the purpose of recognition at the
graduation exercises, the class ranking of
honor graduates and the top ten percent of
the graduates shall be calculated at the end of
the fifth six weeks of the senior year. Students
may be periodically ranked according to their
grade point average during their high school
years. These rankings, however, will be
considered unofficial since class rank may
change after each semester. The official ranking
will occur at the end of the fifth six weeks of the
senior year. The courses considered for class
ranking are as follows:
DUAL CREDIT COURSES (Navarro)
A Dual Credit course is a college course for which
the student may receive high school credit.
Students desiring to enroll in Dual Credit courses
must meet the college’s admission criteria,
including satisfactory scores on the ACUPLACES.
The following Dual Credit courses options are
available:
• English 4/Composition and Rhetoric
1301, 1302
• English 3/Survey of American Literature
2327, 2328
• US History/United States History 1301,
1302
• Government/American
Government
(Federal) 2305
• Economics/Principles
of
Economics
(Macro) 2301
• Calculus AB, BC/Calculus I, II, III 2413,
2414, 2415 (approval of CHS math
teacher required)
1. The grade points for each semester course
taken in all four years of high school,
including courses taken in summer school,
shall be used to determine the academic class
ranking.
Grades
resulting
from
correspondence
courses,
credit
by
examination (for remediation or acceleration),
off campus (pre-approved) P.E., Athletics,
and Band equivalents, courses awarded no
grade, and pass/fail courses will not be
considered for grade point average or class
ranking.
Students may enroll in other college courses for
Dual Credit, but these courses will receive no
additional high school GPA weight. Please visit
with your counselor regarding these options.
Because Dual Credit grades are awarded at the
end of each semester, 12th grade students
taking Dual Credit courses in the spring semester
will not have a grade for the Dual Credit course
when Senior Ranking is locked in at the end of
the 5th six weeks grading period. It is the
student’s responsibility to submit a Navarro
transcript to CHS so that high school credit may
be posted to the transcript.
2. Grades resulting from approved college
courses may be considered for the student’s
class rank if the course is not in the TEA
approved high school curriculum and the
student has obtained permission from the
Superintendent or designee prior to college
enrollment.
Grade point averages and class ranking for
transfer students will be determined by the
following:
EXAM EXEMPTIONS
Criteria for final exam exemption is based on
29
attendance, grade average for the class, and no
discipline referrals during the semester.
•
CHS EXAM EXEMPTION GUIDELINES
Freshman & Sophomores may choose two nonacademic class exams from which to be exempt
IF they meet the criteria below:
1. Classes to choose from include –Ag,
Athletics, Band, PE
2. Maintain 85 average or higher
3. No more than THREE UNEXCUSED
ABENCES IN AN EXEMPTED CLASS per
semester.
4. Student may not have any office
referrals from an exempted class that
semester.
•
the
2008-2009
school
year
and
thereafter.
Semester averaging can be used when
averaging a fall semester and a spring
semester from the same school year.
Transcripts will continue to reflect each
semester grade.
GRADUATION
To receive a high school diploma from the
District, a student must successfully complete
the required number of credits as outlined in the
Minimum, Recommended, or Distinguished
Achievement plans, and pass a statewide exitlevel examination or end-of-course examination.
Students completing the Recommended Program
or the Distinguished Achievement Program may
be eligible for state funding for attending a
college or university in Texas upon graduation.
See your counselor for information on financial
aid opportunities. Upon the recommendation of
the Admission, Review, and Dismissal committee,
a student with disabilities may be permitted to
graduate under the provisions of his or her
Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Juniors & Seniors may be exempt from any
Midterm or Final exam if all the following are
attained:
1. Maintain 85 average or higher.
2. No more than THREE UNEXCUSED
ABSENCES IN AN EXEMPTED CLASS
3. Student may not have any office
referrals from an exempted class.
Middle School policy on Mid Term & Final
Exams
A. Middle school classes will not require a
Mid Term or Final exam.
B. Semester grades will be based on the
average of their Six Weeks grades.
GRADUATION EXERCISES
The CISD Board Policy states:
Students who have met the requirements
prescribed by the Board and TEA in the current
school term are eligible to participate in the
spring graduation exercises. Students who meet
the graduation requirements at the end of the
first or second semester may have a choice of
participating in the May exercises or receiving
their diplomas after the graduation ceremony.
Students subject to disciplinary action may be
excluded from graduation exercises. Students
who do not meet all the requirements may not
participate in graduation exercises.
GRADING - SEMESTER AVERAGING
When a student fails the first semester of a twosemester course and successfully passes the
second semester then semester averaging will be
used to determine the awarding of credit for the
first semester. The two semesters will be added
together and divided by two to obtain a new first
semester grade. Semester averaging will only be
used when the student fails the first semester
and passes the second semester course. The
year-long course cannot be denied due to failing
only the second semester grade. The following
rules apply to semester averaging:
• Semester averaging will be in effect for
Early Graduation
Students who complete high school within 36
months may be eligible for financial incentives
payable to a Texas university or college. Students
interested in participating in early graduation
may obtain more information from their
counselor. Graduation within three years of
entering the ninth grade is an option for Texas
high school students. However, the parent or
legal guardian must declare in writing the
students’ intent to graduate early and give their
permission for the student to do so. The early
graduation option is always dependent on
availability of the necessary classes. Students
Seniors who are exempt must attend school
for the first 2 hours of all exam days. If a
student does not attend school the 2 hours
and does not have an excused absence he or
she will forfeit the exemption and must take
all midterm or final exams.
30
must meet all state and local graduation
requirements in effect when they entered ninth
grade. Early Completion Early completion may be
possible for students who can complete all
graduation requirements before May of their
senior year. Seniors who wish to complete early
must meet the following conditions:
• Written approval from student’s parent.
• Written approval from student’s counselor
• Written approval from the Principal.
The early completion option is always dependent
on availability of the necessary classes.
damage to the textbook coordinator or teacher.
Any student failing to return a book issued by
the school loses the right to free textbooks until
the book is returned or paid for by the parent.
However, a student will be provided textbooks
for use at school during the school day. Students
may check out or return textbooks on their own
before or after school. If a parent/ guardian pays
for a textbook and the book is returned within 6
months of payment, a refund will be issued.
No refunds are issued after 6 months. Students
are fully responsible for their assigned
textbook(s). Students should understand that any
book they return for credit on their textbook
account must be their book, and that any book
they return that is not their book will be credited
to the account of the person to whom the book
was distributed. A student will not receive credit
for any book returned that has the official CISD
bar codes removed from the book.
State Approved Instructional Material
State-approved instructional material is provided
free of charge for each subject or class.
TEXTBOOKS
State-approved textbooks are provided free of
charge for each subject or class. Books must be
covered by the student, as directed by the
teacher, and treated with care. A student who is
issued a damaged book should report the
31
Sign and return this page
Student’s Name (printed)
Grade
I.D. #
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HANDBOOK RECEIPT
My child and I have been offered the option to receive a paper copy of or the electronically access at
www.coolidge.k12.tx.us the Coolidge ISD Student Handbook for 2016-2017.
I have chosen to:
______ Receive a paper copy of the Student Handbook
______ Accept responsibility for accessing the Student Handbook by visiting the Web address
listed above.
I understand that this handbook contains information that my child and I may need during the school
year and that all students will be held accountable for their behavior and will be subject to the rules and
consequences outlined in the handbook.
Signature of student
Date
Signature of parent or legal guardian
Date
Limited School-Sponsored Purposes
Limited school-sponsored purposes in which student information may be released or published include
school newspapers and yearbooks, school and district websites, reporting of student achievements and
accomplishments, and photographing or videotaping activities by district personnel or local media. This
information is generally limited to name and and/or grade level and campus, and a description of the
activity in which the student is involved. Coolidge ISD does not allow the media to interview children
under the age of 18 without express parental permission.
Websites may only include photograph of the activity and will generally exclude identifying information
such a name and grade level.
Coolidge ISD is constantly seeking ways to promote the excellence of our students and schools, and
these images are vital in that process. Please contact your principal or the CISD office if you have any
questions or concerns.
I agree to allow my child’s inclusion in limited school-sponsored activities.
I do not agree to allow my child’s inclusion in limited school-sponsored purpose activities.
Signature of parent or legal guardian
Date
32
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 the Coolidge ISD to disclose directory information from your child’s education records
without your prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing, using this form, within 10 days
of the receipt of this notice.
Coolidge ISD has designated the information below as directory information. Please check the
appropriate blank indicating whether you wish this information to be released.
Release
Do Not Release
Student’s name
Address and telephone number
Grade level
Enrollment status
Dates of attendance
Date and place of birth
Photograph
Participation in officially recognized sports and activities
Weight and height of members of athletic team’s
Honors and awards received in school
Most recent previous school attended
Release of Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education
Federal law requires a district to provide certain information to military recruiters or institutions of
higher education upon request unless the parent has previously objected to such disclosure.
I agree to allow military recruiters or institutions of higher education access to my child’s
directory information.
I do not agree to allow military recruiters or institutions of higher education access to my child’s
directory information.
Signature of parent or legal guardian
Date
33