Lockhart Independent School District
Elementary Student Handbook
2012-2013
1
Board of Trustees
Timoteo “Tim” Juarez, Jr., President
Susan K. Brooks, Vice-President
Juan Alvarez, Jr., Secretary
Tom Guyton
Alfredo Munoz
Brenda Spillman
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Jose Parra
Meets the 4th Monday of each month at
Lockhart HS Conference Center
Administration Office...................................……………….. 398-0000
Bad Weather Hotline…………………………………………..398-0005
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Lockhart Independent School District is to graduate all its students as
citizens who are educated, productive, and self-fulfilling lifelong learners. The school district’s
community, parents, trustees, staff, and students will provide a safe, caring, and challenging
learning environment in which all students develop to their fullest potential.
The District Improvement Committee, consisting of staff, teachers, parents, citizens, and
community leaders, gave recommendations for the policies and procedures of the
district-wide and campus discipline plans. Each year the staff receives additional input
and recommends modifications to the School Board that are thought to be improvements
in making the discipline plan clearer, useful, or updated with changes in the law.
The Student Handbook is not a contract between the school and parents or students. It
can be amended at any time at the discretion of the school district. If the district makes
changes to the Handbook during a school year, the administration of the district and the campus
will communicate those changes in ways that are designed to inform parents and students of
the new or revised information.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS
OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO PARENTS
ALPHABETIZED LISTING – POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
(This includes Federal Programs Information, Parental Involvement Policy and Title 1 Information)
REQUIRED LEGAL NOTICES
APPENDIX
Administrative Guidelines on Sex Offenders and Campus Visitation
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Pages
Pages
Pages
2-4
4-6
7-9
Pages
Pages
10-31
31-32
Pages
33-34
Release of Student Information
Student Internet Access
Bacterial Meningitis
Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who
Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education
Board Policy FNG (LOCAL) Students Rights and Responsibilities
Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Letter – English version
Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Letter – Spanish version
Acknowledgement (To be signed and returned to your child’s teacher)
Pages
Pages
Pages
35-37
37-39
39-40
Page
Page
Page
Page
40-44
45
46
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Admission, Release, Withdrawal
These are the basic requirements for admission to district schools:
1. The student must live in the district with a parent or legal guardian or one of the student’s
parents must live in the district, even if the student does not live with the parent.
• To be eligible for admission based on just the parent’s residence in the district, the court
that issued a final order in a divorce proceeding must have designated that parent as a
managing or possessory conservator for the child.
•
The parent enrolling a student based on only the parent’s residence in the district must
provide a copy of a current final order, signed by the judge and showing a file stamp
from the court, designating the parent as a managing or possessory conservator.
2. The student is under age 18 and lives in the district with an adult resident of the district who
has accepted a Power of Attorney from the child’s parent or legal guardian. The school
district has Power of Attorney forms to be completed by both the parent and the person the
student lives with.
3. Students under the age of 18 must be enrolled by a parent, legal guardian, or adult resident
who has a valid Power of Attorney for the student. Students who are 18 or older, who are
legally married, or who have ever been legally married and who have not graduated from
high school can enroll themselves.
4. The adult enrolling the student must present current immunization records or make
arrangements to begin immunizations as soon as possible.
5. No later than 30 days after a student has been enrolled, the adult enrolling the student must
provide a copy of a birth certificate or other acceptable identification for the child and copies
of the education records from the school the child last attended.
6. We do not admit underage students to school. Your child must be 5 years old on or before
September 1 of the current school year to be admitted to kindergarten. To be admitted to
first grade, your child must be 6 years old on or before September 1 of the current year or
must have completed kindergarten, or been enrolled in first grade, in the public schools of
another state.
The application for admission and enrollment forms are official government records, and it is
a crime to provide false information of any kind or false records for identification. School
officials can ask parents or another adult enrolling a student to provide some evidence that they
are bona fide residents of the school district.
If school officials have reason to question the legitimacy of a child’s residency information,
they can investigate to determine the student’s actual place of residence. If the district finds
that a student is not really a district resident, the student will be withdrawn, and school officials
will take the necessary legal steps to recover the maximum tuition fee the school district can
charge or the amount the board of trustees budgets as an expense per student.
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Release During the School Day
Students will be allowed to leave school during the school day only with the permission of the
principal or someone in the principal’s office who has been given the authority to release
students. Parents cannot go directly to their children’s classroom and take the child away from
school during the day. Teachers do not have the authority to let children leave their classroom
with anyone. If you need to take your child from school before the end of the school day, such
as for a medical appointment or a family emergency, you should go to the principal’s office and
sign the child out.
At the time children are enrolled, the parent or other adult completing the enrollment
forms should list those people who are authorized to pick up children during the school
day. Unless the principal has a current court order signed by a judge, showing an official
file stamp with the court, and indicating that a parent’s right of access to and possession
of his or her children has been limited in some way, the principal will release children to
either parent.
Students will not ordinarily be released during the school day to participate in private lessons or
other instruction. If you believe you have a special situation that would warrant an exception to
this rule, please contact the campus principal to schedule a conference about your situation.
NOTE: Any changes affecting how your child goes home (carpool, bus, etc.) must be
received at campus office before 2 p.m.
Withdrawing from School
Children who are under age 18 will not be permitted to withdraw from school unless a parent,
legal guardian, or other adult with responsibility for the child comes to the school to complete
the necessary forms. Students must return all textbooks issued to them and clear any library
fines and other outstanding fees in order for the school to release an official copy of the
student’s records to the parents or to another school district.
Attendance Requirements
State compulsory attendance laws generally require all children between the ages of six and 18
to attend school each day that school is in session. A student who is younger than six and has
ever been enrolled in the first grade is required to attend school. Once a parent enrolls a child
in kindergarten or pre-kindergarten, the child is required to attend school that school
year.
Regular attendance is critical to your child’s success in school. It is also critical to the
school district’s success because it is a factor in the district and campus rating under the state
accountability system and is a determining factor in the amount of state financial aid the district
is entitled to receive.
School officials aggressively enforce the state compulsory attendance laws. If you do not
send your child to school, we will send you a written warning that you must comply with
compulsory attendance laws. If your child continues to be absent after we send that warning
letter, we will file charges with the appropriate local court. Every day that a child is out of school
in violation of compulsory attendance laws is a separate offense. You may be assessed a fine
for each offense and may also be ordered to participate in a class designed to help you make
sure your child attends school as required.
Of course, there are times that children are sick or have other legitimate reasons for being
absent from school. Regardless of the age of your child, if she/he is sick and will not be at
school that day, you should call the school office to let them know of the absence. Whenever a
child is absent from school for any reason, she/he should bring a note signed by you explaining
the reason for the child’s absence when she/he returns to school. The principal or someone
acting for the principal will make the final decision whether an absence is classified as excused
or unexcused. Upon return to school, a student absent for more than four consecutive days
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because of personal illness may be required to bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic
verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school.
If the child does not bring a signed note, the absence will be classified as unexcused.
Also, a student who has unexcused absences for 10 or more days or partial days in six months
or three or more days or partial days in four weeks must be referred to the juvenile court for
violations of compulsory attendance laws.
The District must provide an accelerated reading instruction program for Kindergarten students
whose reading deficiencies were determined by the reading diagnosis instrument. Compulsory
attendance applies to attendance in the reading program. Parents will be notified in writing if
their child is assigned to an accelerated reading instruction program as a result of the reading
diagnostic test.
Doctor and Dental Appointments: Absences for appointments with doctors, dentists,
orthodontists, physical therapists, and other health care professionals will not be counted as an
absence if the student returns to school on the same day as the appointment and presents a
note from the health care provider stating the time of the appointment and the time the student
left the doctor’s office. If the appointment is at the end of the school day and the student has
been at school all day up to that time, the student will be counted present if he/she brings a note
from the health care provider the following day.
Religious Holidays: Absences for religious holy days, including up to two days of travel time if
necessary, will be classified as excused absences.
Attendance and Credit
Separate and apart from the compulsory attendance requirements, students must attend school
a certain amount of time in order to get credit for their academic work. State law requires
students to be “in attendance” for at least 90 percent of the days a class is taught during a
semester or year.
Each campus has an attendance committee that will review student attendance records. If the
committee decides that extenuating circumstances prevented a student from meeting the
minimum attendance for credit standard, the committee can award credit or tell the student what
additional work or time needs to be completed in order for the student to get credit for the grade
level or course.
Conduct and Discipline
Along with this Student Handbook, your child has also received a copy of the Lockhart ISD
Student Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct contains the school district’s requirements for
student conduct and behavior while at school or under the school’s jurisdiction. The Code of
Conduct also explains the kinds of disciplinary action school officials can take in response to
violations of the rules for student conduct and the steps involved in taking disciplinary action. If
you have any questions about conduct or discipline rules, please refer to the Code of Conduct
or call your child’s principal.
Curriculum and Programs
General Curriculum Information
Lockhart ISD operates a PreK-12 program that meets all state curriculum requirements.
Schools are organized by grade level, with separate campuses for Elementary (Carver – PPCD
– K, Bluebonnet PK – 5, Clear Fork, Navarro and Plum Creek grades 1 – 5), Jr. High (grades 68), Freshman Campus (grade 9) and High School (grade 10 -12).
A full-day pre-kindergarten program is available for children who meet at least one of the
following criteria:
* are at least four years old on September 1
* cannot speak or understand English
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*
*
*
*
are homeless
are in foster care
are educationally disadvantaged (qualify for free or reduced lunch)
are children of active military or reserve personnel or a child of military personnel who was
injured or killed while serving active duty.
If you think your child or children are eligible, please contact the principal.
Physical Education
A school district shall require a student enrolled in kindergarten or a grade below grade six to
participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the
school year as part of the district’s physical education curriculum or through structured activity
during a school campus’ daily recess. If a school district determines, for any particular grade
level below grade six, that requiring moderate or vigorous daily physical activity is impractical
due to scheduling concerns or other factors, the district may as an alternative require a student
in that grade level to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 135
minutes during each school week. [SB 530 Sec. 1 (b)]
The state requires students in grades 3 – 5 at the elementary school level to be given a physical
fitness assessment every year. Parents may request the results of their child’s physical fitness
assessment at the end of the school year from their child’s campus.
Special Programs
To meet the requirements of state and federal law, we also offer several programs designed to
meet specific needs of some of our students. We identify students as eligible for one or more of
these programs based on assessments made after referrals and recommendations from
teachers and counselors and will always inform you about the program beforehand. We also
can identify students based on an assessment after a request or referral from you. If you have
any questions about the referral and identification process for any of the following programs,
please contact your child’s teacher(s), counselor, or the campus principal.
Special Education: Lockhart ISD provides special education and related services for
students with disabilities according to individualized plans developed by teachers,
parents, counselors, and other professionals. We decide whether a student needs
special education after we complete a comprehensive assessment. Please contact
Monica Parks, Special Education Director, at 398-0260, or your principal to receive full
information about our special education programs.
Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language: English is the basic language
of instruction in our schools. Children who have limited English-speaking skills will have
access to programs to help them learn to understand, speak, read, and write the English
language. At the time you enroll your children for the first time, you will be asked to
complete a Home Language Survey so we know whether to take additional steps to be
sure your child is properly served.
One-Way Dual Language: Lockhart I.S.D. will provide a one-way dual language
program for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten @ Carver and1st – 4th grade at Bluebonnet
and Plum Creek Elementary.
Gifted and Talented Students: Some children demonstrate or show a potential for
demonstrating a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to other
children of similar age, experience, or environment. These children may perform at a
very high level in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, show an unusually high
capacity for leadership or excel in a particular academic field. We provide a variety of
programs, activities, and learning opportunity for these students.
Accelerated Instruction/Students At-Risk: Some students do not qualify for special
education programs, but still need some additional assistance to be successful in school
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and complete the high school program. We provide tutorial programs and intensive or
accelerated instruction in subjects where students are showing special difficulty, and
may provide specially focused instruction to improve students’ language and math skills.
Some of our specialized programs are designed to help students who are pregnant or
parents or who have been involved in the juvenile justice system.
Testing and Assessment Programs
Each year, we administer the statewide assessment program, State of Texas Assessment of
Academic Readiness (known as STAAR). Students in grades 3-5 take STAAR reading and
mathematics tests every year in the spring. In grade 4, students are also tested in writing during
the STAAR administration, and 5th grade students take a science test.
Current Texas Law requires that a 5th grade student must pass Reading and Math STAAR in
order to be promoted to 6th grade.
Results of the STAAR examinations are used to assess individual student progress, as well as
being a significant factor in the campus and district ratings under the statewide accountability
system. Please make every effort to have your children at school on STAAR administration
days and to be sure that they have had plenty of rest the night before and a good breakfast that
morning.
You can receive a blank copy of the STAAR test administered to your child, but only after the
test has been completed and the test released by the Texas Education Agency. Contact the
principal if you want more information.
Educational Technology and Acceptable Use
We are steadily acquiring computers for school use and access to other instructional and
research resources through connections to the Internet and the World Wide Web. These
electronic instructional resources are for use at school and for school-related purposes. Before
your child is permitted to receive a User-Identification and password to use school computers,
you and your child must sign a User Agreement that explains acceptable and unacceptable use
of school educational technology. You will have the choice to prevent your child from having
access to the Internet on school computers. All requests for denial must be in writing.
The following kinds of use of the school’s equipment or network are classified as unacceptable
under our policy and the User Agreement:
1. Unauthorized use of copyrighted material, including installing any personal software on
district equipment without approval of the Technology Coordinator.
2. Posting or distributing threatening, racist, harassing, excessively violent, or obscene
material.
3. Personal political use to advocate for or against a position or a candidate, except when the
activity is to fulfill an assignment for class credit.
4. Tampering with anyone else’s computer, files, or e-mail.
5. Forgery of messages or sending unsolicited junk e-mail.
6. Using the computer to violate the student code of conduct.
7. Using the computer for commercial activities or commercial gain.
8. Advertising for the purchase or sale of any product.
9. Any activities or actions identified as “hacking” or “jamming”.
10. Any form of hardware or software vandalism.
Students who violate the terms of the User Agreement may lose their computer privileges at
school, as well as incur consequences under the school’s Student Code of Conduct.
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Of Special Interest to Parents
Parent Rights
Academic Programs: You can ask the principal to change your child’s teacher or class
assignment; however, the principal is not required to make the reassignment and will not do so
ordinarily if that change would affect the assignment or reassignment of another student.
You can ask the school board to add a specific academic course to the schedule and offerings.
If the administration and the board determine that the course is among those included in the
State Board of Education-approved curriculum and that there is sufficient interest in the class to
make it economically practical to offer the class, the request will not be unreasonably denied.
You can ask that your child be permitted to attend a class for credit above his or her grade level.
If the counselor and child’s current and prospective teacher expect that the child can perform
satisfactorily in the class, the request will not be unreasonably denied.
Teaching Materials: You may review all teaching materials, textbooks and other
teaching aids used in your child’s classroom and may review all tests administered to your child,
after the test is given. The only exceptions are those standardized tests managed by other
agencies such as the STAAR test. To review these materials, please contact the principal, who
will make arrangements to provide you access to those materials at school during regular
school hours.
Records and Other Information: As we stated in the “Required Notices” section of this
Handbook, you have a right of access to all written educational records that we maintain
concerning your child. You also can receive full information about any and all school activities
in which your child is involved. However, as we explained in the section on “Questioning
Students at School,” we must comply with a request or directive from a Child Protective
Services investigator regarding contact with or information to parents about an investigation.
Highly Qualified Teacher Information: The law requires that all schools inform parents of
their right to ask schools about the qualifications of their child’s teachers. The law requires that
all teachers must meet a specific, legal definition of “Highly Qualified” in order to teach in
schools that receive federal funding. The legal definition of a “highly qualified teacher” has
three parts. It states that the teacher must have: 1. A four year college degree, 2. A regular
teacher certificate/license; and 3. Proof of their knowledge in the subject they teach.
Video and Audio Recording: We will seek and obtain your written consent before any
school employee makes an audio or video recording of your child, except that your prior consent
is not required before a recording that will be used only for:
•
•
•
•
safety purposes, including maintaining order and discipline in common areas of the
school or on school buses; or
a purpose related to a co-curricular or extracurricular activity; or
a purpose related to regular classroom instruction; or
media coverage of the school.
Psychological Examinations: We will seek and obtain your written consent before
conducting any psychological examination, test, or treatment of your child, unless the
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examination is part of an investigation by Child Protective Services in response to a report of
known or suspected child abuse or neglect.
Exemption from Instruction: You may temporarily remove your child from a class or
other school activity that conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs if you provide a written
statement authorizing the removal to your child’s teacher. However, you are not entitled to
remove your child from class or an activity to avoid taking a test or to prevent your child from
taking a subject for an entire semester. Your child will be required to satisfy grade level or
graduation requirements, regardless of any periods of temporary removal based on your
religious or moral beliefs.
Other Exemptions: To 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 state 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.
See Pledges of Allegiance and a Minute of Silence.
To request that your child be excused from reciting a portion of the text of the Declaration of
Independence during Celebrate Freedom Week, the request must be in writing. State law
requires the recitation as part of social studies classes in grades 3-12 unless (1) you provide a
written statement requesting that your child be excused, (2) the District determines that your
child has a conscientious objection to the recitation, or (3) you are a representative of a foreign
government to whom the United States government extends diplomatic immunity.
Visiting School
You are encouraged to visit your children’s schools from time to time; however, we ask that you
comply with our policy requiring all visitors to go first to the principal’s office and sign in. This
policy is for the safety of your children and our staff. Student age friends or relatives are not
allowed. We also expect parents to be polite and civil in their dealings with all school staff. As
with school employees, we do not permit or tolerate abusive, disrespectful, threatening, lewd,
profane, or offensive language from children or parents at school.
While we encourage you to be involved in your children’s education and be knowledgeable
about their classes, teachers, and curriculum, it has been our experience that frequent and
lengthy visits to the classroom are disruptive both to teaching and learning. The principal can
limit or restrict the frequency and duration of classroom visits to be sure that disruption of the
instructional process does not occur.
We encourage you to come to school occasionally and eat lunch with your child; however,
children can be removed from the campus during lunch period only by following the established
process of signing the child out from the principal’s office. Unless we have possession of a
court document that limits a possessory conservator’s access to their child while at school, we
will permit either parent to eat lunch with their children at school. The possessory conservator
is the parent who does not ordinarily have custody of the student.
When visitors, volunteers, or contractors check-in, or parents come to pick up students, they will
be asked to present a valid state issued ID for entering into the Raptor System. This system
has the ability to provide alerts on people who may jeopardize the safety of the campus.
The district has adopted a “Sex Offender Policy” which gives specific guidelines to the
campuses when the Raptor System reports this information on a visitor to the campus. See
pages 27-29 of the Appendix.
Complaint Process
We realize that situations may arise when parents disagree with a decision that affects their
child or believe that a policy has been improperly applied to their child. A number of these types
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of disputes or controversies have specific processes for pursuing those concerns. The principal
can provide you with a copy of the relevant policies and procedures.
In general, all parent complaints should be brought initially to the teacher involved or the
campus principal within 15 days of the events or situation that you are concerned about. Often
the problem can be resolved through an informal conference with the teacher or principal. On
those occasions when a conference does not take care of the problem, you should request a
copy of the complaint policy and complaint form from the principal’s office. In order for your
concern to be resolved at the earliest possible level, you should put your complaint in writing on
the form provided before meeting formally with the principal.
The principal will schedule a conference with you and give you a written or oral response within
seven days after the conference. You will also have an opportunity for a conference with the
superintendent if the principal has not resolved the matter. If the superintendent is not able to
take care of the problem, you can make a written request for the Board of Trustees to consider
the matter at its next regular meeting.
Individual trustees cannot respond to parent complaints beyond referring the matter to the
administration. Furthermore, the board of trustees will not permit complaints to be heard in the
public comment or open forum portion of board meetings. In order for the board to take any
action on a complaint, you must follow the complaint process established in policy. See pages
36-39 of the Appendix.
Student Illness or Injury at School/Medicines
We will promptly attempt to notify you or a person you have authorized us to notify if we have
knowledge that your child has been injured at school or has become ill at school. We have
school nurses/licensed vocational nurses/trained aides available on each campus and a
secluded area where your child can stay if s/he is injured or becomes ill.
One of the forms we ask you to complete at the beginning of each school year is a form
authorizing designated school employees to consent to medical treatment in case your child is
injured at school or a school-related activity and requires emergency treatment. We, of course,
will call you in such a situation and will also call for emergency medical assistance. It is
important, however, that you understand that the school district is not responsible for
any cost of medical treatment or services provided after an injury at school or a schoolrelated activity. We cannot and will not use public funds to pay individual student
medical expenses.
At the beginning of each school year, we offer you the opportunity to purchase low-cost student
accident insurance that covers the student while at school. You may also purchase a policy that
covers the student 24 hours a day. The school district is not the policyholder for this insurance;
if you decide that additional protection would be a benefit and protection to you and your family,
the contract is between you and the insurance company. We are authorized to and do
purchase accident insurance for students who participate in interscholastic athletic practice and
competition.
Although we want your child to attend school every day, we do not want your child at school if
s/he has a communicable disease or is running a fever of 100 degrees or more. Under State
and local Health Department regulations, if your child has certain medical conditions, s/he must
be excluded from school for a period of time. The principal can provide you a complete list of
those conditions and periods of exclusion.
Often, students have to take prescription medication for a certain period of time as treatment for
a medical condition. If at all possible, we ask that you schedule the timing of the doses so that
the child takes the medicine at home. If children have to take medicine at school, you must
make a written request for the administration and provide only the doses to be administered at
school in the original prescription bottle. Only the nurse or other authorized school employees
are permitted to administer prescription medicines at school. Students are not permitted to
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carry their own medication with the exception of asthma inhalers. Students may carry asthma
inhalers with written permission from the physician and parent. Medication permission forms
are available in each clinic office.
We keep commonly used over-the-counter treatments, such as topical ointments/lotions in the
nurse’s office. Nurses or authorized personnel will administer these medications/treatments
according to the labeled instructions. Parental permission is required in order to administer
acetaminophen for fever and all over the counter medications during school hours. All over-thecounter medicine must be in the original container.
ALPHABETIZED LISTING OF MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
ON LOCKHART ISD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY
Students are obliged to complete all school work assigned by their teachers. Students are also
responsible for bringing all materials, such as pencil, pen, paper, textbooks, etc., to class daily.
Any student who fails to show a sincere and regular effort to complete assigned homework or
bring appropriate materials to class may be disciplined for being academically irresponsible.
ACTIVITIES
All activities of the school should be in conformity with the purposes for the school's instructional
program. All social activities sanctioned by the school shall be under the supervision of the
principal in charge, or his designee. Rules of conduct applicable to regular school time shall
also be applicable to social activities sponsored or sanctioned by the school principal. All
parties in Lockhart Schools must be approved by the building principal.
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Discipline: The district will provide minimally for the continuing education of a misbehaving
student placed in an alternate education program for behavior reasons. Students are not
allowed to participate or attend extracurricular or co-curricular activities while assigned to a
disciplinary alternative program. These programs include in-school suspension and the DMC,
Discipline Management Center. The curriculum will be basic and in the core subjects of English
language arts, mathematics, science, history, and self-discipline.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The public address system is available for regularly scheduled announcements. Only
emergency announcements will be made at any other time. When announcements begin,
students should immediately become quiet and remain so until the announcements are finished.
ASBESTOS
All school buildings and facilities have been inspected for friable and/or suspected asbestos
containing materials (ACM). The required district asbestos management plan has been written,
approved by the school board, and is available for inspection during regular business hours in
the main office of each campus. Lockhart I.S.D. is in compliance with all federal rules and
regulations regarding asbestos in schools.
AWARDS
Students are eligible for many varied awards for academic success. Certificates and other
awards are presented to students during the awards assembly at the end of the school year.
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Certificates of recognition are awarded to students in grades K-8 in the following areas:
• Certificates of recognition for perfect attendance are given to those who are present
every day.
• Certificates of honor are given to students who are on the honor roll for each reporting
period during the school year.
No letter awards are given to students below grade 9.
BICYCLES/MOTOR SCOOTERS/MOTORCYCLES
Students who ride bicycles to school will park them in an orderly manner in the racks in a
designated area. There will be a special parking area for the motor bikes. Other students'
bicycles, or scooters, are not to be ridden with or without the permission of the owner. Students
must not ride bikes or scooters around the campus or loiter in the parking area.
BREAKFAST IN THE CLASSROOM (BIC)
All elementary campuses will serve free breakfast for all students.
BUS REGULATIONS
Bus operators shall load and unload students only at designated stops. No student shall be
permitted to unload at any place other than his normal stop unless consent is given by the
principal in charge. An eligible transported student is defined as a student who resides two or
more miles from school, or a child eligible because of his participation in special classes for
exceptional children and who meets applicable state criteria.
If a student lives within two miles of school but on the opposite side of U.S. Hwy. 183 as the
school attending, the student may be eligible to ride a bus due to the highway being declared a
"hazard" for pedestrian traffic.
These bus rules should be followed at all times:
1.
Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct shall be expected at all times.
2.
Students shall not at any time extend any part of their body outside of the bus.
3.
Students shall not move about inside the bus while it is in motion.
4.
Students must meet the bus promptly at designated stops and get off only at designated
stops.
5.
There is to be no use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco in any form or eating or drinking on
the buses.
6.
When loading and unloading, students should go in front of the bus and drivers must
wait until the students are completely across the roadway.
7.
Students are to follow all safety precautions at all times.
8.
No knives, firearms, balloons, radios, tape players, or water guns are allowed on the
buses.
The principal shall take steps to maintain acceptable student conduct on school buses.
Students who fail to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner may be denied the privilege
of school bus transportation. It is recommended that parents' cooperation be sought in each
case before a student is excluded from riding on a school bus. It should be understood by all
that the bus driver has the responsibility for maintaining order on the bus. Drivers are expected
to complete a student referral form on any misbehaving student for the principal to use in
deciding corrective actions. The driver will indicate if the referral is the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., so
discipline may become more severe if misbehavior continues or becomes more serious. It is
the duty of the principal to exclude a student from riding and not the duty of the driver; however,
the driver is not prohibited from exercising reasonable judgment in order to protect other
passengers from bodily harm. The exhibition, threat to exhibit or use of a firearm on any school
12
bus transporting students to or from school-sponsored activities is a felony. It is a misdemeanor
for a parent or other non-authorized student to board a school bus without permission or to
refuse to exit if asked by the driver.
NOTE: All bus changes must be received in the campus office by noon. This will allow the
principal to approve the change and notify STS.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Students who change their residence, mailing address, or telephone number after enrollment
are required to report the change promptly to the school office so that records may be corrected
and kept current.
CHANGE OF SCHEDULE
No schedule changes will be made with the following exceptions: (1) Decision of an A.R.D.
committee. (2) Administrative reasons including balancing class sizes, disciplinary reasons,
reassignment of teachers, and scheduling errors. (3) Extreme circumstances approved by the
principal after a conference between the principal and parent.
CHILD ABUSE
Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-292-5400
Sexual Abuse Hotline
1-800-700-4292
CLINIC
A clinic is provided for pupils who become ill during the school day or need first aid. A nurse is
on duty or on call at all times during the school day. If it is necessary for a pupil to go home, the
nurse/health aide or an administrator will call the parent and handle the procedure for checking
out of school for the day. Students with fever are expected to stay home until the infectious
period ends.
COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE SERVICES
School counselors are able to help students with a wide range of personal concerns.
Counselors are familiar with local resources and may direct students and parents to other
sources of information and assistance. Parents who wish to confer with a counselor should
contact the office by phone and arrange an appointment. The counselors urge parents to help
the student to work as a part of the student-parent-teacher-counselor team.
The school will not conduct a psychological examination, test, or treatment without first
obtaining the parents’ written consent, unless required by state or federal law for special
education purposes.
DETENTION
Students may be detained by school officials after normal school hours or designated times for
infractions of policies, rules and regulations of the district, school, or classroom or for minor
misconduct in general. The period of detention shall be reasonable and shall not exceed two
hours beyond the normal school day. No more than five one-hour periods of detention for any
one infraction shall be imposed.
DRESS AND GROOMING
The district's dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, instills discipline,
prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority. These rules for good
grooming have been adopted on the premise that students who dress and groom themselves
13
appropriately and in an acceptable manner are more likely to become constructive members of
society. These rules apply to all students enrolled in a Lockhart school. Sponsors of cocurricular activities may, at their discretion, establish guides for students involved in such
activities that are more stringent.
The teacher has the primary responsibility of enforcing the dress code by counseling and/or
informing students who, in the teacher’s judgment, are not in compliance with the code for dress
and grooming. If the teacher is unsuccessful in gaining student cooperation and conformity to
the rules, the teacher will refer the student to the principal's office. In cases of repeat offenders,
the principal, or designee, shall notify the parent/guardian and inform them that the student
must conform to the rules before returning to regular classes. Students whose parents cannot
be contacted will be kept at the school but will not be permitted to attend normal classes until
they conform to the code.
The school board stresses that the campus administrators will make final determination
regarding areas of the dress code that need on-the-spot interpretations.
Parents/Guardians have the primary responsibility for their student’s code compliance.
All Levels
1.
Clothing containing offensive slogans, symbols, gang colors or connotations, and other
suggestive or controversial designs that, in the principal's judgment, may reasonably be
expected to cause disruption of or interfere with normal school operation is prohibited.
2.
Clothing advertising alcohol, drugs, tobacco products is prohibited. No visible tattoos of
any kind are allowed.
3.
Startling, unusual, or immodest attire of any sort shall not be permitted. This includes
fads in hairdos:(no engraved hair designs, no zig-zags, no racing stripes,no multicolored hair with streaks of red, purple, etc.; and no mohawks, fohawks or frohawks)
clothing (including low riding, baggy or torn pants) or anything designed to attract
attention to the individual or to disrupt the orderly conduct of the classroom or campus.
4.
The following are unacceptable as outer wear: spandex pants/shorts; see-through or net
clothing; clothing designed with bare midriffs, halters, or bare backs or shoulders
(examples may be tank tops, halter tops, sundresses), purposely mutilated clothing, or
clothing exposing or intended to expose undergarments.
5.
Hats and caps are not to be worn by students inside the campus building or classrooms.
Leave in vehicles or student lockers.
6.
Hair styles should not impair vision in any way.
7.
Shoes must be worn at all times. For safety reasons, flip flops will not be allowed.
8.
All visible body piercing is prohibited except girl’s pierced earrings.
9.
Any item/article confiscated by school officials will be kept until the last day of school or
until a parent/guardian accepts responsibility for it not appearing again on campus.
10.
Students must bring tennis shoes to wear to participate at P. E. and recess.
11.
Eyebrow designs are not allowed.
Boys
1.
Boys may wear pants within four inches of the knee. No cut-off jeans are allowed.
2.
Shirts styled to be worn inside or half way over the hips must be kept tucked in.
Sleeveless shirts designed like an undershirt are not to be worn as outer garments.
Oversized shirts are not allowed.
3.
Hair must be neat, clean, and above the shoulders. No Tails. Remember that no hair
designs will be permitted. (See No. 3 of Dress and Grooming Section)
4.
Boys may not wear earrings during school hours on school premises or while
participating in school-sponsored activities. Any violator who refuses to hand over an
earring may be disciplined for that offense in addition to the dress code violation.
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Girls
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Girls may wear shorts if the length is within four inches of the knee.
Dresses and skirts must be of such length as to allow the student to participate in all
regular school activities and maintain modesty and dignity.
Oversized shirts are not allowed. Low cut, revealing tops are not allowed.
Long pants, slacks, and blue jeans must not be too tight and immodest.
Girls must wear sufficient undergarments which are completely covered.
EARLY ARRIVALS
Early arrival at school before the doors are opened at 7:30 a.m. is discouraged. If a student
must arrive early, please contact the principal to make arrangements for the student to report to
a designated "safe" area. The before school care provided at 7:00 am is for parents with no
other available options. Upon entering the building in the morning, students are to go directly to
a designated area such as the cafeteria or gymnasium.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parents shall complete an emergency care form each year that includes a place for parental
consent for school officials to request medical treatment for the student, as provided by law.
Parents shall also be asked to supply other information that could be required in case of
emergency; parents should update this information as often as necessary. If parents do not
have a telephone, the school office should have a number available to call in case of
emergency. Parents who work should give the telephone number and name of the place of
employment. Telephone numbers on file in the office must be current. Please let the school
know of any changes immediately in order to ensure your child’s safety.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS
When conditions of inclement weather, icy roads, or lack of adequate heat exist, the
superintendent of schools or his designee will make the official decision as to the closing of a
campus, either for a full or part of a day.
The following procedures will be adhered to when campuses are closed:
1.
In instances when gas curtailments are experienced or extremely inclement weather
conditions prevail, the superintendent of schools shall announce by means of radio if
schools will be closed for an entire day or observe a late opening or early dismissal.
2.
When it becomes necessary to close campuses, the official announcements will be
made on the following radio/television stations: radio - 100.7 FM KASE/98.1 FM KVET,
and television - Channel 7, KTBC, Channel 24 KVUE, and Channel 36 KXAN.
3.
Announcements will be made prior to 6:30 a.m. if possible.
4.
Bad Weather Hotline number……398-0005. It is only a recording to give weatherrelated school news to parents. Do not try to leave a message on this number.
EVOLUTION vs. CREATIONISM INSTRUCTION
Evolution is to be taught only as an ever changing theory, rather than fact. Creationism is to be
respected as a plausible explanation for the life processes which many students may adhere to
and value.
EXEMPTION FROM PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students who have physical handicaps, illnesses, or other incapacities which a physician
deems severe enough to warrant exemption from the physical education classes, or severe
enough to warrant modified activity in such classes are handled as follows:
1.
Each request for exemption or for modified activity must be accompanied by a
physician's certificate. Such certificates are honored, but must be renewed each year.
15
2.
3.
4.
When the certificate will allow modified activities in class, the pupil should remain in
physical education class rather than be sent to study hall. The PE teachers will adjust
the activities of the pupil to the disability.
A student may be admitted to regular physical education activities only upon
presentation of a written statement from the same physician who signed the original
petition.
Students who have religious convictions concerning dress and/or rhythms should not be
exempt from PE activities, but their convictions are to be respected.
FACILITIES
The buildings and other properties of the Lockhart I.S.D. are maintained for the primary purpose
of educating students of the school district. Certain properties of the district may be made
available for school-related and non-school-related activities. All such usage of school property
shall be under conditions prescribed by law and in accordance with the policies and actions of
the board of trustees. Facilities may be reserved by organized community groups as they are
available. The forms to reserve the facility may be obtained from the school office.
FAILURE NOTICE
At the end of each three weeks of a grading period, teachers shall prepare a progress report
for all students. The notice will be given to make students and their parent/guardian aware of
grades. Parents are expected to initiate a teacher-parent conference to develop a strategy for
the student's improvement if he/she is failing.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS/ Descripciones de programas federales
Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies (LEA) provides supplemental
funding to state and LEAs for resources to help schools with high concentrations of students from low-income
families provide a high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the state's student performance
standards. Title I, Part A supports schools in implementing either a school-wide program or a targeted assistance
program. These programs must use effective methods and instructional strategies that are grounded in scientifically
based research.
Title I, Pt. A American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – Funds used to provide acceleration
assistance for resources to help schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families provide a
high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the state’s student performance standards.
Title I, Part C Migrant Education - The purpose of the Migrant Education Program is to design and support
programs that help migrant students overcome the challenges of mobility, cultural and language barriers, social
isolation, and other difficulties associated with a migratory lifestyle in order to succeed in school and to successfully
transition to postsecondary education or employment.
Title I, Part D, Subparts 1 and 2 - Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are
Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk provides supplemental funding to state and LEAs to improve the educational
service to children in facilities for the neglected or delinquent so that these students will have the opportunity to
acquire the knowledge and skills contained in the state content standards in order to meet the same student
performance standards that all children in the state are expected to meet. Title I, Part D has a primary focus of
facilitating the transition and academic needs of students from correctional programs to further education or
employment. The division administers the two formula programs.
Title I, Part D, Subparts 2 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - Prevention and Intervention
Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk provides supplemental funding to
state and LEAs to improve the educational service to children in facilities for the neglected or delinquent so that
these students will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills contained in the state content standards
in order to meet the same student performance standards that all children in the state are expected to meet.
Title II, Part A - Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting - Fund provides supplemental funding to
improve student achievement by elevating teacher and principal quality through recruitment, hiring, and retention
16
strategies to improve teacher and principal quality and increase the number of highly qualified teachers in the
classroom and highly qualified principals and assistant principals in schools. The program uses scientifically based
professional development interventions and holds districts and schools accountable for improvements in student
academic performance.
Title III, Part A - English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act Title III, Part A provides supplemental resources to local education agencies to help ensure that children who are
limited English proficient attain English proficiency at high levels in core academic subjects to meet state mandated
achievement performance standards.
Title IV, Part A, Subpart 3 - Gun-Free Schools Act – This act requires states receiving NCLB funding to have a
state law in effect requiring LEAs to expel any student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school or
possessed a firearm at school, for a period of no less than one year. LEAs must annually report on any expulsion in
order to receive federal education funding.
Título I, Parte A – Mejorando los programas básicos administrados por las Agencias Educativas Locales (LEA por
su nombre en inglés), provee fondos suplementarios al estado y a Agencias Educativas Locales para recursos que
ayudan a las escuelas que tienen una concentración alta de estudiantes de familias de bajos ingresos a proveer una
educación de alta calidad que les permita a todos los niños cumplir con las normas de desempeño estudiantil. El
Título I, Parte A apoya a las escuelas a implementar programas a toda la escuela o un programa de asistencia
dirigida. Estos programas tienen que usar métodos efectivos y estrategias educativas fundamentadas en
investigación con base científica.
Título I, Parte A Ley Americana de Recuperación y Re inversión (ARRA por su nombre en inglés) – Estos
fondos proveen asistencia acelerada para recursos que ayudan a las escuelas con una alta concentración de
estudiantes de familias de bajos ingresos a proveer una educación de alta calidad, permitiéndole a todos los niños
alcanzar las normas estatales de desempeño estudiantil.
Título I, Parte C Educación a migrantes – El propósito del Programa de educación a migrantes es diseñar y
apoyar programas que ayudan a estudiantes migrantes a sobrellevar los retos de movilidad, barreras culturales y de
lenguaje, aislación social y otras dificultades asociadas con el estilo de vida migratorio, para poder ser exitosos en la
escuela y hacer una transición satisfactoria a una educación post secundaria o empleo.
Título I, Parte D, Sub partes 1 y 2 – Los Programas de prevención e intervención para niños y jóvenes que son
abandonados, delincuentes o en alto riesgo, proveen fondos suplementarios al estado y a las Agencias Educativas
Locales para mejorar los servicios educativos a niños ubicados en facilidades para abandonados o delincuentes. De
ésta manera, ellos tendrán la oportunidad de adquirir los conocimientos y destrezas contenidas en las normas
estatales de contenido y así poder cumplir con las normas estatales de desempeño estudiantil que todos los niños en
el estado deben cumplir. El Título I, Parte D tiene el enfoque primordial de facilitar la transición y necesidades
académicas de estudiantes en programas correccionales para seguir su educación o un camino al empleo. La división
administra dos fórmulas de programas.
Título I, Parte D, Sub parte 2 Ley Americana de Recuperación y Reinversión (ARRA por su nombre en
inglés) - Los Programas de prevención e intervención para niños y jóvenes que son abandonados, delincuentes o en
alto riesgo, proveen fondos suplementarios al estado y a las Agencias Educativas Locales para mejorar los servicios
educativos a niños ubicados en facilidades para abandonados o delincuentes. De ésta manera, ellos tendrán la
oportunidad de adquirir los conocimientos y destrezas contenidas en las normas estatales de contenido y así poder
cumplir con las normas estatales de desempeño estudiantil que todos los niños en el estado deben cumplir.
Título II, Parte A – Adiestramiento y reclutamiento de maestros y directores – Provee fondos suplementarios
para mejorar el desempeño estudiantil al elevar la calidad de maestros y directores mediante estrategias de
reclutamiento, contratación y retención, mejorando así la calidad de los maestros y directores y mejorar el número
de maestros altamente calificados en el salón de clases y directores y sub directores altamente calificados en las
escuelas. El programa usa intervenciones de desarrollo profesional con base científica y hace a los distritos y a las
escuelas responsables por la mejoría en el desempeño académico de los estudiantes.
Título III, Parte A - Ley de Adquisición del idioma inglés, mejoramiento del lenguaje y aprovechamiento
académico – El Título I, Parte A provee recursos suplementarios a agencias educativas locales para asegurarse que
cada niño que tiene dificultades en el dominio del inglés pueda alcanzar un dominio del inglés en un alto nivel, en
asignaturas medulares, para poder cumplir con las normas de desempeño académico requeridas.
17
Título IV, Parte A, Sub parte 3 – Ley de escuelas libres de armas – Esta ley requiere que cada estado que recibe
fondos de NCLB tenga una ley en efecto para que las agencias educativas locales puedan expulsar, por un período
no menor de un año, a cualquier estudiante que haya traído o que tenga posesión de un arma de fuego en la escuela.
Las agencias educativas locales tienen que informar anualmente cualquier expulsión para poder recibir fondos
educativos federales.
FEES
Materials that are part of the basic educational program are provided without charge to
students. Students are expected to provide their own supplies of pencils, pens, paper, erasers,
notebooks, etc., and may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including the
following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lost textbooks and/or library books
Materials for a class project the student will keep
Voluntary purchases of pictures, publications, etc.
Student insurance for individual (not group) coverage
Fees for late or damaged library books and other materials or equipment may be charged.
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 principal.
FIELD TRIPS
All field trips taken by classes or school organizations must be justifiable on the basis of the
contribution to the educational program of the school. Each trip must be approved by the
principal regardless of the transportation used. A statement which releases the Lockhart I.S.D.
and its employees from liability arising from a designated field trip shall be received from the
parents of each student before the student is eligible to participate. This procedure is to be
followed regardless of whether district, school, or students pay for transportation expense.
School-sponsored trips, either within or outside of the district, shall be made by school bus,
private automobiles, public bus, rail transportation, or air providing liability coverage equal to
that provided by the district. There shall be no overnight trips in grades PK – 5.
FIRE AND DISASTER (Tornado, Explosion, Etc.) DRILLS
Fire drills are conducted for two purposes: (1) to train students to leave the building orderly and
quickly in case of an emergency alarm, and (2) to teach self-control in time of emergency.
When the fire alarm is sounded, all students, upon direction from the teacher, should
immediately march out of the room and proceed to the designated exit. They should march in
an orderly manner with no talking or pushing. When the students reach the safety zone
designated by the teacher, they should face the building but remain in line.
In case of an obstructed fire drill in which an exit is blocked, the first person to reach or detect
the blockage should raise his right hand clearly above his head and turn about-face. This
gesture should be repeated by each succeeding member of the file, and the students should
proceed to an alternative exit.
In addition to fire drills, disaster drills may also be conducted. Standard signals for fire and
disaster drills are as follows:
Fire
Return
Halt
3 bells
2 bells
1 bell
march out of building
march back into room
stand at attention
18
During a disaster drill, students are to march to halls, sit with back to walls, cover their head with
hand and arms. This must be done orderly and quietly. Observe these signals for disaster
drills:
1. Continuously interrupted three-minute ringing of bell--disaster alert.
2. Two short bell rings--all clear; return to rooms.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
All requests for raising funds must be formally budgeted and approved by the principal.
GRADING SYSTEM
Any grade below 70 is not considered a passing grade. An average of 70 or above is required
in order to pass a course. The principal is ultimately responsible for deciding class placements
according to approved laws and rules of the state.
Teachers shall adhere to the school policy as it is outlined below: (1) A grade in any subject
area shall be a fair evaluation by the teacher of the pupil's performance and progress for the
grading period. (2) A student's academic grades shall not be altered because of his/her
behavior. (3) Number grades are assigned in courses as follows: 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79
= C, 0 - 69 = F. (4) The teacher, through professional judgment, will determine if students need
to be re-taught and retested as a part of the lesson cycle and instruction. (5) There will be a
minimum requirement of 8 daily grades and 3 test grades per 9 week grading period. No
teacher is required to retest students he/she feels are merely trying to maximize an "average" or
are abusing the intent of a retest procedure.
GUM CHEWING
The principal will approve any areas where gum may be chewed. If in doubt, get prior approval
from teacher or staff regarding the time and place. An orthodontist will document if a student
must chew gum to avoid gum soreness and pain caused by braces.
HOMEBOUND PROGRAM
The homebound program is available to those students who will be absent from school for an
extended period due to illness, injury, or pregnancy. A doctor's statement concerning the
necessity for being on the homebound program must be on file in the principal's office.
HONOR ROLL – Nine-Week
To be on the A honor roll, a student must have no grade lower than a 90 in any subject for the
nine-week grading period, not including the final exam grade. To be on the A/B honor roll, a
student must have no grade lower than an 80 in any subject, and at least one grade of 90 or
above for the nine week grading period, not including the final exam grade.
IMMUNIZATION
All students must be immunized against certain diseases or must present:
• Medical exemption certificate signed by a practicing licensed Texas physician (MD or DO)
• Documentation showing parent as active duty in the armed forces of the United States
• Certificate of conscientious exemption of immunization issued by Texas Department of State
Health Services (DSHS)
• Certificate of conscientious exemption due to religion
19
Proof of immunization by personal records must be from a licensed physician or public health
clinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation.
The campus school nurse/aide can provide information on the required doses of each vaccine
needed for specific age group of student, information on vaccine requirements, and waiver
requirements for the State of Texas or can be obtained on the web at:
www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize
LIBRARY
Libraries are available to students on all school campuses. Books may be checked out for a
period of seven days for students in grades PK-8. If the book is not returned on or before the
due date, a fine may be charged. Books may be rechecked as many times as necessary. A
student may not check out a book if he owes a fine or has an overdue book. Each student is
responsible for all materials checked out in his/her name. Any damage will be assessed
proportionately up to and including the price of replacement.
If you have a concern about library materials available to your child, please contact the librarian,
teacher, or the principal. We have a policy and process that will allow you to explain your
concerns and reach an understanding about your child’s access to the questioned materials.
LOST AND FOUND DEPARTMENT
All articles, including books, found on the school ground or in the halls of the school building
should be taken to the office. Lost articles are to be claimed during the lunch period or
immediately after school. All articles not claimed at the end of the school year will be disposed
of through proper channels.
LUNCH ROOM
The school lunchroom is operated for the convenience and health of the students and not with
the view of making a profit. The menus are planned by a trained dietitian to meet the need of
students.
The district participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers free and reduced-price
lunches based on a student's financial need. Information can be obtained from the principal's
office at each campus. Qualifying students’ parents are expected to complete and return the
financial need statement whether the student participates or not. This will ensure receipt of
federal funds for the student body based on “qualifying” numbers only. (See pages 40-41 of
Appendix).
MAKE-UP WORK
School experiences, classroom discussions and program, and group instruction once missed
can never be completely recovered or made up. Teachers may require class work--work during
class time--be due by the end of the same period it was assigned for all students who are
present for the class. If the class work is not turned in on time, by the end of the school day, the
teacher may issue a zero for the class work assignment if he/she elects to do so. It is the
teacher's professional judgment whether students who are present may have extra time outside
of class (homework) to complete the class work; or whether the assignment will be required at
all of the student who was absent during the class work. A student is allowed to make up any
and all work missed because of an excused absence.
When a student returns after being absent, he/she should immediately ask the teachers for
detailed assignments covering the work missed, and complete such work promptly.
Responsibility for completing make-up work, because of absences, rests entirely upon the
student and not the teacher. Students absent three or more consecutive days may contact their
counselor for aid in getting their assignments so they may start on them if feeling sufficiently
able. Generally, a student has as many days as has excused absences to make up work
without penalty. Work missed due to suspension may be made up also.
20
MEDICATIONS
Any medication brought to school by a student or parent for administrating must appear to be in
the original container and be properly labeled. All medications to be given during school hours
are to be kept in the school clinic unless special arrangements have been made with the nurse.
Over the counter or non-prescription medications (such as Tylenol, cough syrup, etc.) will be
given for five consecutive school days when sent in the original container and accompanied by
a parent note. Medical treatments, including prescription and non-prescription medication, to be
given on a daily basis or as needed basis for the duration of the school year require both a
parent and doctor’s note. School health protocol signed by the LISD medical consultant allows
for oral acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) to be given according to age/weight directions on the
bottle label only under the following condition: Temperature (fever) of 100.2 or greater.
NONATTENDANCE
Nonattendance may result in assessment of penalties by a court of law against both the
student and his or her parents. A complaint against the parent 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 part of days within a four-week period.
The law requires specific notice to parents if their child has unexcused absences for three days
or part of days within a four-week period. This notice must:
•
•
•
Inform the parents of their duty to monitor and require their child’s attendance at school;
Advise them of the possibility of prosecution for contributing to nonattendance; and
Request a conference between the parents and school officials to discuss the absences.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
Instant mass messaging via telephone will be utilized throughout the school year by
each campus. This will provide you with important information regarding school
closures, activities, meetings or emergency information. PLEASE KEEP TELEPHONE
NUMBER AND ADDRESS CURRENT AT ALL TIMES.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents are encouraged to hold periodic conferences with teachers. Parents desiring
conferences should contact the school office or teacher. Teachers should not be called away
from their classrooms for conferences. When problems of common interest arise, teachers will
contact parents for conferences or return calls during their conference period. Parents who
wish to pick up books, assignments, etc., for students who become ill should contact the school
office and make arrangements for their pickup.
PARENT EDUCATION
Courts may order parents/guardians of students with unexcused absences to attend a school
district's class on attendance. The class must be designed to assist in identifying problems that
contribute to the student's absences. Parents/guardians of a child found to have engaged in
"conduct indicating a need for supervision" may be ordered to attend such a class if it is offered
within the district.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICY/ Política de participación de padres en escuela primaria
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In order to promote a partnership between the home and school for improving the education of children
participating in the Title I program, the L.I.S.D elementary campuses will implement programs, activities, and
procedures for the involvement of parents. Such activities will be planned and implemented with meaningful
consultation with parents of participating students. This consultation will be organized, ongoing, and timely in
relation to decisions about the program.
Statement of Purpose
L.I.S.D is dedicated to providing quality education for every student in our district. To accomplish this objective,
we will develop and maintain partnerships with parents and community members of the population. These open
communication lines will expand and enhance learning opportunities for everyone involved.
Parental Involvement in Developing the Policy
Parents, members of the community, and school staff will meet to discuss the design and implementation of the
Parent Involvement Policy. Lockhart I.S.D Elementary campuses will actively recruit participation through various
avenues of publicity. Hopefully, participation will include a diverse parent population. Meetings will be planned at
convenient times and locations for all concerned parties.
Meetings for Title I Parents
Campuses will hold at least 2 meetings for parents during the school year. Parents will be informed of new Title I
guidelines. Copies of the district’s current Parent Involvement Policy are available at the school offices. Parents will
be encouraged to become involved in the revising and updating of the policy as necessary. Volunteers will be
recruited for the district-wide and campus advisory committees.
The meeting will be held at a convenient time and location. Language translation will be provided to ensure parent
participation and attendance.
School-Parent Compacts
In accordance with Title I regulations, each school must develop a parent-student compact with the parents of
students participating in the program. The compact must explain how students, parents, and staff will share the
responsibility for promoting student achievement.
Types of Parental Involvement
The school will support many varied ways of parental involvement as it strives to develop and maintain an optimum
learning environment for all students. Parents may contribute through volunteer programs at school as well as create
a supportive home atmosphere. The community may participate through an array of activities that promote students
success.
Matching Programs to the Needs of our Community
Parents will be consulted in the development of the Title I program. Parent and student needs will be assessed
through questionnaires and parental suggestions as well as a variety of other measures targeted at creating a
successful school environment.
Staff/Parent Communication
Parents are welcomed through various avenues of communication through the school year. Newsletters,
conferences, personal contacts and written notice will be utilized to establish and maintain and open line of
communication.
Evaluation
Parents will be questioned about the effectiveness of the program and offer suggestions for improvement. The
evaluation procedure will include assessment of success in the Parental Involvement Policy as well as
recommendations for improvement in the emergent areas.
Politica
Para poder promover un trabajo en conjunto entre el hogar y la escuela para mejorar la educación de los estudiantes
que participan en el programa Título I, las escuelas primarias de L.I.S.D. implementarán programas, actividades y
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procedimientos para la participación de los padres. Dichas actividades serán planificadas e implementadas
consultando de manera significativa a los padres de estudiantes participantes. Ésta consulta será organizada,
continua y oportuna en relación a las decisiones del programa.
Propósito
L.I.S.D. está dedicado a proveer una educación de calidad a cada estudiante en nuestro distrito. Para cumplir con
este objetivo, desarrollaremos y mantendremos una relación con los padres y miembros de la comunidad en nuestra
población. Estos canales de comunicación extenderán y mejorarán las oportunidades educativas para todos los
participantes.
Participación de los padres en el desarrollo de la política
Los padres, miembros de la comunidad y los empleados de las escuelas se reunirán para diseñar e implementar la
Política de participación de padres. Las escuelas primarias de Lockhart I.S.D. reclutarán activamente la
participación mediante varios medios publicitarios. Esperamos que la participación incluya una población diversa de
padres. Las reuniones se planificarán en un horario y un lugar que sea conveniente para todos los participantes.
Reuniones para padres del programa Título I
Las escuelas tendrán por lo menos 2 reuniones en cada año escolar. Los padres serán informados acerca de las
nuevas guías del programa Título I. Las copias de la Política de participación de padres están disponibles en las
oficinas de las escuelas. Se anima a que los padres participen en la revisión y actualización de la política según sea
necesario. Los voluntarios serán reclutados para participar en comités asesores a nivel de escuela y de distrito.
La reunión se llevará a cabo en un horario y lugar conveniente. Se proveerá interpretación de lenguaje para asegurar
la asistencia y participación de los padres.
Convenios entre la escuela y los padres
De acuerdo a los reglamentos de Título I, cada escuela debe desarrollar su propio convenio entre padres y escuela
con los padres de estudiantes que participan en el programa. El convenio debe mostrar cómo los estudiantes, los
padres y empleados de la escuela comparten la responsabilidad de promover los logros del estudiante.
Tipos de participación de los padres
La escuela apoyará una variedad de maneras en la que los padres participen, esforzándose en desarrollar y mantener
un ambiente óptimo de aprendizaje para todos los estudiantes. Los padres pueden contribuir mediante programas de
voluntarios en las escuelas y creando una atmósfera de apoyo en el hogar. La comunidad puede participar en una
variedad de actividades que promueven el éxito de los estudiantes.
Combinar programas con las necesidades de la comunidad
Los padres serán consultados para desarrollar el programa Título I. Se evaluarán las necesidades de los padres y
estudiantes mediante cuestionarios, sugerencias de los padres y otra variedad de medidas dirigidas a crear un
ambiente escolar exitoso.
Comunicación de padres y empleados
A los padres se les da la bienvenida mediante varios modos de comunicación durante todo el año escolar. Se usarán
boletines, reuniones, comunicación personal y avisos por escrito para establecer y mantener abiertos los canales de
comunicación.
Evaluación
Los padres serán encuestados acerca de la efectividad del programa y ofrecerán sugerencias para mejorar. Este
proceso de evaluación incluye medir el éxito de la Política de participación de padres y las recomendaciones para
mejorar en áreas emergentes.
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)
The PTO is a meeting ground for parents to meet other parents and teachers. Through
leadership and membership in the PTO, parents can set a good example of civic responsibility
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and demonstrate their belief that education is important. The main objectives of PTO are to
serve as a line of communication between the school, the student, and the home; and to
develop greater understanding of the purpose of education.
PARTIES
Parties are only allowed on days designated as FMNV (Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value)
days on the district calendar (usually Christmas, Valentines, and Easter). Parents may bring
cupcakes or party snacks for the class only on their child’s birthday to be shared around 2:30
pm or at the end of the instructional day. Parents may never bring or distribute party snacks
during the school lunch time.
PESTICIDE USE WARNINGS
This school district periodically applies pesticides as part of an integrated pest management
program. All persons applying pesticides at any school are required to receive special training
in pesticide application and pest control. In addition, the school district has a policy that
requires use of non-chemical pest control tactics whenever it is possible. Pesticides may be
applied periodically.
Should you have further questions about pesticide use, including the types and timing of
treatments, you may contact: Leonard Garcia, IPM Coordinator, 1505 N. Colorado Street,
Lockhart, TX 78644, 512-398-0160.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the use of another person's original ideas or writing as one's own without giving
credit to the true author. Plagiarism will be considered cheating and the student shall be subject
to disciplinary action that may include loss of credit for the work in question.
PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MINUTE OF SILENCE
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.
POLICE NOTIFICATION
School officials will, as required by law, notify police officials of criminal acts suspected to have
occurred on school district property.
Lockhart Police Department 398-4401
POSTERS
Signs and posters that students wish to display must first be approved by the principal or
sponsor. Posters displayed without authorization will be removed. Any student who posts
printed material without prior approval shall be subject to disciplinary action.
PRAYER
The school recognizes a student's right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate
in school in a manner that does not disrupt the instructional or other activities of the school. The
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school will not require, encourage, or coerce a student to engage in or to refrain from such
prayer or meditation during any school activity. The required position of “neutrality” does not
permit being against prayer, Bible reading, or other such personal religious practices.
PROMOTION, RETENTION, AWARD OF CREDIT
Students are promoted from grade to grade, or awarded credit for a course, based on their
mastery of the knowledge and skills that will let them be successful at the next grade level.
A student may be retained if the student fails Reading or Math. A student may be
retained if they do not meet minimal standards on the STAAR tests. Students will be
retained if they fail two or more academic subjects. A failing grade is 69 or lower.
PUBLICATIONS
All school-sponsored newspapers and/or yearbooks are under the complete supervision of the
teacher and campus principal. No material may be published without the principal’s approval.
QUESTIONING STUDENTS AT SCHOOL
As school officials, we have the right to question your child about his or her own conduct at
school and, in the investigation of alleged misconduct by other students, to question him or her
about the conduct of others. We expect students to cooperate in this process, and the refusal
to cooperate will be treated as insubordination. We will not ordinarily contact you before
questioning your child about his or her own conduct or about the conduct of other students, but
certainly will contact you promptly if our investigation shows that your child has violated school
conduct rules. The Code of Conduct provides a complete explanation of the discipline
processes and when you will be contacted. Our investigation of possible violations of the Code
of Conduct is not a criminal proceeding, and there is no such thing as “taking the Fifth” or a
student’s right not to incriminate himself or herself in a school discipline investigation.
Sometimes law enforcement officials or investigators from Child Protective Services (CPS) ask
to interview students at school. In the case of an investigator from Child Protective Services
conducting a child abuse or neglect investigation, we are required by state law to permit the
investigator to talk to the child at school. We will also make every effort to cooperate with law
enforcement officials conducting an investigation that requires talking to students.
Ordinarily, we will attempt to contact you before the interview by an outside person takes place.
However, if the CPS investigator or the law enforcement official asks or tells us not to contact
you, we will comply.
RADIOS/ELECTRICAL DEVICES
No radio or electrical device of any kind may be brought onto a bus or to school without specific
signed permission by a teacher or staff indicating its need for a show, project, etc. This includes
walkmans, pagers, Game Boys, MP# Players, IPODS, and so forth. See page 24 for
acceptable use of cells phones.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are distributed at the end of each term grading period. If a student loses the
report card, the student may obtain a duplicate copy of their report card for $1.00. Should
discrepancies occur between the report card and the school records, the latter will be
considered official. A student must be in attendance at least 90 percent of the days for the year
to pass a class.
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND TEACHERS
Each member of the school community must fulfill certain responsibilities if a positive learning
environment is to be achieved. A cooperative relationship among student, parent, and educator
requires the following:
PARENTS/GUARDIANS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ensure their child's compliance with school attendance requirements
and promptly report and explain absences and tardies to the school.
Communicate regularly with the school concerning their child's
conduct and progress.
Discuss report cards and work assignments with their child.
Assist their child in being properly attired.
Take an active interest in the overall school program.
Bring to the attention of school authorities any problem or condition
which affects their child.
Maintain current home, work, and emergency telephone numbers at
the school.
Cooperate with school administrators and teachers in their efforts to
achieve and maintain a quality school system.
Grant or deny any written request from the District to make a videotape
or voice recording of the child unless it is to be used for school safety,
relates to classroom instruction or extracurricular activity, or relates
to media coverage of the school permitted by law.
Temporarily remove the child from the classroom if an instructional activity in
which the child is scheduled to participate conflicts with the parent’s religious
or moral beliefs.
Exercise the right to review teaching materials, textbooks, and other aids, and
examine tests that have been administered to the child.
STUDENTS
• Attend all classes daily and on time.
• Be prepared for each class with appropriate materials and assignments.
• Be properly attired.
• Exhibit an attitude of respect toward individuals and property and conduct
themselves in a responsible manner.
• Refrain from making profane, threatening, or inflammatory remarks, engaging
in disruptive conduct, and cheating.
• Obey all school rules.
• Seek changes in school policies and regulations in an orderly and
responsible manner through approved channels.
SCHOOL PERSONNEL
• Maintain an atmosphere conducive to good behavior.
• Be in regular attendance and on time.
• Perform all duties with appropriate working materials.
• Exhibit an attitude of respect toward individuals and property,
and conduct themselves in a responsible manner.
• Plan a flexible curriculum to meet the needs of all students.
• Promote effective training and discipline based upon fair and
impartial treatment of all students.
• Encourage parents/guardians to keep in regular communication with
school and encourage parental participation in school affairs.
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•
•
Develop a cooperative working relationship among staff and students.
Obey district and school policies and regulations.
RESTROOMS
Restrooms should be used during breaks only. Students may be excused from class to go to
the restroom based on a teacher's judgment; but no more than one student at a time. Any
student having a physical problem requiring restroom usage more than described above should
have parents furnish this information to the principal's office in writing so that this can be
communicated to the teachers.
SEARCHES OF STUDENTS, LOCKERS, AND VEHICLES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
The principal or other school administrator can search a student’s outer clothing, pockets, or
property if s/he has a reasonable basis to suspect that the search will reveal evidence that the
student has violated a school rule. The scope of the search will be related to the suspected
violation.
If the administrator has a reasonable basis to suspect that there may be contraband of any kind,
such as weapons, alcohol, drugs, or any other prohibited substance, a search may be
conducted.
SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973
A civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against persons, including students, with disabilities
who are served by programs supported by federal funds. Section 504 is not a program or
funding statute, but it does require districts to take affirmative action when necessary to
reasonably accommodate students and other persons with disabilities.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
We prohibit students from sexually harassing other students and from sexually harassing
employees. Engaging in sexual harassment is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. We,
of course, prohibit employees from having any kind of sexual contact or romantic relationship
with students enrolled in our schools.
If you or your child has a complaint about sexual comments, conduct, contact or any other
inappropriate conduct by a school employee, do not hesitate to contact the school principal or
the Title IX coordinator whose name appears at the end of this Handbook. We will listen to your
concern and conduct a prompt investigation. We also will look into reports that other students
have been sexually harassing your child at school or school activities and take appropriate
disciplinary action according to the requirements of the Code of Conduct.
Although we will provide you a general report of the results of our investigation of sexual
harassment complaints, the same federal law that protects the confidentiality of information
about your child (see Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, pages 30-31) protects the
confidentiality of information about the student you reported for investigation. In other words,
we will not disclose to you the actual discipline imposed on another student, unless that
student’s parents give us permission to disclose that information. If the complaint is about an
employee’s conduct, we will inform you of the results of the investigation and of the general
action taken in response if there is a finding of wrong-doing on the employee’s part.
Your child’s principal can give you a copy of the entire sexual harassment policy and complaint
process and will be glad to answer any questions you may have about this subject.
STREET CROSSING
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Flashing lights at Medina/San Antonio and Mockingbird/San Antonio (Hwy. 142) will have the
following schedule:
Morning
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Afternoon
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
STUDENT COUNCIL
The purpose of the Student Council is to promote school spirit and to establish high standards
of character and leadership. It is understood that the Student Council is not the governing body
of the school. School and community service is expected from this council and clubs of the
school.
STUDENT RECORDS
A student's school records are private 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 student withdraws or graduates. This academic file or 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 a minor or a dependent for tax purposes, as do students who are 18 years of age
or older. 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.
The principal is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at his assigned school.
Records may be reviewed during regular school hours. The records custodian or designee will
respond to reasonable request for explanation and interpretation of the records.
See “Required Legal Notice (pages 25-26)” of this handbook for more information.
STUDY HABITS
Be regular and punctual in attendance. Poor attendance handicaps even the most capable
students. Have an alert and cooperative attitude in class. Keep social activities on school
nights to a minimum.
Observe the following suggestions:
1.
Have fixed study hours and a fixed place for study.
2.
Have proper conditions for study based on your individual learning style.
3.
Rely on yourself and do your own thinking.
4.
Study your most difficult lesson at the time when you find your mind most alert.
5.
Have more than one period of study. Do not try to do all your studying after dinner; few
students can concentrate continuously for prolonged periods.
6.
Know exactly what each assignment is; keep an assignment book. Try to do more than
is required.
7.
Study the lesson as a whole; then go over it and pick out the main points. Next, review
the whole lesson rapidly. Make a written outline of unusually difficult lessons.
8.
Attempt to understand each lesson. Mere memorizing is not effective learning.
9.
Know why you are studying and realize that study is worthwhile; study with
determination to master all problems; realize that study is investing in the future of you
and any family you may have the responsibility for one day.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
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When a teacher is absent, the best available substitute teacher is employed. It is difficult for
anyone to come into a classroom and conduct the lesson in the manner to which students are
accustomed. Therefore, students are expected to be tolerant of this situation and be on their
best behavior. The substitute teacher has the same authority as the regular classroom teacher.
TARDINESS
Nearly all tardiness is avoidable and will only be excused in cases of illness or emergency. To
get an excused tardy slip, the student's parent must report to the school's satisfaction the
emergency which caused the delay. The student is tardy when not in his assigned seat when
the tardy bell rings. If a student is detained by a teacher, he/she should secure a note from the
teacher and present it to the teacher in charge of the class he is entering. For such an
occurrence, a student is not to be charged with tardiness. Disciplinary action will be taken for
excessive tardies (See pages 3-4). Tardies and early pick ups are considered partial day
absences and are considered in violation of cumpulsory attendance laws.
TELEPHONES/CELL PHONES/PAGERS/TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES
The classroom and office telephones are for school business and can be used by students only
by permission. The toll free number for calls from Austin to Lockhart ISD campuses is 1-877687-9900. All classroom and office telephones have the capacity to play and receive verbal
messages. Parents may call the classroom telephones to contact their child’s teacher through
voice messaging. Teachers will return calls within a reasonable time period. Students may not
use, display, or have in operational mode a paging device, cellular phone, or telecommunication
device at school during the school day. Students must turn in their cell phone to the school
office or teacher upon their arrival. Cell phones may be picked up after the last school bell. The
school will not be responsible for lost or missing devices.
TEXTBOOKS
State-approved textbooks are provided to students 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 damage to the teacher. Each student,
or the student’s parent or guardian, is responsible for each textbook not returned by the student.
A student who fails to return all textbooks issued by the school forfeits the right to free textbooks
until each textbook is returned or paid for by the parent; however, the student will be provided
textbooks for use at school during the school day. Students will be responsible for paying for
lost or damaged textbooks. [See TEC 31.104 (d)]
Full Purchase Price Must Be Paid for:
• Lost textbook
• Water damage
• Any damage beyond repair
• Altered/marked pictures
• Torn, not repairable pages
• Glued or pasted pages
• Vulgar, satanic, profane words, gang related tagging, drawing on and/or in text
• Removal or destroying of barcode labels
Students are to pay the school secretary for lost textbooks. Textbooks will be issued directly to
the student or class sets will be issued to the teacher. If a textbook has minimal damage, the
campus textbook coordinator will assess a partial purchase price fee for the damage. The
textbook coordinator will validate all textbook returns and clear the students for accountability.
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TITLE I INFORMATION (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
What is Title I?
Title I is the largest federal aid program for Lockhart Elementary schools. Through Title I, money is given
to school districts around the country based on the number of low-income families in each district. Each
district uses its Title I money for extra educational services for children most in need of educational help.
The focus of the Title I program is on helping all students meet the same high standards expected of all
children.
Title I servers children through:
∗ Schoolwide Programs
Schools with 50% or more children from low-income families can develop schoolwide programs to serve all students. Schoolwide programs can combine Title I funds with federal, state, and local funds to improve school programs.
Target Assistance Programs
Title I schools will work out a plan and program to make sure children at a Title I campus meet the same highquality standard of performance.
What Parents Should Know:
A l l s t u d e n t s s h o u l d w o r k t o w a r d t h e same standards.
Title I will provide help to students who need it in order to ensure they reach the same standards as everyone
else in their school. Standards describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.
∗ Local districts, schools and parents know best what their students need to succeed.
Title I allows them to decide what form the program will take in order to help students meet high
standards
∗ Parents are partners in helping all students achieve.
School-level parent involvement policies are to include parent/school compacts, which spell out the goals,
expectations, and shared responsibilities of schools and parents as partners in student success.
∗ p r o v id e b e f o r e , d u r in g , a n d a f te r s c h o o l, o r s u mme r school programs
∗ Support parent involvement activities
∗ hire special teachers, tutors, or aides (for core subject areas)
How can Title I money be used?
∗ P r o v i d e b e f o r e , d u r i n g , a n d a f t e r s c h o o l , o r summer school programs
∗ Train teachers and other staff
∗ Buy equipment and learning materials
∗ Support parent involvement activities
∗Hire special teachers, tutors, or aides (usually in reading, language arts,
and/or math)
Title I money can be used for many types of parent involvement activities such as:
∗ family literacy
∗ p a r e n t me e tin g s a n d tr a in in g
∗ provide materials that parents can use at home with their children
∗ parent resource centers
All Title I programs have a plan for how it will involve parents. It is called a Parent Involvement
Policy that explains how the school supports the important role of parents in education. The policy
includes a compact, which is a written statement of what schools and parents are supposed to do to
help students achieve.
¿Qué es Título I?
Título I es el programa federal de ayuda más grande que tienen las escuelas primarias de Lockhart.
Mediante Título I, el dinero se asigna a los distritos escolares, a través del país, basado en el número de
familias de bajos ingresos en cada distrito. Cada distrito usa el dinero de Título I para programas
educativos adicionales para los estudiantes que más necesitan ayuda. El enfoque de Título I es ayudar a
que los estudiantes alcancen los mismos altos estándares que se espera de todos los estudiantes.
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El Programa Título I sirve a los niños mediante:
Programas de toda la escuela
Las escuelas con un 50% o más de niños de familias de bajos ingresos pueden desarrollar programas en toda
la escuela para servir a todos los estudiantes. Los programas de toda la escuela pueden combinar fondos de
Título I con fondos federales, estatales y locales para mejorar los programas escolares.
Programas de asistencia dirigida
Las escuelas Título I crearán un plan y un programa para asegurarse que los estudiantes cumplen con el mismo estándar de
calidad de desempeño.
Lo que los padres deben saber:
∗ Todos los estudiantes deben trabajar hacia el mismo estándar.
Título I provee ayuda a los estudiantes que la necesitan para asegurarse que alcanzan los mismos estándares
que los demás en la escuela. Los estándares describen qué deben saber y hacer los estudiantes en cada
grado.
∗ Los distritos, las escuelas y los padres saben mejor lo que los estudiantes necesitan para tener
éxito.
Título I les permite decidir la forma que debe tomar el programa para poder ayudar a que los
estudiantes alcancen los más altos estándares.
∗ Los padres son socios ayudando a alcanzar los logros de todos los estudiantes.
Las políticas de participación de padres deben incluir el convenio entre padres y escuela que define las
metas, expectativas y responsabilidades compartidas entre la escuela, los padres y los estudiantes
como socios en el éxito de los estudiantes.
∗ Proveer programas antes, durante y después del horario escolar o escuela de
verano
∗ Apoyar las actividades de participación de padres.
∗ Contratar a maestros especiales, tutores o ayudantes (para áreas de asignaturas medulares)
¿Cómo se puede usar el dinero de Título I?
∗ Proveer programas antes, durante y después del horario escolar o escuela de
verano
∗ Adiestrar a maestros y otros empleados
∗ Comprar equipo y materiales educativos
∗ Apoyar las actividades de participación de padres
∗ Contratar a maestros especiales, tutores o ayudantes (usualmente en lectura, artes del lenguaje y/o
matemáticas)
El dinero de Título I se pueden usar para muchos tipos de actividades de participación de padres, tales
como:
∗ alfabetización de la familia
∗ reuniones y adiestramiento a padres
∗ proveer materiales que los padres pueden usar en casa con sus hijos
∗ centros de recursos para los padres
Todos los programas Título I tienen un plan para involucrar a los padres. Éste se llama Política de
participación de padres y explica cómo la escuela apoya el papel tan importante de los padres en la
educación. La política incluye un convenio, que es una declaración escrita de lo que se supone que
hagan las escuelas y los padres para ayudar al estudiante en sus logros.
TRANSFERS
Employees of the Lockhart I.S.D. may request their children be transferred to the district for
attendance purposes. All transfers are subject to principal’s approval and may be denied for
behavioral issues.
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TUTORIAL SESSIONS
Teachers are not required to provide tutorial instruction in addition to regular class instruction.
Transportation services are not provided.
VOLUNTEERS
State law provides to school volunteers immunity from civil liability at any school-sponsored or
school-related activity on or off school property. Training will be provided on an as need basis.
All volunteers are required to have an updated criminal history check on file with the school
district.
REQUIRED LEGAL NOTICES
Nondiscrimination: Lockhart ISD does not discriminate in its educational programs and
services on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, or disability. The District
complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any questions or concerns about the district’s compliance with these
federal programs should be brought to the attention of the person shown below at Title IX or
Section 504 Coordinator.
The Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator for the school district is Janie Wright, Assistant
Superintendent for Instruction and Student Success, whose office is located at 105 South
Colorado and who can be reached by telephone by calling 398-0000.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act:
The school district creates and keeps general education records for all students
enrolled in district schools. Those records are confidential and generally are available only to
parents and school personnel or people who are acting on behalf of the school district. When
we say “parents” have a right of access to and copies of all education records pertaining to their
children, we mean both biological parents—whether married, divorced, or separated—and any
other person who is acting as a parent in the absence of the child’s parent or legal guardian.
Parents control the access to their children’s education records until the child becomes
an adult at age 18. When the child reaches age 18, s/he controls the access to his or her
records and is the one who can consent to the release of the records to other persons.
However, parents continue to have a right to see and copy their children’s education records so
long as the child is a dependent for federal income tax purposes, even if the child does not want
them to.
If a parent wants to see or copy his or her child’s education records, s/he should contact
the principal of the child’s school if the child is currently enrolled. If the child has withdrawn or
graduated, parents should contact the school district records manager (Tina Knudsen) for
access to records. Records can be reviewed in administrative offices during regular office
hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and someone will be available to answer questions about
the records.
Originals cannot be removed from the principal’s or superintendent’s office. Copies will
be provided to parents within a reasonable time, usually not more than two or three days, after
parents have made a written request for copies. Parents will be charged the district’s usual
copying fees for copies; however, if the student is eligible for free or reduced price lunches and
the parents cannot come to school to review the records, the school will provide one copy of the
requested records at no charge.
If you disagree with information in your child’s records or believe some information is
inaccurate, you can ask for a correction. If the principal does not make the correction, you can
ask for a hearing with the superintendent to explain why you believe the record is wrong or
misleading. If the superintendent does not direct an amendment to be made, you have 30 days
to place a comment in the student’s record about the information. Under no circumstances
can students or parents use this process to challenge a grade recorded for a student.
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Because parents generally control access to their children’s education records, the
district ordinarily will not permit access to or copies of education records without at least one
parent’s written authorization to release the records. However, under some circumstances,
the district can and will provide access to or copies of education records without parent
authorization. The most common circumstances are these:
• The district will forward education records on request to a public or private school or
institution of higher education in which the student seeks or intends to enroll.
• The district will comply with a lawful subpoena for student education records, but will
make reasonable efforts to notify the parents before complying, unless the subpoena
indicates that parents should not be notified.
• The district will release directory information about students to any person who
submits a written request for the information.
• The district will release educational records to a juvenile justice agency in
accordance with an agreement between the district and the agency. The information
will be released before the student is adjudicated and will be provided so that the
juvenile agency can appropriately serve the student.
“Directory information” means information that would not generally be considered
harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. It includes the student’s name, address,
telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially
recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of
attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous school attended.
If you do not want the school to release directory information about your child, you must
notify the principal in writing of the category or categories of information that you do not want
released. You have 10 school days after you receive this Handbook to tell the principal in
writing what information you do not want released.
If you want to review the school’s entire policy regarding student records, please contact
the campus principal, who will be glad to provide a copy for you and to answer any questions
you may have about the policy or this notice. If you believe the district is not following the law
regarding student records, you have the right to file a complaint with the United States
Department of Education.
Appendix
Administrative Guidelines on Sex Offenders and Campus Visitation
Parents and patrons of the District are welcome to visit district schools and attend district events
as allowed by District policy. However, all visitors to a school campus must sign or check in at
the campus administrative office, list the reason for the visit, and display his or her driver’s
license or other government-issued form of photographic identification prior to proceeding
elsewhere on campus. This requirement applies to parents, social service workers, volunteers,
33
Board members, invited speakers, maintenance and repair persons not employed by the
District, vendors, representatives of the news media, former students, and any other visitors.
These guidelines will be available in each campus’ administrative office.
Classroom Visitation. Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time shall be
permitted only with the principal’s approval and in consultation with the teacher. Such visits
shall not be permitted if their duration or frequency interferes with the delivery of instruction or
disrupts the school environment.
Disruptive Conduct. If a visitor’s conduct becomes disruptive, abusive, threatening, or violent,
the administration may require the visitor to leave immediately. Depending on the severity of
the conduct, the visitor may be prohibited from being present on any District property for a
period of time authorized by the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee.
Sex Offenders. The District may use the computerized central database maintained by the
Texas Department of Public Safety or any other database accessible to the District to determine
whether campus visitors are registered sex offenders. Visitor-management technology may
also be used to verify this information.
General Rule. No adult who has ever pled guilty or nolo contendere, to a crime listed in Art.
62.001(5) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, or has ever been found guilty of a
“reportable conviction or adjudication,” as defined by that law, or who is required to register with
the sex offender registry under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and whose
victim was a under age 18 at the time of the offense (hereinafter called a “sex offender”) may
enter or be present upon any District property. Except as otherwise provided in this policy, any
adult sex offender meeting the above criteria will be asked to leave District property and law
enforcement may be notified.
Voting. Where a sex offender is a lawfully registered and qualified voter whose polling place is
on District property, he or she may come upon such property for early voting or on election day,
during polling hours, solely for the purpose of casting his or her vote.
Parent Sex Offender. Where a student’s parent, guardian, or other person having lawful control
of the student under a valid court order is a sex offender as defined above, that person may only
enter on District property under the following limited circumstances:
*
To attend a scheduled conference with school personnel to discuss the student’s academic
or social progress, promotion/retention, assignment/reassignment, attendance,
participation in school-related activities, or discipline;
*
To attend an ARD or IEP meeting or other conference where evaluation or placement
decisions may be made respecting the student’s special education services;
*
To pick up assignments from the campus administrative office;
*
To transport the student to or from school;
*
To attend the student’s high school graduation; or
*
To attend any meeting requested by the campus administration.
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The individual will be supervised and accompanied by school personnel at all times. The
individual must sign out at the campus administrative office upon departure. If the individual is
on District property for any other purpose and without permission, he or she will be subject to
removal and/or arrest.
Should a sex offender parent, guardian, or other person having lawful control of the student
under a valid court order seek to enter District property for any other purpose, he or she must
submit a Sex Offender Visitation Request form (see GKC exhibit) and obtain written permission
from the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee. Until written permission based upon
the Request form is received, the individual submitting the request may not enter District
property except under the limited circumstances set out above.
Even under the limited circumstances set out above, and individual will not be permitted to enter
or be present on school property if: (1) the individual’s parental rights have been terminated, (2)
the individual’s presence at school is prohibited by court order or conditions of probation, or (3)
the Superintendent determines that the individual poses a unique threat to student safety. In
those cases, communications regarding the student will be conducted by alternate means such as
telephone, mail, or electronic communications. Where the administration determines that a
meeting is necessary, it will identify an appropriate meeting place where students are not present.
Volunteers. An adult sex offender as defined above may not serve as a volunteer with the
District and may not participate in school-related activities or field trips.
Contractors, Vendors, & Other Third Parties. Contractors, vendors, or other third parties
shall not permit an employee who is a sex offender to come on District property except in an
emergency and with approval of the Superintendent or designee. In case of such approval, the
individual will be supervised and accompanied by school personnel at all times. It is the
contractor’s responsibility to check the sex offender registry prior to sending any employee onto
District property. (See also policy CH.)
Sex Offender Visitation Request
If you are parent, guardian, or other person with lawful control of a student under a valid court order and
are also a sex offender barred by District policy from being present on school property, you must seek
permission to be on school property by completing this form and submitting it to the Superintendent’s
office for approval. After a decision is made whether to grant or deny permission to visit, a copy will be
returned to you. This information will be kept in the District administration offices as well as in the
campus principal’s office where you are seeking permission to visit.
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NOTICE: Until written permission based upon this Request is received, you may not enter District
property except under the limited circumstances set out in District policy GKC (local) and
applicable administrative guidelines.
____________________________________
Name (please print)
______________________________________
Address
____________________________________
Signature
______________________________________
Today’s Date
____________________________________
Campus or Visit Location
______________________________________
Date of Requested Visit
§
I request permission to be on school property for the following reasons (please be specific):
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY DISTRICT PERSONNEL ONLY:
§
Permission Granted With Supervision by District Personnel
§
Permission Granted Without Supervision by District Personnel
§
Permission Denied
_______________________________________
Signature of Superintendent or Designee
________________________________________
Date
— Visit Supervision —
____________________________________
Visitor’s Time In
_______________________________________
Visitor’s Time Out
____________________________________
_______________________________________
Signature of Accompanying Personnel
Date
RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION BY LOCKHART ISD
Notice of Parent and Student Rights
Federal and state laws safeguard student records from unauthorized inspection or use and
provide parents and “eligible” students certain rights:
What is an “eligible” student?
A student who is 18 or older or who is attending an institution of postsecondary education.
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What information will the District routinely release?
General information about Lockhart ISD students 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 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 attended previously.
•
The student’s e-mail address.
Can I restrict this information?
Yes. A parent or eligible student may prevent the release of any or all directory information
regarding a student. This objection must be made in writing to the principal within ten
school days after you have been provided this notice.
What about information about grades, test results, disciplinary records, etc?
Virtually all information pertaining to student performance is considered a confidential
educational record and may be released to:
•
The parents – whether married, separated, or divorced – who will generally have access to
the records. 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. Federal
law requires that, as soon as the student becomes eligible, control of the records goes to the
student. However, the parents may access the records if the student is a dependent for tax
purposes.
•
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, principals), school staff members (such as teachers,
counselors, diagnosticians), or an agent of the District (such as a medical consultant.)
•
Various governmental 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.
Where do I go to review the records?
The principal is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school,
and for students who have withdrawn or graduated.
Records may be reviewed during regular school hours. If circumstances effectively prevent a
parent or eligible student from inspecting the records, the District shall 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.
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 teacher’s
personal notes on a student that are shared only with a substitute teacher and records on
former students after they are no longer students in the District – do not have to be made
available to the parents or students.
What can I do if I think a record is inaccurate?
37
A parent (or the student if he or she is 18 or older or is attending an institution of postsecondary
education) may review and inspect the student’s records and request a correction if records are
considered inaccurate or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. 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.
Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, contesting a student’s grade in a
course is handled through the general complaint process defined by policy FNG.
What is the cost of copying records?
Copies of student records are available at a cost of ten cents per page, payable in advance. If
the student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches and the parents are unable to view the
records during regular school hours, upon written request of the parent, one copy of the record
will be provided at no charge.
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 the law regarding student records.
The District’s complete policy regarding student records is available from the principal’s or
Superintendent’s office.
STUDENT INTERNET ACCESS
and
Acceptable Use Administrative Guidelines
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s): The LISD computer network system has a very specific and
limited purpose: To enhance the delivery of education.
Your child has an opportunity to participate in the Lockhart Independent School District’s
electronic communications system(s) and needs your permission to do so. Your child will be
able to communicate with other schools, and individuals around the world through the Internet.
The Internet is a network of networks. Through the District’s electronic communication
system(s), your child will have access to hundreds of databases, libraries, and computer
services all over the globe.
With this educational opportunity also comes responsibility. It is important that you and your
child read the enclosed District policy, administrative regulations, and agreement form and
discuss these requirements together. Inappropriate system use will result in loss of privilege to
use this educational tool.
Please note that the Internet is an association of diverse communication and information
networks. Adults will be monitoring students who are on the Internet. While we have a filtering
system in place, it is possible that your child may find areas of adult content or some material
you may find objectionable. While the District will take reasonable steps to preclude access to
such material and does not encourage such access, it is not possible for us to absolutely
prevent such access.
Should a parent/guardian wish to deny Internet access to their child, please contact the school
office and request a “Denial of Internet Access” form. The form will be mailed to the
parent/guardian, who will complete and return the form to the school office.
Lockhart ISD Internet Disclaimer
The Lockhart Independent School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed
or implied, for the services provided over the Internet. Because access to the Internet provides
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connections to other computer systems located all over the world, users (and parents of users,
if the user is under 18 years old) must understand that neither individual schools nor the
Lockhart Independent School District control the content of the information available on these
other systems. Some of the information available is controversial and may be offensive to
users.
The District will not be responsible for any damages a user suffers, including any financial
obligation from unauthorized use of the system for the purchase of products or services. This
includes loss of data resulting from delays, no-deliveries, miss-deliveries, or services
interruptions caused by the District or by the user’s errors or omissions. Use of any information
obtained via the Internet is at the user’s own risk. The Lockhart Independent School District
specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through
these services.
Users are expected to abide by common etiquette practices and the guidelines established in
the Lockhart Independent School District’s acceptable use policy. Failure to comply with these
guidelines may result in loss of access to the Internet.
District Website: www.lockhartisd.org
Guidelines
While working on the Internet, students are expected to follow general network etiquette as
listed below:
1. Be polite when using classroom e-mail accounts. Do not be abusive in messages to others.
2. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate
language.
3. Illegal activities (such as vandalism, theft of hardware or data either by transportation or
electronic transfer, copyright infringement, and software piracy) are strictly forbidden.
4. Do not reveal personal addresses or phone numbers. Do not reveal first or last name.
5. Do not use the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other
users.
6. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited
and the messages should not contain expressions of bigotry or hate, profanity, obscene
comments, or sexually explicit material.
7. Classroom computers are not to be used when substitute teachers are employed.
Vandalism will result in the cancellation of privileges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious
attempt to harm, modify, or destroy computer hardware, data of another user, Internet, or any of
the other networks that are connected to the LISD Internet backbone. This includes, but is not
limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.
The Assistant Superintendent will determine what is considered to be inappropriate use of the
network and his/her decision is final. He/she may suspend access at any time, for any reason.
All such actions will adhere to appropriate due process protections. In addition, the
administration, faculty, and staff of LISD may request that the Assistant Superintendent suspend
any student’s computer use.
Rules
1. A school staff/faculty member must be in the room while students use the Internet.
2. Searching on the Internet:
♦ Grades Pre K-5: search preset links. Any exceptions for special projects must be
approved by principal.
39
♦ Grades 6-8: training on proper search techniques allowing limited searches with active
teacher supervision.
♦ Grades 9-12: curriculum driven responsible searches and high quality personal
research.
3. Chat Rooms are strictly prohibited.
4. Non-educational games are prohibited.
5. Using someone else’s password is not acceptable.
6. Using the network account for non-school related activities is not acceptable.
7. Using unauthorized copies of commercial software is not acceptable.
8. Copying software provided by LISD for student use is not acceptable.
9. Downloading software from the Internet is strictly prohibited.
10. There is no right of privacy in the use of technology.
11. Students may only send or receive e-mail during school hours or on school property for
educational purposes using a classroom account.
12. No one will plagiarize works that are found on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas
and writings of others and presenting them as if they are yours.
13. If an inappropriate site is accessed, students are expected to immediately contact a teacher
and turn off the monitor.
14. Students are not to access computer control panels or change computer settings
Violating the above guidelines and prohibitions will result in the loss of the individual’s access to
the network.
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by
viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious.
Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for
serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but requires urgent treatment
with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days,
but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the
same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high
temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or
confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots in
advanced stages. These can occur anywhere on the body. As the disease progresses,
patients of any age can have seizures.
The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory
results.
HOW SERIOUS IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery.
In some cases it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability.
HOW IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS SPREAD?
Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the
common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air
40
where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and
throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange
saliva (such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).
The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of
the germ for days, weeks or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune
system and causes meningitis or another serious illness.
HOW CAN BACTERIAL MENINGITIS BE PREVENTED?
Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons
you kiss.
While there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used only in
special circumstances. These include when there is a disease outbreak in a community or for
people traveling to a country where there is a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a vaccine is
recommended by some groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or
residence halls. The vaccine is safe and effective (85-90%).
It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and pain at the injection site lasting up to two
days. Immunity develops within 7 to 10 days after the vaccine is given and lasts for up to 5
years.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU THINK YOU OR A FRIEND MIGHT HAVE BACTERIAL
MENINGITIS?
Seek prompt medical attention.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office
are excellent sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your
local health department or Regional Texas Department of Health office to ask about
meningococcal vaccine. 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 Health:
www.tdh.state.tx.us.
Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students
Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special
Education
If a child is experiencing learning difficulties, the parent may contact the person listed below to
learn about the district’s overall general education referral or screening system for support
services. 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 academic or behavior 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 informed written consent for the
evaluation. The district must complete the evaluation and the report within 60 calendar days of
41
the date 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.
The designated person to contact regarding options for a child experiencing learning difficulties
or a referral for evaluation for special education is:
Contact Person: Monica Parks, Director of Special Education
Phone Number: 512-398-0261
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
FNG
(LOCAL)
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
INFORMAL PROCESSES
The Board encourages students and parents to discuss their concerns and complaints through
informal conferences with the appropriate teacher, principal, or other campus administrator.
Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest
possible administrative level.
FORMAL PROCESSES
If an informal conference regarding a complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the
student or parent, the student or parent may initiate the formal process described below by
timely filing a written complaint form.
Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students and parents are encouraged to seek
informal resolution of their concerns. A student or parent whose concerns are resolved may
withdraw a formal complaint at any time.
The process described in this policy shall not be construed to create new or additional rights
beyond those granted by law or Board policy, nor to require a full evidentiary hearing or “minitrial” at any level.
FREEDOM FROM RETALIATION
Neither the Board nor any District employee shall unlawfully retaliate against any student or
parent for bringing a concern or complaint.
NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The principal of each campus shall inform students and parents of this policy.
42
APPLICATION
Except as addressed by SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS, below, this policy applies to all complaints or
grievances from students or parents.
SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS
Complaints alleging certain forms of harassment shall be processed in accordance with FFH.
For more information on how to proceed with complaints regarding:
1. Alleged discrimination, see FB.
2. Loss of credit on the basis of attendance, see FEC.
3. Removal to a disciplinary alternative education program, see FOC.
4. Expulsion, see FOD and the Student Code of Conduct.
5. Identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability within the
scope of Section 504, see FB.
6. Identification, evaluation, educational placement, or discipline of a student with a disability
within the scope of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, see EHBA, FOF and
parents’ rights handbook provided to parents of all students referred to special
education.
7. Instructional materials, see EFA.
8. On-campus distribution of nonschool materials, see FNAA.
9. A commissioned peace officer who is an employee of the District, see CKE.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this policy, terms are defined as follows:
COMPLAINT/GRIEVANCE
The terms “complaint” and “grievance” shall have the same meaning.
FILING
Complaint forms and appeal notices may be filed by hand-delivery, fax, or U.S. Mail. Handdelivered filings shall be timely filed if received by the appropriate administrator or designee by
the close of business on the deadline. Fax filings shall be timely filed if they are received on or
before the deadline, as indicated by the date/time shown on the fax copy. Mail filings shall be
timely filed if they are postmarked by U.S. Mail on the deadline and received by the appropriate
administrator or designated representative no more than three days after the deadline.
RESPONSE
At Levels One and Two, “response” shall mean a written communication to the student or parent
from the appropriate administrator. Responses may be hand-delivered or sent by U.S. Mail to
the student’s or parent’s mailing address of record. Mailed responses shall be timely if they are
postmarked by U.S. Mail on the deadline and received by the student or parent or designated
representative no more than three days after the response deadline.
REPRESENTATIVE
“Representative” shall mean any person who or organization that is designated by the student
or parent to represent the student or parent in the complaint process. A student may be
represented by an adult at any level of the complaint.
43
The student or parent may designate a representative through written notice to the District at
any level of this process. If the student or parent designates a representative with fewer than
three days’ notice to the District before a scheduled conference or hearing, the District may
reschedule the conference or hearing to a later date, if desired, in order to include the District’s
counsel.
DAYS
“Days” shall mean District business days. In calculating time lines under this policy, the day a
document is filed is “day zero,” and all deadlines shall be determined by counting the following
day as “day one.”
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Complaints arising out of an event or a series of related events shall be addressed in one
complaint. A student or parent shall not bring separate or serial complaints arising from any
event or series of events that have been or could have been addressed in a previous complaint.
UNTIMELY FILINGS
All time limits shall be strictly followed unless modified by mutual written consent.
If a complaint form or appeal notice is not timely filed, the complaint may be dismissed, on
written notice to the student or parent, at any point during the complaint process. The student or
parent may appeal the dismissal by seeking review in writing within ten days, starting at the
level at which the complaint was dismissed. Such appeal shall be limited to the issue of
timeliness.
COSTS INCURRED
Each party shall pay its own costs incurred in the course of the complaint.
COMPLAINT FORM
Complaints under this policy shall be submitted in writing on a form provided by the District.
Copies of any documents that support the complaint should be attached to the complaint form. If
the student or parent does not have copies of these documents, copies may be presented at the
Level One conference. After the Level One conference, no new documents may be submitted
unless the student or parent did not know the documents existed before the Level One
conference.
A complaint form that is incomplete in any material aspect may be dismissed, but may be refiled
with all the requested information if the refiling is within the designated time for filing a
complaint.
LEVEL ONE
Complaint forms must be filed:
1. Within 15 days of the date the student or parent first knew, or with reasonable diligence
should have known, of the decision or action giving rise to the complaint or grievance;
and
2. With the lowest level administrator who has the authority to remedy the alleged problem.
In most circumstances, students and parents shall file Level One complaints with the campus
principal.
If the only administrator who has authority to remedy the alleged problem is the Superintendent
or designee, the complaint may begin at Level Two following the procedure, including
deadlines, for filing the complaint form at Level One.
If the complaint is not filed with the appropriate administrator, the receiving administrator must
note the date and time the complaint form was received and immediately forward the complaint
form to the appropriate administrator.
The appropriate administrator shall hold a conference with the student or parent within ten days
after receipt of the written complaint.
44
The administrator shall have ten days following the conference to provide the student or parent
a written response.
LEVEL TWO
If the student or parent did not receive the relief requested at Level One or if the time for a
response has expired, the student or parent may request a conference with the Superintendent
or designee to appeal the Level One decision.
The appeal notice must be filed in writing, on a form provided by the District, within ten days
after receipt of a response or, if no response was received, within ten days of the response
deadline at Level One.
The Superintendent or designee shall hold a conference within ten days after the appeal notice
is filed. At the conference, the Superintendent or designee shall consider only the issues and
documents presented at Level One and identified in the Level Two appeal notice. The
Superintendent or designee shall have ten days following the conference to provide the student
or parent a written response.
LEVEL THREE
If the student or parent did not receive the relief requested at Level Two or if the time for a
response has expired, the student or parent may appeal the decision to the Board.
The appeal notice must be filed in writing, on a form provided by the District, within ten days
after receipt of a response or, if no response was received, within ten days of the response
deadline at Level Two.
The Superintendent or designee shall inform the student or parent of the date, time, and place
of the Board meeting at which the complaint will be on the agenda for presentation to the Board.
The Superintendent or designee shall provide the Board with copies of the complaint form, all
responses, all appeal notices, and all written documentation previously submitted by the student
or parent or the administration. The Board shall consider only those issues and documents
presented at the preceding levels and identified in the appeal notice.
The District shall determine whether the complaint will be presented in open or closed meeting
in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and other applicable law. [See BE]
The presiding officer may set reasonable time limits and guidelines for the presentation. The
Board shall hear the complaint and may request that the administration provide an explanation
for the decisions at the preceding levels.
In addition to any other record of the Board meeting required by law, the Board shall prepare a
separate record of the Level Three presentation. The Level Three presentation, including the
presentation by the student or parent or the student’s representative, any presentation from the
administration, and questions from the Board with responses, shall be recorded by audio
recording, video/audio recording, or court reporter.
The Board shall then consider the complaint. It may give notice of its decision orally or in
writing at any time up to and including the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. If for any
reason the
Board fails to reach a decision regarding the complaint by the end of the next regularly
scheduled meeting, the lack of a response by the Board upholds the administrative decision at
Level Two.
45
Lockhart Independent School District
P.O. Box 120, Lockhart, Texas 78644-0120
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Children need healthy meals
healthy
meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.20; lunch costs $1.70
th to learn. Lockhart ISD offers
th
th
for Elementary (Pre K - 5 ) and $1.95 Secondary (6 - 12 ). Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals.
Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.
1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Complete one application to apply for free or reduced-price meals. Use
one Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is
not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to:
Lockhart Food Service Office, 401 Bois D’Arc Street, 512.398.0292 or 1.877.687.9900(Sodexo Food Service Option)
2. Who can get free meals? Children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
(formerly the Food Stamp Program) or TANF can get free meals regardless of your income. Your benefit letter from the Texas
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is your documentation for free meals. If you have not already received a letter
from your school stating that your household is eligible for free meals, you may take your HHSC benefit letter to your child nutrition
office to be certified for free meals. If a child in your household is directly certified due to receiving SNAP or TANF benefits, all
children of your household are eligible for free meals. If a child in your household is not included on the Letter of Direct Certification,
sent to you by the SFA, or if you have questions, call the school at 512.398.0292 or 1.877.687.9900.
3. Should I fill out an application if I got a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced-price
meals? In most cases no, however read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the school at 512.398.0292 or
1.877.687.9900 if you have questions or a member of your household is not listed on the letter. If your household does not receive
SNAP or TANF, your children may still be eligible to receive free meals if your household income is less than the amounts listed on
the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Please complete the application and submit it to your child nutrition office. Head Start
students and Even Start children and foster children also qualify for free meals.
4. Can homeless, runaway, foster and migrant children get free meals? Yes. If you have not been notified of free status under
these categories, please call Raymond Rayos, 512.398.0015 to see if your child(ren) qualify.
5. Who can get reduced-price meals? Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced-price
limits on the Federal Income Chart.
6. I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reducedprice meals. Please fill out an application.
7. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.
8. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up,
income goes down, or if you start getting SNAP, TANF or other benefits (such as unemployment benefits).
9. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for
a hearing by calling or writing to: The Assistant Superintendent, 105 S. Colorado St., 512.398.0000.
10. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to
qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
11. Who should I include as members of my household? You must include yourself and all people living in your household,
related or not (such as children, grandparents, other relatives or friends).
12. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally get $1000
each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month. If you normally get
overtime pay, include that amount as income. If you do not normally get overtime pay, do not include it as income.
13. We are in the military; do we include our housing allowance as income? If your housing is part of the Military Housing
Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross
income.
If you have other questions or need help, call 512.398.0292
or 1.877.687.9900.
Sincerely,
FEDERAL INCOME CHART
For School Year 2011-12
Household size
Yearly
Monthly
1
$20,147
$1,679
2
$27,214
$2,268
3
$34,281
$2,857
4
$41,348
$3,446
5
$48,415
$4,035
6
$55,482
$4,624
7
$62,549
$5,213
8
$69,616
$5,802
Each additional person:
$7,067
$589
Lockhart Independent School District
46
Weekly
$388
$524
$660
$796
$932
$1,067
$1,203
$1,339
$136
P.O. Box 120, Lockhart, Texas 78644-0120
Estimado padre de familia o encargado legal:
Los niños necesitan nutrición saludable para poder aprender. Lockhart ISD ofrece comidas saludables durante los días escolares.
El desayuno cuesta $1.20; y la comida $1.70 para Elemental (Prek - 5th) y $1.95 para Secundarios (6th -12th). Es posible que
sus niños califiquen para recibir comidas gratis o de precio reducido. El desayuno de bajo costo es de $.30 y la comida de bajo
costo es de $.40.
1. ¿Es necesario llenar una solicitud por cada niño? No. Sólo llene una forma para solicitar comidas gratis o de precio reducido.
Incluya en una solicitud para Comidas Escolares Gratis o de Precio Reducido a todos los niños de edad escolar que viven en su
casa. No podemos aprobar una solicitud incompleta, de modo que asegúrese de completar toda la información requerida. Devuelva
su solicitud llena a: Lockhart Food Service Office, 401 Bois D’ Arc St., 512.398.0292 or 1.877.687.9900.
2. ¿Quiénes pueden recibir comidas gratuitas? Los niños en hogares que reciben beneficios del Programa de Asistencia de
Nutrición Suplementaria (SNAP) (antes el Programa de Estampillas de Comida) o TANF son los que pueden recibir comidas gratis,
sin importar sus ingresos. Su carta de beneficios de Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) es su comprobante
para recibir las comidas gratis. Si usted no ha recibido una carta de la escuela comunicándole que su hogar es elegible para
comidas gratuitas, lleve su carta de beneficios de HHSC a la oficina de nutrición de la escuela de su niño para que lo certifiquen
para las comidas gratis. Si un niño de su familia califica automáticamente porque recibe beneficios de SNAP o de TANF, entonces
todos los menores de edad escolar que radican en su casa califican para comidas gratis. Si a algún niño en su hogar no se le
incluye en la Carta de Certificación Directa que le envió la oficina de SFA, o si usted tiene preguntas, llame a la escuela al
512.398.0292 o 1.877.687.9900.
3. ¿Debo llenar una solicitud si la escuela mandó una carta diciendo que mis niños califican para recibir comidas gratis o
de precio reducido? En la mayoría de los casos, no. De todos modos, lea cuidadosamente la carta y siga las instrucciones que se
le dan. Llame a la escuela al 512.398.0292 o 1.877.687.9900 si tiene alguna pregunta o si en la carta no se menciona a alguno de
sus niños. Si nadie en su hogar recibe SNAP o TANF, es posible que sus niños aún califiquen para comidas gratis, siempre y
cuando los ingresos de su familia sean más bajos que las cantidades que aparecen en la Guía Federal de Elegibilidad por
Ingresos. Por favor complete la solicitud y entréguela en la oficina de nutrición que le corresponde a su niño. Puede ser que los
alumnos de Head Start y de Even Start y de los niños bajo el programa de adopción temporal califiquen para recibir las comidas
gratuitas.
4. ¿Pueden recibir comidas gratis los niños sin hogar, los que han abandonado a su familia, los niños en el programa de
adopción temporal (Foster Care) y los niños emigrantes? Sí. Si a usted no le han comunicado que califica para comidas
gratuitas bajo estas categorías, por favor llame a Raymond Rayos, 512.398.0015 para ver si sus niños califican.
5. ¿Quién califica para recibir comidas de precio reducido? Sus hijos son elegibles para las comidas de precio reducido si los
ingresos de su familia están dentro de los límites establecidos en la Guía o Tabla Federal de Ingresos.
6. Yo recibo WIC. ¿Califican mis niños para recibir comidas gratis? Los niños de familias que reciben WIC podrían calificar
para comidas gratis o de precio reducido. Por favor llene una solicitud.
7. ¿Se va a verificar la información que yo dé? Sí. Es posible que le pidamos que nos envíe comprobantes escritos.
8. En caso de que no califique ahora, ¿puedo entregar una solicitud más adelante? Sí. Usted puede enviar su solicitud en
cualquier momento durante el año escolar, en caso de que su familia aumente, si el sueldo que percibe es más bajo, o si comienza
a recibir beneficios de SNAP, TANF, o beneficios de otro tipo (como los de desempleo).
9. ¿Qué sucede si no estoy de acuerdo con la decisión de la escuela en cuanto a mi solicitud? Usted debe de hablar con las
autoridades escolares. También puede pedir una audiencia llamando por teléfono o escribiendo a the
Assistant Superintendent, 105 S. Colorado St., 512.398.0000.
10. ¿Puedo llenar una solicitud si alguien en mi casa no es ciudadano americano? Sí. No es necesario que usted y sus hijos
sean ciudadanos americanos para recibir comidas gratis o de precio reducido.
11. ¿A qué miembros de la familia debo incluir en la solicitud? A usted mismo y a todas las personas que viven con usted,
sean parientes o no (hijos, abuelos, otros parientes, amigos).
12. ¿Qué pasa si mis ingresos cambian? Haga una lista de las cantidades que recibe normalmente. Por ejemplo, si usted
usualmente recibe $1,000 al mes, pero faltó al trabajo y sólo ganó $900, anote que recibe $1,000 por mes. Si con frecuencia le
pagan por trabajar horas extras, incluya esa cantidad como parte del salario mensual. Si no es común que le paguen por tiempo
extra, no lo incluya como parte de sus ingresos.
13. Si formamos parte del servicio militar, ¿debemos incluir el subsidio de vivienda como parte del sueldo? Si su casa es
parte de la Iniciativa de Privatización de Viviendas para Militares, no incluya ese subsidio como sueldo. Todos los demás subsidios
deben incluirse en su ingreso.
Si tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda, llame al 512.398.0292 o 1.877.687.9900.
Sacremento,
Atentamente, FEDERAL INCOME CHART
For School Year 2011-12
Household size
Yearly
Monthly
1
$20,147
$1,679
2
$27,214
$2,268
3
$34,281
$2,857
4
$41,348
$3,446
5
$48,415
$4,035
6
$55,482
$4,624
7
$62,549
$5,213
8
$69,616
$5,802
Each additional
$7,067
$589
person:
47
Weekly
$388
$524
$660
$796
$932
$1,067
$1,203
$1,339
$136
L.I.S.D. Elementary Handbook Acknowledgment Page
Dear Student and Parent:
The Lockhart Independent School District provides this Student Handbook to
parents and students to provide you with information about the general rules and guidelines
for attending and receiving an education in our schools. The Student Handbook is available
on the LISD Website and you may request a copy at your child’s school.
We urge you to read this publication thoroughly and to discuss it among your family.
If you have any questions about the information here, we encourage you to ask for an
explanation from the student’s teacher, the school counselor, or campus administrator.
The student and parent should each sign this page on the space provided below, then
return the page to the student’s school. Please return the signed page on or before Tuesday,
August 30th, 2011. Thank you.
We acknowledge that we have received the Lockhart ISD Student
Handbook for the 2011 - 2012 school year, and that we are responsible for
reading and understanding the information contained here.
48
I would like to receive a paper copy of the Elementary Student Handbook.
Student’s Name:
______________________________________________________
(Please print)
Student’s Signature: ________________________________ Date: ________________
Parent’s Name:
______________________________________________________
(Please print)
Parent’s Signature:
________________________________ Date: _________________
School:__________________________________________ Grade Level:_____________
Please sign this page, remove it, and return it to the
student’s school on or before September 16, 2011.
Thank you.
49