RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES HANDBOOK

AND STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Attendance

Discipline

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Substance Abuse

School Calendar

Transfers

Rapides Parish School Board

Sixth and Beauregard Streets

Post Office Box 1230

Alexandria, Louisiana 71309

Dr. Gary L. Jones, Superintendent

Mr. Allen R. Bozeman, Assistant Superintendent of Administration

Mrs. Eddie Mae W. Washington, Assistant Superintendent of

Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. Steve Berry, President of the School Board

2010-2011

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS (Effective 1-9-07 - 12-31-10)

DISTRICT

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H I

WARD

10, 11

9, 10, 11

9, 10, 11

1, 8

1, 2, 5, 7, 8

1, 2

1, 8

2, 3, 4, 5, 6

1, 8

NAME

Mr. Wilton Barrios, Jr.

Mr. Steve Berry

Mr. E. L. Paulk Mrs. Janet Dixon Dr. Stephen Chapman

Mr. John E. Allen, Jr.

Mr. Paul Dauzat

Mr. Al Davis

Mrs. Pam Webb

ADDRESS

P. O. Box 655 Tioga, LA 71477

110 Myrtlewood Pineville, LA 71360 6750 Dogwood Drive Pineville, LA 71360 2701 3rd Street Alexandria, LA 71302 3816 Bayou Rapides Alexandria, LA 71303 1610 Van Street Alexandria, LA 71301 1220 Windsor Place Alexandria, LA 71303 P. O. Box 137 Elmer, LA 71424 1420 S. City Park Blvd. Alexandria, LA 71301

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

SUPERINTENDENTS MESSAGE ..........................................................................................1

REFERENCE PAGE FOR CHANGES 2010-2011 ..................................................................2

PURPOSE AND INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................3

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS..........................................................................................3

SECTION I.

DISCIPLINE AND PROCEDURES PHILOSOPHY OF DISCIPLINE .............................................................................................5

MANDATED PROCEDURES FOR DISSEMINATING MATERIALS IN THE

DISCIPLINE POLICY ........................................................................................................5

DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINE ...............................................................................................6

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES ..................................................................................................6

BATTERY ON A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ACT-733 .................................................................7

REFERRALS.............................................................................................................................8

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ...................................................................................................8

ARREST OF STUDENTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS .........................................9

SECTION II.

GENERAL INFORMATION- ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS ASSIGNED TO THE LEAD CENTER...................................12

SECTION III.

SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS MANDATORY SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS......................................................................15

FIREARMS .............................................................................................................................16

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES..............................................................................................16

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES ....................................................................17

ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTIONS........................................................................................17

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS ...............18

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT..........................................................................................21

DISCRETIONARY SUSPENSIONS .........................................................................................23

INFRACTIONS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ................................................................23

SECOND SUSPENSIONS........................................................................................................24

EXPULSIONS ..........................................................................................................................24

BOMB OR ARSON THREATS.................................................................................................26

SUSPENSION OF STUDENT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE ............................................................26

ATTENDANCE REPORTS FOR STUDENT DRIVERS ..........................................................27

BODY ARMOR.........................................................................................................................29

SECTION IV.

RECUSAL RECUSAL FOR DISCIPLINE OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY .....................................................31

DUE PROCESS PROVISIONS FOR DUE PROCESS .......................................................................................31

PRINCIPALS REPORT OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION..........................................................32

SUPERINTENDENTS HEARING ON EXPULSION .............................................................32

APPEALS FROM SUSPENSION.............................................................................................32

APPEALS FROM ORDER OF EXPULSION ..........................................................................32

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF STUDENTS NEAR THE END

OF SCHOOL........................................................................................................................33

PROBATIONARY AGREEMENT ............................................................................................33

PROBATIONARY READMISSION AGREEMENT..................................................................34

REQUIREMENTS FOR SENIORS TO PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION ACTIVITIES ......35

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................................35

SECTION V.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS SPECIAL EDUCATION..................................................................................................... 37-46

PROCEDURE FOR EXCLUSION OF STUDENTS W/DISABILITIES............................. 37-46

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.............................46

PROCEDURES FOR TRANSITION TO L.E.A.D. CENTER............................................. 47-48

504 SECTION - MANIFESTATION DETERMINATION GUIDELINES .......................... 49-51

SECTION VI.

VANDALISM OFF-CAMPUS THREATS.......................................................................................................53

DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY......................................................................................53

REMOVAL OF STUDENTS AGE 17 OR OLDER ..................................................................53

SECTION VII.

ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES ..............................................................................................................55

ATTENDANCE AND REQUIREMENT: NEW MANDATE ...................................................55

ACT #666 OF 2010 - STUDENTS WHO WITHDRAW PRIOR TO GRADUATION.............55

PERFECT ATTENDANCE.....................................................................................................56

SB 223 - ACT #240 - STUDENTS SUSPENDED FOR TEN (10) OR LESS DAYS ...............57

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES.....................................................................................57

ACT #644 OF 2010 - NOTIFICATION TO PARENTS ..........................................................58

TARDIES (R.S. 17:233)..........................................................................................................59

LATE ARRIVAL AND PARISH TARDY POLICIES...............................................................60

CHECK OUT POLICY ..........................................................................................................61

SECTION VIII.

TRANSFERS MAJORITY-TO-MINORITY TRANSFERS ........................................................................... 64

OPEN ENROLLMENT ......................................................................................................... 64

TRANSFER POLICY ............................................................................................................ 64

STUDENT SELECTION PROCEDURE .............................................................................. 64

SECTION IX.

RESPONSIBILITIES PRINCIPAL .......................................................................................................................... 69

TEACHER ............................................................................................................................ 69

STUDENT............................................................................................................................. 69

PARENT ............................................................................................................................... 69

PARENT ORIENTATION .................................................................................................... 70

SECTION X.

STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES RIGHT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION...................................................................................... 73

504 COORDINATOR AND PUPIL APPRAISAL................................................................. 74

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST

GRADE............................................................................................................................. 74

SECTION XI.

TRANSPORTATION BUS CONDUCT RULES AND REGULATIONS ................................................................. 76

TRAINING FOR BUS DRIVERS.......................................................................................... 77

DISCIPLINE ON THE BUS ................................................................................................. 77

SECTION XII.

THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS AND DRESS FREEDOM OF SPEECH..................................................................................................... 79

DRESS AND APPEARANCE ............................................................................................... 79

GIRLS - #7 - OUT-OF-UNIFORM DRESS DAY ............................................................. 80

POLICY ON BRAIDS ........................................................................................................... 80

BOYS - #7 - OUT-OF-UNIFORM DRESS DAY .............................................................. 81

DISCRIMINATION .............................................................................................................. 82

SEXUAL HARASSMENT...................................................................................................... 82

STUDENT HARASSMENT OR INTIMIDATION/CYBERBULLYING

ACT #755 OF 2010........................................................................................................... 91

HARASSMENT NOT CAUSED BY A STUDENT

RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN.............................................................................. 91

SECTION XIII.

SEARCHES INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 93

SEARCH OF NON-STUDENTS ENTERING PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS

OR GROUNDS .................................................................................................................. 94

METAL DETECTORS .......................................................................................................... 94

GUIDELINES FOR USE OF METAL DETECTORS........................................................... 94

RANDOM SEARCHES ......................................................................................................... 95

DETECTOR SEARCH PROCEDURE ................................................................................. 95

DISCOVERY OF CONTRABAND........................................................................................ 95

RETURN OF PROPERTY .................................................................................................... 95

STUDENT ACCESS TO AUTOMOBILES ........................................................................... 95

SECTION XIV.

ACCESS TO RECORDS STUDENTS' RECORDS ....................................................................................................... 97

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

(FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT)............................................. 97

FREEDOM OF RELIGION.................................................................................................. 98

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ........................................................................... 98

TITLE IX............................................................................................................................... 98

MARRIAGE AND PREGNANCY ......................................................................................... 98

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES.............................................................................................. 98

SECTION XV.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY .......................................................................................... 101 PHILOSOPHY.................................................................................................................... 101 DUTY OF EMPLOYEES.................................................................................................... 101 CONSENT FOR ALCOHOL OR DRUG TESTING ........................................................... 101 REFERRAL FOR ALCOHOL OR DRUG TESTING ..................................................101-102 SUSPENSION PROCEDURE FOR ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENSES (FIRST OFFENSE ONLY).............................................................................................. 102 POLICY A - FIRST OFFENSE ONLY................................................................................ 102 POLICY B - FIRST OFFENSE ONLY................................................................................ 103 POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL (2ND OFFENSE) .............................................................. 104 POLICY FOR USE OF DRUG DOG................................................................................. 104 ALCOHOL.......................................................................................................................... 104

SECTION XVI.

MISCELLANEOUS INTERNET...................................................................................................................107-109

MEDICATION POLICY ..............................................................................................110-111

HEAD LICE POLICY......................................................................................................... 111

HOME STUDY PROGRAM ........................................................................................111-113

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OPERATING THE L.E.A.D. CENTER ................ 114

SCHEDULE FOR THE LEAD CENTER .......................................................................... 115

ASSESSMENT PHASE OF THE NEW STUDENTS

ADMITTED TO THE LEAD CENTER............................................................................ 116

LOUISIANA MINOR LABOR LAWS (WORK PERMITS) ................................................. 117

EDUCATION OF CHILDREN HAVING NO PERMANENT ADDRESS

AND CERTAIN ABANDONED CHILDREN .................................................................. 118

ADDRESSING ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS WITH RESPECT ........................ 118

GEE-21........................................................................................................................118-122

TOPS ...........................................................................................................................118-122

SECTION XVII.

SCHOOL ADMISSION SCHOOL ADMISSION ....................................................................................................... 124

TEACHER BILL OF RIGHTS......................................................................................127-129

FORMS ........................................................................................................................130-136

APPENDIX - (GLOSSARY) .........................................................................................137-138

STATEMENTS OF COMPLIANCE .....................................................................................139

NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY.....................................................................................140

Steve Berry, District B President

Dr. Gary L. Jones Superintendent

1

Reference Page for Changes

2010 2011 School Year

SuperintendentsMessage.1 DisciplineofStudentsAssignedtotheL.E.A.D.Center13 ElectronicCommunicationBetweenEmployeesandStudents..18 AttendanceReportsforStudentDrivers.............................................................................................................27ProbationaryAgreementChanges.........................................................................................................................33DisciplineProceduresforSpecialEducationStudents..................................................................................46 ProceduresforTransitiontotheL.E.A.D.Center..............................................................................................47504SectionManifestationDeterminationGuidelines....................................................................................49Attendance(NewMandate)andRequirements................................................................................................55ACT#666of2010StudentswhoWithdrawPriortoGraduatingfromSchool.................................55SB#223,ACT#240PupilsSuspendedforTen(10)orLessDays..........................................................57ExtenuatingCircumstancesasMandated#9BoardApproval..............................................................57AbsencesDuetoSuspensionsEligibleforMakeupWork.........................................................................57ACT#644of2010SchoolPrincipalorDesigneetoNotifyParents/GuardiansinWriting onorbeforeaStudentsThirdUnexcusedAbsenceorTardy.........................................................58OpenEnrollment..............................................................................................................................................................64Namesofthe504CoordinatorandthePupilAppraisal.................................................................................74DressandAppearanceOutofDressDay............................................................................................................80

Girls#7SchoolsweatshirtsandhoodiescanbewornatthediscretionofthePrincipal onoutofuniformdressday...80Boys#7SchoolsweatshirtsandhoodiescanbewornatthediscretionofthePrincipal onoutofuniformdressday...81Belts(AnyColor).....................................................................................................................................................81

SexualHarassmentAndNotCausedbyaStudentRace/Gender,NationalOrigin,Ethnicity, Sex,SexualOrientationorDisabilityNote:CyberbullyingAmendedACT#755of2010 PolicyonCyberbullyingbyJanuary1,2010..........................................................................................91DirectoryInformation(FERPA)FamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct....................................97ExpulsionProcedureforDrugsorControlledSubstances............................................................................102PoliciesandProceduresfortheOperationoftheL.E.A.D.Center..............................................................114Glossary................................................................................................................................................................................137ReceiptandStatementsofCompliance..................................................................................................................139PolicyonCyberbullyingandConsequences.........................................................................................................91

DatetoReturntheReceipt.................................................................................................................................139CorrectedNamesonNonDiscriminationPolicy...............................................................................................140

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RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PURPOSE

The purpose of this booklet is to provide students and parents information regarding their rights and responsibilities in the Rapides Parish School System. Each student is responsible for complying with policies and procedures in this document. We are requesting that you become thoroughly familiar with its contents. Students and parents are to read and sign the last page of this document, indicating that they have received a copy of it and return it to their home school. Failure to return the receipt will result in an automatic suspension until the receipt is returned. DISCIPLINE POLICY OF THE RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD INTRODUCTION One major objective of discipline is to teach and motivate students to develop self-discipline. Although the ultimate responsibility for student conduct rests with the student and his parent, discipline is a part of the daily responsibility of school personnel and not merely the action at times when a student may deviate from acceptable forms of conduct. The school has the responsibility to provide an educational environment for students to practice controlling their own behavior, to correct their own mistakes in behavior, and to see examples of responsible behavior by staff and other students. It should be clearly understood by the student, his parents and all school personnel that the purpose of all disciplinary action is to correct future behavior and to teach the student that education is a right qualified by compliance with reasonable rules and regulations.

Discipline shall be administered in a uniform, consistent and non-discriminatory manner throughout

the school system. School Resource Officers may be stationed in Rapides Parish Schools in cooperation with the Rapides Parish Sheriffs Office. This policy is designed to conform to R.S. 17:416. In the event of a policy conflict or omission, the statute controls.

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dp2010-2011Discipline Policy 2010-2011(First Part)SUPERINTENDENTS MESSAGE 1REFERENCE PAGE FOR CHANGES 2010-2011 2PURPOSE AND INTRODUCTION 3SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS 3 DISCIPLINE POLICY 5CORPORAL PUNISHMENT 8ARREST OF STUDENTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS 9MANDATORY SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS 15MAJORITY-TO-MINORITY TRANSFERS 64OPEN ENROLLMENT 64TRANSFER POLICY 64STUDENT SELECTION PROCEDURE 64PRINCIPAL 69STUDENT HARASSMENT OR INTIMIDATION/CYBERBULLYINGALCOHOL AND DRUGSMISCELLANEOUS

MEDICATION POLICY 110-111HEAD LICE POLICY 111HOME STUDY PROGRAM 111-113SCHOOL ADMISSION

Discipline Policy 2010-2011(Second Part)Recusal andTransportation