DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Chickasaw County School District is to provide a safe learning environment and ensure high levels of learning for all students.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mr. Thomas Howell, President
James Earp, Vice-President
Tammy Chamblee
Barbie Gill
Teresa Woodard
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
John Ellison, Superintendent
Dr.Tony Horton, Chief Operations Officer, Transportation,
Student Discipline, Safety, Alternative Schools
Katonya Gathings, Director of Curriculum and Assessment
Sarah Juckes, Business Manager
Kim Lancaster, Director of Special Education,
Section 504 and Title IX Coordinator
Connie Phillips, Director of Federal Programs
Shane Presley, Technology Coordinator
Lisa Voyles, Director of Child Nutrition
Houston Lower Elementary Houston Upper Elementary
Nikki Buchanan, Principal Angel Carr, Principal
123 Starkville Road 453 Pittsboro Street
Houston MS 38851 Houston MS 38851
662-456-3323 662-456-2797
Houston Middle School Houston High School
Zane Thomas, Principal William Cook, Principal
632A Starkville Road 634 Starkville Road
Houston MS 38851 Houston MS 38851
662-456-5174 662-456-3320
Houston Center for Technical Education Houlka Attendance Center
Teresa Moore, Director Jill Vance, Principal
634A Starkville Road 510 Griffin Avenue
Houston MS 38851 New Houlka MS 38850
662-456-3748 662-568-2772
DISTRICT GOALS
The Goals of the Chickasaw County School District are to:
1. Ensure the safety of all staff and students.
2. Increase learning levels and proficiency rates of all students.
3. Ensure all students have access to effective teachers and a rigorous, viable curriculum.
4. Ensure a positive school culture that promotes character, work ethic, and responsibility.
5. Increase the percentage of students graduating and college and career ready.
6. Develop a partnership with all stakeholders that promotes effective communication, community involvement, and student success.
7. Remain financially stable as a District.
TITLE IX COMPLIANCE
Every pupil of the district will have equal educational opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, sex, disability, religion, nationality, or marital status. No student shall be excluded on such a basis from participating in or having access to any course offerings, athletics, counseling, employment assistance, and extra-curricular activities.
The Title IX coordinator and Section 504 coordinator for the Chickasaw County School District is
Kimberly Lancaster. She can be contacted at 662-456-3332,
636 Starkville Road, Houston MS 38851.
TITLE 1 – PARENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW
Parents of children, who attend schools that receive Title I, Part A funding, have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the educators who teach their children core subjects – Reading, English Language Arts, and Mathematics. The same applies to paraprofessionals who instruct children. At a minimum, the information you receive must explain these 3 essential components of an educator’s qualifications:
If you have any questions concerning this matter, you should contact Connie Phillips, Federal Programs Director at 662-456-3332 or the principal at the school your child attends.
ASBESTOS DISCLAIMER
In compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, the Chickasaw County School District has regular asbestos inspections. The inspection findings and our asbestos management plan are on file in the Superintendent’s Office.
An asbestos test was performed at Houston Lower Elementary and at Houston Career and Technical Building during the 2008-2009 school year. Asbestos was found to be present in the HLES 2nd grade building and in the HCTE shops and classrooms. However, this testing proved that the asbestos was not friable or dangerous to building occupants in any way.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Good attendance with a minimum of tardiness and absenteeism is essential if students are to gain maximum benefit of the instructional program and attain high academic achievement. This school board directs the superintendent to develop administrative rules governing tardiness and absences (excused and unexcused). Such rules shall be based on the “Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law” (MS Code §37-13-91) and shall include (but not necessarily be limited to) expectations for good student attendance, parent responsibility, absentee limits, excused and unexcused absences, and tardiness.
All absences are recorded as excused or unexcused.
Documentation must be submitted to the school for any absence, tardy, or early checkout to be excused. This documentation should be presented within 5 days of returning to school to guarantee acceptance. If proper documentation is not presented within 5 days, any absence, tardy, and/or early checkout may remain unexcused.
ANY STUDENT WITH 12 OR MORE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY GRADUATION ACTIVITY SPONSORED BY THE CHICKASAW SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Parent note(s) will be accepted for up to 5 non-consecutive days absent each semester. The parent note should include the date of the absence(s) and up-to-date parent contact information. For absences of 3 or more consecutive days, a doctor’s excuse and/or other verifiable documentation may be required to excuse the days absent.
The principal shall grant excused absences once he/she has received the proper documentation for the following reasons:
1. Attendance of authorized school activity
2. Illness or injury which prevents school attendance
3. Ordered isolation by the Health Department
4. Death or serious injury within immediate family
5. Medical and dental appointments with a doctor’s note verifying the appointment
6. Attendance in court wherein the child is a party in the action
7. Observation of a religious event
8. Educationally significant travel that has prior approval of the principal
9. Participation in 4-H and FFA sponsored events or employment by the Mississippi House of Representatives or Senate as a page (HB 74)
The rules shall specify that no absence will be excused when it is due to suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary action. [see MS Code §37-13-9 (4)]
With 3 unexcused absences, parents will be notified in writing. After 5 unexcused absences, the principal is required by law to submit a written report to the Compulsory School Office of the Youth Court System.
Students must attend 63% of the day prior to, as well as, the day of, any out of school activity such as field trips and competition. Permission to be out the day before or of any school activity may be granted with prior principal’s approval or a doctor’s excuse.
College Days: Seniors will be allowed to participate in 2 college days per school year. Approval of college days must occur 3 school days before the visit. One visit will be allowed in the fall and one in the spring. These will be excused as a school function. All other college days will be unexcused. Juniors will be allowed 2 college days per school year ONLY by invitation from the school they wish to visit.
Make up work must be completed within 5 days of returning to school. For extended absences, 10 school days will be allowed for the make up work to be completed. Failure to make up work within the allotted days may result in zeros 0) being recorded for the assignments.
Any work assigned prior to any absence, including tests, must be turned in or completed immediately upon the student’s return to school.
ALL Students in Grades 9-12: Students are expected to complete long-term assignments in a timely manner by a specific deadline or their grade will be penalized, regardless of the reason. For example, a student has been assigned memory work from Romeo and Juliet and given a period of 3 weeks in order to recite the passage. The student has not recited the memory work and has a track meet on the day of the deadline. Even though the student is on a school function, the deadline has been missed and the grade will be reduced.
Tardies and Early Checkouts:
Students must be present 63% of their instructional day to be counted present.
A student’s instructional day is considered to be time in academic classes. For example, reading and math class is a part of a student’s instructional day, but time at recess and lunch is not. Non-instructional time is deducted from each student’s schedule before the 63% is determined.
Class time missed due to tardies and/or each checkout will also be recorded as excused or unexcused. Proper documentation meeting the guidelines for excused absences will be required for a tardy or early checkout to be excused. Students who arrive during the school day should immediately check in through the office. PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN GRADES K5 – 5TH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO SIGN THEIR CHILD(REN) IN WHEN TARDY TO SCHOOL.
In addition, any tardy or early checkout, no matter how small the amount of time, will result in loss of perfect attendance status for any student.
Appointments should be scheduled for after school hours whenever possible. When a student is checked out of school, he/she must be signed out through the office. Students will not be allowed to leave with anyone that is not listed as a parent, guardian, or emergency contact. If someone else is checking out the student, the parent must grant permission in writing to release the student. Parent name and current phone number MUST be on the parent note. ID may be required to prove identity if the office deems necessary.
At Houston Lower and Upper Elementaries: Due to preparation for student dismissal and safety issues, the school office should be notified of any bus change request by 1:30. Also, students will not allowed to be checked out through the office after 2:15. Parents should always plan to pick their children up through the designated car rider areas. Parents are not allowed to park and walk to the car rider area to pick up their children.
ALL Students in Grades 6 - 12:
4th tardy – warning
5th tardy and all subsequent tardies will receive discipline at the administration’s discretion
High School students can be checked out by phone contact two (2) times per year. After two phone checkouts, a parent/guardian must come to the school to check the student out of school. During this phone call, the parent/guardian may be asked questions to help verify his/her identity.
If a student has to check out during the day, the parent or guardian may notify the school between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. The parent/guardian is responsible for giving the secretary, guidance counselor, or principal the name of the student and the time he/she is to be released from school. If the student has a vehicle at school, he/she is required to come to the office and sign out before leaving school. If a student becomes ill, the school nurse will be called and will determine if the student should go home. Parents will be contacted and the student may leave on his/her own. This procedure WILL be followed during exams.
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The state of Mississippi provides for a uniform system of free public schools for students enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade who have reached compulsory school age of 5 on or before September 1 of the calendar year and have not reached the age of 21 on or before September 1 of the calendar year.
Any minor child who seeks to enroll in any school in the Chickasaw County School District MUST be accompanied by a parent, natural or adoptive, who is legally responsible for the said child, or by the guardian. {Mississippi Code §37-15-11} In the case of separated or divorced parents, court orders and decrees involving custody will be the determining factor for enrollment and residency.
No child may enroll in any school in the Chickasaw County School District who does not physically reside full time week days/nights and weekends, at a place of abode within the limits of the school district unless the child has been lawfully transferred from his/her former school district in accord with the statues of this state. However, those children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are employees of the Chickasaw County School District and live outside of the limits of the school district may, at the employees discretion, enroll and attend the school or schools of their parent’s or legal guardian’s employment regardless of the residence of the child {Mississippi Code §17-15-29
Any student transferring to the Chickasaw County School District from a non-accredited school (a school that is not accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education) or home school instructional program within or outside the state of Mississippi will be required to take a test to determine the grade and class to which the student will be assigned. The principal or his/her designee shall administer a placement test or tests to the student. The test must be given before enrollment to determine placement. No student shall be assigned to a
grade and/ or a class more than 2 grades above or below the grade or class that student would have been assigned had the student remained in the school from which the transfer is being made. {Mississippi Code §37-15-33} (SB Policies 3801-3802)
The following diagnostic tests should be administered for classification:
Grades K5 – 3rd – STAR
**Students enrolling in the Pre-School K4 program have different admission guidelines as directed by the Mississippi Department of Education Early Childhood Learning Guidelines. Please contact HLES or HAC for any questions.
Students in grades 4 – 8 will be given an age appropriate benchmark assessment in Language Arts and in Math to help determine grade placement
High School students: the Carnegie Unit System is the primary factor for determining grade level placement of a high school student. The Chickasaw County School District will not give Carnegie units, upon transfer request only, for any subject taught in tutorial, correspondence, or home study programs not accredited regionally or by a state board of education. To receive a Carnegie unit for a course taught in a non-accredited correspondence, tutorial, or home study program, a student entering this school district must pass a comprehensive, teacher made, special subject area test with 70% accuracy. The comprehensive examination will be based on the standards outlined by the state of Mississippi. The number of Carnegie units awarded shall determine grade placement of the pupil in accordance with the graduation requirements and state/local mandates.
An enrollment form will be completed for a student entering the Chickasaw County School District that contains the name, address, telephone number, date of birth from a certified birth certificate, social security number, parent or guardian, emergency contacts, and other pertinent data.
Documents REQUIRED for registration:
∙€€€€€ Birth certificate (if the person enrolling the student is not named on the birth certificate, that person must have a legal court document proving legal guardianship)
∙€€€€€ Certificate of Immunization Compliance (shot record) – Form 121
∙€€€€€ Social security number
∙€€€€€ Withdrawal slip and report card/transcript (if transferring from another school) Students suspended or expelled from another school or district MAY not be allowed to enroll
∙€€€€€ Two current (current – within 3 months of registration) proofs of residency Acceptable proofs include:
Filed Homestead Exemption Application form | Mortgage documents or property deed |
Apartment or home lease agreement | Utility bills |
Driver’s license | Recent voter registration/precinct identification |
Automobile registration | Affidavit and/or visit by a designated school district official |
Government documents such as: student loan paperwork, IRS correspondence, SSI benefits/Disability paperwork, Medicaid, WIC, DHS, etc. | |
The district may require additional documentation at any time. A personal home visit of any student enrolled in the Chickasaw County School District by a school official may occur at any time to verify residency.
WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
When a student must withdrawal from school for any reason, his/her parent(s) are required to report to the principal’s office on the last day of attendance and to fill out a withdrawal slip with the following information:
∙€€€€€ Reason for withdrawal
∙€€€€€ Date of withdrawal
∙€€€€€ The name of the new school if he/she is transferring
∙€€€€€ All books must be turned in and all fines/fees paid
Intra-District Transfer Policy
Students in the Chickasaw County School District will be required to attend the school zone that corresponds with the students established location of residency.
1. If a parent has moved, and the place of residence is now located outside the attendance boundary of the student’s assigned school, but remains within District boundaries, the student may continue to attend the school zone where the student had been enrolled prior to the change in residency. Transportation will be the responsibility of the parent.
2. If a student transfers school zones within the district for any reason, it is the student and parents responsibility to determine whether the move will affect athletic eligibility as determined by the MHSAA.
GRADING POLICY
|
| Grades K - 12 |
A |
| 90-100 |
B |
| 80-89 |
C |
| 70-79 |
D |
| 65-69 |
F |
| Below 64 |
In Grades K5 – 2nd: all grades are weighted equally
In Grades 3 - 12: daily grades are weighted once and test grades are
weighted twice
In Grades 6 - 12, 9 weeks tests and semester exams will be given.
The 1st and 3rd 9 weeks test will be 20% of the students’ 9 weeks average.
The semester exam will be 20% of the students’ final semester average.
Honor Roll:
Honor Roll is to recognize students with high academic achievement. Students in grades 1 – 8 will be eligible for the Principal’s Honor Roll if they have no average less than a B in any subject. Students in grades 1 – 8 will be eligible for Superintendent’s Honor Roll if they have no average less than an A in any subject.
Honor Roll for students in grades 9 – 12 will be based on QPA (quality points average). Students will be eligible for the Principal’s List if they have a QPA of 3.0 or higher. Students will be eligible for the Superintendent’s List if they have a QPA of 4.0 or higher.
Report Cards:
Report cards will be issued on the following dates:
Thursday, October 13, 2022 Thursday, March 19, 2023
Thursday, January 5, 2023 End of Year will be announced
Exemption Policy:
Students in grades 6-12 may earn exemptions on the end of course exams based on the following policy:
Semester Course | Full Year Course |
Semester average of 70-79, no OSS, no more than 3 tardies per 9 weeks, 0 absences for the semester | Yearly average of 70-79, no OSS, no more than 3 tardies per 9 weeks, 0 absences for the year |
Semester average of 80-89, no OSS, no more than 3 tardies per 9 weeks, 3 absences or less for the semester | Yearly average of 80-89, no OSS, no more than 3 tardies per 9 weeks, 5 absences or less for the year |
Semester average of 90-100, no OSS, no more than 3 tardies per 9 weeks, 5 absences or less for the semester) | Yearly average of 90-100, no OSS, no more than 3 tardies per 9 weeks, 10 or less absences for the year |
All fees and fines must be paid | All fees and fines must be paid |
***A student can not have more than 3 days of ISS to be eligible for exemptions***
***Additional exemptions may be given at the building level for testing incentives***
Awarding of Senior Honors at Houston High School currently and Houlka Attendance Center beginning with the Class of 2024:
Honor Graduate: a student who has a minimum quality point average (QPA) of 3.5 but has not taken the required number of accelerated, Advanced Placement, or Dual Credit courses will graduate with Honors.
Special Honor Graduate: a student who has a minimum QPA of 3.5, has passed at least 2 Advanced Placement or Dual Credit courses, and has met all the Mississippi Public University admission standards will graduate with Special Honors
Valedictorian and Salutatorian:
for a student to be eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian, he/she must take 6 accelerated, advanced, Advanced Placement, or Dual Credit courses and 4 of those must be Advanced Placement or Dual Credit. They must also meet all the Mississippi Public University admission standards.
The student with the highest QPA based on the weighted scale will be declared Valedictorian. The student with the second highest QPA will be declared Salutatorian. The student with the third highest QPA will be declared Historian.
Note: QPAs are calculated to the thousandths place and are not rounded.
In case of a tie, the actual class numerical averages will be used.
For HOULKA ATTENDANCE CENTER SENIORS IN THE CLASS OF 2023:
Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Historian Selection Policy:
The student with the highest numerical average at the conclusion of his/her senior year will be the Valedictorian. The student with the second highest numerical average at the conclusion of his/her senior year will be the Salutatorian. The student with the third highest numerical average at the conclusion of his/her senior year will be the Historian.
Honor Students:
Recipients must have an overall numerical average of 90 or above for all high school coursework.
NOTE: OFFICIAL AWARDING OF HONORS AND SPECIAL HONORS CANNOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL ALL FINAL AVERAGES HAVE BEEN CALCULATED. FINAL AVERAGES WILL BE CALCULATED AFTER SENIOR EXAMS ARE GIVEN IN MAY OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.
Weighted Scale: the chart below indicates how the QPA system corresponds with each level of course taken.
Advanced Placement/Dual Credit/Calculus | Accelerated/Advanced Courses | Regular Courses |
A = 5.0 | A = 4.5 | A = 4.0 |
B = 4.0 | B = 3.5 | B = 3.0 |
C = 3.0 | C = 2.5 | C = 2.0 |
D = 2.0 | D = 1.5 | D = 1.0 |
The possible Advanced Placement/Dual Credit/Calculus courses are:
∙€€€€€ Any college board approved Advanced Placement course offered by Chickasaw County School District
∙€€€€€ Any dual credit course offered by CCSD in partnership with Itawamba Community College or other IHL
∙€€€€€ Calculus (Calculus does not count as the Advanced Placement/Dual Credit course needed to qualify for Special Honors. It does count as an advanced or accelerated course towards the Mississippi Public University admission standards requirement)
∙€€€€€ Only five (5) of the following Dual Credit classes will be considered for Valedictorian/Salutatorian/Historian: College Algebra, English Comp 1 and 2, US History 1 and 2, Psychology, or Public Speaking
∙€€€€€ The accelerated/advanced courses are:
∙€€€€€ Any course labeled as accelerated in the course offerings at HHS or HAC (example: Accelerated US Government)
o Algebra III
o Physics
o French II/Spanish II
**Students enrolled in any AP course will be required to take the AP test for that subject. Students that do not take the AP test will not receive the weighted scale when determining that student’s QPA.
No summer school, correspondence courses, or classes taken away from Houston High School and/or Houlka Attendance Center will be calculated into the QPA but will be included on the final transcript.
Distance Learning:
In order to choose distance learning for primary instruction, students must submit a doctor documented, medical reason that will cause extended absences to support virtual learning. Parents must schedule a meeting with their student’s building principal, provide documentation, and sign and complete the distance learning agreement form. Students will be expected to attend classes virtually during their regularly scheduled times. Students will also be expected to complete all assignments and meet all deadlines.
If distance learning becomes mandatory for any reason, students who do not have access to the Internet will receive teacher recorded lessons, print materials, and instructional materials may be downloaded on a computer, chrome book, or tablet. These lessons will be completed weekly and returned to school for teachers to grade. When students return the lesson, they will receive the next week’s lesson. Student may also pick up paper lessons that go along with the downloaded lessons.
Changing from traditional education to distance learning education as a choice will require medical documentation supporting the students need for distance learning. Any other changes will require proper documentation and must be approved or initiated by the building administration.
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS
Kindergarten: students must receive a passing grade in Reading and Math to be promoted. Reading performance must be at or above grade level for promotion as measured on STAR Early Literacy. The MKAS Post Test and/or End of Year Benchmark test may also be considered.
Grade 1: students must receive a passing grade in Reading, Math, and Language Arts to be promoted. Reading performance must be at or above grade level for promotion as measured on STAR. An End of the Year Benchmark test may also be considered.
Grade 2: students must receive a passing grade in Reading, Math, and Language Arts to be promoted. Reading performance must be at or above grade level for promotion as measured on STAR. An end of the year benchmark test may also be considered.
Grades 3-5: in order to be promoted to the next grade level, students will be required to pass 3 of the 4 academic classes (English Language Arts [includes reading], math, social studies, and science). However, students in grades 3-5 cannot fail the same academic subject two consecutive years and be promoted to the next grade level.
Students in grade 3 are required by the State of Mississippi to pass a 3rd Grade Summative Reading test. Students scoring in the lowest 2 achievement levels in reading on the established state assessment will not be promoted to the 4th grade unless the student meets a good cause exemption for promotion. (Additional information will be provided to all 3rd grade parents)
Grades 6-8: in order to be promoted to the next grade level, students will be required to pass 4 of the 5 academic classes (English/Language Arts [includes reading], math, social studies, science, and grade appropriate technology course). However, students in grades 6-8 cannot fail the same academic subject two consecutive years and be promoted to the next grade level.
Grades 9-12: in order to be promoted to the next grade level, students must earn a minimum number of Carnegie units to be promoted.
To be promoted from 9th grade to 10th grade, a student must have earned a minimum of 8 Carnegie units that must include English I |
To be promoted from 10th grade to 11th grade, a student must have earned a minimum of 14 Carnegie units including English I and English II |
To be promoted from 11th grade to 12th grade, a student must have earned a minimum of 20 Carnegie units including 3 English Carnegie units (must have English I and English II) |
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students must meet the following criteria in addition to earning the required number of Carnegie units to graduate:
∙€€€€€€ Passing Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and US History courses
∙€€€€€€ Passing the applicable end of course subject area test or meet the additional options outlined by the Mississippi Department of Education
∙€€€€€€ NO STUDENT SHALL RECEIVE A DIPLOMA, SIGNED OR UNSIGNED, OR ANY SUBSTITUE FOR A DIPLOMA THAT FAILED TO MEET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS NOR SHALL ANY SUCH STUDENT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION EXERICE.
∙€€€€€€ Students with 12 or more unexcused absences will not be allowed to participate in graduation activities – See Policy IHP
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Mississippi has two diploma options: The Traditional Diploma and the Alternate Diploma. The Traditional Diploma is for all students. The Alternate Diploma is an option for students with a Significant Cognitive Disability (SCD).
Traditional Diploma Option
Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects |
English | 4 | English I and English II |
Mathematics | 4 | Algebra I |
Science | 3 | Biology I |
Social Studies | 3 1/2 | 1 World History, 1 US History, ½ US Government, ½ Economics, ½ Mississippi Studies |
Physical Education | 1/2 |
|
Health | 1/2 |
|
Art | 1 |
|
College and Career Readiness | 1 | Must occur in the student’s junior or senior year, or in the student’s completion of a 4-year sequence |
Technology or Computer Science | 1 |
|
Additional Electives | 7 |
|
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED | 24 |
|
Requirements:
Alternate Diploma Option – ONLY students who have the criteria on their IEP for having a Severe Cognitive Disability (SCD) may participate in a program of student to earn the Alternate Diploma
Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects |
English | 4 | Alternate English Elements I-IV |
Mathematics | 4 | Alternate Math Elements I-III Alternate Algebra Elements |
Science | 2 | Alternate Biology Elements Alternate Science Elements II |
Social Studies | 2 | Alternate History Elements (Strands: US History & World History) Alternate Social Studies Elements (Strands: Economics & Government) |
Physical Education | 1/2 |
|
Health | 1/2 | Alternate Health Elements |
Art | 1 |
|
Career Readiness | 4 | Career Readiness I-IV (Strands: Technology, Systems, Employability, & Social) |
Life Skills Development | 4 | Life Skills Development I-IV (Strands: Technology, Systems, Personal Care, & Social) |
Additional Electives | 2 |
|
Total Units Required | 24 |
|
Requirements:
Traditional Diploma Endorsement Options
Students pursuing a TRADITIONAL Diploma MUST identify an endorsement prior to entering 9th grade.
Career and Technical Endorsement:
Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects |
English | 4 | English I and English II |
Mathematics | 4 | Algebra I |
Science | 3 | Biology I |
Social Studies | 3 1/2 | 1 World History, 1 US History, ½ MS Studies, ½ Economics, and ½ US Government |
Physical Education | 1/2 |
|
Health | 1/2 |
|
Art | 1 |
|
College and Career Readiness | 1 | Must occur during student’s junior or senior year, or in the student completion of a 4 year sequence |
Technology or Computer Science | 1 |
|
CTE Electives | 4 | MUST complete a 4 course sequential program of study |
Additional Electives | 3 1/2 |
|
Total Units Required | 26 |
|
Additional Requirements:
Academic Endorsement:
Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects |
English | 4 | English I and English II |
Mathematics | 4 | Algebra I + 2 additional math courses above Algebra I |
Science | 3 | Biology I + 2 additional science courses above Biology I |
Social Studies | 3 1/2 | 1 World History, 1 US History, ½ MS Studies, ½ Economics, and ½ US Government |
Physical Education | 1/2 |
|
Health | 1/2 |
|
Art | 1 |
|
College and Career Readiness | 1 | Must occur during student’s junior or senior year, or in the student completion of a 4 year sequence |
Technology or Computer Science | 1 |
|
Additional Electives | 7 1/2 |
|
Total Units Required | 26 |
|
Additional Requirements:
Distinguished Academic Endorsement:
Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects |
English | 4 | English I and English II |
Mathematics | 4 | Algebra I + 2 additional math courses above Algebra I |
Science | 4 | Biology I + 2 additional science courses above Biology I |
Social Studies | 3 1/2 | 1 World History, 1 US History, ½ MS Studies, ½ Economics, and ½ US Government |
Physical Education | 1/2 |
|
Health | 1/2 |
|
Art | 1 |
|
College and Career Readiness | 1 | Must occur during student’s junior or senior year, or in the student completion of a 4 year sequence |
Technology or Computer Science | 1 |
|
Additional Electives | 8 |
|
Total Units Required | 28 |
|
Additional Requirements:
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The Chickasaw County School District fully expects students to exhibit good behavior. Student behavior is one of the most impactful components of academic achievement. If students are misbehaving, their learning opportunities and the learning opportunities of other students in the room may be disrupted. Teachers will maintain classroom discipline. They have the responsibility for and authority to discipline students in such matters as talking in class, class preparation, conduct in class, etc. If a teacher’s discipline methods are not successful, the student will be referred to the principal.
Punishment for all offenses may be progressive in nature. Discipline may include counseling, parent conference, corporal punishment, suspension, expulsion, or other measures deemed appropriate by the principal.
Ultimately, all discipline issues will be handled at the discretion of school administration.
Corporal punishment is defined as punishing or correcting a student by striking the student on the buttocks with a paddle. Only certified administrators and/or teachers shall administer corporal punishment, at the discretion of the administrator, and this must be done in the presence of an adult witness. A student shall not receive more than 3 licks for any given offense and shall receive no more than 5 licks on a single day. Proper policies and procedures must be followed. NOTE: it is the parent’s responsibility to notify the principal in writing if corporal punishment is not to be used with his/her child. Such notification must be delivered in person by the parent and shall be filed in the student’s school record each year.
In school suspension: Students may be assigned to ISS for Category 1 – 3 offenses. Students in ISS must:
∙€€€€€€ Complete all assigned work to the satisfaction of the administrator before they are allowed to exit
∙€€€€€€ Obey the rules of the ISS program
∙€€€€€€ Not interact with any other student
∙€€€€€€ Will not be allowed to participate in ANY extracurricular activity until the day following completion of ISS
∙€€€€€€ Any absences occurring during ISS will be made up when the student returns to school
∙€€€€€€ If these rules are not followed, the student may receive additional days of ISS, out of school suspension, or other forms of punishment deemed appropriate at the principal’s discretion
Out of school suspension: OSS will be assigned if a student declines discipline measures deemed necessary and appropriate by a teacher and/or principal. The principal can suspend a student for up to 5 days without consultation with the superintendent. A student may be suspended for up to 10 days pending expulsion or awaiting a mandatory parent conference.
Absences due to OSS will not count in the number of days allowed each student per 9 weeks towards truancy. Students who have been suspended will not be eligible for perfect attendance or any type of attendance award and the OSS days will count towards the number of days to be eligible to participate in graduation activities.
Students under suspension shall:
∙€€€€€ Not trespass on any other school campus or enter into any school building except for a prearranged conference with the principal
∙€€€€€ Not ride a school bus nor attend any day or night school or school sponsored activity
∙€€€€€ Students that attend school, any school sponsored event, or come onto school property while suspended will have days added to their suspension and possible trespassing charges could be filed
∙€€€€€ May receive a grade of zero (0) for any schoolwork missed during the period of suspension. Suspended students will be allowed to take major tests when they return to school in a timely manner
Any student that does not serve his/her suspension by the end of the regular school year will serve the remaining days at the beginning of the next school year.
Expulsion is a decision of the District Discipline Committee. Any student expelled from Chickasaw County School District will lose all privileges of attendance and participation for the time specified by the District Discipline Committee. Expulsion shall be by administrative recommendation to the District Discipline Committee. All requirements of due process shall be followed in cases requiring expulsion.
Transition from expulsion: Students returning from expulsion whom the school board has readmitted will begin their return to the regular school setting by transitioning to the Alternative School. The transition period will be for two weeks upon the students’ return from expulsion. During days 1 – 5, students will attend 2 class periods at the regular school and the remainder of the school day at the alternative school. On days 6-10, students will attend 4 periods at the regular school and the remainder at the alternative school. If students fail to complete their transition satisfactorily, the discipline committee can place students in the alternative school for a minimum of 45 days. When students complete their transition, they will begin full time in the regular school setting and will be on probation for 45 school days.
When a student returns from expulsion, his/her expulsion negates exemptions and participation in extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year in which the student returns.
Special education students may require conferences with a school and/or district special education representative prior to any discipline procedure.
Code of Conduct Violation Classifications
This is not an exclusive list nor are these consequences in any order. Any behavior deemed unacceptable will be handled in the appropriate manner as determined by the BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR.
Category 1 Offense:
A category 1 offense is any offense that disrupts the school environment. These offenses take place inside or outside and include, but are not limited to, tardiness, dress code violations, running, littering, horseplay, wrestling, throwing objects, violating established procedures, being present in unauthorized areas, unauthorized eating, drinking , or gum chewing, excessive noise, misrepresentation, or loitering.
When a student is sent to the office, a number of options are available to the administrator handling the disruption. These options include, but are not limited to, parental conference, counseling, corporal punishment, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, and alternative school placement.
Category 2 Offenses: Category 2 Consequences:
-skipping class or school NOT LISTED IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER
-profanity, cursing, or making obscene gestures, -require restitution
verbal or written, threats to others -loss of privileges/detention
-use of racial slurs, verbal abuse, name calling -parent conference
-disrespectful behavior toward other students -referral to appropriate intervention
-possession of unauthorized items -corporal punishment
-failure to follow instructions – insubordination -in school suspension
-extortion – obtaining by force or threat from -out of school suspension
another -alternative school placement
-creating or participating in a disturbance
-harrassment
-dress code violation
Category 3 Offenses: Category 3 Consequences:
-fighting or instigating/provoking a fight NOT LISTED IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER -possession, transfer, or use of tobacco, -require restitution
matches, lighters, E-cigarettes, vape devices -parent conference
-indecent exposure -Youth Court Referral
-stealing -corporal punishment
-creating or participating in a disturbance -referral to appropriate intervention
-hindering the educational process -in school or out of school suspension
-disrespectful behavior toward an adult -alternative school placement
-destruction of property/vandalism
-unauthorized use of school computers
-bullying, cyber bullying, intimidation; threats
Category 4 Offenses: Category 4 Consequences:
-flagrant disrespectfulness NOT LISTED IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER -possession, use, and/or transfer of alcohol -require restitution
-any type of gang, cult, or group related -parent conference
activities -Youth Court referral
-sexual offenses/sexual harassment; threats -referral to appropriate intervention
-vandalism, arson, false alarm/bomb threats -out of school suspension
-assault – any attempt to physically harm -alternative school placement
another student -expulsion
-leaving campus without permission
Category 5 Offenses: Category 5 Consequences:
-possession, transfer, and/or use of a weapon NOT LISTED IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER or firearm -require restitution
-possession of dangerous instruments/objects/ -parent conference
imitation firearms -Youth Court referral
-possession, use, and/or transfer of controlled -referral to appropriate intervention
substance -out of school suspension
-possession, use, and/or transfer of counterfeit -alternative school placement
substance -expulsion
-habitually disruptive behavior
State Law 37-11-19 states: “If any pupil shall willfully destroy, cut, deface, damage, or injure any school property, he/she shall be liable to suspension or expulsion and his/her parents shall be liable for all damages.” The Houston School District administration reserves the right to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any person who vandalizes any property of the Houston School District.
Fighting – after the 2nd fight while enrolled in Grades 6 – 8, OR while enrolled in grades 9 - 12, students will automatically be placed in Alternative School for a minimum of 45 days.
DRESS CODE
All dress code violation interpretations are at the discretion of the administrator.
Safety, health, and individual dignity provide the basis for any dress code. If clothing is disruptive to the learning situation or if it is embarrassing to others, steps will be taken to deal with the individual student. Homeroom and/or 1st period teachers will initially refer dress code violations to the office. Teachers may at any time counsel with students about attire that may not be acceptable. When there is doubt that students are not adhering to the dress code policy, the principal and/or his/her designee will render the final authority.
Students’ dress should be neat, clean, and presentable. In addition, the following rules apply to both male and female students:
1. Shoes must be worn at all times. House shoes are not permitted. Shoes must be worn so as not to disrupt school or become a safety issue.
2. Hats, caps, other headgear, or sunglasses are not to be worn in the building
3. Halters, tube tops, tank tops, tops with thin spaghetti straps, bare or exposed midriffs, backless garments, or other dress that is extreme in exposing the body or immodest should not be worn at school.
4. Pajamas are not permitted
5. Skirts and shorts must reach the knee area. Tights/leggings may only be worn with tops, skirts, or dresses that reach a student’s fingertips when his/her arms are down by side. Buttocks should be covered by top, skirt, or dress. Leggings may not be worn as pants
6. Articles of clothing will not have profanity, weapons, or indecent illustrations, including but not limited to violent acts, on them and shall not have slogans or pictures that illustrate alcohol or drugs
7. No sagging or drooping pants will be worn to school nor will slogans or writing of any kind be allowed on the buttocks on pants. Pants must be worn at the hipbone. Pants should not have holes that allow skin to be seen above the knee area
8. The wearing of jewelry is only permissible to the extent that it is worn in a manner that is not likely to distract other students or disrupt the educational process. Tattoos deemed inappropriate must be covered
9. All students must wear clothing appropriately.
****All dress code violation interpretations are at the discretion of the administrator. A parent or guardian will be called and asked to provide appropriate clothing. Students will not be allowed to return to class until appropriately clothed. If clothing is not provided, the student will be placed in ISS for the remainder of the day.
BULLYING
JDDA-P
Approved and adopted 12-13-2010
Student complaints of bullying or harassing behavior
Students and employees in the Chickasaw County School District are protected from bullying or harassing behavior by other students or employees. It is the intent of the Board and the administration to maintain an environment free from bullying and harassing behavior. This complaint procedure provides a process for filing, processing, and resolving complaints of such conduct. Adherence to these procedures is mandatory. The failure of any person to follow these procedures will constitute a waiver of the right to pursue a complaint at any level, including review by the Board.
I. Definitions
Bullying or harassing behavior is any pattern of gestures or written, electronic, or verbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication, or any act reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristics that (a) places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, or (b) creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits.
A “hostile environment” means that the victim subjectively views the conduct as bullying or harassing behavior and the conduct is objectively severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would agree that it is bullying or harassing behavior.
Conduct is NOT considered bullying if it does not interfere with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school. Retaliation is prohibited against any person who provides in good faith information concerning an incident of bullying.
Bullying or harassing behavior will not be condoned or tolerated when it takes place on school property, at any school sponsored function, or on a school bus, or when it takes place off school property when such conduct, in the determination of the school superintendent or principal, renders the offending person’s presence in the classroom a disruption to the educational environment of the school or a detriment to the best interest and welfare of the pupils and teacher of each class as a whole. If a victim of bullying uses reasonable self-defense in response to bullying, the victim shall not be subject to discipline. The district will provide access to the school counselor for a student that is a victim of or a witness to bullying.
II. Procedures for processing a complaint
Any student, school employee, or volunteer who feels he/she has been a victim of bullying or harassing behavior, or has witnessed or who has reliable information that a student, school employee, or volunteer has been subject to bullying or harassing behavior shall report such conduct to a teacher, principal, counselor, or other school official. The report shall be made promptly but no later than five (5) calendar days after the alleged act or acts occurred. The school official shall complete a “Bullying/Harassing Behavior” complaint form which shall include the name of the reporting person, the specific nature and date of the misconduct, the names of the victim of the misconduct, the names of any witnesses, and any other information that would assist in the investigation of the complaint. This report shall be given promptly to the principal or superintendent who shall institute an immediate investigation of the complaint. Complaints against the principal shall be made to the superintendent and complaints against the superintendent shall be made to the Board chairman.
The complaint shall be investigated promptly.
If the student is receiving Special Education services, an IEP meeting will be held within the allotted time frame. Documentation will be made on the IEP reporting findings. All findings related to the complaint will be reduced to writing.
Notice of an incident of bullying shall be provided to parents or guardians of the victim and the bully within a reasonable amount of time. The District official will arrange such meetings as may be necessary with all concerned parties within five (5) working days after initial receipt of the complaint by the District. The parties will have an opportunity to submit evidence and a list of witnesses. All findings related to the complaint will be reduced to writing. The District official conducting the investigation shall notify the victim and parents as appropriate when the investigation is completed and a decision regarding disciplinary action, as warranted, is determined.
If the victim is not satisfied with the decision of the District official, he/she may submit a written appeal to the superintendent. Such appeal shall be filed within ten (10) working days after receipt of the results of the initial decision. The superintendent will arrange such meetings with the victim and other affected parties as deemed necessary to discuss the appeal. The superintendent shall provide a written decision to the victim’s appeal within ten (10) working days.
If the victim is not satisfied with the decision of the superintendent, a written appeal may be filed with the Board. Such appeal shall be filed within ten (10) working days after receipt of the decision of the superintendent. The Board shall, within twenty (20) working days, allow the victim and parents as appropriate to appear before the Board to present reasons for dissatisfaction with the decision of the superintendent. The Board shall provide a written decision within ten (10) working days following the victim’s appearance before the Board.
GANG ACTIVITY/ASSOCIATION
Gangs that initiate, advocate, or promote activities that threaten the safety or well being of persons or property on school grounds or which disrupt the school environment are harmful to the educational process. The use of hand signals, graffiti, or the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute that indicates or implies membership with such a group, is prohibited. This is contrary to the school environment and educational objectives and creates an atmosphere where unlawful acts or violations of school regulations may occur.
Incidents involving initiations, hazing, intimidation, and/or related activities of such group affiliation which are likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation resulting in physical or mental harm to students are prohibited. Students involved in such activities are subject to 10 days suspension on the first offense and expulsion on the second.
The school district shall enforce the above rule and attempt to ensure that any student wearing, carrying, or displaying gang paraphernalia or exhibiting behavior or gestures that symbolize gang membership and/or participating in activities that intimidate or affect the attendance of another student shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
SUICIDE PREVENTION POLICY
Protecting the health and well being of all students is of the utmost importance to the Chickasaw County School District. The Chickasaw County School District has adopted a suicide prevention policy, which will help protect all students through the following steps:
DRUG POLICY
The use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful.
No pupil attending school in this district shall be permitted to carry upon his/her person or in any other manner or have in his/her possession in any way alcoholic beverages, or any other drug or narcotic drug, which when taken orally, intravenously, inhaled, or in any other manner, may cause the person to be under the influence, thereof, and no pupil shall use any of the same at any school in this district. The provisions of this policy statement shall apply to all pupils under the jurisdiction of this school district as defined by the laws of the State of Mississippi and the policies of the Houston School District.
Any pupil violating any provisions of this policy statement of the official policy of this board, in the sole and absolute discretion of the principal, and the superintendent of this school district, shall stand suspended for a period of ten (10) days and will be expelled in the sole and absolute discretion of the school board. Any pupil violating this policy will be referred for prosecution. Students may be required to complete a drug rehabilitation program or submit to drug testing prior to re-entry.
It is the policy of the Chickasaw County School District that school officials and/or the police may conduct random searches for drugs while a student is in school, on school grounds, or on the school bus. Trained dogs handled by the police may be used during such searches. Information about any drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation program is available through the counselor or the drug education coordinator.
Any electronic smoking device will be confiscated and may be tested for illegal drugs. The district is not liable for any confiscated item.
Compliance with the above school policy is mandatory.
Student Drug Testing Program Extracurricular Activities
Policy JCDAB
In an effort to prevent, deter, detect, and reduce alcohol and drug use, the Board of Trustees of the Chickasaw County School District will implement a mandatory drug screening policy that will provide for random drug testing for students involved in the district’s athletic programs, students who are engaged in competitive extracurricular, district-sponsored activities to include, but not limited to any club, band, choral, cheerleader, or vocal program that competes with students from other school districts. All those students will be included in the random test data bank/pool.
Specific goals of this policy are:
Assurances:
The following assurances will apply to all student drug tests:
Substances Included on the Student Drug Test: Each sample may be tested for the following substances, but not limited to, alcohol, amphetamines, methamphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, MDMA (Ecstasy), opiates (codeine, morphine, heroine), PCP, propoxyphene, and steroids. The contracting lab will run a preliminary screen on the urine specimen to determine the presence or absence of a drug. If the specimen is positive for drugs, a confirmation test (GC/MS) shall be conducted to identify the specific drug present in the sample. The Chickasaw County School District shall pay for the initial drug test and a confirmation (GC/MS) test performed at its request. Unless otherwise noted, all other tests will be at the expense of the parent or guardian of the student.
Consequences:
First positive: when the positive result is confirmed, the school principal will be notified. The principal will notify the student and his/her parent. The student will not be allowed to participate 30 calendar days in any of the outlined activities requiring inclusion in the student drug testing program until he/she tests negative. The student and his/her parent/guardian will be required to contact the drug testing company and schedule a new test at the family’s expense. The student and parent/guardian will be required to sign and return a Chickasaw County School District Release from Liability form to the school principal. The student and/or parent guardian will be given materials related to the effects of drug and alcohol and Student Assistance Program materials identifying possible resources for substance abuse evaluations, counseling, and/or treatment services. If the student has not shown a “negative” result and the school year ends, the student will be required to provide documentation of a negative result. A negative result will place the student back into the random bank/pool. A student will remain suspended from activities until a negative test result is obtained and the required information is returned to the principal.
Second positive: when the positive result is confirmed, the school principal will be notified. The student and his/her parent or guardian will be notified by the principal. The student will not be allowed to participate in any of the outlined activities requiring inclusion in the student drug-testing program for 60 calendar days. The student and/or parent/guardian will be given materials related to the effects of drugs and alcohol and Student Assistance Program materials identifying possible resources for substance abuse evaluations, counseling, and/or treatment services. After the suspension, 60 calendar days, the student and his/her parent/guardian will be required to contact the drug testing company and schedule a new test at the family’s expense.. If the test result is negative and the student provides proof that he/she has participated in a counseling/treatment program and completes the Chickasaw County School District Release from Liability Form, the student may participate in the student activities addressed in this policy. Drug treatment and/or counseling programs will be paid for by the parent/guardian. If the school year ends, the student will continue the suspension into the new school year until the 60-day suspension has been met and the student will be required to provide documentation of a negative result. A negative result will place the student back into the random bank/pool.
Third positive: when the positive test is confirmed, the principal will be notified. The principal will notify the student and the parent/guardian. The student will not be allowed to participate in any of the outlined activities requiring inclusion in the student drug-testing program for 90 calendar days. After the suspension, 90 days, the student and his/her parent/guardian will be required to contact the drug testing company and schedule a new test at the family’s expense. If the test result is negative and the student provides proof that he/she has participated in a counseling/treatment program and completes the Chickasaw County School District Release from Liability Form, the student may participate in the student activities addressed in this policy. Drug treatment and/or counseling programs will be paid for by the parent/guardian. The student and his/her parent or guardian will be given materials related to the effects of drugs and alcohol and related drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment. Additionally, any student who tests positive on the 3rd offense will be subject to a retest once a month for 6 months at his/her parent/guardian’s expense. If the school year ends, the student will be scheduled for 6 months of tests starting in the new school year. Consecutive negative results after 6 months of testing each month will result in the student being placed back into the random bank/pool.
Refusal to Submit to a Drug Test: Any student who is part of the mandatory random drug testing bank/pool and refuses to submit to a drug screen when chosen to be tested will be suspended from activities such as participation in all sports, band, school plays, Junior/Senor banquet, Graduation/Walk etc. for 6 months and will incur the consequences outlined in the third positive section of this policy. Students refusing to test will be given a Class III #385 Refusal to submit to the school-based random drug test and the disciplinary actions for Class III offenses as indicated in the student handbook. Students testing positive will lose driving privileges on campus and will not be allowed to drive on campus until a negative result is obtained.
Appeal Process: If the student is suspended from activities outlined in this policy due to a positive result on a drug test, he/she has the right to appeal the decision to the Chickasaw County School District superintendent within 5 business days. If the student receives an unfavorable decision from the Superintendent, he/she then has a right to appeal the decision to the Chickasaw County School District Board of Trustees with 5 business days for a final determination. Although the appeals process is informal, the student shall have the right to an attorney or other person present, at the student’s own expenses, and the right to question witnesses.
DUE PROCESS
When a student is confronted with disciplinary action, the board and its administrators shall afford him the safeguards of due process as required by applicable law.
In any case, the student must be made fully aware of his/her rights and must be given an opportunity to present his/her side of the case prior to any action being taken by school officials.
The superintendent of schools and the principal of a school shall have the authority to suspend a student or place a student in the alternative school for good cause or for any reason for which such student might be suspended, dismissed or expelled by the school board. A student expelled for involvement in illegal activity may be denied admission to the alternative school. However, such actions of the superintendent are subject to review by the school board. If the parent, guardian, or other person having custody of any child shall feel aggrieved by the suspension, dismissal, or denial of placement of that child, then such parent, guardian, or other person shall have the right to a due process hearing. The parent or guardian of the child must request a hearing by the superintendent or principal within five (5) school days. The proper form for requesting such a hearing shall be provided the parent or guardian upon request for a hearing. §37-9-71
LEGAL REF.: Mississippi Code, §37-7-301 (e); §37-9-71;
Goss v. Lopez, 419 U. S. 565 (1975);
U. S. Constitution, Amendment XIV
Wood v. Strickland, U. S. 95 S. Ct. 992 (1975)
TRANSPORTATION
***RIDING A BUS IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT***
Bus drivers have one of the most important and most difficult jobs in education. Misbehavior and causing driver distractions WILL NOT be tolerated.
Students are to load and unload their bus in front of the building. Each student is expected to ride his/her assigned bus and no other. Running and horseplay around the loading zone is not allowed. Bus students are not to enter the building before school until a teacher is on duty. While on the bus students must remain seated and do nothing to distract the driver. Remember the safety of many people is involved. Discipline/behavior problems on the bus will be dealt with in accordance with established rules.
Bus Rules
Students are to be ready and at the bus stop when the bus arrives. (Exceptions: inclement weather or bus is off schedule)
Students are to enter bus and take seats immediately and remain seated until their destination has been reached. All directions by driver are to be obeyed immediately.
When students need to ride a bus other than the one they are assigned to ride, they must have a note with a working phone number so that they can be contacted to verify the need to ride an alternate bus. If the request doesn’t meet these requirements, the student will not be allowed to ride the alternate bus.
Students may leave the bus only at their regular destination. Any change to this rule requires a note from parents stating destination and providing a working phone number, and signed by principal or the principal’s designee. The principal, or their designee, may contact the parent to verify the alternate location.
Loud talking, loud noises, throwing and pitching objects are not permitted. Intentional littering is prohibited.
Drivers must assign seats and students are to sit in assigned seats at all times and are not to get up until bus comes to a complete stop.
Students are not to touch or hang any body part out of bus windows.
Eating or drinking will not be permitted.
Use or possession of dangerous objects, selling or possession of drugs or alcohol, or stealing on the bus or at bus stop will not be allowed.
Use of tobacco or tobacco products will not be permitted.
The use of vulgar language will not be permitted.
Molesting, harassing other students, threatening, and sexual harassment will not be permitted.
Students are to load bus in the afternoon at their assigned school.
Students must identify themselves properly when asked to, and open defiance toward driver will not be permitted.
Fighting will not be permitted.
Other misbehavior as determined by administration, including a pattern of repeated misbehavior will not be permitted.
1st Offense: warning, unless offense needs further action – 10 day probation period for K-2 students, no probation for 3-12 students
2nd Offense: 2 days off the bus or corporal punishment – 15 day probation period for all students
3rd Offense: 5 days off the bus – 20 day probation period for all students
4th Offense: 10 days off the bus – 30 day probation period for all students
5th Offense: 20 days off the bus – no probation period
6th Offense: off the bus for the rest of the school year – no probation period
Probation period – if a bus rider does not receive any more bus referrals during his/her probation period, he/she can return to that step 1 time only during the school year.
Fighting, Category 4 and Category 5 infractions of the Houston School District Code of Conduct will receive school consequences as well as bus consequences.
1st fight on school bus is 10 days off the bus plus school consequences
2nd fight on school bus is removal from the bus for the remainder of the school year plus school consequences.
Vandalism of a bus will lead to removal from bus until restitution is made. The transportation department will determine the amount of restitution.
Category 4 or 5 offenses can lead to indefinite suspension from the bus.
Principal and Transportation Director will have the final say concerning bus discipline.
Students will receive a copy of their bus write up to take home. Any student riding the bus while suspended will receive an additional 3 days suspension from the bus. Being suspended from riding the bus does not mean the student is suspended from school. The student should come to school, but the parent/guardian must provide the morning and afternoon transportation. During a suspension from the bus, a student is not allowed to ride any bus for any reason including field trips.
Bus Evacuation
In case of a bus accident students should know proper procedure for evacuating the bus. A minimum of two (2) bus evacuation drills will be conducted during the school year.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROCEDURES
Students, employees, and visitors who have one or more of the these symptoms should not enter any school building:
✔▪ A fever
✔▪ A cough that cannot be attributed to another health condition
✔▪ A sore throat that cannot be attributed to another health condition
✔▪ Nasal congestion or runny nose that cannot be attributed to another health condition
✔▪ Body aches
✔▪ Loss of taste and/or smell
✔▪ Diarrhea
✔▪ Nausea
✔▪ Vomiting
✔▪ Sweats/chills
✔▪ He or she cares for or lives with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 5 days
✔▪ He or she has been exposed to someone with a positive case COVID-19 test in the last 5 days
Students who have fever after arriving at school: the student will be isolated from general population. Parents will be contacted to come pick the child up from school IMMEDIATELY. It is at the parent’s discretion that the child be tested for COVID-19. Students will not be allowed back to school until after the fever is gone for 24 hours.
Employees who have fever after arriving at school: the employee should notify the principal and must immediately put on a mask and exit the building. The employee may not return to school until they have been without fever for 24 hours.
Students and employees must be FEVER FREE for at least 24 hours before returning to school
In ALL cases of positive COVID-19 case, the district expects to be notified by parents/guardians and the student(s) shall stay in isolation according to the most recent MSDH and CDC guidelines.
Positive COVID-19 Cases:
The parent/guardian of the students and all employees who are considered to be “CLOSE CONTACTS” of the infected student/employee will be notified that they came into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Close contacts will be defined using the most recent MSDH and CDC guidelines and quarantine procedures will follow the most recent MSDH and CDC guidelines.
Outbreak of students testing positive for COVID-19: if the District or an individual school experiences a high number of cases of COVID-19 at any given time, then the District or school may choose to close school according to MSDH and CDC guidelines. If this happens, students will transfer to distance learning for the time school is closed.
TECHNOLOGY
Cell phones: no student attending the Chickasaw County School District will be allowed to use a cellular phone device except when directed by a teacher and/or building administrator. Students caught using a cell phone without permission to do so will have their cell phone confiscated and placed in a locked, secure location. In order to retrieve the device, the student will be required to pay a fee of $25 to the school office. The device will remain in the possession of the school office until the fee is paid in full.
Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Chickasaw County School District (CCSD) provides the privilege on Internet access to district, faculty, staff, students, and occasionally guests. Each user, as well as a minor’s parent or guardian, voluntarily agrees to release, hold harmless, defend, and indemnify, the Chickasaw County School District, its officers, board members, employees, and agents, for and against all claims, actions, charges, losses, or damages that arise out of the user’s use of the CCSD network, but not limited to negligence, personal injury, wrongful death, property loss or damage, delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries of data, or service interruptions. CCSD will fully cooperate with local, state, or federal officials in any investigations related to illegal activities conducted through the user’s Internet account.
Access will be restricted as required to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Web browsing may be monitored and records retained to ensure compliance.
Users are expected to respect the web filter and shall not attempt to circumvent the filter when browsing the Internet. The determination of whether material is appropriate or inappropriate is based solely on the content of the material and the intended use of the materials, not on whether the website is blocked or not. If a user believes a site is unnecessarily blocked, the user should submit a technology work order to review the site.
Each user acknowledges that the information available from many websites may not be accurate. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s own risk. Chickasaw County School District makes no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, regarding the quality or validity of the data on the Internet.
CCSD Network Rules:
The filter is updated on a daily basis in order to restrict access to the above items. Filtering is not a 100% foolproof way of limited access to inappropriate sites. Inappropriate sites are added to the Internet daily. Students should be supervised at all times by a teacher while using the Internet. All inappropriate hits are logged along with the date/time and the IP address of the workstation making the request.
Attempts to bypass the school Internet filter is in violation of the CCSD acceptable use policy and will be subjected to disciplinary action that may include denial of access to technology, detention, suspension, expulsion, termination of employment, or other remedies applicable under the school disciplinary policy and state or federal law.
Workstation Monitoring: All data transferred and/or transmitted over the CCSD network can be monitored and recorded at any time. All data transferred or transmitted over the network can be tracked and identified, and originating users can be held liable if their use of the network violates any established policy, regulation, or law. Any data stored on district-owned equipment may be archived and preserved by the district for an indefinite period. Such data includes, but is not limited to, E-mail, text documents, digital photographs, and other digital electronic files. If a particular workstation continues to try to connect to an inappropriate site, the workstation will be remotely monitored and the individual using that workstation will be reported to the Principal of the school and the CCSD Central Office.
Technologies Covered: CCSD may provide the privilege of Internet access, desktop computers, mobile computers, or devices, videoconferencing capabilities, online collaboration capabilities, email, and more.
The Acceptable Use Policy applies to both district owned technology equipment utilizing the CCSD network, the CCSD Internet connection, and/or private networks/Internet connections accessed from district owned devices at any time. This AUP also applies to privately owned devices accessing the CCSD network, the CCSD Internet connection, and/or private networks/Internet connections while on school property or participating in school functions or events off campus. CCSD policies outlined in this document cover all available technologies now and in the future, not just those listed or currently available.
Email: Employee and student CCSD email is the property of CCSD. CCSD does not archive employee or student email. It is the responsibility of the employee and student to maintain this email account appropriately.
Security: Users are expected to take reasonable safeguards against the transmission of security threats over the CCSD network. This includes not opening or distributing infected files or programs and not opening files or programs of unknown or untrusted origin. Users should never share personal files.
If users believe a computer or laptop they are using might be infected with a virus, they should alert the Technology Department. Users should not attempt to remove the virus themselves or download any programs to help remove the virus.
Online Etiquette: User should always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful manner.
Users should recognize that among the valuable content online there is also unverified, incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should only use known or trusted sources when conducting research via the Internet.
Users should remember not to post anything online that they would not want students, parents, teachers, or future colleges/employers to see. Once something is online, it cannot be completely retracted and can sometimes be shared in ways the user never intended.
Plagiarism: Users should not plagiarize (or use as their own, without citing the original creator) content, including words or images from the Internet. Users should not take credit for things they did not create themselves, or misinterpret themselves as an author or creator of something found online. Information obtained via the Internet should be appropriately cited, giving credit to the original author.
Personal Safety: Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information, over the Internet without adult permission. Users should recognize that communicating over the Internet bring anonymity and associated risks and should carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others. Users should never agree to meet in person someone they meet online without parental permission.
If users see a message, comment, image, or anything else that makes them concerned for their personal safety or the safety of someone else, they should immediately bring it to the attention of an adult (teacher or administrator if at school – parent if using the device at home).
Cyber Bullying: Cyber bullying, including, but not limited to, harassing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyber stalking will not be tolerated. Users should not send emails or post comments with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted individual and create for the targeted individual a hostile school environment.
Engaging in these behaviors or in any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person will result in disciplinary action described in CCSD Policy JDDA-Bullying and JDDA-P Bullying Procedures. In some cases, cyber bullying can be a crime. Users should remember that online activities might be monitored.
All students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other persons on social networking websites and in chat rooms, cyber bullying awareness, and response to cyber bullying.
Social Media: The CCSD has a policy in place that addresses Social Media, which applies to all employees and students. By signing the Acceptable Use Policy, users are acknowledging they have read and agree to abide by the Social Media Guidelines. See CCSD Policy GABBA – Social Networking Websites
Limitation of Liability: The CCSD will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data, or hardware. While CCSD employs filtering and other safety/security mechanisms, and attempts to ensure their proper function, it makes no guarantee as to their effectiveness.
CCSD will not be responsible or liable for, financially or otherwise, unauthorized transactions conducted over the CCSD network.
Violations of this policy may have disciplinary consequences including:
Employees, students, and parent/guardians shall be required to sign the District’s Acceptable Use Policy as part of the District’s Employee/Student Handbook before Internet or network access shall be allowed.
CAFETERIA
It is the responsibility of the school principal/administrator to set meal times or shifts. It is recommended that students be allowed a minimum of 24 minutes for meals.
Students, faculty, and staff will be issued a meal number and will identify themselves by their number to the cafeteria cashier for accurate meal counts.
Cash/Charge Policy:
Charging meals or extra sale items is not allowed in the Chickasaw County School District for students or adults. No cash will be handled across the serving lines or at the point of purchase. CCSD Child Nutrition operates on a pre-payment system. Each cafeteria has a locked deposit box and deposit envelopes are provided. Staff members will check the box daily before 10 a.m. and post any payments to accounts. Purchases are made by debiting the account at the point of purchase.
For added convenience, parents, faculty, and staff may access myschoolbucks.com
and set up an account. Funds may be deposited by debit/credit card or electronic check for a small processing fee. Account balances may be checked and reminder alerts set at no charge.
Offer vs Serve:
CCSD Child Nutrition participates in Offer vs Serve district-wide. This program allows students to make selections and allows them the right to refuse certain items. Three (3) different items must be selected from the options to include a serving of at least one fruit or vegetable to constitute a USDA reimbursable plate.
It is the goal of CCSD Child Nutrition to educate children and youth about good health and nutrition through their educational years and into their future.
CCSD Child Nutrition follows USDA guidelines with regard to nutrient analysis and caloric consumption and age-appropriate portion sizes.
Food Safety:
All cafeteria workers are trained in Hazard and Critical Control Point procedures and abide by regulations set by the Mississippi Department of Health and the CDC, when applicable.
Food Allergies/Special Diets:
Modifications may be made for disabilities, food allergies, or religious affiliations with appropriate documentation. Medial/physical limitations and substitutions must be ordered and specifically detailed by a licensed physician.
Forms and information for special diets are available from each School Nurse, Cafeteria Manager, or the Child Nutrition Director.
Extra Sale Items:
Extra sale items or partial meals may be sold to students ONLY after a complete reimbursable meal has been purchased. No extra sales will be made unless an account has sufficient funds.
Students who bring meals from home may purchase milk products and water only.
Adults may purchase full meals, partial meals, or individual items if sufficient funds are available in their meal account.
Competitive Foods:
In accordance with USDA guidelines, no commercially prepared competitive food or drink items will be distributed or sold on campus one hour prior to or during the lunch period. No commercially prepared competitive food may be brought into the cafeteria.
CCSD participates in a closed lunch campus. No students are allowed to leave campus for lunch.
Adult Meals:
An adult meal is defined by USDA as a high-school age portion. Adults may not charge meals. Adults may use the pre-payment box in each cafeteria or set up an account with myschoolbucks.com
Adult prices are: Breakfast -- $2.25
Lunch -- $3.75
SCHOOL PARTIES
Parties for Christmas and other holidays will be up to the discretion of the teacher and must be approved by the principal. Parents may be asked to assist with these parties.
SCHOOL INSURANCE
School insurance is available to all students. A packet will be available for each student on the first day of classes. Purchase of the program is optional. Both school day coverage and 24-hour coverage will be offered.
TELEPHONE USE
In the case of an emergency, students will be permitted to use the telephone to contact parents/guardians. Calls to conduct personal matters will not be permitted. Students will not be called out of class for a call except in an emergency
LIBRARY
The school library is an integral part of the educational program of the school. ALL students are entitled to use the library and students are encouraged to make effective use of the books and other library materials for both course requirements and recreational reading. The card catalog serves as an index to the library holdings. The librarian will be available to assist students in the selection and location of books and materials.
Most books in the library may be borrowed for a two-week period, subject to renewal if no reserves are being held for the book. Books may be brought to the circulation desk by the borrower wishing to make the renewal.
To encourage prompt return of books for the use of others, a fine of 5¢ per day is charged for the late return of a book. A lost book should be reported immediately. The current price of lost books or defaced books/magazines must be paid by the student. Fines are charged for any marks, stains, folded corners, folded pages, or any other defacement of the book, up to the cost of the book. Students who have overdue books or fines may not check out another book until the overdue book has been returned and the fine paid or the student has paid for the book if it is lost. Books that are over a month overdue will be considered lost and a new book will be ordered to replace it. The student will be charged with the cost of the replacement book.
No books, audio visual aids, equipment, or other library materials may be taken out of the library without being charged to a student or a faculty member. Magazines and newspapers are to be used in the library only and are available to students and teachers.
REST ROOMS
Loitering in the restrooms is forbidden. Students using the restrooms during class must have permission from their teacher. Students are expected to help maintain clean and sanitary restrooms. Students are encouraged to use restrooms before school and at break to avoid missing class time. Students should wash or sanitize their hands before leaving the restrooms. Restrooms will be cleaned at least twice daily and sprayed every week after school to help control the spread of COVID-19.
VACATING SCHOOL GROUNDS
All students are required to vacate the building and leave school grounds at the end of each school day unless under the direct supervision of a school official in an organized activity. Students who are not attending a supervised activity will be considered to be loitering or trespassing. The police department will be called.
BOOK BAGS/ATHLETIC BAGS
Backpacks, briefcases, and/or any type of book bags are subject to search by school administrators at any time. All athletic bags used to carry uniforms or equipment must be given to the athlete’s coach when the athlete arrives at school.
CARE OF VALUABLES
Each student is personally responsible for his/her valuables. The school will assume no responsibility. Students are advised not to bring expensive jewelry,
money in large amounts, or other valuable possessions to school. Also, the district does not accept responsibility for any lost, stolen, or damaged electronic devices.
GIFTS
No balloons, flowers, and/or gifts may be delivered to school. The florist may leave a card in the office notifying the students that they have gifts at their businesses. The following policy will apply to Valentine’s Day deliveries.
Valentine’s Day Deliveries
Acceptable deliveries from parents or vendors will be required to arrive at each student’s school between 11:00 am and 1:30 pm on February 14, 2023. Packages may not include balloons or inflatables of any size. Bears or stuffed animals larger than 12 inches, any item containing breakable glass, or any other item larger than what could reasonably be contained inside a student backpack will not be allowed. Final decisions about the acceptability of all deliveries will be at the discretion of the building administrator.
Vendors who wish to make deliveries to a school campus must fill out the appropriate request and must be added to a board approved vendor list on or before February 3, 2023. Each vendor will be required to provide one staff member at each school from 11:00 am until 3:30 pm to receive deliveries and assist with student distribution.
The Chickasaw County School District will assist in delivery of items and make every attempt to ensure correct delivery, but the District will assume no responsibility for broken, lost, or incorrect deliveries. All deliveries will be distributed to students at a uniform time at the end of the school day immediately before dismissal.
VISITORS
Visitors must sanitize their hands and may have their temperature checked upon entering the building. Visitors will only be allowed in the office area or designated room by the principal. All visitors may be required to wear a mask. Visitors may NOT be allowed to go to the classrooms or the cafeteria for health reasons.
USE OF FACILITIES
All of Chickasaw County School District’s facilities, gyms, auditorium, etc. are for student and school use only. Other individuals, groups, and organizations must make a written application to the superintendent’s office to use such facilities.
ACCIDENTS/ILLNESSES/MEDICATION
There is a registered nurse available at our schools. Should a child become ill while at school, the nurse will contact his/her parents or guardian. The nurse will not give medication without proper clearance from parents or physician. If your child takes medication while at school, a form will need to be filled out with the nurse. Medicine will not be administered without completion of this form. This form is available in each school office. No Tylenol will be given through the school office. ALL medicines should be turned into the school nurse upon arrival at school. In the case of an accident, it is imperative that the school has up to date contact information on every student. Every effort will be made to contact the parent/guardian in the case of an emergency.
The following sections apply to Students in Grades 6 – 12 ONLY
ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Mississippi High School Activities Association Requirements for Participation in Extracurricular Activities including athletics, band, and cheerleading:
∙€€€€€€ Any pupil that becomes 19 years of age prior to August 1st shall be ineligible for interschool competition
∙€€€€€€ The MHSAA eligibility rules require each student participating in MHSAA sanctioned competitions to make “satisfactory progress toward graduation.” According to Mississippi law, a student must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 or a C average. This will be measured at the conclusion of the 1st semester using the semester averages of all courses the student is taking. Students who do not have a 2.0 or C average for the 1st semester will be ineligible for the 2nd semester. At the end of the school year, each student’s GPA for the year will be assessed. This assessment will reflect the average for the entire year using the final grades for each course. If the student does not have a GPA of at least 2.0 or a C average, he/she will become ineligible for the fall semester
∙€€€€€€ Students may attend summer school, extended school year, take correspondence classes, participate in credit recovery programs, and take advantage of other related options to establish a 2.0 or C average to regain eligibility. Students must complete these programs prior to the first day of the next year or the next semester
∙€€€€€€ A student athlete may become eligible for 2nd semester only once during his/her high school career if he/she fails the year end average the previous year, by achieving a 2.0 or C average at the end of the 1st semester. This will be done in order to keep the student on track for graduation
∙€€€€€€ An accredited summer school shall be considered an extension of 2nd semester of the school session and credits earned in such a way may be considered in determining scholastic eligibility of students. Students may enroll in summer school with the approval of the principal to correct deficiencies as long as the state accreditation standards regarding summer school are met
∙€€€€€€ Students who choose to participate in extracurricular activities must be classified as full-time students and must work within the framework of 4 consecutive years of eligibility after entering the 9th grade
SUMMER SCHOOL/CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Summer School (Students in grades 6 – 12):
∙€€€€€€ Only 1 credit can be earned per summer and no more than 4 credits can be earned through summer school in a student’s career
∙€€€€€€ The principal must approve summer school requests
∙€€€€€€ Students can enroll in summer school only if the program has been approved by the State Department of Education
∙€€€€€€ Work must be completed and grades on file by the first day of school. Credit cannot be awarded for work not completed by this time
∙€€€€€ Students in grades 7 – 12 will be offered credit recovery when they fail a course during the school year – students must have a minimum average of 55 in a course to be eligible for credit recovery
Correspondence Courses (high school students):
∙€€€€€€ No more than 1 credit can be earned by correspondence
∙€€€€€€ The principal must approve all correspondence work
∙€€€€€€ Seniors completing correspondence work for graduation must complete the course and have grades on file 5 days before graduation in order to have the student’s name printed on the graduation program and grades must be received and filed 5 days before graduation for the student to participate in the graduation exercise
∙€€€€€€ Any student who desires to take a course not offered by CCSD will be eligible for a correspondence course in that subject and will receive credit if the course is passed
SENIOR LEAVE
Seniors may be able to leave early if they meet the following criteria:
--OR—
STUDENT COUNCIL
∙€€€€€€ All members of the student council must have at least an overall average of C and no semester average of F
∙€€€€€€ All member of the student council must never have had an OSS
∙€€€€€€ A member will be dropped from student council if he/she is absent from meetings more than twice during the year when present at school
∙€€€€€€ Any student removed from student council cannot be a member the following year
∙€€€€€€ All student council officers shall have been enrolled at least 2 consecutive semesters immediately prior to the election
WHO’S WHO AND HOMECOMING
To be eligible for participation in the homecoming court and/or Who’s Who, students must:
∙€€€€€€ Have an overall average of 77 or higher
∙€€€€€€ Have a good disciplinary record – no OSS
∙€€€€€ Criteria will be based on the previous 9 weeks
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
The alternative school program is provided for the following categories of students in grades 6-12:
∙€€€€€€ A student who has been suspended or expelled from school except for any student expelled for possession of a weapon or other felonious conduct, or habitual disruption of the school setting;
∙€€€€€€ Any student referred to the alternative school based upon documented need for placement in the alternative school program by the parent, legal guardian, or custodian of such child due to disciplinary problems;
∙€€€€€€ Any student grades 6-12 referred to such alternative school placement by the dispositive order of a chancellor or youth court judge with the consent of the superintendent of the child’s school district;
∙€€€€€€ Any student who has been suspended more than 3 times for any Category 2 – 5 offense;
∙€€€€€€ Any student who becomes involved in criminal or violent behavior shall be removed from the alternative school program. If probable cause exists, the case shall be referred to the youth court.
AUTOMOBILES
For High School Students Only: Students who bring their automobiles to school are permitted to park only in the student parking lots. All students entering or leaving the campus by car must drive in a slow, safe, courteous manner. Failure to follow driving regulations and/or laws can result in disciplinary action and/or loss of driving privileges. Students are to leave their cars and the parking lot as soon as they arrive on campus. Students are not permitted in the parking lot with out a pass until their school day ends. The school is not responsible for damage to vehicles while parked on campus.
Parking passes: Any vehicle driven on campus will be required to have a parking permit hanging visibly from the rearview mirror. Parking permits will cost $10.00 and are required. To purchase a parking permit, a student must have a valid drivers license and proof of insurance.
COMPLETE ONLY IF YOU DID NOT GO THROUGH EARLY REGISTRATION DAY
RESIDENCY
Each student in the Chickasaw County School District must establish residency by verification of address at the beginning of each school year. This form must be completed and returned to school along with 2 of the allowable proofs of residency listed. Documents must show a physical address (no PO boxes) and be addressed to the parent or legal guardian. Failure to submit these documents could result in the student being dismissed from the Chickasaw County School District until the documents are presented.
If the student lives with someone other than parent, court documents must also be presented proving legal guardianship.
RESIDENCY REGISTRATION CHECKLIST
Chickasaw County School District
2022-2023
Student Name: _________________________________________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian Name: ____________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
(A post office box number is not acceptable for address verification)
Telephone Number: ____________________________________
_____ A. Document provided by Parent/Guardian. A minimum of 2 is required
Filed Homestead Exemption Application form | Mortgage documents or property deed |
Apartment or home lease agreement | Utility bills |
Driver’s license | Recent voter registration/precinct identification |
Automobile registration | Affidavit and/or visit by a designated school district official |
Government documents such as: student loan paperwork, IRS correspondence, SSI benefits/Disability paperwork, Medicaid, WIC, DHS, etc. | |
_____ B. Student is living with legal guardian and a certified copy of the Court Decree, or petition, if pending, declaring the district resident to be the legal guardian of the student and further declaring that the guardianship was formed for a purpose other than establishing residency for school district attendance purpose.
_____ INITIAL UPON RECEIPT OF 2 PROOFS OF RESIDENCY – ATTACH PROOFS TO BE FILED IN THE CUMULATIVE FOLDER – DATE _______________
HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY – 2022-2023
Student Name _______________________________________ Grade __________
Date of Birth __________________ Gender _____ School ____________________
What is the dominant language most often spoken by the student?
What is the language routinely spoken in the home, regardless of the language spoken by the student?
What was the first language learned by the student?
Does the parent/guardian need interpretation services? _____ yes _____ no
If so, what language?
Does the parent/guardian need translated materials? _____ yes _____ no
If so, what language?
What was the date the student first enrolled in a school in the United States?
In what country was the student born?
________________________________________ ________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
District Use Only
_____ Designated English Learner on LAS Links Screener
Documentation of LAS Links Screener | |||||
Date | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Composite |
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Chickasaw County School District Responsible Use Policy for Network and Internet Safety
Students and visitors in the Chickasaw County School District must use the Internet and the computers in the school in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner. Parents or guardians of students should impress upon their children the need for the appropriate use of media and information sources available via the Internet. The Chickasaw County School District supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether to apply for Internet access. Parents must be aware, however, that courses based on Internet access will require adherence to this policy. Failure to agree to Internet use may require students to complete those assignments by alternative measures and/or find alternative access outside of school.
Access to the Chickasaw County School District computer network is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use will result in the cancellation of those privileges and/or disciplinary action by the district. No users have the right of privacy when accessing the Internet though the district. Internet use must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Chickasaw School District. Each user of the network must sign an agreement of acceptable use. This agreement is found at the back of each student handbook.
The Chickasaw County School District is CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) and COPPA (Children’s On-Line Protection Act) compliant. The CIPA addresses what has to be filtered and the need for an Internet safety policy. The COPPA applies to individually identifiable information about a child that is collected online, such as full name, home address, email address, telephone number, or any other information – for example, hobbies, interests, and information collected through cookies or other types of tracking mechanisms – when they are tied to individually identifiable information. The Chickasaw County School District provides a filtered network that seeks to limit the access of users to inappropriate content, including social networking sites. Users will report the accidental access of inappropriate information to the Chickasaw County School District authorities so that the proper steps can be taken to filter such material.
Unacceptable Uses
1. Violating any state and/or federal law (i.e., copyright laws).
2. Using profanity, obscenity, or other language that may be offensive to others.
3. Making personal attacks on other people, organizations, religions, or ethnicities.
4. Accessing, downloading, storing, or printing files that are sexually explicit, obscene, or that offend or tend to degrade others. The administration invokes its discretionary rights to determine such suitability.
5. Not respecting the privacy of a person by posting personal contact information, such as work/home address, telephone, email, photographs, or name without obtaining prior permission from the person affected.
6. Student information shall be posted only with written parent/guardian permission.
7. Forwarding personal communication without the author’s prior consent.
8. Using the Internet for commercial purposes, financial gain, personal business, producing advertising, business service endorsement, or religious or political lobbying is prohibited.
9. Destroying or altering the files of another user.
10. Viewing or taking files of another user.
Responsible Uses:
A responsible user of technology will:
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using CCSD technology.
I have read and understand the Acceptable Use Policy. If I do not follow this policy, my network access will be terminated. I understand that, in the event of violations, disciplinary action will be administered under the Chickasaw County School District Code of Conduct. I understand that violations could result in legal action.
Student Name _____________________________________________________ Date _____________
Student Signature __________________________________________________
As a parent/guardian, I have reviewed this policy with my child. I hereby give permission for my child to use the Internet for classroom educational purposes only. I understand that although the school district will make every effort to avoid access to objectionable material, restricting access to all objectionable material is impossible. I will not hold the district responsible for materials acquired on the Internet. I understand that my child will be subject to disciplinary action for violations of the acceptable use policy. Further, I understand that I may be held responsible for any intentional damage to state owned property.
Parent Name ______________________________________________________ Date ______________
Parent Signature ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
School
Title I Parental Compact
Parent/Guardian Agreement:
I want my child to achieve; therefore, I will encourage him/her by doing the following:
_____ see that my child is punctual and attends school regularly
_____ support the school in its efforts to maintain proper discipline
_____ establish a time for homework and review it regularly
_____ provide a quiet, well-lighted place for study
_____ encourage my child’s efforts and be available for questions _____________________
_____ stay aware of what my child is learning Parent signature
_____ provide a library for my child
_____ read with my child and let my child see me read
Student Agreement:
It is important that I work to the best of my ability, therefore, I will strive to do the following:
_____ attend school regularly
_____ come to school each day with pens, pencils, paper, and other necessary tools for learning
_____ complete and return homework assignments
_____ observe regular study hours _____________________
_____ conform to the rules of student conduct Student signature
Teacher Agreement:
It is important that students achieve, therefore, I will strive to do the following:
_____ provide homework assignments for students
_____ provide necessary assistance to parents so that they can help with assignments
_____ encourage students and parents by providing them _____________________
information about student progress Teacher signature
_____ use special activities in the classroom to make learning enjoyable
Principal Agreement:
I support this form of parental involvement, therefore, I will strive to do the following:
_____ provide an environment that allows for positive communication between the teachers,
parent, and student
_____ encourage teachers to regularly provide homework assignments that will reinforce
classroom instructions
_____________________
Principal signature
Chickasaw County School District
Parental Consent to Release Information for Publication
Name of Student ________________________________________________________
School Attending _______________________________________________________
The Chickasaw County School District has my permission to release to the public the name, picture, and/or other information about my child as well as any work he/she may have submitted for publication in the newspaper or other media. I understand that this information will be released via Internet or other means and will be released as deemed necessary concerning participation in school programs and events.
Parent Signature ___________________________________ Date _______________
State law in Mississippi requires that local districts distribute a copy of their discipline plans to all students and parents/guardians will sign a statement verifying that they have seen it. Please complete and sign the disclaimer below.
I, ____________________________________________________, the
parent/guardian of ___________________________________________
have received the Chickasaw County School District Student Handbook and understand that I am expected to read this handbook. I also understand that my child is expected to follow the guidelines within.
____________________________________________ __________
Parent/Guardian signature Date
School Calendar 2022-2023
Friday, July 29……………………………………………………New Teacher Orientation
Monday, August 1………………………………………………All Teachers – Professional Development
Tuesday, August 2………………………………………………Professional Development
Wednesday, August 3…………………………………………Professional Development
Thursday, August 4…………………………………………….Professional Development / Open House 3:00-7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 5…………………………………………………Students’ First Day
Monday, September 5…………………………………………Labor Day Holiday
Thursday, September 8..……………………………………..Progress Reports
Monday, October 10……………………………………………Columbus Day Holiday
Tuesday, October 11……………………………………………Professional Development (no students)
Thursday, October 13…………………………………………Report Cards
Thursday, November 10..……………………………………Progress Reports
Monday, November 21 - Friday, November25………Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday, December 12 - Friday, December 16……….Exams
Friday, December 16……………………………………………60% Day, End of 1st Semester
Monday, December 19 - Friday, December 30..….…..Christmas Holiday
Monday, January 2………………………………………………...Professional Development
Tuesday, January 3……………………………………………….Students Return - Begin 2nd Semester
Thursday, January 5………………………………………………Report Cards
Monday, January 16…..............................................................Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Thursday, February 2..…………………………………………..Progress Reports
Monday February 20……………………………………………..Presidents’ Day Holiday
Thursday, March 9 .……………………………………………….Report Cards
Monday, Monday March 13 - Friday March 17 ……….Spring Break
Friday, April 7 - Monday, April 10.…….…………………...Easter Holiday
Thursday, April 20…………………………………………………Progress Reports
Wednesday May 17 – Tuesday, May 23………………… Exams
Thursday, May 18…………………………………………...……..Houston High School Graduation
Friday, May 19………………………………………………………Houlka High School Graduation
Tuesday, May 23……………………………………………………60% day - Students Last Day – End 2nd Semester
Wednesday, May 24………………………………………………..Professional Development