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School Web Address: http://www.searcyschools.org/o/southwest-middle-school
2018-2019
HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Diane Barrett, Superintendent
Dr. Randy Byrd, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Sheena Williamson, Assistant Superintendent
Stephanie Lawrence, Special Education Supervisor
Carrie Parsley, Principal
Steve Lercher, Assistant Principal
David Landers, Assistant Principal
Renee Gentry, Counselor
Addie Cummings, Counselor
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Jimmy Simpson, President
Philip Williams, Vice President
Linda Benson, Secretary
Dr. Michael Liles
Dr. Brent Blakely
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MISSION
The Searcy School District seeks to prepare responsible, productive citizens in schools where the abilities of
every child are understood, nurtured, and developed.
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
The Board of Directors believes that students should complete school in full possession of skills, knowledge,
and insights necessary for responsible, productive participation in society. Consequently the board has adopted
the following educational outcomes for students graduating from the twelfth grade in the Searcy School
District:
1. Mastery of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills: mathematics computation; scientific
facts; critical and creative thinking; study skills, and problem solving strategies.
2. Ability to use instructional technology tools at an effective, efficient level.
3. Ability to use knowledge of historical, geographic, political, cultural, literary, and scientific
information.
4. Ability to locate and use needed information from print and non-print resources to expand
knowledge and insights.
5. Ability to be a self-directed lifelong learner, demonstrating self-respect, self understanding, respect
and tolerance for the view of others, and appreciation of arts and humanities.
ACCREDITATION
requirements from the standards of Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools.
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION
S Stakeholders will
W Work to
M -Maximize
S Success for all!
SCHOOL MOTTO
Today’s Students
Tomorrow’s Leaders
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 4—STUDENTS
4.1RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS 6
4.2ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS 6
4.3COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS 8
4.4STUDENT TRANSFERS 9
4.6HOME SCHOOLING 10
4.7ABSENCES 11
4.7.1 SSDADDITIONAL RULES CONCERNING ABSENCES
4.8MAKE-UP WORK 14
4.9TARDIES 15
4.10CLOSED CAMPUS 15
4.11EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY 15
4.12STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS/EQUAL ACCESS 15
4.13 16
4.14STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE 18
4.15CONTACT WITH STUDENTS WHILE AT SCHOOL 20
4.16STUDENT VISITORS 21
4.17STUDENT DISCIPLINE 21
4.18PROHIBITED CONDUCT 22
4.19CONDUCT TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND TRANSPORTATION ELIGIBILITY 23
4.20DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL 25
4.21STUDENT ASSAULT OR BATTERY 26
4.22WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS 27
4.23TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS 27
4.24DRUGS AND ALCOHOL 28
4.25STUDENT DRESS AND GROOMING 28
4.26GANGS AND GANG ACTIVITY 30
4.27STUDENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT 30
4.28LASER POINTERS 32
4.29INTERNET SAFETY and ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE POLICY 32
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4.31EXPULSION 38
4.32SEARCH, SEIZURE, AND INTERROGATIONS 39
4.34COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PARASITES 40
4.35STUDENT MEDICATIONS 41
4.36STUDENT ILLNESS/ACCIDENT 48
4.38PERMANENT RECORDS 49
4.39CORPORAL PUNISHMENT 49
4.40HOMELESS STUDENTS 49
4.42STUDENT HANDBOOK 49
4.45.1SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
CLASSES OF 2021 AND THEREAFTER 52
4.47 POSSESSION AND USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES 55
4.48VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER STUDENT MONITORING 57
4.49SPECIAL EDUCATION 58
4.50SCHOOL MEAL MODIFICATIONS 59
4.51 SSD FOOD SERVICE PREPAYMENT 60
4.52STUDENTS WHO ARE FOSTER CHILDREN 61
4.53 PLACEMENT OF MULTIPLE BIRTH SIBLINGS 62
4.56EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SECONDARY SCHOOLS 64
4.56.1EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - ELEMENTARY 67
4.56.2EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS
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4.59ACADEMIC COURSE ATTENDANCE BY PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HOME SCHOOL
STUDENTS 76
5.6CHALLENGE TO INSTRUCTIONAL/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS 76
5.6FREQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL OR SUPPLEMENTAL
MATERIALS 77
5.7SELECTION OF LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS 78
5.7FREQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS 80
5.11DIGITAL LEARNING COURSES 81
5.14HOMEWORK 82
5.15GRADING 83
5.16COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSE PREREQUISITES AND PROGRESSION 84
5.17 SSDHONOR ROLL AND HONOR GRADUATES 84
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4.1—RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Definitions:
present and to maintain a permanent place of abode for an average of no fewer
than four (4) calendar days and nights per week for a primary purpose other than school attendance.
al, lawful control of the student
under order of a court, or persons standing in loco parentis reside in the school district.
legal, lawful control of the student under order of a court, or persons standing in loco parentis reside. A student
may use the residential address of a legal guardian, person having legal, lawful control of the student under
order of a court, or person standing in loco parentis only if the student resides at the same residential address
and if the guardianship or other legal authority is not granted solely for educational needs or school attendance
purposes.
The schools of the District shall be open and free through the completion of the secondary program to all
persons between the ages of five (5) and twenty one (21) years whose parents, legal guardians, or other persons
having lawful control of the person under an order of a court reside within the District and to all persons
between those ages who have been legally transferred to the District for educational purposes.
Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older may establish a residence separate and apart from his or her
parents or guardians for school attendance purposes.
In order for a person under the age of eighteen (18) years to establish a residence for the purpose of attending
control of him or her under an order of a court, the person must actually reside in the District for a primary
purpose other than that of school attendance. However, a student previously enrolled in the district who is
placed under the legal guardianship of a noncustodial parent living outside the district by a custodial parent on
active military duty may continue to attend district schools. A foster child who was previously enrolled in a
District school and who has had a change in placement to a residence outside the District, may continue to
remain enrolled in his/her current school unless the presiding court rules otherwise.
Under instances prescribed in A.C.A. § 6-18-203, a child or ward of an employee of the district or of the
education co-op to which the district belongs may enroll in the district even though the employee and his/her
child or ward reside outside the district.
Children whose parent or legal guardian relocates within the state due to a mobilization, deployment, or
available military housing while on active duty in or serving in the reserve component of a branch of the United
States Armed Forces or National Guard may continue attending school in the school district the children were
attending prior to the relocation or attend school in the school district where the children have relocated. A child
may complete all remaining school years at the enrolled school district regardless of mobilization, deployment,
or military status of the parent or guardian.
4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
To enroll in a school in the District, the child must be a resident of the District as defined in District policy
(4.1RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS), meet the criteria outlined in policy 4.40HOMELESS STUDENTS
or in policy 4.52STUDENTS WHO ARE FOSTER CHILDREN, be accepted as a transfer student under the
provisions of policy 4.4, or participate under a school choice option and submit the required paperwork as
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required by the choice option.
Students may enter kindergarten if they will attain the age of five (5) on or before August 1 of the year in which
they are seeking initial enrollment. Any student who has been enrolled in a state-accredited or state-approved
kindergarten program in another state for at least sixty (60) days, who will become five (5) years old during the
year in which he/she is enrolled in kindergarten, and who meets the basic residency requirement for school
attendance may be enrolled in kindergarten upon written request to the District.
Any child who will be six (6) years of age on or before October 1 of the school year of enrollment and who has
not completed a state-accredited kindergarten program shall be evaluated by the district and may be placed in
guardian agrees with placement in the first grade; otherwise the child shall be placed in kindergarten.
Any child may enter first grade in a District school if the child will attain the age of six (6) years during the
school year in which the child is seeking enrollment and the child has successfully completed a kindergarten
program in a public school in Arkansas.
Any child who has been enrolled in the first grade in a state-accredited or state-approved elementary school in
another state for a period of at least sixty (60) days, who will become age six (6) years during the school year in
which he/she is enrolled in grade one (1), and who meets the basic residency requirements for school attendance
may be enrolled in the first grade.
Students who move into the District from an accredited school shall be assigned to the same grade as they were
attending in their previous school (mid-year transfers) or as they would have been assigned in their previous
school. Private school students shall be evaluated by the District to determine their appropriate grade placement.
Home school students enrolling or re-enrolling as a public school student shall be placed in accordance with
policy 4.6HOME SCHOOLING.
The district shall make no attempt to ascertain the immigration status, legal or illegal, of any student or his/her
parent or legal guardian presenting for enrollment.
1.
they request, the district will assign the child a nine (9) digit number designated by the department of
education.
2. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall provide the district with one (1) of the following
a. A birth certificate;
b. A statement by the local registrar or a county recorder certifying
c. An attested baptismal certificate;
d. A passport;
e.
f. United States military identification; or
g. Previous school records.
3. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall indicate on school registration forms whether the
child has been expelled from school in any other school district or is a party to an expulsion proceeding.
The Board of Education reserves the right, after a hearing before the Board, not to allow any person
who has been expelled from another school district to enroll as a student until the time of the person's
expulsion has expired.
4. In accordance with Policy 4.57IMMUNIZATIONS, the child shall be age appropriately immunized
or have an exemption issued by the Arkansas Department of Health.
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Uniformed Services Member's Children
For the purposes of this policy:
"Active duty members of the uniformed services" includes members of the National Guard and Reserve on
active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section 1209 and 1211;
"Uniformed services" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as the
Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Services;
"Veteran" means: a person who served in the uniformed services and who was discharged or released there
from under conditions other than dishonorable.
Active duty members of the uniformed services;
Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or
retired for a period of one (1) year after medical discharge or retirement; and
Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active
duty for a period of one (1) year after death.
An eligible child as defined in this policy shall:
1. Be allowed to continue his/her enrollment at the grade level commensurate with his/her grade level
he/she was in at the time of transition from his/her previous school, regardless of age;
2. Be eligible for enrollment in the next highest grade level, regardless of age if the student has
satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in his/her previous school;
3. Enter the District's school on the validated level from his/her previous accredited school when
transferring into the District after the start of the school year;
4. Be enrolled in courses and programs the same as or similar to the ones the student was enrolled in
his/her previous school to the extent that space is available. This does not prohibit the District from
performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued enrollment of the
student in the courses/and/or programs;
5. Be provided services comparable to those the student with disabilities received in his/her previous
school based on his/her previous Individualized Education Program (IEP). This does not preclude the
District school from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student;
6. Make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of an incoming student with
disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan, necessary to provide the student with equal
access to education. This does not preclude the District school from performing subsequent evaluations
to ensure appropriate placement of the student;
7. Be enrolled by an individual who has been given the special power of attorney for the student's
guardianship. The individual shall have the power to take all other actions requiring parental
participation and/or consent;
8. Be eligible to continue attending District schools if he/she has been placed under the legal guardianship
of a noncustodial parent living outside the district by a custodial parent on active military duty.
4.3—COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Every parent, guardian, or other person having custody or charge of any child age five (5) through seventeen
(17) years on or before August 1 of that year who resides, as defined by policy (4.1RESIDENCE
REQUIREMENTS), within the District shall enroll and send the child to a District school with the following
exceptions.
1. The child is enrolled in private or parochial school.
2. The child is being home-schooled and the conditions of policy (4.6HOME SCHOOLING) have been
met.
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3. The child will not be age six (6) on or before August 1 of that particular school year and the parent,
guardian, or other person having custody or charge of the child elects not to have him/her attend
kindergarten. A kindergarten waver form prescribed by regulation of the Department of Education must be
signed and on file with the District administrative office.
4. The child has received a high school diploma or its equivalent as determined by the State Board of
Education.
5. The child is age sixteen (16) or above and is enrolled in a post-secondary vocational-technical institution, a
community college, or a two-year or four-year institution of higher education.
6. The child is age sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) and has met the requirements to enroll in an adult education
program as defined by A.C.A. § 6-18-201 (b).
Arkansas' Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan identifies Student Engagement as a School Quality and
Success Indicator. Each Arkansas student can gain a full point on the Student Engagement indicator by
missing less than five percent of school days in a year. A student is absent if he or she is not physically on
school grounds and is not participating in instruction or instruction-related activities at an approved off-site
location.
4.4—STUDENT TRANSFERS
The Searcy School District, in conjunction with other districts in White County, shall review and accept or
reject requests for transfers, both into and out of the district, on a case by case basis at the June, July, and
August regularly scheduled board meetings. The transfer of a student who has been released by another district
in August may be accepted in September. In addition, during the months of September through May, a legal
transfer may be considered by the respective boards in White County if the transfer would allow a student who
changes district residence during the school year to remain in school in the district he or she is currently
attending.
addition of staff or classrooms, exceed the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or school building, or cause
the District to provide educational services not currently provided in the affected school. The District shall
reject applications that would cause it to be out of compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding
desegregation.
Any student transferring from a school accredited by the Department of Education to a school in this district
shall be placed into the same grade the student would have been in had the student remained at the former
school. Any grades, course credits, and/or promotions received by a student while enrolled in the Division of
Youth Services system of education shall be considered transferable in the same manner as those grades, course
credits, and promotions from other accredited Arkansas public educational entities.
Any student transferring from a school that is not accredited by the Department of Education to a District
transferring from home school will be placed in accordance with Policy 4.6HOME SCHOOLING.
Any student who has been expelled from another school district may not enroll as a student in the Searcy
before the Board of Education to waive this requirement.
Except as otherwise required or permitted by law the responsibility for transportation of any nonresident student
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the
transportation to or from the District, or both.
4.6—HOME SCHOOLING
Enrollment in Home School
Parents or legal guardians desiring to provide a home school for their children shall give written notice to the
Superintendent of their intent to home school. The notice shall be given:
1. At the beginning of each school year, but no later than August 15;
2. Fourteen (14) calendar days prior to withdrawing the child (provided the student is not currently under
disciplinary action for violation of any written school policy, including, but not limited to, excessive
absences) and at the beginning of each school year thereafter; or
3. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the parent or legal guardian establishing residency within the district
during the school year.
through any of the following methods:
Electronically, including without limitation by email;
By mail; or
In person.
The notice shall include:
a. The name, sex, date of birth, grade level, and the name and address of the school last attended, if any;
b. The mailing address and telephone number of the home school;
c. The name of the parent or legal guardian providing the home school;
d. Indicate if the home-schooled student intends to participate in extracurricular activities during the school
year;
e. A statement of whether the home-schooled student plans to seek a high school equivalency diploma during
the current school year;
f. A statement if the home-school student plans to seek a driver's license during the current school year;
g. A statement that the parent or legal guardian agrees that the parent or legal guardian is responsible for the
education of their children during the time the parents or legal guardians choose to home school; and
h. A signature of the parent or legal guardian, which must be notarized if the home-schooled student plans to
seek
To aid the District in providing a free and appropriate public education to students in need of special education
services, the parents or legal guardians home-schooling their children shall provide information that might
indicate the need for special education services.
Enrollment or Re-Enrollment in Public School
A home-schooled student who wishes to enroll or re-enroll in a District school shall submit:
A transcript listing all courses taken and semester grades from the home school;
Score of at least the thirtieth percentile on a nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment taken in the
past year; and
A portfolio of indicators of the home-schooled student's academic progress, including without limitation:
o Curricula used in the home school;
o Tests taken and lessons completed by the home-schooled student; and
o Other indicators of the home-schooled student's academic progress.
If a home-schooled student is unable to provide a nationally recognized norm-referenced score, the District may
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either assess the student using a nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment or waive the requirement for
a nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment score.
A home-schooled student who enrolls or re-enrolls in the District will be placed at a grade level and academic
course level equivalent to or higher than the home-schooled student's grade level and academic course level in
the home school:
1. As indicated by the documentation submitted by the home-schooled student;
2. By mutual agreement between the public school and the home-schooled student's parent or legal guardian;
or
3. If the home-schooled student fails to provide the documentation required by this policy, with the exception
of the nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment score, the District may have sole authority to
determine the home-schooled student's grade placement and course credits. The District will determine the
home-trict uses when
determining grade placement and course credits for students enrolling or re-enrolling in the District who
attended another public or private school.
The District shall afford a home-schooled student who enrolls or re-enrolls in a public school the same rights
-schooled student who
enrolls or re-enrolls in the District any of the following on the basis of the student having attended a home
school:
a. Award of course credits earned in the home school;
b. Placement in the proper grade level and promotion to the next grade level;
c. Participation in any academic or extracurricular activity;
d. Membership in school-sponsored clubs, associations, or organizations;
e. A diploma or graduation, so long as the student has enrolled or re-enrolled in the District to attend classes
for at least the nine (9) months immediately prior to graduation; or
f. Scholarships.
4.7—ABSENCES
am (IEP) or 504 Plan conflicts with this policy, the requirements of
attendance at school is essential to their social and cultural development and helps prepare them to accept
responsibilities they will face as an adult. Interactions with other students and participation in the instruction
within the classroom enrich the learning environment and promote a continuity of instruction which results in
higher student achievement.
Absences for students enrolled in digital courses shall be determined by the online attendance and time the
ence at school. Students who are
scheduled to have a dedicated period for a digital class shall not be considered absent if the student logs the
correct amount of time and completes any required assignments; however, a student who fails to be physically
pr
Excused Absences
Excused absences are those where the student was on official school business or when the absence was due to
one of the following reasons an
written statement presented for an
absence having occurred more than five (5) school days prior to its presentation will not be accepted.
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1.
six (6) such days are allowed per semester unless the condition(s) causing such absences is of a chronic
or recurring nature, is medically documented, and approved by the principal.
2. Death or serious illness in their immediate family;
3. Observance of recognized holidays observed by the student's faith;
4. Attendance at an appointment with a government agency;
5. Attendance at a medical appointment;
6. Exceptional circumstances with prior approval of the principal;
7. Participation in an FFA, FHA, or 4-H sanctioned activity;
8. Participation in the election poll workers program for high school students.
9. Absences granted to allow a student to visit his/her parent or legal guardian who is a member of the
military and been called to active duty, is on leave from active duty, or has returned from deployment to
a combat zone or combat support posting. The number of additional excused absences shall be at the
discretion of the superintendent or designee.
10. Absences granted, at the Superintendent's discretion, to seventeen (17) year-old students who join the
Arkansas National Guard while in eleventh grade to complete basic combat training between grades
eleven (11) and (12).
11. Absences for students excluded from school by the Arkansas Department of Health during a disease
outbreak because the student has an immunization waiver or whose immunizations are not up to date.
Students who serve as pages for a member of the General Assembly shall be considered on instructional
assignment and shall not be considered absent from school for the day the student is serving as a page.
Unexcused Absences
Absences not defined above or not having an accompanying note from the parent or legal guardian, presented in
the timeline required by this policy, shall be considered as unexcused absences. Students with six (6) unexcused
absences in a course in a semester may not receive credit for that course. At the discretion of the principal after
consultation with persons having knowledge of the circumstances of the unexcused absences, the student may
be denied promotion or graduation. Excessive absences shall not be a reason for expulsion or dismissal of a
student.
When a student has three (3) and five (5) unexcused absences, his/her parents, guardians, or persons in loco
parentis shall be notified. Notification shall be by telephone by the end of the school day in which such absence
occurred or by regular mail with a return address sent no later than the following school day.
Whenever a student exceeds five (5) unexcused absences in a semester, the District shall notify the prosecuting
authority and the parent, guardian, or persons in loco parentis shall be subject to a civil penalty as prescribed by
law.
obtaining credit for their courses. Therefore, at any time prior to when a student exceeds the number of
unexcused absences permitted by this policy, the student, or his/her parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis
absences. If formal arrangements are granted, they shall be formalized into a written agreement which will
include the conditions of the agreement and the consequences for failing to fulfi
school or district administrator or designee.
Students who attend in-school suspension shall not be counted absent for those days.
Days missed due to out-of-school suspension or expulsion shall be unexcused absences.
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The District shall notify the Department of Finance and Administration whenever a student fourteen (14) years
of age or older is no longer in school. The Department of Finance and Administration is required to suspend the
Applicants for an instruction permit or for a driver's license by persons less than eighteen (18) years old on
October 1 of any year are required to provide proof of a high school diploma or enrollment and regular
attendance in an adult education program or a public, private, or parochial school prior to receiving an
instruction
average for the previous semester or similar equivalent grading period for which grades are reported as part of
4.7.1 SSD—ADDITIONAL RULES CONCERNING ABSENCES
Homebound
In case of prolonged absence due to illness, injury, or other emergencies deemed acceptable, the school may
provide an alternative or homebound program. Students in an alternative or homebound program will be
considered in attendance. In order to be considered for either program, the following criteria must be met:
A request from the parent or guardian in writing that includes why special status should be granted;
A statement by the attending physician as t
Approval by the principal or assistant principal.
College Leave
Seniors are allowed two (2) college days for the year. These days are to be used for visiting prospective
colleges and universities. Requests for college leaves are to be done two (2) days before using college leave.
A letter from the college or university,
signed by the school official and stating that the student made the visit is required if college leave is to be
granted. The letter is to be submitted to the assistant principal on the day the student returns to school. Failure to
provide this documentation will result in an unexcused absence or truancy. College leave will apply towards the
number of accumulated absences that may constitute a basis for denial of credit and semester test exemption.
Secondary Student Personal Leave
Students in grades 7-12 will be granted a maximum of three (3) days personal leave per year if they meet the
following criteria:
No more than five (5) excused absences in the previous semester;
No more than three (3) excused absences in the current semester;
No truancies or unexcused absences for the previous or current semester;
Grade point average of 2.0 or better based on the most recent semester grades recorded;
Citizenship grade of 1 or 2.
A request for personal leave is to be done two (2) days prior to day of absence and may not be taken during nine
The student will be responsible for notifying his or her teacher. If this is not done, the make-up work will not
be counted.
Make up of assignments will be as follows:
Assignments due on the leave days must be done before the absence or turned in upon the day of return.
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Tests previously scheduled may be given on a prearranged day or the teacher may opt to let the student
miss the test and receive no points for or against his or her record.
If a student fails to do the required work, he or she will receive zeros for the missed days.
Personal leave will apply towards the number of accumulated absences that may constitute a basis for denial of
credit and semester test exemption.
Student Absences and Tardies for Grades K-6
If a student arrives to school after the tardy bell and before 8:30 A.M., the student will be counted with a tardy.
If a student arrives to school after 8:30 A.M. and remains in attendance for the rest of the school day, the
student will be counted with a morning absence (1/2 day).
If a student checks out before 11:00 A.M., the student is counted as absent all day.
If a student checks out between 11:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M., the student will be counted with an afternoon absence (1/2
day).
Any student absent from daily attendance for more than ten (10) consecutive school days shall be dismissed or dropped
from the attendance records of the school. This is only for cases when a student is absent for ten (10) consecutive school
days and is unaccounted for or cannot be contacted. The student should NOT be dropped if the student is absent due to
illness and will
district, the withdrawal date should be changed to match the enrollment date in the new district. Otherwise, if a student is
absent (and unaccounted for) for ten (10) consecutive days, the withdrawal date will be the eleventh school day of
absence. As of the eleventh school day of unaccounted for absence, the proper authorities will be notified.
4.8—MAKE-UP WORK
Students who miss school due to an excused absence shall be allowed to make up the work they missed during
their absence under the following rules.
Students (or parents of K-3 students) are responsible for asking the teachers of the classes they missed what
assignments they need to make up.
Teachers are responsible for providing the missed assignments when asked by a returning student.
Students are required to ask for their assignments on their first day back at school or their first class day after
their return.
Make-up tests are to be rescheduled at the discretion of the teacher but must be aligned with the schedule of the
missed work to be made up.
Students shall have one class day to make up their work for each class day they are absent.
Make-up work which is not turned in within the make-up schedule for that assignment shall receive a zero.
Students are responsible for turning in their make-up work without the teacher having to ask for it.
Students who are absent on the day their make-up work is due must turn in their work the day they return to
school whether or not the class for which the work is due meets the day of their return.
Work may not be made up for credit for unexcused absences unless the unexcused absences are part of a signed
agreement as permitted by policy 4.7ABSENCES.
Out-of-school suspensions are unexcused absences.
Work missed while a student is expelled from school may not be made up for credit and students shall receive a
zero for missed assignments.
In lieu of the timeline above, assignments for students who are excluded from school by the Arkansas
Department of Health during a disease outbreak are to be made up as set forth in Policy 4.57IMMUNIZATIONS.
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4.9—TARDIES
Promptness is an important character trait that District staff are encouraged to model and help develop in our
class show a disregard for both the teacher and their classmates which compromises potential student
achievement.
Middle School
Being prompt to school is one of the essential elements in having each day begin smoothly for your child and
his/her class. If a student is tardy to school, the parent or guardian should come to the office to sign in the child.
Habitual tardiness is disruptive to the education of the child. Perhaps more important is the fact that it disrupts
the flow of the classroom when a child enters late, requiring the teacher to take time away from the class in
order to get the tardy student on task with the other students.
If a student arrives to school after the tardy bell (8:00 a.m.) and before 8:30 a.m. the student will be counted
with a tardy. If a student arrives to school after 8:30 a.m. and remains in attendance for the rest of the school
day, the student will be counted with a morning absence (1/2 day). If a student checks out before 11:00 a.m., the
student is counted as absent all day. If a student checks out between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. the student will
be counted with an afternoon absence (1/2 day). A student that is signed out/leaves campus and returns during
the school day will be charged with a minimum of a ½ day absence if the student misses more than one (1) hour
of instructional class time (exclusive of lunch and recess times). Check outs after 2:30 p.m. are allowed only on
an emergency basis, to ensure the safety of all students.
Tardies will be tabulated each nine weeks. After the 4th tardy a letter will be sent home regarding the tardies.
On the 5th - 9th tardies detention may be assigned. After the 9th tardy other consequences deemed appropriate
by administration may be enforced.
4.10—CLOSED CAMPUS
All schools in the District shall operate closed campuses. Students are required to stay on campus from their
arrival until dismissal at the end of the regular school day unless given permission to leave the campus by a
school official. Students must sign out in the office upon their departure.
Except as part of a class party, gifts should not be exchanged at school. Flowers, balloons, or other gifts may
not be delivered to students while they are in class.
4.11—EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
No student in the Searcy School District shall, on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of,
or subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity sponsored by the District. The District
has a limited open forum granting equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other youth groups.
Inquiries on non-discrimination may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator or the 504 Coordinator, who may
be reached at 801 North Elm, Searcy, AR 72143 or 501-268-3517.
4.12—STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS/EQUAL ACCESS
Non-curriculum-related secondary school student organizations wishing to conduct meetings on
school premises during non-instructional time shall not be denied equal access on the basis of the
religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings. Such meetings must
meet the following criteria.
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The meeting is to be voluntary and student initiated;
There is no sponsorship of the meeting by the school, the government, or its agents or employees;
The meeting must occur during non-instructional time;
Employees or agents of the school are present at religious meetings only in a non-participatory
capacity;
The meeting does not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational
activities within the school; and
Non-school persons may not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend activities of student groups.
All meetings held on school premises must be scheduled and approved by the principal. The school,
its agents, and employees retain the authority to maintain order and discipline, to protect the well-
being of students and faculty, and to assure that attendance of students at meetings is voluntary.
student
forbidden in connection with initiation into, or affiliation with, any student organization,
extracurricular activity or sport program. Students who are convicted of participation in hazing or the
failure to report hazing shall be expelled.
Organizational Fund Raising
Although the board recognizes the value of certain organizational drives, it does not allow money
collection drives to be made in school for purposes outside the program. This saves much school time
and relieves teachers and principals of much responsibility not related to the educational programs of
the district. Solicitation of donations for a particular cause may be done only with approval by the
principal.
4.13—PRIVACY OF STUDENTS’ RECORDS/ DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Except when a court order rega
education records are available for inspection and copying by the parent of his/her student who is under the age
of eighteen (18). At the age of eighteen (18), the right to
records will be allowed to do so within no more than forty five (45) days of the request. The district forwards
education records, including disciplinary records, to schools that have requested them and in which the student
seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's
enrollment or transfer.
The district shall receive written permission before releasing education records to any agency or individual not
authorized by law to receive and/or view the education records without prior parental permission. The District
shall maintain a record of requests by such agencies or individuals for access to, and each disclosure of,
personally identifiable information (PII) from the education records of each student. Disclosure of education
records is authorized by law to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A personal record kept by
a school staff member is not considered an education record if it meets the following tests.
it is in the sole possession of the individual who made it;
it is used only as a personal memory aid; and
information contained in it has never been revealed or made available to any other person, except the
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For the purposes of this policy a school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator,
supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit
personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to
perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student
serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school
official in performing his or her tasks.
For the purposes of this policy a school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to
review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility, contracted duty, or duty of
elected office.
In addition to releasing PII to school officials without permission, the District may disclose PII from the
representative without getting prior consent of the parent (or the student if the student is over eighteen (18)). For
The student must be in foster care;
The Arkansas Department of Human Services, or a sub-agency of the Department, must be legally
responsible for the care and protection of the student.
The District discloses PII from an education record to appropriate parties, including parents, in connection with
an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other
individuals. The superintendent or designee shall determine who will have access to and the responsibility for
disclosing information in emergency situations.
When deciding whether to release PII in a health or safety emergency, the District may take into account the
totality of the circumstances pertaining to a threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals. If the
District determines that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other
individuals, it may disclose information from education records to any person whose knowledge of the
information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
For purposes of this policy, the Searcy School District does not distinguish between a custodial and
noncustodial parent, or a non-parent such as a person acting in loco parentis or a foster parent, with respect to
gaining ac
.
If there exists a court order which directs that a parent not have access to a student or his/her records, the
parent, guardian, person acting in loco parentis, or an agent of the Department of Human Services must present
a file-marked copy of such order to the building principal and the superintendent. The school will make good-
faith efforts to act in accordance with such court order, but the failure to do so does not impose legal liability
upon the school. The actual responsibility for enforcement of such court orders rests with the parents or
guardians, their attorneys and the court which issued the order.
guardian may challenge the accuracy of a record. The right to challenge the accuracy of a record does not
include the right to dispute a grade, disciplinary rulings, disability placements, or other such determinations,
which must be done only through the appropriate teacher and/or administrator, the decision of whom is final. A
with an appeal available to the Superintendent or his/her designee. The challenge shall clearly identify the part
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If the school determines not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the requesting parent or
student of the decision and inform them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amending the
record. The parent or eligible student will be provided information regarding the hearing procedure when
notified of the right to a hearing
3
Unless the parent or guardian of a student (or student, if above the age of eighteen (18)) objects, "directory
information" about a student may be made available to the public, military recruiters, post-secondary
educational institutions, prospective employers of those students, as well as school publications such as annual
name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, dates of
attendance, his/her placement on the honor roll (or the receipt of other types of honors), as well as his/her
participation in school clubs and extracurricular activities, among others. If the student participates in inherently
public activities (for example, basketball, football, or other interscholastic activities), the publication of such
information will be beyond the control of the District. "Directory information" also includes a student
identification (ID) number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used by a student for purposes of
accessing or communicating in electronic systems and a student ID number or other unique personal identifier
that is displayed on a student's ID badge, provided the ID cannot be used to gain access to education records
except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user's identity, such as a
personal identification number (PIN), password or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user.
A form for objecting to making directory information available may be acquired from the principal or
-eligible student and filed with the
the student is enrolled for school. Failure to file an objection by that time is considered a specific grant of
permission. The district is required to continue to honor any signed-opt out form for any student no longer in
attendance at the district.
The right to opt out of the disclosure of directory information under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) does not prevent the District from disclosing or requiring a student to disclose the student's name,
identifier, or institutional email address in a class in which the student is enrolled
4.14—STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE
Student Publications
All publications that are supported financially by the school or by use of school facilities, or are
produced in conjunction with a class shall be considered school-sponsored publications. School
publications do not provide a forum for public expression. Such publications, as well as the content of
student expression in school-sponsored activities, shall be subject to the editorial control of the
and adhere to the following limitations.
Advertising may be accepted for publications that does not condone or promote products that are
inappropriate for the age and maturity of the audience or that endorses such things as tobacco, alcohol,
or drugs.
Publications may be regulated to prohibit writings which are, in the opinion of the appropriate teacher
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and/or administrator, ungrammatical, poorly written, inadequately researched, biased or prejudiced,
vulgar or profane, or unsuitable for immature audiences.
Publications may be regulated to refuse to publish material which might reasonably be perceived to
advocate drug or alcohol use, irresponsible sex, or conduct otherwise inconsistent with the shared
values of a civilized social order, or to associate the school with any position other than neutrality on
matters of political controversy.
Prohibited publications include:
Those that are obscene as to minors;
Those that are libelous or slanderous, including material containing defamatory falsehoods about
public figures or governmental officials, which are made with knowledge of their falsity or reckless
disregard of the truth;
Those that constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy as defined by state law,
Publications that suggest or urge the commission of unlawful acts on the school premises;
Publications which suggest or urge the violation of lawful school regulations;
Hate literature that scurrilously attacks ethnic, religious, or racial groups.
Student Publications on School Web Pages
Student publications that are displayed on school web pages shall follow the same guidelines as listed
above; plus they shall:
Not contain any non-educational advertisements. Additionally, student web publications shall;
Adhere to the restrictions regarding use of Directory Information as prescribed in Policy 4.13
State that the views expressed are not necessarily those of the School Board or the employees of the
district.
Student Distribution of Nonschool Literature, Publications, and Materials
A student or group of students who distribute ten (10) or fewer copies of the same nonschool
and manner that does not cause a substantial disruption of the orderly education environment. A
student or group of students wishing to distribute more than ten (10) copies of nonschool materials
shall have the school principal review their nonschool materials at least three (3) school days in
advance of their desired time of dissemination. School authorities shall review the nonschool
materials, prior to their distribution and will bar from distribution those nonschool materials that are
obscene, libelous, pervasively indecent, or advertise unlawful products or services. Material may also
be barred from distribution if there is evidence that reasonably supports a forecast that a substantial
disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment will likely result from the
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distribution. Concerns related to any denial of distribution by the principal shall be heard by the
superintendent, whose decision shall be final.
The school principal or designee shall establish reasonable regulations governing the time, place, and
manner of student distribution of nonschool materials.
The regulations shall:
Be narrowly drawn to promote orderly administration of school activities by preventing disruption and
may not be designed to stifle expression;
Be uniformly applied to all forms of nonschool materials;
Allow no interference with classes or school activities;
Specify times, places, and manner where distribution may and may not occur; and
regulations.
4.15—CONTACT WITH STUDENTS WHILE AT SCHOOL
CONTACT BY PARENTS
Parents wishing to speak to their children during the school day shall register first with the office.
CONTACT BY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS
If there is any question concerning the legal custody of the student, the custodial parent shall present
documentation to the principal or nee
regarding the non-custodial parent known to the principal by presenting a copy of a file-marked court order.
Without such a court order on file, the school will release the child to either of his/her parents. Non-custodial
parents who file with the principal a date-stamped copy of current court orders granting unsupervised visitation
may ea
Policy 4.16, Policy 6.5, and any other policies that may apply.
Arkansas law provides that, in order to avoid continuing child custody controversies from involving school
personnel and to avoid disruptions to the educational atmosphere in the Districtschools, the transfer of a child
between his/her custodial parent and non-custodial parent, when both parents are present, shall not take place on
. The custodial or non-
custodial parent may send to/drop off the student at school to be sent to/picked up by the other parent on
predetermined days in accordance with any court order provided by the custodial parent or by a signed
agreement between both the custodial and non-custodial parents that was witnessed by the studentbuilding
principal. Unless a valid no-
district employees shall not become involved in disputes concerning whether or not that parent was supposed to
pick up the student on any given day.
CONTACT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, OR BY COURT ORDER
State Law requires that Department of Human Services employees, local law enforcement, or agents of the
Crimes Against Children Division of the Department of Arkansas State Police may interview students without a
21
court order for the purpose of investigating suspected child abuse. In instances where the interviewers deem it
-Except as provided below,
other questioning of students by non-school personnel shall be granted only with a court order directing such
questioning, with permission of the parents of a student (or the student if above eighteen (18) years of age), or
in response to a subpoena or arrest warrant.
If the District makes a report to any law enforcement agency concerning student misconduct or if access to a
shall make a good faith effort to co
control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis identified on student enrollment forms. The principal or
presented documentation by the investigator
that notification is prohibited because a parent, guardian, custodian, or person standing in loco parentis is named
as an alleged offender of the suspected child maltreatment. This exception applies only to interview requests
made by a law enforcement officer, an investigator of the Crimes Against Children Division of the Department
of Arkansas State Police, or an investigator or employee of the Department of Human Services.
In instances other than those related to cases of suspected child abuse, principals must release a student to either
a police officer who presents a subpoena for the student, or a warrant for arrest, or to an agent of state social
services or an agent of a court with jurisdiction over a child with a court order signed by a judge. Upon release
lawful control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis notice that the student has been taken into
to reach the parent, he or she shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to get a message to the parent to call the
principal or designee, and leave both a day and an after-hours telephone number.
Contact by Professional Licensure Standards Board Investigators
Investigators for the Professional Licensure Standards Board may meet with students during the
school day to carry out the investigation of an ethics complaint.
4.16—STUDENT VISITORS
The board strongly believes that the purpose of school is for learning. Social visitors, generally, disrupt the
classroom and interfere with learning that should be taking place. Therefore, visiting with students at school is
strongly discouraged, unless approved by the principal and scheduled in advance. This includes visits made by
former students, friends, and/or relatives of teachers or students. Any visitation to the classroom shall be
allowed only with the permission of the school principal and all visitors must first register at the office.
4.17—STUDENT DISCIPLINE
The Searcy School District Board of Education has a responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of
achievement, the Board establishes policies necessary to regulate student behavior to promote an orderly school
environment that is respectful of the rights of others and ensures the uniform enforcement of student discipline.
Students are responsible for their conduct that occurs at any time on the school grounds; off school grounds at a
school sponsored function, activity, or event; or going to and from school or a school activity.
-campus conduct
occurring at any time that would have a detrimental impact on school discipline, the educational environment,
or the welfare of the students and/or staff. A student who has committed a criminal act while off campus and
22
whose presence on campus could cause a substantial disruption to school or endanger the welfare of other
students or staff is subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Such acts could include, but are
not limited to, a felony or an act that would be considered a felony if committed by an adult, an assault or
battery, drug law violations, or sexual misconduct of a serious nature. Any disciplinary action pursued by the
student discipline policies are made available to each student by accessing the school webpage or
a printed copy will be provided upon request.
school an acknowledgement form documenting that he or she has received the policies.
DETENTION HALL
A detention hall will be utilized at Southwest Middle School as a form of discipline. It will be held
during lunch/recess or after school. A staff member will supervise the students assigned to it.
Students who insist on deliberately disobeying the student guidelines found in this handbook may be
assigned to detention hall. Detention hall will be attended or another disciplinary action will be
required.
4.18—PROHIBITED CONDUCT
Students and staff require a safe and orderly learning environment that is conducive to high student
achievement. Certain student behaviors are unacceptable in such an environment and are hereby prohibited by
the Board. Prohibited behaviors include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
1. Disrespect for school employees and failing to comply with their reasonable directions or otherwise
demonstrating insubordination;
2. Disruptive behavior that interferes with orderly school operations;
3. Willfully and intentionally assaulting or threatening to assault or physically abusing any student or
school employee;
4. Possession of any weapon that can reasonably be considered capable of causing bodily harm to another
individual;
5. Possession or use of tobacco in any form on any property owned or leased by any public school;
6. Willfully or intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing school property;
7. Use or misuse of electronic communication devices on the school campus during normal school hours
unless specifically exempted by the administration for health or other compelling reasons;
8. Possession, selling, distributing, or being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any illegal drug,
unauthorized inhalants, or the inappropriate use or sharing of prescription or over the counter drugs, or
other intoxicants, or anything represented to be a drug;
9. Sharing, diverting, transferring, applying to others (such as needles or lancets), or in any way misusing
medication or any medical supplies in their possession;
10. Inappropriate public displays of affection (PDA) (It should be remembered that there is a proper time
and place for showing affection. School is not the place to show affection through physical contact
such as placing arms around another person, kissing, etc.);
11. Cheating, copying, or claiming another person's work to be his/her own;
12. Gambling;
13. Inappropriate student dress;
14. Use of vulgar, profane, or obscene language or gestures;
15. Truancy;
16. Excessive tardiness;
17. Engaging in behavior designed to taunt, degrade, or ridicule another person on the basis of race,
ethnicity, national origin, sex, or disability;
23
18. Possessing, viewing, distributing or electronically transmitting sexually explicit or vulgar images or
representations, whether electronically, on a data storage device, or in hard copy form;
19. Hazing, or aiding in the hazing of another student;
20. Gangs or gang-related activities, including belonging to secret societies of any kind, are forbidden on
schoo
prohibited;
21. Sexual harassment;
22. Bullying;
23. Operating a vehicle on school grounds while using a wireless communication device; and
24. Theft of another
25. No tackling of any kind during any games on campus during recess.
26. No throwing of any objects other than items intended for that purpose (includes rocks, cans, gumballs,
etc.).
27. Students are not allowed to sell or trade any items at school unless part of a class activity.
28. Do not have, sell, give away, or chew gum and/or candy at school unless given out by the teacher.
29. Students choosing to carry backpacks while on campus must place them in a location designated by the
teacher.
30. No deliveries of flowers, balloons, etc. for students will be accepted.
The Board directs each school in the District to develop implementation regulations for prohibited student
conduct consistent with applicable Board policy, State and Federal laws, and judicial decisions.
4.19—CONDUCT TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND TRANSPORTATION
ELIGIBILITY
Students are subject to the same rules of conduct while traveling to and from school as they are while on school
grounds. Appropriate disciplinary actions may be taken against commuting students who violate student code of
conduct rules.
The preceding paragraph also applies to student conduct while on school buses. Students shall be instructed in
safe riding practices.
The driver of a school bus shall not operate the school bus until every passenger is seated.
Disciplinary measures for problems related to bus behavior shall include suspension or expulsion from school,
porting students to and from
or legal guardian.
Bus Regulations
Meeting the Bus:
1. Be at the bus stop at the scheduled time. Stand back about ten feet from the bus stop and wait
until the door is opened before moving closer to the bus. Do not play on the highway or road. If
you miss the bus, do not attempt to hitch a ride or walk to or from school. Discuss with your
parents what action you should take if you miss the bus.
2. Try to be on the proper side of the road to wait on the bus. If you should arrive at the stop just
as the bus approaches, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop and the driver has
signaled for you to cross in front of the bus. (Unless the driver directs you differently).
Entering & Leaving the Bus:
1. While loading or unloading, enter or leave the bus in an orderly fashion.
2. Students who cross the road after leaving the bus in the afternoon must go to a point on the
shoulder of the road ten feet in front of the bus. Cross the road only after the driver has
signaled you to do so.
3. Do not enter or leave the bus by the back door except in case of an emergency or unless
directed to do so by the driver.
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Riding the Bus:
1. While riding the bus, students are under the supervision of the driver and must obey the driver
at all times. Discipline problems will be handled by the building Principal. The Principal or
Transportation Director has the authority to temporarily suspend a student from riding the bus.
2. Students are not to distract the attention of their driver or disturb other riders on the bus. Keep
your hands to yourself and be reasonably quiet.
3. Band instruments and bags can be carried on the bus only if they do not occupy the space
needed for another student to be seated.
4. Do not ask the driver to let you off the bus any place except your regular stop. (Exceptions
must have prior written approval from the building Principal).
Actions Not Permitted on the Bus:
1. Any items that are not permitted at school are not allowed on the bus.
2. Students are not to tamper with any of the safety devices such as door latches, fire
extinguishers, etc.
3. Students must keep seated while the bus is in motion and should remain seated when it stops
until the driver directs them to exit. Students are not to put their hands, arms, heads, or bodies
out the window. Do not yell at anyone outside the bus.
4. Students are not to deface the bus or any school property. Do not write on the bus or
damage the seats, etc. Do not throw paper, food, or other objects on the floor of the bus. Do
not eat on the bus. Keep the aisle of bus clear from books, lunches, coats, etc. Do not put feet
in the aisles.
5. Act 729 of 1977 of the State Legislature makes it illegal to smoke on school buses. The penalty
for violating this law is a fine ranging from $10 to $100. (Students are not to have tobacco
products in their possession.)
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
1 . In an emergency, students should remain calm and quiet and listen for instructions from the bus
driver. If the driver is unable to conduct emergency measures, students should follow the
procedures below in leaving the bus.
2 . If the exit is through the front door, students sitting in the front seat behind the driver will move
out first, followed by those in the front seat on the passenger side and proceeding in this manner
until all seats are emptied.
3 . If the exit is through the rear emergency door, students sitting in the rear seat on the driver‘s
side will move out first, followed by those in the rear seat on the passenger side and proceeding in
this manner until all seats are emptied.
4 . If a rapid exit is necessary and it is possible to exit from both doors, students in the rear half of
the bus should move out the back door and those in the front half should move out the front
door.
5 . In the event of an accident resulting in injury, persons injured should only be moved under the
supervision of the bus driver/adult, medical personnel, or other authorities.
6. After students exit the bus, they are to move immediately off the roadway to a safe distance
from traffic. They should NOT cross the road unless instructed by the driver.
7. In the event of a tornado or other natural disaster, student should follow the instructions of the
bus driver regarding emergency procedures.
CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS OF BUS RULES
Students who violate bus rules will be subject but not limited to the following consequences.
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1. First bus discipline report – student conference and written warning.
2. Second bus discipline report – 1 day bus suspension & conference with parent/guardian before
student allowed back on bus.
3. Third bus discipline report – up to five days bus suspension.
4. Fourth bus discipline report – up to ten days bus suspension.
5. Fifth bus discipline report – bus suspension for remainder of semester.
6. Sixth bus discipline report – bus suspension for remainder of school year.
7. Severe Clause – A student who distracts a bus driver from his/her responsibility of safely driving the
bus or who engages in conduct endangering other students such as, but not limited to fighting,
smoking, or disrespect toward the bus driver will receive an immediate bus suspension from riding if a
severe infraction occurs. Suspension time for a severe infraction may result in the denial of bus riding
privileges for the remainder of the year.
Riding a school bus is a privilege. Any or all above steps may be by-passed if the offense is one of a
severe nature or presents a safety hazard to the driver and /or other students on the bus.
A suspension from one Searcy School District bus is a suspension from all buses operated by the
Searcy School District.
4.20—DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL
No student shall by the use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or
any other conduct, intentionally cause the disruption of any lawful mission, process, or function of the school,
or engage in any such conduct for the purpose of causing disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission,
process, or function. Nor shall any student encourage any other student to engage in such activities.
Disorderly activit
environment shall not be tolerated at any time on school grounds. Teachers may remove from class and send to
nt whose behavior is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that it
classmates to learn. Students who refuse to leave the classroom voluntarily will be escorted from the classroom
by the school administration.
No student shall:
a. Occupy any school building or properties with intent to deprive others of its use or where the effect
thereof is to deprive others of its use.
b. Block the doorway or corridor of any school building or property so as to deprive others access.
c. Prevent or attempt to prevent the convening or continued functioning of any school class, activity,
or lawful meeting or assembly on the school campus.
d. Prevent students from attending a class or school activity.
e. Block normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the school campus or adjacent grounds unless
under the direction of a school administrator.
f. Continuously and intentionally make noise or act in any other such manner so as to interfere
h. In any manner by the use of force, violence, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, harassment, fear,
26
passive resistance, or any other conduct done intentionally to cause the disruption of any lawful
process or function of the school or engage in any such conduct for the purpose of causing
disruption or obstruction of any such lawful process or function.
i. Refuse to identify himself/herself on request of any teacher, Principal, superintendent, school bus
driver, school security officer, or other school personnel.
j. Encourage other students to violate any school rule or regulation or school board policy.
k. Communicate a false alarm (bombing, fire, catastrophe, or other emergency).
Communicating a false alarm is a Class D felony if: (a) physical injury to a person results, or (b) the
false alarm communicates a present or impending bombing and is made to or about a public
educational institution. Otherwise, communicating a false alarm is a Class A misdemeanor.
4.21—STUDENT ASSAULT OR BATTERY
A student shall not threaten, physically abuse, or attempt to physically abuse, or behave in such a way as to be
perceived to threaten bodily harm to any other person (student, school employee, or school visitor). Any
gestures, vulgar, abusive or insulting language, taunting, threatening, harassing, or intimidating remarks by a
student toward another person that threatens their well-being is strictly forbidden. This includes, but is not
limited to, fighting, racial, ethnic, religious, or sexual slurs.
Furthermore, it is unlawful, during regular school hours, and in a place where a public school employee is
required to be in the course of his or her duties, for any person to address a public school employee using
language which, in its common understanding, is calculated to: a) cause a breach of the peace; b) materially and
substantially interfere with the operation of the school; c) arouse the person to whom it is addressed to anger, to
the extent likely to cause imminent retaliation. Students guilty of such an offense may be subject to legal
proceedings in addition to student disciplinary measures.
FIGHTING: May result in the following disciplinary actions:
1st Offense - Five day suspension
2nd Offense -Ten day suspension
3rd Offense -Ten day suspension (with possible recommendation for expulsion)
ACA § 5-17-101 (2011) Establishes the Offense of Communicating a Death Threat Concerning a School
Employee or Student. Communicating a death threat concerning a school employee or student is a Class
D felony. A person commits the offense of communicating a death threat concerning a school employee or
student if:
A. The person communicates to any other person a threat to cause the death of a school employee or
student;
B. The threat involves the use of a firearm or other deadly weapon;
C. A reasonable person would believe the person making the threat intends to carry out the threat;
D. The person making the threat purposely engaged in conduct that constitutes a substantial step in a
course of conduct intended to culminate in the commission of the threatened act; and
E. There is a close temporal relationship between the threatened act and the substantial step.
F.
criminal purpose.
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4.22—WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS
No student shall possess a weapon, display what appears to be a weapon, or threaten to use a weapon while in
school, on or about school property, before or after school, in attendance at school or any school sponsored
activity, on route to or from school or any school sponsored activity, off the school grounds at any school bus
stop, or at any school sponsored activity or event. Military personnel, such as ROTC cadets, acting in the course
of their official duties are exempted.
A weapon is defined as any firearm; knife; razor; ice pick; dirk; box cutter; numchucks; pepper spray, mace, or
other noxious spray; explosive; Taser or other instrument that uses electrical current to cause neuromuscular
incapacitation; or any other instrument or substance capable of causing bodily harm. For the purposes of this
policy, "firearm" means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile by the action of an
explosive or any device readily convertible to that use.
Possession means having a weapon, as defined
control. If a student discovers prior to any questioning or search by any school personnel that he/she has
accidentally brought a weapon, other than a firearm, to school on his/her person, in a book bag/purse, or in
his/her vehicle on school grounds, and the student informs the principal or a staff person immediately, the
student will not be considered to be in possession of a weapon unless it is a firearm. The weapon shall be
confiscated and
against the student as otherwise provided for in this policy.
Except as permitted in this policy, students found to be in possession on the school campus of a firearm shall be
recommended for expulsion for a period of not less than one year. The superintendent shall have the discretion
to modify such expulsion recommendation for a student on a case-by-case basis. Parents or legal guardians of
students expelled under this policy shall be given a copy of the current laws regarding the possibility of parental
responsibility for allowing a child to possess a firearm on school property. Parents or legal guardians shall sign
a statement acknowledging that they have read and understand said laws prior to readmitting the student.
Parents or legal guardians of a student enrolling from another school after the expiration of an expulsion period
for a firearm policy violation shall also be given a copy of the current laws regarding the possibility of parental
responsibility for allowing a child to possess a firearm on school property. The parents or legal guardians shall
sign a statement acknowledging that they have read and understand said laws prior to the student being enrolled
in school.
The mandatory expulsion requirement for possession of a firearm does not apply to a firearm brought to school
for the purpose of participating in activities approved and authorized by the district that include the use of
firearms. Such activities may include ROTC programs, hunting safety or military education, or before or after-
school hunting or rifle clubs. Firearms brought to school for such purposes shall be brought to the school
employee designated to receive such firearms. The designated employee shall store the firearms in a secure
location until they are removed for use in the approved activity.
The district shall report any student who brings a firearm to school to the criminal justice system or juvenile
delinquency system by notifying local law enforcement.
4.23—TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Smoking or use of tobacco or products containing tobacco in any form (including, but not limited to, cigarettes,
cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) in or on any real property owned or leased by a District school, including
school buses owned or leased by the District, is prohibited. Students who violate this policy may be subject to
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legal proceedings in addition to student disciplinary measures.
nicotine delivery system or product. Specifically, the prohibition includes any product that is manufactured,
distributed, marketed, or sold as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, or under any other name or descriptor.
4.24—DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
An orderly and safe school environment that is conducive to promoting student achievement requires a student
population free from the deleterious effects of alcohol and drugs. Their use is illegal, disruptive to the
educational environment, and diminishes the capacity of students to learn and function properly in our schools.
Therefore, no student in the Searcy School District shall possess, attempt to possess, consume, use, distribute,
sell, buy, attempt to sell, attempt to buy, give to any person, or be under the influence of any substance as
defined in this policy, or what the student represents or believes to be any substance as defined in this policy.
This policy applies to any student who is on or about school property, is in attendance at school or any school
sponsored activity, has left the school campus for any reason and returns to the campus, or is on route to or
from school or any school sponsored activity.
Prohibited substances shall include, but are not limited to, alcohol, or any alcoholic beverage; inhalants or any
-
alike drug; or any controlled substance.
Selling, distributing, or attempting to sell or distribute, or using over-the-counter or prescription drugs not in
accordance with the recommended dosage is prohibited.
The Principal of a school may suspend or recommend for expulsion any student from school if that student,
while attending school, being on school property, or being at a school sanctioned function, event or activity
shall be under the influence of, possess, sell, trade, give, or otherwise provide a controlled substance, over the
counter medication, dangerous drug, alcohol, or intoxicating beverage. Under the influence will be treated as
possession.
Arkansas Statute, the posse
mean any drug which produces or has the potential to produce harmful side effects, irrational conduct, stupor,
or hyperactive behavior. Nothing in the policy shall preclude a student from possessing prescription medication
in accordance with other policies of the rules and regulations. In the event a Principal becomes aware of a
violation of this policy, the Principal shall contact the parent or guardian of the student(s) involved.
Because the police power of the state cannot be diminished or compromised by school officials, for or on behalf
of any student, school authorities recognize that they have the same responsibility as every other citizen to
report violations of the law. Accordingly, students suspected of or believed to be in violation of this provision
shall be reported promptly to the appropriate law enforcement officials for appropriate independent action with
respect to violation of any state and/or
federal law.
Students of Searcy School District will not be interrogated by the police or others outside the school agency
unless parents are called and permission is granted. The parent has the right to be present during the questioning
period.
4.25—STUDENT DRESS AND GROOMING
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The Searcy Board of Education recognizes that dress can be a matter of personal taste and preference. At the
same time, the District has a responsibility to promote an environment conducive to student learning. This
requires limitations to student dress and grooming that could be disruptive to the educational process because
they are immodest, disruptive, unsanitary, unsafe, could cause property damage, or are offensive to common
standards of decency.
Students are prohibited from wearing, while on the school grounds during the school day and at school-
sponsored events, clothing that exposes underwear, buttocks, or the breast of a female. This prohibition does not
apply, however, to a costume or uniform worn by a student while participating in a school-sponsored activity or
event.
handbook, and that are consistent with the above criteria.
Student dress, grooming and appearance should be the responsibility of the individual, and his or her parent
under the following guidelines:
1. Dress and grooming should be clean and in keeping with health and sanitary standards.
2. A student shall not wear clothing or use emblems, insignias, badges or other symbols where the effect
thereof is to distract unreasonably the attention of other students or promote disruptive conduct or moral
turpitude, show disrespect for the beliefs of others, and are deemed contrary to the educational mission of the
school will not be allowed.
3. If a student chooses to participate in any school activity or organization, he/she must conform to the
standards set forth by the sponsor or director of the said activity. Students in violation of the dress and
appearance codes established by clubs and organizations will not be allowed to participate in activities until the
established standards are met.
4. Hats, caps, sunglasses, bandannas, sweatbands, and other headgear deemed inappropriate are not to be worn.
5. Shoes are to be worn at all times.
6. Clothing with vulgar or objectionable words or symbols is not to be worn. This includes any advertisement
or representation of anything illegal for a minor. This also includes, but is not limited to suggestive phrases with
sexual and vulgar overtones.
7. Students are not to wear tops that expose the midriff or tops that allow cleavage to show (Act 835, 2011). In
addition, undergarments should not be visible. Students must wear shirts with sleeves.
8. Lower garments (pants, shorts, and dresses) must not be worn more than three inches above the upper knee.
Lower garments (pants, shorts, and dresses) should be free of holes above the knees not exposing skin or
undergarments and shall be worn appropriately at the waist (no sagging) (A.C.A. § 6-18-58). If pants are too big
around the waist, a belt should be worn.
Violations of the dress code:
1. Students who violate the dress code policy will be sent to the office with a referral.
2. Students who violate the dress code will be subject to disciplinary action, and will be required to change their
clothes before returning to class. Any class time missed due to dress code violations will be unexcused.
3. Subsequent offenses may result in disciplinary action ranging from a warning to out of school suspension.
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The school administrators will make the necessary decisions regarding questionable school dress. Special
events may have specific dress codes that will be announced. Appropriateness will be determined by the
principal or designee.
These guidelines should help the students know that proper dress, grooming and appearance are just as
important to their welfare and positive self-concept as academic accomplishments. Students are encouraged to
look, work and act their very best at all times.
4.26—GANGS AND GANG ACTIVITY
The Board is committed to ensuring a safe school environment conducive to promoting a learning environment
where students and staff can excel. An orderly environment cannot exist where unlawful acts occur causing
fear, intimidation, or physical harm to students or school staff. Gangs and their activities create such an
atmosphere and shall not be allowed on school grounds or at school functions.
The following actions are prohibited by students on school property or at school functions:
1. Wearing or possessing any clothing, bandanas, jewelry, symbol, or other sign associated with membership
in, or representative of, any gang (When there is a question as to whether or not items are gang related,
determination will be made by the administration.);
2. Engaging in any verbal or nonverbal act such as throwing signs, gestures, or handshakes representative of
membership in any gang;
3. Recruiting, soliciting, or encouraging any person through duress or intimidation to become or remain a
member of any gang; and/or
4. Extorting payment from any individual in return for protection from harm from any gang;
5. Participating in or inciting violence or harassing, intimidating, threatening or causing harm to any person.
Students found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion.
Students arrested for gang related activities occurring off school grounds shall be subject to the same
disciplinary actions as if they had occurred on school grounds.
4.27—STUDENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The Searcy School District is committed to having an academic environment that treats all students with respect
and dignity. Student achievement is best attained in an atmosphere of equal educational opportunity that is free
of discrimination. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that undermines the integrity of the educational
environment and will not be tolerated.
The District believes the best policy to create an educational environment free from sexual harassment is
prevention; therefore, the District will periodically inform students and employees about the nature of sexual
harassment, that the district does not tolerate sexual harassment, the procedures for registering a complaint, that
students can report inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature without fear of adverse consequences, the redress
that is available to the victim of sexual harassment, and the potential discipline for perpetrating sexual
harassment. The information will take into account and be appropriate to the age of the students.
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1. Of a sexual nature, including, but not limited to:
a. Sexual advances;
b. Requests for sexual favors;
c. Sexual violence; or
d. Other personally offensive verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature;
2. Unwelcome; and
3.
programs or activities through any or all of the following methods:
a. Submission to the conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an
b. Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic
decisions affecting that individual; and/or
c. Such conduct has the purpose or effec
performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive academic environment.
ability to participate in, or benefit from, an educational program or activity.
Within the educational environment, sexual harassment is prohibited between any of the following: students,
employees and students, and non-employees and students.
Actionable sexual harassment is generally established when an individual is exposed to a pattern of
objectionable behaviors or when a single, serious act is committed. What is, or is not, sexual harassment will
depend upon all of the surrounding circumstances and may occur regardless of the sex(es) of the individuals
involved. Depending upon such circumstances, examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
Making sexual propositions or pressuring for sexual activities;
Unwelcome touching;
Writing graffiti of a sexual nature;
Displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures, or written materials;
Performing sexual gestures or touching oneself sexually in front of others;
Telling sexual or crude jokes;
Discussions of sexual experiences;
Rating other students as to sexual activity or performance;
Circulating or showing e-mails or Web sites of a sexual nature;
Intimidation by words, actions, insults, or name calling; and
Teasing or name-calling related to sexual characteristics or the belief or perception that an individual is
not conforming to expected gender roles or conduct or is homosexual, regardless of whether or not the
student self-identifies as homosexual or transgender.
Students who believe they have been subjected to sexual harassment, or the parent/legal guardian/other
responsible adult of a student who believes their student has been subjected to sexual harassment, are
encouraged to file a complaint by contacting a counselor, teacher, Title IX coordinator, or administrator who
will provide assistance on the complaint process. Under no circumstances shall a student be required to first
report allegations of sexual harassment to a school contact person if that person is the individual who is accused
of the harassment.
Complaints will be treated in a confidential manner to the extent possible. Limited disclosure may be provided
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thorough investigation, the extent necessary to submit a report to the child maltreatment hotline, the
Professional Licensure Standards Board for complaints alleging sexual harassment by an employee towards a
student, or the extent necessary to provide the individual accused in the complaint due process during the
investigation and disciplinary processes. Individuals who file a complaint have the right to request that the
individual accused of sexual harassment not be informed of the name of the accuser; however, individuals
estigate the
complaint and may make it impossible for the District to discipline the accused.
Students, or the parents/legal guardians/ other responsible adult of a student, who file a complaint of sexual
harassment shall not be subjected to retaliation or reprisal in any form, including threats, intimidation, coercion,
or discrimination. The District shall take steps to prevent retaliation and shall take immediate action if any form
of retaliation occurs regardless of whether the retaliatory acts are by District officials, students, or third parties.
Following the completion of an investigation of a complaint, the District will inform the parents/legal
guardian/other responsible adult of the student, or the student if over the age of eighteen (18), who filed the
complaint:
The final determination of the investigation;
Remedies the District will make available to the student; and
The sanctions, if any, imposed on the alleged harasser relevant to the student.
Following the completion of an investigation of a complaint, the District will inform the parents/legal
guardian/other responsible adult of the student, or the student if over the age of eighteen (18), who was accused
of sexual harassment in the complaint:
The final determination of the investigation; and
The sanctions, if any, the District intends to impose on the student.
It shall be a violation of this policy for any student to be subjected to, or to subject another person to, sexual
harassment. Following an investigation, any student who is found by the evidence to more likely than not have
engaged in sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, expulsion.
Students who knowingly fabricate allegations of sexual harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action up to
and including expulsion.
Individuals who withhold information, purposely provide inaccurate facts, or otherwise hinder an investigation
of sexual harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
4.28—LASER POINTERS
Students shall not possess any hand held laser pointer while in school; on or about school property, before or
after school; in attendance at school or any school-sponsored activity; on route to or from school or any school-
sponsored activity; off the school grounds at any school bus stop or at any school-sponsored activity or event.
School personnel shall seize any laser pointer from the student possessing it and the student may reclaim it at
the close of the school year, or when the student is no longer enrolled in the District.
4.29—INTERNET SAFETY and ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE POLICY
The Searcy School District recognizes the value of computer and other electronic resources to improve student
learning and enhance the administration and operation of its schools. To this end, the Searcy School District
encourages the responsible use of computers; computer networks, including the Internet; and other electronic
resources in support of the mission and goals of the Searcy School District and its schools.
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Because the Internet is an unregulated, worldwide vehicle for communication, information available to staff and
students is impossible to control. Therefore, the Searcy School District adopts this policy governing the
voluntary use of electronic resources and the Internet in order to provide guidance to individuals and groups
obtaining access to these resources on Searcy School District-owned equipment or through Searcy School
District-affiliated organizations.
Searcy School District Rights and Responsibilities
It is the policy of the Searcy School District to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible
conduct in all online network activities by staff and students. It shall be a violation of this policy for any
employee, student, or other individual to engage in any activity that does not conform to the established purpose
and general rules and policies of the network. Within this general policy, the Searcy School District recognizes
its legal and ethical obligation to protect the well-being of students in its charge.
To this end, Searcy School District retains the following rights and recognizes the following obligations:
1. To log network use and to monitor fileserver space utilization by users, and assume no
responsibility or liability for files deleted due to violation of fileserver space allotments.
2. To remove a user account on the network.
3. To monitor the use of online activities. This may include real-time monitoring of network
activity and/or maintaining a log of Internet activity for later review.
4. To provide internal and external controls as appropriate and feasible. Such controls shall
include the right to determine who will have access to Searcy School District-owned
equipment and, specifically, to exclude those who do not abide by the Searcy School District's
acceptable use policy or other policies governing the use of school facilities, equipment, and
materials. Searcy School District reserves the right to restrict online destinations through
software or other means and to impose time restrictions on the use of the internet and
computers.
5. To provide guidelines and make reasonable efforts to train staff and students in acceptable use
and policies governing online communications.
Staff Responsibilities
1. Staff members will educate minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other
individuals on social networking websites, and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response.
2. Staff members who supervise students, control electronic equipment, or otherwise have occasion to observe
student use of said equipment online shall make reasonable efforts to monitor the use of this equipment to
assure that it conforms to the mission and goals of the Searcy School District.
3. Staff should make reasonable efforts to become familiar with the Internet and its use so that effective
monitoring, instruction, and assistance may be achieved.
User Responsibilities
1. Use of the electronic media provided by the Searcy School District is a privilege that offers a wealth of
information and resources for research. Where it is available, this resource is offered to staff, students, and
other patrons at no cost. In order to maintain the privilege, users agree to learn and comply with all of the
provisions of this policy.
Acceptable Use
1. All use of the Internet must be in support of educational and research objectives consistent with the mission
and objectives of the Searcy School District.
2. Proper codes of conduct in electronic communication must be used. In news groups, giving out personal
information is inappropriate. When using e-mail, extreme caution must always be taken in revealing any
information of a personal nature.
3. Network accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account for the
authorized purpose.
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4. All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be
private property.
5. Mailing list subscriptions may be monitored, and files will be deleted from the personal mail
directories to avoid excessive use of fileserver hard-disk space.
6. Web-based tools will be treated as a classroom space. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not
appropriate on web based tools.
7. Web-based assignments will be treated like any other assignment in school. Students are expected to abide by
policies and procedures in the Student Handbook.
8. Exhibit exemplary behavior on the network as a representative of your school and community. Be polite!
9. From time to time, the Searcy School District will make determinations on whether specific uses of the
network are consistent with the acceptable use practice.
Unacceptable Use
1. Giving out personal information about another person, including home address and phone number,
is strictly prohibited.
2. The district network and computers should not be used for commercial or for-profit purposes.
3. Excessive use of the network for personal business shall be cause for disciplinary action.
4. Any use of the network for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.
5. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or
passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network.
6. No use of the network shall serve to disrupt the use of the network by others. Hardware and/or software shall
not be destroyed, modified, or abused in any way.
7. Malicious use of the network to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or
computing system and/or damage the software components of a computer or computing system is prohibited.
8. Hate mail, chain letters, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited
on the network.
9. The unauthorized installation of any software, including shareware and freeware, for use on Searcy School
District computers is prohibited.
10. Use of the network to access or process pornographic material, inappropriate text files (as
determined by the system administrator or building administrator), or files dangerous to the
integrity of the local area network is prohibited.
11. The Searcy School District network may not be used for downloading entertainment software or other files
not related to the mission and objectives of the Searcy School District for transfer to a user's home
computer,
personal computer, or other media. This prohibition pertains to freeware, shareware, copyrighted
commercial and non-commercial software, and all other forms of software and files not directly related to the
instructional and administrative purposes of the Searcy School District.
12. Downloading, copying, otherwise duplicating, and/or distributing copyrighted materials without the specific
written permission
of the copyright owner is prohibited, except that duplication and/or distribution of materials for educational
purposes is permitted when such duplication and/or distribution would fall within the Fair Use Doctrine of
the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, USC).
13. Use of the network for any unlawful purpose is prohibited.
14. Use of profanity, obscenity, racist terms, or other language that may be offensive to another user is
prohibited.
15. Playing games is prohibited unless specifically authorized by a teacher for instructional purposes.
16. Establishing network or Internet connections to live communications, including voice and/or video (relay
chat) must have prior approval by the system administrator.
Disclaimer
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1. The Searcy School District cannot be held accountable for the information that is retrieved via the network.
2. Pursuant to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (18 USC 2510 et seq.), notice is hereby
given that there are no facilities provided by this system for sending or receiving private or confidential
electronic communications. System administrators have access to all mail and will monitor messages.
Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
3. The Searcy School District will not be responsible for any damages you may suffer, including loss of data
resulting from delays, non-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by our own negligence or your errors or
omissions. Use of any information obtained is at your own risk.
4. The Searcy School District makes no warranties (expressed or implied) with respect to: the content of any
advice or information received by a user, or any costs or charges incurred as a result of seeing or accepting
any information; and any costs, liability, or damages caused by the way the user chooses to use his or her
access to the network.
5. The Searcy School District reserves the right to change its policies and rules at any time.
6. Violations of this policy will result in loss of computer use and/or internet privileges as well as possible
disciplinary and/or legal actions. Student disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, suspension and/or
expulsion from school. Repeat offenders shall be subject to stiffer penalties.
Google Apps for Education - Parent Permission Form
Searcy School District is actively integrating educational technology tools into the curriculum through Google
Apps for Education. These tools will help our students as we work together to achieve academic success.
Google Apps for education is a web service that may be utilized on any computer or device with Internet
access. The education version of Google Apps provides a self-contained, ad free, and filtered environment for
students and staff to create, edit, collaborate and share information with each other as well as, when appropriate,
publish some resources publicly.
The features and options available will be based on grade level, student awareness, requirements for
coursework, and formal permission from parents/guardians.
Student accounts may include a variety of Google Apps such as (but not limited to) email, shared documents,
calendars, websites, and educational blogs. Students in grades 4-12 will be issued an email address
(username@searcyschools.org). Email for students in grades 4-8, when activated, can only be shared within our
district. In other words, students will not be able to email someone who does not have a searcyschools.org email
address. The accounts will be used at school for class related assignments & projects.
Responsible Use Guidelines Student Responsibility
Along with opportunity comes responsibility. Student use of Google Apps follows the expectations and
disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Handbook and District USE AGREEMENT FOR INTERNET
AND OTHER ELECTRONIC RESOURCES which can also be viewed online at www.searcyschools.org.
Although the apps can be accessed outside of school, any use of the account on the searcyschools.org domain is
bound by the same rules and guidelines as when the student is at school. Use of the account should always be
for educational purposes just as if the student were in school.
School Responsibility
Google Apps student accounts created by the school district will be managed based on parent permission and
requirements for use in classes. Internet safety education will be included as part of introducing new web based
tools to students. In school, teacher supervision and school content filters are used to prevent access to
inappropriate content and to ensure that student use of the digital tools follows the District Acceptable Use
Policy referenced above. Student accounts can be accessed by domain administrators at any time and account
information will be shared with parents/guardians.
Parent/Guardian Responsibility
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Parents/Guardians assume responsibility for the supervision of Internet use outside of school. Parents/Guardians
are encouraged to discuss family rules and expectations for using Internet-based tools, including Google Apps
for Education. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to report any evidence of cyberbullying or other inappropriate
use to the school.
Technology use in Searcy School District is governed by federal laws including:
Child Protection Law Internet (CIPA)
CIPA requires that the school has implemented measures and regulations to help protect students from harmful
materials, even those that are obscene and pornographic. This means that the student email is filtered. The email
containing harmful content and inappropriate sites will be blocked.
- CIPA - http://fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html
Children Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
COPPA applies to commercial companies and limits their ability to collect personal information from children
under thirteen years of age. Google's advertising is turned off automatically for users of Apps for Education. We
do not collect personal information from students for commercial purposes. This consent form allows the school
student information is solely for educational purposes only.
COPPA - http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm/
Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
transcript. Under FERPA, schools may release directory information (name, phone, address, education level, etc
...) but parents can request that the school not disclose this information.
FERPA - http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/
4.29 SSD F—STUDENT INTERNET USE AGREEMENT AND GOOGLE APPS
PERMISSION
________ Parent/Guardian Permission for Google Apps for Education Account: I agree to allow my
student to have a Searcy School District Apps for Education account including an email address that can be
used on any device that connects to the Internet. I understand the account is for educational purposes and use
must meet the expectations outlined above. Any misuse of the account will be handled exactly as if the misuse
occurred in school.
________ Parent/Guardian Permission for Google Apps for Education Account without email: I agree to
allow my student to have a Searcy School District App Account without an email address. I understand that my
student will have access to Searcy School District Apps in order to be able to access online resources to create,
edit, collaborate and share information with other teachers and students. I understand the account is for
educational purposes and use must meet the expectations outlined above. Any misuse of the account will be
handled exactly as if the misuse occurred in school.
________ NO Google Apps for Education Account: I do not want my student to use the Searcy School
District Apps for Education resources in any form including an email account.
_____________________________________________ _____________________________
Grade/Campus
_____________________________________________ ______________________________
Date
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_____________________________________________ ______________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
4.30—SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL
Students who are not present at school cannot benefit from the educational opportunities the school
environment affords. Administrators, therefore, shall strive to find ways to keep students in school as
participants in the educational process. There are instances, however, when the needs of the other students or
the interests of the orderly learning environment require the removal of a student from school. The Board
authorizes school principals or their designees to suspend students for disciplinary reasons for a period of time
not to exceed ten (10) school days, including the day upon which the suspension is imposed. The suspension
may be in school or out of school. Students are responsible for their conduct that occurs:
At any time on the school grounds;
Off school grounds at a school-sponsored function, activity, or event; and
Going to and from school or a school activity.
A student may be suspended for behavior including, but not limited to, that:
1. Is in violation of school policies, rules, or regulations;
2. Substantially interferes with the safe and orderly educational environment;
3. School administrators believe will result in the substantial interference with the safe and orderly educational
environment; and/or
4. Is insubordinate, incorrigible, violent, or involves moral turpitude.
Out-of-school suspension (OSS) shall not be used to discipline a student in kindergarten through fifth (5
th
)
grade unless the student's behavior:
a. Poses a physical risk to himself or herself or to others;
b. Causes a serious disruption that cannot be addressed through other means; or
c. Is the act of bringing a firearm on school campus.
OSS shall not be used to discipline a student for skipping class, excessive absences, or other forms of truancy.
The school principal or designee shall proceed as follows in deciding whether or not to suspend a student:
1. The student shall be given written notice or advised orally of the charges against him/her;
2. If the student denies the charges, he/she shall be given an explanation of the evidence against him/her and
be allowed to present his/her version of the facts; and
3. If the principal finds the student guilty of the misconduct, he/she may be suspended.
s re-admittance to
class will be given to the parent(s), legal guardian(s), or to the student if age eighteen (18) or older prior to the
suspension. Such notice shall be handed to the parent(s), legal guardian(s), or to the student if age eighteen (18)
or older or mailed to the last address reflected in the records of the school district.
Generally, notice and hearing should precede the student's removal from school, but if prior notice and hearing
are not feasible, as where the student's presence endangers persons or property or threatens disruption of the
academic process, thus justifying immediate removal from school, the necessary notice and hearing should
follow as soon as practicable.
current contact information to the district, which
the school shall use to immediately notify the parent or legal guardian upon the suspension of a student. The
notification shall be by one of the following means, listed in order of priority:
A primary call number;
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o The contact may be by voice, voice mail, or text message.
An email address;
A regular first class letter to the last known mailing address.
The district shall keep a log of contacts attempted and made to the parent or legal guardian.
During the period of their suspension, students serving OSS are not permitted on campus except to attend a
student/parent/administrator conference.
During the period of their suspension, students serving in-school suspension shall not attend or participate in
any school-sponsored activities during the imposed suspension.
Suspensions initiated by the principal or his/her designee may be appealed to the Superintendent, but not to the
Board.
Suspensions initiated by the Superintendent may be appealed to the Board.
4.31—EXPULSION
The principal(s) of a school may recommend to the superintendent that a pupil be expelled from school with
loss of credit. The recommendation will include a written statement of the charge or charges against the student.
The Board of Education may expel a student for a period longer than ten (10) school days for violation of the
Board of Education for student conduct:
Deemed to be of such gravity that suspension would be inappropriate;
Would pose an unreasonable danger to the welfare of other students or staff.
Expulsion shall not be used to discipline a student in kindergarten through fifth (5
th
) grade unless the student's
behavior:
a. Poses a physical risk to himself or herself or to others;
b. Causes a serious disruption that cannot be addressed through other means; or
c. Is the act of bringing a firearm on school campus.
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall give written notice to the parents or legal guardians (mailed to the
student be expelled for the specified length of time and state the reasons for the recommendation to expel. The
notice shall give the date, hour, and place where the Board of Education will consider and dispose of the
recommendation.
The hearing shall be conducted not later than ten (10) school days following the date of the notice, except that
representatives of the Board and student may agree in writing to a date not conforming to this limitation. The
student and parents or legal guardian may waive a hearing scheduled for this purpose. The student or parents or
legal guardians should inform the superintendent of schools either by letter or a telephone call of their intention
to appear before the Searcy Board of Education.
The President of the Board, Board attorney, or other designated Board member shall preside at the hearing. The
student may choose to be represented by legal counsel. Both the district administration and School Board also
may be represented by legal counsel. The hearing shall be conducted in open session of the Board unless the
parent, or student if age eighteen (18) or older, requests that the hearing be conducted in executive session. Any
action taken by the Board shall be in open session.
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During the hearing, the Superintendent, or designee, or representative will present evidence, including the
calling of witnesses, that gave rise to the recommendation of expulsion. The student, or his/her representative,
may then present evidence including statements from persons with personal knowledge of the events or
circumstances relevant to the charges against the student. Formal cross-examination will not be permitted;
however, any member of the Board, the Superintendent, or designee, the student, or his/her representative may
question anyone making a statement and/or the student. The presiding officer shall decide questions concerning
the appropriateness or relevance of any questions asked during the hearing.
Except as permitted by policy 4.22, the Superintendent shall recommend the expulsion of any student for a
period of not less than one (1) year for possession of any firearm prohibited on school campus by law. The
Superintendent shall, however, have the discretion to modify the expulsion recommendation for a student on a
case-by-case basis. Parents or legal guardians of a student enrolling from another school after the expiration of
an expulsion period for a weapons policy violation shall be given a copy of the current laws regarding the
possibility of parental responsibility for allowing a child to possess a weapon on school property. The parents or
legal guardians shall sign a statement acknowledging that they have read and understand said laws prior to the
student being enrolled in school.
The Superintendent and the Board of Education shall complete the expulsion process of any student that was
initiated because the student possessed a firearm or other prohibited weapon on school property regardless of
the enrollment status of the student.
4.32—SEARCH, SEIZURE, AND INTERROGATIONS
The District respects the rights of its students against arbitrary intrusion of their person and property. At the
same time, it is the responsibility of school officials to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all students
enrolled in the District in order to promote an environment conducive to student learning. The Superintendent,
principals, and their designees have the right to inspect and search school property and equipment. They may
also search students and their personal property in which the student has a reasonable expectation of privacy,
when there is reasonable and individualized suspicion to believe such student or property contains illegal items
or other items in violation of Board policy or dangerous to the school community. School authorities may seize
evidence found in the search and disciplinary action may be taken. Evidence found which appears to be in
violation of the law shall be reported to the appropriate authority.
School property shall include, but not be limited to, lockers, desks, and parking lots, as well as personal effects
left there by students. When possible, prior notice will be given and the student will be allowed to be present
consent. A personal search must not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the
nature of the infraction. If a student objects to a personal search, he or she will be detained by school
authorities, parent contact attempted, and proper law officials will be contacted and requested to come to
school.
The Superintendent, principals, and their designees may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to
help conduct searches. Such searches may include the use of specially trained dogs. The specially trained dog
lockers and vehicles. Upon any unusual behavior by the specially trained dog, the principal or other school
official will record the locker number and shall ask the student with that number to open it for search. If the
concerning locker and personal searches will then be put into effect. Students
themselves will not be individually searched by the specially trained dog unless search warrant for probable
cause has been obtained.
A school official of the same sex shall conduct personal searches with an adult witness of the same sex present.
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State Law requires that Department of Human Services employees, local law enforcement, or agents of the
Crimes Against Children Division of the Department of Arkansas State Police, may interview students without
a court order for the purpose of investigating suspected child abuse. In instances where the interviewers deem it
-
students by non-school personnel shall be granted only with a court order directing such questioning, with
permission of the parents of a student (or the student if above eighteen [18] years of age), or in response to a
subpoena or arrest warrant.
If the District makes a report to any law enforcement agency concerning student misconduct or if access to a
shall make a good faith effort to contact the stud
control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis on student enrollment forms. The principal or the
principal's designee shall not attempt to make such contact if presented documentation by the investigator that
notification is prohibited because a parent, guardian, custodian, or person standing in loco parentis is named as
an alleged offender of the suspected child maltreatment. This exception applies only to interview requests made
by a law enforcement officer, an investigator of the Crimes Against Children Division of the Department of
Arkansas State Police, or an investigator or employee of the Department of Human Services.
In instances other than those related to cases of suspected child abuse, principals must release a student to either
a police officer who presents a subpoena for the student, or a warrant for arrest, or to an agent of state social
services or an agent of a court with jurisdiction over a child with a court order signed by a judge. Upon release
lawful control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis notice that the student has been taken into
cust
to reach the parent, he or she shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to get a message to the parent to call the
principal or designee, and leave both a day and an after-hours telephone number.
4.34—COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PARASITES
Students with communicable diseases or with human host parasites that are transmittable in a school
environment shall demonstrate respect for other students by not attending school while they are capable of
transmitting their condition to others. Students who the school nurse determines are unwell or unfit for school
attendance or who are believed to have a communicable disease or condition will be required to be picked up by
their parent or guardian. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, Varicella (chicken pox); measles;
scabies; conjunctivitis (Pink Eye); impetigo/MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus); streptococcal
and staphylococcal infections; ringworm; mononucleosis; Hepatitis A, B, or C; mumps; vomiting; diarrhea; and
fever (99.9 F when taken orally). A student who has been sent home by the school nurse will be subsequently
readmitted, at the discretion of the school nurse, when the student is no longer a transmission risk. In some
instances, a letter from a health care provider may be required prior to the student being readmitted to the
school.
To help control the possible spread of communicable diseases, school personnel shall follow the District's
exposure control plan when dealing with any bloodborne, foodborne, and airborne pathogens exposures.
Standard precautions shall be followed relating to the handling, disposal, and cleanup of blood and other
potentially infectious materials such as all body fluids, secretions and excretions (except sweat).
In accordance with 4.57IMMUNIZATIONS, the District shall maintain a copy of each student's
immunization record and a list of individuals with exemptions from immunization which shall be education
records as defined in policy 4.13. That policy provides that an education record may be disclosed to appropriate
parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or
safety of the student or other individuals.
41
A student enrolled in the District who has an immunization exemption may be removed from school at the
discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health during an outbreak of the disease for which the student is not
vaccinated. The student may not return to school until the outbreak has been resolved and the student's return to
school is approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.
The parents or legal guardians of students found to have live human host parasites that are transmittable in a
school environment will be asked to pick their child up at the end of the school day. The parents or legal
guardians will be given information concerning the eradication and control of human host parasites. A student
may be readmitted after the school nurse or designee has determined the student no longer has live human host
parasites that are transmittable in a school environment.
Each school may conduct screenings of students for human host parasites that are transmittable in a school
environment as needed. The screenings shall be conducted in a manner that respects the privacy and
confidentiality of each student.
4.35—STUDENT MEDICATIONS
Prior to the administration of any medication including any dietary supplement or other perceived health
remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration to any student under the age of eighteen (18),
written parental consent is required. The consent form shall include authorization to administer the medication
and relieve the Board and its employees of civil liability for damages or injuries resulting from the
administration of medication to students in accordance with this policy. All signed medication consent forms
are to be maintained by the school nurse.
Unless authorized to self-administer, students are not allowed to carry any medications, including over-the-
counter (OTC) medications or any dietary supplement or other perceived health remedy not regulated by the US
medication to the school nurse. The student may bring the medication if accompanied by a written authorization
from the parent or legal guardian. When medications are brought to the school nurse, the nurse shall document,
in the presence of the parent, the quantity of the medication(s). If the medications are brought by a student, the
school nurse shall ask another school employee to verify, in the presence of the student the quantity of the
medication(s). Each person present shall sign a form verifying the quantity of the medication(s).
Medications, including those for self-administration, must be in the original container and be properly labeled
instructions for the administration of the medication (including times). Additional information accompanying
the medication shall state the purpose for the medication, its possible side effects, and any other pertinent
instructions (such as special storage requirements) or warnings. Schedule II medications that are permitted by
this policy to be brought to school shall be stored in a double locked cabinet.
Students with an individualized health plan (IHP) may be given OTC medications to the extent giving such
medications is included in the student's IHP.
The only Schedule II medications that shall be allowed to be brought to the school are methylphenidate (e.g.
Ritalin or closely related medications as determined by the school nurse), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and
amphetamine sulfate (e.g. Adderall or closely related medications as determined by the school nurse).
For the student's safety, no student will be allowed to attend school if the student is currently taking any other
Schedule II medication than permitted by this policy. Students who are taking Schedule II medications which
are not allowed to be brought to school shall be eligible for homebound instruction if provided for in their IEP
or 504 plans.
42
d off campus
procedures for administering medications.
Students who have written permission from their parent or guardian and a licensed health care practitioner on
file with the District may:
1) Self-administer either a rescue inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine;
2) Perform his/her own blood glucose checks;
3) Administer insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses;
4)
5) Possess on his or her person:
a) A rescue inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine; or
b) the necessary supplies and equipment to perform his/her own diabetes monitoring and treatment
functions.
Students who have a current consent form on file shall be allowed to carry and self-administer such medication
while:
In school;
At an on-site school sponsored activity;
While traveling to or from school; or
At an off-site school sponsored activity.
A student is prohibited from sharing, transferring, or in any way diverting his/her medications to any other
person. The fact that a student with a completed consent form on file is allowed to carry a rescue inhaler, auto-
injectable epinephrine, diabetes medication, or combination does not require him/her to have such on his/her
person. The parent or guardian of a student who qualifies under this policy to self-carry a rescue inhaler, auto-
injectable epinephrine, diabetes medication, or any combination on his/her person shall provide the school with
the appropriate medication, which shall be immediately available to the student in an emergency.
Students may be administered Glucagon, insulin, or both in emergency situations by the school nurse or, in the
absence of the school nurse, a trained volunteer school employee designated as a care provider, provided the
student has:
1. an IHP that provides for the administration of Glucagon, insulin, or both in emergency situations; and
2. a current, valid consent form on file from their parent or guardian.
When the nurse is unavailable, the trained volunteer school employee who is responsible for a student shall be
released from other duties during:
A.
B. Glucagon or non-scheduled insulin administration once other staff have relieved him/her from other
duties until a parent, guardian, other responsible adult, or medical personnel has arrived.
A student shall have access to a private area to perform diabetes monitoring and treatment functions as outlined
Emergency Administration of Epinephrine
The school nurse or other school employees designated by the school nurse as a care provider who have been
trained and certified by a licensed physician may administer an epinephrine auto-injector in emergency
situations to students who have an IHP developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which
provides for the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in emergency situations.
The parent of a student who has an authorizing IHP, or the student if over the age of eighteen (18), shall
43
annually complete and sign a written consent form provided by the student's school nurse authorizing the nurse
or other school employee certified to administer auto-injector epinephrine to the student when the employee
believes the student is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Students with an order from and a licensed health care provider to self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine
and who have written permission from their parent or guardian shall provide the school nurse an epinephrine
auto-injector. This epinephrine will be used in the event the school nurse, or other school employee certified to
administer auto-injector epinephrine, in good faith professionally believes the student is having a life-
threatening anaphylactic reaction and the student is either not self-carrying his/her /epinephrine auto-injector or
the nurse is unable to locate it.
The school nurse for each District school shall keep epinephrine auto-injectors on hand that are suitable for the
students the school serves. The school nurse or other school employee designated by the school nurse as a care
provider who has been trained and certified by a licensed physician may administer auto-injector epinephrine to
those students who the school nurse, or other school employee certified to administer auto-injector epinephrine,
in good faith professionally believes is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
The school shall not keep outdated medications or any medications past the end of the school year. Parents shall
be notified ten (10) days in
picked up by the parents or legal guardians within the ten (10) day period shall be disposed of by the school
nurse in accordance with current law and regulations.
4.35SF1—MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION CONSENT FORM –Note: the following
forms can be obtained in the school nurse’s office
44
Searcy Public Schools Health Services
Parent Authorization to Administer Medication at School
Student______________________________________ Date of Birth_______________
School_________________________ Gr_____ Teacher/Homeroom________________
I request that my son/daughter be given the following medication at school in accordance with the
School Board approved policy and guidelines I have been provided with. I give my permission for the
listed medication(s) to be given to my child at school. I understand that the district, the Board, and its
employees are not liable for damages or injuries resulting from administration of medications to my
child.
Parent Signature________________________________ Date__________________
Phone 1:______________________ Phone 2:______________________
Physician Order for Administration of Medication at School
Start Date Medication Dosage Route Time to give
Reason for
medication________________________________________________________________________
Side
effects___________________________________________________________________________
Physician
Signature_________________________________________________________Date___________
Physician phone _____________________ Fax_______________
45
4.35SF2—MEDICATION SELF-ADMINISTRATION CONSENT FORM
Searcy Public Schools Health Services
PHYSICIAN AND PARENT CONSENT FOR SELF-
ADMINISTRATION OF ASTHMA INHALER
Student_________________________________ Date of Birth____________________
School_____________________ Gr_____ Teacher/Homeroom___________________
I request that my son/daughter be permitted to carry his/her asthma inhaler at school in accordance
with the School Board approved policy and guidelines. I have read and agree with Searcy School
District policy. I will not hold the district, the Board, and its employees liable for any injury resulting
from self-medication.
The medicine has been prescribed for my son/daughter as indicated by the prescription label on the
medicine.
The self-administration is done in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from my
I understand self-management privileges may be lost if his medication is used improperly.
Parent Signature_______________________________ Date___________________
Student Signature_____________________________ Date____________________
PHYSICIAN ORDER FOR SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF
ASTHMA INHALER
Name________________________________ Date of Birth______________________
In order to protect the health of the above named student, I give authorization for self-administration
of his/her asthma inhaler. I have discussed appropriate safety measures with the student & family
members. The student may be permitted to carry and administer his/her prescribed asthma inhaler as
needed.
Physician Signature_______________________________ Date_________________
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4.35SF3—GLUCAGON AND/OR INSULIN ADMINISTRATION CONSENT FORM
Searcy Public School
Glucagon Care Provider Designation Letter-Parent
Student ________________________________ Date: ____________________
Teacher________________________________ Grade:____________________
DOB ____________________ ALLERGIES: ________________________________
I give my permission for the following people to be authorized to administer Glucagon to my student
_________________________________ in accordance to the Arkansas Code Ann. 6-11-105, 17-87-
103 and 25-15-201 et seq.
The designated care providers who are employees of Searcy Public School District are:
1. ________________________________________
2. ________________________________________
3. ________________________________________
4. ________________________________________
I understand that the glucagon will be given by an unlicensed person only in the event that a licensed
person is not on campus. I also understand that if the volunteers and the licensed person is not
available that 911 will be called. I agree to pay for ambulance services if used, to transport my child
to the hospital should glucagon be required.
A school district, school district employee, or an agent of a school district, including a healthcare
professional who trained volunteer school personnel designated as care providers, shall not be liable
for any damages resulting from his or her actions or inactions under these rules or under Ark. Code
Ann. 17-87-103.
_________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Name – Printed
___________________________________ __________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
47
4.35SF4—EPINEPHRINE EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATION CONSENT
FORM
REQUEST FROM PARENT/GUARDIAN FOR
SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF A PRESCRIBED EPI-PEN
Student______________________________ Date of Birth_____________________
School________________________ Gr_____ Teacher/Homeroom_______________
I request that my son/daughter be permitted to carry his/her prescribed EPI-PEN at school in
accordance with the School Board approved policy and guidelines I have been provided with. I will
not hold the district, the Board, and its employees liable for any injury resulting from self-medication.
I agree to pay for ambulance service used to transport my son/daughter to the hospital after self-
administration of this medication.
I understand self-management privileges may be lost if his medication is used improperly.
Parent/Guardian signature__________________________ Date_________________
Student signature_______________________________ Date__________________
PHYSICIAN ORDER FOR SELF ADMINISRATION OF EPI-PEN
Name________________________________ Date of Birth____________________
In order to protect the health of the above named student, I give authorization for self-medication of an
EPI-PEN by the student. This student has been educated in the correct use of the EPI-PEN and is
capable of performing the appropriate method of self-medication. The student may be permitted to
carry and administer his/her prescribed EPI-PEN as needed.
Reason for EPI-PEN____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Physician Signature__________________________________ Date_______________
Phone__________________________
48
4.36—STUDENT ILLNESS/ACCIDENT
If a student becomes too ill to remain in class and/or could be contagious to other students, the principal or
health room or a place where he/she can be supervised until the end of the school day or until the parent/legal
guardian can check the student out of school.
If a student becomes seriously ill or is injured while at school and the parent/legal guardian cannot be contacted,
ransport of the student to
an appropriate medical care facility. The school assumes no responsibility for treatment of the student. When
utilized. Parents are strongly encouraged to keep this information up to date.
In order to provide our students with a healthy environment in which to learn, these guidelines should be
followed:
1. If a child complains before school, take his/her temperature and keep the child home if the temperature
exceeds 99.9 degrees.
2. If a child complains with a stomach disorder such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, he/she should NOT be
sent to school. Stomach viruses are contagious.
3. If a child has a rash of unknown origin or has a suspected condition (such as chicken pox, ringworm,
pinkeye) which may be contagious, DO NOT SEND HIM/HER TO SCHOOL UNTIL A PHYSICIAN HAS
DIAGNOSED THE CONDITION AND TREATMENT HAS BEEN STARTED.
4. If a student is sent home from school with fever, he/she should NOT return to school the next day. A child
should be fever-free for 24 hours (being fever-free does not count if the child is given Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil
of any ki
5. If a student is sent home from school for vomiting or diarrhea, he/she should NOT return to school the next
day. They should be free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours without any medications. Many times children
become ill at school and it is necessary for the school to notify the parents.
The following criteria will be used as a guide to notify parent:
1. Fever of 99.9 degrees or higher
2. Vomiting and/or diarrhea
3. Symptoms of contagious conjunctivitis (pink eye). The student may return to school AFTER being on
medication for 24 hours.
4. Symptoms of any contagious disease
5. Serious injuries- deemed such by the teacher, principal, or school nurse
6. Parasite infestation (Head lice, Scabies, Bed Bugs, Etc.) The parent will need to provide proof of treatment.
7. Symptoms that the teacher, principal, or school nurse deem as a possible health risk.
4.37—EMERGENCY DRILLS
All schools in the District shall conduct fire drills at least monthly. Tornado drills shall also be conducted no
fewer than three (3) times per year with at least one each in the months of September, January, and February.
Students who ride school buses shall also participate in emergency evacuation drills at least twice each school
year.
The District shall annually conduct an active shooter drill and school safety assessment for all District schools
in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency management personnel. The training will include a
lockdown exercise with panic button alert system training. Students will be included in the drills to the extent
that is developmentally appropriate for the age of both the students and grade configuration of the school.
Drills may be conducted during the instructional day or during non-instructional time periods.
49
Other types of emergency drills may also be conducted to test the implementation of the District's emergency
plans in the event of violence,
Alert System. Students shall be included in the drills to the extent practicable.
4.38—PERMANENT RECORDS
Permanent school records, as required by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), shall be maintained for
each student enrolled in the District until the student receives a high school diploma or its equivalent or is
vided to
the receiving school district within ten (10) school days after the date a request from the receiving school
district is received.
4.39—CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
The Searcy School Board authorizes the use of corporal punishment to be administered in accordance with this
policy by the Superintendent or his/her designated staff members who are required to have a state-issued license
as a condition of their employment.
Prior to the administration of corporal punishment, the student receiving the corporal punishment shall be given
an explanation of the reasons for the punishment and be given an opportunity to refute the charges.
All corporal punishment shall be administered privatelyi.e. out of the sight of other studentsshall not be
excessive, or administered with malice, and shall be administered in the presence of another school
administrator or designee who shall be a licensed staff member employed by the District.
4.40—HOMELESS STUDENTS
The Searcy School District will afford the same services and educational opportunities to homeless children as
are afforded to non-homeless children.
4.41—PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OR SCREENINGS
The district conducts routine health screenings such as hearing, vision, and scoliosis due to the importance these
health factors play in the ability of a student to succeed in school. The intent of the exams or screenings is to
detect defects in hearing,
achieve to his/her full potential.
The rights provided to parents under this policy transfer to the student when he/she turns eighteen (18)years old.
Except in instances where a student is suspected of having a contagious or infectious disease, parents shall have
the right to opt their student out of the exams or screenings by using the form provided by the school nurse or
by providing certification from a physician that he/she has recently examined the student.
4.42—STUDENT HANDBOOK
It shall be the policy of the District that the most recently adopted version of the student handbook be
incorporated by reference into the policies of this district. In the event that there is a conflict between the
student handbook and a general board policy or policies, the more recently adopted language will be considered
binding and controlling on the matter provided the parent(s) of the student, or the student if 18 years of age or
older has acknowledged receipt of the controlling language.
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4.43—BULLYING
Respect for the dignity of others is a cornerstone of civil society. Bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and
intimidation, robs a person of his/her dignity, detracts from the safe environment necessary to promote student
learning, and will not be tolerated by the Board of Directors. Students who bully another person shall be held
accountable for their actions whether they occur on school equipment or property; off school propertyat a
school sponsored or approved function, activity, or event; going to or from school or a school activity in a
school vehicle or school bus; or at designated school bus stops.
A school principal or his or her designee who receives a credible report or complaint of bullying shall promptly
investigate the complaint or report and make a record of the investigation and any action taken as a result of the
investigation. Engaging in bullying will subject the student to disciplinary action including, but not limited to,
suspension and/or expulsion from school.
Definitions:
religion, ancestry, national origin, socioeconomic status, academic status, disability, gender, gender identity,
physical appearance, health condition, or sexual orientation;
incitement of violence by a student against another student or public school employee by a written, verbal,
electronic, or physical act that may address an attribute of the other student, public school employee, or person
with whom the other student or public school employee is associated and that causes or creates actual or
reasonably foreseeable:
● Physical harm to a public school employee or student or damage to the public school employee's or
student's property;
● Substantial interference with a student's education or with a public school employee's role in education;
● A hostile educational environment for one (1) or more students or public school employees due to the
severity, persistence, or pervasiveness of the act; or
● Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment;
ansmitted by means of an electronic
device, including without limitation a telephone, wireless phone or other wireless communications device,
computer, or pager that results in the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational
environment.
Electronic acts of bullying are prohibited whether or not the electronic act originated on school property or with
school equipment, if the electronic act is directed specifically at students or school personnel and maliciously
intended for the purpose of disrupting school, and has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose;
constitutionally or statutorily protected status that causes, or reasonably should be expected to cause, substantial
interference with the other's performance in the school environment; and
bullying:
● Necessary cessation of instruction or educational activities;
● Inability of students or educational staff to focus on learning or function as an educational unit because of a
hostile environment;
● Severe or repetitive disciplinary measures are needed in the classroom or during educational activities; or
● Exhibition of other behaviors by students or educational staff that substantially interfere with the learning
51
environment.
Cyberbullying of School Employees is expressly prohibited and includes, but is not limited to:
a. Building a fake profile or website of the employee;
b. Posting or encouraging others to post on the Internet private, personal, or sexual information pertaining to a
school employee;
c. Posting an original or edited image of the school employee on the Internet;
d. Accessing, altering, or erasing any computer network, computer data program, or computer software,
including breaking into a password-protected account or stealing or otherwise accessing passwords of a
school employee; making repeated, continuing, or sustained electronic communications, including
electronic mail or transmission, to a school employee;
e. Making, or causing to be made, and disseminating an unauthorized copy of data pertaining to a school
employee in any form, including without limitation the printed or electronic form of computer data,
computer programs, or computer software residing in, communicated by, or produced by a computer or
computer network;
f. Signing up a school employee for a pornographic Internet site; or
g. Without authorization of the school employee, signing up a school employee for electronic mailing lists or
to receive junk electronic messages and instant messages.
Examples of "Bullying" may also include but are not limited to a pattern of behavior involving one or more of
the following:
1.
attributes,
2. Pointed questions intended to embarrass or humiliate,
3. Mocking, taunting or belittling,
4. Non-verbal threats and/or intimidation such a
5.
6. Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money or other involuntary donations or loans,
7. Blocking access to school property or facilities,
8. Deliberate physical contact or injury to person or property,
9. Stealing or hiding books or belongings,
10. Threats of harm to student(s), possessions, or others,
11. Sexual harassment, as governed by policy 4.27, is also a form of bullying,and/or
12. Teasing or name-calling based on the belief or perception that an individual is not conforming to expected
-
Students are encouraged to report behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single action which if
allowed to continue would constitute bullying, to their teacher or the building principal. The report may be
made anonymously. Teachers and other school employees who have witnessed, or are reliably informed that, a
student has been a victim of behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single action which if allowed to
continue would constitute bullying, shall report the incident(s) to the principal. Parents or legal guardians may
submit written reports of incidents they feel constitute bullying, or if allowed to continue would constitute
bullying, to the principal. The principal shall be responsible for investigating the incident(s) to determine if
disciplinary action is warranted.
The person or persons reporting behavior they consider to be bullying shall not be subject to retaliation or
reprisal in any form.
Students found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, consideration may be given to other violations of
the student handbook which may have simultaneously occurred.
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Notice of what constitutes bu
students who bully shall be conspicuously posted in every classroom, cafeteria, restroom, gymnasium,
auditorium, and school bus. Parents, students, school volunteers, and employees shall be given copies of the
notice.
Copies of this policy shall be available upon request.
4.45.1—SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE CLASSES OF 2021 AND THEREAFTER
All students are required to participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless their parents or guardians, or the
students if they are eighteen (18) years of age or older, sign a Smart Core Waiver Form to not participate. While
Smart Core is the default option, both a Smart Core Informed Consent Form and a Smart Core Waiver Form
will be sent home with students prior to their enrolling in seventh (7
th
) grade, or when a seventh (7
th
) through
twelfth (12
th
permanent record. Parents must sign one of the forms and return it to the school so it can be placed in the
s to be included in student handbooks for grades six (6) through twelve
(12) and both students and parents must sign an acknowledgement they have received the policy. Those
students not participating in the Smart Core curriculum will be required to fulfill the Core curriculum or the
requirements of their IEP (when applicable) to be eligible for graduation. Counseling by trained personnel shall
be available to students and their parents or legal guardians prior to the time they are required to sign the
consent forms.
While there are similarities between the two curriculums, following the Core curriculum may not qualify
students for some scholarships and admission to certain colleges could be jeopardized. Students initially
choosing the Core curriculum may subsequently change to the Smart Core curriculum providing they would be
able to complete the required course of study by the end of their senior year. Students wishing to change their
choice of curriculums must consult with their counselor to determine the feasibility of changing paths.
This policy, the Smart Core curriculum, and the courses necessary for graduation shall be reviewed by staff,
students, and parents as part of the annual school district support plan development process to determine if
change
designee, shall select the composition of the review panel.
all be communicated
to parents and students to ensure their informed understanding of each. This may be accomplished through any
or all of the following means:
Inclusion in the student handbook of the Smart Core curriculum and graduation requirements;
Dis
meeting, PTO meetings, or a meeting held specifically for the purpose of informing the public on this
matter;
udents and their parents; and/or
Administrators, or their designees, shall train newly hired employees, required to be licensed as a condition of
their employment, regardi
training required by this paragraph.
To the best of its ability, the District shall follow the requirements covering the transfer of course credit and
graduation set forth in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for all students
53
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The number of units students must earn to be eligible for high school graduation is to be earned from the
categories listed below. A minimum of twenty-two (22) units is required for graduation for a student
participating in either the Smart Core or Core curriculum. There are some distinctions made between Smart
Core units and graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply to Smart Core
requirements.
All students must receive a passing score on the Arkansas Civics Exam in order to graduate.
Digital Learning Courses
The District shall offer one or more digital learning course(s) through one or more District approved provider(s)
as either a primary or supplementary method of instruction. The courses may be in a blended learning, online-
based, or other technology-based format. In addition to the other graduation requirements contained in this
policy, students are required to take at least one (1) digital learning course for credit while in high school.
Personal and Family Finance
In tenth (10th), eleventh (11th), or twelfth (12th) grade, all students shall receive credit in a course covering the
Personal and Family Finance Standards.
SMART CORE: Sixteen (16) units
English: four (4) units 9
th
, 10
th
, 11
th
, and 12
th
Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit
Mathematics: four (4) units (all students under Smart Core must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or 12
and complete Algebra II.)
1) Algebra I or Algebra A & B* which may be taken in grades 7-8 or 8-9;
2) Geometry or Geometry A & B* which may be taken in grades 8-9 or 9-10;
*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the
four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each
toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.
3) Algebra II; and
4) The fourth unit may be either:
A math unit approved by ADE beyond Algebra II); or
A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a fourth math credit.
Natural Science: a total of three (3) units with lab experience chosen from
One unit of Biology; and either:
Two units chosen from the following three categories (there are acceptable options listed by the ADE for each):
Physical Science;
Chemistry;
Physics; or
One unit from the three categories above and a computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a
third science credit.
Social Studies: three (3) units
Civics one-half (½) unit
World History - one unit
American History - one unit
54
Other social studies one-half (½) unit
Physical Education: one-half (½) unit
Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward
fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.
Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit
Economics one half (½) unit dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count
toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.
Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit
CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units
contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and
reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where
appropriate.
A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military
delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and
completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the career focus
graduation requirements.
CORE: Sixteen (16) units
English: four (4) units 9
th
10
th
11
th
and 12
th
Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit
Mathematics: four (4) units
Algebra or its equivalent* - 1 unit
Geometry or its equivalent* - 1 unit
All math units must build on the base of algebra and geometry knowledge and skills.
(Comparable concurrent credit college courses may be substituted where applicable)
A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a math credit beyond Algebra I and Geometry
*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four
(4) unit requirement.
Science: three (3) units
at least one (1) unit of biology or its equivalent; and
Two units chosen from the following three categories:
Physical Science;
Chemistry;
Physics; or
One unit from the three categories above and a computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a third
science credit.
Social Studies: three (3) units
Civics one-half (½) unit
World history, one (1) unit
55
American History, one (1) unit
Other social studies one-half (½) unit
Physical Education: one-half (½) unit
Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward
fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.
Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit
Economics one half (½) unit dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count
toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.
Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit
CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units
contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and
reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where
appropriate.
A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military
delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and
completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the career focus
graduation requirements.
4.46—PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance shall be recited during the first class period of each school day. Those students
choosing to participate shall do so by facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts, or in an appropriate
salute if in uniform, while reciting the Pledge. Students choosing not to participate shall be quiet while either
standing or sitting at their desks.
Students shall not be compelled to recite the Pledge, but students who choose not to recite the Pledge shall not
disrupt those students choosing to recite the Pledge.
Students choosing not to recite the Pledge shall not be subject to any comments, retaliation, or disciplinary
action.
4.47— POSSESSION AND USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC
DEVICES
Students are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that respects the rights of others. Possession
and use of any electronic device, whether district or student owned, that interferes with a positive, orderly
classroom environment does not respect the rights of others and is expressly forbidden.
To protect the security of statewide assessments, no electronic device, as defined in this policy, shall be
accessible by a student at any time during assessment administration unless specifically permitted by a student's
individualized education program (IEP) or individual health plan; this means that when a student is taking an
AESAA assessment, the student shall not have his/her electronic device in his/her possession. Any student
violating this provision shall be subject to this policy's disciplinary provisions.
56
sound, or data.
Misuse of electronic devices includes, but is not limited to:
1. Using electronic devices during class time in any manner other than specifically permitted by the
classroom instructor;
2. Permitting any audible sound to come from the device when not being used for reason #1 above;
3. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or
receiving help during an academic examination, or wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores;
4. Using the device to take photographs in areas where a general expectation of personal privacy exists,
including but not limited to locker rooms and bathrooms;
5. Creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or
another person.
Use of an electronic device is permitted to the extent it is approved in
emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.
Before and after normal school hours, possession of electronic devices is permitted on the school campus. The
use of such devices at school sponsored functions outside the regular school day is permitted to the extent and
within the limitations allowed by the event or activity the student is attending.
From the beginning of the school day until the end of the school day, students are forbidden from using cell
phones, any paging devices, beepers, or similar electronic communication devices. Such devices must be stored
out of sight and turned off. Exceptions may be made by the building principal or his/her designee for health or
other compelling reasons.
From the beginning of the school day until the end of the school day, students are forbidden from using
cameras, MP3 players, iPods, or any other portable music devices. Such devices must be stored out of sight and
turned off. Exceptions may be made by the building principal or his/her designee for health or other compelling
reasons.
-tracking safety
device at school or at a school-sponsored event if the device has recording or listen-in capability. The District
-in technology to be disabled while the device is on the campus or at
the school-sponsored event because of student privacy concerns. The District prohibits unauthorized audio or
-in technology to be disabled and that the
District may prohibit future use of the device on campus or at a school-sponsored activity if it is determined that
-in capabilities were used in violation of this policy before the student safety
tracking device may be on campus or at a school-sponsored event.
owning or possessing electronic devices. Students misusing electronic devices shall have them confiscated.
Confisca
guardians. Students have no right of privacy as to the content contained on any electronic devices that have
been confiscated. A search of a confiscated device shall meet the reasonable individualized suspicion
requirements of Policy 4.32SEARCH, SEIZURE, AND INTERROGATIONS.
Students who use school issued cell phones and/or computers for non-school purposes, except as permitted by
57
expulsion. Students are forbidden from using school issued cell phones while driving any vehicle at any time.
Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
No student shall use any wireless communication device for the purposes of browsing the internet; composing
or reading emails and text messages; or making or answering phone calls while driving a motor vehicle that is
in motion and on school property. Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension.
1st offense- Confiscation of cell phone or electronic device; the device will be returned to a parent or guardian
following a parent/administrator conference. Other disciplinary actions may be levied at the discretion of the
principal.
2nd offense- Confiscation of cell phone or electronic device; the device will be held for (3) calendar days before
being returned to a parent or guardian. Other disciplinary actions may be levied at the discretion of the
principal.
3rd offense- Confiscation of cell phone or electronic device; the device will be held for (3) calendar days before
being returned to a parent or guardian. Other disciplinary actions may be levied at the discretion of the
principal.
4th offense and subsequent offenses- Confiscation of cell phone or electronic device; the device will be held for
10 calendar days before being returned to a parent or guardian.
Other disciplinary actions may be levied at the discretion of the principal. If a cell phone or other electronic
device has been confiscated and the duration ends on a non-school day, the device shall be returned to a parent
or guardian the next day school is in session.
Repeat offenders may be subject to penalties of increasing severity up to and including suspension or expulsion.
4.48—VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER STUDENT MONITORING
The Board of Directors has a responsibility to maintain discipline, protect the safety, security, and welfare of its
students, staff, and visitors while at the same time safeguarding district facilities, vehicles, and equipment. As
part of fulfilling this responsibility, the board authorizes the use of video/audio surveillance cameras, automatic
identification technology, data compilation devices, and technology capable of tracking the physical location of
district equipment, students, and/or personnel.
The placement of video/audio surveillance cameras shall be based on the presumption and belief that students,
staff, and visitors have no reasonable expectation of privacy anywhere on or near school property, facilities,
vehicles, or equipment, with the exception of places such as rest rooms or dressing areas where an expectation
of bodily privacy is reasonable and customary.
Signs shall be posted on campus buildings and in district vehicles to notify students, staff, and visitors that
video cameras may be in use. Parents and students shall also be notified through the student handbook that
cameras may be in use in school buildings, on school grounds, and in school vehicles. Students will be held
responsible for any violations of school discipline rules caught by the cameras and other technologies
authorized in this policy.
The district shall retain copies of video recordings until they are erased
which may be accomplished by either
deletion or copying over with a new recording. Other than video recordings being retained under the provisions
of t
weeks after they were created.
58
Videos, automatic identification, or data compilations containing evidence of a violation of student conduct
rules and/or state or federal law shall be retained until the issue of the misconduct is no longer subject to review
or appeal as determined by board policy or student handbook; any release or viewing of such records shall be in
accordance with current law.
Students who vandalize, damage, disable, or render inoperable (temporarily or permanently) surveillance
cameras and equipment, automatic identification, or data compilation devices shall be subject to appropriate
disciplinary action and referral to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
4.49—SPECIAL EDUCATION
The district shall provide a free appropriate public education and necessary related services to all children with
disabilities residing within the district, as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Arkansas
statutes.
It is the intent of the district to ensure that students who are disabled within the definition of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are identified, evaluated and provided with appropriate educational services.
Students may be disabled within the meaning of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act even though they do not
require services pursuant to the IDEA.
For students eligible for services under IDEA, the District shall follow procedures for identification, evaluation,
placement, and delivery of services to children with disabilities provided in the state and federal statutes
governing special education. Implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in accordance with
the IDEA satisfies the district's obligation to provide a free and appropriate education under Section 504.
The Board directs the superintendent to ensure procedures are in place for the implementation of special
education services and that programs are developed to conform to the requirements of state and federal
legislation. The superintendent is responsible for appointing a district coordinator for overseeing district
fulfillment of its responsibilities regarding students with disabilities. The LEA supervisor may be reached at
501-268-esponsibilities shall be ensuring district enforcement of the due process
rights of students with disabilities and their parents.
TRACK PROGRAM
grade identified as needing additional individualized programming to address their specific behavioral, social,
and academic deficits. The students will have exhibited little or no progress in less structured settings including
but not limited to the : resource room, self-contained classroom, regular classroom, or any combinations
thereof. Initial referral for any identified special education student maybe made to the TRACK classroom by
individuals providing direct services to the student. The referral would need to be made to the Special
Education Director, to ensure any preliminary procedures and /or paper work is completed. This might include :
building administration, teacher, occupational therapist , physical therapist, speech therapist, counselor,
parent(
students will receive academic services for the core areas of Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
The remainder of the day will include opportunities for the student to participate in activities designed to
enhance appropriate social skills with peers and adults in a highly structured setting. This group will attempt
activities including small group and/or individualized instruction, role playing, modeling behaviors, and
presentation of functional equivalent replacement behaviors to provide the student with appropriate strategies to
address emotional variances such as anxiety, anger, and depression. The fundamental goals of the program are
to:
59
*Provide intervention strategies which eliminate or lessen problematic behaviors
*Establish appropriate behaviors to enhance behavioral performances which will then facilitate academic
achievement.
*Develop the necessary skills that would enable the student to be successfully reintegrated back into the regular
education setting.
The foundation of this program is the use of rewards and punishments to reduce or eliminate problematic
behavior and replace it with more desirable appropriate behaviors.
The TRACK Program team includes: Special Education Teachers, Speech Language Therapist, Occupational
Therapist, Physical Therapist, School Nurse, and School-Based Mental Health Therapist, Principals, Special
Education Supervisor, Regular Education teachers and parents.
Each criteria will be determined on the individual student basis and transition will be attempted at the earliest
point student exhibits acquisition and generalization at a level appropriate for the general population.
Handle with Care
The Searcy Public School District is committed to the safety of all students Handle With Care is committed to
dignity, is safe and enables continued positive learning and behavioral development. The district has a certified
trainer in the Handle with Care program that is trained yearly and provides training to the district based on the
school campus need.
Various staff is trained yearly in comprehensive verbal skills, personal defense, and primary restraint
techniques. Handle with care is used only when a student is a danger to himself or herself, staff, or peers.
4.50—SCHOOL MEAL MODIFICATIONS
The district only provides modified meal components on menus to accommodate students with handicapping
conditions meeting the definition of a disability as defined in USDA regulations. A parent/guardian wishing to
Nutrition a Certification of Disability for Special Dietary Needs Form completed by a state licensed healthcare
professional, which includes:
Physicians, including those licensed by:
o The Arkansas State Medical Board;
o The Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (Chiropractors);
o The Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine (Podiatrists);
Nurse Practitioners (APRNs in family or pediatric practice with prescriptive authority);
Physician Assistants (PAs who work in collaborative practice with a physician); and
Dentists.
The medical statement should include:
1. A description o
2. An explanation of what must be done to accommodate the disability, which may include:
a. Food(s) to avoid or restrict;
b. Food(s) to substitute;
c. Caloric modifications; or
d. The substitution of a liquid nutritive formula.
of Child Nutrition shall request additional information so that a proper and safe meal can be provided.
expense and efficiency of the requested accommodations. The District will offer a reasonable modification that
eff
60
the program, which may include a generic version of a product.
4.51 SSD— FOOD SERVICE PREPAYMENT
It is the policy of the Searcy Special School District to allow students to charge meals only on occasion when
money is unavailable and the student would have to miss meal service. This is a courtesy extended to the
student and should not occur on a regular basis.
PROCEDURES
All Schools:
1.
charge policy as well as printed information regarding the procedures and various options for meal
payment at their particular school site, one of which is an online option. All students will also be
provided with an application for free and reduced price meals. These documents may be included as
part of the student handbook or in a separate information packet, to be determined by the administration
at each school site.
2. Once per week, automated phone calls will be made to the parent/guardian of each student who owes
meal charges in any amount.
3. Shortly before the end of the school year, printed notices will be mailed to parent/guardian of each
student who owes meal charges in any amount. Follow-up calls will be made approximately two weeks
after printed notices are mailed for those students who still owe $10.00 or more.
4. All unpaid meal charges at the end of ea
level, and attempts to collect the charges will continue as above. These charges are considered
ctive in the
district. Records of all student account balances will be printed and filed in the office of the Child
Nutrition Director at the end of each fiscal year.
5. Refunds of positive account balances may be processed at the end of each school year or upon student
withdrawal from the district. A written or e-mailed request must be submitted to the Child Nutrition
department for any refunds. Unclaimed funds for students leaving the district must be requested within
30 calendar days after the end of the school year during which the student left. Unclaimed funds will
then become the property of the Searcy Public Schools Child Nutrition Program.
6. Meal charge collection will be included in the office checklist for any student who transfers out of the
district or graduates, and request for payment of outstanding meal charges will be made at the time of
withdrawal.
Elementary Schools & Southwest Middle School:
1. n
with office personnel, meal charge notices will be printed and sent home with all students who owe
more than or equal to $10.00.
Junior High and High Schools:
1. Meal charge notices will be printed and made available to parents at parent/teacher conferences (once
per semester) for students who owe $10.00 or more.
61
2. Students will be allowed to charge any reimbursable meal (Main Line, Chef Salad/Salad Bar, Meal
Deal) up to a value of $20.00. When meal charges reach $10.00, a phone call will be made to the
3. If meal charges exceed the $20.00 limit, an alternate meal consisting of a cold sandwich, vegetables,
on the day prior to the alternate meal being offered. This alternate meal will be billed to a separate
administrative account. If the student refused the alternate meal, he or she will be asked to sign a
statement to that effect.
4. The only exceptions to the $20.00 cut-off with alternate meal offered are: (1) For the first two weeks of
the school year when applications for free and reduced-price meals are being processed, students may
charge any reimbursable meal with the $20.00 cut-off taking effect the following week. (2) For
students who have documented special dietary needs, certified as disabled and/or have an
individualized health care plan addressing this topic (such as a diabetic or hypoglycemic student),
meals will be provided according to the medical documentation.
Charging of individual/a la carte items such as bottled beverages, packaged s
not be permitted in any situation.. A la carte or other food and beverage items may be purchased by either
providing payment for the items at the time of receipt or by having a prepaid account with sufficient funds with
the District that may be charged for the items.
4.52—STUDENTS WHO ARE FOSTER CHILDREN
The District will afford the same services and educational opportunities to foster children that are
afforded other children and youth. The District shall work with the Department of Human Services
child to ensure that the foster child is able to maintain his/her continuity of educational services to the
fullest extent that is practical and reasonable.
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall appoint an appropriate staff person to be the local
educational liaison for foster children and youth whose responsibilities shall include ensuring the timely
school enrollment of each foster child and assisting foster children who transfer between schools by
expediting the transfer of relevant educational records.
The District, working with other individuals and agencies shall, unless the presiding court rules otherwise
or DHS grants a request to transfer under Foster Child School Choice, ensure that the foster child remains
in his/her school of origin, even if a cha
outside the district. In such a situation, the District will work with DHS to arrange for transportation to
and from school for the foster child to the extent it is reasonable and practical.
immediately enroll him/her. Immediate enrollment is required even if a child lacks the required clothing,
academic or medical records, or proof of residency.
school enrollment, the -neglect court proceedings, or other court-ordered
counseling or treatment.
62
Any course work completed by the foster child prior to a school enrollment change shall be accepted as
academic credit so long as the child has satisfactorily completed the appropriate academic placement
assessment.
If a foster child was enrolled in a District school immediately prior to completing his/her graduation
requirements while detained in a juvenile detention facility or while committed to the Division of Youth
Services of DHS, the District shall issue the child a diploma.
Foster Child School Choice
If DHS approves a request from a foster parent, or the foster child if the foster child is eighteen (18) years of
age, to transfer to another school in the District or into the district as being in the best interest of the foster child,
the District shall allow the foster child to transfer to another school in the District or into the District if the
foster parent, or the foster child if the foster child is eighteen (18) years of age, submits a request to transfer on
a form approved by ADE that is postmarked by no later than May 1 of the year the student seeks to begin the
fall semester at another school in the District or in the District.
By July 1 of the school year in which the student seeks to transfer under this section, the superintendent shall
notify the foster parent, or the foster child if the foster child is eighteen (18) years of age, in writing whether the
application has been accepted or rejected. If the application is accepted, the superintendent shall state in the
notification letter a reasonable deadline for the foster child to enroll in the new school or the District and that
failure to enroll by the date shall void the school choice acceptance. If the application is rejected, the
superintendent shall state in the notification letter the reason for the rejection and that the foster parent, or the
foster child if the foster child is eighteen (18) years of age, may submit a written appeal of the rejection to the
State board within ten (10) days of receiving the notification letter.
The District shall only reject a Foster Child School Choice application if the public school or District has
reached the maximum student-to-teacher ratio allowed under federal law, state law, rules for standards of
accreditation, or other applicable rule or regulation.
A foster child whose application is rejected by the District may submit a written request within ten (10) days
following the receipt of the rejection letter from the superintendent to the State Board of Education for the State
Board to reconsider the transfer.
A Foster Child School Choice transfer shall remain in effect until the foster child:
Graduates from high school; or
Transfers to another school or school district under:
o The Foster Child School Choice Act;
o Opportunity Public School Choice Act of 2004;
o The Public School Choice Act of 2015; or
o Any other law that allows a transfer.
The District shall accept credits toward graduation that were awarded by another public school district.
ransportation to and from the
school to which the foster child transferred. The District and the foster parent, or the foster child if the foster
child is eighteen (18) years of age, may enter into a written agreement for the District to provide the
transportation to and from the school to which the foster child transferred.
4.53— PLACEMENT OF MULTIPLE BIRTH SIBLINGS
The parent, guardian or other person having charge or custody of multiple birth siblings in grades pre-K through
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6 may request that the multiple birth siblings are placed in either the same or separate classrooms. The request
shall be in writing not later than the 14
th
calendar day prior to the first day of classes at the beginning of the
academic year. The school shall honor the request unless it would require the school to add an additional class
equests a placement that differs from that of
the other parent of the same multiple birth siblings, the school shall determine the appropriate placement of the
siblings.
The school may change the classroom placement of one or more of the multiple birth siblings if:
There have been a minimum of 30 instructional days since the start of the school year; and
After consulting with each classroom teacher in which the siblings were placed, the school determines the
Detrimental to the educational achievement of one or more of the siblings;
If a parent believes the school has not followed the requirements of this policy, the parent may appeal the
appeal shall be final.
4.55—STUDENT PROMOTION AND RETENTION
A disservice is done to students through social promotion and is prohibited by state law. The District shall, at a minimum,
evaluate each student annually in an effort to help each student who is not performing at grade level. Parents or guardians
shall be kept informed concerning the progress of their student(s).
older. Parent-teacher conferences
academic success.
At least once each semester, the parents and teacher(s) of a student in kindergarten through eighth (8
th
) grade shall be
independent grade-level-equivalency in reading.
Any grades, course credits, and/or promotions received by a student while enrolled in the Division of Youth Services
system of education shall be considered transferable in the same manner as those grades, course credits, and promotions
from other accredited Arkansas public educational entities.
Promotion or retention of students, or their required retaking of a course shall be primarily based on the following criteria.
If there is doubt concerning the promotion or retention of a student or his/her required retaking of a course, a conference
shall be held before a final decision is made that includes the following individuals:
a. The building principal or designee;
b.
c. School counselor;
d. A 504/special education representative (if applicable); and
e.
The conference shall be held at a time and place that best accommodates those participating in the conference. The school
shall document participation or non-participation in required conferences. If the conference attendees fail to agree
Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, each student by the end of the eighth grade shall have a student success plan
es to personalize learning in order for students to
achieve their grade-level expectations and individual growth. The SSP will identify if the student is in need of additional
64
support or acceleration. Academic measures to be used in creating and updating a
limited to:
Statewide student assessment results;
Subject grades;
Student work samples; and
Local assessment scores.
o Guide the student along pathways to graduation;
o Address accelerated learning opportunities;
o Address academic deficits and interventions; and
o Include college and career planning components.
order to assist the student with college and career readiness skills, course
selection in high school, and improved academic achievement; and
Provide a basis for counseling concerning postsecondary preparatory programs.
-based academic goals at an expected rate or
level and includes a transition plan that addresses college and career planning components. Promotion/retention or
graduation of students with an IEP shall be based on their successful attainment of the goals set forth in their IEP.
Searcy School District Middle School and Junior High
A student must pass six (6) semesters of the core curriculum subjects to be promoted automatically to the next grade level.
If a student fails to pass six semesters of core curriculum subjects, the student may be denied promotion to the next grade
level. Core curriculum subjects are presently defined as follows: social studies, math, science, and language arts.
Searcy High School Student Classification
Classification is for an entire year and will be determined the first day of school.
Sophomore: 5.5 academic credits
Junior: 11 academic credits
Senior: 16.5 academic credits
Graduate: 22 academic credits
In an extraordinary situation, a student may seek review of classification at the end of the first semester. In order for a
second year sophomore to be considered for a review of classification, he or she must have 13 academic credits. Second
year juniors seeking classification for senior year must have 18 academic credits.
4.56—EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Definitions:
minimum requirements for graduation, which is taught by a teacher required to have State licensure in the
course or is otherwise qualified under Arkansas statute, and has a course content guide which has been
approved by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). Any of the courses for which concurrent high
school credit is earned may be from an institution of higher education recognized by ADE. If a student passes
an academic course offered on a block schedule, the course can be counted twice toward meeting the
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requirement for students to pass four (4) academic courses per semester as required by this policy.
as: any school sponsored program where students from one or more
schools meet, work, perform, practice under supervision outside of regular class time, or are competing for the
purpose of receiving an award, rating, recognition, or criticism, or qualification for additional competition.
Examples include, but are not limited to, inter/intrascholastic athletics, cheerleading, band, choral, math, or
science competitions, field trips, and club activities.
f students are invited to programs or events when there
is no competition and the students are not interacting with each other for the purpose of planning, qualifying, or
arranging for future programs or for the purpose of receiving recognition.
-athletic/academic activities where students compete on a
school vs. school basis.
-athletic/academic activities where students compete with
students from within the same school.
outside of their regular classroom and meets the criteria outlined in the current Arkansas Activities Association
(AAA) Handbook.
Extracurricular Eligibility
The Board believes in providing opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities that can
participation in extracurricular activities cannot come at the expense of his/her classroom academic
achievement. Interruptions of instructional time in the classroom are to be minimal and absences from class to
participate in extracurricular activities per sport per week shall be limited (tournaments excepted). Additionally,
following policy. All students are eligible for extracurricular activities unless specifically denied eligibility on
the basis of criteria outlined in this policy.
Any student who refuses to sit for a Statewide assessment or attempts to boycott a Statewide assessment by
failing to put forth a good faith effort on the assessment as determined by the assessment administrator/proctor,
or whose parents do not send their student to school on the dates the assessments are administered or scheduled
as make-up days shall not be permitted to participate in any non-curriculum related extracurricular activity. The
student shall remain ineligible to participate until the student takes the same or a following statewide
assessment, as applicable. The superintendent or designee may waive this paragraph's provisions when the
o exceptional or extraordinary circumstances. Students falling under the provisions of
this paragraph shall be permitted to attend curriculum related field trips occurring during the school day.
A student who enrolls in the district and meets the definitENTRANCE
REQUIREMENTS shall be eligible to try out for an extracurricular activity regardless of the date the student
enrolls in the District so long as the student meets all other eligibility requirements and the extracurricular
activity is still ongoing.
A student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt
and review of an information sheet regarding signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest before the student
may participate in an athletic activity and before each school year the student participates in an athletic activity.
Interscholastic Activities
66
Each school in the District shall post on its website its schedule of interscholastic activities, including sign-up,
tryout, and participation deadlines. A hard copy of the schedule shall be available upon request.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: Junior High
A student promoted from the sixth to the seventh grade automatically meets scholarship requirements. A
student promoted from the seventh to the eighth grade automatically meets scholarship requirements for the
first semester. The second semester eighth-grade student meets the scholarship requirements for junior high if
he/she has successfully passed four (4) academic courses the previous semester.
The first semester ninth-grade student meets the scholarship requirements for junior high if he/she has
successfully passed four (4) academic courses the previous semester.
The second semester ninth-grade student meets the scholarship requirements for junior high if he/she has
successfully passed (4) academic courses the previous semester which count toward his/her high school
graduation requirements.
Ninth-grade students must meet the requirements of the senior high scholarship rule by the end of the second
semester in the ninth grade in order to be eligible to participate the fall semester of their tenth-grade year.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: Senior High
In order to remain eligible for competitive interscholastic activity, a student must have passed (4) academic
courses the previous semester and either:
1. Have earned a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 from all academic courses the previous
semester; or
2. If the student has passed four (4) academic courses the previous semester but does not have a 2.0 GPA the
student must be enrolled and successfully participating in an SIP to maintain their competitive
interscholastic extracurricular eligibility.
STUDENTS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
In order to be considered eligible to participate in competitive interscholastic activities, students with
disabilities must pass at least four (4) courses per semester as required by their individual education program
(IEP).
ARKANSAS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
In addition to the foregoing rules, the district shall abide by the rules and regulations of AAA governing
interscholastic activities. AAA provides catastrophic insurance coverage for students participating in AAA
governed extracurricular activities who are enrolled in school. As a matter of District policy, no student may
participate in a AAA governed extracurricular activity unless he or she is enrolled in a district school, to ensure
all students are eligible for AAA catastrophic insurance.
Intrascholastic Activities
AAA Governed Activities
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Students participating in intrascholastic extracurricular activities that would be governed by AAA if they were
to occur between students of different schools shall meet all interscholastic activity eligibility requirements to
be eligible to participate in the comparable intrascholastic activity. The District will abide by the AAA
Handbook for such activities to ensure District students are not disqualified from participating in interscholastic
activities.
Non-AAA Governed Activities
Unless made ineligible by District policies, all students shall be eligible to participate in non-AAA governed
intrascholastic extracurricular activities. Intrascholastic activities designed for a particular grade(s) or course(s)
shall require the student to be enrolled in the grade(s) or course(s).
4.56.1—EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - ELEMENTARY
Definitions
schools meet, work, perform, practice under supervision outside of regular class time, or are competing for the
purpose of receiving an award, rating, recognition, or criticism, or qualification for additional competition.
Examples include, but are not limited to, inter/intrascholastic athletics, cheerleading, band, choral, math, or
science competitions, field trips, and club activities.
are when individual students or groups of students are invited to programs or events when there is
no competition and the students are not interacting with each other for the purpose of planning, qualifying, or
arranging for future programs or for the purpose of receiving recognition.
-athletic/academic activities where students compete on a
school vs. school basis.
-athletic/academic activities where students compete with
students from within the same school.
Extracurricular Eligibility
The Board believes in providing opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities that can
participation in extracurricular activities cannot come at the expense of his/her classroom academic
achievement. Interruptions of instructional time in the classroom are to be minimal and absences from class to
participate in extracurricular activities shall be limited. All absences for extracurricular activities must be
approved by the building principal and meet Arkansas Activities Association guidelines when applicable.
A student may lose his/her eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities when, in the opinion of the
academic achievement. Students may also be denied permission to participate in extracurricular activities as a
consequence of disciplinary action taken by the administration for inappropriate behavior.
ENTRANCE
REQUIREMENTS shall be eligible to try out for an extracurricular activity regardless of the date the student
enrolls in the District so long as the student meets all other eligibility requirements and the extracurricular
activity is still ongoing.
A student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt
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and review of an information sheet regarding signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest before the student
may participate in an athletic activity and before each school year the student participates in an athletic activity.
4.56.2—EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME SCHOOLED
STUDENTS
Home-schooled student means a student legally enrolled in an Arkansas home school and who meets or has met
the criteria for being a home-schooled student, as established by A.C.A. § 6-15-503.
Interscholastic activity means an activity between schools subject to regulations of the Arkansas Activities
Association that is outside the regular curriculum of the school district, such as an athletic activity, fine arts
program, or a special interest group or club.
Each school in the District shall post on its website its schedule of interscholastic activities, including sign-up,
tryout, and participation deadline. A hard copy of the schedule shall be available upon request.
Home-schooled students whose parents or guardians are legal residents of the school district will be permitted
to pursue participation in an interscholastic activity in the student's resident school zone as permitted by this
policy.
Home-schooled students whose parent or legal guardian are not residents of the school district will be permitted
district and the superintendent of the District both agree in writing to allow the student to participate in
interscholastic activities at the District.
Although not guaranteed participation in an interscholastic activity, home-school students who meet the
provisions of this policy, AAA Rules, and applicable Arkansas statutes shall have an equal opportunity to try
out and participate in an interscholastic activity without discrimination. The District shall provide a reasonable
alternative to any prerequisite for eligibility to participate in an interscholastic activity that the home-schooled
student is unable to meet because of his or her enrollment in a home school.
To be eligible to try out and participate in interscholastic activities, the student or the parent of a student shall
mail or hand deliver the student's request to participate to the student's school's principal before the signup,
tryout or participation deadline established for traditional students. Additionally, the student shall demonstrate
academic eligibility by obtaining a minimum test score of the 30
th
percentile or better in the previous 12 months
on the Stanford Achievement Test Series, Tenth Edition; another nationally recognized norm-referenced test; or
a minimum score on a test approved by the State Board of Education.
A student who meets the requirements for eligibility to participate in an interscholastic activity is required to
register for no more than one course in the District's school where the student is intending to participate in an
interscholastic activity.
The student shall regularly attend the class in which the student is registered beginning no later than the
eleventh (11
th
) day of the semester in which the student's interscholastic activity participation is desired. The
student must attend the practices for the interscholastic activity to the same extent as is required of traditional
students.
A student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt
and review of an information sheet regarding signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest before the student
may participate in an athletic activity and before each school year the student participates in an athletic activity.
A home-schooled student who has met the try out criteria; and who has been selected to participate in the
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interscholastic activity shall meet the following criteria that also apply to traditional students enrolled in the
school:
standards of behavior and codes of conduct;
attend the practices for the interscholastic activity to the same extent as is required of traditional students;
required drug testing;
permission slips, waivers, physical exams; and
participation or activity fees.
A home-schooled student who is not a resident of the District may begin participating in interscholastic
activities:
a. Immediately upon being approved for participation for all interscholastic activities other than athletic
activities; and
b. One (1) calendar year after being approved to participate in interscholastic activities that are athletic
activities unless the approval is prior to July 1 of the school year the student would have been enrolled in
seventh (7
th
) grade if the student were enrolled in public school.
A home-schooled student who is not a resident of the District and is prohibited under this policy from
participating in an interscholastic activity that is an athletic activity for one (1) calendar year may immediately
participate in rehearsals, tryouts, practices, auditions, classes, or other endeavors associated with the
interscholastic activity.
Students who participate in extracurricular or athletic activities under this policy will be transported to and from
the interscholastic activities on the same basis as other students are transported.
A student who withdraws from an Arkansas Activities Association member school to be home-schooled shall
not participate in an interscholastic activity in the resident school district for a minimum of three hundred sixty-
five days after the student withdraws from the member school.
Cross Reference: 4.59ACADEMIC COURSE ATTENDANCE BY PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HOME
SCHOOL STUDENTS
4.56.5 SSD—CHEMICAL ABUSE POLICY
The Searcy School District recognizes that chemical abuse or misuse is a significant health problem for
students, detrimentally affecting overall health, behavior, learning ability, reflexes and the total development of
each individual and jeopardizes the safety of all student athletes/cheerleaders. Chemical abuse or misuse
includes but is not limited to, the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and the abuse or misuse of legal drugs and
medications.
SCOPE
The random testing provisions of this policy apply to all students in grades 7-12 representing Searcy Public
Schools in athletics/cheerleading during or after the school day. Those representing Searcy Public Schools
must obtain a consent form from their custodial parent/legal guardian as a condition of participation.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Illegal Drugs are defined as drugs, or the synthetic or generic equivalent or derivative of drugs, which are
illegal under federal, state, or local laws including, but not limited to, marijuana, heroin, hashish, cocaine,
hallucinogens, depressants, and stimulants not prescribed or any other drug-like substance, the use, possession
70
or sale of which is unlawful . Illegal drugs include steroids and its derivatives or related substances which are
not prescribed by a physician or are prescribed by a physician for uses not authorized by the manufacturer of the
drug.
Alcohol is defined as ethyl alcohol or any beverage containing ethyl alcohol.
Prescribed Medication is defined as any drug or medication prescribed by a physician for uses authorized by
the manufacturer of the drug or medication.
Random Testing Provisions
The use of possession of illegal drugs or alcohol during school activities or prior to school activities where the
illegal drug or alcohol has the possibility of impairing the participant is a violation of this policy. The presence
of an illegal drug or alcohol and its metabol
Any student undergoing medical treatment prescribed by a physician that includes the use of any drug or
riate
coach/sponsor. If there is any doubt concerning the effects of the drug or medication, the appropriate
undergoing medical treatment, which includes the use of any drug or medication capable of affecting the
same as an initial positive test result under the random testing provisions.
Refusal to Submit to Testing
Any participant who refuses to submit to random drug testing shall not be allowed to participate in any school
activity for the remainder of the school year.
Consent
All students who desire to participate in athletics/cheerleading will be required to sign a form consenting to the
testing during the random selection testing. The form must be co-
guardian. No student shall be allowed to participate in any activity until the consent form has been signed by
both student and custodial parent/legal guardian and returned to the athletic director.
Cost of Chemical Testing
The test to be given during the random selection testing will be paid by the district. Any second test or test
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT CHEMICAL SCREENING GUIDELINES
PHILOSOPHY
It is the philosophy of the Searcy Athletic Department that athletes should be encouraged and supported in their
efforts to develop and maintain a chemical-free lifestyle.The Athletic Department recognizes the use of mood-
altering chemicals as a significant health problem for many students, resulting in negative effects on behavior,
learning and the total development of each individual as well as jeopardizing the safety of all student
athletes/cheerleaders. The misuse and abuse of mood-altering chemicals for some student affect academic
growth. Others are affected by the misuse and abuse of family, teammates, schoolmates, or other significant
persons in their lives.
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PURPOSE
The purposes of the Chemical Screen Test of the Searcy Athletic Department are as follows:
1. Emphasize concerns for the health of students in areas of safety while participating in activities and the
long-term physical and emotional effects of chemical use on their
health.
2. Promote a sense of order and discipline among students.
3. Confirm and support existing state laws which restrain the use of such mood-altering chemicals.
4. Assist students who are abusing or misusing chemical substances.
5. Assist students who desire to resist peer pressure that directs them toward the abuse or misuse of
chemical substances.
6. Establish standards of conduct for those students who are considered leaders and standard
bearers among their peers.
7. Work with parents to assist in keeping their children free of mood-altering chemicals.
8. Assist students who should be referred for assistance or evaluation regarding their use of mood-altering
chemicals.
9. To deter chemical abuse or misuse by all athletes/cheerleaders through the use of random
drug testing.
TESTED SUBSTANCES
The substances for which students will be tested include:
BARBITURATE CLASS AMPHETAMINES BENZODIAZEPINE CLASS
COCAINE METABOLITE PROPOXYPHENE PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)
QUALITATIVE THC OPIATE CLASS ETHYL ALCOHOL
METHAQUALONE
SUPERVISED URINE COLLECTION AND CHAIN OF PROCEDURE
Any student who is requested to provide a urine specimen shall be directed to a collection site where the student
will provide a specimen. Each specimen container will have a number on it which will be assigned to a
1. Positively identify the examinee.
2. The observer shall ask the individual to remove any unnecessary outer garments (e.g. coat, jacket) that
might conceal items or substances that could be used to tamper with or adulterate the urine specimen.
All personal belongings (e.g. purse briefcase) must remain with the outer garments. The observer shall
note an unusual behavior or appearance.
3. The student shall be instructed to wash and dry his/her hands prior to providing the specimen. After
washing his/her hands, the student shall not be outside of the presence of the observer and not have
access to water fountains, faucets, soap dispensers, or cleaning agents until after the specimen has been
provided and sealed. Only one person will be allowed at a time in the washroom and process area.
4. The student will be allowed to provide the specimen in a stall, or other partitioned area that allows for
individual privacy. After the specimen has been provided, that student should leave the stall.
5. At the collection site, toilet bluing agents shall be placed in the toilet tanks, where possible, so that the
reservoir of water in the toilet bowl always remains blue. No other source of water shall be available in
the enclosure where urination occurs.
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6. After the specimen has been provided to the observer, the observer will continue with chain of custody
procedures and determine whether it contains at least 30 milliliters of urine if there is not at least 30
milliliters, additional urine should be collected. The student may be given reasonable amounts of
water. If a student fails for any reason to provide the necessary amount of specimen, the observer shall
contact the Athletic Director, or a school official appointed by the superintendent, to obtain guidance.
7. Immediately after collection the observer shall check the temperature of the specimen and inspect the
specimen for color. Freshly voided specimens should be warm.
8. Both the observer and the student being tested shall keep the specimen in view at all times prior to its
being sealed and labeled.
9. The labels for the specimen bottle must have all information completed before testing.
10. The student shall observe the tamper-proof seal being placed over the bottle cap and down the sides of
the bottle. The observer will place the identification label securely on the bottle.
11. The student and the observer will sign the CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY form and have the observer initial
the specimen label.
12. The identification label on the specimen container shall contain:
the date
13. All collected specimens must be delivered at once to the Athletic Director or the person assigned to
deliver specimens to the testing laboratory certified by the Department of Health and Human Services.
14. The observer shall enter the identifying information in a permanent record book. Both
the observer and the student shall sign the permanent record book next to the identifying information.
RESULTS AND NOTIFICATION
Test results shall be reported to the Athletic Director or his/her designee after receipt of the specimens. All
reports shall be in writing. All specimens testing negative on the initial test or negative on the confirmation test
shall be reported as negative. Only specimens confirmed as positive shall be reported positive for a specific
drug.
Upon a first positive result:
(A student may request a retest at his/her expense within a 72 hour period of the results. This retest for the
student must be done at the original location of the first test.)
1.
parents/legal guardians.
2. Students will be encouraged to seek treatment and/or counseling for drug/alcohol related problems.
School District will not assume any expense incurred for counseling service or attendance in a
drug/alcohol rehabilitation program.
3. The student will be on probation for twenty days. After twenty-one days the student will be tested
again at his/her own expense and a written copy of the results will be given to the Athletic Director
or his/her designee. If the test is negative, probation will be lifted.
Students in grades 7-10: If the test is positive, the student will not be allowed to continue
in Athletics/Cheerleading for the remainder of the school year. If the retest is not requested
after twenty-one days, the student will not be allowed to continue in
Athletics/Cheerleading for the remainder of the school year. To regain eligibility for
Athletics/Cheerleading a student must have a negative CHEMICAL SCREENING TEST.
expense.
Students in grades 11-12: If the test is positive, the student will be permanently dismissed
from all participation in any Athletics/Cheerleading at Searcy High School. If the retest is
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not requested after twenty-one days, the student will be dismissed from all participation in
any Athletics/Cheerleading at Searcy High School.
4. Positive test results shall not be provided to police or other law enforcement agencies.
RANGE
All Athletes/Cheerleaders grades 7 thru 12
ADMINISTRATION OF TEST (WHEN)
1. All students entering the seventh grade thru the twelfth grade who plan to participate
In athletics/cheerleading may be subject an urinalysis test at the beginning of the school year or any
time a student is required to take a physical to be eligible to participate in athletics he/she may be
subject to an urinalysis test for chemicals.
2. Additionally, random selection testing will occur during the school year for grades 9-12 while students
are participating in their respective sports and/or off-season. No less than 5% and no greater than 90%
of those students participating in athletic/cheerleading activities shall be selected at any given
occurrence of random selection testing. Each sport is required, but no limited to a minimum of one
random selection testing during the school year. Random selection testing may occur during the school
year for grades 7-8
Student athletes/cheerleaders as deemed appropriate by the school district Athletic Director. The same
guidelines will be followed when grades 7-8 students are tested by random selection.
3. A single test can be requested by a coach from a student athlete/cheerleader for
reasonable suspicion.
RECORDS
All records concerning chemical abuse testing shall be maintained by the Athletic Director or his/her designee
Direct
guardians may obtain a copy of all chemical abuse testing records upon written request.
ALL RECORDS SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL
4.56.6 SSD—STUDENT SOCIAL EVENTS
Students and guests who attend school sponsored social events are accountable for their
behavior as outlined by policies of the Searcy School District governing a regular school day.
Any party or social event must be approved by the principal for a specific date, time, and
place. All school sponsored parties must have school employees as sponsors as well as other
sponsors that the principal may require.
Specifically, students may not leave an event and re-enter, may not possess nor consume
alcoholic drinks or drugs, must be responsible for the conduct of their guests, and must have
visitors approved in advance.
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Principals are authorized to issue other rules as they deem necessary for order and
propriety in school sponsored social events.
4.57—IMMUNIZATIONS
Definitions
"In process" means the student has received at least one dose of the required immunizations and is waiting the
minimum time interval to receive the additional dose(s).
measles, mumps, rubella and varicella.
General Requirements
Unless otherwise provided by law or this policy, no student shall be admitted to attend classes in the District
who has not been age appropriately immunized against:
Poliomyelitis;
Diphtheria;
Tetanus;
Pertussis;
Red (rubeola) measles;
Rubella;
Mumps;
Hepatitis A;
Hepatitis B;
Meningococcal disease;
Varicella (chickenpox); and
Any other immunization required by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
The District administration has the responsibility to evaluate the immunization status of District students. The
District shall maintain a list of all students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or who have an
exemption provided by ADH to the immunization requirements based on medical, religious, or philosophical
grounds. Students who are not fully age appropriately immunized when seeking admittance shall be referred to
a medical authority for consultation.
The only types of proof of immunization the District will accept are immunization records provided by a:
A. Licensed physician;
B. Health department;
C. Military service; or
D. Official record from another educational institution in Arkansas.
The proof of immunization must include the vaccine type and dates of vaccine administration. Documents
-to-
self or parental history of varicella disease will be accepted. Valid proof of immunization and of immunity
In order to continue attending classes in the District, the student must have submitted:
1) Proof of immunization showing the student to be fully age appropriately vaccinated;
2) Written documentation by a public health nurse or private physician of proof the student is in process of
being age appropriately immunized, which includes a schedule of the studen
3) A copy of a letter from ADH indicating immunity based on serologic testing; and/or
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4) A copy of the letter from ADH exempting the student from the immunization requirements for the
current school year, or a copy of the application for an exemption for the current school year if the
exemption letter has not yet arrived.
Students whose immunization records or serology results are lost or unavailable are required to receive all age
appropriate vaccinations or submit number 4 above.
Temporary Admittance
While students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or have not yet submitted an immunization
waver may be enrolled to attend school, such students shall be allowed to attend school on a temporary basis
only. Students admitted on a temporary basis may be admitted for a maximum of thirty (30) days (or until
October 1st of the current school year for the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and meningococcal vaccinations
required at ages eleven (11) and sixteen (16) respectively if October 1
st
is later in the current school year than
to extend the thirty (30) day period. Students may be allowed to continue attending beyond the thirty (30) day
period if the student submits a copy of either number 2 or number 4 above.
Students who are in process shall be required to adhere to the submitted schedule. Failure of the student to
submit written documentation from a public health nurse or private physician demonstrating the student
admittance; such students shall be excluded from school until the documentation is provided.
The District will not accept copies of applications requesting an exemption for the current school year that are
older than two (2) weeks based on the date on the application. Students who submit a copy of an application to
receive an exemption from the immunization requirements for the current year to gain temporary admittance
have thirty (30) days from the admission date to submit either a letter from ADH granting the exemption or
documentation demonstrating the student is in process and a copy of the immunization schedule. Failure to
submit the necessary documentation by the close of the thirty (30) days will result in the student being excluded
until the documentation is submitted.
Exclusion from School
In the event of an outbreak, students who are not fully age appropriately immunized, are in process, or are
exempt from the immunization requirements may be required to be excluded from school in order to protect the
student. ADH shall determine if it is necessary for students to be excluded in the event of an outbreak. Students
may be excluded for twenty-one (21) days or longer depending on the outbreak. No student excluded due to an
outbreak shall be allowed to return to school until the District receives approval from ADH.
Students who are excluded from school are not eligible to receive homebound instruction unless the excluded
student had a pre-existing IEP or 504 Plan and the IEP/504 team determines homebound instruction to be in the
for the remainder of the week by the end of the initial school day of the student's exclusion; and
by the end of each school's calendar week for the upcoming week until the student returns to school.
2
assignments are collected.
Students excluded from school shall have five (5) school days from the day the student returns to school to
submit any homework and to make up any examinations. State mandated assessments are not included in
-up assessments outside
of the state's schedule. Students shall receive a grade of zero for any assignment or examination not completed
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or submitted on time.
4.59—ACADEMIC COURSE ATTENDANCE BY PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HOME
SCHOOL STUDENTS
The District allows private school and home school students whose parents, legal guardians, or other
responsible adults with whom the student resides are residents of the District to attend academic courses offered
in grades 7-12.
A private school or home school student who desires to attend one or more of the available academic courses
shall submit a written request to attend the academic course(s) to the superintendent, or designee, no later than:
a. August 1 for Fall semester courses; or
b. December 1 for Spring semester courses.
The District may reject a private school or hom
acceptance would:
Require the addition of staff or classrooms;
Exceed the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or school building;
Cause the District to provide educational services the District does not currently provide; or
Cause the District to be out of compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding desegregation.
Requests to attend an academic course will be granted in the order the requests are received. Upon the receipt of
the request for attendance. If a private school or home school student is denied attendance based on a lack of
capacity and an opening in the requested course occurs prior to the start of the course, the District will use the
date and time stamp on the request for attendance to determine the private school or home school student who
will be notified of an opening in the requested course.
As part of the request to attend academic courses in the District, a private school or home school student shall:
o Indicate the course(s) the private school or home school student is interested in attending;
o If the course(s) the private school or home school student is interested in attending is being offered by the
District in both a physical and a digital format, whether the private school or home school student intends to
attend the physical course or the digital course;
o olicies; and
o Submit immunization documentation required by Policy 4.57IMMUNIZATIONS. In addition to the
documentation methods provided in Policy 4.57, a home school student may submit a letter to the
superintendent, or designee, stating an objection to immunizations and listing the immunizations the student
has received, if any.
A private school or home school student who fails to attend an academic course by the eleventh (11) day of
class shall be dropped from the course.
The responsibility for transportation of any private school or home school student attending academic courses in
The opportunity provided to home school students under this policy is in addition to the opportunity provided in
Policy 4.56.2EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS.
5.6—CHALLENGE TO INSTRUCTIONAL/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
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pr
challenge or express concerns about instructional or supplemental materials may do so by filling out a
Challenge to Instructional Material form
The contesting individual may present a copy of the form to the principal and request a conference be held at a
time of mutual convenience. Prior to the conference, the principal shall consult with the teacher regarding the
contested material. In the conference, the principal shall explain to the contesting individual the criteria used for
the selection of the material and its relevancy to the educational program as well as any other pertinent
information in support of the use of the material.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, the principal shall have five (5) working days to submit a summary of
designee.
working day period, request a meeting with the Superintendent or designee where the individual shall present
the same Challenge to Instructional Material form previously presented to the principal. The Superintendent or
designee shall explain to the contesting individual the criteria used for the selection of the material and its
relevancy to the educational program as well as any other pertinent information in support of the use of the
material.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Superintendent or designee shall have five (5) working days to
those concerns. The Superintendent or designee shall create a file of his/her response along with a copy of the
Challenge to Instructional Material form.
If, after meetin
response regarding the appropriateness of the instructional or supplemental material, he/she may appeal the
Challenge
to Instructional Material form to the Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting along with the written
responses to the challenge. The Board may elect, if it so chooses, to hear brief verbal presentations from the
parties involved in the challenge.
The Board shall decide at that meeting or their next regularly scheduled meeting whether to retain the material,
limit the availability of the material, or remove the material from the school. The B
in reaching its decision shall be the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use.
5.6F—REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL OR
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
Name: _______________________________________________
Date submitted: level one ______________ level two _____________level three ______________
Instructional material being contested:
Reasons for contesting the material (be specific):
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What is your proposed resolution?
Signature of receiving principal____________________________________________________
Signature of curriculum coordinator________________________________________________
Signature of Superintendent ______________________________________________________
5.7—SELECTION OF LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS
Board of Education which shall serve as a final arbiter in resolving a challenge to any media center materials.
Licensed media center personnel shall make the initial selections in consultation with school and district
licensed staff. Materials selected shall be in accordance with the guidelines of this policy.
s/media centers is to supplement and enrich the curriculum and instruction
offered by the District. Promoting the dialogue characteristic of a healthy democracy necessitates the
maintenance of a broad range of materials and information representing varied points of view on current and
historical issues. In the selection of the materials and resources to be available in each library/media center,
consideration will be given to their age appropriateness. Materials should be available to challenge the different
educational goals.
Selection Criteria
The criteria used in the selection of media center materials shall be that the materials:
a) Support and enhance the curricular and educational goals of the district;
b)
the case of parenting literature;
c) Contribute to the examination of issues from varying points of view and help to broaden students
understanding of their rights and responsibilities in our society;
d) Help develop critical thinking skills;
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e) Are factually and/or historically accurate, in the case of non-fiction works and/or serve a pedagogical
purpose;
f) Have literary merit as perceived by the educational community; and
g) Are technically well produced, physically sound (to the extent appropriate), and represent a reasonably
sound economic value.
Retention and Continuous Evaluation
meeting the selection criteria, have not been used for a long period of time, or are too worn to be economically
repaired shall be withdrawn from the collection and disposed of. A record of withdrawn media materials
including the manner of their disposal shall be maintained for a period of three years.
Gifts
Gifts to the media centers shall be evaluated to determine their appropriateness before they are placed in any
media center. The evaluation shall use the same criteria as for all other materials considered for inclusion in the
media centers. Any items determined to be unacceptable shall be returned to the donor or disposed of at the
discretion of the media specialist. The media centers shall have a list of desired items to give to prospective
donors to aid them in their selection of materials to donate.
Challenges:
The parent of a student affected by a media selection, or a District employee may formally challenge the
appropriateness of a media center selection by following the procedure outlined in this policy. The challenged
material shall remain available throughout the challenge process.
Before any formal challenge can be filed, the individual contesting (hereinafter complainant) the
licensed
media center employee. The complainant shall be given a copy of this policy and the Request for Formal
Reconsideration Form prior to the conference. The meeting shall take place at the earliest possible time of
mutual convenience, but in no case later than five (5) working days from the date of the request unless it is by
the choice of the complainant.
In the meeting, the media specialist shall explain the selection criteria and how the challenged material fits the
criteria. The complainant shall explain his/her reasons for objecting to the selected material. If, at the
completion of the meeting, the complainant wishes to make a formal challenge to the selected material, he/she
may do so by completing the Request for Formal Reconsideration Form a
office.
To review the contested media, the principal shall select a committee of five (5) or seven (7) licensed personnel
consisting of the principal as chair and at least one media specialist. The remaining committee members shall be
personnel with curriculum knowledge appropriate for the material being contested and representative of diverse
viewpoints. The task of the committee shall be to determine if the challenged material meets the criteria of
selection. No material shall be withdrawn solely for the viewpoints expressed within it and shall be reviewed in
its entirety and not selected portions taken out of context.
The principal shall convene a meeting after a reasonable time for the committee members to adequately review
the contested material and the Request for Formal Reconsideration Form submitted by the complainant. The
complainant shall be allowed to present the complaint to the committee after which time the committee shall
meet privately to discuss the material. The committee shall vote by secret ballot to determine whether the
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shall write a summary of the reasons for their decision. A notice of the commi
shall be given (by hand or certified mail) to the complainant.
Board of Directors by filing a written appeal
decision or of written receipt of the decision. The Superintendent shall present the original complaint and the
a recommendation of the
the material submitted to them by the Superintendent and make a decision within thirty (30) days of receipt of
the infor
5.7F—REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER
MATERIALS
Name: _______________________________________________
Date submitted: ______________
Media Center material being contested:
Reasons for contesting the material. (Be specific about why you believe the material does not meet the selection
criteria listed in policy 5.7—Selection of Library/Media Center Materials):
What is your proposed resolution?
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Signature of receiving principal_______________________________________________________________
Signature of Superintendent (if appealed) _______________________________________________________
5.11—DIGITAL LEARNING COURSES
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy:
in a classroom and online delivery of instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path, or
pace.
-based educational delivery model that does not rely
exclusively on compressed interactive video (CIV). Digital learning includes online and blended learning.
"Instructional Materials" means:
1. Traditional books, textbooks, and trade books in printed and bound form;
2. Activity-oriented programs that may include:
a. Manipulatives;
b. Hand-held calculators;
c. Other hands-on materials; and
3. Technology-based materials that require the use of electronic equipment in order to be used in the learning
process.
term does not include print-based correspondence education, broadcast television or radio, videocassettes,
compact disks and stand-alone educational software programs that do not have a significant Internet-based
instructional component.
load through the District and attends all classes virtually.
Digital Course Offerings
The District shall offer one or more digital learning course(s) through one or more District approved provider(s)
as either a primary or supplementary method of instruction. The courses may be in a blended learning, online-
based, or other technology-based format and shall be tailored to meet the needs of each student.
All digitally offered courses shall meet or exceed the State Board of Education's curriculum standards and
requirements and be capable of being assessed and measured through standardized or local assessments.
Additionally, the District shall ensure there is sufficient infrastructure to handle and facilitate a quality digital
learning environment.
As an approved digital learning provider, the District shall annually determine what District created digital
learning courses it will provide to our students. The District may also choose to provide digital learning courses
by contracting with outside providers of such courses, who have been pre-approved by the Arkansas
Department of Education (ADE). The School Board shall determine the provider method or combination of
methods for the District. The Superintendent shall ensure that all digital learning courses provided to District
students, regardless of the source of the course, have been approved by ADE.
District created digital courses and any digital courses the district purchases from outside providers shall adhere
to the guidelines for the use of digitally transmitted copyrighted materials set forth in Policy 5.8USE OF
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COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS as well as applicable statutory requirements.
The District shall require all outside providers to incorporate Policy 5.8 as a condition of the service contract.
Failure of the outside provider to abide by Policy 5.8 shall constitute a breach of contract and the outside
provider shall be responsible for any costs resulting from such breach.
A student may elect to take any or all of his/her scheduled courses digitally. The st
digital course(s) shall be determined by the online attendance and time the student is working on the course
The District is responsible for providing all instructional materials for each student who enrolls in a District
approved digital learning course.
Regardless of any other provisions of this policy, the District may restrict a student's access to digital courses
when the student's building principal determines the s
academically appropriate based on the student's past performance in digital courses. Furthermore, the student's
building principal may revoke a student's eligibility to continue taking a digital learning course if the student's
performance during the semester indicates the student is not succeeding in the course
5.13—SUMMER SCHOOL
The Searcy School District provides remediation to struggling students during the school year. The District also
provides summer school for students in grades PreK-3. Specific information regarding PreK 3 summer school
is to be provided in elementary handbooks. In addition, the district may provide a summer school program for
students in junior high, senior high, and middle school who must successfully complete a course in order to be
promoted to the next grade.
5.14—HOMEWORK
Homework is considered to be part of the educational program of the District. Assignments shall be an
extension of the classroom, homework must be planned and organized and should be viewed by the students as
purposeful.
Teachers should be aware of the potential problem students may have completing assignments from multiple
teachers and vary the amount of homework they give from day to day.
Parents shall be notified of this policy at the beginning of each school year.
The following minimums and maximums are recommended:
GRADE FOUR 40 min. to 1.25 hr./day 3.0 hours maximum/week
GRADE FIVE 50 min. to 1.5 hr./day 3.5 hours maximum/week
GRADE SIX - 60 min. to 1.75 hr./day 4 hours maximum/week
The following suggestions will help students gain the most from their homework:
1. Provide a suitable place and time for study.
2. Give encouragement and show interest in what the child is doing.
3. Supervise and guide rest, eating, and play habits. Monitor the use of television.
4. Assist with drill work such as math facts, spelling words, etc.
5. Show patience and kindness in offering help.
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6. Understand the physical, emotional, social, and mental needs of your child.
7. Understand the objectives of the teacher and the school.
5.15—GRADING
Parents or guardians shall be kept informed concerning the progress of their student. Parent-teacher
conferences are encouraged and may be requested by parents, guardians, or teachers. If the progress of a student
is unsatisfactory in a subject, the teacher shall attempt to schedule a parent-teacher conference. In the
conference, the teacher shall explain the reasons for difficulties and shall develop, cooperatively with the
parents, a plan for remediation, which may enhance the probability of the student succeeding. The school shall
also send timely progress reports and issue grades for each nine (9) week grading period to keep
and the school
the extent to which a student has achieved the expressed educational objectives of the course.
The grades of a child in foster care shall not be lowered due to an absence from school due to:
1. A change in the child's school enrollment;
2. The child's attendance at a dependency-neglect court proceeding; or
3. The child's attendance at court-ordered counseling or treatment.
The grading scale for all schools in the district shall be as follows:
A =100 90
B = 89 80
C = 79 70
D = 69-60
F = 59 and below
For the purpose of determining grade point averages, the numeric value of each letter grade shall be:
A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C = 2 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points
The grade point values for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and approved honor
courses shall be one (1) point greater than for regular courses with the exception that an F shall still be worth
zero (0) points.
A = 5 points
B = 4 points
C = 3 points
D = 2 point
F = 0 points
The final grades of students who transfer in for part of a semester will be determined by blending the grades
earned in the district with those earned outside the district. Each final grade will be the sum of the percentage of
days in the grading period transferred from outside the district times the transferred grade from outside the
district plus the percentage of days in the grading period while in the district times the grade earned in the
district.
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For example: The grading period had forty (40) days. A student transferred in with a grade of eighty-three
percent (83%) earned in ten (10) days at the previous school. The student had a grade of seventy-five percent
(75%) remaining thirty (30) days of the grading period. Ten (10) days is
twenty-five percent (25%) of forty (40) days while thirty (30) days is seventy-five percent (75%) of forty (40)
days. Thus the final grade would be (0.25 X 83) + (0.75 X 75) = 77%.
5.16—COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSE PREREQUISITES AND PROGRESSION
Traditional Progression
A student who has not previously received a computer science credit may elect to take an introductory level
computer science course. A student who passes a computer science course level is eligible to take the next level
computer science course in the same computer science course emphasis.
Alternative Progression
A student who does not have credit for any computer science course, the introductory level computer science
course for the particular computer science emphasis, or the preceding level course for the computer science
emphasis may be placed in a computer science course based on any combination of the following factors:
Recommendation from t
Completion of computer science internships or independent studies;
Demonstration of previous computer science work by the student; or
Proficiency report from a computer science proficiency evaluation tool
5.17 SSD—HONOR ROLL AND HONOR GRADUATES
HONOR ROLL
At the end of the school year the Searcy School District will sponsor a presentation of awards to students who
have maintained honor student status throughout the first three grading periods of the current school year.
HONOR GRADUATES, VALEDICTORIAN, AND SALUTATORIAN
1. Honor graduates, valedictorian, and salutatorian will be determined at the end of seven (7) semesters
and status verified at the end of eight (8) semesters. Students will lose honor graduate status if they do
not meet requirements at the end of eight (8) semesters.
2. Students may be added to the honor graduate status by attaining all requirements at the end of eight
(8) semesters.
3. Rank in class will be in descending order determined by core GPA.
4. Weighted credit will be awarded for AP, IB, or other Arkansas Department of Education approved
weighted courses contingent upon the following:
(1) The student taking the entire AP course in a particular subject.
(2) The student completing the applicable test offered by the College Board of AP courses at the
end of the AP course.
No fractional Honors/AP credits will be accepted. Students must successfully complete the
full year of the H/AP course in order to count that course as one of the eight (8) H/AP
courses required for honor graduate status.
The Searcy School District will use the following quality point scale to compute grade
point averages for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and ADE
approved Honors (HW) courses:
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A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points, D=2 points, F=0 points.
including non-college prep courses. No credit (NC) will be figured into GPA as an F.
6. A student must be enrolled a minimum of four semesters in Searcy High School grade 9-12 to be
eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian. A student must be enrolled and in full-time attendance
during his/her senior year.
7. If the number of honor graduates does not equal 10 percent of the senior class, then the core GPA
requirement will be lowered to include the top 10 percent of the senior class according to rank in
class.
8. Both principal and counselor must grant approval for a grade earned through concurrent college
enrollment to be calculated in the core GPA.
Parents or guardians of a student, or a student eighteen (18) years of age or older, who choose to not have the
student publicly identified as an honor roll or honor graduate student must submit a written request that the
student not be so identified.
517.1 SSD—DIPLOMA PROGRAMS AND HONOR GRADUATE STATUS
The Searcy School District offers a comprehensive program of studies designed to challenge students. To this
end, several courses of study are available, including those with a more rigorous program. Various diplomas
and honor graduate status are awarded based on course of study completed.
CLASS OF 2015 AND AFTER
General High School Diploma
4 Credits of English
4 Credits of Math
To include:
Algebra I (1 credit) OR Algebra A AND B (2 credits); AND, Geometry (1 credit) OR Geometry A
and B (2 credits); AND, Algebra II (if needed to reach the 4
th
math)
3 Credits of Science
Physical Science; AND, Biology; AND,
Environmental Science OR Principles of Technology I
3 Credits of Social Studies
American History; AND, World History; AND,
American Government (.5); AND, Economics (.5)
½ Credit of Physical Education
½ Credit of Health
½ Credit of Oral Communications
½ Credit of Fine Art (Band, Drama I, Choir, Art I, Music Appreciation, or Music Theory)
6 Electives_________________________
22 academic credits required for graduation
College Preparatory Diploma
4 credits of English (Honors is strongly suggested but not required.)
4 Credits of Math
To include:
Algebra I (1 credit) OR Algebra A AND B (2 credits); AND,
Geometry (1 credit); Algebra II; AND,
Algebra III OR Pre-Calculus, OR College Algebra AND Trig OR Stats
(H)
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*A math above Algebra II is REQUIRED to meet this diploma type.
3 Credits of Science
Physical Science (regular or honors or PAP); AND, Biology (regular or PAP); AND,
Chemistry (Honors or PAP), OR Physics (honors), OR Principles of Technology I AND II
3 Credits of Social Studies
American History; AND, World History; AND,
American Government (.5); OR American Government (PAP or AP-1 credit); AND, Economics (.5)
2 Credits of the same Foreign Language*
*Foreign Language is strongly suggested BUT NOT REQUIRED.
*Check with future college to see if Foreign Language is a requirement for admission.
½ Credit of Physical Education
½ Credit of Health
½ Credit of Oral Communications
½ Credit of Fine Art (Band, Drama I, Choir, Art I, Music Appreciation, or Music Theory)
4-6 Electives __________________________________________
22 academic credits required for graduation
College Preparatory Plus Diploma
Minimum of 6 Honors/AP courses
*( 1 Honors credit may be from 9
th
grade)
2.75 Core GPA
a. Core GPA is calculated from courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign
Language
b. To figure core GPA use the worksheet provided. See
page 90.
4 Credits of English
(3 must be honors or advanced placement)
4 Credits of Math
To Include:
Algebra I (1 credit) OR Algebra A Geometry (1 credit); AND,
Algebra lI; AND,
Algebra III OR Pre-Calculus, OR College Algebra AND Trig OR Stats (H)
*A math above Algebra II is REQUIRED to meet this
diploma type.
3 Credits of Science
Physical Science (regular or honors or PAP); AND, Biology (regular or PAP); AND,
Chemistry (Honors or PAP or AP), OR Physics (Honors or AP), OR Principles of Technology I AND II
3 Credits of Social Studies
American History;, AND World History; AND,
American Government (.5); OR American Government (PAP, or AP-1.0); AND, Economics (.5)
2 Credits of the same Foreign Language
½ Credit of Physical Education
½ Credit of Health
½ Credit of Oral Communications
½ Credit of Fine Art (Band, Drama I, Choir, Art I, Music
Appreciation, or Music Theory)
4 Electives__________________________________
22 academic credits required for graduation
Honor Graduate Status Requirements
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Minimum of 8 Honors/AP courses
* 1 Honors credit may be from 9
th
grade
* 4 courses MUST be AP
3.50 Core GPA is required
Core GPA is calculated from courses in English, Math, Science,
Social Studies, and Foreign Language
4 Credits of English
(3 must be honors or advanced placement)
To Include:
4 Credits of Math
Algebra I (1 credit) OR Algebra A Geometry (1 credit); AND,
Algebra II; AND,
Algebra III OR Pre-Calculus, OR College Algebra AND Trig OR Stats (H)
*A math above Algebra II is REQUIRED to meet this
diploma type.
3 Credits of Science
Physical Science (regular or honors or PAP); Biology (regular or PAP); AND,
Chemistry (Honors or PAP or AP), OR Physics (Honors or AP)
3 Credits of Social Studies
American History; AND, World History; AND,
American Government (.5); OR American Government (PAP or AP -1.0); AND,
Economics (.5)
2 Credits of the same Foreign Language
½ Credit of Physical Education
½ Credit of Health
½ Credit of Oral Communications
½ Credit of Fine Art (Band, Drama I, Choir, Art I, Music
Appreciation, or Music Theory)
4 Electives
22 academic credits required for graduation
5.21—ADVANCED PLACEMENT, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE, and
HONORS COURSES
Students in grades 7-12 who take advanced placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, or honors
or concurrent credit college courses approved for weighted credit by the Arkansas Department of Education
shall be graded according to the following schedule.
A =100 90
B = 89 80
C = 79 70
D = 69-60
F = 59 and below
For the purpose of determining grade point averages, the numeric value of each letter grade shall be
A = 5 points
B = 4 points
C = 3 points
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D = 2 point
F = 0 points
For a student to be eligible to receive weighted credit for an AP, or IB course, the student's course must have
been taught by an Arkansas licensed teacher who has received the appropriate training required by Arkansas
statute and ADE Rule or, for an AP teacher, is in the process of completing an Additional Training Plan.
Additionally, for students taking AP or International Baccalaureate courses to receive weighted credit they must
take the applicable AP or IB examination after completing the entire course . Credit shall be given for each
grading period during the course of the year, but shall be retroactively
course in which the student fails to take the applicable AP exam. Students who do not take the AP exam shall
receive the same numeric value for the grade he/she receives in the course as if it were a non-AP course.
"Honors Courses" are those courses that have been approved by a Department of Education Committee as
honors courses. Honors courses must stress higher order learning and be offered in addition to curriculum
offerings required by the Standards for Accreditation, Arkansas Public Schools.
Students who transfer into the district will be given weighted credit for the Advanced Placement courses,
International Baccalaureate courses, honors courses approved by the Arkansas Department of Education, and
concurrent college courses taken for weighted credit at his/her previous school(s) according to the preceding
scale.
5.24—STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SURVEYS
Section One: No student without the prior written consent of the parent/guardian shall be required to submit to a
survey, analysis, or evaluation which is administered or distributed by a school and is funded in whole or in part
by any program administered by the U.S. Department of Education that reveals information concerning the
following:
1. political affiliations;
2. mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or his/her family;
3. sex behavior and attitudes;
4. illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, and demeaning behavior;
5. critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and
ministers;
7. religious pract
8. income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for
receiving financial assistance under such program).
Section Two: No surveys shall be administered without the prior approval of the school principal. Any survey
created by a third party, or funded, in whole or in part, as part of any US Department of Education administered
program, containing one or more of the eight categories listed above shall be available to be inspected by a
Parents/guardians shall have the right to deny permission for their child to participate in the taking of the
survey. The school shall not penalize students whose parents/guardians exercise this option. The school shall
survey, analysis, or evaluation containing one or more of the eight categories listed above.
Section Three: Parents or guardians wishing to inspect a survey, analysis, or evaluation shall be able to so in the
administrative office of the administering school where the surveys shall be available for inspection for a period
of five (5) days (regular school days when school is in session) after the notice of intent to administer the survey
89
is sent. Included in the notice shall be information regarding how the survey or questionnaire will be
administered; how it will be utilized; and the persons or entities that will have access to the results of the
completed survey or questionnaire. Parents may refuse to allow their student to participate before or after
reviewing the survey or questionnaire.
The requirements of sections one, two, and three of this policy do not apply to a survey administered to a
student in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Section Four: Prior written parental permission is required before any survey or questionnaire (not including
tests mandated by state or Federal law or regulation and standardized scholastic achievement tests) is
administered to a student the responses to which are to be provided to a person or entity other than another
public school, school district, or any branch of the Federal Government and which requests or requires a student
to provide any of the eight (8) categories of information listed above and/or the following;
1.
2.
3.
4.
identification
5. Any information, the disclosure of which is regulated, or prohibited by any other state or federal law or
regulation.
The rights provided to parents under this policy transfer to the student when he/she turns 18 years old.
5.26—ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
The District shall provide an eligible alternative learning environment (ALE) for each eligible ALE student
enrolled in a District school. The ALE shall be part of an intervention program designed to provide guidance,
counseling, and academic support to students who are experiencing emotional, social, or academic problems.
Placement of a student in an ALE shall not be punitive in nature.
The superintendent or designee shall appoint an Alternative Education Placement Team which shall have the
responsibility of determining student placement in the ALE. A student may be enrolled in an ALE only on the
referral of the Alternative Education Placement Team. The team's placement decision is final and may not be
appealed.
90
ABSENCES ............................................. 1115
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS .............. 8
BULLYING ................................................... 50
BUS TRANSPORTATION ........................... 23
CELL PHONES ............................................. 55
CLOSED CAMPUS ...................................... 15
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ................... 40
CONDUCT .................................................... 22
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ....................... 49
DETENTION HALL ..................................... 22
DISCIPLINE .......................... SEE CONDUCT
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ............................ 28
ELECTRONIC DEVICE ............................... 32
EXPULSION ................................................. 38
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ......... 67
FOOD SERVICE ........................................... 60
FOSTER CHILDREN ................................... 61
FUND RAISING ........................................... 16
GANGS ......................................................... 30
GOOGLE ....................................................... 35
GRADING ..................................................... 83
HOME SCHOOLING ................................... 10
HOMEWORK ............................................... 82
HONOR ROLL ............................................. 84
ILLNESS ........................................................ 48
IMMUNIZATIONS ....................................... 74
INTERNET SAFETY .................................... 32
LASER POINTERS ....................................... 32
MEDICATIONS ............................................ 41
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ........................ 55
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS .................... 6
SEARCH, SEIZURE ..................................... 39
SEXUAL HARASSMENT ............................ 30
SMART CORE .............................................. 52
STUDENT CONTACT .................................. 20
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
SEE ALSO CONDUCT ............................. 21
STUDENT DRESS AND GROOMING ....... 29
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS ........................ 18
STUDENT TRANSFERS ................................ 9
.............................. 16
SUSPENSION ............................................... 37
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................. 3
TARDIES ....................................................... 15
TOBACCO ..................................................... 27
VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ............................ 57
VISITORS ...................................................... 21
WEAPONS .................................................... 27
