STUDENT HANDBOOK  2009- 2010

 

Rules & Regulations Permanent Records Early Dismissals Lunch Procedures
Calculation of GPA Graduation Exercise Dress & Grooming Auto Regulations
Faculty Awards Attendance Policy Substance Abuse Textbooks

 

Grading Scale

 

A - 93-100

B - 85-92

C - 75-84

D - 70-74

F - Below 70

 

DAILY TIME SCHEDULE - SCHOOL DAY 7:50 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

 

SCHEDULE                                             

  7:50 -  BELL                                                                

  8:00 -  8:45       1ST PERIOD                                      

  8:50 -  9:35       2ND PERIOD   

  9:40 - 10:05      FOCUS                                    

10:10 - 10:55      3RD PERIOD                                      

11:00 - 12:30      4TH PERIOD
12:35 -1:20       5TH PERIOD
  1:25 - 2:10      6TH PERIOD
  2:15 - 3:00      7TH PERIOD                                      

                                                                                           

                                               

LUNCH SHIFTS (REGULAR)                         

FIRST SHIFT - LUNCH (11:00 - 11:30)  

FIRST SHIFT - CLASS (11:30 -  12:30)                

SECOND SHIFT - CLASS (11:00 - 11:25)           

SECOND SHIFT - LUNCH (11:30 - 12:00)          

SECOND SHIFT - CLASS (12:00 -  12:30)             

THIRD SHIFT - CLASS (11:00 - 11:55)               

THIRD SHIFT - LUNCH (12:00 - 12:30)            

      

B.  CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

 To be promoted next year, students must have earned:

                4 Credits to be classified as a Sophomore
                12 Credits to be classified as a Junior
                20 Credits to be classified as a Senior 

C. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS

      1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - students over eighteen who have left school with disciplinary action pending shall not be permitted to return to school until authorized to do so by the principal.

         a. In order for a student from another Tennessee county to be admitted at Creek Wood High School, the student must obtain a written release from the school system serving the student's residence, and admission must be approved by the superintendent and received no later than August 1 in the year in which the student seeks admission. Tuition must be paid by the school system in which the student resides or by the parent/guardian.

         b. A student from outside the state of Tennessee may be admitted by agreement of the parent or legal guardian to pay tuition.

      2. GENERAL REGISTRATION POLICIES

          a. After spring registration, each student shall receive a course verification form listing the courses selected. The student and parents should review the form for change or corrections.

          b. No student –initiated schedule changes will be made for the year after the last day of school.

          c. A student who is taking a course the teacher believes is inappropriate for the student may change to a different level by the end of the third week of the semester upon the recommenda­tion of the current instructor after the teacher has consulted with the student's previous instructor. This policy excludes English honors and advanced placement courses.  

         d. Each student must carry a six-credit load with the exception of fifth-year students. Students enrolled in football or basketball must carry a seven-credit load.

          e. A student must be scheduled for seven periods each year with the exception of some fifth-year students.

          f. A student must be enrolled in a math course through the junior year even if three credits in math have already been earned. Beginning with the class of 2013, a student must be enrolled in a math course through the senior year even if four credits in math have already been earned.

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3. CALCULATION OF GRADE POINT AVERAGE

THE FOLLOWING ARE DEEMED ADVANCED CLASSES:

HONORS                                                 ADVANCED PLACEMENT

ENGLISH I, II, III, IV HONORS               CALCULUS
ALGEBRA II HONORS                             INTRODUCTION TO CALCULUS
PRE-CALCULUS          

SPANISH III
FRENCH III
CHEMISTRY I HONORS
BIOLOGY I HONORS                                      

PHYSICS HONORS
U.S.
HISTORY HONORS
ECONOMICS HONORS
GEOMETRY HONORS
GOVERNMENT HONORS
PHYSICAL SCIENCE HONORS

GUIDELINES: additional points will be added to the quarter grade and the semester-exam grade for these advanced classes.  Advanced placement will receive five (5) points, and honors will receive three (3) points.  All GPA's will be calculated on a 4.0 system.  For purposes of determining class rank, the numerical average of grades will be used.  Only advanced classes can receive points above 100 for the quarter grade and semester-exam grade.

The following prerequisites will be applied for enrollment in advanced courses:

(1) grades B or above in that subject area or teacher recommendation

                (2) stanines six [6] and above in that subject area

                (3) placement tests and/or written essay

                (4) contract commitment (one [1] year or English courses)

(An exception to these criteria may be granted by the principal after consultation with the parent, student, and/or teacher.)

e.  The following percentages are for courses that are designated as Gateway-End-Of-Course tests will count fifteen percent (15%) and the final exam will count ten percent (10%), while the six grading periods will make up seventy-five percent (75%) of a student’s grade.

      (1)   Students who are absent the days of the Gateway-End-Of-Course Testing must have an excused absence as defined by this handbook.  Students who have excused absences will be allowed to take a make-up exam developed by the course’s department. The department-made exam will count as fifteen percent (15%) of the grade.  This policy does not satisfy Gateway graduation requirements.

       (2)   Students who have an unexcused absence will take the department-made exam.  Only fifty percent (50%) of the test score will be averaged into the final grade.  If a student fails to take this make-up exam within two weeks of the end of the course, a grade of zero (0) will be recorded.

       (3)   All students who miss a scheduled Gateway test must take the test at the next administration in order to meet the Gateway Diploma requirement. 

4. FACULTY AWARDS

          a. Only students ranked in the top ten percent of the graduating class will be eligible for the faculty awards (blue, red, and gray medals).  Each member of the graduating class is eligible for the Boys and Girls Citizenship Awards and Departmental awards. The Departmental Awards are for excellence in one specific department over a period of time, at least two years, as determined by the faculty members in that department.

THE FOLLOWING AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN:

LANGUAGE ARTS                    ATHLETICS              VOCATIONAL

1. ENGLISH                             1. FEMALE                1. AGRICULTURE
2. FRENCH                              2. MALE                    2. TRADES & INDUSTRY
4. JOURNALISM (PAPER)        
FINE ARTS             4. FAMILY/CONSUMER SCIENCE
5. JOURNALISM (YEARBOOK)  1. ART                     5.HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
6. SPANISH                              2. BAND                  6 INFORMATION TECHNOLGY
SOCIA
L STUDIES                   3. CHORAL             7. BUSINESS
MATHEMATICS
                     4. DRAMATICS
SCIENCE
                                                              

5.  PERMANENT RECORDS

EACH GRADUATE'S PERMANENT RECORD WILL SHOW-
 a.     RANK IN CLASS
 b.  
 GRADE POINT AVERAGE
 c.    COMPETENCY TEST SCORES/GATEWAY TEST SCORES
 d.    TYPE OF DIPLOMA
 e.    TCAP WRITING SCORES

6.     GRADUATION EXERCISE

a. STUDENTS MUST HAVE EARNED ALL CREDITS AND HAVE PASSED THE GATEWAY TESTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION EXERCISEBeginning with the class of 2013, the Gateway tests will not be a graduation requirement.

 b. At commencement, all students must wear caps and gowns.  Boys must wear light colored shirts, ties, dress pants, dark socks and shoes. Girls may wear dress or dress slacks.
 c. The commencement will be scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2010 9:00am
 d. Practice for graduation will be conducted from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00  on Thursday before commencement. Attendance at practice is required if the student is to participate in the graduation exercise.

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7. ATTENDANCE/STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY POLICY         

  a. Daily time Schedule/Lunch Schedule (see page 1)
  b.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
              (1) In order to meet the requirements for satisfactory attendance, a student in the Dickson County School System shall have an approved record of attendance.  In order for students to receive credit in any course in which they have not maintained at least ninety (90) percent attendance, they must have a final average of seventy (70) or above and pass a comprehensive final examination.  Students will be allowed to make up time for time to reach ninety (90) percent attendance prior to the examination.

              (2) The attendance of students who have reached the age of eighteen (18) shall be satisfactory. Unsatisfactory attendance that is not supported by an adequate excuse shall result in the student being suspended. Request for re-admission must be made.

              (3) A student must be in attendance for 35 minutes of actual class time per period to be counted present for that class.

              (4) Students will be required to show an admission slip for absences from school. The first four (4) absences will be excused unless the absence is hooky. After four (4) absences from any class, it will be the responsibility of the student to obtain a documented admission slip from the main office; otherwise, the absence will be unexcused.

              (5) Students absent from school without their parent's knowledge shall be treated as playing "hooky."

              (6) Students withdrawing from school for any reason must go through the proper clearance procedures with Counseling Department for transcripts and recommendations to be sent upon request.

      a. EXCUSED ABSENCES

             (1) A student may receive an excused absence for up to four (4) times per period in either semester for these situations:
                 
Sickness without a doctor's statement
                 
Religious holidays
                 
Death of someone who is not in the immediate family
                 
Driver's license exam
                 
Family request (note or telephone call from parent or Legal guardian)

             (2) Students involved in school-sponsored activities will be counted present.

             (3) To be considered excused, absences in excess of four (4) days each semester must be the result of the following only:      

                  Sickness - documented by doctor's statement

                  Documented court appearance

                  Death in immediate family (parent, grandparent, sibling)

                  Documented religious holiday

             (4) The student may be excused from attendance, not from material covered or assigned work. It is the student's responsibil­ity, not the teacher's, for make-up work in all subject matter covered during absences.

             (5) The student will be requested to take tests or complete work assignments on the first day the student is back in school for absences of one (1) day or less. Checking out of school the period that something is due does not excuse the student from the work or the due date. The due time for make-up and/or make-up tests will be scheduled at the discretion of the teacher. If the absence is extended (at least two [2] days, but not in excess of five [5] days), a maximum of three (3) days will be given for make-up of a test or assigned work.  If the absence is in excess of five (5) days, the student shall have a reasonable time to make-up tests or assigned work (not to exceed ten [10] school days).

             (6) Assignments, including homework and out-of-class projects, that are due on a day when the student has been absent from school must be turned in upon returning to class the very next day (except in the case of extended absences).

        

         b. EXAM EXEMPT POLICY
Students will be exempt from taking semester exams if he/she meets the following criteria:   

1.  Must maintain an average of 75.

2.  Not have more than three check-ins/check-outs (Excused/unexcused)

3.  Not have more than three absences (excused/unexcused).  Absences from class for exam exemption will include ISS, Behavior Modification and suspension from school.

The listed criteria is on a per class basis and per semester.

          c. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Work missed due to any unexcused absences shall receive a grade of zero ("0"). This includes any graded assignment (i.e. - homework, in-class assignment, test, etc.) A teacher has the option to give a student the opportunity to make up work missed due to an unexcused absence for a maximum of fifty percent (50%) provided the work is made up on student's own time and initia­tive and make-up work is completed on the same time as excused absences.

         d. REPORTING PROCEDURE FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
(1) If and/or when a student commits a third (3) unexcused absence, a letter will be sent to the parents or guardian by the school in which that student is enrolled.

(2) If and/or when a student commits a fourth (4) unexcused absence, that student's name will be reported to the attendance director for appropriate action.

(3) If and/or when a student commits a fifth (5) unexcused absence, that student's name will again be reported to the attendance director, who will set a compliance date.

(4) If and/or when a student has an unexcused day after a compliance date has been set, that student’s name and facts of unlawful absence will be reported to the attendance director for a petition to Juvenile Court.

NOTE:  UNEXCUSED ABSENCES FROM THE FIRST SEMESTER DO CARRY OVER TO THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

8. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE

Students arriving early should not arrive before 7:15am.  Students who remain at school after 3:30pm should be in direct supervision of a school person.

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9. EARLY DISMISSALS

Students shall not be permitted to leave school premises during the school day without the request of the parent/guardian.  No students will be permitted to leave school simply because they have no more classes.  If students have permission to leave school, they must sign out in the office and state the reason.  If students return to school before the end of the school day, they must report to the office immediately and sign in.  Parents who wish to have their children excused from school must contact the office by telephone, note, or in person.  Students who leave campus without permission will be treated as if playing hooky.  No more than four (4) sign-outs will be excused each semester without proper documentation:  Sickness documented by a doctor’s statement, documented court appearance, death in immediate family, documented religious holidays.  A student must have a phone call to be dismissed after the fourth sign-out each semester. A student must have a phone call to check out between 10:45 and 12:15.

10.  TARDINESS

The tardy bell will be enforced to the limit. The tardy bell will ring five minutes after the previous class has been dismissed. This is ample time for a student to get from one station to the next. Students are tardy if they are not in assigned seats when the tardy bell rings, do not have a note from another teacher stating they were held overtime, or must be sent to the office to get an admission slip for the previous day's absence and return to class after the tardy bell has rung. When a student is tardy, the teacher will issue a demerit slip, give the lower portion to the student and bring the other portion to the office at the end of each day. The accumulation of three demerit slips in a four-week period (twenty days) may result in deten­tion or an in-school suspension assignment.

 

11. VISITORS --  All visitors must be approved by an administrator.

 

12. SUSPENSION (TN. CODE 49-6-3401) 
Any principal, principal-teacher or assistant principal of any public school in this state is authorized to suspend a student from attendance at such school, including its sponsored activities, or from riding a school bus, for good and sufficient reasons.

13. IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION

A student may be placed in in-school suspension for any type of misconduct prejudicial to good order and discipline in the school as deemed punishable by the administration.

 

14. BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM
A student may be placed in the in-school behavior modification program for persistent violation of school rules or for misconduct as deemed necessary by the school's administration.

15. NEW DIRECTIONS ACADEMY
At the discretion of the administration, a student can be recommended to the disciplinary hearing authority.  A request may be made for the student to be assigned to New Directions Academy (NDA).  If assigned to NDA, a student must complete all levels before returning to CWHS.

16. REPORTING PUPIL PROGRESS
 a. Teachers are to have grades entered in the computer three days after the grading period ends.  Grade cards will be issued on Monday, one week  following the end of a grading period. The grading code will be:     

                         A= 93-100
                         B= 85- 92
                         C= 75- 84
                         D= 70-74
                         F=  69- 0                 

b. When students withdraw, they must go through the proper clearance procedures to insure that obligations are clear for transcripts and recommendations to be sent upon request. Students who with­draw and later re-enter will have all absences recorded as unexcused unless they have been enrolled in another school.

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17.  DRESS AND GROOMING

Students shall dress and groom in a clean, neat and modest manner so as not to distract or interfere with the educational environment of the school. Specific attire guidelines for secondary students are as follows:

       a. ATTIRE FOR GIRLS

(1) Dresses, shorts, capris, skirts, or jeans with appropriate tops are considered suitable.  Appropriate tops cover the midriff and back with arms fully extended horizontally.  Cleavage is not visible.  Shoulder straps of tops should be at least two (2) inches wide at their narrowest point.

(2)The proper length for dresses, shorts, capris, and skirts should extend below student's finger tips when student's shoulders are in a relaxed position with arms extended fully downward alongside the body.  Slits in skirts must meet the same length guide.

(3) Proper undergarments must be worn and not be visible.

(4)Pants are to be worn at the proper height. Pants should not drag on the floor.  Shoes should be visible when the student is standing.

       b. ATTIRE FOR BOYS

(1) Jeans, shorts, or trousers with appropriate tops are considered suitable.  Appropriate tops have sleeves.  Length of shorts is the same as for girls.

(2) Pants are to be worn at the proper height (around the waistline). Pants should not drag on the floor.  Shoes should be visible when the student is standing.

(3) Underwear should not be visible whether shirt is tucked or untucked.

       

        c. TYPES OF CLOTHING NOT TO BE WORN:
Muscle shirts, tank tops, vest tops, "fish-net" or see-through shirts, halters or bare midriffs, stretch suits, lycra or spandex shorts, mini-skirts, or short-shorts, cut-off jeans, oversized pants, pajamas, house shoes, long overcoats, trench coats or blankets.

        

         d. CLOTHES, BUTTONS OR PATCHES WITH QUESTIONABLE SLOGANS  are not appropriate school wear.  Questionable slogans include, but are not limited to, tobacco/alcohol/drug advertisements, use of profanity and or sexual connotations, or any type of clothing, apparel, or accessory which denotes such student's membership in, or affiliation with, any gang associated with criminal activities.

        e. THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ALLOWED:
Any body piercing other than ears; sweatbands, bandannas, combs, body or facial painting, large chains worn around neck or wrist, spiked necklaces and bracelets;  sunglasses; caps or hats inside the building;  jeans with tears or holes.

         f. SHOES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.


        g. HAIR colored other than natural human-hair colors are not permissible.  Hair should not be worn in spikes.

 

        h. ALL CLOTHING worn must be neat, clean, and in a state of good repair.  Any dress or hairstyle that detracts from the educational environment will not be tolerated.

       i.  DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS:
           (1)First offense – warn, allow to change, and record in discipline page
           (2)Second offense – in-school suspension (1 day)
           (3)Third offense -- suspension               

18. CHEWING GUM during the school day is an infraction of school rules.

19. RUNNING IN HALLWAYS is an infraction of school rules. 

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20. USE OF TOBACCO
Possession or use of tobacco/tobacco products by a CWHS student on any Dickson County School campus is a violation of Dickson County Board of Education policy.

21. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Pos­ses­sion, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages will subject the student to behavior modification; suspension and a petition to juvenile court in Dickson Count, will be requested.

22.  DRUGS AND LOOK-ALIKES
Possession, use, and sale of illegal drugs, marijuana, pills, capsules, or substances of a look-alike nature will subject the student to suspension, a disciplinary hearing authority will be requested to determine if the student is a candidate for the alternative learning center, and a petition to juvenile court in Dickson County will be filed.  A student who unlawfully possesses any narcotic, stimulant, prescription drug, or other controlled substance shall be subject to suspension for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year.

23. POSSESSION OF A WEAPON
It is an offense for any person to possess or carry weapons, whether openly or concealed, with the intent to go armed. Any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, knuckles or any other weapon of like kind, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, used, or operated by any board of education, school, college or University Board of Trustees, Regents or Directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution. Students are further forbidden to use any instruments or substances such as chemicals, pencils, scissors, razors or compasses with the intent to do harm or in a manner which renders the item dangerous.  Students who violate this policy shall be subject to expulsion from the regular school program for at least one year.

24. FIGHTING will not be tolerated. Violators are subject to suspension.

25. THREATS: Acts of violence or threatened violence including formulation of lists or verbal threats will not be tolerated.

26. DISCIPLINARY POINT SYSTEM
An accumulation of disciplinary infractions will result in a charge of willful and persistent violation of school rules.

27. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
Students who deface, vandalize, or damage in any manner any school property, including school buses, shall pay in full for all damage and shall subject themselves to disciplinary action.

 

28. STAY OFF THE GRASS.
Students are to remain on the sidewalks.

29. CELL PHONES
Students may have a cell phone but it must be turned off from the time they enter the building until 3:00pm.

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30. LUNCH PERIOD PROCEDURES
All students will go to the commons and remain in the commons until dismissed by the commons supervisor.  When excused from the commons, all students must remain in the designated break areas.  Parents who bring lunches to students are to bring them to the office.  Students are not permitted to leave school for lunch or to pick up their lunches off campus. Students will be assigned an ID number.  These numbers and the student status will be coded into the cash registers. Students can prepay for their meals, or they can pay as they go through the line.  

 

                                    MEAL PRICES:

BREAKFAST                                              LUNCH

REDUCED STUDENT   $  .30                  REDUCED STUDENT         $  .40

FULL PAID STUDENT  $1.00                  FULL PAID STUDENT          $2.25

STAFF                        $1.25                  STAFF                                $2.75

VISITOR                   $1.50                    VISITOR                              $3.20

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 31. MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
 a. Students’ vehicles must be registered for authorized parking on campus.  Non-registered vehicles parking on campus or vehicles in areas other than those designated as student parking are subject to ticketing and the student is subject to disciplinary action.  Driving and parking on campus is a privilege, not a right.  This privilege may be revoked if the student fails to operate the vehicle in accordance with state law and school rules.  Parking permits may be purchased in the office of the bookkeeper on campus for $5.00 per vehicle.  Even though a student purchases a parking permit, the school is not responsible for loss or damage that may occur in the parking lot.  The parking permit only allows the student to park on campus, the following rules apply. 

b.  Campus speed limit is 15 mph.  All vehicles on campus must always give school buses and pedestrians the right of way.

c.  Students will park in numbered spaces to which they have been assigned and within the lines.

d.  No student is to be in the parking lot, sit in the vehicle, or use the vehicle during the school day without permission.

e.  Radios, tape or CD players are not to be played in a loud, disruptive manner.

f.  Parking sticker deception will result in loss of parking privileges, notification of parents, and/or other discipline as deemed appropriate.

g.  Parking stickers are to be displayed in the lower-left side of the windshield (that is, in the front) on the driver’s side.

h.  When students arrive on campus, they must leave the vehicle immediately and enter the building.

i.  Once students arrive on campus, they are not permitted to leave without permission.

J. Car riders should be delivered and picked up only at the school’s front entrance.

32. PUPIL TRANSPORTATION

a. The school bus driver shall report any misconduct of students on the bus to the administration. The administration will suspend or recommend expulsion of students for disobedience or disturbance on a school bus in the same manner as for any other infraction which occurs in the school. Senior high students who ride buses to another school in the county and transfer to a senior high bus are under the supervision of the principal of that school and must abide by all rules and regulations of that school while on that campus. Students will not be permitted to get off the school bus except at their destination. 

b. Students who drive to school shall not be on the campuses of other schools on the way to and from school.  No student shall ride a bus to another school and transfer to a car to ride to CWHS. In the afternoon students will not be allowed to ride in a car to the middle school to board a bus.

c.  Student drop-off and pick-up should be made in front of the school building using Highway 47 entrance and exit.

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33. TEXTBOOKS
The parent agreement slip must be signed and returned to the teachers before textbooks will be issued.  Each student will be furnished a sufficient supply of textbooks for each class.  At the completion of a unit of study, all books previously distributed to the students shall be returned to the teacher, who shall check each book. If any book has been unduly abused, mutilated, lost or destroyed, a charge shall be issued against the student.

34. FLOWER DELIVERY
Students will be notified of flowers by the end of the seventh period and allowed to pick up their flowers at the end of the school day.

35. STUDENT INSURANCE
 a. An accident insurance program is made available to each student enrolled in CWHS. This insurance is required for all students enrolled in athletics (including football), band, physical education, vocational classes and science classes. The school-time plan is $8; the 24-hour plan is $44.
b. Parents who believe their students are adequately covered may present a signed waiver to the teacher in charge of each program.

36. LIBRARY
Students are charged .10˘ a day for overdue library books.
37. COMPUTER POLICY
Students are not to download anything from the Internet or open attachments from e-mails without permission from the instructor.  Students are not to bring any disk or jump drives from home to run on Creek Wood High School computers.  Students are to access their files only and not even attempt to gain access into the network or send messages through the network. CWHS considers any violation of appropriate use, principles or guidelines to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information that may suggest that a student is using school computer systems inappropriately.  Violators are subject to disciplinary action by school officials that may include but are not limited to suspension or removal from technology equipment in the school.
38. PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION
Observe the highest standards of boy-girl behavior.  Self-respect demands that public display of affection in any form be avoided on school premises.  This includes necking, petting and body contact.
39. MENTORING PROGRAM -- WINGS
Program designed to identify students at-risk of not graduating.
40. VALUABLES
Large amounts of money or other valuables should not be brought to school.
41. ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY WHEN A STUDENT COMES ON CAMPUS.
 
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