BRAZOS RIVER CHARTER SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2007-2008
The BRCS Student Handbook has been explained and understood by both parent and student.
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Parent Date
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Student Date
*This page is to be removed from packet and filed in the student’s permanent folder.*
Brazos River Charter School
Mission Statement:
The Brazos River Charter School Board of Directors, Faculty, and Staff will insure an environment of safety, respect, and accountability while students prepare to improve quality of life. The school provides an equitable opportunity for students to acquire a sound academic and career-focused education. Students receive a strong foundation in humanities, science, mathematics, and career technology. Interdisciplinary curriculum is presented in a way relevant to each student’s world. Specialized support is provided for students preparing for careers that require post-secondary training. Graduates shall enter the global labor force with marketable skills, embracing a positive work ethic.
Chartered Schools:
In February of 1996, the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of state chartered schools. These are public schools required to meet state accreditation requirements. Charter schools are designed and managed by concerned teachers, parents, administrations, and community members. Once the charter is created, it is submitted to the State Board of Education for approval. The charter is granted to a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. The non-profit organization governing our school is called Brazos River School . The Board of Directors of BRCS is the governing body of the charter school, which implements the policies and procedures of the charter school. The school must conduct itself in agreement with its charter. Charter schools are accountable to the State Board of Education and are monitored by the Texas Education Agency to insure that they meet both state and federal guidelines. Many rules and regulations that apply to public schools have been removed from charter schools, yet with this freedom there is a great deal of fiscal and student academic accountability.
For further information on Brazos River Charter School or other Texas Charter Schools , go to www.charterstexas.org.
Brazos River Charter School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Admission will not be based on gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, academic, artistic, or athletic ability, or the district the child would otherwise attend. Students may be denied admission or readmission based upon documented behavior problems. Pursuant to TEC 12.111(a)(6), the school may deny admission to students with documented histories of a criminal offense, juvenile court adjudication, or discipline problems under TEC Chapter 37, Subchapter A.
Application Procedure:
Individuals interested in attending Brazos River Charter School , serving grades 9-12 only, will complete an application and submit it to
Brazos River Charter School . Applications will be accepted August 1 st through August 8 th annually.
Lottery Procedure:
If there are more eligible applicants than available spaces in class, then a lottery will be conducted on August 9 th. A name is drawn for each vacancy that exists, and each applicant whose name is drawn is offered admission. The remaining names are then drawn and replaced on a waiting list in the order they were drawn. If a vacancy arises before the commencement of the school year or during the school year, the individual on the waiting list with the lowest number assignment will be offered admission and then removed from the waiting list. If an application is received after the application period has passed, the applicant’s name is added to the waiting list behind the names of the applications who timely applied.
Drug Free Campus:
Brazos River Charter School is determined to foster a safe and caring learning environment for its students. All enrolled students are required to participate in a drug free curriculum. Help BRCS faculty and staff to send a strong message to our students to avoid drugs. Support this and other drug prevention efforts on our campus. Any student attending a persistently dangerous public elementary school or secondary school, as determined by the Texas Education Agency, or who becomes a victim of a violent criminal offense while in or on school grounds that the student attends, will be allowed to attend a safe public elementary or secondary school within the local education agency, including a public charter school. (P.L. 107-110, Section 9532)
Parent-Teacher Communications and Conferences:
Parents are encouraged to actively participate in their children’s educational programming. Parents are encouraged to regularly communicate with each of their children’s teachers. This can be done through notes, phone calls, and face-to-face conferences. Teachers are expected to tell about positive work, as well as areas that need help. When a parent requests a conference with a teacher, an appointment should be scheduled through the office.
Attendance:
State law requires that students be in attendance at least 90% of the scheduled class time to receive credit for a course. We will not only follow this rule as mandated, but because we value the time spent in classrooms, we believe that students cannot be successful and receive the full benefits of school if they are not in attendance. Please encourage your child to attend classes regularly and make every effort possible to limit absences from class.
When a student is absent, we must have a note WITHIN THREE DAYS OF RETURNING from the parent concerning his/her absence(s). It must include the following:
Excessive Absences:
Excessive absences will be allowed to be made up during the summer following the school year. Notification will be given to both parent and student prior to the end of the fall and spring semesters if credit is denied as a result of excessive absences. An appeals process will be explained and may be followed in order to gain credit. Each day made up during the summer will cost $10.00 per day up to a $50.00 maximum per semester. Financial hardship will be taken into consideration.
If you, the parent, call and notify us that the student is absent, an excused note must also be provided. We keep a file of all notes received for audit purposes.
Absences:
In Texas , a child between the ages of 6 and 17, depending on the specific birth date, is required to attend school unless otherwise exempted by law. School officials must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. This law requires that a student be in attendance for at least 90% of class time before receiving credit for a class.
Dismissal From School:
Upon arrival on school grounds, students may not leave the campus at any time for any reason, without checking out in the office. Students requesting to leave school during the day must either bring a note from his/her parents, have his/her parents call or be checked out by his/her parent or guardian in the office The CEO or appointee may also determine if a student should be sent home and will notify the student’s parent or guardian.
Withdrawal:
Parents must inform the school of their intent to withdraw their child from school at least 24 hours before their last day in school so that records can be cleared, withdrawal form issued, and teachers contacted. Parents must see that all textbooks and other state property are returned to the office to withdraw a student.
Dress Code:
Students may dress comfortably, but must be covered. Clothing deemed inappropriate or in poor taste by the CEO or appointee will not be allowed. Clothing worn that includes, but is not limited to, the advertisement of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or sex will not be allowed. Shirts and/or pants that expose the midriff or belly button will not be allowed.
Special Needs:
Special needs students, as identified through school board policy, will be served in the classroom through differentiated curriculum, modifications as identified in individual education plans, and accelerated learning strategies, will be made when appropriate. These special populations include LEP, gifted and talented, special education, and section 504 students.
OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE
LEARNING DIFFICULITIES OR WHO NEED OR MAY NEED SPECIAL EDUCATION
If a child is experiencing learning difficulties, the parent may contact the person listed below to learn about the district’s overall general education referral or screening system for support services. This system links students to a variety of support options, including referral for a special education evaluation. Students having difficulty in the regular classroom should be considered for tutorial, compensatory, and other support services that are available to all students.
At any time, a parent is entitled to request an evaluation for special education services. Within a reasonable amount of time, the district must decide if the evaluation is needed. If evaluation is needed, the parent will be notified and asked to provide consent for the evaluation. The district must complete the evaluation and the report within 60 calendar days of the date the district receives the written consent. The district must give a copy of the report to the parent.
If the district determines that the evaluation is not needed, the district will provide the parent with a written notice that explains why the child will not be evaluated. The written notice will include a statement that informs the parent of their rights if they disagree with the district. Additionally, the notice must inform the parent how to obtain a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards-Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities.
The designated person to contact regarding options for a child experiencing learning difficulties or a referral for evaluation for special education is: Contact: Jackie Spain Contact Phone: 254-898-9226
Academic Grades:
Evaluation of student work shall be by numerical grades. The numerical grades are as follows:
Excellent progress 90-100
Above average progress 80-89
Average progress 70-79
Unsatisfactory progress/failing 50-67*
*A grade of 68 or 69 shall not be given a student for a six weeks average, semester average, or a year average. A grade below 50 shall not be given without the Principal’s permission.
Concurrent Enrollment:
A student desiring to earn college credit while in high school may do so both during the summer and during the regular school year.
College courses taken during the regular school year for both college and high school credit must be approved by the principal, the parents, as well as the college or university prior to the student’s enrollment in the course. Please see the school counselor for details.
Correspondence Courses:
Students may earn a maximum of two (2) credits required by the state for graduation through correspondence courses. Courses must be approved by the state and be offered by approved colleges or universities. Students must be granted approval from the principal to enroll in a correspondence course. Courses must be completed and grade(s) submitted for recording at least 30 days prior to graduation in order to be used for graduation credit.
Progress Reports:
Progress Reports will be issued during the week following the end of each grading period. Course completion forms will be issued to students upon the completion of the requirements set forth by the state.
Tutorials:
The overriding philosophy of tutorials is that they give teachers the opportunity to re-teach certain objectives and concepts to students, thus increasing the change of students’ attainment of mastery of these objectives and improving the success level of students by remediation in their specific areas of difficulty. All full time teachers shall provide tutorials before and/or after school at the student’s request. Teacher’s tutorial sessions should be posted in classroom, in a clear view for students.
TAKS:
All students, unless otherwise exempt, are required by Texas Law to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in order to receive a high school diploma. This series of tests include testing in Reading , Math, Writing, Science, and Social Studies. You must pass the exit level TAKS test to get your diploma.
Students must report any change of address or phone number to the school office via a “ Student Update Form” immediately so that records may reflect accurate information.
Any person visiting the school must go to the office before entering the classroom areas and obtain a visitor’s pass, to be worn while on campus. Students from other schools are not allowed to visit, unless pre-approved tour.
Deliveries to Students:
All deliveries to students must be received at the front office. No deliveries are to be made directly to classrooms. Deliveries made to students will be held in the office and delivered to students by the school personnel.
Care of School Property:
Students will be held responsible for the care of school property. Students not interested in protecting the property of others should not enroll at Brazos River Charter School . Remuneration will be expected for any damage caused by student neglect and/or misuse. Food and drink will not be allowed in any rooms, with the exception of areas designated by the CEO.
Lost and Found:
Articles found on school grounds should be taken to the front office and placed in the lost and found container. Articles not claimed at the end of each semester will be disposed through appropriate channels.
Electronic Devices:
Personal electronic devices including pagers, cellular phones, radios, CD and tape players will be confiscated by school administration and staff if found on school property. These items may be returned to the student at the end of the semester.
Telephones:
Students may use the telephone in the school office only in extreme emergencies.
Academic Policies:
Students enrolled in Brazos River Charter School are expected to do their best. Students will be challenged to meet high academic standards. Students enrolled at BRCS should be prepared to follow a rigorous course of study. Students should make use of every opportunity to meet with teachers during tutorials, work with peers in study groups, and work with parents in developing effective work skills and schedules.
Classification of Credits:
Students enrolled in Brazos River Charter School will be classified by credits within the following framework:
GRADE YEAR REQUIREMENTS
9 th Grade Passed eighth grade
10 th Grade 5 or more credits including Algebra I and English I
11 th Grade 11 Credits
12 th Grade 16 Credits
Bad Weather Notification:
In case of school closing as a result of bad weather tune to WBAP 820 AM radio and/or NBC Channel 5.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
This document may be modified as directed by the Board of Trustees
Article I: Philosophy
All students will be expected to possess and display ethical and appropriate social behaviors. Students will demonstrate respect for others, be held accountable for their actions, seek excellence in performance, and practice integrity.
Article II: Student Responsibilities
Article III: Discipline Action Plan
Section 1: DISCIPLINE SYSTEM
If at any time the student’s disciplinary record includes five documented disciplinary actions or if serious or unacceptable behavior occurs; the student may be removed from school (see section 2). The following code of conduct applies to behaviors both at school and school sponsored activities.
Section 2: CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIFIC MISBEHAVIORS
-Vile, abuse or vulgar language -Defacing school property
-Deceitful or dishonest activities -Fighting
-Gambling -Obscene gestures or actions
-Theft - Defiance to or refusing to follow directions of adults
-Injury to any person, intentional or not, caused -Unexcused absences
by horseplay, malice and/or disobedience to rules
or standards of good conduct
being immediately removed from school.
-In the case of expulsion, due process as outlined in Section 37.009 of the Texas Education Code will be followed.
-Any criminal activity, including but not limited to possession or use of weapons or controlled substances, aggravated assault, terrorist threats, arson, sexual assault, retaliation.
-Any activity that is dangerous or potentially dangerous to other people conducted in a premeditated way.
-Any felony criminal conviction reported to the school by official authorities.
Section 3: DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS AND UNEXCUSED TARDIES
Article IV: School Staff Responsibility
Section 1: CLASSROOM TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY
Teacher staff member is to give verbal warning and document that the warning has been given. A copy of the warning is retained by the teacher and a copy given to the CEO.
Teacher/staff member is to call a parent/guardian and explain behaviors and possible future disciplinary actions and document the warning indicating that the phone call has been made. A copy is retained by the teacher and a copy given to the CEO.
Teachers/staff members are to document the behavior, retain a copy and forward a copy to the CEO. At this point, the student will be handled by the CEO and a parent/guardian conference will be requested.
Section 2: ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSIBILITY