STUDENT HANDBOOK

For

MAUD MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

2008-2009

Maud Independent School District

P. O. Box 1028

phone: (903) 585-2219

TABLE of CONTENTS

Maud ISD Non-Discrimination Policy........................................................................................ Page 1

Foreword.......................................................................................................................................... 2

School Loyalty.................................................................................................................................. 2

Philosophy......................................................................................................................................... 2

Objectives......................................................................................................................................... 3

Alma Mater....................................................................................................................................... 4

School Colors and Emblems.............................................................................................................. 4

Advanced Placement Examination...................................................................................................... 4

Asbestos........................................................................................................................................... 4

Assemblies........................................................................................................................................ 4

Athletics.......................................................................................................................................... 14

Drug testing information............................................................................................ See Appendix - B

Attendance.................................................................................................................................. 5-10

Attendance Policy for credit......................................................................................................... 8-10

Compulsory Attendance

General Information about Attendance

Doctor’s Statement

Unexcused Absences

Truancy

Extracurricular Participation

Examination Exemptions (Semester)................................................................................................. 11

Awards and Honors.......................................................................................................... Page 11-12

All A Honor Roll

All A and B Honor Roll

Academic Awards

Letter Jackets

Class Rankings................................................................................................................................ 12

Reteach Procedures......................................................................................................................... 12

Closed Campus......................................................................................................................... 12-14

Early Dismissal of Seniors

Clubs and Organizations............................................................................................................. 14-21

The Student Body

Athletics

Student Council

Officer Qualifications

The Maud High School Band

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America

Future Farmers of America

National Honor Society

Cheerleaders

Cheerleader requirements and rules

Communicable Diseases............................................................................................................. 22-24

Conduct..................................................................................................................................... 25-27

District’s Jurisdiction

Corporal Punishment....................................................................................................................... 27

Correspondence Courses................................................................................................................ 27

Dual Credit Courses................................................................................................................... 27-28

Counseling....................................................................................................................................... 29

Academic Counseling

Personal Counseling

Detention......................................................................................................................................... 29

Detention for Late Assignments

Discipline......................................................................................................................................... 30

Disruptions...................................................................................................................................... 30

Dress Code....................................................................................................................... Page 30-31

Drills - Fire, Tornado....................................................................................................................... 31

Drug and Alcohol Use..................................................................................................................... 32

Drug Testing of Athletes............................................................................................ See Appendix -B

Emergency Closing Information........................................................................................................ 32

Letter to Parents ...................................................................................................... See Appendix -D

Emergency Medical Treatment......................................................................................................... 32

Extracurricular Activities............................................................................................................. 32-33

No Pass No Play

Grades

Absences

Fees.......................................................................................................................................... 33-34

Fund Raising/Activities..................................................................................................................... 34

Gifted and Talented Program........................................................................................................... 34

Grade Classification......................................................................................................................... 35

Grading and Testing................................................................................................................... 35-36

Weighted Courses........................................................................................................................... 36

Graduation Activities........................................................................................................................ 36

Requirements to Participate in Graduation Ceremonies..................................................................... 37

Graduation Requirements for Grades 11, 12.............................................................................. 37-39

Minimum Graduation Plan (23 Credits)

Distinguished Achievement Program (24 Credits)

Handicapped Students

Texas Scholars Program

Graduation Requirements for Grade 9, 10................................................................................... 40-41

Minimum Graduation Plan (23 Credits)

Distinguished Achievement Program (24 Credits)

Handicapped Students

Texas Scholars Program.......................................................................................................... Page 42

Honor Graduates............................................................................................................................. 43

Homeless Students–Services for Homeless and Title I Participants.................................................... 43

Immunization................................................................................................................................... 43

Insurance......................................................................................................................................... 44

Internet, Acceptable Use Policy........................................................................................ Appendix-C

Lockers........................................................................................................................................... 44

Lunch.............................................................................................................................................. 44

Medicine at School.......................................................................................................................... 45

Parents: Important Information.................................................................................................... 45-48

Parties and Socials........................................................................................................................... 49

Pesticide Applications...................................................................................................................... 49

Phones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Physical Fitness Assessment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Plagiarism........................................................................................................................................ 49

Posters............................................................................................................................................ 49

Promotion, Retention, and Placement in Grades 6-8......................................................................... 50

Publications..................................................................................................................................... 50

Report Cards.................................................................................................................................. 51

Schedule Changes........................................................................................................................... 51

Scholarship Incentive Program.................................................................................................... 51-52

School Buses............................................................................................................................. 52-53

School Records......................................................................................................................... 53-55

Searches by Trained Dogs............................................................................................................... 55

Security System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Students with Learning Difficulties . ........................................................................................... 55-56

Student/Parent Complaints............................................................................................................... 56

Student Health Services.............................................................................................................. 56-57

Student Offices and Elections................................................................. (See Clubs and Organizations)

SAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Summer School............................................................................................................................... 57

Teacher/Parent Conferences............................................................................................................ 57

Textbooks................................................................................................................................. 57-58

Textbooks/Library Book Use and Fines

Tobacco Use................................................................................................................................... 58

Vehicles on Campus........................................................................................................................ 58

Visitors............................................................................................................................................ 59

Objectives for TAKS Exit.......................................................................................................... 59-61

Student Code of Conduct................................................................................................. Appendix-A

Drug Testing Policy for Athletes........................................................................................ Appendix-B

Internet, Acceptable Use Policy........................................................................................ Appendix-C

Letter to Parents, Emergency Information.......................................................................... Appendix-D

High School/Middle School Discipline Matrix.................................................................... Appendix-E

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Maud Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or political belief in providing educational services, including vocational programs and nutritional programs. Robert Stinnett has been designated to coordinate compliance with nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. Amanda Dear has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you think that you have been discriminated against, you must write immediately to: Director of Civil Right, Texas Department of Human Service, M.C. E‑609, 701 W. 51st Street, Austin, Texas or the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.

2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

FOREWORD

A sincere welcome is extended to all students attending Maud Middle/High School. The future reputation of our school is your responsibility. A key to your success is your desire to work and your willingness to place others before yourself. Here you will receive the necessary training that will enable you to take your place in today’s society. This is your school; this is your opportunity for worthwhile training. Give it your best!

The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint pupils and parents** with the organization and administration of Maud Middle/High School. We hope this handbook will help you to solve problems that you encounter during this school year.

The Administration

SCHOOL LOYALTY

One of the most noticeable characteristics of Maud students should be that they are ladies and gentlemen. They should be proud of their school, loyal to the faculty, and loyal to every activity sponsored by the school. The student body should be determined to work together to make Maud one of the best schools of its size in the nation.

PHILOSOPHY

Democracy has provided special freedoms that make education essential for living in a democratic society. The school provides a diversified program to facilitate the carrying out of activities, which should help the student to develop moral, ethical, cultural, civic, and social stature.

Since all students are different, it is the responsibility of the school to provide learning experiences that enable students to grow in physical, mental, and moral fitness to their fullest potential.

Philosophies cannot remain static and must change as times and conditions warrant in order to help the growing generations become thinking, feeling, creative individuals.

**Throughout this handbook the term parent also refers to parent or guardian.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of Maud Middle/High School are to help each student to develop personal knowledge, skills, and competence to maximum capacity, and to learn behavioral patterns that will make each a responsible member of society.

All students should achieve the following:

1. knowledge of the traditionally accepted fundamentals by studies in higher mathematics, science, history, English, and other languages as they progress through school

2. skill in the logical processes of research, analysis, evaluation, and problem solving

3. competence and motivation for continuing self- evaluation, self-instruction, and adaptation to a changing environment

4. knowledge of the fundamental economic structure and processes of the American system

5. occupational skills to enter and advance in the economic system and/or academic preparation for acquisition of technical or professional skills through post-high school training

6. competence in the application of economic knowledge to practical economic functions

7. knowledge about comparative political systems with emphasis on democratic institutions and responsibilities and privileges of citizenship

8. competence in judging the merits of competing political ideologies and candidates for political position

9. knowledge about the requirements of personal hygiene, nutrition, and physical exercise

10. knowledge about the dangers to health from addiction to harmful practices

11. skills in sports and other forms of recreation that will permit life-long enjoyment of physical exercise

12. knowledge of the art, music, literature, drama, and other culture groups and their contributions

13. knowledge of and competence in at least one of the major languages of the state other than English

14. skill in inter-personal and group relations and information of ethical and moral standards of behavior

ALMA MATER

On our state’s Eastern border, stands the school we love.

Hearts aglow and voices ringing send our praise above.

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, conquer and prevail.

Long we’ll love thee, Alma Mater.

Maud High School, all hail!

SCHOOL COLORS AND EMBLEM

The colors of Maud ISD are maroon and white, and the school mascot is the cardinal. These are used to encourage school spirit in the band, athletic teams, cheerleaders, etc.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS

A student in grade level six or above shall be given credit for a subject on the basis of an advanced placement examination. To qualify for the examination the student must attain the following:

1. score in the top 10 percent on the most recently administered standardized achievement test, aptitude test, or subject area test

2. acquire a teacher’s recommendation and prior approval by the superintendent by June 30

3. score at least 70% on the examination

ASBESTOS

All the buildings on the campus have been inspected for both friable and nonfriable asbestos. The Asbestos Management Plan has been submitted to the Governor and a copy is available for public inspection in the superintendent’s office.

ASSEMBLIES

In all assemblies students are required to conduct themselves as they do in class. Students who are tardy or who do not abide by district rules of conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action.

ATTENDANCE

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

Children under the age of eighteen (18) are required to attend school and complete the school year of their eighteenth birthday. School employees will investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDANCE

Certain absences are considered excused absences; personal illness or illness or death in the immediate family, quarantine, weather or road conditions that make travel dangerous, and any other unusual circumstances acceptable to the principal or superintendent.