MADISON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

ACADEMIC OPTIONS CENTER

FAST TRACK

BELIEVE!  ACHIEVE!  SUCCEED!

Student Handbook

2012 – 2013

The Madison County School District (MCSD) Academic Options Center (AOC) Student Handbook Supplement is to be used in conjunction with the Madison County School District handbooks.  All rules in the MCSD handbooks and in the AOC supplemental handbook apply.

INTRODUCTION

The goal of the Fast Track program is for students to grow or gain two academic years in one school year through an intensive program of language arts, math, science, and social studies. 

PARENT EXPECTATIONS

Complete the orientation process after the student has been accepted into the MCSD Fast Track Program.  This process includes:

·         Accepting and responding to all correspondence, calls, or e-mails sent by AOC personnel

·         Attending all requested parent conferences (Open House is Tuesday, 8.21.12, at 6:00.)

·         Being on time for all conferences

·         Disclosing all medical conditions and your child’s allergens to AOC personnel

·         Enforcing the dress code (See page 10.)

·         Ensuring your child brings no more than $5 to school while attending the AOC

·         Ensuring your child has all necessary materials and supplies (See page 7.)

·         Ensuring your child respects and adheres to all MCSD, AOC, and bus rules, policies, and expectations

·         Ensuring your child studies and completes all homework assignments

·         If your child pays full or reduced price for lunch, ensuring your child has money to pay for lunch or brings a lunch from home (See page 6 for breakfast and lunch prices.)

·         Making all necessary transportation arrangements (First Student - 601.859.1633)

·         Meeting with the AOC teachers, administrator, and counselor and completing the AOC orientation process before the student begins classes in the Fast Track program

·         Notifying office staff each morning your child is absent or tardy (601.859.0367)

·         Paying any fees or fines your child has accrued at his/her home school and/or at the AOC

·         Reading the AOC and MCSD handbook

·         Respecting teachers and protecting instructional time by scheduling teacher conferences 8:15 – 9:00 and 3:00 – 3:15

·         Sending written excuses for your child’s absences the day s/he returns to the AOC

·         Signing forms included in the AOC handbook and  a 20121-2013 lunch form

·         Taking textbooks, library books, supplies, equipment, etc. back to your child’s home school

·         Viewing, signing, and returning student’s progress reports and report cards and any document that requires a signature sent by AOC or MCSD personnel

FAST TRACK REQUIREMENTS / POLICIES

• Students must enroll in their MCSD home school before entering the Fast Track program.
• Students must be 5^th, 6^th, or 7^th grade and two or more grades behind.        
• Students with IEPs or who are in tier III may not enter the program.
• Students must have completed 5^th grade at least one time.
• Students must be recommended by their home school principal.
• The goal for students who enter the program performing on or near their current grade level is to return to the regular school setting in the fall of the following year, two grades ahead.
• Students who are not performing on their grade level will most likely require additional time in the program.  (This may include summer school for students who meet goals marginally, or it might be an additional year for others.). 
• Students who have a serious disciplinary offense will be dismissed from the Fast Track program and recommended for alternative school or expulsion.
• Students who are assigned to AOC for disciplinary reasons (alternative school) must successfully complete that assignment before being admitted to the Fast Track program.
• Fast Track students must attend class regularly.  When students reach five absences, the attendance officer will be notified.  Excessive absences and tardies may result in failure.
• Students will complete a test to determine their academic level and to set a goal for academic growth.
• Students will be tested three times per year:  at the beginning of the school year; midyear to determine their progress; and at the end of the year to determine if they have met their goal.
• Students will be promoted based on academic growth— meeting their test goals, teacher       recommendations, class performance, and grades.
• Students will be offered language arts, math, social studies, and science.  Classes will be taught by highly qualified teachers.
• Class size will be kept at a student to teacher ratio of no more than 15:1.
• Students must complete the enrollment and intake process and begin the program within the first seven (7) days of the school year.
• Students who enroll in MCSD from another school district may be allowed until September 28, 2012, to enter the program.
• Students are only granted entrance into the program one time.  If enrollment in the program is revoked or discontinued for any reason, the child will not be admitted into the program again.
• Students will comply with uniform requirements.
• Extracurricular activities will not be offered.
• One activity break per day may be offered.
• Fast Track students will be separated from alternative school students for disciplinary reasons.  However, Fast Track students will ride the same bus and eat lunch at the same time as students in the disciplinary program.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS – CODE of CONDUCT

SCHOOL / BUS EXPECTATIONS

v  Always choose to be S.M.A.R.T.

            Sensible

          Mature

          Accountable

          Responsible

          Thoughtful

v  Students are NOT allowed to talk in the hallways, restrooms, cafeteria, on the bus, during class changes, or while going to and from the bus, cafeteria, etc.

v  Failure to comply with any of the school, District, or bus rules and/or policies will result in the student facing consequences including being recommended for alternative school, being suspended from the AOC,  or being expelled from Madison County School District or from riding the school bus.

ATTENDANCE:  ABSENCES

Excused absences are granted once validated by the AOC principal.  For an absence to be excused, a parent must submit a written excuse within five (5) days of the student’s return to school.  Students who have an excused absence will be allowed to make up any missed assignments and tests.  The amount of time allowed for students to make up work will be equal to the number of days absent plus one additional day.  It is the student’s responsibility to request the missed assignments and turn them in by the due date.

When a student receives an unexcused absence, which includes suspensions, s/he may not be allowed to make up missed assignments and tests.  Unexcused absences are turned in to the truancy officer when five (5) are accumulated.

Excessive absences and tardies may result in failure due to inadequate performance (NC).

*Students should not return to school unless free of fever for 24 hours.

ATTENDANCE:  TARDIES

A student is tardy for school if s/he arrives at school after 9:00.  A parent must accompany his/her child into the building and sign him/her in.  Three (3) unexcused tardies is an unexcused absence.

BATHROOM BREAKS

Students will adhere to the following rules for bathroom break.  Students will:

·         Go three times per day at scheduled times.

·         Go to the restroom only at designated times unless AOC administrators have a doctor’s excuse denoting the student has a medical condition which requires him/her to go to the restroom more frequently than twice a day, or the student has an obvious emergency.

·         Empty his/her pockets before entering the restroom.

·         Not take any book bags or satchels into the restroom.

·         Go to the restroom one at a time.

·         Not be allowed to go to the restroom without adult supervision.

·         Not communicate in the restroom.

SEARCHES / ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Students are subject to be searched at any time.  Any item that should not be on campus or on the bus will be confiscated.  This includes but is not limited to candy, gum, sunglasses, bandanas, combs, picks, brushes, jewelry other than simple watches, items that depict affiliation with a specific gang or group, cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, other electronic devices, headphones, ear pieces, CDs, videos, cameras, food and beverages unless the student brings his/her lunch, notes or letters that are impertinent to school or class, etc. 

All combs, brushes, picks, notes, candy, gum, and food and beverages that are not part of a student’s lunch will be discarded.  Other items will returned to the student at the end of the school year (May 2013) or may picked up by the student’s parent when s/he completes his/her assigned time in the Fast Track / Bridges program.

 Neither Madison County School District nor the Academic Options Center is responsible for any items confiscated from any student.

In compliance with MCSD policies, there is a zero policy for having weapons, any object that can be used as a weapon, alcohol, any type of nicotine, drugs, medicine not approved by the AOC administrator, ammunition, fireworks, etc.  on campus or on the bus.  If students have these items, they will be recommended for immediate expulsion from the Madison County School District.

DRUG / ALCOHOL TESTING

Upon entering the AOC, students must remain drug and alcohol free.  If AOC personnel suspect any student is not drug and alcohol free, a screen will be requested.  The AOC principal or his/her designee will attempt to contact the student’s parent or guardian.  If the results of the screen show that the student is not drug and alcohol free, the student will be recommended for placement in the MCSD alternative school or for expulsion from MCSD.   Refusal  to take a drug or alcohol test will be considered a positive test. 

Alcohol and drug testing will be done by Region 8 and/or Canton or Madison County law enforcement agents.  Parents may be required to cover the cost of these tests.

At no time should a student have more than $5 on campus.  If students have more than $5, the money will be confiscated, and the student’s parents may come retrieve the money from the principal. 

Neither Madison County School District nor the Academic Options Center is responsible for any amount of money a student has while on campus.

CAFETERIA / LUNCHROOM

All MCSD students are required to have a current year’s lunch form on file.  Students who do not have a completed 2012-2013 lunch form on file will be required to pay full price for meals.   Students who have reduced or full price meals, may pay daily, weekly, or monthly.  If a student’s parent or guardian has not completed the MCSD lunch form, the student will be required to pay full price until the lunch form is completed.

Students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast and lunch daily at the AOC.  The menu is posted on the MCSD website and on bulletin boards throughout the AOC buildings.  There may be some slight variations in the menu.  Students are not allowed to make extra food purchases in the cafeteria.

Students will sit in assigned seats during breakfast and lunch. Students are not to talk to and from or while in the cafeteria.

MEDICINE / MEDICAL TREATMENT

All prescribed and non-prescribed medicine and directions for its use must be turned in and left in the front office.  Proper documentation permitting the medicine to be given to the student must be kept on file in the student’s records at the AOC. 

Medicine that is found in a student’s possession is considered drugs and will be treated as a violation of the discipline code.

If a student becomes ill while at the AOC, personnel will attempt to contact the student’s parent. 

If the student’s illness or condition requires immediate medical attention, an emergency medical team will be contacted, and your child will be transported to the hospital.  AOC personnel will attempt to contact the student’s parents.

STATE TESTS

Students will take all scheduled state and District tests at the AOC.  Tests will be administered according the state and District policies and guidelines. 

FEES / FINES

Students are responsible for turning in at their home schools all textbooks, library books, uniforms, equipment, etc.  Failure to do so will result in the student being charged a fine and not receiving final report card.

GRADING

AOC students will follow the same grading scale as all other students in MCSD.  They will also receive progress reports and report cards every term.  End-of-the-year report cards will be mailed from the student’s home school.  If students owe fines or fees, they will not receive an end-of-the-year report card until their fines and/or fees are paid in full.

REGION 8

The AOC has a part-time Region 8 therapist onsite.  Upon a parent’s request and completion of the Region 8 intake process, students may receive services from the Region 8 therapist based on need and upon request by parents, the AOC student, or MCSD personnel. 

Students who receive MediCaid will receive Region 8 services free of charge and can sign up to receive services at the AOC.  Students who do not receive MediCaid can sign up to receive services at the Region 8 site and will be charged on a sliding scale based on income.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Students are responsible for having the necessary school supplies for class.   See school supply list  for a list of supplies Fast Track students are required to have:

DISCIPLINARY INFRACTIONS / CONSEQUENCES

Disciplinary infractions are classified into three categories:  class I – minor, class II – intermediate, and class III – major.  Discipline classes and consequences apply to Fast Track students.

The AOC administrator reserves the discretion to deal with all infractions on a case-by-case basis.

CLASS I – MINOR

INFRACTIONS

• Dress code infraction
• Talking without Permission
• Other misconduct that an administrator deems to fall within this category

CONSEQUENCES

• Call parent
• Corporal punishment
• In school suspension
• Overnight suspension followed by parent conference
• Parent , teacher, administrator conference
• Student / administrator conference
• Written Assignment
• Loss of privileges

CLASS II – INTERMEDIATE

INFRACTIONS

• Being in an unauthorized area
• Computer related offenses including but not limited to installing unauthorized software, changing hardware parameters or defaults, accessing inappropriate websites or information, printing inappropriate documents, and sending offensive or inappropriate messages

• Defacing school property
• Defiance of authority

• Distracting other students
• Driving on campus
• Insubordination
• Leaving class without permission

• Public display of affection

• Use of profane, abusive, or inappropriate language (written or spoken)

• Repeated (three or more) class I infractions
• Other misconduct that an administrator deems to fall within this category

CONSEQUENCES

• Corporal punishment
• In school suspension
• Out of School Suspension up to 10 school days
• Recommendation to Alterative School
• Overnight suspension followed by parent conference
• Loss of privileges

CLASS III – MAJOR

INFRACTIONS

• Arguing with Another Student

• Attempting to fight
• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Bullying (cyber, physical, verbal, written, etc.)
• Destruction of school property
• Disorderly conduct
• Fighting

• Gambling
• Indecent exposure

• Inappropriate language directed toward personnel (written or spoken)
• Offensive touching of another person
• Physical assault
• Possession of gambling, gang, tobacco, or other inappropriate paraphernalia
• Possession, use, or sell of drugs,  alcohol, medicine, or other controlled substance
• Possession, use, or sell of tobacco or tobacco product
• Possession, use, or sell of weapons or ammunition or items that resemble or may be used as a weapon or ammunition
• Provoking a Fight
• Refusal to be searched or refusing to take a drug or alcohol test / screen
• Sexual harassment, implications, or misconduct
• Stealing
• Testing positive for drugs or alcohol
• Verbal, physical, or written threats
• Repeated (three or more) class I or II infractions
• Other misconduct that an administrator deems to fall within in category

CONSEQUENCES

Recommendation for placement in the alternative school or for expulsion from the Madison County School District

Students may not begin classes in the Fast Track Program until they are in full uniform.  Students must wear their uniforms daily.

• Khaki pants  
  • Only long pants must be worn. 
  • Pants must be worn on waist; no sagging.
  • Belt must be worn and buckled. 
  • Belts should have no excessive designs or large or designer belt buckles.
• Red Polo Shirt – Long or Short Sleeved – Tucked In
• Red or White Tee Shirt under Red Polo Shirt
• Solid White Tennis Shoes w/ White Shoe Laces (No flip flops, boat shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, Crocs, sandals, etc.)
• White Socks
• Red, Black, Brown, Blue, White, Gray, or Khaki Jacket / Coat
  • No inappropriate designs, writing, or pictures
  • Jackets are hung in the hallway while students are in class. 
  • Students may not wear jackets in the classroom.
• Red, Black, Brown, Blue, Gray, or Khaki Hat (No Baseball Caps)  
• No Jewelry  or Items Worn as Jewelry
  • Students may wear a simple watch.
  • Girls may wear one pair of small earrings in the ear lobe.
  • No exposed piercings
• Hair must be neatly groomed.  Hair must not cause a distraction to the teaching / learning process.
  • No designs or words in hair or head
  • No added or distracting color in hair
  • Hair must be above the eyebrows.
  • No Spiked Hair or Unusually High Fades or Mohawks
  • No Rollers, Headscarves, Bandanas, Picks, Hairbrushes, Combs, Etc.
• Girls:  No Excessive, Colorful, or Distracting Makeup
• Students may not wear lines in their eyebrows.
• Students are not allowed to carry book bags, backpacks, or satchels.  (Girls may carry a small, neutral-colored purse w/ no symbols or designs.)

TRANSPORTATION / BUS CONDUCT

FIRST STUDENT – 601-859.1633

• The school day will be from 9:00 – 2:45.
• If a student is not to ride the bus, s/he should be signed out and picked up by his/her parent or guardian by 2:30.  If the student is not picked up by the time his/her bus arrives, the student will be required to ride the bus.
• Students should not be dropped off before 8:50.
• Students are NOT allowed to drive on campus.
• If students are to be dropped off or picked up at a location other than scheduled, the student’s parent must contact First Student AND send a written note with a contact number and specific instructions about where the child should be dropped off or picked up.  The note must be given to the principal or other administrator by 9:00 of the day the request is to occur.  The principal will call to verify the request.  Upon verification, the request will be considered.  
• If the parent requests for a student to ride a bus other than the student’s assigned bus, the parent must send a written request to the principal or other administrator the day before the request is to occur.  The written request should specify which bus the student is to ride, the requested drop-off location, and the days and date the changes will take place.  The parent must also include a contact number, so s/he may be contacted for verification.  If these procedures are not followed, the request will not be granted.
• Questions and inquiries about bus stops, routes, and pickup / drop-off times should be directed to First Student at 601.859.1633.

BUS CONDUCT

Students must obey the bus driver and monitor the entire time s/he is on the bus.  Student behavior expectations will be enforced while students are at the bus stop, on the bus, upon exiting the bus, and at any time the student is in view of the driver or monitor.

 Bus drivers are expected to maintain discipline and order on the bus.  However, their primary responsibility is driving the bus.  A student’s failure to comply with acceptable behavior and courtesy will result in disciplinary action including parent conferences, corporal punishment, and suspension from school and/or riding the bus or a period of time, suspension from riding the bus the remainder of the year, or recommendation for expulsion from the MCSD. 

• Students may be searched by authorized personnel before boarding the bus, while on the bus, or upon exiting the bus.
• Students will follow the directives of the bus driver and bus monitor.  Failure to do so will result in possible revoking of bus riding privileges for a specified number of days up to the entire school year.
• Class III infractions that occur on the bus will result in the student being suspended from riding the bus, being suspended from the AOC, and possibly being recommended for expulsion from the MCSD.
• Students must board and get off the bus at his/her designated stop.  Any exceptions must be submitted in writing to First Student and the AOC principal the day before the student is to be dropped off at a different bus stop.
• To ensure the safety of all, students must refrain from:
  • Defacing or marking on the bus or seats
  • Distracting other students
  • Distracting the bus driver or monitor
  • Eating, drinking, or chewing
  • Fighting
  • Getting out of his/her assigned seat while the bus is moving
  • Getting out of his/her assigned seat without permission
  • Making noises
  • Passing notes
  • Possessing, using, or selling illegal substances, medicine, drugs, alcohol or any substance that resembles or could be used for medicine, drugs, or alcohol
  • Possessing, using, or selling weapons, or any objects that resembles or can be used as a weapon
  • Putting body parts or objects out of the window
  • Sitting in a seat other than his/her assigned seat
  • Smoking
  • Talking
  • Throwing objects
  • Touching the outside of the bus
  • Using or having cell phones, iPods, or other electronic devices
  • Doing any other actions deemed inappropriate by the bus driver or monitor
• All MCSD and AOC expectations, rules, and consequences apply to students while they are on the bus and at bus stops.

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS and SUPPORTS (PBIS)

• Each Monday, students are given a behavior log.  Teachers comment on the student’s behavior each class period.  Students who receive 5 or fewer negative marks for the week are rewarded with a celebration Friday.
  • The celebration may include extra recess time and/or the privilege of purchasing snacks and/or sodas.
• Fast Track teachers will contact a student’s parents once s/he receives five (5) negative marks for the week.
• Students will receive a written discipline referral after receiving 10 negative marks for the week.
• Students who misplace or destroy their behavior log will not be allowed to participate in positive behavior celebrations.

Conferences with the AOC administrator, counselors, and/or teachers may be scheduled by calling 601.859.0367.  All conferences will be held within five (5) school days of the request and will take place on school days between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m. or between 3:00 and 3:15 p.m.