South Sioux City High School Student
and Parent Handbook 0405
South Sioux City Community Schools
Mission
Getting the right results
By doing the right things for all students
Mission Statement
It is
the mission of the South Sioux City Community School District to provide all
students with a safe educational environment that recognized their ability to
learn, encourages personal growth, is judged by its outcomes, and is a
cooperative venture between home, school, and community.
Intent of Handbook
The intent of this handbook
is to provide parents and students with information regarding the South Sioux
City Community School system and to be in compliance with state and federal
mandates.
Asbestos Notification
South Sioux City Schools
As part of the
guidelines established by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986,
all buildings in the South Sioux City School District have been inspected by a
certified asbestos inspector.
The
inspector located, sampled, and rated the condition and hazard potential of all
material suspected of containing asbestos.
We
have had an accredited professional incorporate the results of this inspection
into an asbestos management plan for our facilities. The plan addresses notification requirements, education and
training of our employees, and sets forth plans and procedures to control and
minimize the disturbance of the asbestos containing materials.
To
comply with the law, South Sioux City Community Schools will also have an
accredited inspector completely reinspect the schools every three years. In addition, the District will examine all
asbestos containing materials every six months to ensure no deterioration or
damage has taken place. At this time no
abatement projects are recommended.
A
copy of the asbestos management plan is available for inspection in the LEA
Administration offices in each building during regular school hours. All inquiries regarding the plan should be
directed to Gerald Archer, designated Asbestos coordinator.
Our
intent is to comply with Federal, State and local regulations. We will continue to take whatever steps are
necessary to ensure the safety of everyone that enters our facilities.
This
notification will be made available to all District personnel at the annual
pre-school mandatory meeting held each year.
Grievance/Complaint Procedure
On all matters
other than school attendance,
grievances and/or complaints should be resolved by following proper
channels of authority, i.e. building administrator, superintendent, and ultimately the Board of Education.
Regular
attendance is essential in order to benefit from our educational program. We request that parents notify the school
when their student is to be absent from school. The school will make reasonable efforts to notify the parents
concerning student absences should the parent not notify us. In the event that a student is unexcused
from school, appropriate consequences will apply and parents will be notified
in writing.
Grades and Credits
All students must complete
250 credit hours and pass each of the following courses in order to graduate.
English:
10 credits of English 1
10 credits of English 2
5
credits of American Literature
15 credits of English electives.
Mathematics:
20 credits
Science:
20 credits
Social
Studies:
10 credits of World Geography
10 credits of World History (beginning with the
class of o6)
10 credits of American History
5 credits
of American Government
5 credits
of Economics
Health:
5 credits
Physical
Education:
10 credits
Fine
Arts:
5 credits
of band, choir, art, or drama
Electives:
110 credits
A complete listing of all
courses may be obtained through the high school guidance office.
How grades are calculated:
A 95-100
A- 93-94
B+ 90-92
B 87-89
B- 85-86
C+ 82-84
C 79-81
C- 77-78
D+ 74-76
D 72-73
D- 70-71
F 0-69
How credit is received
Five
credits are awarded for successfully passing each course. The South Sioux City Senior High School does
not weight grades for purposes of grade point average.
Promotion and Graduation
Requirements
Students
are assigned to 10th, 11th and 12th grade
status according to the number of credits they have earned. The following schedule show the number of
hours required for students to be assigned to a grade/class.
Sophomore 60
Junior 120
Senior 180
Student testing and assessment
In
addition to tests and assessments given as part of individual class work, tenth
grade students will be given the CAT6 assessment. All students will be given any and all assessments required by
the state, with the eleventh grade the most common required grade level for the
state assessments.
Student Health Regulations
All
students are required to have an updated immunization record.
Physical examination
Section 79-444 of the Nebraska school law
provides:
“The school board or board of education
shall require evidence of a physical examination by a qualified physician
within six months prior to the entrance of a child into the beginner grade and
the seventh grade, or in the case of a transfer from out of state to any other
grade of the local school; provided, no such physical examination shall be
required of any child whose parent of guardian shall object thereto in
writing. The cost of such physical
examination shall be borne by the parents or guardian of each child who is
examined.”
Also:
“At
the time the parent or guardian of any child is notified that such child must
have a physical examination pursuant to section 79-444, or he or she shall be
notified in writing of his or her right to submit a written statement refusing
a physical examination for his or her child.”
Student Medication
The
South Sioux City Community Schools attempts to discourage administration of
medication in the schools. However, if
your physician decides it is necessary for your child to receive a medication
during the school day, the approval and specific directions must be provided to
the school. It is recommended the first
dose of medication be administered at home.
Send
the medication to the school in the original or a duplicate box or bottle with
the current prescription label on the container. Upon request, pharmacists have labeled empty containers to be
used. The necessary form for your
physician’s instructions will be provided through the school office. If you have any questions, contact the
school office and or school nurse at 494-2433.
Athletics/Activities
Students
at South Sioux City Senior High School have the opportunity to take part in the
following athletics programs and school activities.
Athletics:
Football Volleyball
Boys
Basketball Girls
Basketball
Wrestling Swimming
Weight
Training Girls
Tennis
Athletics
(cont.)
Boys
Tennis Cross
Country
Boys
Golf Girls
Golf
Boys
Soccer Girls
Soccer
Boys
Track Girls
Track
Activities:
Academic
Competition Art Club
Cheerleading Drill Team
Escape
Magazine FBLA
Flag
Team Mock
Trial
Instrumental
Music Vocal Music
National
Honor Society 1 Act Play
Musical
(even yrs.) 3 Act
Play (odd yrs)
Yearbook Newspaper
S
Club Spanish
Club
Student
Council VICA
A
copy of the South Sioux City Activities/Athletic regulations is contained at
the end of this document.
Locker Search
Lockers
are the property of the South Sioux City Senior High School and are under the
control of the school district. Lockers
may be searched periodically and any or all illegal or inappropriate materials,
deemed by school officials, will be removed.
Consequences for possession of such materials will be dealt with as per
the student support policy.
Transportation
Students,
who reside more than four miles from Senior High School, receive free bussing
services. Bussing is available for all
other students at a cost to the family.
Bus routes, rates and payment methods are published in the South Sioux
City Star annually. Please see
Transportation attachment.
Visitor Policy
The
Senior High School is open only to students.
Anyone entering the building is required to report to the main
office. If the purpose of being in the
school is to meet with a teacher, administrator, or any other support staff,
please make an appointment in the office.
Computer Use Policy
Network and Internet Notice
Access is a privilege, not a
right.
Access entails responsibility.
The
following uses of school-provided Internet access are not permitted:
a.
to
access. Upload, download, or distribute pornographic, obscene, or sexually
explicit materials;
b.
to
transmit obscene, abusive, sexually explicit, or threatening language;
c.
to
violate any local, state, or federal statute;
d.
to
vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or
organization,
e.
to
access another individual’s materials, information, or files without
permission; and
f.
to
violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another
individual or organization without permission.
Any
violation of District policy and rules may result in loss of District-provided
access to the Internet.
Additional disciplinary action may be determined at
the building level in keeping with existing procedures and practices regarding inappropriate
language or behavior. When and where
applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.
Users should not expect that files stored on
school-based computers will always be private.
Notice: This policy and all it provisions are
subordinate to local, state, and federal statutes.
Student Attire
Dress
code violations over the past few years have revolved around tank tops, bare
midriffs and shirts with questionable references. We request parental support in seeing that students follow the
code listed below.
South
Sioux City High School subscribes to the premise that teaching principles of
good grooming and cleanliness are desirable facets of the educational
process. Our public schools are
sensitive to rapid changes in dress and grooming. However, we cannot accept those changes that depart from
cleanliness, neatness, good taste, modesty and decency. Administrators must weigh community
standards, harassment, or standards of others, along with individual
rights. In general, appearances that
detract from the learning atmosphere cannot be permitted. It is hoped that students of South Sioux
City High School will take pride in their appearance and their school.
Student
Attire Guidelines:
·
Advertising
of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and illegal drugs are not permitted. This includes jewelry.
·
Tank
tops are not permitted for boys or girls.
All shirts must have shoulders, fit well in the armpit area, and not
have plunging neckline.
·
Walking
shorts will be permitted. Cut off sweat
pants are not permitted. Shorts, which
depart from modesty and decency, are not permitted.
·
Two-piece
outfits must touch at the waist. Bare
midriffs are not permitted. The
judgment will be made when the student is at regular stance or posture.
·
Skirts
and dresses are to be appropriate and modest.
·
Shoes
must be worn at all times.
·
Clothing
usually worn as undergarments cannot be worn as outer garments: specifically boxer shorts will not be
permitted. The wearing of caps or hats
will not be permitted in the building during school hours. Wearing or carrying bandanas or colored
handkerchiefs, unless approved by school officials, cannot be worn. (Violations will result in hats and bandanas
being confiscated until the end of the school year.)
·
The
wearing of jeans with holes, slashes, and cuts will not be permitted.
·
Certain
types of apparel may, due to their offensive nature, whether written or
implied, need to be designated inappropriate.
(Such as but not limited to “Big Johnson”, “Lucky’s Lager”, and “Co-Ed
Naked”.)
·
Shirts
that have questionable meanings deemed unacceptable in the educational setting
will not be allowed.
·
Any
items which are worn and are disruptive to the educational process will not be
accepted.
Consequences
for dress code violation:
Violators
will be required to change. In some
cases the shirt, hat, and necklace, etc. will be confiscated and be held for
parents to pick up.
Students
missing all or part of class will be considered tardy or absent based upon the
amount of time missed. The student
council and administration will review this code periodically.
Special Education Services
The
South Sioux City District offers a comprehensive spectrum of special
programs. Students receive services in
the least restrictive environment as determined by the I.E.P. team. These services are provided to students from
age 0-21.
Ages
0-3 are provided early childhood special education through a system of
comprehensive services. These services
are provided in the natural environment.
Ages
3-21 Students with the following
disabilities will receive special services:
Learning disability
Behavioral disability
Mentally Handicapped
Speech problems
Hearing problems
Developmentally delayed
Autism
Orthopedic Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Other Health Impairments
Services
for these students may be provided through one or more of the following
programs, depending on the IEP team.
Speech and Language
Resource
Self-contained with
integration
Self-contained
Home/Hospital Services
Regular Classroom
Asthma and
Allergic Reaction Protocol
The South Sioux City
Community School has adopted an Emergency Response to a Life-Threatening Asthma
or Systemic Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) Protocol as required by the Nebraska
Department of Education.
In the event that a student
suffers a life-threatening asthma or systemic allergic reaction during the
school day or at an after school activity the use of an EpiPen and albuterol
will take place. A description of what constitutes a Life-Threatening Crisis
and Emergency response is included (see next page).
The parent or guardian of a
student of a minority age may sign a waiver requesting that their student not
receive emergency treatment. The waiver is included in the student handbook.
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE TO LIFE-THREATENING ASTHMA OR SYSTEMIC ALLERGIC
REACTIONS
(ANAPHYLAXIS)
DEFINITION:
Life-threatening asthma consists of an acute episode of worsening airflow
obstruction. Immediate action and monitoring are necessary.
A
systemic allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is a severe response resulting in
cardiovascular collapse (shock) after the injection of an antigen (e.g. bee or
other insect sting), ingestion of a food or medication, or exposure to other allergens, such as animal fur,
chemical irritants, pollens or molds, among others. The blood pressure falls,
the pulse becomes weak, AND DEATH CAN OCCUR. Immediate allergic reactions may
require emergency treatment and medications.
LIFE-THREATENING
ASTHMA SYMPTOMS:
Any of these symptoms may occur:
Chest
tightness
Wheezing
Severe
shortness of breath
Retractions
(chest or neck “sucked in”)
Cyanosis
(lips and nail beds exhibit a grayish or bluish color)
Change
in mental status, such as agitation, anxiety, or lethargy
A
hunched-over position
Breathlessness
causing speech in one-to-two word phrases or complete inability to speak
ANAPHYLACTIC
SYMPTOMS OF BODY SYSTEM: Any of the symptoms may
occur within seconds. The more immediate the reactions, the more severe the
reaction may become. Any of the symptoms present requires several hours of
monitoring.
Skin:
warmth, itching, and/or tingling of underarms/groin, flushing, hives
Abdominal:
pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea
Oral/Respiratory:
sneezing, swelling of face (lips, mouth, tongue, throat), lump or tightness in
the throat, hoarseness,
difficulty
inhaling, shortness of breath, decrease in peak flow meter reading, wheezing
reaction
Cardiovascular:
headache, low blood pressure (shock), lightheadedness, fainting, loss of
consciousness, rapid heart rate,
ventricular
fibrillation (no pulse)
Mental
status: apprehension, anxiety, restlessness, irritability
EMERGENCY
PROTOCOL:
1.
CALL 911
2.
Summon school nurse if available. If not, summon designated trained,
non-medical staff to implement emergency
protocol
3.
Check airway patency, breathing, respiratory rate, and pulse
4.
Administer medications (EpiPen and albuterol) per standing order
5.
Determine cause as quickly as possible
6.
Monitor vital signs (pulse, respiration, etc.)
7.
Contact parents immediately and physician as soon as possible
8.
Any individual treated for symptoms with epinephrine at school will be
transferred to medical facility
STANDING
ORDERS FOR RESPONSE TO LIFE-THREATENING ASTHMA OR ANAPHYLAXIS:
Administer
an IM EpiPen-Jr. for a child less than 50 pounds or an adult EpiPen for any
individual over 50 pounds
Follow
with nebulized albuterol (premixed) while awaiting EMS. If not better, may
repeat times two, back-to-back
Administer
CPR, if indicated
______________________________
______________________________
(PHYSICIAN)
Date (PHYSICIAN) Date
______________________________
______________________________
(PHYSICIAN) Date (PHYSICIAN) Date
WAIVER OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO LIFE
THREATENING ASTHMA OR SYSTEMIC ALLERGIC REACTIONS PROTOCOL
__________________ School
District
Student Name: ____________________________ Date of
Birth: _______________
School:
__________________________________ Grade: _____________
I am aware of the school
policy that provides a protocol to follow by school personnel to administer
EpiPen/albuterol to a student when it is determined that the student is
suffering a life-threatening asthma or systemic allergic reaction while school
is in session.
After considering the school
policy and the best interests of my child, ___________________, I do not wish
to have him/her administered albuterol or medication from an Epi-Pen by school
personnel under any circumstances for the 20___ - 20___ school year.
____________________________________________
_______________
(Signature of Parent/Legal
Guardian/Custodian of Child) (Date)
Breakfast and Lunch Programs
How do I get free or reduced price school meals for
my child?
You
must complete the MEAL BENEFIT FORM and return it to the school.
·
Households
getting food stamps, TANF, or benefits from FDPIR.
You only have to include your child’s name and case
number, and an adult household member must sign the form.
·
Households
that do not get food stamps, TANF, or benefits from FDPIR. If you do not have a case number, you must
include the names of all household members, the amount of income each person
received last month and where the income came from. An adult household member must sign the form and include his or
her social security number, or indicate that he or she has none.
·
Households
with a foster child. You must include
the child’s name and the amount of “personal use” income the child has received
last month, and an adult must sign the form.
Will
the form be verified?
Your
eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to send written
evidence that shows that your child should get free or reduced price school
meals.
Can
I appeal the schools decisions?
You
can talk to school officials if you do not agree with the schools decision on
the form. You may ask for a fair
hearing by calling or writing to:
Mr.
Steven Rector
South Sioux City Community Schools Administration Office
P.O. Box 158
210 W. 39th Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
(402) 494-2425
fax (402) 494-3916
Must I report changes?
If
your child gets free or reduced priced meals because of your income, you must
tell us if your household size decreases, or if your income increases by more
than $50 dollars a month or six hundred dollars per year. If your child gets free meals because your
households gets food stamps, TANF or benefits from FDPIR, you must tell us when
you no longer get these benefits.
Will
information on my form be kept confidential?
We
will use the information on your form to decide if your child should get free
or reduced priced meals. We may inform
officials connected with other child nutrition, help and education programs of
the information on your form to determine benefits for those programs or
funding and/or evaluation purposes.
Can
I apply for free and/or reduced priced meals later?
You
may apply for free and/or reduced priced meals at any time during the school
year. If you are not eligible now but have
a change, like a decrease in household income, an increase in household size,
become unemployed or get food stamps, TANF or benefits from FDPIR, complete a
form then.
We
will let you know if you are approved or denied.
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA,
Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964
(VOICE AND tdd). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
Disclaimer
The
contents of this handbook, and the student discipline code, do not constitute
an irrevocable contractual commitment to the students, but only reflect the
current status of the rules and policies.