10/20/04
Williamson County
Schools
The
“To
cultivate the ability, intellect, and character of each student”
The Vision
The
The Goal
All
students will show at least one year’s academic growth each year.
Beliefs
We believe. . .
1. Education is the
cornerstone of democracy and civility.
2. All students can learn more
than they are currently learning.
3. Respect for ourselves and
others is demonstrated in our interactions.
4. Public education strives to
achieve a balance between academic, career and technical, and extra-curricular
activities.
5. All constituencies work
together to attain the strongest educational system possible.
6. Our educational system is a
learning community where all personnel engage in continuous growth
opportunities.
7. All
forms of data are important in the determination of the present and future
plans for public education.
8. Public education is a
responsibility shared by schools, families, and members of the community. For example. . .
a. Students volunteer their attention and
commitment when they are supplied with an engaging curriculum. Students are the
primary focus of our schools.
b. Teachers are leaders of
students and designers of engaging, high-quality work.
c. Principals are “leaders of
leaders” who ensure that teachers have the ability, flexibility, resources, and
support required to design engaging work for each student.
d. District office and other
support personnel serve to sustain the work of principals and teachers.
e. The Director of Schools
ensures that the entire community is aware of the changing needs of the
educational system and of the kinds of support required for the district to
pursue its mission.
f.
The
school board members are advocates of public education and support the efforts
of the district as a whole to accomplish the district’s mission.
g.
All
members of the community will offer support in all possible ways when they
understand the benefits of the positive results of public education.
INTRODUCTION
This handbook has been compiled for
students to use during the current school year.
Plans are to have this handbook on line at the Williamson County Home
Page. This is an attempt to provide, in as few pages as possible, the policies,
rules, and regulations of the Williamson County Board of Education and the
Director of Schools which affect students.
From time to time, the Board or Director of Schools may amend, change,
or terminate without notice the provisions within this handbook and no
provision herein shall create or establish or be considered or construed as
creating or establishing any right, property, or contract or otherwise, in or
on behalf of any student.
We solicit your input for any
changes. Please submit any proposals in
writing to your principal, who will forward them to the Director of Schools,
with his recommendations. Also, the
door to the Director of School’s office is open to you. The Director of Schools wants to know your
thoughts and feelings relative to our mutual efforts.
"His", "man",
"men", or their related pronouns have often been used in this
handbook in their generic sense to include both male and female.
THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE DESIRES
THAT ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT FREE OF DRUGS, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, VIOLENCE AND DANGEROUS WEAPONS
AND THAT SWIFT, CERTAIN AND SEVERE DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS ARE IMPOSED ON ANY
STUDENT WHO BRINGS A DRUG, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA OR A DANGEROUS WEAPON ONTO A
SCHOOL BUS, ONTO SCHOOL PROPERTY OR TO ANY SCHOOL EVENT OR ACTIVITY, OR WHO,
WHILE ON A SCHOOL BUS, ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR WHILE ATTENDING ANY SCHOOL EVENT
OR ACTIVITY IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A DRUG, OR POSSESSES A DRUG, DRUG
PARAPHERNALIA OR DANGEROUS WEAPON, OR ASSAULTS OR THREATENS TO ASSAULT A
TEACHER, STUDENT OR OTHER PERSON. PLEASE
REVIEW THIS HANDBOOK, AND OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY BE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE
SCHOOL YEAR, CAREFULLY TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND ANY SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO
ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
The Williamson County Board of
Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion,
national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in provision of educational
opportunities and benefits, pursuant to requirements of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92-318,
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112, and the
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336,
respectively. This policy extends to
both employment by and admission to the school system. Inquiries or charges of violation of the
above policy should be directed to:
Title VI Coordinator Title
IX Coordinator
Williamson County Schools Williamson
County Schools
PH 615-472-4055 PH
615-472-4050
Section 504 Coordinator Title
II Coordinator
Williamson County Schools Williamson
County Schools
PH 615-472-4144 PH
615-472-4086
Low cost legal assistance for
families in middle
STUDENT HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Goals and Objectives
Residence
Nonresident Student
Attendance Areas
Academic
Credit
Health
Transfers
Transportation
Student
Schedules
Truancy
Assignment
of Pupils to Grades and Classes
Access to Courses and Programs
Zero Tolerance: Drugs, Assault, and Weapons
Zero Tolerance: Alcohol
Alcohol,
drug use, and controlled substances
Denial or Suspension of driving privileges by department of
safety
Drug Free Youth Act (Juvenile Offender Act)
Request for
Administrative Review
Request for
a Hearing
Chancery
Court Review
Possession of Dangerous Weapon
Demonstrations and Strikes
Access
to Electronic Media
Complaints and Grievances
Complaints about
Instructional Media
Student
Records
Statement
of Rights
Locations
of Education Records
Procedures
to Inspect Education Records
Fees for
Copies of Records
Directory
Information
Procedures
to Seek to Correct Education Records
Lost
or Damaged Materials or Property
Anti- Harassment of Students
Asbestos Containing Materials
School Fees and Fines
Corporal Punishment
Hearing
Procedure
Academic
Achievement
Grading System
Homebound Instruction
Family Life Education
Testing for Credit
Work Based Learning
Advanced Placement (AP) Programs
High School Course Credit
Travel
Study
College
Credit for High School Students
Promotion and Retention
Semester
and Final Exams
Graduation
Requirements
Types of Diplomas
Summer School/Extended School Year
Student
Welfare
Food Services
Student Assistance Program
Driver
Education Program
Physical
Examinations
Communicable
Diseases
Student Medication
Head
Lice
Safety
Equipment
Dismissal
Precautions
Campus
Vehicles
Participation
Clubs
Funds Management
Newspapers
Social Events
News Releases
Interscholastic
Athletics
A. Attendance
1. Compulsory Attendance Ages
a. Every
parent, guardian or other person residing within the state of Tennessee, having
control or charge of any child or children between the ages of 6 and 17 years,
both inclusive, shall cause such child or children to attend public or private
day school, and in event of failure to do so, shall be subject to the penalties
hereinafter provided. The provisions of
this section shall be applicable to children less than 6 years of age and their
parent, guardian, or other person in a parental relation when such parent,
guardian, or other person in a parental relation has enrolled the child in
public school; provided, however, that a child may withdraw within 6 weeks of
initial enrollment without penalty.
b. The
following classes of children between the ages of 6 and 17 years, both
inclusive, shall be temporarily excused from complying with the provisions of
this part, the local board of education to be sole judge in all such cases:
(1) Children
mentally or physically incapacitated to perform school duties (such disability
to be attested by a duly licensed physician in all cases);
(2) Children who have completed high school
and hold a high school diploma;
(3) Children
temporarily excused from attendance in school under rules and regulations
promulgated by the state board of education, which rules and regulations shall
not conflict with TCA 50-5-103, or any other law governing child labor in this
state;
(4) Children who have attained their 18th
birthday and whose continued compulsory attendance, in the opinion of the
board of education in charge of the
school to which such children belong and are enrolled results in detriment to
good order and discipline and to the instruction
of other students and is not of substantial benefit to such children.
(5) In
all such cases, the board of education shall first obtain the recommendation in
writing from the Director of Schools of the system and the principal of the
school to which such child or children belong.
(For
complete language see Board Policy 6.200)
2. Entrance Age
a.
Kindergarten
(1) A child entering kindergarten shall be no
less than 5 years of age on or before September 30. However, a child does not have to enroll in
school at 5 years of age, but enrollment must occur no later than the child’s 6th
birthday.
(2) Any child applying for admission who was
legally enrolled in an approved kindergarten in another state during the
preceding school year, who is 6 years of age no later than December 31 of the
current school year, and who could have enrolled in kindergarten in that state
during the current school, shall be enrolled.
(3) A child identified with special needs and
qualifies for special education services, may access early childhood
intervention and begin services on their 3rd birthday.
b.
First Grade
(1) No child shall be eligible to enter first
grade without having attended an approved kindergarten program, provided that a
child meeting the requirements for transfer and/or admission, may be admitted.
(2) Any transfer student applying for
admission who was legally enrolled as a first grade pupil in another state and
who will be 6 years of age no later that December 31 of the current school
year, shall be enrolled.
3. School Admission Requirements
a. Residence
(1) The
legal residence of the student must be in
(2) The
parent of each new student shall be required to sign an affidavit stating that
they reside within the
(For
complete language see Board Policy 6.203)
b. Students in Transition
(Homeless)
All schools in the
(See Board Policy 6.503)
B. Nonresident Student
(For
complete language refer to Board Policy 1.703, School Attendance Areas, Zoning
and Nonresident Students)
(1) The Williamson County Board of Education
will provide transportation to all students within an attendance zone per
county board policy.
(2) Except as provided below, no new
out-of-district students will be eligible to attend Williamson County
Schools.
(3) A nonresident student may enroll in
Williamson County Schools if the parents provide to the Student Data Department
of the School Board prior to enrollment a bona fide contract documenting intent
to reside in the Williamson County School District during the forthcoming
semester, with supporting documentation submitted to the Director of Schools
to validate intent to reside. Approval
may be granted on a semester basis only.
A family tuition rate applicable to families who have shown this
documentation shall be established by the School Board prior to November 1 for
the following school year.
(4) Children of Williamson County Board of
Education professional staff that reside outside the County will be eligible to
attend any school within the high school feeder zone in which the teacher's
work assignment is located. High school
age children of
(5) Tuition will be paid in full by
nonresident students on a semester basis prior to enrollment in any semester
(e.g., 50% of annual tuition rate).
Tuition will be refunded in full for the semester when the student
establishes documented permanent residence within
(6) Any student (K-12) who moves out of the
county during the school year may complete that school year in the Williamson
County School System. No tuition will be
charged for a current semester in progress; however, tuition must be paid for
any new semester enrolled (e.g., student moves October 3 or November 10, no
tuition would be paid for first semester; tuition would be paid for second
semester).
(7) Any high school student classified as a
second semester junior or as a senior who moves out of the county may complete
the senior year, totally or in part, with the payment of tuition required on a
semester basis.
(8) Foreign students approved by the United States
Immigration Department as part of a registered foreign exchange program, shall
be enrolled without payment of tuition provided they establish local residence
or reside with a host family living within the
C.
Attendance Areas
(1) Students may attend a school outside the
attendance transportation zone provided that:
(a) The school is an open zoned school.
(b) Application
is made to both the zoned school principal (for acknowledgment signature only)
and requested out-of -zone school principal prior to May 15. The reason for the
request shall be stated in the application.
(c) Transportation
is provided by the parents or guardian to the school outside the attendance
transportation zone.
(d) Children of Williamson County Board of
Education employees that are residents of the County will be eligible to
attend any school within the high school feeder zone in which the employee's
work assignment is located. If there is more than one feeder school, the out of
zone approval is at the discretion of the principals of the feeder schools
involved.
(e) Children of Williamson County Board of
Education employees that reside outside the County will be eligible, with
tuition, to attend any school within the high school feeder zone in which the
teacher's work assignment is located. If there is more than one feeder school
possible, the out of zone process is used.
(f.) When a student is approved to attend an out
of zone school, that student and his siblings may attend through the highest
grade level of that school unless rescinded by the principal for failure to
follow school procedures or overruled by the school board when policy revisions
are made. A sibling may only apply to
attend an out of zone school if there is a sibling currently attending that
school.
(g) New students requesting to attend
out-of-zone schools may be denied if it would result in overcrowding or oversized
classes.
(2) Transfers
for students with special needs from one county to another will be permitted
during the school year unless approved through the out of zone process
(3) Students
currently attending a school and who move out of their transportation zone and
maintain residence within the
(4) Any appeal for an exception to this policy
or determination of the proper
application of the policy shall be
reviewed by a special staff committee appointed by the Director of Schools.
Final appeal may be made to the Board of Education. All exceptions granted will
be reported to the Board in a timely manner.
D.
Academic Credit
(1) Principals
shall carefully examine all applications for credit work transferred from
other schools, both in-state and out-of-state schools, and shall allow such
credit only when substantiated by school official transcripts provided that
pupils transferring from schools which are not approved by the Tennessee
State Board of Education or by the comparable agencies shall be allowed credit
only when they have passed comprehensive written examinations approved,
administered, and graded by the principal or his designated representative.
(2) In
all cases of secondary school students, the examinations shall cover the
individual subjects appearing on the official transcripts, except that in
subjects of more than one such as English language arts, algebra, home economics,
typewriting, shorthand, bookkeeping, foreign languages, etc., the examination
need cover only the last unit completed.
If a student transfers from another high school with half units in
courses for which a minimum of one unit courses in the high school to which he
transfers because of their not being offered or because of scheduling difficulties,
such half units may be counted toward graduation.
(3) If
pupils are admitted to approved schools from unapproved schools by examination
papers, it shall be the duty of the principal thus receiving them to keep the
examinations papers on file for a period of at least one year.
(4) The
principal shall check pupil's records upon their entrance in the school and
classify accordingly.
The health services provided by Williamson
County Schools appraise, protect and promote the health of all students.
(1)
Immunizations
Early childhood students will follow
the Day Care requirements for health and immunizations as per the State of
A complete medical examination of
every child entering school for the first time is required. No child shall be
admitted to school without proof of immunizations.
Effective as of
Effective as of
Effective as of
Effective
All foreign born children entering a
Williamson County School for the first time are required to present evidence of
freedom from infectious tuberculosis. The evidence should include a report of a
negative tuberculin skin test done in the
F.
Transfers
(1) The
principal of any school accepting a student by transfer from another school by
reason of the family changing place of residence within a semester must satisfy
himself that the family is actually residing within the area served by his
school before enrolling the student.
(2) The principal or his designated
representative is authorized to transmit a transcript of the academic record of
a pupil to any other school to which the pupil transfers or to any college or
post secondary institution to which the pupil applies for admission when the
transcript is requested by the receiving school or institution. The parent or guardian of the pupil will be
notified that the transcript is being sent.
The cost for providing this service is to be borne by the party making
the request.
(1) The transportation of students is an integral part of the regular school program.