• All students who leave for any reason must sign out through student services.
• All attendance requirements also pertain to eighteen-year-old students.
• Students may not excuse themselves from school.
• Only a parent or guardian can sign a student out, which must be done before 2:15 pm.

When students are absent, they and their parent/guardian must ensure the following:

• The parent/guardian must call Student Services (615-472-4805) by 9 a.m. on the day of the absence.
• The parent/guardian will send a signed note to Student Services the day following the absence that includes 1) the student’s first and last name, 2) the date of absence, 3) the reason for absence, and 4) the phone number.

College Visits: Seniors are allowed four college visits; juniors are allowed one. To be excused, students must provide documentation from the college on their letterhead with the student’s name upon their return. Students are responsible for all work missed. College visits will not count against senior exemption status.

Field Trips: Field trips will not count as absences, but students will be responsible for making up all work. It is at the discretion of the students’ teachers whether missed work will be made up prior to the trip or upon the day of return to school.

TNReady, EOC, and Exam Absences: Absences during these special exams are only approved for medical emergencies and/or school related functions with the administration approval.

Early dismissals will be granted for the same reasons as excused absences above.

Early dismissals by email or phone are not accepted.

For an early dismissal, students must do the following:

1. Provide a signed, written note from a parent to Student Services before going to the first class of the day.
2. Sign out prior to departure from school; failure to sign out results in detention.
3. Sign in if returning to school the same day; and
4. Show proper documentation upon return to school.

The note must include the Student’s Name (First and Last), Date & Time of Dismissal, Reason for Dismissal, and Phone Number where Parent/Guardian can be reached.

If parents call with an unexpected appointment, the parent must come in at the time of departure and show a photo ID to sign students out.

• If you have a minor injury that a band aide can fix, stay in your classroom.
• make sure that this is something that requires a trip to the clinic and that cannot be handled in the classroom.
• Check in with teacher and get a signature prior to going to the clinic.
• If nurse not in clinic, go to Student Services or come back when nurse is available.
• Respect the confidentiality of others and do not barge into the clinic unless it is a true emergency.
• If you have been injured at school, stop by the clinic.
• If you are feeling lightheaded, make sure that you are escorted to the clinic.

Medication procedures are consistent with the State of Tennessee Law TCA 49-5-415 and are implemented in our schools countywide.

Williamson County Medication Guidelines:

• All medications (over-the-counter and prescription) require a completed WCS Student Medication Authorization Form. A separate form is required for each medication.
• Physician authorization is required for all prescription medications to be given more than one week. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to obtain the physician’s signature on the form.
• A new authorization form is required each school year and if the medication or dosage is changed.
• All medication must be delivered to school by parent/guardian or responsible adult. Students are not allowed to bring their own medication to school.
• Over-the-counter medication must be provided in the original, unopened container with the ingredients label, dose schedule, and student’s name affixed to the container.
• Prescription medications must be brought to school in the original, pharmacy labeled container with the child’s name, prescription number, drug, dosage, and directions for administration. Ask the pharmacy to supply a second prescription bottle for school use.
• Prescription medication must be counted when brought to school with the school nurse or designated employee and the parent/guardian. No more than a thirty (30) day supply should be stored at school.
• It is a violation of state and district policy for students to carry medication on school grounds, except for state-regulated emergency medications with written permission by parent/guardian and physician. Please do not put any medication (including vitamins, cough drops, Tylenol) in your child’s lunch box, back pack, or pockets.
• The first dose of medication should always be given at home in case of an adverse reaction.
• Expired medications will not be administered. Emergency medications that will not expire during the school year should be provided when possible.
• Two epinephrine auto-injectors should be available for students with known anaphylaxis.
• Emergency Medical Services (911) will be called for any student who receives an EpiPen for allergic reaction, Diastat for seizure, or Glucagon for hypoglycemia.
• If a student is taking a medication that is required 3 times during a day, it should usually be administered before school, after school, and at bedtime. This medication will not be given at school unless the student must be a school for an extended time prior to or after regular school hours. This request should be in writing on the authorization form by the physician.
• Alternative medications not approved or regulated by the FDA will not be administered at school. This includes, but is not limited to herbal or homeopathic remedies, dietary supplements, and essential oils.
• Medication not picked up at the end of the school year or the end of treatment regimen will be disposed of according to state regulation and district protocol.

If students violate the rules of Ravenwood High School, certain consequences will follow. The specific consequences will be determined based on the severity and/or frequency of the offense. Parents will be notified of Detention or Friday School placements.

Detention

Teachers will assign detention for tardiness and other classroom infractions. Each time students are tardy to a class; the teacher of that class will assign one day of detention. Detention may also be assigned by an administrator for minor disruptions. Detention will be held 5 times weekly:
Monday 3:00-3:45
Tuesday 3:00-3:45
Wednesday 3:00-3:45
Thursday 3:00-3:45
Friday 3:00-3:45 (The First 45 minutes of Friday School)
The sole activity permitted during detention is silent study; students failing to bring materials with which to study, or work will not be admitted. All school rules apply during detention, including those regarding electronic devices, headwear, and food & drinks.

Friday School

Students may be assigned a Friday School by an administrator for instances of inappropriate behavior or for failure to serve detention. Friday School will be held weekly from 3:00 – 6:00 pm on Fridays. Friday School is silent study; students will bring whatever materials with which to study or work. All school rules apply during Friday School, including those regarding electronic devices, headwear, and food & drinks. Students will have a campus clean-up option from 3 to 4:30 pm.

Athletes who are assigned to Friday School during the season must fulfill these obligations as scheduled. No participation of any kind (i.e., registration, weigh-ins, practices, warm-ups, etc.) is allowed on a Friday prior to the completion of the Friday School obligation. A student may participate in a contest, game, or practice once all obligations are fulfilled.

Failing to report to Friday School will result in two Friday Schools with no clean-up option available. If either one of the make-up Friday schools is missed, students will be assigned to three days of In-School Suspension (ISS).

In-School Suspension (ISS)

ISS shall be assigned by an administrator for actions described in this guidebook. If students are given a day of ISS, they must report to the ISS room no later than 7:40 and remain until 2:47. The sole activity permitted in this room is silent study or homework. All school rules apply in ISS, including those regarding electronic devices, headwear, and food & drinks. In addition,

• Students will leave the room only during specified restroom breaks.
• Students must eat lunch in ISS.
• Students must complete all assigned course work.

Failure to comply with any of these provisions will result in a parent conference and an extension of the ISS assignment.

NOTE: Students are not allowed to participate in any athletic practice session, contest, game, rehearsal, special event, or performance on the day of an ISS assignment.

Unruly Petition

Students who consistently violate school rules are subject to an unruly petition filed with the Williamson County Juvenile Court.

Alternative Learning Center (ALC)

Students who commit any zero-tolerance offense (see p. 45) will be suspended to the ALC.

For WCS to maintain a safe learning environment that minimizes distractions, the minimum standards for acceptable clothing during the school day are as follows:

1. Tops of shoulders must have a minimum of a 1-inch strap unless otherwise covered by an opaque top garment.
2. Skin and undergarments must be covered with opaque clothing from the underarm to mid-thigh. Mid-thigh is defined as the mid-point between and waist and mid-knee.
3. All pants, trousers, shorts, and skirts must be held at the waist.
4. Leggings and other compression-style garments may be worn so long as an opaque top garment covers the private body parts.
5. Hats may be worn in buildings with the permission of building administration.
6. Appropriate shoes are required.
7. Any type of clothing, apparel, or accessory, including that which denotes such students’ membership in or affiliation with any gang associated with criminal activities is not permitted (TCA §49-6-4215).

Any apparel or dress that advertises or promotes products or activity prohibited by law or by the Board of Education is prohibited (e.g., profanity, illustrations, or suggestive language, etc.)

Student uniforms related to student extra-curricular activities (band, cheerleading, dance, sports team, etc.) must be in compliance with this policy during the academic day.

Any apparel or dress that is potentially disruptive to the learning environment or educational process is not permitted. Any apparel or dress that is dangerous to the health or safety of students or the lawful, peaceful operation of the school is not permitted.

*Hats, hoods, skull caps, and stocking caps may not be worn in the building.

Administrators and teachers shall enforce the dress code policy. The principal or his/her designee shall be the final judge as to compliance with the dress code. Consequences: hat confiscated, detention, Friday school.

Friday Spirit Days: On Spirit Fridays, team shirts/jerseys/warm-ups must comply with dress code requirements. Athletic and running shorts may be worn but must be mid-thigh.

1.501 Visitors to the Schools

3.500 Food Services Management

4.300 Extracurricular Activities

6.303 Interrogations and Searches

6.400 Promoting Student Welfare

6.405 Medicines

6.709 Student Fees and Fines

Board Policy 6.200 Attendance

6.304 Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-Bullying, and Intimidation

6.3041 Title IX & Sexual Harassment

6.309 Zero Tolerance Offenses

6.315 Detention

6.316 Student Suspension/Expulsion

3.400 School Bus Safety/Student Conduct

4.406 Student Access To Electronic Media

6.310 Dress Code

4.600 Report Cards and Grading Systems

4.603 Promotion and Retention

Interscholastic activities in Williamson County Schools are an important part of the overall educational process. The athletic programs offer students expanded learning opportunities including self-discipline, self-esteem and teamwork. Students who participate in extracurricular activities tend to get higher grades, have better attendance and pose fewer discipline problems.

Interscholastic Athletics Board Policy 4.301

Annual Public Notices including FERPA, Child Advocacy Groups Contact Information, Homeless Education, Rights of Children with Disabilities and Parent Responsibilities, Section 504 Notice, State Statutory Rights of Parents and Students, Teacher Information, and the Williamson County Schools Statement of Non-Discrimination can be found on the Annual Public Notices posted to the WCS website.

Williamson County Schools Statement of Non-Discrimination

Williamson County, in compliance with federal and state law, performs a countywide Child Find. Child Find uses screening to find students in both public school or private school located in the geographic region who may need special education services and supports.