P.O. Box 1239

The presence of the student in the classroom on a regular basis is necessary to insure the student derives maximum benefit from instruction. A student who has been absent excessively will have difficulty in maintaining quality academic work.

Parents or legal guardian must send a written explanation of absences to school within two (2) days of the child’s return to school. Failure of parent or legal guardian to explain the reason for an absence will result in the absence being marked unexcused. Excused absences are defined as absences due to (1) illness, (2) death in the family, (3) inclement weather, (4) legal quarantine, (5) emergency conditions, (6) prior permission of the principal along with the consent of the parent. Students in grades K-8 who have accumulated a total of 19 absences per year will be candidates for retention. In case of excessive parent/guardian excused absences in grades 7-12 per course, parents may be required to furnish statements from a physician to verify absences due to illness. Unexcused absences are absences for reasons other than those listed as excused.

Pupils will leave the school grounds during regular school hours only with permission from the principal or such person authorized by him.

It shall be the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher to arrange make-up work. Arrangements for make-up work must be made within two (2) days of returning to school.

Students in grades K-8 who have more than 10 unexcused absences per term, or students in grades 9-12 who have more than 5 unexcused absences per term will not receive credit for that year/course.

All purposes and activities of school groups and organizations shall be subject to review by the principal.

All groups shall have a faculty sponsor approved by the principal, who will attend all meetings or have an authorized substitute.

All organizations shall exist for definite purpose beneficial to the school program. Purposes of organization and requirements for membership shall be stated in a constitution on file in the Principal’s office.

Any trips by the organization shall have the approval of the principal and follow the same regulations as to the chaperons, behavior, parental consent etc., as other sponsored trips.

No initiation shall include actions that will be harmful or unduly embarrassing to the prospective member.

Request to the office for the activities and events should have faculty-sponsor approval before being presented to the office.

Pickens County High School participates in varied athletic sports for both boys and girls at both Jr. High and Sr. High levels. Only those sports that are sanctioned by the Alabama High School Athletic Association are scheduled. Participants in any athletic event must meet all the eligible requirements of the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

Regular Schedule:

7:45 First Bell

7:50-9:28 1^st Block

9:28-9:39 Break

9:39-9:42 Class Change

9:42-11:20 2^nd Block

11:20-11:24 Class Change

11:24-1:23 3^rd Block and Lunch

1:23-1:27 Class Change

1:27-3:05 4^th Block

Anytime a student pays money for any school activity, he/she will receive a cash receipt. This includes textbook fees, insurance, fund raisers, registration fees, etc.

Parents, legal guardians, or authorized persons may check students out of school. A current notarized letter must be filed in the principal’s office listing any person other than parents or legal guardians who have authorization for student check-out. Emergencies will be handled by the principal.

Check-outs shall be considered as an absence from those class periods missed. Checking out for unauthorized reasons will result in an unexcused absence for classes missed. Exceptions to this rule will be noted to the student body for PCHS activities only (proms, etc). A minimum attendance of two (2) classes is necessary for event participation.

Check-outs and late check-ins are discouraged by the State Board of Education and the educational staff. Any student who checks out shall immediately leave school campus and not return during the school day without checking-in through the office.

Students are to understand that unless approved in advance by the principal or a staff member, student possessions at school of such items as radios, headsets, gameboys, or excessive amounts of money will not be allowed. Pagers, mobile phones and other telecommunication devices are strictly forbidden on campus by students. They detract from the educational process and create unnecessary security problems. Bringing these items to school will result in them being collected by school personnel and kept until the end of the school term.

Locker $3.00

Contribution $20.00

Parking $10.00

Family & Consumer Sci. (Grades 7-8) $10.00

AgScience (Grades 7-8) $10.00

Keyboarding/Computer $20.00

Other Business Courses $20.00

Family & Consumer Sci. (Grades 9-12) $20.00

Ag-Science (9^th-12^th Grade) $20.00

Science Lab (8^th grade) $8.00

Applied Math I & II $8.00

Trig. $8.00

Geometry $8.00

Band – Fee – School Instrument $25.00

Your Instrument $15.00

Uniform Fee $25.00

Science Lab (Grades 9-12) $10.00

Coop. $20.00

Drivers Education $25.00

Guidance services are available for every student in the school. These services include assistance with educational planning, interpretation of test scores, occupational information, career information, study helps, help with home studies and/or social concerns, or any question the student may feel like discussing with the counselor.

Students wishing to visit the counselor should arrange a conference during their free time (break, lunch, or non-academic block).

Students are not permitted in the halls during class periods unless they are accompanied by a teacher or have a hall pass from an authorized staff member. Students are expected to be in class, actively involved in class assignments.

A student insurance will be made available each school year at a nominal cost. Students are encouraged to enroll in the insurance at the beginning of the school year during the enrollment period which will be announced to all students.

Students who find lost articles are asked to take them to the office where they can be claimed by the rightful owner.

Lockers will be made available to the students for a small rental fee. Security of the assigned lockers will be the responsibility of the student.

Students should obtain needed materials from respective locker at such time that will not interfere with class time.

It is each student’s responsibility to keep their locker orderly and clean. No stickers should be placed on the locker.

Breakfast is available to all students beginning at 7:25 a.m. Lunches are available in the lunchroom for all students of P.C.H.S. Everyone will report to the lunchroom with an assigned teacher at a designated time whether eating or not. The lunch time is a closed time which disallows anyone leaving campus or having a meal brought to the school. Eligibility for free or reduced lunch prices is determined each year by existing regulations of the Child Nutrition Program.

Students driving private automobiles to school must park them in the area designated. Student parking is not allowed on the street in front of the buildings or in city parking lots. The vehicles are "off limits" to students during the school day. Violations can cause student to lose the privilege of bringing a vehicle on campus. Parking permits are required and may be purchased in the high school office.

All physical education classes are expected to dress for P. E. classes. Street shoes are not allowed on the gym floor. Lockers are provided and are the responsibility of the student to utilize for security during gym time. Everyone is encouraged to help in keeping the gym clean and orderly.

Consciousness of safety is encouraged at all times. Due to their destructive potential, fires, tornadoes and bombs will receive practice drill attention.

Everyone must remember that the telephones are expensive and are for school business only. Student use of phones will be made after signing telephone log only in the case of emergency or illness. Any student who uses a telephone without permission and without signing the telephone log will be subject to disciplinary action.

All visitors on campus must report to office, state the purpose of their visit, and receive a visitor's pass.

The principal or his\her designated person(s) has the authority to assign supervised activities related to the upkeep and maintenance of school facilities as a disciplinary action for a reasonable and specified period of time. Work assignment are not intended to interfere with any student’s regular class schedule. The parent(s) or guardian will be responsible for providing transportation in these cases. The parent(s) or guardian will be notified prior to the student's placement in a work assignment.

The primary goal of the Pickens County Alternative School at Lakeside Center is to assist students in a regimented environment to change their inappropriate behavior to appropriate behavior. (The time frame for attendance in the Alternative School is a minimum of six weeks.) The Alternative School gives students whose behaviors are unacceptable in the regular school classroom, as well as in their communities, an extra chance to stay in the public educational system of our county. If students’ behaviors are not improved, other options have to be considered. Skills that are emphatically emphasized to the students are the development of self-control, improved socialization skills, learning, task-oriented behaviors, and increased academic achievement.

Other programs at the Alternative School are the Special Education Program and the In School Suspension Program.

The Special Education Program at Lakeside is a long-term program designed for elementary special education children who have behavioral difficulties in their home school setting. Children assigned to Lakeside must have been formally identified as an exceptional child in need of special education services. Class size is limited because of the nature of the problems associated with behaviorally disordered handicapped children.

The In School Suspension Program (I.S.S.) is for students that have been suspended from their home school due to Code of Conduct violations. These students are not counted absent from school, and they are permitted to do their assignments or tests from school. Students are generally sent to I.S.S. for 1 to 10 days. This program is also for students who are recommended for expulsion or waiting placement in the Alternative School.

All of the programs that are housed at Lakeside Center are long term programs with the exception of In School Suspension (I.S.S). Students who are sent to I.S.S. should take into consideration the following general rules!

• It is the student’s responsibility to work with teachers and make sure they have plenty of work to do during their stay at Lakeside.
• Students should bring books, paper, pencils, and reading material to I.S.S.
• Sleeping, passing notes, talking and other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated during I.S.S.
• Students will use pencils only during I.S.S. unless special permission is granted.
• Students will walk and talk only after raising their hand, asking for permission, and permission is granted.

STATE LAW ON ATTENDANCE AND STUDENT CONDUCT

Any parent or guardian who fails to require his/her child to regularly attend school or fails to compel the child to properly conduct himself or herself as a pupil in accordance with a written policy on school behavior, which may result in the suspension of the pupil, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. The parent or guardian may also be sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than ninety days. Any violation in attendance or conduct, which may result in a suspension, shall be reported by the principal to the superintendent of education. The superintendent or his designee shall report violations to the district attorney within ten days.

An absence is the missing of any class during the school day. Students who have been absent should present a parent’s note explaining the absence. Students will have two days to present this written explanation or the absence will be marked unexcused. Credit will not be given for any makeup work until an excused admission slip is issued. In order to be counted present for the day, students in Grades K-6 shall check-out after 11:30 a.m. and check-in before 11:30 a.m. Students in Grades 7-12 shall be present for one clock hour of instruction in a class to be counted present for that class.

• Students will be allowed only eight excused absences by parent’s note. (4 per term for students on the block schedule)
• After eight parent notes (4 per term for students on the block schedule) all other excuses must be by doctor’s note only.
• All parent notes above eight (4 per term for students on the block schedule) will be marked as unexcused and will be dealt with according to County policy.
• In accordance with County policy, students in grades K-8 who have accumulated a total of 19 absences (excused and/or unexcused) per year will be candidates for retention.

• Students in grades K-8 will not have more than 10 unexcused absences per year.
• Students in grades 9-12 (or the block schedule) will not have more than 5 unexcused absences per term and receive credit for that year/course.

The following is County policy dealing with unexcused absences.

EXCUSABLE ABSENCES - According to County policy, the following are excusable reasons:

UNEXCUSABLE ABSENCES - According to County policy, the following are some of the unexcusable reasons most often encountered:

A child of sixteen years of age or older is required to attend school unless he or she obtains a certificate of exemption from his or her superintendent. Section 16-28-6 (a) (2) of the Code of Alabama

It is the objective of Pickens County Board of Education to provide a student code of conduct that will guide students, teachers and principals in the daily operation of Pickens County Schools. It is intended that this code be consistent yet flexible enough that the individuals not be lost in rules. The code has been developed to ensure the legal right of students and teachers, promote respect for people and property and establish and maintain an environment appropriate for learning. Its purpose is to prevent inappropriate behavior, promote behavior changes conducive to orderly operation of our schools and develop self-discipline and self-respect.

The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to assign students to a designated room (detention hall) on campus at break time or the end of a regular school day. The parent(s) or guardian is responsible for providing transportation in these cases. A reasonable attempt will be made to notify the parent(s) or guardian prior to the assignment of a student to after-school detention hall. If the parent(s) or guardian can be notified on the day of misbehavior, the student will be assigned on that day; if not, the student will be assigned the following day.

Disciplinary probation is a period of time specified by the principal or his/her designated person(s) during which a student must correct his/her behavior while abiding by all regulations that govern student behavior. The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to place a student on disciplinary probation for a reasonable and specified period of time (no longer than one semester). The staff members involved in the action will assist in monitoring the student’s adjustment to the school environment.

In-school suspension is a structured disciplinary action in which a student is isolated or removed from regular classroom activities but is not dismissed from the school setting. The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to assign students to the in-school suspension program for a period of one to five days. The principals and their staffs should determine the scope of in-school suspension in their respective schools. During the in-school suspension period, students cannot attend school functions.

The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to assign supervised activities related to the upkeep and maintenance of school facilities as a disciplinary action for a reasonable and specified period of time. Work assignments are not intended to interfere with any student’s regular class schedule. The parent(s) or guardian will be responsible for providing transportation in these cases. The parent(s) or guardian will be notified prior to the student’s placement in a work assignment.

The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to deny a student the privilege of riding a school bus based on the misconduct of the student. This action will be for one to five days for a single infraction.

The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to use reasonable physical force to restrain a student from abusing or attempting to abuse himself, other students, teachers, administrators, parents, guardians, or other staff members. This action may be taken when it is necessary to maintain discipline or to enforce school rules. This must be done in a reasonable fashion to protect all parties involved. Law enforcement officials may be called to assist in the enforcement of this action.

In order to establish and maintain an educational climate conducive to learning, the Board permits reasonable corporal punishment of students in schools of the School District. If such punishment is required, it shall be administered with care, tact, and caution by the principal or his/her designee. In all cases, corporal punishment shall be administered in accordance with Pickens County Board Policy JDA

Replacement or repayment may be required when a student destroys property of the school or of other students or staff. The principal or his/her designated person(s) must inform parent(s) or guardian when this is required.

The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to confiscate weapons or unlawful products found in the possession of a student. Parents will be notified.

When inappropriate actions warrant, the principal or his/her designated person(s) may assign seats, give writing assignments, place exercise, set social probation, or deny privileges for minor infractions. In such cases, the discipline meted should be appropriate to the misconduct. The Pickens County Board of Education defines suspension as "the temporary removal of a student from school for violation of school policies, rules, or regulations, or otherwise causing interference with or disruption of the orderly operations of school". The school principal or his/her designated person(s) will have the authority to suspend a student from school. The suspensions will be for a period of one to five days for a single infraction.

Expulsion is defined as "the removal of the right and obligation of a student to attend public school under conditions set by the School Board". The principal has the final authority to recommend to the Superintendent’s office the expulsion of a student.

A student recommended for suspension or expulsion will be made aware of the charges and given an opportunity to respond. His/her parent(s) or guardian will be sent written notification of the action that will take place. Any time a referral that warrants suspension or expulsion is submitted, a reasonable effort will be made by the school to either contact the parent(s) or guardian by a telephone call made during school hours or by written notice delivered by the student or the U.S. mail.

The student is responsible for notifying his/her parent(s) or guardian of all written communications from school. Failure to do so may result in further disciplinary action.

The school principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to suspend students from school and/or from riding the bus.

Prior to suspension the student will be made aware of the charges and given an opportunity to respond to them. Written notice will be sent to the parent(s) or guardian stating the reason(s) such action was taken.

Immediate suspension of a student is justified when the student’s presence would threaten himself or herself, endanger school property, or seriously disrupt the orderly educational process. Principals are given the authority to have the law enforcement agency remove uncooperative students. If immediate removal is necessary, the parent(s) or guardian will be notified by phone, if possible. The necessary notice and conference will follow within twenty-four (24) hours of the action.

The suspension of a student is not to exceed five (5) days except as follows:

When a student returns to school after suspension, the readmission must be preceded by a conference with the principal or his/her designated person(s). The conference must include the parent(s) or guardian unless otherwise approved by the principal. The student is readmitted to class with a form or slip signed by the principal.

In-School suspension should not be considered under the regular suspension guidelines.

In accordance with the Alabama State law requiring compulsory attendance, the Pickens County Board of Education makes the final disposition on an expulsion recommendation.

The school principal is initially responsible for determining that an offense for which expulsion may be warranted has been committed. The procedures listed will be followed:

The documentation will be forwarded to the Superintendent or his/her designated person(s).

After a review of the principal’s recommendation, the Superintendent or his/her designated person(s) will, within the suspension period imposed, request a conference with the parent(s) or guardian of the student. The purposes of the conference are:

4. A student may attend extra-curricular activities after school hours that are described as public activities such as football, baseball, volleyball, or basketball games. While attending these activities, he/she must abide by all regulations regarding the events. Any student who is expelled from school cannot visit or otherwise be in attendance on any school campus in the system during the school day while he/she is expelled from school.

A student who is determined to have brought to school or have in their possession, a firearm in a school building, or on school grounds, or on school buses or at other school sponsored functions will be expelled for a period of one year. Students who are expelled for a firearms violation shall not be allowed to attend regular school classes in any public school in the state. Students expelled for a firearms violation may be permitted to attend alternative schools or receive educational services in an alternate setting.

Violations of the Code of Student Conduct are grouped into three classes—minor, intermediate and major. Before determining the classification of a violation, the principal or his/her designated person(s) will consult with the involved student(s) and school personnel. Once the classification of the violation is determined, the principal or his/her designated person(s) will implement the disciplinary procedure.

Each classroom teacher will deal with general classroom disruption(s) by taking in-class disciplinary action, by making a personal call to the parent(s) or guardian when feasible, and/or by scheduling conferences with the parent(s) or guardian and other school staff. When the action taken by the teacher is ineffective, or the disruption is severe, the student should be referred to the principal or his/her designated person(s). Failure to bring notebook, pencil, books or required materials and equipment to class; failure to do homework; or failure to do work in class are not cause for disciplinary referrals, however, defiance of a teacher in regard to these areas is cause for disciplinary referral. Parents or guardians should be notified by the teacher of students who consistently exhibit poor work habits, and/or these students should be referred to a guidance counselor.

12. Intentionally providing false information to a School Board employee, including, but not limited to, student

16. Harassment of students-Intentionally touching or striking another student against his/her will,

18. Any other violation which the principal may deem reasonable to fall within this category after

consideration of extenuating circumstances

First Offense: In-school conference and parental contact when warranted

Second Offense: Parental contact and disciplinary action

In-school disciplinary action such as probation, detention, completing of extra academic assignments, work assignments before and after school, corporal punishment, or suspension at the discretion of the principal or his/her designated person(s).

5. Vandalism

The intentional, unlawful participation in gambling activities involving amounts less than $100.

10. Trespassing

15. Written or verbal propositions to engage in sexual act.
16. Possession or use of obscene materials (includes Internet use)

Subsequent Offenses: Suspension for one (1) to five (5) school days and/or suspension of bus riding privileges.

Students in the Pickens County School System are prohibited from possessing, using, selling, transmitting, intending to transmit, or being under the influence of any of the following:

Parental permission to have or use substances prohibited by this policy, including alcohol or prohibited substances, does not exempt a student from this policy. Students who are caught selling or pushing prohibited substances at school will be recommended for expulsion. A student may be required to submit to a breath test or urine test by the principal.

1^st Offense - Mandatory 3 day suspension and/or recommend student for expulsion. The appropriate law enforcement agency shall be notified. The principal or law enforcement agency shall sign a petition in the Juvenile Court or warrant in Criminal Court.

In addition to satisfying all the requirements of the Board Discipline Policy, all students suspended for a drug and/or alcohol offense shall be required to complete a "Drug Assessment Program" as a condition for readmission to Pickens County Public Schools. Such assessment will be made available to students at no cost to the student or his parents. The principal will provide information to the parent concerning where to obtain the assessment. The parent will be responsible for providing transportation. On completion of the assessment program by the student, the parent shall obtain certification from the professional person administering the assessment and present the certification to the principal. This certification must be furnished before the student can be considered for readmission to the Pickens County Public Schools. Failure on the part of the family or child to comply with the professional recommendations made after the initial assessment may result in a recommendation of student expulsion. If professional recommendations cannot be complied with due to financial hardships, community resources will be explored.

2^nd Offense - (in any school calendar year) - Expulsion for the remainder of the current school year. The appropriate law enforcement agency shall be notified and the principal or law enforcement agency shall be notified and the principal or law enforcement agency shall sign a petition in Juvenile Court or a warrant in the Criminal Court. In order to be considered for readmission the following year, the student must go through a Drug Assessment Program and complete it’s recommendations, as prescribed under 1^st Offense.

PHILOSOPHY: The Pickens County School Board believes that all children have the right to be in a school environment which promotes, enhances, strives to become, and maintains a drug-free student body and school system. In order to insure this environment, periodic dog searches for illegal substances may be conducted. Also, any student or property on school grounds (cars, lockers, purses, bags, etc.) may be subject to search by school authorities.

3.02 Arson

The willful and malicious burning or any part of School Board property

13. Explosions

15. Written or verbal prepositions to engage in sexual acts with intent and ability to carry out act

The disciplinary action for such offenses will be suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion by the principal as authorized in the procedures previously stated. (that in all cases of Class III violations other than 3.15 or 3.17, the appropriate law enforcement agency shall be contacted, and in all cases where a violation of 3.01 through 3.13, inclusive, 3.14 (where a criminal act has accrued), 3.19, 3.20, 3.21 (where a criminal act has occurred), a petition or warrant shall be signed by the Principal in the appropriate court (depending upon the age of the offender and nature of the act)).

Special circumstances may warrant a referral to the Alternative School or In-School Suspension (ISS). If referral to the Alternative School or ISS was a result of misbehavior on the bus, the parents will be responsible for transportation to and from the home school and the Alternative School/ISS.

In order to provide and maintain a safe and secure environment for students, school personnel and authorized visitors, the Pickens County Board of Education may employ the use of metal detectors on all property owned by the Board of Education. Metal detectors may be stationary, mobile or hand held units.

The Pickens County Board of Education believes that all children have the right to attend a school system that promotes, enhances, strives to become and maintains a safe learning environment. In order to insure this environment, it may become necessary to conduct searches for illegal weapons, item(s) obtained illegally or controlled substances that may be in violation of the law or the student code of conduct.

School safety has been and continues to be a critical issue in the lives of students, educators, parents, families, and community members. Students struggle to learn when their safety is threatened. Educators are less able to provide effective instruction in an environment, which they feel, is unsafe. Therefore, it is imperative that our school system and each school make every effort to ensure the safety of their students and those that teach them. To accomplish this task all schools in Pickens County have a State Department of Education accepted comprehensive safety plan. In-order for those plans to be effective, it is important that students or parents report any information concerning the safety of students or teachers. The above hotline number can be used to report any information concerning the safety of the school.

Once a school has been identified as a transfer option school, it can return to safe status by (1) completing Steps One through Four above and (2) completing two consecutive years with less than one percent (1%) of the student population or five (5) students (whichever is greater) expelled for violent criminal offenses as defined in its policy.

The Pickens County Board of Education recognizes the effect which student dress and grooming have upon student behavior and commitment to learning. It further recognizes the role of parents in assisting their children in making appropriate choices, accessories and personal appearance. In order to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning, the Board requires that all students exercise good taste with regard to their personal appearance. Attire considered disruptive or that could present a health or safety problem is not appropriate.

With this in mind, the following rules concerning dress and grooming are mandatory for all students attending Pickens County Schools. Students who fail to follow these rules will be subject to disciplinary action.

1. Any clothing, appearance, or personal hygiene and grooming practices that draw an inordinate amount of attention to the individual student are considered inappropriate for school. The dress and/or grooming style of any student shall not interfere with the educational process of any Pickens County School.
2. Students shall be neat and clean at all times. An unkempt or sloppy appearance is not appropriate in the learning environment of school.
3. Students shall wear clothing in the manner it was designed to be worn, i.e., clothing worn backward or inside-out, suspenders undone, are not allowed. Specifically, pants, worn too low without belts (low riders), too long, or excessively large clothing are not permitted.
4. Students shall not wear clothing that reveals the body in an inappropriate manner. (Examples: clothing which is too tight, too short, bare at the midriff, bare at the sides, sun dresses, "spaghetti strap" type tops and off-the-shoulder tops, low front or back tops, sheer or see-through clothing, etc.). Undergarments shall be worn in an appropriate manner and should not be visible.
5. All clothes shall be in a state of good repair, i.e., no holes, no cut-off shorts, etc.
6. No pierced jewelry or studs may be worn except for earrings by female students. Male students shall not wear earrings.
7. Any clothing or other personal items bearing a reference to alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, drug related slogans and/or any other suggestive or offensive writing shall not be permitted at school or any school related activities.
8. Caps, hats, bandanas, sunglasses or other headwear shall not be worn during the regular school day.
9. All students shall wear their hair in such a manner that it is not considered unkempt, unclean or impairing vision. Students shall not wear hair dyed in unusual colors, spiked hair, shaven head patterns (numbers, names, symbols, designs, etc.).
10. Students shall not wear heavy metal chains, metal spiked apparel or accessories, etc.
11. Students shall be required to wear appropriate shoes to school at all times—no bare feet. No flip-flops or house shoes are allowed. Boots with chains, steel toes, or other metal reinforcement or decorations are not allowed.
12. Any other unacceptable dress code violations shall be determined by the school administrator.
13. Students assigned to the Alternative School Program shall follow the Lakeside Dress Code Policy

The Code of Alabama 16-27-1 and 16-27-3 and federal law requires that students transported to and from school and school-related events must be transported in vehicles that conform to applicable state and federal safety specifications for a school bus. Since private vehicles do not meet the state and federal standards for transporting students, students will not be transported to or from any school-related activities in cars, vans, or any vehicle that fails to meet state and federal guidelines for transporting students.

Substance abuse is a serious problem in our society that has begun to be mirrored in the educational programs of the Pickens County School System. It is the intent of the Pickens County Board of Education to provide a learning environment that is drug free at every level of the educational process. Phase I of the Board’s efforts involved development and approval of a Code of Student Conduct; Phase II was implemented as a drug awareness program for grades K-12, requiring formal drug education activities for all students enrolled in Pickens County School System.

This program is intended to be a helpful component of the overall physical and mental educational and conditioning program and to provide a reasonable assurance that the welfare and safety of the athletes are protected. Its purpose is not disciplinary in nature but is intended as a medical diagnostic aid in disclosing possible drug related problems and as an extension of our educational program. Continuous drug usage is inconsistent with safety and participation in interscholastic athletics.

The random testing program is for Athletes in grades 7-12 and will be applied to all sports teams and cheerleaders, male and female.

The Pickens County Board of Education supports the concept that all students should be promoted or retained by equal, pre-set and identified standards. The purpose of such standards is to insure that all students meet minimum learning goals, which will allow each student to experience maximum academic success.

In determining promotion or retention the classroom teacher will evaluate each student on the basis of achievement as well as attendance. Under special circumstances the principal and classroom teacher may make a change in placement if they determine it is in the best interest of the child.

The following requirements will be used in making a determination for grade placement:

Students in grades K-6 will not have more than 10 unexcused absences per year. Students in grades K-6 who have accumulated a total of 19 absences per school year will be candidates for retention. Excessive absenteeism due to extenuating circumstances will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the student (if applicable), parent, legal guardian, teacher(s), counselor, principal and other appropriate persons.

An absence is the missing of any class during the school day.

Kindergarten students will be expected to master 100% of the following skills in order to complete the kindergarten program:

1. Knows all upper case letters
2. Knows all lower case letters
3. Knows all letter sounds
4. Knows color words: (red, blue, yellow, green, brown, purple, pink, white, orange, black)
5. Recognizes full name in print
6. Knows full name
7. Knows home address
8. Knows birthday (month & day)
9. Knows phone number
10. Knows days of the week
11. Knows months of the year
12. Knows seasons of the year
13. Recites nursery rhymes, poems, songs, fingerplays, etc
14. Recognizes rhyming words
15. Recognizes opposites/positional words
16. Knows vocabulary words in each reading unit
17. Recalls events from a story in proper sequence

1. Recognizes numbers (0-20)
2. Matches numerals to set (0-20)
3. Writes numbers to 20
4. Sequence numbers to 20
5. Completes simple patterns
6. Interprets simple graphs
7. Knows number words
8. Understands simple addition/subtraction using sets
9. Understands time on the hour
10. Can identify money: penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar

1. Cuts out an object correctly
2. Colors neatly
3. Shows left to right progression

Students in grades 1-6 shall:

1. maintain a grade of 70 or above in reading
2. maintain a passing grade of 60 or above in all other academic areas

Students in grades 7-8 shall:

Pass six units that include math, social studies, science and Language Arts. The grades for the two nine week sessions will be averaged for a term grade. The term grade must be 60 for a student to pass.

In summer school, students will make up only the nine-weeks of a course that was failed.

If retention of a K-6 student is contemplated, the following steps should be taken:

By the third grading period the classroom teacher shall review the students overall performance (academic, social, attendance) during the first semester and shall begin remedial strategies with any student whose work indicates that retention is a possibility. The placement committee (principal, teacher, and appropriate staff member) shall meet to discuss the reasons for retention. Written notification to the parent/guardian will be sent along with the report for the third grading period.

Between February 1 and March 15, if retention is being considered the principal and teacher shall discuss the possibility in a documented conference with the parent/guardian and explain why retention is being considered. A second letter will be sent to the parent/guardian stating the possibility of retention.

Between March 15 and May 1 the teacher will provide follow-up information to the parent/guardian and to the principal as necessary. The teacher may seek input from any other certified faculty member who may work with the student. The teacher shall be receptive to the concerns of the parent/guardian and keep the principal informed of any parental feedback.

During the first week of May the principal or designee will inform the parent/guardian, in writing, of his/her intentions regarding the retention of a student. The principal may request that the parent/guardian provide any additional information, which may have a bearing on the decision. The placement committee will make every effort to involve the parent/guardian in the decision making process and have the parent/guardian agree with the decision. However, if no consensus can be reached the principal has the authority to make the decision.

No later than May 15 the principal shall inform the parent/guardian in writing of the final decision. Parental accord is suggested but not required. If the parent/guardian does not concur with the decision, he/she may appeal the decision in writing to the superintendent within five (5) days upon receipt of the final May notification. When a decision is made, a letter will be written to the parent and copied to the appropriate staff.

The following requirements apply to special education students (K-12):

1. Students who have been identified and are receiving services through the Special Education Program shall have an educational program developed through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process.
2. Each student’s IEP committee will determine the appropriate educational program for that student. This determination will include appropriate grade and course level program.
3. Unless determined otherwise, each student receiving services through the Special Education Program will meet the attendance requirements for all students. Any variation from the standard attendance policy will be outlined in the student’s individual education plan.

ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS 4 CREDITS

MATHEMATICS 4 CREDITS Including the equivalent of Algebra I and Geometry

SCIENCE 4 CREDITS Including the equivalent of Biology and a Physical Science

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 1 CREDIT

HEALTH EDUCATION ½ CREDIT

FINE ARTS ½ CREDIT

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS ½ CREDIT

ELECTIVES 9 ½ CREDITS

TOTAL 28 CREDITS

NOTE: Students pursuing either diploma, Standard, Tech-Prep or Advanced, will be required to master all sections of the Alabama High School Graduation Examination before becoming eligible for a high school diploma.