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Welcome to Smith County High School
Our Mission Our mission is to constitute a strong, structured foundation for lifelong learning by directing, guiding and challenging all students to achieve their ultimate potential so they can lead fulfilling and productive lives in a rapidly changing and increasing complex society.
Note To Parents Good discipline originates in the home. As a parent you are the first teacher of your child and should develop in him/her good habits of behavior and proper attitudes toward school. The following are some helpful guidelines: 1. Recognize that the teacher takes the place of the parent while the child is at school. 2. Teach the child respect for law, authority, the rights of others and private and public property. 3. Arrange for prompt and regular school attendance and comply with attendance rules and procedures. 4. Work with the school in carrying out recommendations made in the best interest of your child, including discipline. 5. Talk with the child about school activities; show an active interest in his/her report cards and progress. Your interest and support at home are important to your child and are greatly appreciated by the faculty and staff. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend parent/teacher conferences. You may arrange additional conferences by calling the school.
The Ideal Student An ancient king once said, “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore, get wisdom, and with all thy getting, get understanding.” To become wise and understanding we must have knowledge, but knowledge of facts is not enough. Along with it we must have intelligence which is the ability to apply these facts to the conditions in which we find ourselves. An ideal student observes the following practices of good citizenship at school: 1. Enters and leaves the building and classroom in an orderly manner. 2. Avoids boisterous conduct in the halls and cafeteria. 3. Talks in a well-modulated, soft but audible, voice. 4.Is helpful when a substitute teacher is in charge of the class. 5.Becomes quiet, without being reminded, when class begins. 6.Takes good care of the textbooks and library materials supplied him/her. 7. Prepares lessons on time. 8. Is always prompt. 9. Is always equipped with tools and materials (paper, pencil, book) necessary for work. 10. Does not break a promise. 11. Practices good conduct in the teacher’s absence. 12. Is considerate of others. 13. Respects the authority of the teachers and of his/her fellow students whom he/she has elected to positions of leadership. These are ideals which students should strive to achieve, thereby developing good adult citizens.
ATTENDANCE Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session The attendance supervisor shall oversee the entire attendance program which shall include: 1. All accounting and reporting procedures and their dissemination; 2. Alternative program options for students who severely fail to meet minimum attendance requirements; 3. Ensuring that all school age children attend school; 4. Providing documentation of enrollment status upon request for students applying for new or reinstatement of driver’s permit or license; and 5. Notifying the Department of Safety whenever a student with a driver’s permit or license drops out of school. Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or assistant principal; where applicable. Excused absences shall include: 1. Personal illness (A doctor’s statement will be required for students being absent after the fifth day of personal illness). 2. Illness of immediate family (doctor’s statement required after the third day). 3. Death in family or if death is non-relative, day of funeral only. 4. Religious observances. 5. Subpoenaed court appearance. 6. Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control. A student shall be required to have a note from the parent stating the reason for the absence. Arrangements for make-up work (excused absences only) must be made by the student immediately upon the student’s return to school. If a student fails to complete the make-up work in the time required, a zero will be earned for the make-up work unless an unexcused absence for that time is presented. Students with an excused absence may then request another time for make-up work. The above arrangements will be made so that the class time is not taken from other students. A student will not be allowed to make-up their work for unexcused absences and a zero will be given for assignments on the day of the absence. Suspended days are unexcused absences and no make-up work will be given. All absences on the computer attendance program shall be either: E-- excused U– unexcused S– suspended Students participating in school-sponsored activities, whether on or off campus, shall not be counted absent. In order to qualify as “school-sponsored,” the activity must be school-planned, school-directed, and teacher-supervised. Mass exodus or early dismissal or late arrival of all students or any segment of students shall not be permitted for any reason except for emergencies such as inclement weather or other unavoidable situations, unless instruction is made up in full. All missed class work or tests (from excused absence) may be made up if the student makes the request immediately upon returning to school and if class time is not taken from other students. Ten (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) total unexcused absences during any semester renders a student ineligible for promotion to the next grade and/or to receive credit toward graduation, and to retain a driver’s permit or license, or to obtain such if of age. After (10) consecutive or fifteen (15) reported absences (excused or unexcused) by a student during any semester, an attendance committee appointed by the principal will conduct a hearing to determine if any extenuating circumstances exists or verifying that the student has met attendance requirements that will allow him to pass the course, be promoted, or retain or obtain a driver’s permit or license. Any administrative decision regarding attendance may be appealed initially to the superintendent and ultimately to the board. The appeal shall be made in writing to the superintendent within five (5) days following the action or the report of action, whichever is later. Student attendance records shall be given the same level of confidentiality as other students records. Only authorized school officials with legitimate educational purpose may have access to student information without the consent of the student or parent/guardian.
WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS Students shall not possess, transmit, handle or use or attempt to use any dangerous weapon in school buildings or on school grounds at any time, or in vehicle and/or buses or off the school grounds at any school-sponsored activity, function or event. Dangerous weapons for the purpose of this policy shall include, but are not limited to”… any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, hawk bill knife, or any knife, blackjacks, knuckles, chains…” Students who are found to have violated this policy shall be subject to suspension for a period of no less than one(1) year. The superintendent shall have the authority to modify this suspension requirements on a case-by-case basis. When it is determined that a student has violated this policy, the principal of the school shall notify the student’s parent or guardian and the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system as required by law.
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