Cuyama
Valley High School
Sierra
Madre High School
To ensure the success of this mission, we promote academic excellence in the teaching and scholarly activities of our faculty, encourage personalized learning, foster interactions and partnerships beyond our community, and provide opportunities for intellectual, cultural, artistic enrichment.
We, as educators, endeavor to create a student-centered educational community whose members support one another with mutual understanding and respect. We encourage all students to actively pursue the ways of knowing and the art of thinking.
Our goal at Cuyama Valley High School is to provide each student with the best education possible and to prepare each student to be successful in his/her future. We have high expectations for each student which we believe are essential for successful learning.
We ask Cuyama Valley students to work to their best abilities in the classroom, to accept responsibility for their actions, to treat fellow students and staff with respect and to accept responsibility for school attendance.
This student handbook is designated to clearly state the rights and responsibilities of Cuyama Valley High School students. We have listed both general behavior expectations and specific consequences for inappropriate behavior. Although inappropriate behavior is demonstrated by less than 10% of our student body, we feel that all students should be informed.
The School Board, Administrators, Teachers and Staff are proud of our school and our student body. We will do everything necessary to support you in your journey to academic excellence.
Jan Hensley
Principal
Students have the right to a free and appropriate public education until the age of 18 or until they graduate from high school.
Students have the right to an equal educational opportunity without being disturbed by the conduct of others.
Students have the right to due process. When a student is referred for disciplinary action (including suspension or expulsion), the student has the opportunity to offer his/her version of the incident to school authorities.
Students have the right to fair, consistent and respectful treatment by staff members and by other students.
Students have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, age, or medical condition.
Parental and adult rights and procedural safeguards for
special education are available upon request from the administration.
Students in the Cuyama Joint Unified School District have the responsibility to:
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Be respectful of themselves and others. |
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Attend classes daily. |
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Be on time for all classes. |
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Obey school rules. |
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Dress appropriately for school. |
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Cooperate with school personnel at all times. |
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Be prepared every day. |
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Complete all class work and homework, participate in class, and meet deadlines. |
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The Cuyama Valley High School Student Council has adopted the following Code of Ethics. This code is meant to help students know what is expected of them while at school, at school activities, going to and from school, and/or while representing the school in any way.
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SCHOLARSHIP Students should make every effort to maintain good scholarship. This is the primary reason for school. |
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CHARACTER Students are expected to be dependable, honest, and reliable. Students of good character do not require extensive rules in order to maintain good conduct. |
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APPEARANCE Students are expected to dress neatly and appropriately while at school, at school activities, and/or while representing the school in any way. If a student’s appearance detracts from the teaching-learning environment, creates a disturbance, or otherwise is deemed inappropriate for school, the principal or his designee will take steps to correct the problem. (Students who are repeatedly dressed inappropriately will be sent home, assigned in-school suspension, or be otherwise subjected to reasonable measures to correct the misbehavior). |
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COMMUNICATION Whether speaking or writing, all students are expected to use appropriate English.
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LEADERSHIP |
Students holding leadership positions are expected to:
1. Take pride in his/her office and in his/her school.
2. Work hard to fulfill the requirements of his/her office.
3. To formulate and express ideas worthy of merit.
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No
personal phone calls can be made from the school office except in an
emergency. A pay phone is available outside the office. The pay phone can
only be used during break, lunch or after school. |
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Your textbooks are
issued free. If you lose your textbook, you must pay for it before a second
one is issued. You also must pay a pro-rated amount for any damages that
occur to any textbook or library book, which is checked out to you.
Nonpayment for loss or damage will result in a hold on student records. |
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When a student returns to
school after an illness or absence of any kind, he/she must have a written
excuse from his/her parent/guardian. This must be presented to the school
secretary on the first day of your return in order to obtain an admission
slip for classes. If he/she
returns to school with no written excuse, he/she will be issued an unexcused
absence slip. Absences not cleared within twenty school days will become
truant. |
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PE excuses must come from the parent or the doctor.
An excuse from the doctor is required if you will not be taking PE–for
more than three days. |
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You may not carry your
own medication except with express consent, and documentation on file, from
the principal. The office may only
dispense medication to students when there are written directions on file
signed by both parent and attending physician. See the school office for
forms. |
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Morning bulletins are
read at the beginning of homeroom. If you have a notice for the bulletin, it
must be turned in to the office the day before |
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The district’s schools
maintain closed campuses throughout the entire school day, including lunch.
Students will not be allowed to leave campus for lunch, unless a
parent/guardian personally picks the student up and signs the student out of
school. |
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The
library is for your convenience and pleasure. Please take advantage of it.
Books are loaned for a period to two weeks. Fines will be charged for all
overdue books. Students/Parents are responsible for the cost of replacement
for lost or damaged books. Students with outstanding fines will not be
allowed to check out books until these fines are paid. |
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The parking lot is OFF
LIMITS to all students during the day, including lunch period. |
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The
Principal must approve all school activities and place them on the activity
calendar. |
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School-sponsored
after-game dances/activities require the permission of the Principal and the
Associated Student Body. |
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Pencils, paper and folders are available for purchase in
the office. |
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No
postage stamps are for sale at school. |
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Progress
Reports that indicate whether a student is failing or near failing a
specific class are issued during the 5Th week of each quarter . This
parent/student notification is timed so that the student has a chance to
improve his/her grade(s) before permanent quarter grade(s) are issued. |
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Student safety is always
a number one concern. In case of an accident, the teacher in charge will
complete an accident report. The teacher will notify the Principal and all
appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the students and
staff. All appropriate reports will be filed and submitted to district
office within the appropriate time restraints. |
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All candy and soda
machines will be inoperable between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. or
until after lunch has been served. |
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Truant or excessive
absences may effect a student’s participation in off campus field trips
and athletic events that are scheduled off campus during the school day. |
Students may add or drop a class during the first week. Students must complete the add and drop form and have it signed by a parent or guardian. No other changes in the schedule may be made after the end of the first week of school unless authorized by the Principal.
Public display of excessive personal affection is inappropriate during school, at school functions or on school outings. Students who chose not to comply with this rule will be referred to the site administrator, and parents will be notified.
Nutritional meals are available everyday during the morning break and during lunch. Students may purchase tickets for these meals in the office before school or during the morning break. Breakfast tickets are $0.75 a day and $3.75 a week. Lunch tickets are $1.25 a day and $6.25 a week. Free and reduced lunches are also available. Students need to talk to the school secretary for information regarding this lunch program. No charges are allowed.
CAFETERIA
RULES
The following behavior is expected in and around the cafeteria.
1. Obey request of Cafeteria workers.
2. Place trash and excess food in trash containers.
3. No pushing/shoving/cutting in line.
4. Do not throw food.
5. Do not steal from Cafeteria.
Cars are not to be used as lockers. Properly licensed students MAY drive their cars to school as long as the following are observed.
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Speed is not to exceed 15 miles per hour on the school campus. |
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No student may go to any car during school hours without permission from the office or from a teacher. |
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There shall be no racing, “dragging,” or exhibitions of speed at any time. |
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Cars should be parked in the parking lot in an orderly manner so as not to block other cars, fire lanes, traffic lanes, or handicap spaces. |
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Your right to privacy does not extend to your car when you drive on campus. An Administrator or Sheriff may search your vehicle at any time. |
The school needs to maintain current student information. If there is an emergency on campus it is important that we are able to contact your parents or guardians immediately. If you change your phone number, move, or your parents change jobs, please tell the office right away so they can update your student information file.
It is important that you are here every day and for every class period. Your participation is critical for the success of all the students and staff. Every time you are absent, everyone loses. You miss out on important information. Your peers will miss any comment you may have that contributes to the richness of your class assignments or class discussion.
The school is responsible for your behavior from the time you leave your home to go to school until you return home at the end of the day. This also means you are responsible to conform to school rules and expectations during this time.
California State law and the Education Code require you to be in school. If you do not have a valid excuse for being absent you will be considered truant. Five unexcused tardies equal one cut. Three cuts in a school year is a truant. Three truants and you are considered a habitual truant and you are referred to local law enforcement agencies. These may include the Probation Office, the Sheriff’s Department and the County Deputy District Attorney.
Tardies- You will be considered tardy if you enter the class without a valid pass after the bell has rung. It is important that you are in your seat ready to learn and participate before the bell rings. The following guidelines have been developed in order to address students who have multiple tardies to class within one (1) quarter.
Three (3) or more tardies total from all classes: A conference will be held with the student and their parents/guardians.
Five (5) tardies or more total from all classes: Student will receive disciplinary action and parents/guardian will receive written notification and have a conference with an administrator. Parents may be requested to accompany their student to classes for the day.
Truants- If a student is absent from school without a valid excuse for more than three days, the student will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board for intervention and support.
Truants or excessive absences may effect a student’s participation in off campus field trips and athletic events that are scheduled off campus during the school day.
Parent Information
· See that your son/daughter is in school every day, unless there is sickness or an emergency. Regular and punctual attendance is the single factor in school success.
· The clearing of absences is the responsibility of the parent. Either a note or a phone call must clear absences to the school secretary within two school days after the student returns to school.
· Schedule student appointments in the afternoon so your son/daughter is able to attend school in the morning.
· As a convenience, students are issued lockers for his/her individual use. However, students are responsible for providing their own locks. Students do not have an expectation of privacy for their lockers, backpacks or purses. The Administration has the legal right to conduct inspections of these items or areas if there is reason to believe they contain something illegal or dangerous
· Parents and or visitors are required to check in at the office for a pass whenever they first arrive on campus.
· After home games, a school group may sponsor a dance. All dances end by midnight. Students are required to stay in the dance area during dances. Once a student leaves, he/she will not be readmitted. The parking lot is off limits.
· Freshman Reception – The annual “Welcome Dance” given by seniors for the freshmen, is scheduled at the beginning of the school year.
· Homecoming Dance – At the beginning of each school year, one football game is designated as the Homecoming game. This is usually the last home game of the season. All alumni and patrons are invited to attend Homecoming activities.
· Christmas Ball – This is a formal dance sponsored by the Sophomore Class.
· Prom – The Junior/Senior Prom is hosted by the juniors each year in honor of the senior class. It is a formal dance open to all classes and their guests.
Participation
In Extra-Curricular Activities
Eligibility:
Any student who participates in extra-curricular activities must be attending, in good standing, Cuyama Valley High School. Participation in any extra-curricular activity is a privilege. This privilege may be revoked for inappropriate behavior. To be eligible for participation in any extra-curricular activity, the student must be in attendance at school for at least a minimum day (240 minutes) the day of the scheduled activity. Students who are tardy, truant, or absent from school the day following an activity jeopardize their eligibility for following activities. These students will be referred to the Principal, and the Principal will determine their eligibility. Students may also be ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities because of truants or unexcused absences.
Extracurricular Activities – Grade Requirements per California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) are as follows:
Students who do not satisfy these minimum standards are granted a “grace period” of one quarter probation. A student who doesn’t make satisfactory educational progress and achieve a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities in the subsequent quarter.
No “F” or “U” will be accepted in the maintenance of a 2.0 GPA. Any student earning an “F or “U” will be placed on probation.
Good citizenship is also necessary for participating on our athletic teams. Failure to maintain high standards of conduct as determined by the coach, teacher, and/or the administration, will result in suspension or disciplinary measures which can include detention and exclusion from extracurricular activities. Students receiving an accumulation of (5) tardies during a quarter, (aggregate of all classes) will become ineligible to participate for the following quarter. Being on time is part of the citizenship grade. An unsatisfactory citizenship grade will result ineligibility for the following quarter. It is the responsibility of the teachers to notify the Principal when a student is in danger of becoming ineligible.
Fire drills are held several times throughout the school year. The signal for the drill is a series of four short blasts of the bell or fire alarm system. All work must stop immediately, and classes are to be evacuated by the route indicated by the teacher. The signal for return to the classroom is one long ring.
The fire alarm boxes are not to be touched except in case of fire. Anyone who tampers with the alarm boxes will be reported to the fire department.
GRADUATION
ON STAGE REQUIREMENTS
Graduation on stage and participation in Graduation activities is an honor and a privilege. To earn this privilege, the student must meet the following criteria:
· Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 during their graduation year.
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Student must be in attendance 153 days or 85% of the school year
during their graduation year. Students that miss more than 28 days of school
during their graduation year will lose this privilege.
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Student must not have been suspended from school
more than three times, with the total not to exceed 10 days, during the
graduation year. (Three out of class suspensions are equal to one full day of out of
school suspension)
· Student has not been referred to the Student Attendance Review Board during their graduation year.
An honor roll is posted at the end of each quarter and semester. There will be three categories:
· Honor Roll with Highest Honors 4.0 PA
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Honor Roll with High Honors
3.50–3.99 GPA(No D’s or
F’s)
· Honor Roll 3.00- 3.49 GPA(No D’s or F’s)
INDEPENDENT
STUDY/HOME AND HOSPITAL
The Cuyama Joint Unified School District offers Independent Study as a component of the alternative Education Program. On July 1, 1999, Governor Davis enacted new regulations for receiving independent study credit. A student must be absent for 5 continuous days to be eligible for the program. Parents of students who must leave the area are asked to contact the high school office for program guidelines. Students who are ill for extended periods of time need to contact the office concerning a Home and Hospital Program.
The lost and found is located in the administration office. If you have lost anything, check with the School Secretary or the Custodian.
The high school office is open from 7:00 AM until 3:30 PM daily. All school business should be transacted during these hours. The school secretary can be reached at 766-2293. The District Office is open from 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM during the school year. The phone number at the District Office 766-2482.
Various student groups take school sponsored trips throughout the year. Only those students who have demonstrated positive behaviors will be allowed to attend. The Principal, with input from teachers, will make the final determination.
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All students must
return by school transportation unless the parents personally pick up the
student. By law, releasing the student
requires prior written approval of both the parent/guardian and the school
Principal.
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Students are responsible for the observance of all safety rules
while riding in school conveyances.
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Students making a school sponsored trip shall be under the
supervision of a sponsor and shall be expected to conduct themselves properly.
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Students who do not observe the above, forfeit their privileges of
making school sponsored trips, including sports, for the remainder of the school
year. Other administrative action may also be taken.
The senior trip occurs late in the spring. The senior trip must stay within the state of California. Members of the class vote on the location and activities to take place on the trip and must raise all needed funds. All plans for this trip must be completed by the end of the third quarter. In order to attend the activity, the student must be in attendance at the school site of departure. Students who elect not to go on the senior trip must be in attendance at school. Absence without a valid excuse will be considered a cut. Students seen at organized activity who did not go with the class will suffer consequences that may result in restrictions in the graduation ceremonies.
MANDATORY
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXPULSION
A student may be suspended or expelled for any of the acts listed below if the act occurs while on school grounds; while going to or coming from school; during the lunch period, whether on or off the school campus; during, going to, or coming from any school-sponsored activity. [EC 48900] During the suspension, a student may be assigned to the on campus Intervention Center or suspended to their home.
OFFENSE
1. Under the influence of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind. [EC48900C]
2. Possession and/or use of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant. [EC48900C]
3. Possession, sale or trade of drug paraphernalia. [EC48900J]
4. Offering or selling controlled substance. [EC48900D]
5. Possession of any gun, knife, explosive, look-a like weapon, or other dangerous object at school or school activity. [EC48900B]
6. Assault and/or battery. [EC48900A & PC415.5]
7.
Robbery or extortion. [EC48915.4]
8. Fighting. [EC48900A &PC415.5]
9. Engaging in hate crime or violence.[EC489000.3]
10. Obscene act, habitual profanity or vulgarity. [EC489001]
11. False fire alarm/fire setting. [EC48900K & PC148.4]
12.
Violation of closed campus policy. [EC48900K]
13. Theft, attempted theft, or possession of stolen school or personal property. [EC48900G.L.]
14. Vandalism/destruction of school or private property. [EC48900F]
15. Possession or use of Tobacco. [EC48900H]
16. Harassment, threats or intimidation. [EC48900.4]
17. Sexual Harassment. [EC48900.2
18. Bias related incident (racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, etc.) or hazing, degrading slurs, and disgracing any person attending the school. [EC32051, EC48911]
19. Willful disobedience/disrupting school activities. [EC48900K]
20. Gambling. [EC 48900]
21. Harassment, threats or intimidation. [E48900.4]
22. Falsification and/or forging altering school correspondence, passes or absence re-admits.[EC48900.8]
23. Cheating.[EC48900]
24. Violation of Dress Code.[BP5132]
25. Possession of unauthorized articles/items (i.e., personal cassette/CD players, pagers/beepers chain/skateboards, cell phones).{EC48901.5}
26. Degrading, insulting, or abusing teachers or other school personnel. [EC44811 & EC44812]
27. Duties of
pupils: all pupils shall comply and submit to the
authority of the staff of the school. [EC48908]
Board Policy
Sexual harassment of or by any employee shall not be tolerated. The Board considers sexual harassment to be a major offense which may result in disciplinary action or dismissal of the offending employee.
Pursuant to Education Code 212.5, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
1. Submission to the conduct is made either an explicit or implicit condition of employment, status or promotion.
2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for an employment decision affecting the harassed employee.
3. The harassment substantially interferes with an employee’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
4. Submission to, or rejection of the conduct is the basis for any
decision affecting benefits, services, honors, programs or other available activities.
An employee who feels that he/she is being harassed is encouraged to immediately report such incident to the immediate supervisor of the accused employee or the appropriate personnel department official without fear of reprisal. The personnel department shall be informed of all such complaints and will assist in the investigation and resolution of complaints.
Adopted: April 13, 1994
TEXTBOOKS,
CALCULATORS, AND OTHER SCHOOL PROPERTY
The teachers issue textbooks, calculators, and/or other school property to students. Each student is responsible for the care and safekeeping of these assigned items. The condition of each of these items is rated and recorded by the teachers before issuance.
When students are issued textbooks for class use, they should sign their name and the year in the space provided within the school stamp found at the face of the text. Your cooperation in this matter will help track books and save both the school and your parents money.
Books, calculators, and other school property that become lost or misused, which are issued to students must be paid for in the amount of repair or replacement.
**Report cards will not be released until all school books, fees and other supplies are returned and accounted for.
If you are leaving the area it is important to withdraw your enrollment from school unless you have made arrangements for an independent study. To withdraw the parent must come into the school office or the student must bring a signed note from his/her parent/guardian authorizing the withdrawal. All books, fees and other records must be cleared before a student receives credit for work done.
All students under 18 years of age are required by law to have a work permit if they are employed. Work permits are free and can be obtained through the front office during the regular school year and from the district office during the summer. Failure to secure a work permit can result in both the student and the employer being cited by the California Stare Labor Board.
The teacher is responsible for the conduct of the student in the classroom and the corrective measures to be taken to bring about appropriate behavior. All teachers will have posted in their respective rooms a list of their rules. The following list of rules pertain to all classrooms school wide:
· Be in class, in your seat, and quiet at the start of class.
· Bring your own class supplies (pencils, pens, books and paper) to class daily.
· All students are to address the principal and staff as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Dr., or Coach at all times during school hours or at school functions.
· Be respectable toward staff and to fellow peers.
· No eating or drinking in the classrooms is allowed, this includes the gym.
· No tobacco or tobacco related products are allowed on campus at anytime.
· Sunglasses will not be worn inside school buildings.
· Hats will not be worn inside school buildings.
Note: The individual instructor may add to this list, since each teacher has his/her own expectations for student behavior. Teachers are responsible for documenting and tracking (1) the misbehavior, (2) the date it occurred, (3) what action was taken by the teacher to bring about behavior change and (4) the date action was taken.
There will be an In School Retention (ISR) program at CVHS. The California Education Code Chapter 6, Article 1, Section 48910, allows the teacher to suspend a student from the teacher’s class for the day of the suspension and the following day. If a student is in violation of a school or class rule and if the teacher chooses, the teacher will suspend the student. At that time the student will be sent to the administration office and placed in ISR.
If a student is referred to the principal for disciplinary reasons, the on-sight administrator will use the California Education Code, in determining the consequences of infractions.