Flour Bluff High School

Home of the World’s Greatest Students

Student/Parent

Handbook

2009-2010

8:30 – 9:13 a.m.                               1st Period

9:18 – 10:01 a.m.                             2nd Period

10:06 – 10:41 a.m.                           Advisory (Announcements)

10:46 – 11:29 a.m.                           3rd Period

11:29 – 11:59 a.m.                          1st Lunch

12:04 – 12:59 p.m.                          4th Period

11:34 – 11:59 a.m.                         1st half of 4th Period

11:59 – 12:29 a.m.                           2nd Lunch

12:34 – 12:59 p.m.                         2nd half of 4th Period

11:34 – 12:29 p.m.                          4th Period

12:29 – 12:59 p.m.                          3rd Lunch

1:04 – 1:47 p.m.                               5th Period

1:52 – 2:35 p.m.                               6th Period

2:40 – 3:23 p.m.                               7th Period

3:28 – 3:58 p.m.                              Pep Rally

Students must park in designated parking areas and display a current campus-parking permit inside the vehicle.  Permits are available during registration or at the receptionist’s desk during normal school hours.  Vehicular safety is imperative.  Repeated violations will result in disciplinary action, in accordance with the District Student Code of Conduct. Any parking spaces with an “L” are designated for library parking only for the public. Those with “S” or “T” are designated for teachers or staff parking. The unmarked parking slots are for student parking. Parking in an unauthorized area could result in the student’s parking privileges being revoked if he/she has been warned previously of the violation.   The district does reserve the right to have vehicles towed when necessary.

Students under the age of 18 must have a certificate proving that they are enrolled in school and have attended the required number of days (as prescribed by the laws of the State of Texas) in the previous semester to get a driver’s permit. Verification of Enrollment forms may be requested from the principal’s secretary. The student must show proper school ID to obtain this form. Students with summer birthdays need to request forms prior to the end of June.

          Students who wish to take Dual Credit (for college and HS credit) course work can anticipate college level expectations.  One should be prepared to accept challenging content.  Students taking Dual Credit course work are also required to meet all college eligibility criteria before being able to take a course.  Students must qualify for acceptance by completing testing, registration and application requirements by the college deadlines.  These courses are designed to assist high school students in obtaining college credit by successfully taking the actual college course; therefore, the courses are very rigorous.  Dual Credit counts (B average or above) for advanced measures on the Distinguished Achievement Plan.  Students may take Dual Credit classes each semester, including each summer session.  Dual Credit courses will be offered at Texas     A & M Corpus Christi, Del Mar College or Flour Bluff High School depending on the course. Students must register and pay fees each semester for Dual Credit courses at the appropriate college and must pay for fees, as well as textbooks.  At Del Mar College, tuition is currently waived by agreement with Del Mar College.  Students still pay for lab fees, books, and enrollment fees each semester. See your counselor and the Graduation and Career Planning Guide for additional details.  Also, see the college handbooks and counselor for information on the number of dual credit courses that may be taken per semester, based upon student eligibility.  Students may also be eligible to apply for Early Admission.

Exempted Courses for UIL No Pass No Play

          The following courses identified in the Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 74 and offered at Flour Bluff will be exempted from No Pass/No Play:

A.           All College Board AP courses

AP English III                  AP Calculus             AP Statistics

           AP English IV                  AP Biology                AP World History           

           AP Government              AP U.S. History        AP Studio Art     

           AP Chemistry                  AP Physics               AP Spanish Literature

           AP Human Geography  AP Environmental Science

           AP Computer Science   AP Spanish Language

                            

B.           All Dual Credit (high school/college courses) approved by the Board of Trustees.

C.           Texas Administrative Code specifically listed courses:

                                    Pre-Calculus

                                    Other Languages Level IV

The following additional courses will be exempted:

A.           Advanced courses for high school credit, offered at Flour Bluff:

           Humanities                       Other Languages III/IV/V

           Independent Studies        

         

B.           Advanced courses designated as Pre-AP or UP courses at Flour Bluff:

                      Pre-AP/UP English I, II                     Pre-AP/UP Geometry

                      Pre-AP/UP Chemistry                       Pre-AP/UP Pre-Calculus

                      Pre-AP/UP Algebra II                        Pre-AP/UP Physics

                      Pre-AP/UP World Geography          Pre-AP/UP World History

                      Pre-AP/UP Biology                            Pre-AP/UP Spanish II

Field Trips

            Participating in school sponsored trips is an integral part of a student’s educational experience. However, academic achievement, along with student attendance and disciplinary record, will determine whether a student should be allowed to miss school for this purpose. Therefore, in order for a student to be eligible to participate in a school sponsored trip, the following conditions must be met:

·         Students must be passing all non-exempted classes which are to be missed.

·         Students must have a satisfactory disciplinary record.

·         Students must make up all work missed while on field trips and other school sponsored activities.

The above restrictions do not apply to field trips of an educational nature where the student is addressing the successful completion of the TEKS for the class sponsoring the field trip.

Students who participate in school-sponsored trips shall be required to ride in transportation provided by the school to and from the event. Exception may be made if the student’s parent or guardian personally requests that the student be allowed to ride with the parent or presents a written request to the principal the day before the scheduled trip that the student be allowed to ride with an adult designated by the parent. The District shall not be liable for any injuries that occur to students riding in vehicles that are not provided by the school.

Students who are absent for school-sponsored/approved activities must have written permission to attend on file, with their sponsors, in order for the absences to be excused.

Fine Arts

            The Fine Arts Program consists of a wide variety of performing and non-performing activities in band, choir, theatre arts and art. The choir is composed of a mixed choir, girls’ choirs, and boys’ choir.   The high school band starts with marching band in the fall followed by three competing concert groups in the spring. Stage band is also offered after school. Theatre includes Drama I, II, III, IV, One Act Play (by audition), Technical Theater, and other UIL sponsored activities. Art includes Art I, Painting II, Electronic Media II, Pre AP Studio Art, Graphic Design IV, Art III and AP Studio Art.  Dual Credit offerings are available, also.  Please see the Graduation and Career Planning Guide.

The Flour Bluff Independent School District's gifted and talented program, S.A.I.L., is designed to serve identified students who need challenges and educational instruction beyond the regular classroom.  The S.A.I.L. instructional program is differentiated to promote extension and enrichment for identified students.

SCREENING PROCEDURES

1.    Nominations are accepted at all times for the S.A.I.L. (Gifted and Talented) Program.  Students are nominated by anyone, including parents, staff, community members, or through self-nomination.

2.    Students are assessed according to district timelines and procedures, which are posted on each campus.

3.    Each campus SAIL (gifted and talented) Committee meets to review assessment data, screen applicants, and to recommend placement of students, for whom the SAIL program is an appropriate placement, utilizing established criteria. Qualification is based on general intellectual ability, specific subject matter aptitude, and creative/productive thinking skills.

Parents receive notification regarding qualification. Students who qualify must submit a parent permission form in order to be placed and served.

FURLOUGHS

A student or parent may request a temporary leave from the program of not less than one semester or more than one year, for serious, extenuating circumstances.  The student’s eligibility to re-enter the S.A.I.L. program shall be reviewed by the high school campus committee at the end of the furlough period.

EXIT POLICY

The high school campus committee may exit a student from the S.A.I.L. Program upon the recommendation of the teacher and/or parent when the program fails to meet the student’s educational needs.  Reasons for consideration of exit will include: evidence of working at a level of frustration, observable through performance and or behavior; demonstration of clear inability or unwillingness to maintain the standards of program performance by maintaining a below satisfactory grade average for two six weeks or more; failure to participate in the program in the appropriate grade level and course offerings for the areas in which the student is qualified; and parent request for removal is automatic. (An Exit form requesting removal is signed and dated by the parent.) Procedures for exit will include a parent conference, a counselor/student conference, and a dismissal review by the high school campus committee, to include input from the parent, teacher and high school campus administrator.

APPEALS

Parents or students may appeal any final decision of the campus committee regarding selection for or removal from the S.A.I.L. program.  Written notice of desire to appeal should be given to the campus administrator or curriculum supervisor. Appeal shall be made first to the campus committee within 10 days of notification. The Campus Committee then meets and reviews the appeal and makes a decision. Any subsequent appeals shall be made in accordance with FNG (LOCAL) in Board Policy.

Grades in the high school are based on the following:

·         Six weeks tests = 1/5

·         Daily work = 2/5 (Practice activities, class work, drills, worksheets, pop quizzes, etc)

·         Major work = 2/5 (End products, reports, projects, major essays, major tests, etc.)

Six Weeks Tests are required in all courses for the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th and 5^th six weeks. There are no exemptions from Six Weeks Tests. Semester Grades are determined by the following:

·         Minimum number of grades for each course per six weeks is 12

·         Average of the three 6 weeks grades = 4/5 of the semester grade

·         Semester Test = 1/5 of the semester grade

Other district policies concerning grading:

·        A score of 50 will be recorded when the six weeks average is lower than a 50.

·        Two semesters of the same course will be averaged and credit awarded if the average is 70 or above.

EXEMPTION FROM SEMESTER EXAMS

A student may be exempt from semester exams under the following conditions:

·         90-100 average of the three six weeks grades and no more than three absences

·         80-89 average of the three six weeks grades and no more than two absences

·         70-79 average of the three six weeks grades and not more than one absence

Absences are figured on a period by period basis (see the page in this handbook about absences and excuses). A student absent for college visitation days, military recruitment activities, and school related activities are the only approved absences for exemption purposes.

          Students may also be exempt from semester exams by passing the appropriate sections of the TAKS test for the current year. For example, a student who passes the math TAKS test may be exempt for the math semester exam.  Students who are exempt because of passing TAKS must still take semester exams if they are in danger of failing a course and losing credit.  If a student is required to take a semester exam and does not show up for the exam, a grade of 0 will be recorded.

           For classes entering 9^th grade prior to 2007-2008, a minimum of 24 credits, in designated areas, is required for graduation.  Students entering 9^th grade in 2007-2008 and beyond will need 26 credits in designated areas to graduate, with four (4) credits required in the following subject areas:

·        Mathematics

·        English

·        Science

·        Social Studies

Additional information is available in the Graduation and Career Planning Guide.

            The guidance and counseling program shall provide the means of helping individual students understand and use wisely the educational, career, and personal opportunities they have and can develop. These programs shall be designed and developed to offer systematic assistance to aid all students in achieving satisfactory adjustment to school and to life. The goal of the guidance and counseling process shall be to provide whatever help students need in developing interests and aptitudes, setting goals and plans, and meeting personal, social, and educational problems.

            Students and parents should refer to the current school year’s registration publication, “Graduation and Career Planning Guide” for specific information concerning courses, prerequisites, career pathways, and graduation requirements. If you have any questions concerning this information and wish to schedule an appointment with the appropriate counselor, please do not hesitate to do so. Students will need to make an appointment with the counselors’ secretary ahead of time so the meeting can be held during a non-academic period. This must be done at times other than class time except in cases of extreme emergencies. The counselor will then send a slip to the teacher requesting the students come to the counselor’s office at the most appropriate time.

            The high school counselors are:

                        Ms. K. Bedre (Lead Counselor)

                        ____________

                        Ms. K. Sausley

                        Mr. K. Witt

                        Ms. S. Weir

       

Hall Passes

            Any time a student leaves the classroom he/she must have a hall pass from the teacher. These are not the same as the ID badges the students will be wearing. The hall pass gives the student permission to go from one destination to another, while the ID badge indicates he/she is a student of the high school. The student should expect to be asked for a hall pass if he/she is in the halls during instruction time. Failure to have the pass may result in disciplinary action, as that would mean he/she does not have permission to be out of class at that time.

Identification is required of any person on school property. The Board or its designee may refuse to allow persons having no legitimate business to enter school property, and may eject any undesirable person from the property upon his or her refusal to leave peaceably on request. Education Code 37.105

Students will be issued Photo IDs upon registration and are required to have them visible above the waist while they are on school grounds. The IDs will be used for various things like library checkout, lunches, computer use and security. Every student and staff member of the high school will be required to wear the photo ID they have been issued for identification.

IDs should not be defaced, as they are school property. If the ID is lost or defaced, students will be required to purchase another one for $5.00. If the student forgets the ID, the procedure is as follows:

1^st time without ID                  student will have a written note from the office

2^nd time without ID                 student will receive detention

3^rd time without ID                 student will receive night school

4^th time or more without ID   student will have to pay for another ID and

                                              will receive additional disciplinary action

Incomplete work

            If a student, because of illness or for some other excused reason, cannot complete the required work by the end of the reporting period, the student will receive an “I” on the report card. This work must be made up within the time allowed by grading regulations. The student should contact the teacher in order to make arrangements to complete all work. A student who has an incomplete in a course that is not exempt from no pass no play is ineligible for extra-curricular activities until the “I” is made up. 

In School Suspension Center (ISSC)

            Students are assigned to ISSC for disciplinary reasons. Students will not be counted absent from class, but are responsible for all work assigned by the teacher. Students may not attend or participate in any school-related extracurricular activities. Students are expected to attend tutorials for extra help from their teachers while they are assigned to ISSC.  Failure to attend ISSC will result in an unexcused absence for the period assigned and further disciplinary action will be taken. Continued disregard for school rules may result in student placement in an alternative education program. Students will be required to complete class assignments and/or any assignments made by the ISSC teacher prior to returning to class. Failure to cooperate in ISSC will result in suspension, Level 2 ISSC and/or placement in the disciplinary alternative program.

          Except in the case of excused absences, late papers are accepted one day late with no grade higher than 70.  Teachers may limit acceptance of daily late papers to no more than three (3) per six-week grading period.  Long range assignments are accepted two (2) days late with appropriate penalties.  Major assignments, which carry a heavier weight, may have a deduction of 20 grade points for the first day late and a total late deduction of 30 grade points if two days late.

Library

            The District has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Corpus Christi to have a joint library located on school property. This library is the Janet F. Harte Public Library and also serves as the Flour Bluff High School Library. As a joint library, the Janet F. Harte Library offers up to 74 hours of service per week to the schools and the community.  This library is a valuable resource for the entire school district during and after school hours. High School students will use their student IDs during school hours to access the resources in the library and the Research Classrooms located in the High School. After school hours, students will need a public library card to check out materials, but will not need to have a public library card in order to use the resources of the library. Parents may contact the High School Librarian at 694-9161 if they wish to restrict their student’s checkout privileges during school hours.

            The school district is not responsible for any personal property that is lost or stolen. This includes the contents of student and athletic lockers, school buildings, school buses, and items taken on school trips. This also includes cell phones, electronic devices, bicycles, motor bikes, or vehicles. Students should protect their property by placing their name, address and other identifying information on it.   Illegal items may be confiscated and turned over to the proper authorities.

            Students finding anything of value on the school grounds or in the building should bring it to the main office so that the rightful owner might be found. A lost and found area is maintained in the registrar’s office.

           Items left unattended or lost will be searched by school administrators to protect the safety of the school environment.

Lunch

            The High School is a closed campus, and students are not allowed to leave campus during the lunch hour.  Students may purchase breakfast for $1.00 and lunch for $2.00 in the school cafeteria. Students who leave campus will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct.

            Students shall be permitted to make up assignments and tests when absent.

Students need to meet with their teachers before or after school to get the assignments they missed when absent.  A student will be allowed the same number of days he/she was absent to make-up the assigned work.  Students shall receive a zero for any assignment or test not made up within the allotted time for make-up or late work. Requests for make-up assignments for students missing more than 3 days of school in a row may be made through the counselor’s office. Please allow at least 24 hours to fulfill requests for make-up work from the counselor’s office.

            If a student is present when a long-term assignment is made, but absent when it becomes due, the work is due the day the student returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to secure work from his/her teacher. If a student knows in advance that he/she will miss class, arrangements may be made in advance for assignments.  

            Teacher(s) may assign additional work to ensure students who have been absent have sufficient opportunity to master the essential knowledge and skills or to meet subject or course requirements. The assignments shall be based on the instructional objectives for the subject or course and may provide greater depth of subject matter than routine make-up work.

          All medication must be immediately taken to the nurse’s office upon arrival to school.  At no time shall a student have in his/her possession any form of medication (i.e. non-prescription, prescription, herbal substances or dietary supplements, etc.).  All medication is to be kept in the nurse’s office.  With written notice from a physician to the school nurse, a student will be allowed to carry his/her own prescribed inhaler. If a student has diabetes and must carry a monitoring device, written notice from a physician is required.  A medical release form (obtained from the nurse) must be signed by the parent/guardian giving authorized school personnel directions for its administration of medication (time and dosage).

No District employee will give a student prescription medication, nonprescription medication, herbal substances, or dietary supplements except for authorized employees in accordance with policy and the following guidelines:

• Prescription and non-prescription medicine must be in the original container.
• Prescription medicine must be in its original container with the latest pharmacy label for that student.
• School personnel will not give any medicine, including Tylenol, unless it is provided by the parent, in the appropriate manner as stated above.
• Any medication left with the nurse beyond the last day of school will be destroyed.

It is very important that each student has on file an emergency physician and hospitalization card with current working phone numbers.  Having the correct information on this card will greatly assist personnel in contacting a parent or physician, should your child have an accident or become ill.  If a student’s phone number changes during the year, please give the new number to the office. 

Students who do not comply with the expectations for handling medication will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Perfect Attendance Recognition

            For perfect attendance recognition purposes, students shall be in school during each period each 6 weeks in order to be counted present for the entire day. Students approved to participate in school-related or school-sanctioned activities shall not be counted absent for perfect attendance if attending one of these functions.  Students with perfect attendance have the opportunity to be chosen for gift certificates each six weeks as well as being recognized at the end of the year awards assembly. Students with perfect attendance from grades K-12 will also receive special recognition at the awards assembly.

            Each six-week period, teachers send out written notice of a student’s performance in each class or subject marked either Passing, Failing or Borderline.  See the official school calendar for progress report dates.

In addition, there are 14 other items that the teacher may choose from to give parents more information concerning the progress report. Unfortunately, our computer program allows the teacher to select only two (2) of the fourteen-(14) items available to them. If you wish to set up a conference with the teacher(s) you may call the teacher’s voice mail or email the teacher. If you do not hear from the teacher, or for more information or clarification of these reports please call the Counselors’ Office at 694-9169.

Promotion and Retention

Course credit in the high school will be earned based on a grade of 70 or above on course-level standards (essential knowledge and skills and local objectives). Grade level advancement is determined by credits.

·         to be classified as a sophomore, a student shall have earned 6 credits, 3 of which shall be from the list of courses below.

·         to be classified as a junior, a student shall have earned 12 credits, 7 of which shall be from the list of courses below

·         to be classified as a senior, students shall earn 17 credits. Students shall take an English, math, science, and social studies course each year until these credits are fully achieved.

English Language Arts:            Social Studies/Economics:

English I                                      World Geography

English II                                     World History

English III                                                U. S. History

English IV                                   Government

Economics

Mathematics:                              Science

Algebra 1                                     Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC)

Geometry                                     Biology

Algebra II                                     Chemistry

PreCalculus                                Physics

Math Models with Applications          

Calculus

Statistics

Independent Studies in Math

            A student who develops an early graduation plan may be reclassified accordingly, regardless of years in school. Reclassification generally occurs in January, the end of May or the end of summer.  See the Graduation and Career Planning Guide for further information.

Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

            Parents and students who wish to be involved in the activities of Flour Bluff High School are strongly encouraged to join the local PTSA. This organization directs many worthwhile activities which benefit the students, parents and staff of Flour Bluff High School. PTSA has an ongoing fundraiser of selling commemorative bricks for the High School entry hallway. Information on ordering bricks is available at any PTSA meeting.

Publications / Posters

            All written material over which the school does not exercise editorial control intended for distribution to students must be submitted for prior review to the principal. For outside organizations, printed material must be submitted to the Assistant Superintendent who will determine if the materials may be distributed.

Report Cards

            Report cards are issued to students following the completion of each six weeks-grading period. The school will record a 50 on the report card for any six-weeks’ numerical average that is lower than 50.  Only the final report card in May is mailed home.  See the official school calendar for report card dates.

            According to Education Code 26.003, a parent may request a change in the class or teacher to which the parent’s child has been assigned if the reassignment or change would not affect the assignment or reassignment of another student.

The change may require a conference with the parent, student, teacher and the principal. Classes will not be changed unless it is due to an ARD, 504 or extenuating circumstances that must be accommodated immediately.

            Acceptable reasons to have a schedule change are as follows:

·         change of an elective to correspond with a career pathway

·         upgrade of a schedule for a stronger academic load

·         schedule a class needed for graduation

·         correct a mistake in course placement

·         add an elective that has low enrollment

·         student has already failed same course under same teacher

Schedule changes will be allowed during the first two weeks of each semester only.

Skateboards

          Students are prohibited from bringing or riding skateboards on school property. 

Smoking/Tobacco Use

            The Board shall prohibit students from smoking, using, or possessing tobacco products at a school-related or school-sanctioned activity on or off school property. Education Code 38.006

            Flour Bluff High School is a smoke-free campus. Students shall not smoke or use tobacco products on school property or at any school-related or school-sponsored activity, on or off school property, as provided by law. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff or chewing tobacco. Any teacher, administrator, or other District employee who observes a student using or in the possession of tobacco products while in or at school-related functions, shall report that to the designated campus person.

            Students in grades 9-10 shall be scheduled for seven (7) classes each day. Students in grades 11-12 shall be scheduled for at least six (6) classes each day. The principal shall consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis to allow graduating seniors to be excused after five (5) classes.  All students will be scheduled into an advisory period that will meet for 40 minutes every day.

Supplies

            Each student is to furnish his/her own routine supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, and notebooks. Some classes will also require special supplies. Students needing assistance with supplies should see the counselors’ secretary or the Communities in Schools counselor.

Supportive Parenting Programs

            Life Skills for Teen Parents Program provides preparatory services and education/training for parents who are students and pregnant female students enrolled in the Flour Bluff Independent School District. The program also assists eligible students with information on support services, career opportunities, and related community services. Additional information may be obtained from the counselors’ office.

Tardiness

Students are considered tardy when they are ten minutes or less late to class.  Arriving late by more than ten minutes will be recorded on the attendance record as an absence for that period.  Students will receive an office referral from the teacher on his/her fourth tardy of each semester.  Each additional tardy will result in further office referrals.

Teacher Requests

            Students will be assigned a teacher qualified to teach the subjects which are indicated on their schedule request.   Requests for teachers must be made at the time that course requests are made.  See the page on schedule changes for more information.

Telephone Use by Students

The telephones in the office are business phones and are to be used for school business, parent contact and emergencies only. Students will be allowed to use the office phones for emergencies only.

Texas Scholars

            Texas Scholars of the Coastal Bend is sponsored by a coalition of local business and organizations. More information about Texas Scholars may be found in the Graduation and Career Planning Guide.

            Students choose to be Texas Scholars to prepare themselves for advanced education and for the competitive job market.

(Legislative changes are currently being made to the Top Ten Percent Rules)

All students whose grade point averages comprise the Top Ten Percent of the graduating class may qualify for Automatic Admission to public colleges/universities in the state of Texas.  Students must have completed the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Plan to qualify for the Top Ten Percent. Students who make a request through the Registrar shall have their GPA reported on the transcript and made available in accordance with the college application deadline.  Requests shall be made through the Registrar’s office and should be made at least two weeks prior to the submission deadline so that the Registrar may accommodate the request in time for the student to meet the college application deadline.

To qualify for automatic college admission, the student must submit an application before any application-filing deadline established by the institution.

After admission, an institution shall review the applicant's record and identify any other factor the institution considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

The institution may require a student who has been identified as needing additional instruction to enroll during the summer immediately after the student is admitted to participate in appropriate enrichment courses and orientation programs.  A student who has not been identified as needing additional preparation for college-level work may enroll, if the student chooses, during the summer immediately after the student is admitted.

The Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program is a financial assistance program authorized by the 74^th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 1995 (Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 56, Subchapter K) for students who graduate from high school in fewer than four years. To be eligible for an award through the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program a student must:

·         graduate from a Texas public high school on or after 09/01/2005

·         have completed either the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement High School Program in no more than 36 consecutive months

·         have attended high school in Texas only

·         register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement and

·         be a Texas resident

This award may be used at both public and private, non-profit colleges and universities in Texas.  If the award is used at a Texas non-profit private college or university, the college or university must provide a matching scholarship (or combination of smaller scholarships of matching value) to use this credit.  No funds may be used to pay for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support.  The amounts awarded are as follows:

·         $2000.00 for a student who graduates in no more than 36 months.  If he/she also graduates with at least 15 semester credit hours of college credit, he/she may receive an additional $1000.00.

·         $500.00 for a student who graduates in more than 36 months but no more than 41 months.  If he/she also graduates with at least 30 semester credit hours of college credit, he/she may receive an additional $1000.00.

·         $1000.00 for a student who graduates in more than 41 months but no more than 45 months if he/she graduates with at least 30 semester credit hours of college credit.

Transcript Requests

            Under the guidelines of the Texas Open Records Act, high school transcript requests must be submitted in writing to Flour Bluff Independent School District. High School students may request up to five transcripts at no charge during their high school career. After receiving five free transcripts, there will be a $1.00 charge for additional transcripts until the student graduates from high school.  After graduation, Flour Bluff graduates may request official transcripts for $2.00 each.  After a student reaches 18 years of age, transcript requests must be submitted by the student or by higher learning institutions or agencies listed under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.

            Out of state transfer students and transfer students from Texas non-public schools shall complete all state graduation requirements to be eligible for a Texas diploma.

            Resident students who complete their junior year at Flour Bluff High School and become nonresidents may continue to attend tuition-free until graduation.

Students who transfer high school credits for courses designated as Advanced Placement, Pre-Advanced Placement, Dual Credit or Advanced Credit from accredited institutions shall receive weighted credits counted toward the GPA as approved by the Flour Bluff ISD Board of Trustees.  The Board-approved weighted courses are provided annually in the District’s High School Graduation and Career Planning Guide. Grades from non-credited non-public schools, including home-schools, shall not be used in determining class rank, grade point average, or academic average. Students/parents are required to provide proof of accreditation status for institutions providing high school level instruction, other than public schools, at the time of enrollment in the District.

            If any parent or person standing in parental relation to a child who is required to attend school fails to require the child to attend school, the attendance officer shall warn the parent in writing that attendance is immediately required. If, after this warning, a parent or person standing in parental relation with criminal negligence fails to comply, and if the child has unexcused voluntary absences for the amount of time specified under Family Code 51.03 (b)(2), the attendance officer shall file a complaint against him or her in an appropriate court, as permitted under Education Code 25.093. In addition, if this child has been referred to the juvenile court for engaging in conduct in need of supervision, the attendance officer shall also file a complaint against the parent in that court. If no referral has been made, the attendance officer shall refer the child to the

county juvenile probation department for action as engaging in conduct indicating a need for supervision.

A student who is required to attend school under the compulsory attendance laws and fails to attend school for the amount of time specified in Family Code 51.03(b)(2) without an excuse provided by Education Code 25.087 may be prosecuted for truancy in:

• The justice court in the county in which the student resides;
• The justice court in the county in which the school is located;
• The municipal court in the municipality in which the child resides; or
• The municipal court in the municipality in which the school is located.

WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUANCY?

            Students who are absent without permission are truant. Truancy is an unexcused absence and a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, which will lead to disciplinary and/or legal action against the student and the student’s parent/guardian. Students are truant if they:

·         Leave school without signing out in the main office;

·         Leave school at lunch without administrative approval;

·         Are absent from school without prior permission;

·         Fail to report to the place for which they received a pass from class, or

·         Come to school, but do not attend classes.

Students who are not in school during school hours may be arrested by local law enforcement officials and taken to the Truancy Reduction Impact Program (TRIP) Center where they will be detained until the parent/guardian arrives to assume custody. The Juvenile Probation Department and the High School also are notified of the arrest.

            The High School offers a tutorial program within the school day to students who are failing or in jeopardy of failing. Parents are notified each reporting period of student failures.   At the end of the third week, progress reports are issued, and at the end of the sixth week, report cards are issued.  Parent conferences are requested for students with failing grades.

·         The tutorials are held daily from 8:00 – 8:25 a.m. in teacher’s classrooms

·         Tutoring by NHS members is available.  Pleae in the Janet F. Harte Library before school and during some evenings.

·         Other tutoring by approved community volunteers may be arranged through the counselors’ office.

            Flour Bluff I.S.D. offers an Early College High School Program, called the University Preparatory High School Program, whereby students may earn up to 60 college credit hours while completing high school.  Students may apply to the program while in 8^th grade.  Students are evaluated for eligibility. The program is conducted through Flour Bluff High School and Texas A & M University—Corpus Christi and has rigorous curriculum and attendance expectations.

          All students must return signature pages, located in the back of the District Handbook, regarding use of technology prior to being allowed to use computers during classes.  Students must follow all technology guidelines or face disciplinary action.

          

            Visitors must sign in and obtain a visitor ID badge at the main office before taking care of their business. To ensure the safety of our students, it is imperative that administration be aware of who is on campus.

            Only Flour Bluff High School students are allowed in classes and lunches during the school day. The school does not accept the responsibility of younger children on campus, and students are not to bring younger children to campus.

            Visitors will be asked to show a state-issued picture identification card.  Background checks will be completed regarding sexual offenders.