Springville High School

2008-2009 Student Handbook

                As your principal, I would like to welcome each student to Springville High School. I hope that you will find your time spent here to be academically rewarding and socially enjoyable. Our purpose here is to educate the whole person, thus adding to the development of a well-rounded individual. We have made every effort to provide you with the best faculty and staff possible. Let me encourage you to use all your capabilities to the utmost to prepare yourself for the future. I want you to know my door is always open to you and that I want to help you. If I am busy when you attempt to see me, please make an appointment with the school secretary to see me later. The administration guarantees that you will be treated fairly and equally and every effort will be made to help you. Have a good year and utilize your time to the utmost.

            The Springville High School faculty believes that we should educate the whole child to the utmost of his ability mentally, socially, physically and morally. Even though the primary function of the school is academic, we do realize the need to cooperate with the home and church in guiding the child intellectually, democratically, morally and socially.

            The school has the responsibility to teach the fundamental concepts of American democracy, therefore the student should have the right to express his opinion, make contribution to and participation in self-government, and be required to respect the rights of justice through lawful procedure.

            Since individuals have varied interests and abilities, a properly guided student who has met basic requirements should have the freedom to select the courses he desires.

            The school curriculum should provide meaningful opportunities for the student to prepare for competent work performance in the field suited to his talents and interest, and should be geared to labor demands. Education is more than an accumulation of facts. It includes a desire to learn, a capacity to use knowledge in new and unexpected ways, and suggest responsibility and a sense of worth and dignity of all human beings. Taking pride in hard work to accomplish a goal, whether it is a vocational skill or winning a ballgame, needs to be deeply instilled.

           The St. Clair County Board of Education, the Alabama Board of Education, and the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges accredited Springville High School (9-12). These Accreditation Associations regulate many of the school’s endeavors. Some of these include scheduling required study areas, faculty certification, minimum and maximum class size units of credits required for graduation, etc.

A student in grades 9-12, who accumulates more than five (5) absences in any class, in any one semester, may be denied credit for the course.

Students tardy to school and to class more than three times will be assigned to Saturday School.

            The principal/assistant principal will issue all detention hall punishment in segments of 1, 2, 3, or 4 days. Teachers may recommend detention hall to the principal, but actual assignment comes from the office.

            Each student is encouraged to participate in some form of extra-curricular activity. The purpose of extra-curricular activities (sports, band, clubs, etc.) is to provide the opportunity for each participant to develop habits that will benefit the student morally, physically, socially, intellectually and patriotically. All students must adhere to the no-pass, no-play rule. (An overall 70 average of 6 courses with passing grades, which includes the four cores.)

            As the participant represents the school, home and community in the extra-curricular, the student should at all times express good manners, consideration, and sportsmanship. A variety of clubs, in addition to the physical education and sports activities is offered for this purpose.

            A student must be in attendance at least a half day (two blocks) in order to participate in an event. Absences more than a half day must be a documented excuse.

            All subjects required for graduation must be made up during summer school or the corresponding term of the next school year. For example, 9^th grade English failed the first term of the 9^th grade must be made up during summer school or the first term of the 10^th grade school year. All failed subjects required for graduation must be scheduled before any new subject can be rescheduled. The principal must approve any deviation from the above procedure.

            The MARK I indicates that the pupil has failed to comply with the requirements of the course prior to the time report cards are made. The I (Incomplete) must be converted to a regular mark during the following grading period; otherwise, it will automatically be converted to and recorded a permanent F.

            Work, if not satisfactorily made up in this period, automatically converts to a zero for the work missed. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange with the teacher to make up work missed for any excused absence.

            Any student who is dishonest on a test or an assignment is subject to disciplinary action. First offense: Pupil is brought to the principal for a conference and a zero is given on the test or assignment. Second offense: There will be a parent/guardian/principal, teacher/pupil conference. The student will be removed for nine weeks from any activity that would involve any public appearance in which the student represents the school, ad a zero is given for the nine weeks,

Chewing gum during school hours, on school grounds, is not allowed.

            A student cannot leave school before completing the daily schedule except with the parent/guardian permission, unless prior arrangements have been made satisfactorily between the school and parent/guardian by a phone call and note.

            When permission is granted, a permission slip will be issued to the student. This form should be carried to each teacher whose class is missed, and the teacher should record each absence and sign this form for it to e valid. The student should then sign out in the office and leave the slip. If the student returns the same day, he/she must sign back in by getting permission through the office.

            When returning to school after a daily absence a student must being the parent’s signed excuse to the office prior to 7:50 a.m. Admission form will be issued denoting the cause of the absence. This form should be presented to each teacher when first entering the class. The student is to leave the form with the last scheduled teacher who will return it to the office. If a student does not have an excuse from a parent/guardian, he/she will be allowed to enter school as an unexcused absence until the student’s absence is verified by parent/guardian (This procedure is for check-in also). Tardies will count against perfect attendance.

            SHS furnishes school lockers with built-in combination locks. These lockers ma be rented for $15.00 per year. Securing assignment and payment of rental shall be done in the office. School officials may search lockers without notice, if justifiable. Students should keep lockers secure alt all times.

            A lunch program is provided for the convenience of the student. It is permissible for a student to bring a lunch, but the student must eat in the lunchroom and practice the same behavior expected of other students.

            A student must go to and from the lunchroom with his/her teacher for that class. No one is to leave the lunchroom without permission.

            Free and reduced lunch prices are provided for qualifying students upon request from his/her parents/guardian and upon approval from the school principal, based on federal and local board standards. Allowing another person to use a free or reduced lunch account possibly voids the right to a free or reduced lunch. Any student using another student’s lunch account is subject to disciplinary action. Price for lunches this year will be $1.75 for students, $2.25 for faculty/staff, and $3.00 for visitors.

            A student who carelessly or intentionally fails to properly dispose of trays and other trash, breaks line, reserves tables, or makes unnecessary messes may void his/her right to participate in the lunch program.

            The married student, pregnant student, and student/parent shall be allowed to attend school with permission of the superintendent of education. Permission shall be requested through the principal.

            A student who transfers from a private school which is recognized by an approved private school agency and/or the Alabama Department of Education can be accepted as a regular student.

            A student from a non-approved school will be given a semester exam and placed according to age. If the student falls significantly below grade level, he/she will be placed back one grade level.

            The St. Clair County School System will not accept more units from the private school than the student could earn in that same period in the public school.

            Grading standards from the private school are to be accepted at face value except from the non-approved private schools.

            Springville High School will comply with the student privacy act and will not release information without permission of the parent/guardian and/or student.

            Former students and other visitors who are not parents/guardians or Springville High School students are not permitted to visit classes, students, or teachers during school hours. Visitors may come to the office and talk with the principal or assistant principal and leave messages. If the need to see a teacher or student is valid, a pass may be issued to the visitor.

        The telephone is not to be used by students except in an emergency. Permission will be given only in emergencies pertaining to safety, health, and legal welfare of the student or his/her kin. Emergency messages for any student will be relayed immediately from the principal’s office. Personal needs and transactions should be made prior to coming to school.

        Any student in grades 10-12 who plans to pursue a vocation in Trowel Trades, Carpentry and Cabinet Making, Radio and Television Repair, Horticulture, Health Occupations, Tele-Communications Installation, Cosmetology, Business Office Education, Air-Conditioning, Welding, or similar areas may elect to attend the John Pope Eden Career and Technical Center.

           A student attending the Career Center and passing all class work will earn a maximum of three units of credit per year of attendance.

           Students who withdraw from school during the school year must clear with the counselor on textbooks, records, fees, library books, etc. Records of grades will not be released until a student has properly checked out.

TOTAL POINTS ACCUMULATED:

1-5 Teacher

6-10 Detention Hall- Note to Parent

11 or more- subject to Saturday school or 1-3 day suspension

            Any student having above six (6) points may have their points reduced to five (5) by asking for good behavior status and maintaining good behavior for two (2) consecutive months. Students may also choose to work after school to remove demerits. Students must go through the counselor’s office if they want to reduce their demerits.

"We believe that good sportsmanship is an ATTITUDE. Our ATTITUDE promotes supportive and positive behavior during the activities in our schools. Our mission is to foster this ATTITUDE by demonstrating our leadership in every aspect of our school’s programs."

Good sportsmanship is the ATTITUDE and BEHAVIOR that exemplifies positive support for the interscholastic programs of SPRINGVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, as well as for the individuals who participate in such programs. People involved in all facets of the interscholastic program are expected to demonstrate respect for others and display good sportsmanship.