SOUTHEAST STUDENT HANDBOOK
SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL
MISSION STATEMENT
THE MISSION OF SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL IS TO PROVIDE ALL STUDENTS WITH A SAFE, MOTIVATING, AND POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO PROMOTE LIFE-LONG LEARNING.
EXIT OUTCOMES
We expect that USD #247 students will demonstrate:
1. Proficiency in academic skills and communication.
2. Individual and group decision-making and problem-solving skills.
3. Respect for self, others and society.
4. Understanding of the rights and responsibilities of work or further education or training.
5. Readiness for entry into the world of work or further education or training.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEMBER: POSITION:
Mrs. Mindy Dainty #1
Ms. Denise Grasso #4
Mr. Greg Hite #2
Mrs. Tara Underwood #3
Mr. Keith Ritchey At-Large
Mr. Alan Rogers #5
Mr. Troy Smith #6
ADMINISTRATION
SUPERINTENDENT
Timothy P. Burns B.S.E., M.S., Ed.S., Pittsburg State University
PRINCIPAL
Greg Gorman B.S.E., Baker University M.S., Washburn University
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Jeff Spangler B.S.E., M.S., Pittsburg State University
FACULTY
Cherie Witt: B.S., Missouri Southern State University, Business
Bryan Burdette: B.S., Pittsburg State University; Industrial Arts
Nancy Brunetti: B.S.E, Pittsburg State University; Science and P.E./Health
Brad Coots: B.S., Pittsburg State University, Woods
Wayne Cameron: B.A., Pittsburg State University; Math
Darrel Goedeke: B.S., M.S., Pittsburg State University; Math
Amy Gorman: B.S., Pittsburg State University; Art
Gary Leiker: B.S.E., University of Kansas; Social Studies
Luke Witt: B.S.E., Missouri Southern State University; P.E./Health
Kim Longpine B.S.E., Pittsburg State University; Math and Science
Starla Parsons: B.S.E., Pittsburg State University; English
Grant Reed: B.S., M.S., Pittsburg State University; Special Education
Cathy Reed: B.S.; M.S.; Pittsburg State University; Special Education
Jeremy Neville: B.S.E., Pittsburg State University; Social Studies
Kristi Henderson: B.S., Pittsburg State University; Family and Consumer Science
Lisa Leiker: B.A., University of Kansas
M.L.S, Emporia State University; Librarian
Leota Coats: B.S.E., M.A, Emporia State University; English
Megan Smith: B.S.E., Pittsburg State University; Science
Dale May: B.M.E., M.S., Ed.S; Pittsburg State University; Music
Judy M. Tilley: B.S., University of Wisconsin (Platteville);
M.S., Ed.S., Pittsburg State University; English
Gina Ulbrich: B.S.E, M.S., Pittsburg State University, Counselor
John Varsolona: B.S., Pittsburg State University; Social Studies
Jim Weber: B.S., Southwest Missouri State; Agriculture
PART-TIME FACULTY
Susan Bole RN, ASN, Labette County Community College, District Nurse
TUTORS
Denise Burns: B.S., Pittsburg State University
Michelle Dayton: B.A., Arkansas State University
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Secretaries Cooks Paraprofessionals
Jodie White Gay Clark Joyce Bole
Cindy Alexander Patricia McNew Kim Boyer
Deborah Turner
Regina Henderson
In School Suspension Supervisor Custodians
Coleen Renn Mark Platt
Kathy Raye Resource Officer
Brent Neil
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Academic Letter
The purpose of the academic letter is to encourage and reward academic excellence. The attainment of the academic letter is not an easy task and requires considerable planning of class schedules.
Lettering
Lettering shall be based on a point system. Points will be awarded each semester beginning with the first semester of the freshman year. Points will be awarded for grades received in “academic” classes according to the following points:
A - - - - 4 points
B - - - - 3 points
C - - - - 2 points
Students meeting the following criteria will be awarded a letter at the end of the 3rd semester and a lamp of knowledge at the end of the 5th and 7th semesters:
1. Cumulative grade average of 3.5
No grade lower than a “C” in an “academic” class
A total of 45 points at the end of the 3rd semester
A total of 77 points at the end of the 5th semester
A total of 109 points at the end of the 7th semester
Definition of “academic” class
Classes considered to be “academic” are those in the areas of English, high level Math, Social Studies, Natural Science, and Foreign Language. Classes offered at Southeast High School considered to be “academic” for purposes of the academic letter are:
English Mathematics
English I, II, III, IV Algebra I, II
Geometry
Science Trigonometry
Earth/Space Science Calculus
General Biology
Chemistry Social Studies
Physics US Government/Kansas History
Advance Biology US History
Foreign Language Local History
Spanish I, II, III, IV Sociology
World History
Citizenship Award
One boy and one girl student of Southeast High School will be selected to receive the citizenship award. The selection will be made by students and faculty, with presentation of the award made at the Honors Banquet. The criteria for selection are that the student:
must have maintained a “C” average (2.0 GPA) or better;
must not be a chronic discipline problem at school or with civil authorities off campus;
must have maintained an adequate school attendance record;
must be an active participant in school clubs, organizations, and activities (Sports is not a requirement);
must exhibit a positive attitude and demonstrate meritorious conduct.
Grade Point Average
The grade point average (GPA) for Southeast High School students will be computed using the following scale:
A - - - - 4 points
B - - - - 3 points
C - - - - 2 points
D - - - - 1 point
F - - - - 0 points
Only semester grades will be used to compute the GPA. All classes taken will be given equal weight. “Aides” classes and classes taken for college credit will not be counted in the GPA computation.
Computation of GPA for selection of valedictorian, salutatorian and honor graduates shall include grades through seven semesters.
Honor Roll
Honor Rolls are announced after each semester grading period. Selection will be based on the grades received during that period. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of three (3) class periods (not to include “Aides” classes) to be eligible for consideration. The two honor rolls are:
“All A” – students must make all A’s during the semester period.
“A-B” – students must made a grade no lower than a B during the semester period.
An “Honors Banquet” will be held for students in honor of their academic excellence. Certificates of achievement will be awarded to the students at that time.
National Honor Society
The selection of new National Honor Society members will take place in the fall semester. The entire faculty will select the new members and a student must receive a simple majority of the vote. To be eligible for selection a student must be a sophomore, junior, or senior and have a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Selection will be based on the areas of scholarship, character, leadership and service.
Honor Graduates
Graduating seniors who achieve a 3.50 or higher GPA through 7 semesters shall be designated as Honor Graduates and be so noted on the graduation program. Students must have completed the Regents Qualified Admissions Curriculum Requirements in order to qualify for this honor. Computation of GPA for honor graduates shall include grades through seven semesters.
Valedictorian
The Valedictorian will be the graduating senior who has accumulated the highest GPA during the four years of high school. Computation of GPA for selection of Valedictorian shall include grades through seven semesters. To be eligible for this honor, a person must have been enrolled as a student of Southeast High School no later than the beginning of their senior year and maintained that enrollment until graduation. Students must have completed the Regents Qualified Admissions Curriculum Requirements in order to qualify for this honor.
Salutatorian
The Salutatorian will be the graduating senior who has accumulated the second highest GPA during the four years of high school. Computation of GPA for selection of Salutatorian shall include grades through seven semesters. To be eligible for this honor, a person must have been enrolled as a student of Southeast High School no later than the beginning of their senior year and maintained that enrollment until graduation. Students must have completed the Regents Qualified Admissions Curriculum Requirements in order to qualify for this honor.
Regents Qualified Admission Curriculum:
English: 4 credits
Natural Science: 3 credits (chosen from Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics, and at least one of the three credits must be in Chemistry or Physics; however, General Science or Physical Science taken in or before the 2003-2004 school year will count toward the science requirement)
Mathematics: 3 credits (chosen from Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus)
Social Science: 3 credits (World History; US History; US Government)
Computer Technology: 1 credit
Lancer Pride
Lancer Pride is an organization which honors our students for academic achievement, attendance and citizenship. Criteria is set by the SEHS faculty and eligibility is checked on at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters, and 1st and 2nd semesters. The criteria is: (1) no grade lower than a “C” in a 9-week period; (2) no detentions, suspensions (OSS or all day ISS), or discipline referrals to the office; (3) must be enrolled in 7 classes at Southeast (seniors must be enrolled in at least 6); and (4) accumulate no more than 14 attendance points (regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused) per nine week period and have no more than 1 tardy per month. If any member of Lancer Pride commits an offense that warrants a suspension, their Lancer Pride membership will be immediately terminated.
CHANGING CLASSES
Students wishing to change their classes must do so within the first three days of the start of first semester. An appointment with the counselor must be made in order to do this and the student must complete the appropriate paperwork with all required signatures. Students may obtain class change forms from the counselor.
COLLEGE RELEASE POLICY/EARLY OUT
The goal of providing for the needs of all students of SEHS prompted the development of guidelines concerning off-campus education. The purpose is not to discourage the student from participating in off-campus offerings but to assure that district policy is met.
The student must be a senior in good standing academically having demonstrated proficiency in the courses taken during high school.
The student must meet the credit requirements for graduation and be enrolled in at least three (3) consecutive units of high school credit at SHS.
The student must enroll in a minimum of five (5) college hours. These classes are subject to approval by USD 247 administration.
The student shall forfeit all elected office positions.
When released from school to attend college, the student will not be allowed to return to school during the school day without proper authorization.
Students must provide documentation of enrollment at the beginning of the semester and documentation of satisfactory attendance and achievement at the end of the semester. Failure to provide this information will result in the suspension of further participation by the student in this program.
Students must continue to perform satisfactorily in their high school classes. This includes performance with regard to classroom and school behavior as well as academic performance.
College credit classes will not be used in the determination of valedictorian, salutatorian, honor roll or other academic recognition.
GRADE CARDS/PROGRESS REPORTS/POWERSCHOOL
Grade cards will not be issued for the first semester period. Grades can be accessed off PowerSchool. If a parent or student wants a hard copy of the grade card, the office will provide one upon request. Grade cards will be mailed home at the end of the school year.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
All students must follow these enrollment requirements when determining their schedules. Elective courses may be filled in after these requirements.
FRESHMAN REQUIREMENTS SOPHOMORE REQUIREMENTS
English I English II
Science Biology
Math Math
World History US History
Health/P.E.
Computer Technology
JUNIOR REQUIREMENTS SENIOR REQUIREMENTS
English III English IV
Science US Government
Math
NOTE: Music/Art Appreciation is a one-semester required course that may be taken any year. For those wanting to attend Vo-Tech School during their junior and senior year, you should take Music or Art Appreciation prior to your junior year. However, students attending Vo-Tech for two years may substitute a full year of any fine arts class. Students attending Vo-Tech must have 12 credits prior to their junior year, and 18 credits prior to their senior year.
Graduation Requirements:
Total Credits Required = 24
Semesters Required = 8
The class requirements for graduation are:
English: 4 credits
Math: 2 credits (3 for those graduating 2009 and beyond)
Science: 2 credits (3 for those graduating 2009 and beyond)
Health/PE: 1 credit
Fine Arts: 1/2 credit (1 for those graduating 2009 and beyond)
Business: 1 credit
Social Science: 3 credits
(US History – 1 credit)
(US Government/KS History – 1 credit)
(World History – 1 credit)
PLUS: 1 additional credit of Math OR Science
(for those graduating PRIOR to 2009)
Students with credit deficiencies for graduation may apply off-campus classes toward Southeast High School graduation under the following conditions:
The counselor and principal will consult with the student to develop a plan for the completion of identified deficiencies. Any course(s) or proposed alternate program for graduation must be approved by the counselor and principal.
The student must have previously enrolled in the course at Southeast or a previously attended high school, and failed the same subject.
A student must have met all graduation requirements in order to participate in graduation ceremonies.
A student must show evidence they are working toward the completion of graduation requirements. Failure to show such evidence may result in the school withdrawing the student. A hearing would be an appropriate future course of action.
Credits to change classification are as follows:
Must have 5 credits, prior to the start of the school year, to be a Sophomore
Must have 11 credits, prior to the start of the school year, to be a Junior
Must have 17 credits, prior to the start of the school year, to be a Senior
CREDIT RECOVERY
All classes taken for credit recovery through the Crawford County Learning center, or it’s equivalent, must have the course(s) completed by the last day of the 3rd quarter to receive credit for that academic year
ATTENDANCE POLICY
It is the intent of our attendance policy to stress the importance of regular attendance to all students enrolled at Southeast High School. Punctual and regular attendance is necessary if all students are to share the benefits of a successful, well-ordered school. Your education is a matter not to be taken lightly, as it may determine which doors will open to you. Many prospective employers view regular attendance at school as a measure of reliability in making their decision on whether to employ a person, and also as a factor to be used in deciding whether or not to continue a person’s employment.
We ask that full cooperation be given in matters dealing with the attendance policy stated below:
1. An absence will be considered EXCUSED when:
There is documentation from a health care professional (Doctor, Dentist, etc.); or
Parent contacts the school the day of the absence stating the reason of the absence; or
The student brings in a note to the office upon returning to school (after 3 consecutive days, the note must come from a health care professional) ; or
Family emergency deemed unavoidable by school administration.
If a student has an “excused” absence, he/she will be able to make up all assignments with full credit. The student will have one day for each day absent to get classwork turned in. For example, if a student is ill Monday and Tuesday and returns to school on Wednesday, the student will have until Friday to turn in the assignments for full credit. It is the student’s responsibility to get the assignments from the teachers.
2. An absence will be considered UNEXCUSED when:
The parent does not contact the school the day of the absence; or
The student does not bring a note from the parents or health care professional upon returning to school
If a student gets an unexcused absence, he/she will not be able to make up missing assignments.
3. If a student has 10 or more absences in a semester, he/she will not be able to go on field trips until following semester.
Check-Out Policy
Students who check out of school will receive unexcused absences from those classes missed UNLESS:
Their parent or guardian calls the school at least an hour prior to the student’s check-out time OR the student provides a parent or guardian note to the office prior to when the student checks out; AND
The student has documentation from a health care professional when he/she returns to school OR the student was checked out due to a family emergency deemed unavoidable by school administration.
All students must have parental permission to check out of school.
If the student does not meet both criteria, even when checked out by a parent, the absences will be unexcused (see above for consequences of unexcused absences).
*Students will not be allowed to return to school that day after checking out UNLESS they have a note from a health care provider.
Truancy
The principal shall report students who are truant from school to the appropriate authority. Truancy is defined as any three consecutive unexcused absences, any five unexcused absences in a semester or seven unexcused absences in a school year, whichever comes first. Students who are absent for a significant part of any school day shall be considered truant. Prior to reporting to either S.R.S. (if the student is under 13) or the county or district attorney (if the student is over 13), a letter shall be sent to the student’s parent(s) or guardian notifying them that the student’s failure to attend school without a valid excuse shall result in the student being reported truant.
Tardies
The student will receive disciplinary action upon their fourth (4th) tardy per semester and upon each subsequent tardy. Discipline action will be as follows:
4th – 7th overall tardies Detention
8th overall tardy 1 day In School Suspension
9th overall tardy 2 days In School Suspension
10th overall tardy 3 days In School Suspension
11th overall tardy 1 day Out of School Suspension
12th overall tardy 2 days Out of School Suspension
13th overall tardy 3 days Out of School Suspension
Each tardy after the 13th will result in 3 days of Out of School Suspension until the total tardies reaches 20, at which time long term suspension will be recommended.
BUS POLICY
General Rules and Safety Regulations
All students being transported by USD 247 vehicles, primarily busses, will be required to follow the following rules. The safety of students is of the first and foremost concern and must not be jeopardized by inappropriate behavior. Failure to behave as expected may result in a student’s bus privileges being revoked or other disciplinary measures.
Excessive loudness, either talking or laughter, can distract the driver and result in an accident. Talking is permitted, but passengers must keep it down.
Remain seated while the bus is in motion. When the bus does stop you should walk in an orderly fashion to the exit, not run.
Keep all loose materials out of the aisles. Place them under the seat, hold them, or place them in the overhead rack, if provided.
Any student causing damage to a bus will be required to pay the school district the cost of repair.
Neither eating or drinking is permitted on the bus.
Fighting, harassment, or other misbehavior will be reported to the principal. The student will be disciplined as if he/she were at school.
The bus driver is in charge. Any additional rules made by the driver are to be followed.
Students shall not place hands, arms or any other part of their body, or other objects out of the vehicle’s windows.
Out-of-Town Trips
All students must ride the designated school transportation to officially recognized events unless permission to do otherwise is given by the Principal.
A parent/guardian may transport his or her child/ward from an out-of-town activity by:
Being present at the event to personally assume custody, AND
Submitting to the sponsor a signed release form.
A parent/guardian of a student wishing his/her child to ride home with an adult member of the immediate family may file a release form stating the name of the individual family member that will transport the child. The release should be filed in the school office on or before the day of the activity.
Parents may release their child to ride with another adult (over the age of 21) who is not a family member by following the steps outlined in #3. No student will be released to ride with anyone under the age of 21, regardless of the reasons.
All alternate transportation arrangements which are made that do not include the student’s parents are subject to revocation by the school personnel in charge of the student. If the sponsor feels that for safety sake the student should return on the school transportation, then the student must abide by the decision.
Failure to follow this policy will result in the student being suspended from the activity or team.
Out-of-town trip sponsors may designate alternate pick-up and release stations if they deem it is desirable. District attendance centers shall be the only acceptable alternate stations.
Vo-Tech
All students attending vocational school at Columbus must either ride the bus to and from the school or have alternate means of transportation approved in advance by the Southeast High School office. Once a student is on school grounds, the student must remain on school grounds and report to their class or other designated area. Failure to comply with this policy will result in the assignment of detention and could result in the student being withdrawn from vocational school. If a student does not attend Vo-Tech, they may not be at Southeast until their scheduled time of return to Southeast.
CARS AND PARKING LOT
The privilege of being allowed to drive a car to school is given by the student’s parent/guardian and the school. Failure to practice safe and courteous driving habits on the highway and in the school parking lot may result in the driving privilege being revoked and/or other disciplinary action. The following procedure must be used to assure that everyone wishing to drive a car to school has a place to park:
Students will park in their assigned areas in an orderly fashion. Cars should be parked within the painted parking lanes taking up only one space.
Failure to comply with this policy may result in suspended or revoked driving privileges.
Drivers will not exceed 10 MPH on the parking lot at any time. Speeding, reckless behavior, or disorderly conduct may result in loss of driving privileges.
DISCIPLINE
In order to maintain an atmosphere which allows all students to benefit from a well-ordered school environment, students must follow the rules and regulations of the classroom, school and district. Failure to do so will result in the administration of one or more of the following consequences:
Conference – between the student and principal. Parents and teachers may also be involved.
Detention – detention will be held before or after school immediately following offense. Times will be 7:10 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. for morning detentions and 3:10 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. for afternoon detentions. Transportation will be student’s responsibility. Failure to serve detention results in the detention being doubled. If the doubled detention is then missed, the student will receive one day of OSS and will serve the detention upon return from OSS.
In-School Suspension (ISS) – ISS will be used as an alternative for out-of-school suspension as determined by the administration. Students will be isolated from the remainder of the student body and required to follow specific behavior requirements. Restroom breaks and lunch will be scheduled to minimize contact with other students. ISS may be used on an individual class basis for short-term or long-term suspensions.
Out-of-School-Suspension (OSS) – Following is a copy of state law regarding suspension and expulsion. It is included for informational purposes as well as to stress the district’s attitude toward chronic or severe student misconduct.
GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
KANSAS STATUTE 72-8901
72-8901. Grounds for suspension or expulsion; who may suspend or expel. The board of education of any school district may suspend or expel, or by regulation authorize any certificated employee or committee of certificated employees to suspend or expel, any pupil guilty of any of the following:
willful violation of any published regulation for student conduct adopted or approved by the board of education;
conduct which substantially disrupts, impedes or interferes with the operation of any public school;
conduct which endangers the safety of others or which substantially impinges upon or invades the rights of others at school, on school property, or at a school supervised activity;
conduct which, if the pupil is an adult, constitutes the commission of a felony or, if the pupil is a juvenile, would constitute the commission of a felony if committed by an adult;
conduct at school, on school property, or at a school supervised activity which, if the pupil is an adult, constitutes the commission of a misdemeanor or, if the pupil is a juvenile, would constitute the commission of a misdemeanor if committed by an adult; or
disobedience of an order of a teacher, peace officer, school security officer or other school authority when such disobedience can reasonably be anticipated to result in disorder, disruption or interference with the operation of any public school or substantial and material impingement upon or invasion of the rights of others.
While assigned to OSS, a student will not:
be allowed on school property for any purpose,
be allowed to participate in any school sponsored activity,
be allowed to return to school until the student and his parent(s) have had a conference with the school administration or until other suitable arrangements have been made to assure the school that disruptive behavior will not occur again.
Students who receive more than two OSS assignments during the course of the school year will be considered a disruption to the educational process and therefore subject to long-term suspension or expulsion.
Long-Term Suspension/Expulsion
Long-term suspension/expulsion (periods longer than five school days) is possible under certain conditions. In these cases, USD 247 Board of Education Policy and Kansas State Law will be followed in order to insure that student and parent rights to due process are preserved.
DRESS CODE
In many ways the appearance of a person will influence the way they feel about themselves. The appearance of the student body will also make an impression on the way visitors feel about our school. Both of these concerns indicate the need for some type of policy concerning our appearance.
The following guidelines are to be used in planning wardrobes for school:
No hats or head coverings including bandanas may be worn; hats need to be left in lockers.
Shirts must have sleeves and cannot expose the midriff.
Pants and/or shorts cannot have holes in them. Shorts and skirts must be of an appropriate length. No sagging is allowed. Sleepwear cannot be worn.
All students must wear shoes, boots or sandals. House shoes are not permitted.
Visible body piercings may only be in the ears.
Clothing cannot endorse alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or other inappropriate material.
Wallet chains are not allowed.
Dresses must meet sleeve and length criteria.
DRUG/ALCOHOL ABUSE POLICY
The Board of Education, Administration, and Faculty of USD 247 recognize the dangerous effects that illegal drugs, tobacco products, and alcohol can have on students, the school, and the community.
The policy prohibiting the possession and/or use of alcohol, tobacco products, or other illegal or unauthorized drugs by any student has been adopted by the Board of Education and extends to the school day, to any district property, or to any school event or activity regardless of the time and location.
Every student that attends a dance will be subject to a breathalyzer test to be conducted by the Sheriff’s office or school administrator. If a student tests positive, the student will be retested in 15 minutes. If the student again tests positive, his or her parents will be contacted.
Any student violating the above policy will be subject to suspension or expulsion at the discretion of the principal.
APPENDIX C
USD #247 STUDENT EXTRACURRICULAR AND/OR CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY
The USD #247 Board of Education, in an effort to protect the health and safety of its students from illegal and/or performance-enhancing drug/alcohol use and abuse or injuries resulting from the use of drugs/alcohol, thereby setting an example for all other students of the USD #247 School District adopts the following policy for drug/alcohol testing of students participating in extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities and as a condition of obtaining parking privileges on school district property.
1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
a. It is the desire of the USD #247 Board of Education, administration, and staff that every student in the USD #247 School District refrain from using, possessing, or distributing illegal drugs and/or alcohol. The actions of this policy relate solely to limiting the opportunity of any student in violation of this policy to participate in extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities and obtaining parking privileges on district owned parking facilities. This policy is intended to supplement and complement all other policies, rules, and regulations of the USD #247 School District regarding possession and/or use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol.
b. Participation in school sponsored extracurricular and co-curricular activities and access to district owned parking facilities in the USD #247 School District is a privilege. Accordingly, students in extracurricular and co-curricular activities as well as those wishing to drive to school and utilize district owned parking facilities, carry a responsibility to themselves, their fellow students, their parents, and their school to set the highest possible examples of conduct, which includes avoiding the use or possession of illegal drugs and alcohol.
c. The purpose of this policy is to prevent illegal drug use and to strive within the USD #247 School District for an environment free of illegal drug use and abuse. The sanctions of this policy relate solely to limiting the opportunity of any student found to be in violation of this policy to participate in extracurricular and/or co-curricular activities, and access to parking privileges on district owned parking facilities. There will be no academic sanction for violation of this policy, except to the extent that if a violation of this policy would also constitute violation of the District’s discipline policy. If the discipline drug/alcohol policy is violated, the student will be subject to the penalties of the discipline policy.
d. The purpose of this policy is to prevent drug/alcohol use, educate students as to the serious physical, mental, and emotional harm caused by drug use, alert students with possible drug problems to the potential harms of use, prevent injury, illness and harm as a result of drug use and to maintain in the school district an environment free of drug use and abuse. The USD #247 School District has adopted this policy for use by all students participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities in grades 7 – 12 and for those students wishing to obtain access to district owned parking facilities.
2. DEFINITIONS
a. “Extracurricular activities” means those activities that take place outside the regular course of study in school and those students involved in those activities including all USD #247 School District sponsored athletics and activities and interscholastic athletics and activities. Examples would include, but are not limited to, competitive athletics, cheerleading, and school sponsored dances.
b. “Co-curricular activities” – Academic participation in activities, clubs, and organizations outside of the normal school day hours. Examples would include, but are not limited to speech, debate, forensics, drama, band, choir, FCCLA, FFA, Student Council, NHS, and Jazz Band.
c. “Parking facilities” means all district owned property which may be used for the parking of student vehicles. This includes both designated and non-designated areas of the school property. Students who wish to park their vehicles on school property must apply for a Parking Permit. Students who are awarded a permit to park on school grounds will be required to participate in the random drug testing pool.
d. “Drug Use Test” means a scientifically substantiated method to test for the presence of illegal, performance-enhancing drug, alcohol, or the metabolites thereof in a person’s urine or saliva.
e. “Illegal Drugs” means any substance which an individual may not sell, possess, use, distribute, or purchase under either Federal or Kansas law. “Illegal Drugs” includes, but is not limited to, all scheduled drugs as defined by Kansas Law, all prescription drugs obtained without authorization, and all prescribed and over-the-counter drugs being used for an abusive purpose as well as alcohol.
f. “Performance-Enhancing Drugs” includes anabolic steroids and any other natural or synthetic substance used to increase muscle mass, strength, endurance, speed or other athletic ability. The term “Performance-enhancing Drugs” does not include dietary or nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins that can be lawfully purchased in over-the-counter transactions.
g. “Positive” when referring to a drug test administered under this policy means a toxicological test result which is considered to demonstrate the presence of an illegal or a performance-enhancing drug or the metabolites thereof using the standards customarily established by the testing laboratory administering the drug use test. “Positive” when referring to an alcohol test administered under this policy means a breath analyzer test result that is considered to demonstrate the presence of alcohol.
h. “Reasonable Suspicion” means a suspicion based on specific personal observations concerning the appearance, speech, or behavior of a participating student, and reasonable inferences drawn from those observations in the light of experience. Information provided by a reliable source, if based on personal knowledge, shall constitute reasonable suspicion. In the context of performance-enhancing drugs, reasonable suspicion could also include unusual increases in size, strength, weight, or other athletic abilities.
i. “Random Selection” - Each participant who has returned a signed Consent Form will be assigned a random number for testing purposes. The Participant’s Drug Test Number will be used by the laboratory, which conducts the Drug Tests, to select the participants to be tested. In order to assure privacy, the name of any student who is tested shall be known to District Administrators only on a “need to know” basis.
3. PROCEDURE
a. Each student in extra-curricular and/or co-curricular activities, or wishing to obtain access to USD #247 district parking facilities shall receive copies of the “Student Activities/Parking Drug/Alcohol Consent Form” which shall be read, signed, and dated by the student, parent and/or guardian. Students must turn in the “Student Activities/Parking Testing Consent Form” to the school office by Friday of the first full week of school before the student will be allowed to begin, or continue, to practice or participate in any extracurricular and co-curricular activities, or be allowed to park their vehicle on school grounds.