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2023-2024 Procedural Manual for Hamburg High School July 2023 Updates
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2023-2024 Procedural Manual for Hamburg High School

School Day 

1st Bell– 8:05 Senior High

Last Bell - 3:30 Senior High (2:25 on Wednesday)

ARRIVAL 

Unless students ride the bus, they will not arrive at school earlier than 7:30 a.m.  When students arrive at school, they will report to a designated location. Students will be notified by the principal at their schools of the daily procedures.

HHS Tardiness Policy

Attendance will be taken by class blocks in grades 9-12.  Any tardiness of more than thirty minutes in grades 9-12 will result in an absence for that block.  

Students shall receive a verbal warning on their first tardy of the nine weeks

Students receiving two tardies per nine weeks shall receive one day of D-Hall

Students receiving three tardies per nine weeks shall receive two days of D-Hall

Students receiving four or more tardies per nine weeks shall receive one day of ISS for every tardy

Date Adopted:  April 9, 2012

Release of Students 

Definite procedures are followed to assure the safety of children when released from school either during or at the end of the school day.

1.             A signature is required before a child will be allowed to leave school. The adult signing out the student MUST be listed as an authorized person on school forms. They must also sign students back in upon their return to school during the day.  Students who are checked out for their allotted 30 minute lunch time, must leave with parents or someone on the approved check out list and must be driven to the parking lot if they are leaving in their automobile.

 2.            The parent (or other named adult) should come to the office and sign for the student.  All students must be signed out in the office.  Students will remain in the classroom until notified by the office that they have been checked out.  Parents are asked to wait in the office while the student is called so that instruction is not interrupted.

3.                  If any person other than one listed on the school form is to pick up the child, the school must have a written statement from the parent specifying necessary information and it must be received on the preceding school day.        

4.                  Students should not be checked out early unless it is an emergency or an excused absence.                                       

5.                  Students who are checked out early without an excuse will carry the same penalties as tardies.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 

Students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) are required to schedule and attend at least 360 minutes of regularly scheduled class time daily. Part of this requirement may be met by students taking post-secondary courses. Eligible students’ enrollment and attendance at a post-secondary institution shall count toward the required weekly time of school attendance. Each credit hour shall count as three (3) hours of attendance time. This means a three (3) hour course shall count as nine (9) hours of the weekly required time of attendance. 

Study Halls

Students may be assigned to no more than one (1) class period each day for a study hall that the student shall be required to attend and participate in for the full period. Such study halls are to be used for the purposes of self-study or for organized tutoring which is to take place in the school building. 

Extracurricular Classes

Students may be assigned to no more than one (1) class period each day for organized and scheduled student extracurricular classes that the student shall be required to attend and participate in for the full class period. Extracurricular classes related to a seasonal activity shall meet for an entire semester whether or not the season ends prior to the end of the semester. Students must attend and participate in the class for the entire semester in order to receive credit for the course. For the purpose of this policy, extracurricular classes are defined as school sponsored activities which are not an Arkansas Department of Education approved course counting toward graduation requirements or classes that have not been approved by the Arkansas Department  of Education for academic credit. Such classes may include special interest, fine arts, technical, scholastic, intramural, and interscholastic opportunities.

Course Enrollment Outside of District

Enrollment and attendance in vocational-educational training courses, college courses, school work programs, and other department-sanctioned educational programs may be used to satisfy the student attendance requirement even if the programs are not located at the public schools. Attendance in such alternative programs must be pre-approved by the school’s administration. The district shall strive to assign students who have been dropped from a course of study or removed from a school work program job during the semester into another placement or course of study. In the instances where a subsequent placement is unable to be made, the district may grant a waiver for the student for the duration of the semester in which the placement is unable to be made.

In rare instances, students may be granted waivers from the mandatory attendance requirement if they would experience proven financial hardships if required to attend a full day of school. For the purpose of this policy, proven financial hardships is defined as harm or suffering caused by a student's inability to obtain or provide basic life necessities of food, clothing, and shelter for the student or the student's family. The superintendent shall have the authority to grant such a waiver, on a case-by-case basis, only when convinced the student meets the definition of proven financial hardships.

In any instance where a provision of a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) conflicts with a portion(s) of this policy, the IEP shall prevail.

Legal References:                    A.C.A. § 6-18-210, 211

Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing the Mandatory Attendance Requirements for Students in Grades Nine through Twelve

BEHAVIOR CODE

Students are expected to treat each other and teachers with respect and courtesy.  When their behavior falls outside of this expectation, he/she will face the consequences detailed below.  

HIGH SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY:  Method of Discipline 

1.        1st Referral:  Reprimand by Principal, Assistant Principal or Dean of Students.

2.        2nd Referral: Two detention halls and parental contact when possible.

4.        3rd Referral: In-School Suspension (ISS) 2 days.

5.        4th Referral: In-School Suspension (ISS) 4 days.

6.        5th Referral: In-School Suspension (ISS) 8 days.

7.        6th Referral: Suspension: 3 days

8.        7th Referral: Suspension: 5 days

9.        8th Referral: Suspension: 10 days and recommendation for expulsion for the remainder of the semester.

 THE ADMINISTRATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO BYPASS ANY LEVEL OF THE DISCIPLINE POLICY BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF AN OFFENSE.

DETENTION HALL 

It is the intention of the faculty of Hamburg High School to maintain a good environment in which you can excel in your academic pursuits.  Students who violate school rules, disrupt the smooth functions of the academic community.  Suspension is the last resort action; therefore, a “detention hall” has been provided for those students who do not abide by the rules.

 

1.                You must serve D-Halls assigned or you will be subject to In-School Suspension

3.             You have three (3) days to serve your D-Halls.  If you are absent from school on the third day, your D-Hall is due unless a professional excuse is produced to verify your absence.

TRUANCY 

Truancy shall be defined as any absence from school or class without prior parental knowledge and consent or to be out of your assigned area. To promote regular attendance, the school regards truancy as unacceptable.  Truancy will result in a disciplinary action of four (4) days of In School Suspension. Out of school suspension is not an option for truancy.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

An orderly and safe school environment that is conducive to promoting student achievement requires a student population free from the deleterious effects of alcohol and drugs. Their use is illegal, disruptive to the educational environment, and diminishes the capacity of students to learn and function properly in our schools. Therefore, no student in the Hamburg School District shall possess, attempt to possess, consume, use, distribute, sell, buy, attempt to sell, attempt to buy, give to any person, or be under the influence of any substance as defined in this policy, or what the student represents or believes to be any substance as defined in this policy. This policy applies to any student who; is on or about school property; is in attendance at school or any school sponsored activity; has left the school campus for any reason and returns to the campus; is en route to or from school or any school sponsored activity. Prohibited substances shall include, but are not limited to, alcohol, or any alcoholic beverage, inhalants or any ingestible matter that alter a student’s ability to act, think, or respond, LSD, or any other hallucinogen, marijuana, cocaine, opioid, or any other narcotic drug, PCP, amphetamines, steroids, “designer drugs,” look-alike drugs, or any controlled substance. The sale, distribution, or attempted sale or distribution of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, dietary supplement or other perceived health remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, or prescription drugs is prohibited. The possession or use of OTC medications, dietary supplement or other perceived health remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, or prescription drugs is prohibited except as permitted under Policy 4.35—STUDENT MEDICATIONS.

Cross Reference: 4.35—STUDENT MEDICATIONS

 Legal Reference: A.C.A. § 6-18-502 DESE Rules Governing Student Discipline and School Safety

Student found in possession or use of prohibited substances will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:

1st Offense: Police will be contacted and charges filed.  Five days out of school suspension followed by five days of in school suspension.  The student will have school driving privileges revoked, and will not be allowed to attend or participate in any extracurricular event for thirty (30) school days.  Following the thirty day restriction, a student may have privileges reinstated following a clean drug screen.  

2nd Offense: Police will be contacted and charges filed. Five days of out of school suspension followed by 10 days of in school suspension.  The student will have school driving privileges revoked, and will not be allowed to attend or participate in any extracurricular event for ninety (90) school days.  Following the ninety day restriction, a student may have privileges reinstated following a clean drug screen.  

3rd Offense: Recommendation for expulsion for a calendar year with loss of credit.

Selling, intending to sell, or attempting to distribute any prohibited substance on campus will result in recommendation for expulsion for a calendar year with loss of credit.

Students may be subject to drug testing if administration has reasonable cause to think that a student may be taking a controlled substance.  Parents will be notified if possible.

Date Adopted: August 8, 2016

Last Revised:


TOBACCO, ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS

Possession, smoking, or use of tobacco or products containing tobacco or any nicotine delivery system in any form (including, but not limited to, vaping devices, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) in or on any real property owned or leased by a District school, including school buses or other school vehicles owned or leased by the District, is prohibited. Students who violate this policy may be subject to legal proceedings in addition to student disciplinary measures.

With the exception of recognized tobacco cessation products (such as nicotine gum or patches), this policy’s prohibition includes any tobacco or nicotine delivery system or product. Specifically, the prohibition includes any product that is manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as a vaping device, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, or under any other name or descriptor.

The minimum penalty will be four days of ISS with a cessation program and a four day suspension from all extracurricular activities. The maximum penalty will be legal action, including the filing of a FINS petition or charges, depending upon the severity and frequency of the misconduct.

 Policy violations occurring on a school bus or other school vehicle will result in a minimum of a five day bus suspension to a maximum of riding privileges being suspended for the remainder of the school year.

Legal Reference: A.C.A. § 6-21-609

Date Adopted: No record (noted 4-24-14)

Last Revised: May 8, 2023

Fighting Policy 

Fighting shall not be tolerated at Hamburg High School.  It is not only disruptive to the entire school, but also dangerous to the participants and anyone else who may be nearby.  When students fight at school, the bus stop, or at a school activity and intentionally or recklessly cause physical harm to another student or school personnel, the administration shall notify law enforcement.  All students involved are subject to affidavits and removal from school campus, the bus stop or the school activity location and transported to the Hamburg Police Department.  Additionally when a student causes a disturbance by using loud profanity, the administration may notify the police, file an affidavit with the police and the student shall be arrested (Disorderly Conduct) in addition to school consequences.

1.             Penalty

Aggressor - Aggressor is defined as student making first physical contact with another student

1st Offense- 3 Days of Out of School Suspension and 5 Days of ISS-Subject to affidavit at the discretion of law                 enforcement

2nd Offense- 5 Days of Out of School Suspension and 5 Days of ISS- Subject to affidavit at the discretion of law enforcement

3rd Offense- Recommendation for Expulsion-Subject to affidavit at the discretion of law enforcement

Non Aggressor - Non Aggressor is defined as a student responding to a physical contact by an aggressor with aggression.

1st  Offense- 5 Days of ISS

        2nd Offense- 8 Days of ISS

        3rd  Offense- 10 Days of ISS

2.             Assignment may be lengthened based on the following:

                            *Use of any object as a weapon that results in injury shall receive an automatic eight (8) day assignment.

*Any involvement in any gang or group fight (more than 2) shall result in a 4-5 day extension.

*An extra day shall be added if a fight participant has to be physically restrained by a teacher or other personnel.

*An extra day will be added to any assignment where a participant does not stop fighting at the verbal command of a teacher or other adult.

3.        If it is determined the student participation in the fight was strictly that of physical defense, they will not be subject to disciplinary action.

4.            One or more days will be added to any assignment for any continued vulgar language, disrespectful or insubordinate conduct after the fight has been stopped.

5.        In the event the non aggressor does not comply with the teacher or admin to stop, they will be classified as an aggressor.

6.         If there are no witnesses to an altercation and the aggressor cannot be identified, all parties will be classified as an aggressor for discipline.

7.         As with all levels of discipline, Hamburg High School Administration reserves the right to alter the punishments at their discretion.

Date Adopted:  September 12, 2022

Last Revised: September 12, 2022

Hamburg High School Dress Code

Hamburg High School students will dress in a manner that is not disruptive to the educational learning process, or causes disharmony among the student body.

1.             Students will practice dress and grooming habits that are clean and sanitary.

2.             All clothing should be worn the way it was designed to be worn, unless prohibited by school policy or state law.

3.             Clothing or items such as buttons displaying symbols, slogans or pictures of a vulgar nature or depicting alcoholic beverages, bars, taverns, illegal drugs, or gang insignias will not be worn. No chains will be worn on or connected to student clothing.  No writing will be visible on the backside crotch area of pants, shorts, or skirts. No political attire shall be worn.

4.         Shorts, skirts, and dresses will be one vertical dollar bill length from the bend of the back of the knee..

5.          House Bill 1936 specifically addresses the issue of baggy pants and showing of underclothing.  The bill reads as follows:

Section 1.             (Legislative Intent)

                            (a) “The General Assembly finds that the wearing of clothing that exposes underwear, buttocks, or the breast of a female by students in the public school often preoccupies and distracts students….

                            (d) The General Assembly finds that prohibiting students from wearing, while on the grounds of a public school during the regular school day and at school sponsored activities and events, clothing that exposes                             underwear, buttocks, or the breast of a female will prevent disruptions in the learning environment, advance the education of students, enhance the preparation of students to enter the workforce, and make disruptive incidents of violence less likely to occur.

Section 2.            Arkansas Code 6-18-503 is amended to read as follows: Each school district in this state shall develop written student discipline policies in compliance with the guidelines established by the Department of Education and shall find such policies with the department.”

6.           No hats, headbands, bandanas, head scarves, hoods, or wave caps will be allowed on the school grounds during school hours.

7.           Shorts, or skirts must be at least one vertical dollar bill length from the back bend of the knee.  Jeans or pants with rips, tears, or holes must use the one vertical dollar bill length rule for showing flesh.  Pants, shorts or skirts must have fly closed, zipped, or buttoned.

8.           Shirts must be long enough to tuck in so that the midriff or lower back will not be exposed. Tank tops, muscle shirts, spaghetti straps, or basketball type jerseys will not be worn unless a shirt with sleeves is worn over or underneath the top. IAW House Bill 1936, clothing that exposes any portion of the female breast will not be permitted during school hours or at school functions.  In addition, dress that exposes bare backs, halter tops, mesh attire, or shirts or blouses with open sides are prohibited. Exceptions to this policy will be costumes or uniforms worn by a student while participating in a school sponsored activity or event.

9.           Sheer shirts must have a 3- finger width undershirt. See-through attire is prohibited without a proper undershirt.

10.           Backpacks will be see through or mesh or clear plastic.

11.           All purses must be smaller than a backpack.

12.           No tags may be visibly hanging from clothes.

 Date Adopted: August 8, 2016                         Legal References:           A.C.A. § 6-18-502(c)(1)

Last Revised:  May 31, 2022                                                           A.C.A. § 6-18-503

POSSESSION AND USE OF CELL PHONES, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, ETC. HHS POLICY 

Students are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that respects the rights of others. Possession and use of any electronic device, whether district or student owned, that interferes with a positive, orderly classroom environment does not respect the rights of others and is expressly forbidden.

As used in this policy, “electronic devices” means anything that can be used to transmit or capture images, sound, or data.

Misuse of electronic devices includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Using electronic devices during class time in any manner other than specifically permitted by the classroom instructor;
  2. Permitting any audible sound to come from the device when not being used for reason #1 above;
  3. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, or wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores;
  4. Using the device to take photographs or videos in locker rooms or bathrooms;
  5. Creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person.

Use of an electronic device is permitted to the extent it is approved in a student’s individualized education program (IEP) or it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.

Before and after normal school hours, possession of electronic devices is permitted on the school campus. The use of such devices at school sponsored functions outside the regular school day is permitted to the extent and within the limitations allowed by the event or activity the student is attending.

The student and/or the student’s parents or guardians expressly assume any risk associated with students owning or possessing electronic devices. Students misusing electronic devices shall have them confiscated. Confiscated devices may be picked up at the school’s office by the student’s parents or guardians.1 Students have no right of privacy as to the content contained on any electronic devices that have been confiscated.2 

The student and/or the student’s parents or guardians expressly assume any risk associated with students owning or possessing technology equipment. Hamburg High School is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen technology equipment.

Students who use a school issued cell phones and/or computers for non-school purposes, except as permitted by the district’s Internet/computer use policy, shall be subject to discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion. Students are forbidden from using school issued cell phones while driving any vehicle at any time. Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.23 

From the time of the first bell until after the last bell, students are forbidden from using any electronic device except when specifically permitted by a classroom instructor.  Students who are found using electronic devices without permission will be subject to disciplinary action as follows:

                First Offense:  Staff takes phone for the block and gives the student a warning.

                Second Offense:  Phone turned into the office and 2 days of detention. A parent or guardian must pick up the phone and sign for it with the understanding that their student will go to ISS on the next phone infraction.

                

Third Offense:         Phone is turned into the office and 1 day of ISS.  A parent or guardian must pick up the phone and sign for it with the understanding that their student will go to ISS on the next phone infraction.

         ***If a student refuses to give their phone to a teacher, that student will go to ISS for 1 day.

        *** Phones will be placed in an area designated by the teacher.

        *** Phones and smartwatches are not permitted to be used during instruction time at any location on the HHS campus. They may be used before school, during class change,  during their lunch time or after school dismissal.

Violations will restart at semester.

Before and after normal school hours, possession of cell phones, any paging device, beeper, or similar electronic communication devices, cameras, MP 3 players, IPods, and other portable music devices is permitted on the school campus. The use of such devices at school sponsored functions outside the regular school day is permitted to the extent and within the limitations allowed by the event or activity the student is attending

Legal Reference:             A.C.A. § 6-18-502 (b)(3)(D)(ii)

Date Adopted:  August 8, 2016

Last Revised: July 10, 2017

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES 

Parent-teacher conferences are desirable for various reasons and purposes.  Conferences are scheduled one per semester and as needed.  Parents in need of additional conferences should schedule them through each school’s office.  At no time is a parent to interrupt a teacher during his/her teaching periods.  The principal may or may not be present at the conference.  Documentation of parent/guardian/teacher contact concerning progress and performance reports shall be maintained by each teacher and the school.  The school will make every effort to contact parents who do not attend the annual conferences to reschedule another time to attend.  Frequent communications with parents or guardians of students not performing at grade level will be made by phone calls, progress reports, letters and conferences.

DISMISSAL AND PROPERTY CLOSURE

School property is closed after hours except for school functions.  Students will not remain at school after school hours unless they are under direct supervision of a teacher or administrator.  Duty teachers are assigned to monitor students daily from arrival to departure.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Students will stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily.  Parents objecting to their children reciting the pledge for religious or other reasons must submit their objection in writing.  Students exempt from saying the pledge are required to remain quietly standing or sitting at their desks while others recite the Pledge of Allegiance.                          

LENGTH OF SCHOOL DAY

The “instructional day” for students in grades K-12 is 6 hours.  Your child’s school will always provide you with exact schedules, directories, and updates regarding your school.

(Arkansas Law 6-16-102)

CLASSROOM VISITATIONS

All visitors are to check in with the office before going to a classroom.

Instruction should not be interrupted by visitations to the classroom.  Parents who wish to visit the class should make arrangements through the office at least 24 hours in advance.

TELEPHONE USE

Office Phones - The secondary schools do not have telephones for student use unless there is an emergency.  Please make necessary plans with your student before they leave home in the mornings so they will not have to call home after they arrive at school.  Calls to students and/or teachers are discouraged during instructional time.  Please feel free to leave a message in the office for a student or teacher.  Emergency calls dealing with illness will be taken immediately.

Updated Online 11/15/2022

TRANSPORTATION

Parents driving their children to and from school must use the entrance at the front of the building.  It is unsafe to use the back entrance as a pick-up/drop off point due to congestion with buses, pedestrians, and student vehicles.

STUDENT PARKING

 Driving and parking a vehicle at school is a privilege, not a right.  Students who drive a vehicle to school must adhere to the following guidelines:

1.             Underage students (15) who have Age Waiver driver’s licenses may not park at school without written permission from the principal.  They must have extremely urgent reasons to drive to school since the district provides transportation for all students who reside in the district.  Students who participate in regularly scheduled after school activities such as football, basketball, baseball, softball, cheerleading, and jazz band may be allowed to park at school during the season.  At the end of the season they will not be allowed to park at school until they reach the age of (16) and have a valid license without restrictions.  Students who violate the terms of their age waiver may lose their parking privileges.

2.             A parking area for student cars is provided behind the main building.  Students must park within the yellow lines on a first come first serve basis.  The area along the northwest side of the football field is reserved for teachers.

3.             A student driving a car or motorized vehicle must register in the principal’s office and purchase a parking permit.  The following information must be presented to the school secretary before a permit is issued; a valid driver’s license number, current vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and $10.00.  Permits must be displayed on the rearview mirror facing outward so that the number may be seen from the front of the vehicle.

4.             Drivers must obey signs for entering and exiting the parking lot.

5.             When leaving the parking area after school, students will use the south exit of the high school.

6.             Students will exercise the utmost care and caution while operating their cars around school.  A maximum speed of 15 miles per hour will be enforced.

7.             Students will not be allowed to sit in their cars while waiting for classes to begin.  Students are required to leave cars and go to the pavilion area immediately after arriving on campus.

8.             The parking lot is off limits during school hours except for students who receive permission from school officials.

9.             Bumper stickers displaying slogans, symbols, or pictures of a vulgar nature or depicting alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will not be allowed.

Violations of these policies will result in the forfeiture of the student’s privilege of driving a car to school, d-halls, or assignment to ISS.

CLASS AND SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS 

1.             Students have the right to join an existing club and should not be restricted from membership on the basis of race, sex, national origin, or other arbitrary criteria. (See Policy 4.11–EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY in the appendix.)

2.             All officers of any school activity must have a “C” average preceding the election.

3.             Most student activities will be scheduled before or after school or during lunch.  Although attendance is voluntary, continued absences will be cause for dropping a student from membership.

4.             It is recognized that active participation in extracurricular activities is a desirable part of one’s education.  Therefore, students will not be prohibited from membership in any organization in which they are eligible, but will be discouraged from participation if it interferes with their regular scholastic studies.

5.             All clubs meeting under the name of the school must have a written constitution.  One copy will be filed in the principal’s office.

6.             Students have a choice when conflicts arise in regularly scheduled activities.  However, if a conflict arises between two activities and one of them is a district, regional, or state activity, the student is obligated to participate in the district, regional, or state activity.

The Student Council is a representative body of students elected by students from classes and organizations.  The purpose of the Student Council is to promote the practice of good citizenship among students, to bring about better cooperation between students and their teacher, to encourage student activities and school spirit, and to provide students with an opportunity to practice democratic government.

The National Honor Society is organized to create enthusiasm for scholarship, render service, promote leadership, and develop character in the students.  Members must reach and maintain a goal of excellence in each of these areas.

Other Clubs:  Chess Club        Family Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)        

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)        Future Farmers of America (FFA)        

Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA)        Quiz Bowl        Spanish Club        Drama Club

Science Club        Creative Writing Club        Rodeo Club        GSA        Charity Club        Library Club

SUMMER SCHOOL 

The Hamburg School District shall offer remediation programs during the school year and/or summer school remediation programs to those students in grades 9-12.

Legal Reference:                     A.C.A. § 6‑16‑704

 

Date Adopted:  February 9, 2004

Last Revised:

 CREDIT RECOVERY 

Any student wishing to take a correspondence course for credit recovery must have prior approval from the high school principal. Students will be allowed to take courses from a university listed on Hamburg High School’s list of approved providers only. Seniors taking correspondence work for graduation requirements must complete course work within one (1) semester following their graduation date in order to receive a diploma from Hamburg High School. The high school counselor will be registered as the proctor and will administer exams at Hamburg High School.

GRADING 

Parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of a student, or persons standing in loco parentis shall be kept informed concerning the progress of their student.  Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged and may be requested by parents, guardians, persons having lawful control of a student, persons standing in loco parentis, or teachers. If the progress of a student is unsatisfactory in a subject, the teacher shall attempt to schedule a parent-teacher conference. In the conference, the teacher shall explain the reasons for difficulties and shall develop, cooperatively with the parents, a plan for remediation, which may enhance the probability of the student succeeding. The school shall also send timely progress reports and issue grades for each nine (9) week grading period1 to keep parents/guardians informed of their student’s progress.

The evaluation of each student’s performance on a regular basis serves to give the parents/guardians, students, and the school necessary information to help affect academic improvement. Students’ grades shall reflect only the extent to which a student has achieved the expressed educational objectives of the course.

The grading scale for all schools in the district shall be as follows.

A =100 – 90

B = 89 – 80

C = 79 – 70

D = 69 - 60

F = 59 and below

For the purpose of determining grade point averages, the numeric value of each letter grade shall be

A = 4 points

B = 3 points

C = 2 points

D = 1 point

F = 0 points

The grade point values for Advanced Placement (AP), approved courses for weighted credit, International Baccalaureate (IB), and approved honor courses shall be one (1) point greater than for regular courses with the exception that an F shall still be worth zero (0) points.

Legal References:

                A.C.A. § 6-15-902                 A.C.A. § 9-28-113(f)

                Standards For Accreditation 5-A.1

Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Rules and Regulations Governing Uniform Grading Scales for Public Secondary Schools

Date Adopted: February 9, 2004

Last Revised: June 10, 2019

CLASS RANK 

Class rank will be determined by grade point averages ranked in numerical order of the official office computer except in cases of students who have all A’s with the same number of state-mandated weighted classes.  Students who have all A’s in both non-weighted classes and the same number of weighted classes will have the same rank regardless of the total number of credits.  For example, a student who has 2 weighted credits and 25 non-weighted credits will not be ranked above a student who has 2 weighted credits and 27 non-weighted credits.

 Example:                         Student A                                                           Student B

                                          27 total credits                                                               29 total credits

                                      4 x 25 = 100                                                        4 x 27 = 108

                                          5 x 2 = 10                                                            5 x 2 = 10

                                                110/27 = 4.074                                                    118/29 = 4.068

Student A and B will have the same rank.

 HONOR GRADUATES

Beginning with the 2023 graduating class, students who have successfully completed the minimum core of courses recommended for preparation for college as defined by the State Board of Higher Education and the State Board of Education and beginning in 2019-2020 have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 will be designated as honor students. The GPA shall be derived from courses taken in grades nine (9) through twelve (12).

(1)Beginning in the 2004-2005 school year, all honor graduate candidates will have at least a 3.65 grade point average:

  1.      With High Honors 4.00
  2.      With High Honors 3.90-3.99
  3.      With Honors 3.750-3.890

(2)Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, in addition to the 2004-05 GPA requirements, all honor graduate candidates will have the following classes:

  1. Science: Four of the following sciences: physical science, biology, honors chemistry, AP biology, AP chemistry or AP environmental science. (Physical science taken in the 8th grade shall count as one of the four required sciences.)
  2. Math: Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry, and advanced math (calculus, pre-calculus, or concurrent credit college algebra/trigonometry) (Algebra 1 taken in the 8th grade shall count toward this requirement.)
  3. English: Four years of English
  4. Foreign language: Spanish I and II, or two years of any approved foreign language
  5. 24 credits

(3)Classes offered anywhere other than Hamburg High School must be approved in advance by the principal and counselor.  This includes concurrent credit.  

Hamburg High School will follow all rules and regulations of Act 1097 of 1991 Arkansas Code Annotated 6-18-223 concerning concurrent credit.  Students who choose to take college classes must coordinate their college and high school class schedules with the high school counselor.

Transfer students may be eligible for the Honor Graduate or Honors Recognition Program and class rank only if the transfer is from an accredited school if the student is enrolled in Hamburg High School on the beginning day of classes their senior year.  Students who become Hamburg High School students due to another district consolidating with Hamburg Schools will not be considered “transfer” students.

Parents or guardians of a student, or a student eighteen (18) years of age or older, who choose to not have the student publicly identified as an honor roll or honor graduate student must submit a written request that the student not be so identified.

Students with an IEP or §504 plan are included to the extent that the courses that they have taken and successfully completed meet the requirements of their IEP for graduation, regardless of whether or not they meet the course requirements established by the State Boards of Education and Higher Education for preparation for college.

Legal References:           A.C.A. § 6-18-101 (a) (1) (2)

                                        A.C.A. § 6-18-101 (b)

                                        A.C.A. § 6-18-101 (e)                                        A.C.A. § 6-61-217 (a)

Date Adopted: March 9, 2004

Last Revised:  July 9, 2019

ADVANCED PLACEMENT, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE,  and HONORS COURSES 

Students in grades 7-12 who take advanced placement (AP) courses; International Baccalaureate (IB) courses; honors or concurrent credit college courses;1 or other courses approved for weighted credit by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall be graded according to the following schedule:

A =100 – 90

B = 89 – 80

C = 79 – 70

D = 69-60

F = 59 and below

For the purpose of determining grade point averages, the numeric value of each letter grade shall be

A = 5 points

B = 4 points

C = 3 points

D = 2 point

F = 0 points

For a student to be eligible to receive weighted credit for an AP, or IB course:

·                     The course must be taught by an Arkansas licensed teacher who has received the appropriate training required by Arkansas statute and DESE Rule or, for an AP teacher, is in the process of completing an Additional Training Plan; and

                     The student takes the applicable AP or IB examination after completing the entire course. Credit shall be given for each grading period during the course of the year, but shall be retroactively removed from a student’s grade for any course in which the student fails to take the applicable exam.  Students who do not take the applicable exam shall receive the same numeric value for the grade he/she receives in the course as if it were a non-AP or IB course.2 

              “Honors Courses” are those courses that have been approved by a Department of Education Committee DESE as honors courses. Honors courses must stress higher order learning and be offered in addition to curriculum offerings required by the Standards for Accreditation, Arkansas Public Schools.

     Students who transfer into the district will be given weighted credit for the AP courses; IB courses,; honors or concurrent credit college courses;1 and other courses approved by DESE for weighted credit that were taken for weighted credit at his/her previous school(s) according to the preceding scale.

Notes:        1 If your board has not chosen to adopt a policy allowing high school students to take college courses for weighted credit (as provided by A.C.A. § 6-15-902(c)(5)(A) remove “concurrent credit college courses.

2 A.C.A. § 6-15-902(c)(2)(B) and the AP Rules (3.11) stipulate that students must take the applicable AP exam to receive weighted credit for the course. Because the state now pays the total cost of the AP exams and the student’s score on the exam does not affect the student’s grade for the course, students can reasonably be expected to take the test. By standardizing the timing of awarding weighted credit across Arkansas, all students will be on a level playing field regarding their GPA for college applications

Legal References:           DESE Rules and Regulations Governing Uniform Grading Scales for Public Secondary Schools

DESE Rules for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program

                                        A.C.A. § 6-15-902(c)(1)

                                        A.C.A. § 6-16-806                              

Date Adopted:  February 9, 2004

Last Revised:  June 10, 2019        

AP Course Drop Policy 

1        No students are allowed to drop an AP course until the first quarter has ended.

2        Following the fifth week of the first quarter, the student must meet with the principal, counselor, and AP instructor to identify reasons for wishing to drop the course.

3        There will be a four week waiting period following these meetings, during which the student must continue to participate in the AP course.

4        During the four week waiting period, the student must document efforts to improve coursework.  This may include extra tutoring sessions, study aids, and time with the AP instructor.

5        If, at the end of the four week period, the student has satisfied all requirements for dropping the course, they will be removed.

6        If the student has not made efforts to improve class performance, they will not be allowed to drop.

                    

CONCURRENT CREDIT

 A ninth(9th) through twelfth(12th) grade student who successfully completes a college course(s) from an institution approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall be given credit toward high school grades and graduation at the rate of one(1) high school credit for each three (3) semester hours of college credit. Unless approved by the school’s principal, prior to enrolling for the course, the concurrent credit shall be applied toward the student’s graduation requirements as an elective.

As permitted by the DESE Rules Governing Concurrent College and High School Credit, a student who takes a three-semester hour remedial/developmental education course, shall receive a half(1/2) unit of credit for a high school career focus elective. The remedial/developmental education course cannot be used to meet the core subject area/unit requirements in English and mathematics.

Participation in the concurrent high school and college credit program must be documented by a written agreement between:

The student

Students are responsible for having the transcript for the concurrent credit course(s) they’ve taken sent to their school in order to receive credit for the course(s). Credit for concurrent credit courses will not be given until a transcript is received. Students may not receive credit for the course(s) they took or the credit may be delayed if the transcripts are not received at all or in a timely manner; this may jeopardize students’ eligibility for extracurricular activities or graduation1.  

Students will retain credit earned through the concurrent credit program that was applied toward a course required for high school graduation from a previously attended, accredited, public school.  

A student eligible to receive free or reduced price meals shall not be responsible for any of the costs for the student’s first six (6) concurrent credit hours so long as the concurrent credit courses are taught on the District grounds and by a teacher employed by the District.2 Any and all costs of concurrent credit courses beyond the six (6) hours permitted, that are not taught on the District’s campus, or are not taught by a teacher employed by the District are the responsibility of the student. Students who are not eligible to receive free or reduced price meals are responsible for any and all costs associated with concurrent credit courses.

Notes:   A.C.A. § 6-18-232 prohibits a private school or home schooled student who is attending a concurrent credit course through the district under Policy 4.59 from being charged for the concurrent course unless the district also charges the district’s students for concurrent credit courses.

 1 If your district has other repercussions that would apply for failure to receive credit for a course, enter them here.

 This paragraph is not mandatory, but would put the responsibility on the student for getting his/her transcripts to you.

 2 The cost of the six (6) concurrent credit hours may be paid by the District, the institution of higher education, or through a cost sharing agreement between the District and the institution of higher education.

 Legal References:           A.C.A. § 6-15-902(c)(2)                                         A.C.A. § 6-16-1201 et seq.

Arkansas Department of Education Rules and Regulations: Concurrent College and High School Credit for Students Who Have Completed the Eighth Grade

 Date Adopted:  February 9, 2004                        Last Revised:  June 10, 2019

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS 

The District shall provide an eligible alternative learning environment (ALE) for each eligible ALE student enrolled in a District school. The ALE shall be part of an intervention program designed to provide guidance, counseling, and academic support to students who are experiencing emotional, social, or academic problems. Placement of a student in an ALE shall not be punitive in nature.

The superintendent or designee shall appoint an Alternative Education Placement Team which shall have the responsibility of determining student placement in the ALE. A student may be enrolled in an ALE only on the referral of the Alternative Education Placement Team. The team's placement decision is final and may not be appealed.1 

The team is to be comprised of the following:

·                                          a school counselor from the referring school;

·                                          the ALE administrator and/or ALE teacher;

·                                          the building principal or assistant principal from the referring school;

·                                          a parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis (if they choose to participate);

The District shall document its efforts to contact the student's parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis to schedule a meeting or a phone call for a placement meeting at the convenience of the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis and maintain such documentation in the student’s Student Action Plan (SAP).

·                                          LEA special education/504 representative (if applicable);

·                                          at least one (1) of the student's regular classroom teacher(s); and

·                                          if the District so chooses, the student.

Students who are placed in the ALE shall exhibit at least two (2) of the characteristics from items a through l below:

a)                                     Disruptive behavior;

b)                                     Dropping out from school;

c)                                     Personal or family problems or situations;

d)                                    Recurring absenteeism; 

For the purposes of the ALE, personal or family problems or situations are conditions that negatively affect the student’s academic and social progress. These may include, but are not limited to:

a)                                      Ongoing, persistent lack of attaining proficiency levels in literacy and mathematics

b)                                     Abuse: physical, mental, or sexual;

c)                                      Frequent relocation of residency;

d)                                     Homelessness;

e)                                      Inadequate emotional support;

f)                                       Mental/physical health problems;

g)                                     Pregnancy; or

h)                                     Single parenting.

 No later than five (5) school days after a student begins alternative education interventions, the Alternative Education Placement Team shall develop a signed agreement between the ALE; the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis (if they choose to participate),; and the student, outlining the responsibility of the ALE,; parent, or legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis; and the student to provide assurance that the plan for each student is successful.

No later than one (1) week after a student begins alternative education interventions, the Alternative Education Placement Team shall assess the student’s current functioning abilities and all relevant social, emotional, academic, career, and behavioral information and develop an SAP outlining the intervention services to be provided to the student that is in compliance with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Rules. The SAP may be revised from time to time by the ALE placement team and a positive behavior or transitional plan shall be developed and added to the SAP prior to a student’s return to the regular educational environment.

The district’s ALE program shall follow class size, staffing, curriculum, and expenditure requirements identified in the DESE Rules.

Note:   1 The Rules are silent on appeals, but we believe the policy should have language in this regard. You may choose to leave the language as is or change it to have the decision able to be appealed to the Superintendent or the superintendent’s designee. Even if you allow for an appeal, board involvement in student assignment issues is outside of the scope of their authority.

Legal References:           A.C.A. § 6-20-2305(b)(2)        A.C.A. § 6-48-101 et seq.

DESE Rules Governing the Distribution of Student Special Needs Funding and the Determination of Allowable Expenditure of These Funds – 3.01, 4.00, and 8.0

 Date Adopted:  November 9, 2004        Last Revised:  June 10, 2019

SCHEDULE CHANGES 

Schedules are developed from the selections made by students during RTI  and scheduling assembly.  If a change is necessary, you should request one during the first three (3) days of the semester.  The following are considered valid reasons for changing a schedule:

              *              You have not passed a class that is a prerequisite for a class you selected

                *              You failed a class after registering and need to retake the class

Schedule changes for reasons other than these require the approval of the principal.

The following procedure should be followed when requesting a schedule change:

1.      Talk with your parents and the counselor about your reason for requesting a schedule change.

2.      Parents must approve student-requested schedule changes.

3.      If the request is granted, the counselor will complete a class change form and provide you a copy.

4.      You are responsible for notifying the teachers involved in the class changes and returning all class materials.

DROPPING A CLASS 

If you request to drop a course after the 3rd class day, your parent will be requested to meet with the principal and/or counselor to discuss the issue.

If the principal, counselor, or teacher initiates a request to drop a student from the course after the 3rd day, the parent will be contacted.

If you drop a course, including athletic activities that meet during a regular class period, after the 3rd class day, without extenuating circumstances prevailing (principal, teacher, and counselor must approve extenuating circumstances) the grade earned in the dropped class will be transferred to the new class.  No credit will be given for one semester of a full year course unless the second semester is completed.  (Exceptions: If a student needs to pick up a required course previously failed in order to meet graduation requirements, he or she may drop, with the principal’s or counselor’s permission, without penalty).

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

Students experiencing academic failure are encouraged to take advantage of school programs and personnel designed to assist with such problems.  A 50 minute RTI period is held each school day.  This is an opportunity for students to receive additional support as needed.

Parents and students are also advised to seek tutoring programs operating outside normal school hours as a method to help bring up grades and achievement levels.  Counselors and administrators may also be of assistance in these matters.

Teachers, parents, administrators, and counselors may identify students they believe to have disabling conditions that may negatively affect the student’s learning or performance.  According to the provisions of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, P. L. 101-476) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, students will be evaluated to determine if such disability exists.  If the student is found to have such impairments under the terms of the aforementioned laws, a plan will be developed and implemented that delivers services that are appropriate to the impairment.  For more information, contact your principal or counselor.

EXAMS AND EXAM EXEMPTIONS

 An examination will be given at the end of each nine weeks and semester.  All students must take their exams at the scheduled times unless they have prior approval by their teacher and the principal to take the exam at another time. Teachers may choose to give finals to all students.  They will notify their classes two weeks in advance if all students will be non-exempt.

EXEMPTION CRITERIA

Senior High School

 Fall Semester:

·         There are no exemptions from Semester Tests for the Fall Semester.

 Spring Semester:

Students may be exempt from all exams if they meet the following criteria:

·         Clear all fines and turn in all books and classroom materials

·         No more than two (2) excused absences for the semester in the class

·         No suspensions (ISS or OSS)

·         No un-served D-Halls

·         “B” average for the semester

·         No student shall be exempt if he or she has an UNEXCUSED absence for ANY class.

 

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION PROGRAM   

Students will be recognized for academic excellence in the following areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Agriculture, Family Career and Consumer Sciences, Medical Professions, Journalism, Art, Business Education, Spanish I and II, French I and II, Computer Science, Band, Choir, Drama, Oral Communications, and Physical Education.  The selection of the students is made by the teachers in that field and is based on the following criteria: grades, work habits, interest, aptitude, attitude, accuracy, thoroughness, and special accomplishments.

A ceremony will be held at the end of the school year to honor these students.  Faculty, staff, students receiving awards, parents, and sponsoring businesses will be invited to attend.  Awards will be given to the honorees in each of the above categories, at each grade level.  Faculty members representing each content area will select students according to pre-developed criteria.

HONOR ROLL 

A student working on grade level with A’s and B’s in all academic subject areas will be named on the Honor Roll.

SENIOR AWARDS 

Special awards are given to three members of the senior class each year.   A committee of teachers chooses these awards.  These awards are:

LION OF THE YEAR - This award goes to the “best all around” student who has participated and shown leadership in many areas including academics, extracurricular activities, athletics, and service.  The student has a positive attitude, school spirit, and tends to be active in both school and community.

J. W. HALL LEADERSHIP AWARD - This award is named for a former principal of Hamburg High School and is given to the student who best exemplifies leadership characteristics by his/her actions and by being a positive role model.

GOOD CITIZEN - This award goes to a student with good character who shows leadership qualities, does the best of his/her ability, gets along well with students, faculty and staff, and helps others.  This student must have an excellent discipline record.

REPORT CARDS AND PROGRESS REPORTS 

Students will receive report cards at the end of each nine weeks.  Parents are required to pick up their child’s report card at the end of the first and third grading periods.  Mid nine-week reports will be sent home each grading period.

PARTICIPATION IN GRADUATION CEREMONY 

All seniors who meet the graduation requirements are required to march in the commencement ceremony.  Students who are within one half (1/2) unit of meeting the graduation requirements may participate in the graduation ceremony.  Students who are not within one half (1/2) credit of graduation requirements will not participate in the graduation ceremony.

VOCATIONAL COMPLETERS 

Vocational completers are students who have demonstrated, through their course selection, a career focus.  This focus should enable the student to enter post-secondary education, the military, or the workforce with a solid base of knowledge and experience from which to build.  A Vocational Completer seal will be placed on the transcript of students who complete these requirements.

A student in the Smart Core track can be a vocational completer by successfully completing three (3) units of vocational classes within one of the four (4) areas offered at Hamburg High School:

              Agricultural Science/Mechanics Technology

              Family and Consumer Sciences

              Business Marketing Technology

              Medical Professions

Parent, Family, and Community Engagement

Available at hsdlions.org

SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASSES OF 2024 and 2025

Available at hsdlions.org

SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2026

Available at hsdlions.org

SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2027 AND THEREAFTER

Available at hsdlions.org

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Available at hsdlions.org