EMERY STUDENT-FAMILY HANDBOOK

2007-2008

Edited 9/07

 

 

 

 


 

 

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 

1.    We Hold High Academic, Social, and Professional Expectations

2.    We Create a Sense of Family

3.    We inspire and Support Innovation to End Racist and Classist Practics

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Malcolm X

 

Welcome Emery Spartans!

 

We are offering you this handbook to assist you in being clear on our expectations for you during the 07-08 school year.  There are a number of changes to the system this year and we want you to be comfortable and prepared for the transition.  We are all excited about the improvements and promise to offer a committed staff that will hold you accountable in the process of becoming independent learners.  If you have questions as the year rolls on, please ask any staff member and they will guide you in the right direction. Remember both parents and students are responsible for knowing the information in this handbook, so please take the time to review it carefully.  Now, look at the picture below, close your eyes, and picture yourself walking across the stage!       

 

 

SCHOOL HOURS & VISITS

 

School Hours:

The school building opens for students at 8:00 am.  By 8:25, students should be entering class and getting ready to begin their work (students will be considered tardy at the beginning of the day if they are not in their classrooms by the time the tardy bell rings at 8:30am). This year, students will be dismissed at 3:30 everyday except for Wednesdays when students will be dismissed at 2:00pm. These early release Wednesdays have been designed so that ESS staff can meet together on a regular basis in order to address a number of issues related to curriculum, instruction, planning, and a range of student services. Because students will be dismissed later than last year on the remaining days of the week (3:30 instead of 3:09), the early release Wednesdays will not result in any loss of student instructional time.

 

School Visits & Appointments:

Parents are always encouraged to visit the school—either to meet with staff or to check in on their students’ learning.  In order to ensure that these visits are productive for parents and also non-disruptive to school staff and students, please follow the guidelines below:

·         All visitors must report to the Main Office to obtain a visitor’s pass before they visit any office or classroom. In general, visitors should not expect to be able to meet with teachers during their instructional time. Student visitors—other than prospective students—are generally not permitted.

·         The best way to meet with staff members is to contact them directly (staff contact information will be posted on the district website). If having difficulty contacting a teacher, please contact the principal or another member of the office staff.

·         In general, the principal will always try to make himself available when parents arrive to the school with issues or concerns; because this is not always possible at a moment’s notice, however, the surest way to meet with the principal is to set up an appointment with him directly by either phone or e-mail:

Dr. Antonio Cediel, 224-7978, antonio.cediel@emeryusd.k12.ca.us

 

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Regular attendance is essential to success in school.  A student not only misses work on the day absent, but also is not prepared for the next day because of missing instruction.  Every absence or tardy must be accounted for by the teacher. A note from a doctor in cases of prolonged illnesses is required. It is the responsibility of the student to get missed assignments and complete them promptly according to guidelines set by course instructor.

 

Clearing Absences and Tardiness: 

Students who are absent from school are required to have a note with them upon return.  All notes must contain the following information:

                        -name of student

                        -date of absence

                        -specific reason for absence

                        -daytime phone number where a parent may be reached

                        -parent's signature

 

Students who were absent the previous day must go to the Main Office to pick up a Student Admit Slip between 8:00am and 8:25am upon their return. 

 

Definition of Excused Absence:  The teacher will allow a student to make up the work during an excused absence, to the extent it is possible.  Students will have the same number of days that they were absent from school to make up their work.  Education Code 48205 states that: Notwithstanding Section 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is:
   (1) Due to his or her illness.
   (2) Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer.
   (3) For the purpose of having medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic services rendered.
   (4) For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of his or her immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside California.
   (5) For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by law.
   (6) Due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom the pupil is the custodial parent.
   (7) For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, or attendance at an employment conference, when the pupil's absence has been requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative pursuant to uniform standards established by the governing board.
   (8) For the purpose of serving as a member of a precinct board for an election pursuant to Section 12302 of the Elections Code.
   (b) A pupil absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definition of Unexcused Absence: Any absence for any reason other than the reasons listed above are unexcused.  Students will not be allowed to make up work missed.  Listed below are the most common reasons given for absences which will be considered unexcused.

            a.  Family vacations and extended weekend trips.

            b.  Oversleeping

            c. Cutting

                  d. Car trouble

e.  Any absence considered excused which is not cleared by a parental or

                 doctor's note within 48 hours of returning to school.

 

Early Dismissal:

A request to have a student excused from class early should be sent in writing with the student the morning of dismissal.  The time and reason for leaving should be included as well as phone numbers of the parent.  When possible, medical and dental appointments should be made outside of school hours.  The student will remain in class until the office notifies the teacher that the parent is here to pick up the student.  The parent or authorized person picking the student up must report to the secondary school office.  Students may not be picked up at the exit doors, but should be picked up from the main office.  Students who have received, from the attendance office, a Permit To Leave School (PTLS) and are leaving on their own, may not leave prior to the time indicated on the PTLS.  The reason for this system is to ensure a child’s safety.  If a child does not follow the correct procedure, they may face disciplinary action.

 

Tardy:

Students are tardy if not seated and ready to work when the tardy bell rings. Every three tardies will be counted as an unexcused absence. Students with continuous attendance problems (along with their parents) will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

 

 

SCHOOL SERVICES

 

Library:

The Emery Secondary School library is for the enjoyment and use of all students and staff.  The library hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The librarian is available throughout the day to assist students in finding books and other materials which students might need.  Materials may be checked out for a two week period with the privilege of renewal, unless on reserve for a class or in demand for use by other students.  To ensure that all students benefit from this facility, library rules are:

                        ·No food or drinks allowed

                        ·Keep the noise level down

                        ·Take proper care of all library materials

                        ·Return all library materials on time

 

Lockers:

Lockers will be distributed to students as close to the opening of school as possible. Acceptance of the locker by the student, and use of it, shall constitute acceptance of responsibility for all items thereafter contained within the locker, unless there are visible signs of forced entry and the student has immediately reported the break-in to a teacher or administrator.

 

Lockers are a privilege and are provided for your convenience.  Use them at your own risk!!  Lockers are provided as a convenience and the school, while providing supervision of the buildings, takes no responsibility for the security of these lockers and/or contents. In general, the school cannot be help responsible for stolen items and students are highly discouraged from bringing items of value to the school. The school retains the final control over all lockers and reserves the right to search as necessary in maintaining a safe school environment as per Education code section 44807.

 

Health Services:

Students who become ill will report to the office with a pass from their teacher.  Arrangements will be made with a family member for the student to go home.  Under no circumstances should the student leave campus without permission.  If a parent cannot be contacted and school officials deem it an emergency, 911 will be called to obtain medical assistance.

 

If it becomes necessary for you to take medication at school, we must have our Medical Form completed by your parent and your doctor prior to bringing the medication to school.  You may obtain this form from the office.  You should return the signed form and the medication to the office right away.  Do not keep medication with you or in your locker.

 

Lost and/or Damaged Books:

According to Education code section 48904(b), the parent or guardian of a minor shall be liable to a school district for all property belonging to a school district loaned to the minor and not returned upon demand of an employee of the district authorized to make the demand.  This includes library materials.  Students must pay for damaged and/or lost library and textbooks. If a book is lost or stolen, it must be paid before a new copy is issued to the student.  If a book is found within the school year, students may get a refund upon presenting a receipt. 

 

Lost and Found:

Lost and found articles will be placed in the office.  Lost books may be found in the school library.  You may look for lost articles before school, at lunch and after school. 

 

Phone calls and messages: 

Students shall not be called from classes for phone calls, except in emergencies.  Students may only use the office phone with explicit permission given by office staff.

 

Work Permits:

Students who are hired to work must possess a valid work permit if they are under 18 years of age.  Work permits allow work during vacations and weekends.  Parent/Guardian must sign a work permit request form requesting the school to issue the permit.  These forms are available from the secondary school secretary in the office.

 

Gifts:

We understand the importance of recognizing a special day or event for our students, but receiving gifts at the school to be sent to students is strongly discouraged as it disrupts the academic process.  Should flowers, balloons, etc., be received at school for delivery to a student, they will be sent to, and held, in the office.  Deliveries of gifts will not be made to the classrooms.  Students will have to pick up gifts in the office at the end of the school day.

 

 

 

 

ACADEMIC POLICIES

 

Grading

 

Homework

 

Attendance and Make-up Work

 

Grade/Course Retention & Credit Recovery

 

Academic Recognition/Probation

 

GPA (Overall)

Recognition/Probation

(In effect with each progress report)

4.0

Suma Cum Laude (Certificate, Prizes)-HONOR ROLL

3.5-3.9

Magna Cum Laude (Certificate)-HONOR ROLL

3.0-3.4

Cum Laude (Certificate)-HONOR ROLL

2.0-2.9

Permitted to participate in athletics and dances

1.0-1.9

Academic Probation—Student Contract (Counselor, Parent, Student)

0-0.9

Academic Probation—Student Contract (Counselor, Parent, Student)

Inter-District Transfer (IDT) Permit Re-Evaluated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semester Report Cards & Progress Report Dates

Progress reports and report cards will be mailed out to parents approximately every 5 weeks of the school year. If you notice that you are not receiving progress reports or report cards, please notify the Main Office immediately.

 

 

Last Day of Marking Period

Progress Report #1

September 28

Progress Report #2

November 2

Progress Report #3

December 7

Semester 1 Grade

January 18

Progress Report #1

February 29

Progress Report #2

April 4

Progress Report #3

May 9

Semester 2 Grade

June 10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMERY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 

240 units (60 units completed satisfactorily each school year x 4).

You must pass 60 units per school year in order to be advanced to the next grade level.

 

Subject Requirements:

 

40 units of English in grades 9-12.

 

30 units of Social Studies/History in grades 9-12.

2 semesters of World History

2 semesters of United States History

1 semester of Economics

1 semester of U.S. Government

 

40 units of Mathematics in grades 9-12.

2 semesters of  Algebra 1

2 semesters of Geometry

4 semesters of additional math courses

 

30 units of Science in grades 9-12

2 semesters of Science 9 (Physics)

2 semesters of Science 10 (Chemistry)

2 semesters of Science Elective (Biology or Anatomy/Physiology)

 

20 units of Physical Education in grades 9-10

 

10 units of Visual/Performing Arts in grades 9-12

 

10 units of Foreign Language in grades 9-12

 

Testing Requirement:

 

By California State Law, in order to earn a High School Diploma all students must pass the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE). The CASHEE has two parts:  English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics.  The ELA part addresses state content standards through grade 10.  This includes vocabulary, decoding, comprehension, and analysis. The mathematics part of the CSHSEE addresses state standards in grades 6 and 7 and Algebra I.  The exam includes statistics, data, analysis and probability, number sense, measurement and geometry, mathematical reasoning, and algebra.  Students are also asked to demonstrate a strong foundation in computation and arithmetic, including working with decimals, fractions, and percents.

 

State law requires that the CAHSEE be administered only on the dates designated by the State Superintendent of Pubic Instruction.  Students must retake the examination until the ELA and mathematics parts are passed; however, students may retake only those parts not previously passed. For more information you may visit the California Department of Education website at

www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/cahsee  or contact the school at (510) 601-4900.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Testing Dates

(check our district website for a complete calendar)

 

ACT*

Sept.15th, 2007

CAHSEE

Oct.2/3, 2006

SAT*

Oct.6th, 2007

PSAT

Oct.17th, 2007

ACT*

Oct.27th, 2007

SAT*

Nov.3rd, 2007

SAT*

Dec.1st, 2007

ACT*

Dec.8th, 2007

SAT

Jan.26th, 2008

CAHSEE

Feb.5/6, 2008

ACT

Feb.9th, 2008

SAT

Mar.1st, 2008

CAHSEE

Mar.11/12, 2008

ACT

Apr.12th, 2008

SAT

May 3, 2008

CAHSEE

May 6/7, 2008

SAT

June 6/7, 2008

ACT

June 6/7, 2008

 

*College testing dates for first tier consideration as a freshman in Fall 2007