HAWKINS COUNTY SCHOOLS
ATTENDANCE POLICY K-8

The Hawkins County Board of Education believes that attendance is a
key factor in student achievement. The board encourages positive and
innovative means which will contribute to students' regular attendance,
recognizing that school personnel, parents, and community, and the
students themselves share in the responsibility. Therefore, this policy is
designed to minimize student absenteeism while providing students the
opportunity to make up school work missed due to absences that
reasonably can be considered to be unavoidable.

I. ABSENTEEISM CAUSES SUCH PROBLEMS AS:

1. Lack of student self-discipline.

2. Lowering teacher efficiency by necessitating much repetition of
explanation of subject matter for returning absentees.

3. Lessening of the effectiveness of the examination as a learning
instrument since results often cannot be discussed until
absentees have made up the test.

4. Lowering student morale since many students receive the same
amount of credit for far less time in the class.

5. Increasing teacher frustration since many types of classroom
work, such as lectures, films, and class discussions, cannot be
made up.

6. Lowering of educational standards as work tends to be geared
to the rate of absenteeism.

7. The need to educate students for the future to be dependable.

8. Student falsification of absence excuse to cover absences,
thereby contributing to the teaching of dishonesty.

9. Loss of State Funds.

II. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED CONCERNING ATTENDANCE:

1. Attendance is important in school. There is a direct positive
correlation between grades and attendance.

2. Attendance is truly the student's and the parent's responsibility
morally and legally.

3. Each day teachers are expected to teach something that will be
perceived by the student to be of value.

4. To learn responsibility one must practice it from within, not
from without.

5. Credit is to be given only when the teacher is certain that all the
material for the course has been covered and that all students
have been exposed to it.

6. The student who dodges responsibility must accept the fact that
it is only delayed and never "excused" or "unexcused".

III. EXCUSED ABSENCES:

1. No more than 6 days or 42 hours absence will be permitted
each semester without a doctor's excuse. Absences must be
covered with parental note or doctor's note. Doctor's note must
cover each day absent during this illness.

2. Absences for the following reasons shall be considered un-
avoidable and shall be classified as excused:

—personal illness.

—serious illness of immediate family member (doctor's state-
ment required).

—medical and dental appointments that cannot be arranged
during non-school hours and with note from doctor.

—special and recognized religious holidays.

—authorized school sponsored activities.

—circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create
justifiable absences over which the student has no control.

—death in the immediate family.

3. Checking out early and signing in late will count as part of the
6 days or 42 hours. Check outs and sign ins will be excused on
the same basis as full days absences.

IV. ABSENCES RELATED TO APPROVED SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:

Official school business as determined by administration is to be
considered part of the school day and is not an absence. The excused
absences enumerated above will grant the student permission to
make up all work missed without penalty.

V. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:

If the student's absence does not come in the excused categories,
he/she will be given an unexcused absence which will result in a
zero (0) for the work missed during that day.

VI. ABSENTEE PROCEDURE:

A. Absentee Permit:

The morning following an absence, the student will report to
the office as soon as possible after arriving at school, and pre-
sent his/her excuse to the appropriate official for an admit-to-
class. Teachers will not permit a student to return to class
without an absentee permit. Students not having a note will be
given an unexcused absence because of improper verification of
absences and will have one (1) day to obtain proper
verification.

B. Late Arrivals:

Students who are late arriving to school or class must report to
the office for an admit-to-class. Parents must accompany the
student into the school to sign in as required by our school
safety policy.

C. Early Dismissal:

When an early dismissal is required by parent, they must verify
this request by a phone call, a note or personal appearance. All
early dismissals must go through the principal's office. The
school will grant the parent's request for early dismissal, but
this does not mean the absence is excused and make-up will be
given. Dismissals will be excused on the same basis as an
excused absence.

VII. MAKE-UP WORK:

Those students who have excused absences may make up work
missed. Students returning to school after absences must check
with their teachers on the day they return regarding any work
missed. Scheduling make-up work is totally the responsibility
of the student and failure to fulfill this obligation will result in a
loss of credit for the work missed. Students must meet teacher
deadlines for completion of make-up work.

VIII. REWARDING GOOD ATTENDANCE:

Perfect attendance the first (1st) three (3) months of school and
again at the end of school will be rewarded in a way to be
determined by the administration in Grades K-8. Short term
rewards will be given in Grades K-6 in order to encourage
forming good attendance habits. In addition, students with
perfect attendance may be exempt from six-weeks, semester,
and final exams providing they have a passing average.
Students will retain the option of taking these exams if they so
desire.

IX. SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS:

Special Education students will be included in the Attendance Policy

unless their I.E.P. indicates otherwise.

X. NON-ATTENDANCE VIOLATORS:

Non-attendance will also be addressed in the following manner:

In order to meet the requirements of the Juvenile Court's attendance
policy, after two (2) unexcused absences the student and parent/
guardian may be required to attend an attendance review committee
meeting at the school.

In order to meet the requirements of TCA 49-6-3002 an effective
reporting system of absentees will be developed. The principal's
office may call absentees daily on a random basis. The Student will
be referred to Juvenile Court when five (5) days unexcused absence
have accumulated. Students will be taken through the Juvenile
Court by attendance personnel. (See Article XII).

This policy is in accordance with TCA 49-2-203 as amended. The
policy shall appear in the county newspaper, shall be recorded in
board minutes, and be distributed to students prior to
implementation.

XI. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE FOR ATTENDANCE:

Step I. If a student feels she/she has been granted an unexcused
absence unjustly, he/she shall first discuss the matter with
the principal (or appropriate designee). If the unexcused
absence in question is not resolved, the student has the
right to appeal to Step II.

Step. II. A written statement by the student, parent, or legal
guardian requesting a review of the principal's decision
must be submitted to the Hawkins County Attendance
Review Committee within five (5) days of the Step I
decision. The Attendance Review Committee will consist
of the County Attendance Supervisor and the appropriate
level Instructional Supervisor. All correspondence will be
addressed to the Hawkins County Board of Education,
200 North Depot Street, Rogersville, TN 37857 -
Attention: County Attendance Supervisor.

Step. III. If the unexcused absence in question is not resolved by
the Attendance Review Committee, the student has the
right to appeal to the Hawkins County Board of Education.

Fire And Tornado Drills
Both tornado and fire drills are held at announced and unannounced
intervals.

1. Each teacher will communicate the drill instruction and the
route to safety for all students.

2. Walk, no talking. Follow instructions by the teacher.

Toys - Playthings and Valuables

Toys and playthings can only be brought to school with the permission
of the teacher. Permission must be obtained the day before. Many toys
are expensive. We cannot be responsible for such items. We discourage
students bringing valuable gifts or personal items to school (watches,
rings, large sums of money, pens, etc.). Children at this age have not
fully comprehended the value of certain items. If students bring such
items, it is suggested they be of small value and can easily be replaced.

Teacher Conference

All teachers have one conference period. The time for each conference
period will be sent home to you by your child's teacher. We ask that
you not take away instruction time for conferences during the day. We
encourage conferences to be scheduled through the office. Every parent
should schedule at least one conference per semester to determine
progress and teacher views concerning the child.

Buses

Safe transportation is considered an integral part of the total education
program within the Hawkins County Schools. Riding the school bus is a
privilege extended to students that can be taken away for disruptive or
unsatisfactory behavior. All children being transported are under the
authority of the bus driver and must obey his/her request. The school
will give drivers the full support in all situations. If your child is to go
home any other way than he/she normally goes, he/she is to bring a
written note from home stating this. The principal must sign this note in
order for the student to get on a different bus or ride home any other
way than usual. According to the law, the principal may suspend at his
discretion, passengers from riding on a school bus for inappropriate and
unacceptable behavior.

BUS CONDUCT:

A. Behavior requirements on school buses shall be the same as

behavior requirements in the classroom.
B. Students shall not use profanity, intoxicating beverages, or tobacco

in any form.

C. It is the responsibility of the pupil to obey the driver.
D. Be courteous, and use no profane language.
E. Do not eat or drink on the bus—any drink containers must be in a

lunch pail or book bag and unopened.
F. Keep the bus clean.
G. Cooperate with the driver.
H. Do not be destructive.

Grade Reports

Hawkins County Schools operate on a six-weeks reporting system.

Parents are encouraged to study the report card carefully and to

schedule conferences with teachers to discuss their child's progress or

lack thereof. Report cards are to be signed and returned to the student's

homeroom teacher.

GRADING SYSTEM

A......................................... Outstanding 94-100

B..........................................Good Work 86-83

C..........................................Average Work 76-85

D......................................... Passing Work 70-75

F.......................................... Failing Wrk 00-69

I........................................... Incomplete—to be cleared by the end

of the following grading period.

Promotion and Retention

Please be advised that in all cases the determination of whether a pupil
is promoted or retained in a grade or to which class he/she is assigned is
made by appropriate school officials, not parents. The law clearly
authorizes the local Board "through its officers and employees" to
assign children not only to schools but also to "grades, classes, or
courses of study within the school" (T.C.A. 49-6-3101 (f) 49-6-3102,
et seq). The professional staff is expected to place students at the grade
level best suited to them academically, socially, and emotionally.
Before a student is retained, the parents shall be informed in writing and
shall be requested to participate in a conference at least six weeks
before the end of the school year.

Early Dismissal

Parents are urged to leave their children in school all day. Doctor or
other appointments should be scheduled outside school hours and on
school holidays whenever possible. If a child needs to be dismissed
early, parents or their designee must sign them out in the office.

It is the responsibility of the divorced or legally separated parent to
inform the school if they have sole legal custody of a child who is not to
be picked up by the other parent. A copy of the custody paper will be
required.

Visitors

According to state law, all visitors to our school must first check in at
the office to secure a visitor pass. Visitors will not be permitted to loiter
on the school campus or in school buildings. Students are not permitted
to have visitors during the school day.

Parents are to schedule conferences in advance at times convenient for
both teachers and parents. Conferences will be scheduled at such times
that do not interrupt or interfere with a teacher's class. All these
guidelines are for the safety and supervision of your children.

Homework

Homework is important. It is an extension of the learning that takes
place in school. Homework can provide practice and drill that
reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for
independent study, research, and creative thinking. Parents can help
their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for the students to
work, and by seeing that assignments are completed.

1. All homework should be meaningful and should provide
reinforcement activities as well as enrichment activities. The
teacher will make every effort to make sure homework assignments
are clear and the due date is understood.

2. All homework assignments are due the following day or upon the
day of return in the event of school cancellation, or personal illness,
or any other legitimate excuse. Extended assignments will be due at
a date established by the teacher.

3. Homework must be ready to be presented by the student at the
beginning of the class for which it is required.

4. Students will not be permitted to call home for homework which
they forgot to bring to school.

5. All homework should be marked and/or graded. Please remember
that homework will be figured into the marking period grade.

6. Extra credit may or may not be accepted. This will be determined
by the teacher.

7. Teachers assign homework to meet your child's educational needs.

Make-Up Work

The school is obligated to provide make-up work for excused absences.
Students or their parents are responsible for requesting make-up work
immediately upon the student's return to school. A student will
generally be given the same number of days to make up work as missed
except in special circumstances. If dates for student's absence are
known in advance, the teacher should be notified and planned
assignments may be given. A student may not make up work for credit
for unexcused absences.

Use Of The Telephone

Students will be able to call home in case of sickness. This will be done
only with the permission of the teacher. The teacher or designated
person may make the call for students.

Children may not use the phone to ask parents to deliver forgotten
assignments, bring lunch money, get permission to attend parties, get
permission to go home with a friend, discuss after school activities, etc.
These matters should be taken care of at home. Parents please do not
ask office personnel to relay messages to children except in cases of
emergency.

Teachers cannot be called to the phone to talk with parents while their
classes are in session. If you wish to speak with a teacher by phone,
please place your request through the school office. The teacher will
return your call promptly when he/she is not responsible for the
supervision and instruction of students.

General Fee Policy

An instructional fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) is due on or before
September 15 unless the child qualifies for free or reduced lunch. Fees
are waived for these students when requested by parents. The fee helps
pay for instructional materials including workbooks and handouts not
otherwise covered.

Student Conduct

The staff is authorized to take reasonable measures to establish
appropriate school behavior. Any professional employee shall have the
authority to control the conduct of any student while under the
supervision of the school system- This authority shall extend to all
activities of the school, including all games, trips, excursions, and all
other activities under school sponsorship and direction.

Such measures may include the use of reasonable force to restrain or
correct students and maintain order.

A student shall not use violence, force, noise, coercion, threat,
intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or any other conduct which causes
disruption, interference, or obstruction of buses, or at any school-
sponsored activity, function or event, whether on or off campus. Neither
shall she/he urge other students to engage in such conduct.

Threat Statement

Anyone that threatens another person orally or in writing may be
subject to zero tolerance (out of school for a calendar year), referral to
police department, out of school suspension or in school suspension.

Middle School Discipline Policy

The Board expects all school staff, students and parents to assume the
responsibility for appropriate behaviors in the school.

To guarantee a social and educational climate conducive to learning, it
is important that students understand that acceptable standards of
behavior will be expected at all times. Discipline will be administered
when an individual's actions interfere with the right of teachers to teach
and students to learn.

A well disciplined class and school is a very important aspect of the
school environment. In order to provide students with a safe, secure,
and positive learning environment, classroom and school rules are
essential. Each student must understand the rules and consequences for
not following rules. Each student will be familiarized with school rules
and procedures at the beginning of the school year.

Each student has the right to:

1. Have the opportunity for an education in the most appropriate
learning environment;

2. Be secure in his/her person, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizure;

3. Expect that the school will be a safe place;

4. Have an appropriate environment conducive to learning;

5. Free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, creed,
religion, national origin or disabilities; and

6. Be fully informed of school rules and regulations.

Each student has the responsibility to:

1. Know and adhere to reasonable rules and regulations
established by the board;

2. Respect the human dignity and worth of every other individual;

3. Refrain from libel, slanderous remarks, and obscenity in verbal
and written expression;

4. Study and maintain the best possible level of academic
achievement;

5. Be punctual and present in the regular school program;

6. Dress and groom in a manner that meets reasonable standards
of health, cleanliness, modesty and safety;

7. Maintain and/or improve the school environment, preserve
school and private property, and exercise care while using
school facilities;

8. Refrain from behavior which leads to physical or emotional
harm or disrupts the educational process;

9. Respect the authority of school administrators, teachers and
other authorized personnel in maintaining discipline in the
school and at school-sponsored activities;

10. Obey the law and school rules as to the possession or the use of
alcohol, illegal drugs, and other unauthorized substances or
materials; and

11. Possess on school grounds only those materials which are
acceptable under the law and accept the consequences for
articles stored in one's locker.

Discipline

The following are some examples of student behavior that violate
school and/or district policy when they occur at school or during school
activities. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.

School-Wide Student Discipline—
Offenses Resulting In Disciplinary Action

1. Vandalizing, damaging, or stealing school or private property.

2. Using or possessing tobacco products, drugs, or alcohol or their
implements of use.

3. Lying or cheating.

4. Disruptive conduct or using obscene language, or gestures.

5. Any action that interferes with teachers' ability to conduct class.

6. Insolence, disrespect, insubordination, or disobedience.

7. Fighting.

8. Inappropriate displays of affection.

9. Rowdy behavior: running, pushing, shoving, yelling, and whistling.

10. Leaving a classroom or leaving school without permission.

11. Threatening, intimidating, or causing bodily harm to any person.

12. Possessing any dangerous object.

13. Truancy.

14. Possession of sexual related materials—magazines, etc. It is not
felt that these are appropriate for children to have at school.
Counseling and/or appropriate disciplinary measures will be
provided for students who violate this.

15. Failure to follow rules of bus conduct.

16. Indecent exposure.

17. Fire alarm/false report.

18. Breaking and entering.

19. Gambling, theft, and extortion.

20. Possession or detonation of explosive material (fireworks).

21. Trespassing.

22. Tardiness.

23. Bomb threats.

24. Possession in the school of any kinds of weapons, such as a
gun, knife, etc.

25. Falsification of paternal permission, doctor, or dentist note, etc.

26. Deliberate failure to attend class after reporting to school, being
present on school grounds, or riding unauthorized school
transportation.

27. Any acts of disobedience/misbehavior in other schools or field
trip or athletic function.

28. Littering.

29. Out of class without a pass.

30. Violations of safety rules.

31. Inappropriate dress.

32. Improper boy/girl relationship behavior.

33. Loitering in hall or on school grounds.

34. Locker misuse.

35. Possession of radios, tape players, pagers, etc. (will be confiscated).

A student found guilty of misbehavior, including but not limited to

violation of one of these acts, may receive punishment which may

include but not be limited to the following:

(A) Verbal reprimand

(B) Loss of free time

(C) After-school detention

(D) In-school suspension
(E) Out-of-school suspension
(F) Alternative School
(G) Referral to Juvenile Court
(H) Expulsion

(I) Referral to Law Enforcement Agency

(J) Corporal Punishment

Students Are Reminded That Any Teacher Or Staff
Member in the School Has the Right to Correct
Individuals At Any Place and At Any Time

After-School Detention

This program is to be used in the following ways:

1. For violation of school rules;

2. As an alternative to corporal punishment;

3. As discipline for lack of attendance; and

4. Other ways as deemed necessary by the professional staff.

The use of the program will be at the discretion of the teachers and

principal as they strive to appropriately match each disciplinary

measure with each violation.

Students may be required to spend 45 to 90 minutes. This will be

scheduled during school hours at their regular classroom time,

following the date detention was issued.

Suspensions

Any principal is authorized to suspend a student from attendance at

school, including any school-related activity, or from riding a school

bus.

Before any suspension, the principal will hold an informal hearing with
the student. The student will be informed of the reasons for which the
suspension is being considered. Notification to parents or guardians of
all suspensions shall be assured.

A student suspended out of school may not loiter or appear on
school property or at any school sponsored activity at or away from
school. He/she will not be allowed to make up work and tests
missed.

Circumstances shall determine whether or not a student will be assigned
in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension (out-of-school
suspension may be Alternative School), but unless the offense falls into
the "severe"category generally in-school suspension will be used first.
By doing this students are at school, can complete their work, and are
not counted absent.

Fighting

The penalty for being involved in a fight, defined as an exchange of
physical blows (hitting, slapping, pushing, shoving, etc.) will be 1 to 3
days in-school suspension or recommendation for expulsion for the first
offense. Students who hit other students and there is no response will be
subject to 3 days suspension or recommendation for expulsion.
STUDENTS WHO DO NOT FIGHT BACK WILL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO PUNISHMENT. Those students should report the
incident immediately to an administrator or teacher. Students should not
take matters into their own hands but should allow an administrator or
teacher to handle the situation.

Students who are intimidated, harassed, or provoked by another student
should report the incident to a teacher or administrator.

Tobacco
Tennessee Law 1999

1. This bill rewrites the Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act.
Most significantly, a child's possession of tobacco is now a
violation. It rewrites the penalty section and provides that violation
of the act will result in the juvenile court instituting civil penalties.
A monetary penalty of $10-$50 is mandatory. The court can order
the tobacco product destroyed. The court, in addition to the
monetary penalty, may also order up to 50 hours of community
service work. A school principal is authorized to give the child a
citation for a violation.

2. The use of tobacco in any form will not be permitted on any
county-provided transportation. Violators will face the same
disciplinary action as above and also will be suspended from the
bus for at least one (1) day for the first offense.

3. The POSSESSION of tobacco and/or tobacco paraphernalia makes
one as guilty as smoking or "dipping" tobacco products.

ZERO TOLERANCE BEHAVIOR POLICY

In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment free of drugs,
violence and dangerous weapons, any student that is found to have
violated this policy shall be subject to expulsion from all Hawkins
County Schools for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The
superintendent may allow another individual or entity to carry out
preliminary information gathering functions, and prepare a recommen-
dation. Following this process, the superintendent shall have the author-
ity to modify the expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.

For the purpose of this policy the term "Expulsion" shall mean the
removal of a student for a designated time from all Hawkins County
Schools. This policy shall include any student while on a school bus, on
school property, or while attending any school event or activity.

ZERO-TOLERANCE ACTS AS FOLLOWS:

1. A student under the influence of, or in possession of, an illegal
drug.

2. A student who brings or possesses a firearm (TCA 39-17-1309) or
dangerous weapon.

3. A student committing a battery on a teacher, other employee of the
school, or resource officer.

ALCOHOL

No student shall use, knowingly possess or be under the influence of an
alcoholic beverage of any kind on school property, before, during or
after school hours at any time. First offense will result in out-of-school
suspension for 10 days; second offense will result in expulsion from
school for the school year.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment activity toward any student by an employee or
another student will not be tolerated. It is defined as conduct, advances,
gestures or words of a sexual nature which:

Unreasonably interferes with the student's work or educational opportu-
nities; or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environ-
ment; or implies that submission to such conduct is made an explicit or
implicit term of receiving grades or credit; or implies that submission to
or rejection of such conduct will be used as a basis for determining the
student's grades and/or participation in a student activity.

Victims of sexual harassment shall report these conditions to the
appropriate school official. Confidentiality will be maintained and no
reprisals or retaliation will occur as as result of good faith reporting of
charges of sexual harassment.

In determining whether alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment,
all of the circumstances, including the nature of the conduct and the
context in which the alleged conduct occurred, will be investigated. The
Superintendent shall be responsible for investigating all complaints of
sexual harassment. If satisfactory resolution of the complaint is not
reached, the student may appeal the matter to the superintendent, and
ultimately, to the Hawkins County Board of Education.

Assertive Discipline

Administrative Procedures

The Following Sequence of Corrective Measures
Will Be Followed with Middle School Students:

1st Referral Warning/Detention/Suspension/Recommendation for

expulsion and possible parent conference/call/letter
2nd Referral Detention/Suspension/Referral to Juvenile Court/
Recommendation for expulsion and parent conference/
call/letter.

3rd Referral Suspension/Referral to Juvenile Court/Recommenda-
tion for expulsion and possible parent conference/call/letter.

4th Referral Suspension/Recommendation for expulsion, referral to

Alternative School and mandatory conference with parents.

5th Referral Suspension/Referral to Juvenile Court/Alternative

School and/or recommendation for expulsion.

There are instances when a teacher may have to refer a student to the

office after classroom steps are taken and exhausted. There may also be

times when the student's offense is of a school-wide concern or a

"severe" violation of policy, and the student will be referred directly to

the principal.

Students will be punished for breaking rules, but students will also be

rewarded for appropriate behavior by the teachers and school through-

out the year.

Alternative School

1. After the fourth referral and a meeting with parents, a student is
placed on probation. If a fifth referral occurs the student will be
placed in Alternative School for a minimum of 6 weeks (30 days).

2. A student is expected to behave and complete all class work while
in Alternative School.

3. If a student is referred to the office, after serving in Alternative
School, he/she may be placed back in Alternative School for the
remainder of the school year.

Weapons and Dangerous Instruments

Students shall not possess, handle, transmit, use or attempt to use any
dangerous weapon (1) in school buildings or on school grounds at any
time, or in school vehicles and/or buses or off the school grounds at a
school sponsored activity, function or event.

Dangerous weapons for the purpose of this policy shall include, but are
not limited to ". . . any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, Bowie
knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, switchblade knife,
blackjack, knuckles . .."

Students who are found to have violated this policy shall be subject to
suspension for a period of not less than one (1) year. the superintendent
shall have the authority to modify this suspension requirement on a
case-by-case basis. (2)

When it is determined that a student has violated this policy, the

principal of the school shall notify the student's parent or guardian and

he criminal justice of juvenile delinquency system as required by law (3).

Legal Reference:

(1) TCA 39-17-1309; U.S.C. 921

(2) Gun Free Schools Act 1994, Section 14601 (1) (2)

(3) TCA 49-6-4209; Fun Free Schools Act 1994, Section 14602 (a)

Maintenance of Records

A thorough record of all infractions and actions taken shall be

maintained by teacher and principal.

Dress Code

Student dress should be such that it ensures a neutral environment
conducive to learning that also protects the educational process. We
always encourage our students to dress appropriately and wear clothing
that is not disruptive to the school operation, and that does not interfere
with classroom procedures. With these principles in mind, the following
guidelines are in effect during instructional hours:

1. SHIRTS

a) Shirts must have a neckline that does not expose any portion of
the breast.

b) Button-up shirts may be open only at the neck unless worn over
a shirt that meets the dress code.

c) Shirts worn outside the waistband must be of sufficient length
that no flesh is exposed when the student fully extends one arm
above the head.

d) All shirts must have sleeves.

2. SWEATERS

a) Sweaters are permitted as long as they meet the dress code or
are worn over a shirt that does.

3. PANTS

a) Pants must be worn at the waist and be sized appropriately. No
sagging.

b) No holes, rips or tears are permitted in "inappropriate" places
(i.e., crotch, seat, etc.).

4. SHORTS

a) Shorts must reach the "mid-point" of the thigh, or below.

5. SKIRTS, DRESSES, AND JUMPERS

a) All skirts, dresses and jumpers must reach the top of the knee or
longer.

b) The top of the dress must meet the shirt requirement of the
dress code or have beneath it a shirt that does.

c) Slits in skirts may not be longer than a dollar bill's length above
the knee.

6. COATS/JACKETS

a) All outerwear must be removed and put in your locker upon
arrival at school. Students are not permitted to wear or carry
these clothing articles with them during the day.

7. FACIAL PIERCINGS

a) Facial piercings are limited to ears and the piercing must be no
larger than that required by a standard earring. (Tongue
piercings are also not permitted).

8. OTHER GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

a) All clothing should be clean and in good repair.

b) No see-through clothing or cutouts are permitted.

c) No head coverings are permitted. This includes hats, scarves,
sweat bands, stockings, etc. Students may not have in their
possession a hat or headwear during the school day. These
should be placed in your locker upon arrival at school.

d) No industrial or pet chains or collars around neck, wrists, or
waist, or chains attached to wallets.

e) Clothing that displays the names or advertisements of drug,
alcohol or tobacco products, profane, vulgar, violent, illegal,
immoral, or hate messages, or sexual innuendo, is prohibited.
Examples of some inappropriate displays include, but are not
limited to the following: Sexual innuendoes - Hooters, Big
Johnson, Coed Naked. Hate symbols - Nazi emblems, KKK.
Illegal activities - Drink till you drop, The more I drink, the
better you look. There can be and are many others. Students
who have a question about the appropriateness of their clothing
should consult a building administrator.

f) Accessories must not disrupt the educational process or draw
undue attention to the individual. They must be free of offen-
sive or suggestive words or graphics, and contain no reference
to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, illegal/immoral substances or activities.

g) No observable lack of undergarments is permitted.

h) Shoes must be worn at all times.

i) Students are not allowed to wear, carry, or display gang
paraphernalia or items associated with gangs. Student attire cannot
be modified (i.e., rolling up a pant leg), to display gang affiliation.

j) No sunglasses may be worn or visible at any time during the day.
k) No unnatural hair coloring (i.e. pink, orange, purple, etc.) is

permitted. Hairstyles must not draw undue attention to the

individual.
1) Spirit group uniforms worn to attend class must meet all dress

code requirements.

It is the discretion of the Administration and/or Faculty as to what is
appropriate for the learning environment. This includes whether gar-
ments are inappropriately tight or revealing. Any students wearing any
questionable attire will be reported to their administrator and could be
sent home to change.

In the event that a student wears clothing that violates the school's dress
code the following guidelines will apply:

FIRST OFFENSE: Warning and student will be required to change

the clothing so that it is appropriate.
SECOND OFFENSE: Detention and student will be required to

change the clothing so that it is appropriate.
THIRD OFFENSE: ISS assigned and student will be required to

change the clothing so that it is appropriate.
FOURTH OFFENSE: Suspended for two days and student will be

required to change the clothing so that it is

appropriate.

Medicines

No school official or teacher will routinely dispense medication to
students except in unique situations in which a child's health is depen-
dent upon the medical aid. If under exceptional circumstances a child is
required to take oral medication during school hours and the parent
cannot be at school to administer the medication, only the principal or
the principal's designee will administer the medication in compliance
with the following regulations:

Written instructions signed by the parent will be required and will include:

1. Child's name;

2. Name of medication;

3. Name of physician;

4. Time to be administered;

5. Dosage;

6. Possible side effects, if known; and

7. Termination date for administering the medication.

Interrogations and Searches

Interrogations by School Personnel:

Students may be questioned by teachers or principals about any matter
pertaining to the operation of a school and/or the enforcement of its
rules. Questioning must be conducted discretely and under circum-
stances which will avoid unnecessary embarrassment to the student
being questioned. Any student answering falsely, evasively, or refusing
to answer a proper question may be subject to disciplinary action,
including suspension.

If a student is suspected or accused of any offense committed in a
school during school hours or on school property at any time, the
principal may interrogate the student, without the presence of parent(s)
and without giving the student constitutional warnings.

If a student is suspected or is accused of a crime not involving the
operation of a school or if interrogation of a particular student is police
instigated, a parent shall be notified and constitutional warnings shall be
given to the student before interrogation begins.

Interrogation by Police:

If the principal has requested assistance by the police department to
investigate a crime involving his/her school, the police shall have
permission to interrogate a student suspect in school during school
hours. The principal shall first attempt to notify the parent(s) of the
student of the intended interrogation, but the interrogation may proceed
if the parent is unavailable or unwilling to attend. The principal or his/
her designee shall be present during the interrogation.

If criminal prosecution is contemplated by the police or the school
principal, interrogation shall not commence unless a parent or guardian
of the student is present. Prior to interrogation, the principal or his/her
designee shall note that the police officer advises the student of the
nature of the crime for which he/she is a suspect, that he/she has the
right to remain silent, that anything he/she says may be used against
him/her in criminal or juvenile court, and that he/she has the right to
have an attorney present, or a court-appointed attorney if the parents are
indigent, and a student or parent may stop the interrogation at any time.

If the police deem circumstances of sufficient urgency to interrogate
students at school for unrelated crimes committed outside of school
hours, the police department shall first contact the principal regarding
the planned interrogation, inform him/her of the probable cause to
investigate within the school. The police shall not commence interroga-
tion until the approval of the principal is obtained and a parent or
guardian of the student is present. The principal or his/her designee
shall be present during the interrogation.

The use of police women or female staff members is desirable in the
interrogation of female students.

Searches by School Personnel:

Any principal, or his/her designee, having reasonable suspicion may
search any student, place, or thing on school property or in the actual or
constructive possession of any student during any organized school
activity off campus, including buses, vehicles of students or visitors
(notice shall be posted in the school parking lot that vehicles parked on
school property by students or visitors are subject to search for drugs,
drug paraphernalia, or dangerous weapons), and containers or packages
if he/she receives information which would cause a reasonable belief
that the search will lead to the discovery of:

1. Evidence of any violation of the law;

2. Evidence of any violation of school rules or regulations or proper
standards of student or faculty conduct;

3. Any object or substance which, because of its presence, presents an
immediate danger of harm or illness to any person.

A student using a locker that is the property of the school system does
not have the right of privacy in that locker or its contents. All lockers or
other storage areas provided for student use on school premises remain
the property of the school system and are provided for the use of
students subject to inspection, access for maintenance and search.
Notice shall be posted in each school that lockers and other storage
areas are school property and are subject to search.

A student may be subject to physical search or a student's pocket, purse,
or other container may be required to be emptied because of the results
of a locker search, or because of information received from a teacher,
staff member, or other student if such action is reasonable to the
principal. All of the following standards of reasonableness shall be met:

1. A particular student has violated policy;

2. The search could be expected to yield evidence of the violation of
school policy or disclosure of a dangerous weapon or drug;

3. The search is in pursuit of legitimate interests of the school in
maintaining order, discipline, safety, supervision, and education of
students; and

4. The primary purpose of the search is not to collect evidence for a
criminal prosecution.

School officials may conduct hand-held or walk-through metal detector
checks of a student's person or personal effect.

Searches by Police:

If public health or safety is involved, upon request of the principal who
shall be present, police officers may make a general search of students'
lockers and desks, or students' or non-students' automobiles for drugs,
weapons, or items of an illegal or prohibited nature.

If the principal has received reliable information which he/she believes
to be true that evidence of a crime or of stolen goods, not involving
school property of members of the school staff or student body, is
located on school property and that any search for such evidence or
goods would be unrelated to school discipline or to the health and
safety of a student or the student body, he/she shall request police
assistance; and procedures to obtain and execute a search warrant shall
thereafter be followed.

Anything found in the course of a search conducted in accordance with

this policy which is evidence of a violation of the law or a violation of

student conduct standards may be:

1. Seized and admitted as evidence in any hearing, trial, suspension or
dismissal proceeding. It should be tagged for identification at the
time it is seized and kept in a secure place by the principal or the
principal's designee until it is presented at the hearing. At the
discretion of the principal, the items seized may be returned to the
parent or guardian of a student or, if it has no significant value, the
item may be destroyed, but only with the express written
permission of the superintendent.

2. Any seized item may be turned over to any law enforcement
officer. Any dangerous weapon or drug as defined in TCA 49-6-
4202 (1) shall be turned over to an appropriate law enforcement
official after the completion of an administrative proceeding at
which its presence is reasonably required.

Whenever the possibility of uncovering evidence of a criminal nature
exists, the principal or his/her designee may request the assistance of a
law enforcement officer to:

1. Search any area of the school premises, any student or any motor
vehicle on the school premises; or

2. Identify or dispose of anything found in the course of a search
conducted in accordance with this policy.

The involvement of law enforcement officials is encouraged when there
is reasonable cause to suspect that criminal evidence is about to be
uncovered.

Legal References:

(1) TCA 49-6-4202 through TCA 49-6-4212.

HAZING

Hazing of any student is prohibited. No initiations may be held outside
of school organizations' regular meetings. Initiations held within meet-
ings must be approved by the advisor and the administration. Any ini-
tiation which involves the slightest element of physical danger or poor
taste will not be permitted.

HAWKINS COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

It is the policy of the Hawkins County School System not to
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, or disability in its educational programs or employ-
ment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (1972 Educa-
tional Amendments), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

It is also the policy of this district that the curriculum materials
utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity present in the
United States and the variety of careers, roles and life-styles open
to women as well as men in our society. One of the objectives of
the total curriculum and teaching strategies is to reduce stereo-
typing and to eliminate bias on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity,
religion, and disability. The curriculum should foster respect and
appreciation for the cultural diversity found in our country and an
awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each indi-
vidual as a member of a pluralistic society.