STUDENT GUIDELINES

Attendance    Tardies    Cheating Policy    Community Service and Volunteer Hours    Detention    Dress Code
Ethics Council    Growth Plan    Probation    Student Assignment Center    Summary of Student Rules and Guidelines

Attendance

Excellent school attendance is required of each student. Excessive unexcused absences in a class will result in failure of the course.
Tardiness is a conduct issue (see tardy policy).

Absences:

Students must bring a note to the attendance office the day that they return to school containing the following information: student name, reason for absence, date of absence, phone number where parent can be reached during the day, and a parent name or a signature.

This note must be brought to the attendance office between 7:45 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. The attendance office will give the student a permit marked "excused" or unexcused". Students have three days from the day they return to school to bring a note from their parents. Notes brought after three days will be marked "unexcused absence". If a student is absent for more than five consecutive days, a note from a doctor is needed.

Procedures for an Absence for an HISD Approved Religious Holiday:

Students must bring a note (at least one day before the holiday) from their parent indicating that they will be absent for a religious holiday in order to be marked present for the day. Notes brought after the absence will be marked as an "absence".

Procedures for Leaving Campus for Reasons Other Than Illness or Doctor’s Appointment:

Emergency (excluding illness):

1. Report to the attendance office.
2. The attendance office will contact your parent or guardian.
3. Obtain a permit.
4. Sign out at the attendance office before leaving.

Non-Emergency (excluding illness or doctor's appointment)

1. Students should report to the attendance office by 10:00 a.m. with a note from their parent.
2. The attendance office will contact the parent or guardian.
3. The student should obtain a permit and sign out in the attendance office before leaving.

Leaving School without Permission

"Skipping" school is considered a serious offense. The first “skipping” will result in an office “P” in conduct and probation. Two instances of "skipping" will result in an office “U” in conduct and an exit conference. Any infraction of rules committed while on probation will result in possible return to zoned school. "Skipping" is defined as: (a) failure to attend all or part of an assigned class while being present on the school campus, (b) leaving the school campus (for any reason) without officially signing out and obtaining a permit through the attendance office. A note from a parent the day after leaving campus will be considered a "skip" if there was not an official sign-out record.

General Rules about Leaving Campus:

1. Unless it is an emergency, students will not be allowed to use office phones to receive permission to check out of school.

2. Parents who call to check out students will be asked to give the attendance office proof of ID, via TDL or social security number, etc. Students caught using other persons besides their parent or guardian to call and check them out will face severe disciplinary action.

3. Persons that are not on student enrollment card may not check the student out either by phone or in person. If the parent grants permission, either verbally or in writing, for someone other than themselves to pick up their children, that request will be honored.

4. Students who leave campus for any reason without officially signing out in the office will receive two days of in-school suspension and an office conduct cut of U. There are no legitimate reasons for leaving campus without officially checking out of school. Returning to school with a note the following day or receiving permission from your parents without the office confirming the call, are no substitutes for officially checking out. According to Texas Law, the office must receive written or verbal permission from your parent before you are allowed to leave the campus, which includes the parking lot. Once you arrive on the parking lot, you are considered to be in attendance at school. If you are absent at school but show up later in the school day you will be required to report to your assigned class. Once a student steps foot on school property he/she is officially at school and must go through the procedure listed in this handbook in order to check out.

Procedures for Receiving an Excused Absence for a College Visit:

1. Students should bring documentation from the college and a note from one parent to their counselor and attendance office at least one day before the scheduled absence.

2. The counselor will attach all documentation and approve the college visit.

3. The student will take the documentation to the attendance office before the student goes on the college visit to get excused absence approved. If you are absent at school but show up later in the school day you will be required to report to your assigned class. Once a student steps foot on school property he/she is officially at school and must go through the procedure listed in this handbook in order to check out.

Extra Curricular Absences:

Students may have up to five absences per semester for extracurricular activities in each class or subject. A school shall NOT approve a request for a student to miss class for an extracurricular activity if that student has already accumulated five absences for that semester. If for some reason the student does miss class a sixth time for extracurricular activities, the absence is to be considered UNEXCUSED and Board Policy (Attendance Requirements for Promotion and Course Credit) shall apply. The student will also be INELIGIBLE for all extracurricular activities for the remainder of the semester.

The counting of absences for extracurricular activities begins with the day a student is ENROLLED in an HISD school for the first time for that school year. If a student transfers from one HISD school to another during the school year, all absences for extracurricular activities for each class or subject should be transferred with him and applied to that class or subject at the new school.

Procedures for Appealing for Credit Denied for Excessive Absences:

In order to be given consideration for course credit that has been denied due to a violation of HISD's attendance policy, a student must:

• Complete an attendance appeal form with all attached documentation.

• Turn the appeal form into the Dean of Instruction within ten days after report cards have been issued for a given grading cycle.

Tardies:

Students, who arrive to school late, but prior to 7:55 a.m., will report directly to their homeroom or tutorial class.

Students, who arrive to school any time AFTER 7:55 a.m., will report to attendance office to sign in and get a permit (even if they have time to make it to the next class). If a student misses a class prior to arriving to school and fails to sign in with the attendance office upon arrival, the absence will be considered a "skip". Students who are more than 15 minutes late to any class will be marked absent and tardy. The consequences for excessive tardies are listed below.

Personal transportation problems (car breakdown, traffic, etc.) will be marked "unexcused". Students arriving late on the bus will be admitted to class by a PA announcement.

Tardy Policy:

1st unexcused tardy	Warning Notification to parent
2nd unexcused tardy	After school detention (Thursday) 1/2 hour 3:25 – 3:55 pm Notification to parent
3rd unexcused tardy	After school detention (Thursday) 1 hour 3:25 – 4:25 pm Notification to parent
4th unexcused tardy	Two hours of detention or two hours of campus service. Notification to parent
5th unexcused tardy	Conduct of “P” in Homeroom or Class. Student placed on probation. Notification to parent
6th unexcused tardy	Student assigned to SAC (campus/off campus) (or more) Office conduct of “U” Student’s probation continues Exit conference with student & parent

Cheating Policy

Cheating encompasses, but is not limited to, the behavior listed below:

• Looking on or in the possession of notes, papers, books, or other information not allowed by the teacher during any type of examination.

• Looking at another student's work during any type of examination.

• Copying another student's work.

• Allowing another student to look upon or use your information for any type of examination or activity.

• Talking about the test or test related information during any type of examination or activity.

• Plagiarism during the writing of a research paper or other technical paper(s) that is an obvious attempt to use somebody else's work. (without proper citation)

Homework/Quiz/Classwork

The teacher will take action.

First Offense

• Zero on the assignment

• Class “P” in conduct

• Parent/Guardian notified by telephone, progress report, or letter.

• Discipline report sent to the assistant principal indicating the offense.

Second Offense*

• Zero on the assignment

• Discipline report sent to the assistant principal indicating the offense

• Parent/Guardian notified by telephone, progress report, or letter.

• Class and office “U” in conduct

• Detention

• The student placed on disciplinary probation

*Any second offense reported to the assistant principal.

Tests and Research Papers

First Offense

• Zero on the test/paper.

• Class and office "P" in conduct.

• Detention

• Parent/guardian notification of cheating with the statement that a second offense will be cause for exit from the school.

• The student will be placed on disciplinary probation.

Second Offense*

• Zero on the test/paper.

• Class and office "U" in conduct.

• Detention

• Probation continues

• The student and parent will appear before the Ethics Council and
  will be exited from DHSHP.

*Any second offense reported to the assistant principal.

Final Exam

• Zero on the final exam

• Parents notified by telephone, progress report, or letter

• Class and office “U” in conduct

• The student and parents will appear before the Ethics Council and will be exited from DHSHP.

Community Service and Volunteer Hours

1. When hours served are not with an organization or club at DeBakey you have two options for reporting hours:

   1. Letter on letterhead from the location where you served giving the dates served, total hours and signed by the person responsible for you when you served.

   2. A DeBakey verification form with a business card attached from the location where you served.
       

2. If you receive a certificate for your service, make sure it has the above information as well as the physical address and phone number of the location. If it does not, you will need to include one of the above forms with the certificate. A sign-in sheet from the location is also acceptable.

3. Every person is responsible for his/her own hours even when serving with a group or club from DeBakey. Turn in your own verification forms.

4. Make copies of all verification forms that you turn in for credit. Give the copies to registrar’s and keep the originals at home in a safe place.

5. Verification forms of volunteer hours are due no later than 3rd Friday in September.

6. Please write your year of graduation at the top of every verification form that you submit.

7. If you have questions about what is acceptable types of service, contact the registrar or your counselor before you serve.

8. All DeBakey school volunteer hours must be approved by the administration.

9. Thank you for giving back to your community.

Detention

Rules of Detention	Consequences
1. Be present and in dress code.	If you are absent on the day of your detention you must make it up. The first offense or failure to report to detention may result in referral to the Assistant Principal, additional detention days, automatic probation, and/or possible exit to zone school
2. Be on time.	Late students will be assigned additional detention time.
3. Remain absolutely quiet and stay in your seat.	Additional detention time will be assigned for each offense.
4. Bring a textbook to read or an assignment to complete.	Additional detention time will be assigned for failure to comply.
5. Return this form (signed by your parents) to the Assistant Principal within two Days of receiving assignment	If you fail to bring the signed form back, you will be given additional detention.
6. Use of radios, cd players, beepers, & cell phones and eating food is not permitted in detention.	If these items are seen or heard, they will be confiscated.

Dress Code

Failure to comply with the dress code (see Dress Code Guidelines) will subject a student to serious disciplinary actions, including detention, SAC suspension and an administrative review for exit from the school. All students must be in full compliance with the dress code upon their morning arrival and evening departure from the campus.

Lab coats may only be worn in the Health Science or Science lab classes.

Non-Compliance Dress Code Consequences:

1. First Offense – Parent will be contacted to bring appropriate clothing. The student will be held in detention for the remainder of the day. If appropriate clothing is brought, the student will be allowed to change and report to class.

2. Second Offense – The student will be held in detention for the day, will be assigned a one hour after school detention, will receive an “office P” in conduct for the six weeks, and will be placed on probation for the remainder of the semester.

3. Third Offense – The student will be held in detention for the day, will be assigned a two hour detention, will be given an “office U” in conduct, and an exit conference will be held.

Ethics Council

The Ethics Council includes the Principal, Assistant Principal and representatives from different departments.

Growth Plan

All students must maintain a 75 average in every class.

A growth improvement plan is a form that includes academic, attitudinal or disciplinary suggestions for the improvement of a failure or low performance in a particular class by a teacher. The magnet office or counselor’s office initiates this form for students failing or performing below expectations in one or more subjects in a six-week period. The teacher will list areas to be improved on the form and return it to the magnet or counselor. The magnet coordinator or counselor will then set up a parent conference to explain the growth plan and the student's impending probationary status. The student will be monitored throughout the following six weeks and remain on probation for the rest of the semester.

If a student fails one or more classes in one semester, the academic review committee will review all documentation (growth plan, report card, tutorial record, etc.) at the end of the semester and determine the status of the student for the next semester.

Probation

Students, who have been on disciplinary probation for one full year and believe that their conduct during that period was exemplary, may choose to apply to be taken off probation. Remember that if another act of misbehavior occurs after being taken off probation, the result will still be an office conduct and exit to your zoned school. The application request to be removed from disciplinary probation can be obtained from the school secretary.

Student Assignment Center

SAC is an "in-house" suspension facility to which students may be assigned for a specified number of days as an alternative to suspension for major violations of rules outlined in the DeBakey High School for Health Professions Guide for Students and the HISD Code of Student Conduct. A student assigned to SAC is to remain in isolation in the SAC room all day under the supervisor of the SAC teacher (off campus - at an HISD school to be determined).

The primary purpose of SAC is to enable a student to serve an out-of-class suspension while still receiving instruction from a teacher in a classroom setting; thus; losing a minimal amount of academically engaged time from regular classes. SAC isolation also provides the student an opportunity to contemplate the actions that led to the suspension so those future problems may be avoided.

In order to be released from SAC and returned to regular classes, a student is expected to follow the rules listed below:

• Be on time

• No talking or communication in any way unless given permission in the classroom

• No sleeping or laying your head on the desk

• Students must be academically engaged at all times

• Do not bring magazines, newspapers, or draw pictures unless they are indicated on the assignment sheet

• Bring all materials: paper, pen, pencils, books and assignments and

• Adhere to all of the guidelines of SAC.

Summary of General Rules & Guidelines

1. Excellent school attendance is required of each student. Excessive unexcused absences in a class will result in failure of the course. Tardiness is a conduct issue (see tardy policy).

2. Failure to comply with the dress code (see dress code policy) will subject a student to serious disciplinary actions, including detention, conduct cut, SAC, probation and an administrative review for exit from the school. All students must be in full compliance with the dress code upon their morning arrival and evening departure from the campus.

3. Students are not allowed to leave school to go to the parking lot or anywhere out of the building unless they have officially checked out of school through the attendance office, have completed their last class for the day, or have permission from the assistant principal to go to their vehicle. The only exception is when students are issued off-campus permits for preceptorship or early dismissal.

4. Smoking is prohibited within the school building and on school grounds, including the parking lot. Tobacco possession is a suspendable infraction under HISD policy.

5. Students may not meet friends or family members at school, nor bring them to class without permission from the administration. Parents or alumni may sign in at the main office and get a permit to visit the school. Teachers may not be disturbed during class time.

6. Students are not allowed to carry mace or laser pointers on campus. These items are classified as weapons under HISD policy.

7. Beepers, cellular telephones, radios, CD players, and other electronic devices may only be used before 7:45 a.m., after 3:15 p.m., or during the student’s authorized lunch period. During the lunch period, these items may only be used in the cafeteria, the courtyard, or the back patio. No cell phones, beepers, or electronic devices may be used anywhere in the library, main building or in the gym. Cell phones, beepers, and electronic devices must be kept in backpacks, purses, or lockers during instructional hours and the sound/tone must be turned off. Cell phones, beepers, and electronic devices seen or heard by DeBakey staff during instructional hours will be confiscated and turned into the main office. An administrative fee of $15.00 must be paid before these items can be reclaimed.

8. Students enrolled in preceptorship classes will report to their assigned job sites during designated work times. Loitering in front of the school is prohibited. Students must remain in their assigned classroom until leaving the school for the job site.

9. A "lost and found" is located in the school clinic. Students are expected to turn in any found item(s) that do not belong to them.

10. Students may not use another student’s ID# to acquire breakfast or lunch meals. Students may not use another student’s ID# to check out textbooks or library books.

11. Only mesh or clear backpacks are allowed in classrooms. Backpacks or other personal property should not be left unattended.

12. Students may not attach posters or any other material to any exit door or trophy case. Any material displayed without administrative approval will be discarded.

13. DHSHP staff will respect students and students are expected to respect DHSHP staff. Failure to comply with reasonable requests made by teachers or school staff will result in serious disciplinary measures.

14. Confetti or silly string may not be used in decorating lockers for students’ birthdays.

15. DHSHP students must maintain a high standard of discipline. Any student, who does not, will be placed on probation. Any student on probationary status will not be able to participate in extracurricular activities, including field trips. Acts of inappropriate conduct committed by a student while on probation will be brought before the DHSHP Exit Committee, which may choose to take additional disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, exit from the school. A student may be exited at any time during the school year. Students returning to school after being placed on suspension will be required to have a parent/student/administrator conference before re-admission.

16. Students who have been exited from DHSHP are not allowed to return to the campus at anytime.

17. Students must make arrangements to leave the school campus as soon as possible after their last class period. Students who are waiting for a ride home must wait in the main hallway between the library and the front of the school. All other areas of the building are off-limits to students (including the second and third floor). Students who do not ride the school bus should make arrangements to leave the campus by 4:30 p.m. each day.

18. Bus service is provided to transport students to and from school. Students are considered "in school" while riding the bus and will conduct themselves accordingly. Conduct reports submitted by the bus drivers may result in disciplinary actions and possible suspension from the bus.

19. All student publications must have a school sponsor. "underground newspapers" are in violation of school district policy.

20. Prior to the 7:45 a.m. bell, students shall report to the cafetorium, rear courtyard, or library through the rear courtyard gate. Students are not to congregate in front of the school, nor enter the building (unless going into the library) prior to 7:45 a.m. Students may not enter any hallways or the second floor before 7:45 a.m. The only possible exception to this rule is if the student presents a written note from a teacher to report to a classroom for tutoring or makeup work. Students found in unauthorized areas before school will be subject to disciplinary actions.

21. Vending machines are not to be used during class periods.

22. Students are expected to eat in the cafeteria or rear courtyard, and to keep these areas free of trash. All cafeteria trays must be returned to the tray window at the end of breakfast and lunch. Students are not allowed in the hallways or at lockers during lunch.

23. "Skipping" school is considered a serious offense. The first “skipping” will result in an office “P” in conduct and probation. Two instances of "skipping" will result in an office “U” in conduct and an exit conference. Any infraction of rules committed while on probation will result in possible return to zoned school. "Skipping" is defined as: (a) failure to attend all or part of an assigned class while being present on the school campus, (b) leaving the school campus (for any reason) without officially signing out and obtaining a permit through the attendance office. A note from a parent the day after leaving campus will be considered a "skip" if there was not an official sign-out record.

24. Students are expected to display appropriate school behavior toward the same sex or opposite sex. Failure to do so will result in an office conduct cut "P" or "U".

25. Parents/guardians will be contacted by phone when a student is absent from school.

26. Students with membership in clubs/organizations who wish to hold meetings in a classroom during lunch may do so, if: (a) the sponsor is present, (b) the students have a permit (received prior to the meeting in order to organize the meeting); and (c) students who wish to eat during the meeting bring a sack lunch from home. No food may be brought into the classroom from the cafeteria, snack bar, or vending machines.

27. Students who wish to participate in a practice, meeting, or activity after school MUST have an adult present in the same location. If adult supervision is not provided, the activity will not be allowed. This includes all games and activities in the gym. Students found in unauthorized areas after school without adult supervision will be subject to disciplinary actions.

28. Students who wish to obtain a "Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form" for the purpose of attending driver’s education classes or obtaining a driver's license during the summer must request it prior to the last day of school. The form, which is valid for 90 days during the summer or 30 days during the school year, must be annually renewed before the age of 18. Only two forms will be issued to each student per year. Forms will NOT be issued during the summer. (Obtain this form in the attendance office).

29. Seniors who have disciplinary infractions during the last six weeks of school may have one or all of their privileges revoked. This restriction includes participation in class night, trips and outings during senior week, and the graduation ceremony.

30. Any student found to be under the influence of any chemical substance/alcohol will be immediately exited from DHSHP.

31. Students acting inappropriately while walking across the stage during graduation will not receive their diploma.

32. Refunds on the yearbook cannot be made after the publication of the books.

33. Due to HISD check-clearing procedures, students may not pay for textbooks, library books, or other similar fees by check between April 1st and June 30th. During that period, cash, cashier’s check, or money order must pay for all items.

34. Students who do not turn in completed HISD enrollment cards and the parental acknowledgment pages from the HP Guide for Students/Parents and the HISD Code of Student Conduct will have their report cards held. Any time there is a change in a student's name, address, telephone number (work or home), or parent/ guardian, this new information must be turned in to the attendance office. Failure to keep this information current may result in disciplinary actions being taken.

35. Students will not be allowed to remain in class after the bell in order to finish a test or other assignments. Each teacher is given 90 minutes of instructional time and extra time in one-class results in less time in the next class. Students will not receive an excused tardy permit for remaining in class to complete a test or assignment.

36. DHSHP does not have graffiti in its building. Any student who chooses to deface the building through the use of graffiti or other means will be subject to serious disciplinary consequences.

37. All students are given a free/reduced lunch application on the first day of school. The completed application should be returned to the labeled box in the main office. Students who were on free/reduced lunch last year will have ten days to return a completed application to the office for the 2007-2008 school year. Students may request an application at anytime during the school year from the main office.

38. Any time a student is referred to the office for disciplinary action, that student is subject to an office conduct cut for the current grading cycle.

39. Students are not allowed to bring water guns, water balloons, silly string, confetti, or shaving cream on school campus (this includes the parking lot). Students found in possession of these items will have them confiscated and they will not be returned. Students will also receive an office conduct cut, detention, and will face disciplinary probation. It makes no difference if the items being used belong to someone else.

40. Students will not be allowed to leave a classroom before the end of the period without permission and a permit. No student will be allowed to enter another teacher's room without a permit from the sending teacher. Students out in the hall without a permit will be subject to disciplinary actions. Students will not be able to use the excuse that the teacher did not give them a permit.

41. Clubs and organizations wishing to conduct membership drives/intake process must adhere to the HISD policy related to student organizations. There may not be any organizations resembling sororities, fraternities, or secret societies.

42. Driving to school is a privilege, and is subject to be revoked with more than 3 tardies to school during any one grading period.

43. All students elected as officers of school clubs or organizations are required to attend the annual Principal's Leadership Conference. Failure to attend will result in being removed from that office.

44. Students found in violation of the "Rules for Appropriate Use of Computers and Internet Resources” policy will have all computer privileges revoked immediately, and will be subject to other disciplinary actions, including exit from DHSHP.

45. Students may not take final examinations early in order to fulfill family obligations for previously purchased airline tickets. Please do not purchase tickets that would conflict with the final examination schedule (see school calendar).

46. Students should only wear lab coats during their assigned science or health science class. Scrubs may only be worn on the student’s assigned health science class day.