Student Handbook Revisions for 2013-2014. Ava Elementary Revise ATTENDANCE paragraph (pg 15) to...

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Student Handbook Revisions

for 2013-2014

Ava Elementary

Revise ATTENDANCE paragraph (pg 15) to read: The district will contact the Children’s Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services or the local prosecutor in cases where the district has a reasonable suspicion that a student’s lack of attendance constitutes educational neglect on the part of the parents/guardians or that parents/guardian are in violation of the compulsory attendance law.

Ava Elementary

Nondiscrimination Policy Provide more information regarding

school district’s compliance, federal laws, grievance procedure, and update compliance coordinator to Dr. Lawler.

Ava Elementary

Add a copy of our internet agreement so parents have access to one at all times.

Update personnel changes, calendars, changes in prices, and any spelling corrections as needed.

Ava Middle School



Ava High SchoolHandbook Revisions

Update Vision Statement Revised – change was not reflected in last year’s

handbook

It is the vision of Ava High School to provide all students with an educational experience that will prepare them in becoming successful adults in their career choices, to make healthy life decisions, to learn tolerance and to embrace diversity, and to think critically.


Class Rank Class rank and honor roll are determined by

grade point averages (GPA). GPAs are determined based on a point system. Letter grades are assigned a numerical value. The numerical values of each class are added and then divided by the number of credits carried.

In order to be eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian, Honors, or the Top Ten Percent at Ava High School, a student must be enrolled for four years at an accredited high school and have transferred to Ava High School prior to their senior year.


Categories/Degrees of Honors based on cumulative grade point average: Categories

Cum Laude – 3.5-3.84 Magna Cum Laude – 3.85-3.99 Summa Cum Laude – 4.00 and above

Students must earn a College Prep Certificate to be eligible for Cum Laude Awards

Honors Maintain 95% attendance Score at or above the national average on the ACT test Must be a full-time student at Ava High School for two (2)

successive semesters immediately proceeding and inclusive of graduation.


Rationale: 50% of schools no longer report class rank

Small differences in grade point average (GPA)could lead to large differences in class rank, which could hurt student prospects for admission

Current use of GPA to figure class rank has little value to colleges and universities.

Encourage and recognize academic excellence and outstanding achievement in a spirit of cooperation, not intense competition against other students. Students will be striving to improve their own academic achievement rather than competing against others.

Begin with the Class of 2015


Graduation Requirements PE – from 1½ to 1 unit Fine Arts – from 1½ to 1 unit Practical Arts – from 1½ to 1 unit Speech – encouraged but not required Electives – from 8 to 9 Three units of specific vocational agriculture

will satisfy one unit of science credit. This will not meet the Biology requirement.


Due to change from block scheduling to periods per day schedule, credits for graduation will be reduced: Class of 2014 – 26 credits Class of 2015 and beyond – 25 credits

1 credit more than state requirement


Credit Requirement to Participate in Senior Activities Change from 23.5 to 22.5 by the end of the

7th semester Due to change in graduation requirements


Prom/Dance Policy Change requirement from 95% or better

attendance for the year to 90% attendance. Reflects change in attendance policy

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Ava High SchoolProposed Attendance

Policy

Current Attendance Policy

Attendance and participation are part of a successful learning experience, so students with five (5) or more absences in any class in a semester will be issued an academic penalty in the form of grade reduction as follows:

5 absences – 2% 6 absences – 4% 7 absences – 8% 8 absences – 16% 9 absences – 32% 10+ absences – 50%

Current Attendance Policy

Academic penalty represents the participation portion of the student’s grade and is intended as a deterrent to excessive absences.

Students can make up to 7 periods of absences by attending Bears Den.

Students may sign up for Attendance Appeals to appeal the grade reduction if there have been extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g., hospitalization of the student, documented long-term illness with doctor’s excuse, etc.)

Attendance Incentives

Quarter Perfect attendance and a passing grade – 2% One or two excused absences and a passing grade –

1%

Semester Perfect attendance and a passing grade – Option of

taking final One, two, or three excused absences and at least an

A- (90% average for semester with attendance points added) – Option of taking the final

End of Course Exams are mandatory. Students with OSS must take finals.

Why Change?

Parent and Student Concerns Confusing Reductions not done until end of

semester Expressed dislike of grade reductions

MSIP 5 From average rate to individual student

rate New requirement: 90% of students with

90% or above attendance

Proposed Attendance Policy

1st - 4th absence (95% or greater) – Bears Time Teacher Discussions

5th absence (94%) – Letter sent home to parents – reminder of policy

7th absence (91%) – Attendance meeting with Assistant Principal

9th absence (89% and below) – No Credit

Proposed Attendance Policy

Option of making up to 7 periods in Bears Den

Option of Attendance Appeals ONLY for students with documented absences (e.g.,

extended illness with doctor’s excuse, documented hospitalization, etc.).

Request made at end of semester Pre - Attendance Appeals Committee to accept or

deny requests for an attendance appeal

Weekly attendance points in each class (3 pts. per day) Takes the place of quarter and semester incentives Students will take finals Attendance points cannot be made up

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