GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  ADMISSION PROCEDURES

A student who wishes to be enrolled in the Ridgway Middle/High School must complete the “Ridgway Area School District Student Registration Form”, which includes, but is not limited to providing the following information at the time of enrollment:

a.       Proof of the child’s date of birth:  (Acceptable documentation includes birth certificate, baptismal certificate or transcript of the record of baptism – duly certified and showing the date of birth, notarized statement from parents indicating the date of birth, duly attested transcript of the birth certificate, or duly certified transcript of birth).

b.       Verified record of immunization as prescribed by state law.  This may include an assurance from the former school district or a medical office that the required immunizations have been done with a record to be sent.

c.       Completion of a Parent Registration Statement attesting to whether the student has been or is suspended or expelled for offenses involving drugs or alcohol, weapons or violence per 24 P.S. §13-1304-A.  Falsification of information relating to this document may result in the Ridgway Area School District pursuing criminal charges.

d.       Required proof of residency

1.       Students residing with people other than parents or legal guardians must secure and complete an affidavit form and return it to the respective office. 

Parent or legal guardian must fully complete the school district’s registration form. The district shall immediately enroll identified homeless students, even if the student or parent/guardian is unable to produce the required documents, in accordance with Board policy, laws and regulations.  The district shall not inquire about the immigration status of a student as part of the enrollment process

If there is a delay in the enrollment process that extends beyond five (5) business days, homebound instruction will be provided until all necessary transfer documents are received by the school counselor.  Upon receipt, review, and acceptance of all necessary transfer documents, the new student would then report to the Guidance Office where a counselor will assist in preparing the student’s schedule. 

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2. WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE

The Board affirms that while statute requires attendance of each student only between the ages of 8 and 17, it is in the best interest of both students and the community that students complete the educational program that will equip them with skills and increase their chances for a successful and fulfilling life beyond the schools.

A.      If a student expresses the desire to quit school to a teacher, paraprofessional, or other staff member that person should refer the student to the Guidance Counselor and/or Principal.

B.      Guidance Counselor and/or Principal should meet with the student to discuss the potential reasons why the student wants to withdraw from school and provide alternative solutions within the traditional school environment.

1. A student complains of not getting along with teachers or other students, the Guidance Counselor and/or Principal shall

a. consider conference with teacher or students involved to resolve any perceived conflict, with Principal or
Counselor acting as mediator.

b. consider referral to REACH for mental health assistance/conflict resolution training

2. A student complains of not being able to do, complete, or keep up with academic workload, the Guidance Counselor and/or Principal shall

a. conduct grade check and record review to outline scholastic performance through the years

b. based on findings in (1), consider a referral to Student Study Team for initial assessment and intervention

3. A student states that she/he wants or needs to work.  The Guidance Counselor and/or Principal shall outline other options, to include

a. consider a part-time job, after school  

b. consider work-release during the school day

c. consult with school-to-work coordinator for possible job placements

4. The Guidance Counselor and/or Principal shall discuss all options and benefits of each educational option with the student, including but not limited to

a. Regular Education Alternative Day Program

b. Alternative Education Program

c. GED programs

5.The Guidance Counselor and/or Principal shall emphasize long term effects of present decision with the student

C.      A meeting should be scheduled with the student, parents, counselor, principal, and any other pertinent personnel, to review all information and options and to assist the student in making a clear, well-informed decision prior to the student withdrawing from the school environment.

D.      The student should be reminded that he/she has the right to an education until the age of 21.  Reinforce that if present plans do not work out that he/she is welcome to come back to school.

E.      If student stands firm on decision to withdraw from school

1. Parents, regardless of student age, shall be required to sign all forms

2. A follow-up letter shall be sent to the student, with a copy to his/her parents, summarizing discussion, outlining all options, extending an invitation to return to school

3. Arrangements are made to have student clear out his/her locker and return all district-owned supplies and equipment immediately

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3. STUDENT RECORDS  

Student records are essential to the successful delivery of formal education at the elementary and secondary levels.  .  Student records are maintained, used, and destroyed in a manner consistent with privacy rights guaranteed by state and federal law.

Notice of Rights under FERPA for:

1.       Elementary and Secondary Students of the Ridgway Area School District

2.       Parents and Eligible Students Who Reside in the Ridgway Area School District

3.        Parents of Incarcerated Students and Incarcerated Eligible Students Who Are Housed at the Elk County Prison

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grants parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records.  These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) or attends a school beyond the high school level (“eligible student”).  Their rights under FERPA are:

1.       The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the date the District receives a request for access.  

Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal or other appropriate school official a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect.  The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible students of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2.       The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. 

Parent or eligible students may ask the Ridgway School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.  They should write the school principal or other appropriate school administrator, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed

If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding their request for the amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3.       The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorized disclosure without consent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company which whom the District has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using its own employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her task.

A school official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.  Upon request, the District discloses educational records, without consent, to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll upon request.

The district may also disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance, etc.  In the event a parent or eligible student does not want directory information disclosed, the parent or eligible student must inform the district in writing through the appropriate school administrator within forty-five (45) days of the publication of this notice.

4.       The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5920.

The Ridgway Area School District maintains records in two categories:

CATEGORY A – This file contains the minimum personal data necessary for the operation of the school system.  Identification of student (name, social security number, student identification number, etc.), names and addresses of parents or guardian, last known home address and telephone number, birth date, attendance record, classes attended and academic levels completed or services received, year of program or service completion, and when applicable, grades or marks received, grade level completed, and whether a diploma was received.  The file may also include achievement test scores, honors, awards, activities, photographs, suspension records, or other similar types of information.  CATEGORY A DATA SHALL BE FILED FOR 100 YEARS.

CATEGORY B – This file’s data is verified information of clear importance such as intelligence and aptitude scores, interest inventories, health data, family information, teacher or counselor observations and reports of serious acts of misbehavior and behavior patterns.  This file also contains the documents that pertain to evaluation procedures to determine if a student was eligible for special education services or for other accommodations such as Chapter 15 Service Agreements.  CATEGORY B DATA SHALL BE DISCARDED SIX YEARS AFTER THE STUDENT IS GRADUATED OR, IN THE CASE OF A TRANSFER OR DROPOUT, WHEN THE STUDENT REACHES AGE TWENTY-ONE.  ELIGIBLE STUDENTS MAY ALSO REQUEST A COPY OF THEIR CATEGORY B FILE BEFORE IT IS DESTROYED.

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4.  DRESS CODE (Board Policy #221)

The administration and faculty respect the right of each and every student to express himself and herself in unique and individual ways.  Students dressing in respectful and distraction free fashions can achieve self-expression.  In addition, self-expression through dress must be in compliance with the dress code expectations of the Middle High School. The dress code is one of many expectations that are put into place to assist the administration, faculty and staff in maintaining an environment that is conducive to high standards of academic performance and appropriate social interactions between students. 

The faculty and/or administration may question a student’s dress (not specifically covered in the following guidelines) and take necessary action to conform such student’s dress to this policy.  If a student’s appearance is considered inappropriate, the parents will be contacted and the student will be asked to change.  If a change is not made, the student will be detained in the office.

Parents are asked to please support this policy and help your child select appropriate school attire.  All clothing must be clean and in good repair.  Frayed clothing or clothing with holes is not acceptable school attire.  Coats and jackets designed for outdoor wear are not to be worn during the school day and must be kept in the student’s  locker.

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5. PERSONAL ITEMS/TECHNOLOGY DEVICES  (Board Policy #237)

The following items may be brought to school, but must be kept in lockers and turned off at all times during the school day (7:42-2:50).  The district is not responsible for the damage or loss of the following items brought into the school.

1.        Backpacks/bookbags

2.        Cell Phones

3.        Walkmans

4.        CD Players

5.        Game Boys

6.        MP3 Players

7.        I-pods

8.        Beepers

9.        Laser Devices

10.     Playing Cards

11.     Cameras

 Devices that have the capability to take photographs or to record audio or video shall not be used for such purposes while on district property or while a student is engaged in school-sponsored activities, unless expressly authorized in advance by the building principal or designee.

 Failure to comply will result in the following actions:

 1st Offense – item will be confiscated.  Student can pick the item up in the principal’s office at the end of the school day.  Student will earn a discipline referral for 2 strikes for “insubordination”.

 2nd Offense – item will be confiscated.  Parent must pick up the item in the principal’s office.  Student will earn a discipline referral for 3 strikes for “repeated offenses”.

 3rd Offense – item will be confiscated.  Parent must schedule a meeting with the principal in order to pick up the item.  Student will earn a discipline referral for 3 strikes for “repeated offenses” and a Saturday Remediation.

 4th Offense and all subsequent offenses – item will be confiscated.  Parent must schedule a meeting with the principal in order to pick up the item.  Student will earn a discipline referral for 4 strikes for “repeated offenses from level III” and is suspended for 1 school day for each subsequent offense.

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6.  SCHOOL DAY

Students departing buses must stay on school property and report to their homerooms.  Failure to remain on school property and report to homeroom will result in a discipline referral.

7:10:  School doors are unlocked (earlier in colder weather).
*If you have made arrangements with a teacher to assist you academically before the doors open, your teacher is to arrange to meet you to enter the building. 

7:42:  Students are to clear the halls and report to homerooms. 

7:45   Students should be seated quietly and be prepared for the opening exercises and announcements. A student who declines to participate in opening exercises shall maintain a respectful attitude throughout the exercises.

8:00:  All outside doors are locked.

2:50:  Students are dismissed.

To insure the safety and security of the students, faculty and buildings, all areas inside and outside of the Middle/High School Complex are being monitored and videotaped by surveillance cameras, supervised by police, and all restrooms are being monitored by flame and smoke detectors.

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7.  SCHEDULE CHANGES (High School only)

Schedule changes for the upcoming year must be made between August 20, 2007 and August 24, 2007 from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.  Changing course selections after the school year begins in the fall will be very limited and will require written permission from the principal, guidance counselor, teacher(s) and parent. Plan carefully.  Know the requirements and pre-requisites for each course you schedule to make sure you qualify

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8.   STUDY HALL PERIOD (High School only)

A sound education is necessary to help prepare students so that they will have the tools and resources needed to find success after school.  Effective use of a study hall is one excellent way to help ensure a successful school year.  To make sure that a study hall is effectively used, a few student and teacher expectations are required which can be met with these minimum guidelines.

Teacher Expectations:

               1. Provide a quiet atmosphere conducive to learning.

               2. Provide instructional assistance when possible.

               3. Provide students with a variety of study skills when possible.

Student Expectations:

               1. Bring all assignments, texts, writing utensils and reading materials.

               2. Respect other students’ needs for a quiet atmosphere in which to study.

               3. Ask for assistance when needed.

               4. Engage in the completion of class assignments and homework directly related to your course of study.

               5. Bring and read educationally related reading materials (magazines, books, etc.)

Guidelines To Meet Expectations:

            1. Students are to arrive on time.

a. Students must secure a pass before going to study hall and sign out in person.

b. Students must come to class prepared to study.

c. Students will not be permitted to go to their locker.      

d. The library will only be available for students who acquire a pass before going to study hall. These students must stay in the library the entire study hall period.

2. Students are to be engaged in some type of learning activity during the entire study hall.

a. Reading, reviewing notes and doing homework are acceptable.

b. Playing cards, watching TV, listening to music and talking are prohibited.

c. Sleeping is NOT acceptable.

 3. Computer Usage is restricted to completing school-related assignments.

a. Playing games or surfing the net is not permitted.

 b. Students must follow the posted computer usage guidelines.

4. Students must sit in their assigned seats unless given permission to do otherwise.

5. Students who wish to work together may do so as long as they are able to whisper in a manner that will not disrupt other students.  If the teacher can hear you, it is too loud.

               6. Cheating will not be tolerated.

a. Copying another’s work is cheating.

b. Any person copying another’s work will have his/her work and the other person’s work taken. The work will be given to the teacher who issued the assignment.

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8. MOVIES/VIDEOS

The Board recognizes movies as an appropriate reinforcement of educational and programmatic concepts.  Attendance at or showing of movies should be guided by the following directive:

            G Rating                       -Teachers prerogative

            PG Rating                     -Teacher prerogative

            PG13                              -Teacher prerogative and parental permission.

            All Other Ratings        -Specific permission from the Ridgway Area School Board

The showing of any video in class that is not related to course content is a violation of copyright laws (board policy #814). 

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10. ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies are a privilege offered to the students in the Ridgway Area School District.

Students will be escorted from their classes or homerooms to the auditorium.  Students are to sit by grade level in the seats allotted for that grade. Students are to comply with the Behavioral Code of Conduct and demonstrate courtesy at all times.

Any student creating a disturbance by violating the Behavioral Code of Conduct or being generally discourteous will be redirected as soon as possible.  If the student’s behavior is severe and/or the student continues to create a disturbance or continues to be generally discourteous, the student will be removed from the auditorium to the school office for disciplinary consequences and may forfeit the privilege of attending assemblies for the remainder of the school year.

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11. PEP RALLIES

Pep rallies are a privilege offered to the students in the Ridgway Area School District.

Pep rallies will be held at various times during the school year in order to provide opportunities for students to support athletic related events.  Compliance of the Behavioral Code of Conduct and courtesy to fellow students, faculty and guests is to be observed at all times.  Students must follow the instructions given over the PA system.  Students will sit in designated class or team areas and will be dismissed by class or team.

Students who are disruptive during pep rallies, engage in noncompliance with the Behavioral Code of Conduct, and/or are generally discourteous, may forfeit the privilege of attending pep rallies for the remainder of the school year.

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12.  BUS REGULATIONS

Students in grades 9-12 will depart their bus by the auditorium.  Students in grades 6-8 will depart their bus in the front of the school.  All students will meet their bus after school by the cafeteria/auditorium.

The drivers of all vehicles under the district’s transportation system shall be responsible for maintaining firm disciplinary control over students assigned to their vehicles.  The driver shall report on the proper school form to the appropriate building principal, any student misconduct, no later than the next day.  The following appropriate disciplinary action with respect to the student’s misconduct will be taken:

a.       Building Principals will give a warning to the student on the first incident of bus misconduct.  A letter to the parents, describing the misconduct, will be sent after the warning is issued to the student.

b.       On the second incident of misconduct, the building principal will revoke a student’s transportation privileges for two days.  A letter to the parents will be sent, including:

1.)     Description of second instance of bus misconduct.

2.)     Date of first bus misconduct.

3.)     Dates that transportation privileges were revoked.

c.       On the third and future incidents of misconduct, additional days will be added and a parent’s letter, described in Item b, will be sent. 

Examples:

1^st instance of misconduct  - warning

2^nd instance of misconduct  - Two day suspension of riding privileges.

3^rd instance of misconduct  -  Three day suspension of riding privileges.

4^th instance of misconduct  -  Four day suspension of riding privileges.

5^th instance of misconduct  -  Five day suspension of riding privileges.

Principals reserve the right to add additional sanctions or disciplinary consequences, at all levels, depending on the severity of the misconduct.  Disciplinary action for incidents of dangerous or harmful bus misconduct will supercede bus suspension procedures.

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13.  DRIVING AND PARKING REGULATIONS

Student parking is available in the following areas:

a.       Upper parking lot

b.       By the tennis courts (open from the end of football season to the end of the school year)

c.       Any legal area off school property

d.       Parking stalls beside the Heindl Sports Complex

Parking is restricted in the following areas:

a.      Circle area by the gymnasium is restricted to vehicles with handicap permits only.

b.       Circle area in front of the building is reserved for visitors (10 minutes).

Student parking on school property is a privilege and may be revoked as a result of a student not complying with the Behavioral Code of Conduct.  Students parking improperly (ex:  not parking in a stall, parking in faculty area, etc.) will receive a discipline referral for 2 strikes for “insubordination”.

Students are not permitted to leave the building to go to their vehicles during the school day.  Should a student need to go to his/her vehicle, he/she must contact the Community Officer or Principal for the purpose of being escorted to their vehicle.  Failure to do so will result in a discipline referral.

Students who choose to drive to school and who park their vehicles on school property (in parking lots or other school grounds) should be aware that their vehicles may be subject to:

1. Search if the administration has reasonable suspicion that the student’s vehicle contains contraband as defined in the student handbook and school board policy. 

2. Random and confidential searches by canine units certified and trained to detect weapons and narcotics.  

If the vehicle is not registered to the student, but is owned by another party, such as a parent or guardian and the registered owner wishes to be present during the search, he/she should contact Heather A. McMahon at the beginning of the school year.  If the registered owner fails to contact the administration his/her consent to search the vehicle without being present shall be implied. 

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14.  VISITORS

All visitors (including postgraduates) must register at the main office.  Teachers and staff will be contacted before visitors are permitted to proceed to any part of the building.  They will be issued a Visitor’s Badge and will be asked to return it to the office when leaving.  Parents of our students are welcome to visit the school at any time. 

Visits by former students that are not directly related to the promotion of instructional goals and assessments will be restricted by the administration for the purpose of maintaining safety, order and discipline within the school environment.  Former students who wish to visit with faculty must make arrangements with the administration prior to being permitted to do so. 

Students are asked not to bring students from another school.  If a student comes to our school as a guest, he or she will be required to sit in the main office until the end of school.

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15.   CAFETERIA PROCEDURES / FOOD

Lunch Prices

School meals offer healthy food choices every day.  A wide variety of entrée, side dish and milk selections are available daily for the following prices: