Promotion /Acceleration/ Retention

CONCEPTS AND ROLES

The focus of the school system is on the student. It is incumbent upon the School Board, district and school administration and teachers to provide for the physical and intellectual welfare of the students in their charge. The school district shall work closely with parents/guardians and the community in order to achieve a harmony of interests.

Students must be recognized and understood as individuals, each with his/her own unique abilities, social and economic background, ambitions and educational needs. The programs and services of the district must be designed and executed with this concept well in mind if the fullest development of each is to be achieved.

Students are expected to accept personal responsibility for making maximum use of those educational opportunities afforded by applying themselves diligently to learning both in the classroom and in other school‑sponsored settings. It is also expected that as a result of the total school experience students will come to appreciate the values of self‑discipline, responsibility, respect for others, their country and its governmental processes.

Discrimination among students applying for admission to, attending schools, or in educational programming opportunities with respect to color, creed, race, sex, religion, ancestry, handicap, or national origin is prohibited.

(cf. 0410 ‑ Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)

(cf. 5145.3 ‑ Nondiscrimination)

Role of School Board

The Board:

1.          Establishes policies to provide the best attainable program of education for the district's students.

2.          Authorizes the establishment of special classes, programs, or other facilities for students who are in need of special education in keeping with all legal provisions.

3.          Provides for the physical and mental well‑being of students.

4.          Determines policies regarding student behavior and attendance within the limits of the law.

CONCEPTS AND ROLES (Continued) BP 5000 (b)

5.          Determines the boundaries of school attendance within the district.

Role of Superintendent or Designee

The Superintendent or designee:

1.          Administers all schools and classes established by the Board.

2.          Directs the instruction, guidance and discipline of all students.

3.          Assign students to alternative programs or grades as may improve their education, reduce the expense of maintaining schools, or relieve geographic or demographic conditions.

4.          Enforces compliance with compulsory attendance laws.

5.       Has immediate authority for the closing of schools in case of emergencies involving the health and safety of students.

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

4/93

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS

Both natural or adoptive parents of any student may access their child's student records, participate in school activities, visit the student at school and pick up the student after school. These rights shall be respected even if legal custody is vested in only one named parent, unless a court order restricts the right of the non-custodial parent. Parents/guardians may be asked to provide evidence of any completed or pending legal action which curtails the non-custodial parent's rights. School staff shall always abide by the most recent court order on the matter.

(cf. 5125 - Student Records)

(cf. 5142 - Student Safety)

Legal References:

            ALASKA STATUTE

            25.20.130 Access to records of the child

            FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT, 20 U.S.C. 1232g

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

4/93

School Discipline and Safety

The Board believes that all students have the right to a public education in a positive environment that fosters the maximum opportunity for learning.  An effective school discipline and safety program is necessary to ensure a learning environment free of disruptions.  The Board shall adopt, and the Superintendent shall implement and maintain, an effective school discipline and safety program.  The discipline and safety program should reflect community standards of school behavior and safety that are developed with the collaboration of students, parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators, and advisory school boards in each community.

(cf. 1230 – Citizen Advisory Committees)

(cf. 1410 – Interagency Cooperation for Student and Staff  Safety)

(cf. 4158 – Employee Security)

(cf. 5131 – Conduct)

(cf. 5131.1 – Bus Conduct)

(cf. 5131.4 - Campus Disturbances)

(cf. 5131.41 - Violent and Aggressive Conduct)

(cf. 5131.42- Threats of Violence)

(cf. 5131.5 – Vandalism, Threats, and Graffiti)

(cf. 5131.6 – Alcohol and Other Drugs)

(cf. 5131.62 – Tobacco)

(cf. 5131.63 – Anabolic Steroids)

(cf. 5131.7 – Weapons & Dangerous Instruments)

(cf. 5131.9 – Academic Honesty)

(cf. 5132 – Dress and Grooming)

(cf. 5136 – Gangs)

(cf. 5137 – Positive School Climate)

(cf. 5141.51 – At-Risk Youth)

(cf. 5142.2 – School Safety Patrol)

(cf. 5144 – Discipline)

(cf. 5144.1 – Suspension and Expulsion)

(cf. 5144.2 – Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process (Individuals with Exceptional Needs)

(cf. 5145.11 – Questioning and Apprehension)

(cf. 5145.12 – Search and Seizure)

(cf. 5145.5 – Nondiscrimination)

(cf. 5145.5 – Harassment

(cf. 5145.7 – Sexual Harassment)

(cf. 5147 – Dropout Prevention)

(cf. 6159 – Individual Education Program)

(cf. 6164.2 – Guidance and Counseling Services)

(cf. 6164.4 – Identification of Individuals with Exceptional Needs)

(cf. 6164.5 – Student Study Teams)

(cf. 6172 – Special Education)

School Discipline and Safety (Continued) BP 5030 (b)

Not less than once every three years, the District’s discipline and safety program shall be reviewed and revised if appropriate.  The review process shall make available the opportunity for collaborative input by students, parents, guardians, staff, and advisory school boards in each community.  Policies reflecting standards of student behavior, including those identifying prohibited student conduct and penalties, should be reviewed to determine consistency with community standards, including the basic requirements for respect and honesty.

(cf. 9310 – Policy Manual)

(cf. 9311- - Board Policies)

(cf. 9313 – Administrative Regulations)

The Board desires to give all administrators, teachers, and other employees the authority they need to implement and enforce the discipline and safety program.  Personnel should adhere to lines of primary responsibility so that appropriate decision-making may take place at various levels in accordance with Board Policy and administrative regulations.  In fulfilling duties and responsibilities in student discipline and safety, all employees shall comply with Board policies, administrative regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.  Employees will not be formally disciplined for enforcement of student discipline and safety rules as long as the enforcement is reasonable, lawful, and in compliance with Board policies and administrative regulations.

(cf. 2110 – Organization Chart/Lines of Responsibility)

(cf. 4158 – Employee Security)

(cf. 5144 – Discipline)

(cf. 4119.21 – Code of Ethics)

(cf. 4119.3 – Duties of Personnel)

School Discipline and Safety (Continued) BP 5030 (c)

Legal References:

            UNITED STATES CODE

            20 U.S.C. 1400  et. seq. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

            ALASKA STATUTES

            11.81.430 Justification, use of force, special relationships

            11.81.900 Definitions

            14.03.160 Suspension or expulsion of students for possessing weapons

            14.30.045 Grounds for suspension or denial of admission

            14.30.180 - .350 Education for exceptional children

            14.33.120 - .140 School Disciplinary and safety program

            ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

            4 AAC 06.060 Suspension or denial of admission

            4 AAC 07.010 – 4 AAC 07.900 Student rights and responsibilities

            4 AAC 52.010 - .990 Education for exceptional children

            20 AAC 10.020 Code of ethics and teaching standards

Added 9/2000

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

4/93

ADMISSION

The School Board believes that all children should have the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education. Staff shall encourage parents/guardians to enroll all school‑aged children in school.

The Board reserves the right to verify the residency or anticipated residency of any student and the validity of any affidavit of guardianship.

The Superintendent or designee shall verify compliance with all entrance requirements established by law or Board policy.

(cf. 5112.1 ‑ Exemptions from Attendance)

(cf. 5112.2 ‑ Exclusions from Attendance)

(cf. 5116 ‑ School Attendance Boundaries)

(cf. 5117 - Inter-district Attendance)

(cf. 5141.3 ‑ Health Examinations)

(cf. 5141.31 ‑ Immunizations)

A child five years of age before August 15 may be admitted to kindergarten. There will be no early entry into kindergarten for children not having reached five years of age prior to August 15th of the school year in which enrollment is sought. A child six years of age before August 15 may be admitted to first grade.

Students under school age who were previously enrolled in public school shall be admitted to school at the grade level determined by the Superintendent or designee.  (AS 14.03.080).

ADMISSION (continued) BP 5111 (b)

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.03.020 School year

14.03.070 School age

14.03.080 Free education

            14.30.045 Grounds for suspension or denial of admission

            ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODES

            4 AAC 06.055 Immunizations required

            4 AAC 07.076 Determination of school age

            UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42

11432 ‑ 11433 McKinney Homeless Assistance Act

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

8/94

ADMISSION

Age of Admission

Proof of age shall be required of all enrolling students. The legal evidences of age, in order of desirability, are a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, immigration certificate, Bible record, or affidavit from the parent/guardian.

Residency

Children living in the district who do not reside in a permanent, fixed residence shall be admitted to district schools upon presentation of any of the following:

1.       Hotel or motel receipts.

2.       A letter from a social service agency verifying that the child lives within the district.

3.       An affidavit from the parent/guardian stating that the family lives within the district with the intent of remaining there.

A reasonable effort shall be made to secure an address, phone number and medical release from the parent/guardian when a child is placed in a classroom.

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

4/93

PART TIME ENROLLMENT

The Board encourages all school age students who reside within the district to take advantage of educational opportunities available at our schools.  School aged children who are primarily enrolled in private school, correspondence school, home school, or other programs of that nature are eligible to enroll as part-time students.

Definition of Part-Time Student

A part-time student is a pupil who attends a district school for a length of time each day which is less than the full school day.  A part-time student may be primarily enrolled in a private school, correspondence program, home school, or other program of a similar nature and also seek enrollment in the district in order to take advantage of classes and other programs offered in a single district elementary school, middle school, or high school.

A child between the ages of seven and sixteen years is required to be enrolled full-time in a public school or other state approved educational program.  A child will not be permitted to enroll as a part-time student unless the child is also enrolled in a private school, correspondence program, or home school program, unless part-time enrollment is otherwise authorized by law.

Academic Access

1.       Part-time students must meet the same course requirements that are required of full-time students.  The district reserves the right to require testing or use any other means it deems appropriate to determine grade-level placement of any student seeking part-time enrollment in an academic course.

(cf. 5111 – Admission)

(cf. 5118 – Transfers)

2.          Subject to other provisions of this policy, part-time enrollment is available for all courses regularly scheduled during the school day.  Additional courses will not be added to meet the demand of part-time students except in those cases where additional courses would be added if the demand were created by full time students.

PART TIME ENROLLMENT (Continued) BP 5111.2 (b)

3.       A part-time student may enroll at the district school the student would attend if enrolled in the district full-time.  Part-time students may request boundary exceptions on the same basis as full-time students.  No part-time student will be permitted to enroll in more than one district at a time.

(cf. 5116 – School Attendance Boundaries)

4.       Part-time students will  be allowed access to playgrounds, libraries, and computer labs.

5.       A part-time student may not enroll if enrollment would be denied even if the enrollee were a full-time student.

(cf. 5122 – Exclusion)

(cf. 5144 – Discipline)

(cf. 5145 – Various rights and Responsibilities)

Compliance with District Policies, Rules, and Procedures

All applicable district policies, rules, and procedures apply to part-time students enrolled in district schools.  In seeking pert-time enrollment, enrollees agree to comply with all rules and procedures, including those governing student decorum.

Transportation

Part-time students may use the district’s pupil transportation system on the same basis as full-time students.  In all other circumstances, the part-time student and/or his or her parent/guardian will be responsible for the student’s transportation to and from school.

Extracurricular Activities

A part-time student may participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities provided that the student meets all eligibility requirements of the district and the Alaska School Activities Association.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to obtain and make available to the district all necessary report cards/transcripts/grades and/or other indicators that are required by the district to determine eligibility for extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

PART TIME ENROLLMENT (Continued) BP 5111.2 (c)

(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities)

(cf. 6145.2 - Interscholastic Competition)

(cf. 6145.2 - Sportsmanship)

Legal References:

          ALASKA STATUES

          AS. 14.03.095 Part tine school attendance

          AS. 14.30.010 When Attendance compulsory

          AS. 14.30.045 Grounds for suspension or denial of admission

          AS. 14.30.125 Immunization

          ALASKA ADMINIATRATIVE CODES

          4 ACC 05.035 Part-Time Enrollment in Public Schools

          4 ACC 09.040 Counting of Correspondence Student and Part-Time Public School Students

          4 ACC 06.055 Immunizations Required

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

10/97

PART TIME ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

1.       Enrollment requests will be received by the building administrator.

2.                 Applications for part-time enrollment will be available at the District schools ten (10) days prior to the first day of each semester.

3.                 Parents/guardians of part time students will follow all related district enrollment procedures and must provide transcripts, birth certificate, and immunization records as required by Alaska law 4 ACC 06.055.

(cf. 5141.1 – Immunizations)

4.                 The applications for part-time enrollment must include a signed statement by the student and parent/guardian that they will comply with the policies and procedures of the district, including those rules governing student conduct.  The application must also contain a signed statement by the parent/guardian that the part-time enrollment does not result in the expenditure of public money for the direct benefit of a private school.  The application may contain other requirements as established by the Superintendent or designee.

5.                 The building administrator will notify the Superintendent or his/he designee as to the enrollment of students who are primarily enrolled outside of the district.

Transcript Grades

Parent/guardians of students who are not primarily enrolled in district schools will be responsible for obtaining the necessary report card/transcripts and/or other indicators of academic progress and providing them to the district.

Part-time students will receive grades based on impartial, consistent observation of the quality of the student’s work in the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.  Part-time students will be graded by use of the grading procedures utilized for all students enrolled in the district.

(cf. 5121 – Grades Evaluation of Student Achievement)

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

10/97

EXEMPTIONS FROM ATTENDANCE

The School Board is responsible for enforcing state compulsory attendance laws.  The Board may  excuse a child from compulsory public school attendance as allowed by law.  Parents/guardians of children granted exemption shall not incur penalties for violations of the compulsory attendance laws.

(cf. 5112.2 – Exclusions from Attendance)

(cf. 5113 – Absence and Excuses)

(cf.5144 – Discipline)

(cf.5144.1 – Suspension/Expulsion)

Legal References:

          ALASKA STATUES

          14.30.010 When attendance compulsory

          14.30.020 Violations

          14.30.030 Report of violations and procedures

          14.30.340 When not required to enroll

          14.45.030 – 14.45.200 Private and denominational schools

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

4/93

EXEMPTIONS FROM ATTENDANCE

Request for exemption from compulsory full-time attendance must include satisfactory evidence of conditions upon which an exemption can be legally justified.

A child may be exempt from compulsory public school attendance if he/she:

1.       is provided a comparable academic education by attending private school in which teachers are certified, or being tutored by certified personnel, or by attending a religious or private school operated in compliance with AS 14.45.100 – 14.45.200;

2.                 attends a school operated by the federal government;

3.       has physical or mental condition which a competent medical authority determines will make attendance impractical;

4.       in the custody of a court or law enforcement authorities;

5.       is temporarily ill or injured;

6.       has been suspended or denied admittance according to AS 14.30.0145;

7.          resides more than two miles from a public school or public school transportation route and no federal or private schools are available to him/her within two miles of his/her home;

8.       is excused by Board action or by action of the Superintendent subject to Board approval;

9.       has completed 12^th grade;

10.     is enrolled in the state boarding school or in a full-time state approved correspondence study program.;

11.     is equally well-served in educational experience approved by the Board contingent upon the written request of the parent/guardian and approval of the school Principal.

EXCLUSION FROM ATTENDANCE

The School Board recognizes that there may be cases where denying admission is necessary because a student’s presence in school presents a danger to the life, safety or health of students or school personnel.

The Board may exclude children from school because of a physical or mental condition which will render the child unable to reasonably benefit from the programs available or which will cause the attendance of the child to be inimical to the welfare of other students.

(cf. 5141.22 – Infectious Diseases)

(cf. 6159 – Individualized Education Plan)

Children and their parents/guardians will be afforded due process rights to which they are entitled by law, board policy, or administrative regulations.

(cf. 5144.1 – Suspension/Expulsion)

Legal References:

          ALASKA STATUES

          14.30.045 Grounds for suspension or denial of admission

          14.30.047 Admission or readmission, when caused no longer exists

          ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

          4 AAC 06.060 Suspension or denial of admission

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

4/93

EXCLUSIONS FROM ATTENDANCE

Prior to excluding a student from attendance because of a physical or medical condition, the Superintendent or designee shall send a notice to the parent/guardian of the student. The notice shall contain the following statements:

1.       A statement of the facts leading to a decision to propose exclusion.

2.       A statement that the parent/guardian has a right to meet with the Board to discuss the proposed exclusion.

3.       A statement that at any such meeting the parent/guardian shall have an opportunity to:

a.       inspect all documents on which the Board is basing its decision to propose exclusion.

b.       challenge any evidence and confront and question any witness presented by the Board.

c.       present oral and documentary evidence on the student's behalf, including witnesses.

d.       have one or more representatives of the parent/guardian present at the meeting.

4.       A statement that the decision to exclude the child is subject to periodic review and a statement of district procedures for such review.

The Superintendent or designee may exclude without prior notice of exclusion any student who:

1.          resides in an area subject to quarantine.

2.       is exempt from a medical examination but is believed to suffer from a contagious or infectious disease.

3.       is determined to be a clear and present danger to the life, safety, or health of students or school personnel.

EXCLUSIONS FROM ATTENDANCE (Continued) AR5112.2(b)

OPEN/CLOSED CAMPUS

Open Campus

The School Board establishes an "open campus" at the district high school.  By allowing our students to leave campus during the lunch period, the Board entrusts them with, an opportunity to learn responsibility and demonstrate good citizenship. Students shall not leave the school grounds at any other time during the school day without written authorization of their parents/guardians and permission of school authorities. Students who leave school without such authorization shall be classified as truant and subject to disciplinary action.

(cf. 5113 ‑ Absences and Excuses)

Revised 11/02

UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

4/93

EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS

The Board believes that all students should have stability in school attendance and services and that this stability should not be denied as a result of homelessness.  To this end, it is the Board’s intent to remove barriers to the enrollment and retention of homeless children and youths in school.  Special attention will be given to ensuring the enrollment and attendance of homeless students not currently attending school.  Homeless students will be provided District services for which they are eligible, including Head Start and comparable pre-school programs, Title I, similar State programs, special education, bilingual education, vocational and technical education programs, gifted and talented programs, and school nutrition programs.  Homeless students will not be segregated in a separate school or in a separate program within the school.

(cf. 5111 -  Admission)

(cf. 5112.1 – Exclusions from Attendance)

(cf. 5112.2 – Exclusions from Attendance)

Homeless Student Liaison

The Superintendent shall designate at least one staff person to serve as a homeless student liaison to fulfill the duties set forth in law.  The liaison shall work to identify homeless children and facilitate each homeless child’s access to and success in school.  The liaison will: assist parents, students, and unaccompanied youth in enrolling and attending school; mediate disputes concerning school enrollment; assist in making transportation arrangements; assist in requesting the student’s records; provide information and give referrals on services and opportunities; and assist any homeless child who is not in the custody of a parent or guardian with enrollment decisions.  The liaison will also be responsible for periodic review and evaluation of this policy and recommending changes to reduce barriers for homeless children enrolling in and attending school.

Homeless Student Defined

A homeless child is defined as a child or youth between the ages of 5 and 21 who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes a child or youth who is living on the street, in a car, tent, or abandoned building or some other form of shelter not designed as a permanent home; who is living in a community shelter facility; or who is living with non-nuclear family members or with friends, who may or may not have legal guardianship over the child or youth of school age.

EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS (Continued) BP5112.6 (b)

School Enrollment and Attendance

The District, in consultation with the child’s parent or guardian, will consider the best interest of the child in determining whether the child should be enrolled in the school of origin or the current neighborhood school.  To the extent feasible, homeless students will continue to be enrolled in their school of origin while they remain homeless or until the end of the academic school year in which they obtain permanent housing, except when contrary to the wishes of the parent or guardian.  Instead of remaining in the school of origin, parents may request enrollment in the school in which attendance area the student is actually living, or other schools.

(cf. 5116 – School Attendance Boundaries)

(cf. 5117 – Inter-district Attendance)

The school selected shall immediately enroll the homeless child, even if the child is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, immunization and health exam records, proof of residency, or other documentation.  However, the District may require a parent or guardian of a homeless student to submit contact information.

(cf. 5141.3 – Health Examinations)

(cf. 5141.31 – Immunizations)

The District must provide a written explanation, including a statement regarding the right to appeal, to the homeless student’s parent or guardian, or the homeless student if unaccompanied, if the District sends the child or youth to a school other than the school of origin or other than the school requested by the parent or guardian.  If a dispute arises over school selection, the child shall immediately be admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought by the child’s parent or guardian or by the child if unaccompanied, pending resolution of the dispute.  The child, parent or guardian shall be referred to the Homeless Student Liaison, who will carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible.

EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS (Continued) BP 5112.6 (c)

Transportation

In the event that it is in the best interest of the homeless child or youth to attend the school of origin, transportation to and from that school may be provided at the request of the parent or guardian or, in the case of an unaccompanied student, the Homeless Liaison.  Policies or practices regarding transportation of students, which might cause a barrier to the attendance of a homeless child or youth, may be waived by the Superintendent.

Records

Any records ordinarily kept by the school, including immunization records, academic records, birth certificates, guardianship records and evaluations for special services or programs of each homeless child shall be maintained so that appropriate services may be given the student, so that necessary referrals can be made, and so that records may be transferred in a timely fashion when a homeless child or youth enters a new school or district.  Copies of records shall be made available upon request to students or parents.