STUDENT HANDBOOK

ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies are intended to be informative and instructional. Students are to behave in a
responsible and respectful way at all assemblies. When possible, seating will be assigned for
assemblies. Students are required to sit in the assigned seating.

CAMPUS DISTRIBUTIONS

No materials, circulars, advertisements, notices, or similar materials may be sold or distributed on the campus or at school-sponsored activities unless approved by the Principal (or designee).

CARPOOL

Carpool is a potentially risky time. We require that all adults who drop students off during
carpool time strictly obey the rules and the staff members who are guiding students and vehicles.

Cars enter off of Park Bayou on the east side of campus. Turn in on the north driveway and pull up as far as you can. Drop off students curbside. Obey staff members at all times.

COMPUTER USE POLICIES

West Briar Middle School students have the opportunity to access the Internet which enables
them to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with Internet users around the world. Students and parents should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or offensive to some people. It is the user’s responsibility not to initiate access to such material.

Internet and E-mail Rules:

1. Use must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational
objectives of the school.
2. Use of other organization’s network or computing resources must comply with the rules
appropriate for that network.
3. Transmission of any material in violation of any US or state regulation is prohibited

material protected by trade secret.
4. Use for commercial activities is not acceptable.
5. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.

Privileges:

The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of these privileges. West Briar Middle School reserves the right to review any material on user accounts and to monitor fileserver space in order to make determinations on whether specific uses of the network are inappropriate. Administrative decisions regarding unacceptable computer use are final. Student use of the Internet may be revoked, denied, or suspended at the request of faculty or staff.

Network Etiquette:

1. Be polite. Do not send an abusive message.
2. Use appropriate language.
3. Do not send or display offensive messages or pictures.
4. Do not harass, insult or attack others.
5. Do not reveal your personal address or phone number or those of others.
6. Do not use the network in such a way as to disrupt the use of the network by other users. Do

system for academic purposes.
7. Do not damage computers, computer systems, or computer networks, or engage in acts of
vandalism.
8. Do not intentionally waste limited resources such as paper, printer cartridges, or diskettes.

Security:

To protect the integrity of a computer system involving many users, students are not permitted to:

1. Reveal their password to another user.
2. Use another user’s password to gain access to the network or Internet.
3. Trespass into another user’s files.

West Briar Middle School makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The school will not be responsible for any damages suffered while on this system. These damages include loss of data as a result of delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by the system or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the information system is at the student’s risk. The school specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through its services. All users need to consider the source of any information obtained and the validity of that information.

BULLYING

Bullying is defined (HISD Code of Student Conduct) as any act or speech that subjects
persons to indignity, humiliation, intimidation, physical abuse or threat of physical abuse,
social or other isolation, shame, or disgrace. Any verbal abuse or bullying of others,
including but not limited to slurs, name-calling, or derogatory statements to another
person because of that person’s race, color, religion, national origin, disability,
physical/personal appearance, or sexual orientation is a level III violation of the Code of
Student Conduct and will not be tolerated at West Briar Middle School. Acts of Bullying
could result in suspension and possible removal to an alternative educational placement.

DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY

Anyone who accidentally or intentionally destroys or damages anything on campus will be asked
to pay the cost of repair and/or replacement. The student will also be subject to other disciplinary action.

DELIVERIES TO STUDENTS FROM OFF-CAMPUS SOURCES

Because of the interruption of the school schedule, the delivery of flowers, balloons, etc., should be made to the attendance office. These items will be held in the student’s dean’s office until the end of the school day. There will be no food deliveries made to students on campus unless special administrative authorization has been secured.

1. Only emergency phone messages from parents or guardians will be delivered. These will be
delivered the last 10 minutes of class, and not before. Any message that is not from a parent or
guardian or that is not an emergency will not be delivered. Please understand that this policy
exists to eliminate unnecessary interruptions in your child’s class.
2. If a student forgets a lunch, science project, Honor Society dues, etc., deliveries can be made
to the attendance office, delivered to the student’s house office and then held until the last 10
minutes of class.
3. Cash deliveries will only be made from the person giving money to the student. WBMS staff
members will not handle money.

DETENTION / WEST BRIAR WORK FORCE

Detention will be held in B207 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from
3:50 PM to 4:50 PM. Students will be given at least one day of notice to make arrangements to
stay after school. Students must bring study materials and supplies so that the time spent in
detention can be used wisely. Students must be on time and must serve all assigned detentions. Failure to serve detentions will result in Satruday Work Force assigned by the grade-level dean. West Briar Work Force will be held on Saturdays from 8 AM to 11 AM. Students assigned to Saturday Work Force for disciplinary reasons will be expected to complete three hours of school service. Failure to serve the assigned Saturday WF will result in automatic one day suspension the following Monday."

DISCIPLINE AND PRIVLEDGES

Developed by HISD and distributed to all parents and students, this booklet describes disciplinary offenses and how the district handles them. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children adhere to the rules and conventions of proper behavior while at school. HISD has “zero tolerance” for student behavior that could disrupt instruction or pose safety hazards on HISD property or while at school-related events. The booklet includes a form that requires both the student’s and parent’s signatures and must be returned along with other forms in your packet.

To summarize, misconduct is categorized into five levels:

Level I: Violation of classroom rules; generally corrected by the teacher or parent contact.
Level II: Administrative/teacher intervention; generally more serious in nature or a
repeated violation under Level I.
Level III: Misconduct that disrupts the instructional process in class, at school, or school
related activities; repeated violation of Level I and Level II offenses; considered
to be a serious offense.
Level IV: Criminal offenses; any felony, whether school-related or not, are included here
unless it is categorized as a level V. Such an offense requires removal of the
student to a Disciplinary Alternative Educational Program (DAEP).
Level V: Acts of misconduct that may result in expulsion include, but are not limited to
assault, possession of weapons, drug distribution, and other criminal offenses.

DRESS CODE

Please refer to student dress code for specific information. Students only qualify for free dress on weeks that they have perfect attendance. Students must have ID’s on and visible and must have free dress sticker visible upon drop-off at school.

ELECTRONICS/COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Cell phones are not to be used during the instructional day due to their distraction to the
instructional environment. They also present a risk to test security. They may be used
before and after school. CD, MP 3 players, headphones, and personal gaming devices are
not allowed on campus. They are distracting to the instructional environment and present
an enticement for theft. Students who bring these devices on campus will take full
responsibility for their security and administrative time will not be spent tracking down
stolen or missing personal gaming and musical electronic items. Any cell phone used during school hours without permission, or any banned electronic device found on campus, will be confiscated and an administrative fee of $15 will be charged for its retrieval within the first 30 days. After 30 days, the device will be sent to Property Management for disposal.

FIRE/EVACUATION PROCEDURES

There may be a need to evacuate the building due to emergency conditions. In each room of the
school, a MAP should be posted which details the appropriate route to use for evacuating the
building. The routes for evacuation are designed to avoid overcrowding. Alternate routes should
be anticipated and reviewed to avoid possible confusion during an evacuation.

Students are to remain with the teacher who facilitates the evacuation. In leaving the building, students are to move in a safe and orderly manner away from the building to the outer perimeter of the campus that is closest to the exit. Close all windows and doors as you evacuate. Students are to take nothing except their valuables. All students are urged to consider the seriousness of fire drills. The drills are preparation for the reality of fire or imminent disaster. The school administration, faculty, and staff, therefore, ask for each student’s absolute cooperation in abiding by the rules set forth in this section of the handbook. Failure to remain orderly during an evacuation is a disciplinary infraction. NO PERSON SHOULD ATTEMPT TO RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL THE ALL-CLEAR SIGNAL HAS SOUNDED (2 BELLS). BUILDING EVACUATION IS SIGNALED BY CONTINUOUS, INTERMITTENT RINGING OF THE BELLS.

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

Groups will hold fundraising activities throughout the year. Any fundraiser must be scheduled in
advance and must receive principal’s approval. Consumable items may be sold as fundraisers
before and after school. Other fundraisers, such as concerts, athletic exhibitions/games, dances,
etc. (sponsored by various school groups) are allowed. Financial responsibility for the fundraisers will be assigned to the faculty sponsor. All funds collected should be deposited with the FINANCIAL CLERK in the main office on the day of the collection. No funds should be left in
classrooms or deposited in accounts outside the school Activity Account. There are several
required forms for fundraising. Be sure to check with the Financial Clerk to ensure compliance
with all requirements. Since this area of administrative responsibility is subject to audit, all parties involved must exercise great care. STUDENTS MAY NOT SELL UNAUTHORIZED ITEMS OR SERVICES ON CAMPUS AT ANY TIME.

HALL PASSES

During normal instructional (non-passing) time, a hall pass is required of any student outside the classroom. The only acceptable pass will be the official colored hall pass supplied by the staff member. Teachers should provide hall passes to students only in special situations.
Students are only allowed Hall Passes after the first 10 minutes of class and may not receive a
pass 10 minutes before class is over. For reasons of safety and security, no student should be in school hallways during class time without an approved pass. Failure to secure a hall pass, on the part of the student, will warrant a detention assignment.

HEALTH CONCERNS

School Nurse

The school nurse will provide clinic services in the event of an illness or injury that occurs during
the school day. Emergencies excluded, a student may go to the clinic only after obtaining a
permit from a teacher, except at lunch or at a passing period. Students who feel ill and go home
without going through the clinic and the attendance office will be considered truant.

Immunizations

The Texas Administrative Code requires that “every child in the state shall be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases caused by infectious agents.” (TAC RULE §97.63) A list of
required vaccinations is available from our school nurse. If a student fails to comply, they will
NOT be allowed to attend school (TAC RULE §97.66) West Briar Middle School will notify the
student in writing if they are out of compliance and will follow-up with a phone call to the parent or guardian. Please do NOT disregard this notice from our school nurse. It is your responsibility to be sure the school has your current address and phone number on file.

Administering Medications at School

School Board Policy (in accordance with TEC §22.052) prevents nurses and teachers from
administering medications of any kind at school without proper consent. A student may NOT
carry medication with him/her except for students with asthma. Medications are required to be
kept locked in the clinic. A written medication permission form with the original signatures of
both a parent and the prescribing physician must accompany all medication including selfadministration prescriptions for asthma. Each medication must be in its original container with an affixed prescription label listing the patient for whom the drug was prescribed, the drug name, and the proper dosage and administration route information. Medication and treatment forms are available in the nurse’s clinic.

Temporary of Ongoing Medical Conditions

If your child has a temporary or ongoing medical condition that could (a) require medical
attention at school, and/or (b) impact their ability to thrive in the school environment, we need to know. Please be sure both the school nurse and your child’s dean are made aware of the situation so we can respond appropriately to your child’s needs. In addition, HISD has resources available that may be of assistance to you. Personal medical information will be kept confidential.

HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION

STUDENTS WHO ARE SERIOUSLY ILL FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION.

When a student is seriously ill and the doctor furnishes a written opinion that the student will
require the services of a homebound teacher for four weeks or longer, the student is eligible for a homebound teacher. The student must, however, be free of infectious disease, and there must be an adult in the home at the time of the teacher’s visit. Parents should apply to the nurse for the homebound teacher as soon as the need is determined. The dean will secure work for any student who will be absent for fewer than four weeks.

id BADGES

It is the policy at West Briar MS that all students wear a WBMS-issued ID badge at all times for
safety reasons. The badge shall not be defaced in any way. The badge shall be worn on the
outside of all clothing, on the torso, between the waist and neck. The badge shall either be worn on a lanyard or on a clip attached to clothing. If an ID is forgotten, a temporary may be purchased for $1 or will be given in exchange for a detention. Each student will receive one free temporary ID each 6 week grading period. These may be purchased before school in the auditorium. The student may not enter the building until a visible ID is worn. If an ID is lost, the student must buy a replacement for $5. These may be purchased in the auditorium before school. Replacement lanyards are $1.

LOCKER USE

Students will be issued a locker at the beginning of each school year. Any property, money and
other valuables left in lockers are the responsibility of the student to whom the locker is assigned. Locks should be secured at all times when the student is not present at the locker site. UNLOCKED LOCKERS WILL HAVE THEIR CONTENTS REMOVED AND SHUT
PERMANENTLY. Lockers are the property of the Houston Independent School District, and are
subject to inspection by authorized school personnel.

PARENT CONFERENCES

We believe that parents must be partners in their children’s education. To further that goal, we
encourage parents to schedule conferences to meet with their child’s teachers. Please contact the team leader for your child’s team or the individual teacher to schedule a conference. Because of the potential interruption to classroom instruction, we do not allow unscheduled conferences with teachers. We also request that you call ahead to schedule conferences with deans or the principal, as they may be unavailable for a drop-in meeting.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Public displays of affection are not allowed at West Briar. This issue is dealt with at the
discretion of the teacher/administrator based on the severity of the incident, however students
should be aware that inappropriate displays of affection are a typically considered a level II of III misconduct in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.

PESTICIDES

This school periodically applies pesticides. Information concerning these applications may be
obtained from the H.I.S.D. FACILITIES AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT (676-9261).

PHONE CALLS FOR STUDENTS

The primary purpose of school is to deliver instruction to all students. Because unnecessary
interruptions to the classroom stop that process, the school will limit messages delivered to
students. The school will always try to communicate emergency messages in a timely manner.
However, any message not deemed to be of an emergency nature will not be delivered.

Calls related to change in pick-up schedule, messages related to after-school activities, or other
items will be delivered at the end of the day in 7th period. We ask parents to arrange for pick-up and other after-school related issues in a manner that does not interfere with instruction.
Only emergency phone messages from parents or guardians will be delivered. Any message that
is not from a parent or guardian or that is not an emergency will not be delivered immediately.
Please understand that this policy exists to eliminate unnecessary interruptions from your child’s class.

POSTERS - SIGNS - ADVERTISEMENTS

All posters, signs, and advertisements must be approved by the West Briar principal (or
designee). The club/organization or individual must remove these postings in a timely manner.

RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION

At the beginning of each school year, the parents or legal guardians of all students will be notified by the school about directory information. Parents who wish not to have their directory
information released will be given an opportunity to make the request in writing. “Release of
Information” forms will be sent home during the first two weeks of school to facilitate this
process. If the “Privacy Statement” is on file, no directory information will be released without
written consent of the parent or legal guardian. This “Privacy Statement” also applies to PTO
information.

After notice has been given and other requirements of the federal regulations have been met, all directory information in which no privacy interest has been asserted is public information and
must be disclosed upon request under the Texas Open Records Act.

SCHOOL NAME USE

Unauthorized use of the school name or mascot by any student for the purpose of advertising a
non-school sanctioned activity is prohibited. Only school-approved organizations may use the
school name and/or mascot for approved activities. Use of the mascot is limited to a choice of the visual representations that have been approved by the principal.

SMOKING ON CAMPUS

Smoking is prohibited at all times on all HISD campuses including West Briar. This prohibition
includes the use of any tobacco products of any kind.

STADIUM REGULATIONS

1. HISD stadiums are an extension of the school campus. Students are under the authority of
the principal and the athletic administrators.
2. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on stadium premises (parking lot or within the stadium).
3. No air horns or mechanical noisemakers are permitted.
4. Food and drink cannot be brought into the stadium.
5. Spectators are not allowed on the playing areas at any time.
6. No loitering is permitted in the aisles or exits.
7. No loitering is permitted outside the stadium. All persons shall either enter the stadium or
leave the premises.
8. Admittance to the stadium is by ticket or authorized pass only.

STUDENT DIRECTORY

As a service to the students, the WEST BRIAR PTO prints a directory of students’ names, their
addresses, and phone numbers. Directory information, unless otherwise stipulated, is considered to be public information. Parents and students have the right to refuse the designation of any or all the categories personally identifiable. Written notice of this refusal should be given to the building Principal not later than September 8, 2006. Forms will be sent home to assist in this process. Forms are also available in the Main Office.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Student insurance is available to all students, and the school acts as a service agent only. The
school receives no proceeds for this service and is not responsible for claims resulting from
injuries.

STUDENT PICTURES

Pictures are taken once each school year for the entire student body. These pictures are taken for the school yearbook at no charge to the student. However, if students are interested, they may purchase a packet of pictures for personal use. There will be a charge for this packet. More
information will be available at the beginning of the school year through advisory.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

All publications edited, printed, and distributed on the West Briar campus shall be under the
control of the Principal. All school publications shall be supervised by a faculty sponsor, and
reflect the high ideals and expectations of the citizens of the West Briar school community.

STUDENT RESTROOM POLICY

West Briar Middle School maintains a student restroom policy for the well being of our students,
for the instructional integrity of the school, and the preservation of our facilities. Students
wishing to use the restroom during class time should use a HALL PASS and receive permission
from their teacher. Restroom passes will not be given the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes of class.

Classroom Tardies

West Briar has 5 minute passing periods. Students are to be in their assigned classroom
before the tardy bell. Students late to their assigned class will be classified as tardy.
Each student will receive a grace of 5 tardies per semester. Accrued tardies greater than
5 will result in the following consequences:

6 – 10 tardies = detention for each tardy
11 – 15 tardies = two detentions for each tardy and an administrative directive
16 – 20 tardies = Saturday workforce for each tardy and behavioral contract
21 – 25 tardies = in school suspension for each tardy
26 – 30 tardies = 1 day suspension
31 – 35 tardies = 2 day suspension and warning of alternative school
36+ tardies = 3 day suspension and hearing for placement in alternative school

Special Note: Automatic school detention is given for Hall Sweeps and Loitering Sweeps and supersedes the school’s regular tardy policy.

Morning Tardies/Late to School

The bell rings at 8:20 A.M. each morning for students to start reporting to their first
assigned class. The tardy bell rings, and the instructional day begins, at 8:30 A.M. Any
student entering the building after 8:30 A.M. is late. A late student disrupts the
instructional environment by entering the classroom after instruction has begun each
morning. Any student entering the building must be signed in by his/her parent or
guardian in the front office or the student will be assigned a detention for being late to
school. Excessive occurrences of a student being late to school could result in the school
administration filing a truancy report to the appropriate court.

TELEPHONES

The school office phones are business phones and will be used by students for emergency
purposes only. Students may use phones after school to secure transportation.

TEXTBOOKS

Each student is responsible for all books issued to him/her. Textbooks must be covered.
LOST TEXTBOOKS MUST BE PAID FOR BEFORE A NEW BOOK WILL BE ISSUED
FROM THE BOOKROOM!

UIL/EXTRACURRICULAR RULES FOR ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

Eligible students are allowed five (5) days of absences per semester for UIL and other
extracurricular activities. Students in grades 7-8 will be eligible for UIL and other extracurricular
activities according to the following regulations:

1. Student's Eligibility: An individual may participate in League competition or contests as a
representative of the participant school he/she attends if that student has been in attendance and has passed the number of courses required by state law and by rules of the State Board of
Education, and is passing the number of courses required by state law and by rules of the State
Board of Education.
2. The Constitution and Contest Rules does not prohibit junior high students from competing at
a grade level higher than the one in which they are enrolled.
3. For 7th grade athletic competition, has not reached his/her 14th birthday on or before
September 1, and has not enrolled in the 9th grade.
4. For 8th grade athletic competition, has not reached his/her 15th birthday on or before
September 1, and has not enrolled in the 9th grade.
5. A student who initially entered the 7th or 8th grade the current school year and is too old for
7th or 8th grade participation may participate according to age, that is, 7th graders on the 8th
grade, 9th grade, high school junior varsity or high school varsity team, and 8th graders on the 9th grade, high school junior varsity, or high school varsity team.
6. A students is suspended from participation in any extracurricular or UIL activities sponsored
by the school during or after a grade reporting period in which the student receives a grade lower than the equivalent of a 70 on a scale of 70-100 in any academic class.
7. UIL suspension takes effect seven (7) days after the last day of the six weeks during which
the student earned a grade of less than 70.
8. If at the end of three (3) weeks a student receives an average of 70 or better in all classes, the student will be eligible for participation at the beginning of the fifth week of the six weeks.
9. A UIL suspended student may participate in after-school practice during the time of UIL
suspension. UIL suspended students should also continue to participate in classes and practices
during the school day.
10. The counting of absences for UIL and other extracurricular activities begins the day a student
enrolls in an HISD school for the first time for that school year. If a student transfers, the
accumulated extracurricular absences transfer with the student to the other HISD school or any
school in the state.

VISITOR PASSES

Adult visitors must register in the main office. Visitor badges must be worn at all times while on
campus. STUDENT VISITORS ARE NOT PERMITTED. Photo ID is required to obtain a
visitor badge.

ZERO TOLERANCE

STUDENTS WITH WEAPONS = NO SCHOOL = NO FUTURE.
West Briar is a ZERO-TOLERANCE school.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Compulsory Attendance Law

Regular attendance at school is not just a good idea, it is the law. It is also the greatest
single factor in school success. (If you’re not there, you can’t learn.) By state law, students are
required to attend school through the school year in which they turn seventeen. The Houston
Independent School District expects all students to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes in order to benefit from the instructional program and to develop the necessary life skills of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility.

H.I.S.D. / West Briar Attendance Policies

1. Official state attendance (ADA) will be taken each day at 10:10 A.M.
2. Middle School students may not be given credit for annual promotion classes unless the
student was in attendance at least 90% of the school year. Middle School students in
high school credit courses cannot have more than two unexcused absences per semester
for credit. Credit or promotion may be withheld because of excessive absences.
3. When credit is withheld due to excessive absences, an APPEAL may be made to the
Campus Attendance Committee, who will address each appeal and document the
committee’s decision. Appeals should be made in writing and delivered to the Principal’s
office. No appeal will be accepted after five days beyond the end of the school year.
Only passing grades may be appealed.
4. A student must be in attendance at least 35 minutes of a 50 minute class period to be
counted present.
5. All students must be enrolled in SEVEN (7) courses each semester.

U.I.L./Co-curricular / Extracurricular Absences

Students participating in a U.I.L., co-curricular or extracurricular field trip are not to be
counted absent for the class taking the field trip. Other classes missed, however, are to be
counted as part of the five (5) day U.I.L./co-curricular /extracurricular excused absences per
semester. Work missed for such activities is eligible for make-up. Prior approval must be given
for all students participating in a field trip. Students who are failing any class or who have poor
or unsatisfactory conduct may not participate in a field trip that will cause them to miss a class in which they are having difficulty. It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher where the
student is failing to notify the student they are not allowed to participate in the U.I.L./cocurricular/ extracurricular activity.

Excused Absences

1. Personal illness: The principal may require certification of a physician if he deems it
necessary.
2. Death of a family member
3. Student’s health services and family or individual counseling therapy appointments:
The principal will require a note signed by the parent/guardian requesting that a student
be released for an appointment.
4. Religious Holy Days and Activities: Any child of an established religious faith will be
excused if his/her absence is for the purpose of observing a religious holy day, consistent
with his/her creed or belief, upon furnishing the principal with a parent’s written request,
prior to the absence. The student is counted as present in school according to state statute
and is not considered absent.
5. Authorized school sponsored activities: A student may receive excused absences for
participating in off-campus school related activities. The Houston Independent School
District will not, however, permit students to participate in activities that would result in
the student’s absence from any class more than five times a semester.
6. Court appearance: The principal shall require the presentation of an appropriate court
document, subpoena, etc., which indicates that a student should appear in court.

NOTE: Any other request must be submitted to the principal in writing far enough in advance
that the request can be given proper consideration in light of board policy.

Unexcused Absences

1. An absence for any reason other than those listed above shall be classified as unexcused.
Absences that are classified as unexcused shall not be excused if the parent does not send
a note (stating the reason) within three school days after the absence. The principal may
review reasons other than those above and determine that they, also, may be excused.
2. A student may not be given credit for a high school class if the student accumulates more
than two (2) UNEXCUSED absences during the semester.
3. Students are allowed to make up work missed due to any absence. Make up work for
unexcused absences may not be for full credit. In exceptional circumstances, prior
parental request to the principal concerning an impending unexcused student absence
may result in approved credit for work missed.
4. If a student accumulates four unexcused absences in advisory for one semester, he or she
will receive a “P” as an office conduct grade. If a student accumulates six unexcused
absences in advisory for one semester, he or she will receive a “U” as an office conduct
grade. Office conduct grades automatically will become the student’s conduct average.

Make-up Work

1. A student will be given the opportunity to make up work missed. It is the responsibility
of the student to request and complete any assignments or tests missed because of
absence. A reasonable amount of time will be given to complete the work missed due to
an absence.
2. Make-up work is the responsibility of the student. It is not the teacher’s job to track
down students to administer make-up tests and collect homework.
3. If a student is going to be absent for several days, a parent or guardian may contact the
counselor for assignments.
4. Students who miss class for an approved school activity are to notify the teacher in
advance concerning the possibility of completing the tests/assignments before the class is
missed.
5. Students must realize the importance of impressing their instructor with their desire to
learn. Therefore, students who establish a pattern of absences on test days and major
assignment days will probably lose credibility with their teachers. It is not fair to other
students when a student and his/her parent ask for an excused absence because of the
student’s failure to complete his/her assignment on time and just to stay home. Teachers
may check on these students to determine the validity of the excuse.

Truancy

Unauthorized absence from school will be considered truancy and will be unexcused.
Disciplinary action will also be taken. This includes any class that is “skipped” during the course
of the school day.

WEST BRIAR IS A CLOSED CAMPUS.
STUDENTS DO NOT LEAVE CAMPUS WITHOUT APPROVAL!