Union pines high school 2016 2017 Student Handbook

Register on http://actstudent.org

May 2-May 13, 2016

All juniors will take the ACT exam on February 28. This is a mandate from NCDPI. The test is free for juniors on that date.
Web Sites of Interest

www.ncpublicschools.org/students

http://www.ncwiseowl.org/ NCWISE OWL - Research Tool

2016 – 2017 Calendar

Lawful absences are as follows:

• Medical Reasons

• Death in Immediate Family

• Court Appointment

• Educational Opportunity

• Religious Observance
Upon returning to school after an absence, a student must present a note, signed by the parent/guardian or doctor, within 36 hours (three days) of the absence to the Attendance Office bearing the date(s) of absence and stating the reason for absence. If the absence is due to a Doctor’s appointment, a note from the doctor is required to excuse the absence. Students are encouraged to keep a copy of all notes in case they are needed for the attendance appeals process.
All other excuses are to be marked as unexcused absences, and may not be considered in the case of an appeal. Excuses stating “needed at home” are not acceptable unless the exact nature of the need is explained and is justifiable as an excused absence.
Students present less than 46 minutes in a class will be counted as absent.
All incomplete work due to a student’s absenteeism must be made up under the direction of the classroom teacher. If the work is not made up within the allotted time, a failing grade may be recorded for the incomplete work and averaged accordingly. It is strongly recommended that students who miss tests due to excused absences make up these tests before or after school. The specific time for making up these tests, however, must be prearranged with the class instructors. Students who are absent 13.5 days in a semester will not be eligible to play sports (NCHSAA) and may lose driving privileges.
Reminder: Attendance is taken each period. For state attendance purposes, students must be in school for at least half a day to be counted present.

Attendance in class is essential to the mastery of subject matter; therefore, students are expected to be present in class every day. The following attendance requirements are in effect:

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  Students are allowed eight (8) lawful absences per course per semester.
  
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  Any student who accumulates more than eight (8) absences each semester will receive a failing grade of FF.
  
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  A FF is issued to students who passed a course academically but have exceeded the allotted absences. All students have the right to appeal their absences. FFs revert to a grade of 60 at the end of the school year.
  
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  Any student absent from class or school must present a note, to the Attendance Office, from the proper authority within three (3) days.
  
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  Failure to bring a note will result in the absence being coded unexcused.
  
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  Juniors will be allotted one college day in the spring; prior approval notes from the Student Support Services and verified by the college visited is required. Seniors are allotted one day in the fall.
  

If it is necessary for a student to have an early dismissal, the Attendance Office will handle the student’s request on an individual basis. Any such request must be presented to the Attendance Office before 8:25 A.M.

The Moore County Schools Attendance Policy states that a student who missed more than eight (8) days in a class per semester or A/B class may not receive credit for that class even if there is a passing grade in that class. However, under extenuating circumstances, a student may appeal excessive absences.

It is the student’s responsibility to appeal absences. The Attendance Appeal Form is to be picked up by the student from Student Support Services or the front office. The classroom teacher fills out the dates of absences and codes either excused or unexcused. The Attendance Appeal is returned to the student to take home for signature by parent or guardian. After the parent or guardian signs the Attendance Appeal, it is the student’s responsibility to return the form to the front office by the specified deadline.

Attendance Appeals will not be approved for the following circumstances:

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  Excessive absences without medical documentation
  
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  Unexcused absences
  
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  Repeat appeals
  
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  Lack of proper documentation
  

All students who attend Moore County Schools are expected to maintain a neat and well-groomed appearance.

Behavior patterns are affected by the clothing we wear, and when students are properly dressed, their focus is more on academics and their self esteem increases. The purpose of the dress code is to promote styles of dress, which helps create a positive image for all students.
Student dress and grooming should meet minimum standards of hygiene and be presentable for the educational environment. No clothing may be worn which is provocative, revealing, profane, vulgar or obscene; which endangers the health or safety of the student or others; or which might reasonably be expected to cause substantial disruption or material interference with school activities.
Examples of prohibited dress or appearance include, but are not limited to, exposed undergarments; sagging pants; excessively short or tight garments; bare midriff shirts; strapless shirts; attire with messages or illustrations that are lewd, indecent, or vulgar or that advertise any kind of product or service not permitted by law to minors; see-through clothing; attire that exposes cleavage; any adornment such as chains or spikes that could reasonably be perceived as a weapon; and any symbols, styles, or attire associated with intimidation, violence, or violent groups about which students at a particular school have been notified.
Specifics are:

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  Bandanas, skullcaps, sweatbands, etc., must not be worn to school.
  
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  Hats, toboggans, head scarves, hoods, sunglasses, etc., must not be worn inside buildings.
  
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  Clothing that advertises a product illegal for students or depicts offensive statements, pictures, or remarks must not be worn to school.
  
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  Shorts, skirts, skorts, and dresses must be at least mid-thigh.
  
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  Pants and shorts must be sized appropriately, including waist and length, with no undergarments exposed.
  
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  Shirts must have an obvious shoulder line. Halter tops or spaghetti straps are not permitted.
  
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  Oversized shirts are not permitted.
  
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  Heavy chains of any type, i.e., wallet chains, chain belts, etc., are not permitted.
  
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  Any garment or accessories that disrupts the instructional program or may inflict harm may not be worn to school, i.e., grilles, body piercing, etc.
  
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  Appropriate neckline must be evident at all times.
  
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  Footwear must be appropriate for school activities.
  

We believe that each student should receive 85 minutes of uninterrupted instruction each class period. It is the student’s responsibility to be in class on time. The tardy policy will be followed.. We are using a new tardy system this year, Tardy Eliminator. Teachers are responsible for closing their doors when the bell rings and begin instruction. Students must report to one of the designated locations to get a tardy slip.

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  Teachers close door when the bell rings
  
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  Tardy Eliminator system will call parents when tardies occur
  
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  Consequences:
  
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    1-3 Phone Call / Warning
    
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    4 Phone Call / Letter
    
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    5 - 7 After School Detention
    
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    8 ISS lose parking pass and/or ISS
    

Students who drive or ride private transportation and are tardy due to car trouble, etc. shall receive unexcused tardies since bus transportation is provided for students. Questions should be referred to your administrator or Attendance Office. Students who are chronically tardy may have parking passes revoked by an administrator.

Good nutrition is essential to learning, and we encourage students to select a balanced meal. UPHS offers free and reduced breakfasts and lunches for those who qualify. Forms are available in the front office. Charging meals is not allowed by MCS.

Students are expected to show respect to any person or group making a presentation or speaking to the audience. Respectful behavior includes sitting quietly, listening to the speaker, and responding at the appropriate times. Cell phones, ipods, or other electronic devices are disrespectful and are not allowed.

Medications are dispensed only in the Nurse’s Office, and students may not keep any medications in their possession. Proper documentation must be on file.

UPHS is not responsible for lost or stolen items and it is not our responsibility to investigate stolen items.

Lockers are available for rent for a $2.00 fee in the Main Office. Students may select their lockers location. Seniors have first priority. See Mr. Capps if you would like to get a locker or have a problem. Students are highly encouraged to lock their belongs up during P.E. class.

 

Schedules, Schedules, Schedules

All students are required to have a full schedule each semester, regardless of achieving the required credits for graduation. Schedule changes are to be made within the first 3 days of school. Schedule changes are reserved for students with the following:

•missing courses

•advance to the Honors or AP level

•balancing of schedule-at least one elective each semester is considered a balanced schedule

•a particular course needed to graduate

•Courses on an A/B schedule will be paired with other courses; discuss options with your counselor.

•Students are not allowed to have unsupervised or free periods on campus.
Seats are available for an on-line NC Virtual School or Gradpointe credit recovery course from 7:55 to 8:35 a.m. Inquire with your counselor. Parent permission and private transportation are required.
Drop / Add Info

The Drop/Add period for schedule changes closes on Sept. 9. We expect our students to participate in a course of study that will prepare them to meet future demands; therefore, a request to drop AP or Honors level courses must be reviewed by an administrator and involve extenuating circumstances. Students who drop a course after the 10-day Drop/Add period will receive a WP (Withdraw Pass) or WF (Withdraw Fail) as a grade on their transcript.

Applications for early graduation must be completed with your counselor by December 1. Early graduates are eligible to participate in ALL student activities, including the June graduation ceremony. Be advised: students who graduate early are strongly encouraged to transfer to the post-secondary level. Students not enrolled as a full-time student at the postsecondary level may no longer be eligible for Social Security benefits and may not qualify for coverage under their parent's’ health insurance unless they are full-time college students (taking at least 12 credit hours of college credit.) Students are responsible for investigating their particular situations before applying for early graduation.

Course Descriptions
To see descriptions for our UPHS courses, please visit www.ncmcs.org, go to Student/Parent Resources, and click on the course guide.
Fee Statements & Locker Rentals

To help ensure efficient record keeping, parents will receive a fee statement in the mail. We will issue the fee statements once course schedules are settled. Students will not be able to participate in Extracurricular Activities if they have not paid their school fees. This includes dances. Locker rentals will begin the first week of school.

The basic school supply list, school calendar, and athletic schedules are located on our website - www.ncmcs.org/uphs.

We request that parents of UPHS students who travel the Sandhills Farmlife Road or those who normally travel Union Church Road from Vass use the main entrance to the school, Viking Drive. Those parents who travel Grady Road from Cameron will enter by the EMS building to drop off students at the entrance opposite the concession stand. Those parents who travel Union Church Road from Carthage will turn left on Grady Road and enter by the EMS station to drop off students at the entrance opposite the concession stand. Student drivers will enter the gate at the football stadium.

“Learn to Lead….Choose to Succeed”

Our Mission: To instill in the cadets at Union Pines High School the values of citizenship, service to our community and to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.

As a 1^st year cadet, you will have the opportunity to participate in competitions, learn basic leadership skills, and become familiar with Military Customs and Courtesies, Drill and Ceremonies, Health Education, First Aid, and Physical Fitness.

During your 2^nd through 4^th years, you will develop your leadership skills and receive detailed instruction on Maritime History, Nautical Sciences, Seamanship, and Rules of the Road at sea. Additionally, Honors classes are offered for Naval Science 3 and 4.

The unit offers very competitive teams and travels throughout the state for competitions in: Drill, Rifle Marksmanship, Academics, Physical Fitness, and CyberPatriot.

At least two field trips are taken per year and offered to all cadets. The unit has been to Wash. DC, Marine Recruit Depot (Parris Island SC), Camp Lejeune (Marine Base), Norfolk VA (Navy Base), USS Yorktown and The Citadel (Charleston SC), and Fort Bragg.

ROTC College scholarships and Academy Appointments are available for all branches of service. Fifteen Academy Appointments and numerous ROTC scholarships have been awarded to cadets at Union Pines.

The Navy and Marine Corps core values are: HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT!

For more info go to our website at:www.ncmcs.org/uphs-sw (Academics/ROTC)

Remember to order your yearbook to capture the 2016 - 2017 school year memories. See Ms. Nall or a member of our yearbook staff to inquire about our UPHS Yearbook.

Video cameras are used to monitor the school premises.

10+ could result in recommendation for long-term suspension

*law enforcement may be contacted

Internet Privileges may be revoked and/or restitution for repairs may apply.

An alternate disciplinary action may be issued at the discretion of the administrator depending on the severity of the offense. The gravity and severity of a situation may dictate a higher level of action including the recommendation for placement in the alternative school, long-term suspension, or expulsion.