PREFACE

To Students and Parents:

Welcome to school year 2006-2007! For this school year to be successful for your child, we must all work together: students, parents, teachers, and other school staff members.

The Holland ISD Student Handbook is designed to provide a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will need during the school year. In an effort to make it easier to use, the handbook is divided into three sections:

Section I—IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS—with information all parents will need about assisting their child and responding to school-related issues;

Section II—CURRICULUM-RELATED INFORMATION—providing information to students and their parents about graduation programs, required courses, class rank, and extracurricular and other activities; and

Section III—GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS—describing school operations and requirements such as safety procedures, the dress code, and fees that may be charged.

Each section has a Quick Reference component to serve as a guide for day-to-day questions that may arise.

Please be aware that the term “the student’s parent” is used to refer to the parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student.

Both students and parents must be familiar with the Holland ISD Student Code of Conduct, required by state law and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. That document may be found as a separate document sent home to parents and available in the principal’s office.

The student handbook is designed to be in harmony with Board policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy that affect student handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications.

In case of conflict between Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct and any provisions of student handbooks, the provisions of Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct that were most recently adopted by the Board are to be followed.

We strongly recommend that parents review the entire handbook with their children and keep it as a reference during this school year. If you or your child has questions about any of the material in this handbook, please contact a teacher, the counselor, or the principal. Also, please complete and return the parental acknowledgment and consent/opt-out forms so that we have a record of your choices. [See Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights on page 10.]

Please note that references to alphabetical policy codes are included so that parents can refer to current policy. A copy of the District’s policy manual is available in the HISD administrative offices

Nondiscrimination

Holland ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

The following District staff members have been designated to coordinate compliance with these requirements:

· Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of sex: Cindy Gunn – HISD Superintendent

· Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of disability: Karen Roasa – HISD Counselor

Services for the Homeless and for Title I Participants

Other designated staff you may need to contact include:

· Liaison for Homeless Children and Youths, who coordinates services for homeless students: Cindy Gunn: 254-657-0175

· Parent Involvement Coordinator, who works with parents of students participating in Title I programs: JoAnn Anderson: 254-657-2525

Services for Students with Disabilities

Parents of students with learning difficulties or who may need special education services may request an evaluation for special education at any time. For more information, see page 33 and contact the appropriate campus principal or counselor at any of our three campus offices.

Vision

All students will be successful learners.

Philosophy

Educated people are our most valuable resource
All students can be successful learners
Every person has equal value and worth
People succeed best in an open, inviting climate of continuous courtesy and mutual respect
All children deserve a secure and nurturing learning environment
Parents-community-school partnerships maximize the potential for student success
Each person is accountable for his/her own actions

MISSION

Holland Independent School District, in partnership with parents and community, will provide a quality education for all students, empowering them to pursue productive and fulfilling lives in an ever-changing, interdependent world.

Student Exit Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

Demonstrate self-esteem as a learner and person.
Demonstrate use of extended thinking skills.
Demonstrate problem-solving, decision-making, and group process skills.
Demonstrate effective communication skills.
Show respect and concern for self and others.
Demonstrate social, civic, economic, and environmental responsibility
Be a self-directed, life-long learner.
Accept responsibility for his/her own physical and mental well-being.
Have academic skills essential to success in global economy and social order.

Alma Mater

Holland Hornets, Holland Hornets,

We stand back of you.

Holland Hornets, we are loyal to our colors true.

We’ll support you and defend you,

We will never fail.

We’ll win this game for Holland High

We’ll fight for you.

Holland School Motto

Holland Independent School District is a place where everybody is somebody.

SECTION I
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

This section of the Holland ISD Student Handbook includes information on topics of particular interest to you as a parent.

QUICK REFERENCE:

Where to look when you need information about …

· Parental involvement page 9

· Grading guidelines