School-Specific Policies

Attendance in school and participation in class are an integral part of academic achievement and the teaching-learning process. Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and personal success in life. Regular attendance by every student is mandatory: the State of Tennessee requires that every child in the state successfully complete mandated requirements for graduation or maintain satisfactory attendance records through the age of eighteen (18). Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility for ensuring that students attend and remain at school daily. The laws of Tennessee require all children between the ages of seven and seventeen, both inclusive, attend school. Because attendance is a key factor in student achievement, students are expected to be present each day that school is in session.

Absences shall be considered “excused” for the following reasons:

• Personal illness
• Illness of an immediate family member
• Death in the family
• Religious observances
• Authorized school-trips and activities (Not to be noted as an actually recordable absence. Such activities are considered “extensions” of the classroom)
• Circumstances that, in the judgment of the principal, create emergencies over which the student has no control. A one-day excused absence is provided for students when their parent or custodian is deployed into active military service. A one-day excused absence will also be allowed for students when their parent or custodian returns from active military service.
• Juniors and Seniors are given two (2) college visitation days per year.  Documentation from the college is required upon return.

Office hours are from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. We appreciate parents calling when their children are sick; however, a note is still needed upon returning to school.

• Upon returning to school after an absence, a student must report to the attendance office with a note from a parent/guardian or doctor.
• Three (3) parent notes per semester will be accepted for student absences. However, a note must be presented with each absence or the student will be assigned detention.
• A doctor’s note for a student absence will be excused only for the time specified on the note. (Ex. A 9:00am appointment for a routine visit would only be excused through the doctor’s office for the first half of the day.)
• If a medical note has been altered in any way, the doctor’s office will be called to verify the absence. If the note has been altered by a student or parent, it will be turned over to the SRO as a forgery.
• A student who has five (5) unexcused absences for the school year will be placed in Tier 2 truancy as mandated by the state, resulting in campus court.
• Students participating in school-sponsored activities whether on or off campus shall not be considered truant or absent. In order to qualify as “school-sponsored”, an activity must be school-planned, school-directed and teacher supervised.
• Truancy is defined as an unexcused absence for any portion of the school day or any portion of a particular class without justifiable reason as determined by the administrator or designee. Truancy represents a blatant, intentional violation of compulsory attendance on the part of the student and will be handled in agreement with school rules and procedures.

• If a student has accumulated ten (10) or more unexcused absences, unexcused check-ins, or unexcused checkouts (as recorded in the Daily Absence Report) for the year, he/she will be ineligible to attend school dances including prom. This policy also extends to signing off that students are in “good standing” in order to attend dances/proms at other schools. 
• If a student has a drug or alcohol related suspension or remand to discipline hearing, he/she will be ineligible to attend any school dance, including prom. This policy also extends to signing off that students are in “good standing” in order to attend dances/proms at other schools. 
• If an eighteen year old student has irregular attendance, due to excessive, unexcused absences, they are advised that enrollment in school can be in jeopardy. Based upon state law, if an 18 year old student misses 10 consecutive days or 15 days due to unexcused absences, their enrollment at Walker Valley can be terminated. Completion of the requirements for a diploma would have to be done elsewhere.

Identification is required when checking a student out of school. Students that drive can be checked out by an email sent to wvhscheckouts@bradleyschools.org. Students being picked up may be checked out at the attendance window. Each student will have four (4) check in/out parent notes per semester. Students may not be checked out after 3:15pm.

In cases where a student becomes sick at school, he/she should get a pass from his/her teacher to see the school nurse. If sick, students will be allowed to check out through the nurse only. If a student is late to school any time after first block begins, he/she must check in through the attendance office. Leaving the campus after arrival or going to the parking lot during the school day requires a signed pass from the attendance office. When a student checks out, he/she must also do this through the attendance office.

A class tardy is defined as an arrival to a work area after class starts as indicated by the bell schedule. If a student is tardy to class his/her teacher will mark them Tardy To Class in Synergy. The Attendance Director will run a daily report and appropriate discipline will be given for each tardy. A student’s tardy count will go back to zero at the beginning of the second semester. However, juvenile citations and warnings will carry over from the first to the second semester.

• Students are allowed four parent notes per semester to excuse tardiness to school.
• All unexcused tardies are calculated on a semester basis and will reset at the semester break.
• The infraction progression will be as follows (If detention is issued and the student does not attend, detention will be doubled.)

Tier 1: Prevention-Oriented Supports

• The progressive truancy plan will be published annually to parents and students prior to the start of the school year.
• The Attendance Director will contact parents/guardians of a student who accumulates five (5) days of unexcused absences. If the parent/guardian does not send in a parent/doctor’s note within three (3) days, the student will be moved to Tier 2 truancy.

Tier 2: Campus Court Mediation

• School personnel will schedule a meeting with the student, parent/guardian, relevant school personnel, and Juvenile Court Staff mediator;
• During the meeting, the student, parent/guardian, school personnel, and Juvenile Court Staff Mediator will draft and sign an agreement. A review date will be set for each agreement. The agreement will include, but will not be limited to:
  • Attendance expectations;
  • Penalties for additional absences;
  • Any additional expectations determined necessary by meeting members; and/or
  • If necessary, referral of the child to counseling, community-based services, or other in-school or out-of-school services aimed at addressing the student's attendance problems.
  • A report of the meeting will be drafted and maintained in the Campus Court system. The report will include the basis for the student’s absences provided by the parent, as well as a report from the school concerning the student’s absences.
  • A review date will be set for each Tier 2 case.

      Tier 3: Campus Court Review and Services

• If following the Tier 2 process, a student accumulates one or more unexcused absences, a review meeting will be scheduled with the student, parent/guardian, relevant school personnel, and the Juvenile Court Staff mediator.
• The mediator may recommend any services deemed necessary by the mediator.
• The student may be referred to the “Behavior Unit” for a service assessment.
• Further absences or non-compliance will result in a Juvenile Court petition for truancy pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6-3009 through Bradley County Juvenile Court.

If Tier 2 or Tier 3 is unsuccessful with a student and the school can document that the student's parent/guardian is unwilling to cooperate with the truancy intervention plan, then a referral may be made to Bradley County Juvenile Court without first having to implement subsequent intervention tiers, if any, pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6- 3009(f)(1-2). Evidence that a parent/guardian is unwilling to cooperate can include, but is not limited to, a parent/guardian's failure or refusal, on multiple occasions, to attend meetings scheduled for Tier 2 or 3 interventions, return telephone calls, attend follow-up meetings, enter into an attendance agreement, or actively participate in any of the tiers of the truancy intervention plan.

Student applicants for drivers license/learner permit under the age of 18 must prove they are enrolled in school and making satisfactory progress. If they have already graduated, they must bring their high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate with them when they apply. If not, they need to ask their school to complete a Certificate of Compulsory School Attendance and take the original part of this form with them to a driver license station. The school reviews the past semester and the student must not have failed more than two classes and must not have more than 10 unexcused absences.The form is valid for only 30 days. If a student fifteen years of age or older drops out of school or fails to make satisfactory academic progress, the school is required to notify the Department of Safety. This suspends the student's driving privileges. The first time a student drops out, he or she may regain the privilege to drive by returning to school and making satisfactory academic progress. There is no second chance, however. The second time a student drops out he or she must wait to turn 18 years old before being eligible to apply.

Teachers and administrators shall strive to provide an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. Students are to have acceptable behavior that allows them to learn without interfering with the learning of other students in the class. Teachers within academies will establish common class rules and procedures that are designed to provide the most beneficial learning environment. Students are to follow school rules at all times, including (but not limited to):

• while traveling on school buses to and from school
• arriving on campus by bus or car
• while in class
• on class breaks or restroom breaks
• while transitioning from class to class
• as they exit at the conclusion of the day
• during field trips
• during all school activities, trips, excursions and other school activities that represent Walker Valley.

Gold Passes: Celebrating and recognizing positive student behaviors and leadership is a focus for Walker Valley teachers, staff, and administrators. Each school year, students will be issued a Gold Pass as their Student Safety ID. Students can maintain this Gold Pass if they maintain good standing throughout the school year. The Gold Pass enables students to participate in special incentives, activities, and discounts. Students may lose their Gold Pass for disciplinary infractions, poor attendance or grades, and/or dress code/Safety ID infractions. In addition to Gold Pass rewards, academy, club, and organizational student leadership positions are available to students each school year, along with recognitions for student leader of the month. Additional incentives and rewards for students promoting positive behavior and leadership will be announced throughout the school year.

Walker Valley’s teachers are encouraged to maintain the behavior of students within the classroom. Parental contact is encouraged should classroom action not affect a change in the behavior. Additional administrative support can be offered through discipline options that include, but are not limited to: verbal warnings, written warnings, loss of privileges, discipline contracts regulating behavior, writing assignments, lunch detention, work details/community service, suspension from the bus, student conferences, parent conferences, restitution, In-School Suspension (ISS), Out of School Suspension (OSS), Juvenile Citations, Juvenile Petitions, discipline hearings and alternative placement. If unruly behavior warrants, students may be transported to juvenile detention or jail by the School Resource Officer.

Students are reminded that, unlike attendance infractions, discipline entries do not start over at the semester. Discipline infractions are recorded for each school year. The following are a list of violations of the expected Code of Student Conduct. Discipline infractions may impact a student’s ability to participate in events and activities both during and after the school day.

• Tardy to School- After 8:15 am, students are to report to the Attendance Office for admission to school. See discipline for tardies.

• Tardy to Class - Upon reporting late to class, without a pass, a student is sent to the Attendance office with a red pass. Upon reporting, the tardy is recorded and disciplined according to the tardy policy.
• Skipping Class - Failure to attend a class after previously being on campus. This may result in detention, work detail, ISS, OSS, or juvenile citation, depending upon severity.
• Failure to Sign In/Out - Students must sign in or out with parent permission from the Attendance Office. 
• Out of Assigned Area - Students are expected to have written permission to be out of the classroom during class or to be outside of the building during the school day if they are not in direct supervision of a teacher or staff member. 
• Leaving Campus without Authorization - Once a student arrives on campus, he/she is not to leave without properly checking out. A student is under school rules once he/she stands at a bus stop or arrives on campus by any other means. Juvenile Citations and/or suspensions are consequences for the first infraction.

Truancy - Parents are contacted daily when a student is absent. Parents are requested to contact the Attendance Office when a student will be absent. Upon the 5^th unexcused absence a student is referred to Campus Court. When truant, a Juvenile Citation is issued.

• Bus Misconduct - Bus suspensions affect all buses, and a parent must transport the student to and from school during a suspension. If damage is done to a bus, transportation is suspended until restitution is made. 
• Cafeteria Misconduct - Each student is to be courteous to staff and be responsible for proper clean-up of his/her trash.  
• Restroom Misconduct - Students are to use the restrooms quickly during transitions and on class breaks. No more than one student is to be in a stall at any time. Skipping class in the restroom or any other area of the school has been addressed above. Vandalism to the restroom facilities will result in restitution, ISS and/or OSS depending on severity of damage.
• Cheating/Plagiarism - Each teacher creates a policy concerning cheating/plagiarism within his/her classroom. 
• Classroom Disruption - Teachers are responsible for classroom rules affecting behavior and the learning environment. Students disrupting class or having an uncooperative attitude are subject to discipline by the teacher.  After classroom efforts have been exhausted, an administrative referral may be written.
• Horseplay - Inappropriate behavior that may include bringing inappropriate items (skateboards, etc.) to school or horseplay in the school. 
• Hallways - Behavior that may cause a disruption or safety concern, such as yelling, running, or congregating.
• Inappropriate Language in Class -Includes improper language, innuendo, and profane language or gestures toward staff and others.
• Inappropriate Social Conduct (referred to as Public Displays of Affection or PDA) - Students are permitted to hold hands or walk arm in arm, but kissing and other touching will be considered inappropriate for an academic setting and will be addressed.

Insubordination to staff - Students are to comply with all reasonable requests.

• Failure to serve detention - If a student fails to attend detention; the assignment is doubled unless other measures are deemed appropriate by the administrator addressing the issue.
• Failure to wear Student Safety Identification - addressed earlier.
• Forged Notes/Forms - If a parent note has been written by another or if a medical admit has been altered in any way. Forgeries may result in detention, referral to campus court, suspension, or the possibility of legal action. 

1. Unauthorized areas

Upon arriving at school, students are to leave their vehicle and report to the building. No loitering in parked cars or leaving campus once a student has arrived. A student must be escorted by an administrator or SRO if a student has to retrieve something from a vehicle. Students are not to enter teacher planning areas unless invited. Unless accompanied by a teacher, no student is to be in the outdoor classroom. Students do not have authorization to access the following areas at any time: roofs, safety access points, maintenance areas, custodial closets, kitchens, and any areas that are blocked off for safety purposes. 

2. Prosecutable Disciplinary Infractions

Many violations result with double consequences- school and the law. With the law, there can be lock up time, court appearances, suspension of driver’s license and fines. The following items: 

• Alcohol use/possession** - If a student is holding alcohol for another, has stored it in his belongings or on campus, is consuming or under the influence of alcohol, the student is subject to this violation. This action is imposed for all school activities both during school and before or after school hours. (Discipline: 10 day OSS, Discipline Hearing, Juvenile Petition)
• Assault- Premeditated, resulting in injury. (Discipline: OSS, possible Juvenile Citation or Juvenile Petition, Discipline Hearing)
• Drug Paraphernalia** - Possessing or using drug paraphernalia or possession of a look-alike substance at any school activity on or off campus. (Discipline: Discipline Hearing, Juvenile Petition).
• Drugs, weapons assault of staff** - Possession, use or distribution of drugs, possession of handgun, rifle or shotgun, possession of explosive or incendiary device or touching or striking a staff member against his or her will or intentionally causing serious bodily harm. (Discipline: Zero Tolerance Suspension-365 days of OSS - this can only be overturned by the Director of Schools through a Discipline Hearing, Juvenile Petitions).
• Fighting - Students are encouraged to resolve conflicts without verbal or physical confrontation. Seek the assistance of a staff member for help in a peaceful resolution. (Discipline:  OSS, Possible Disciplinary Hearing, Juvenile Petition).
• Bullying - Walker Valley High School is committed to being a community school where relationships are based on positive interaction, mutual respect, and cooperation among students, teachers, staff and parents.

Bullying occurs when a person or persons repeatedly verbally, mentally, or physically intimidates one or more students. At Walker Valley High School bullying will not be tolerated and reported incidents will be dealt with in a manner that is relative to a violation of a Level 3 behavior. The administration will address initial reports in an effort to stop the behavior, but subsequent incidents will be subject to the following possible actions: Suspension, Campus Court, Juvenile Court Referral, and Zero Tolerance Suspensions. This list is not all-inclusive, meaning if a behavior is deemed as a severe or a major disturbance to the educational process, actions taken will be deemed as necessary and at the discretion of the administration.

• Theft - Willfully taking property of another, or holding property of another without their knowledge. (Discipline: OSS, Juvenile Petition, restitution, possible discipline hearing).
• Threats / Harassment, Inciting - Words, notes, or actions that are intended to cause fear or concern in another. These behaviors are as harmful as the actual physical action of harm. Therefore, these behaviors will be treated as bullying, fighting, or other severe action.
• Tobacco Use / Vaping / Possession - Walker Valley is a tobacco-free campus. Students are not to be in possession of tobacco, (including vapes) nor use tobacco products while on campus or during school time or activities. (Discipline: Juvenile Citation, 2^nd Juvenile Citation, Juvenile Petition, ISS, possible Discipline Hearing)
• Vandalism - Intentional damage to property of the school or that belonging to another person. (Discipline:  Restitution, ISS / OSS depending on severity of damage)

• Searches and Interrogations - Bradley County School Board Policy (JACB) allows for students to be questioned by teachers or principals in a discreet manner about any matter pertaining to the operation of a school and/or the enforcement of its rules. If a student is suspect or is accused of a school-committed crime, at any time, the principal may interrogate the student without the presence of parents and without giving the student constitutional warnings. Searches can be conducted of any student, place or thing on school property or any possession of any student during any organized school activity, off-campus event or if a reasonable cause has been created. This includes vehicles, lockers and all student storage areas. All lockers of other storage areas provided for student use on school premises remain the property of the school system and are subject to inspection, access for maintenance and search. (TCA 49-6-2008)
• Sexting - With the increased popularity of messaging and transmitting pictures by electronic devices, the Bradley County Juvenile Justice Department has had to address transmissions of inappropriate content. For first time juvenile offenders a program has been implemented to prevent a child pornography charge from being filed against the individual. Reported offenses will be handled by juvenile court with the following discipline:
• an unruly petition will be filed in juvenile court
• a referral to a behavioral unit for monitoring and counseling
• four hours of attendance at a Sexting Class hosted by law enforcement
• No cell phone for 90 days (includes possession or use of any cell phone)
• 20 hours of Community Service
• No Contact Order with other students
• 24 hour curfew
• monetary fine

    In support of the court, the schools will enforce the following:

• 3-10 day suspension-for possession of this material on campus
• A paper is required to be written followed by counseling at the school
• monitoring the cell phone restriction

    A second offense of this manner will result in an arrest for child pornography. 

Eighteen year olds that are found in possession of sexual transmitted images will be charged as adults for child pornography upon the first offense. This record will remain throughout their adult life.

**Students with disciplinary actions related to drugs or alcohol use or offenses that result in a disciplinary hearing will not be allowed to attend dances, including prom. This policy also extends to signing off that students are in “good standing” in order to attend dances/proms at other schools.