VHS Guidelines
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ARTICLES / ITEMS PROHIBITED IN SCHOOL
Each year there are reports of students bringing articles to school that are not related to the educational experience and which often disrupt the learning environment. Such items are hats, radios, mp3 players, IPODS, tape recorders, cameras, toy guns, pocket knives, electronic pagers, etc., should not be brought to school. If impounded, they will only be returned to the parent or at the request of the parents or at the discretion of the administration. Items may be picked up in the discipline office. VHS will not be responsible for items left after 30 days. Only prescription sunglasses may be worn in the classroom. Lap-top computers may be used for educational purposes only. They may be allowed in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. No games, music or headphones are allowed in class. Any violation and the student may lose the privilege of bringing the laptop to school.
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ATTENDANCE POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Regular attendance at school is important for student achievement and should be encouraged. Excessive absence is detrimental to a student’s educational progress. Therefore, family trips and medical appointments should be planned during vacations or after school hours. The environment in a classroom setting is one of interaction among teachers and students. If a student is not present to become involved in this process, the student is denying himself/herself a valuable educational experience. Therefore, teachers are encouraged to give participation points to students who are in attendance and contribute to the learning process. Students can receive 5 handwritten excuses within a 9 week period of time, at which time a Doctor’s note will be needed in order for the absence to be excused. As outlined in the Code of Student Conduct, regular and punctual attendance of all classes is required in compliance with Florida Statutes 232.0 232.09. Marion County recognizes excused absences in the following categories:
1. Personal or family illness (if a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school, student must be under the supervision of a physician in order to receive an excuse from attendance)
2. Medical appointment (physician note required)
3. Religious holiday
4. Death in the family
5. Approved school activity
6. Financial inability
7. Court appearance by student (Summons required)
8. Absence which has been approved prior to the absence by the school administration.
9. Absences not included in the excuses listed above shall be unexcused.
10. Students who are “unexcused” or suspended from school can make up missed work, but will receive partial credit for work completed per school board policy. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the teacher and complete work in a timely manner.
11. Students on "off-campus" suspension will not be permitted to return to campus for any reason. If a student is suspended, or absent on a Friday, he/she may not attend any school function over the weekend. THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY VANGUARD HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY OR BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND ANY SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITY WHETHER ON OR OFF VANGUARD'S CAMPUS. IF A STUDENT VIOLATES THIS PROVISION, THAT STUDENT WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ADDITIONAL DAYS.
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BUS REGULATIONS
Riding the school bus is a privilege. Improper conduct on the bus will result in that privilege being denied. Only regularly scheduled bus students are to ride the school bus. Students will only be allowed to board or get off the bus at their assigned stop. STUDENTS MAY NOT RIDE A BUS OTHER THAN THE ONE THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO RIDE.
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CAFETERIA
1. Students must eat their lunch in the cafeteria or patio areas only.
2. Food and drinks or snacks are not to be consumed in the classrooms or hallways at any time.
3. Students are expected to use their best behavior in the cafeteria.
4. Students are to place trash in the receptacles as they leave the cafeteria.
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS
WE ASK THAT STUDENTS NOTIFY THE GUIDANCE OFFICE OF A CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR A CHANGE IN TELEPHONE NUMBER. SUCH INFORMATION IS NEEDED IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES.
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CHECKING OUT OF SCHOOL
Students will be permitted to check out during the school day for the following reasons: personal illness, family emergency, doctor or dental appointment that cannot be made at a time other than during school hours, or to attend a school sponsored activity. Any other reason for checking out must be approved by the school administration. For a student to check out from school, parental contact must be made from the attendance office. If the parent cannot be contacted by telephone, the student will not be permitted to check out. Parents MUST come into the attendance office and show proper ID to office personnel to pick up students. UPON RETURNING TO SCHOOL, THE STUDENT MUST CHECK IN THROUGH THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE.
EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS
Eighteen-year-old students who wish to declare independence may have their parents complete a notarized form that will allow them to check out for the following reasons:
a. Personal illness
b. Family emergency
c. Doctor/dental appointments
d. Attend a school sponsored activity
e. Court subpoena
***Doctor/dental note or a copy of the court subpoena must be presented upon return in order to receive and excused absence.
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DETENTION
Students may be required to report to detention before school, after school, or on Saturday. The students in detention will be required to bring schoolwork and to work the entire time in detention on that schoolwork. Students must be on time for detention.
DETENTION TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES. We will make every effort to give twenty-four hour notice concerning detention.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION WHEN THEY STAY FOR DETENTION.
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DRESS CODE
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Regulations in reference to grooming and dress for special activities such as athletics, fine arts, and drill team will be governed by the immediate person in charge of these activities under the direction of the principal. Appropriateness and moderation in all things, concern for the health and safety of the students, and the avoidance of distractions to the educational process are the guiding principles of the student dress code. Styles and fads are constantly changing and cannot possibly be covered by specific rules and regulations. The task of evaluating what is proper in the way of dress and grooming is highly controversial, and opinion among people varies. The individual schools will assume responsibility for ruling on specific items of clothing and general appearance for reasons of safety and health, or for the order, well being, and general welfare of students. The Board authorizes school administrators to employ appropriate disciplinary procedures to carry out and enforce this policy. There are minimum standards that will be enforced at each school. Schools have the right to set higher standards based on administrative procedures. School uniforms may be adopted at individual schools
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EXPECTATIONS OF OUR KNIGHTS
Knight Expectations-Knights will do the 3 C's
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GRADUATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Twenty-four (24) credits are required for graduation from all Marion County high schools. . The minimum grade point average for graduation is 2.0 and passing FCAT scores (or equivalent) appropriate to graduation year requirements.
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GUIDANCE SERVICES
The guidance services at Vanguard High School are designed to help the student understand themselves and the world around them. These services can be classified into four areas: APPRAISAL service (school wide testing); COUNSELING service (both individual and group); and PLACEMENT and FOLLOW-UP services. In order to provide these services, there are five guidance counselors available. Appointments must be made when possible. Conferences are held with students who have requested services or have been referred for personal or academic problems. Any student who has a health problem or condition which might create an emergency situation here at school should notify the guidance counselor in writing as to circumstances of the condition and the parent to contact in the event of an emergency.
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GUIDELINES FOR NETWORK ACCESS
The Marion County School Board believes network access is an exciting opportunity to expand learning for educators, students, and parents. The fundamental goal of the network is to provide Marion County students and educators with equal access to the computing resources, which serve public education. Students at Vanguard High School have the capacity to connect to the World Wide Web, electronic mail, and each other. With this opportunity comes the responsibility for appropriate use.
It is a general policy that the network will be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner in accordance with the mission of the MCSB. Users must acknowledge their understanding and agreement with Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines as a condition of receiving access. Failure to adhere to the Policy and Guidelines may result in access privileges being suspended or revoked. In addition, school disciplinary action and/or appropriate action may be taken.
Further information and permission forms that will allow student’s access to the Internet are available from the Media Center. They require a parent signature and are to be turned in to the Media Center in exchange for an Internet Permission Card.
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HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM
During the school year your child is eligible to participate in certain health services throughout the year. Health screenings including, but not limited to, vision, hearing, and scoliosis will be conducted at various grade levels. Parents will be notified if these screenings indicate the need for follow-up. If you do not wish for your child to participate in these screenings, please send a written note to the principal on a yearly basis requesting your child be excluded from participation. Health services begin the first week of school. Parents are encouraged to call the school if they have health concerns regarding their child.
Our visiting School Health Nurses provide health counseling, health education, and assistance with medical referrals and necessary follow-up.
In case of a health emergency, “911” (Emergency Medical Services) will be called and if the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the person designated by the parent/guardian to call “in case of an emergency” will be notified.
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INJURIES / ACCIDENTS
PARENTS: In the event your child is injured during regular school hours any medical expense incurred is the responsibility of the parent. The Marion County School Board does NOT carry medical insurance on students while in school except for high school athletics. The School Board’s liability only covers gross negligence. Therefore, MOST INJURIES WILL NOT BE COVERED, such as accidents during supervised play. If you do not have insurance coverage, we encourage you to purchase the “24 hour Student Accident” or “In-school Accident” insurance coverage which is offered to all parents at the beginning of each school year.
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LOST AND FOUND
Lost articles should be reported to the Front Office. With proper identification, articles, which have been found and turned in to that office, may be picked up there. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BELONGINGS, SO DON’T BE CARELESS. The school cannot be responsible for lost, damaged or stolen articles; however an attempt will be made to help locate them.
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MEDIA CENTER
The Library Media Center supports the instructional program of the school with online resources, library skills and information literacy instruction, computer lab area, books, larger font books, sound recordings, magazines, audio visuals, engaging classroom equipment and other print and nonprint materials. Students entering the Media Center from class must sign in and have a pass signed by their teacher, indicating the time the student left for the center. Passes do not allow a student to go to any other place. Only one student is allowed on a single pass. All students must return to the classes from which their passes were issued within five minutes of signing out of the Media Center. Passes are needed during lunch.
LIBRARY HOURS: DAILY FROM 7:30 A.M. TO 3:20 P.M.
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MEDICINE AND MEDICATION
If students are to take DOCTOR ORDERED medication during the school hours, they must have the OFFICIAL PARENT AUTHORIZATION FORM completed and on file. This form must be updated every three months for long term medications. NO medication is permitted to be given or taken without this completed form. Students are not allowed to keep medication in desks, purses, etc., or on their persons. ALL MEDICATION WILL BE KEPT IN AND DISPENSED THROUGH THE SCHOOL CLINIC.
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MISCONDUCT AND CONSEQUENCE - School Rules
Vanguard High School rules and regulations are based on the laws of the state of Florida, policies of the Superintendent and School Board, and the administration of the school. They are designed to promote the general health, welfare and safety of the student body and ensure the orderly and efficient functioning of the school program. A copy Marion County Student Code of Conduct will be given to each student.
Vanguard High School students are to respect and follow directions of the instructional staff not only in the classroom but all areas of our campus.
When a teacher requires assistance with a continual or an immediate rule infraction, the student involved will be sent to the Dean’s office with a written referral.
Listed below are guidelines of consequences of the rules that students will be governed by while at Vanguard:
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• Cafeteria misbehavior, cutting line, disruption, leaving trays, etc. Work Detail (clean cafeteria), afterschool detention, ISS, or suspension. Suspension or expulsion. Offenses will be reported to police. 1st – warning, parent contact, confiscation, student pickup 2nd – confiscation, ISS – 2days, parent pickup 3rd – confiscation, OSS/Saturday school Zero on assignment, repeat: Discretion of the teacher, Dean or Principal depending on the severity of the offense. Saturday school (1-2 days),ISS (1-2 days) People who are not enrolled at Vanguard High are not to be on campus without a pass (including babies and small children) and will be asked to leave or call police. >li>Destroying or defacing school property: ISS, provide money to replace or repair, afterschool detention, suspension or expulsion (days depend on severity) 1st offense – get a change of clothing, get a written warning referral, parent contact 2nd offense – get a change of clothing, ISS /Sat. School, parent contact 3rd offense – suspension/Saturday school 1st referral = afterschool detention (1day) 2nd referral = afterschool detention (2days) 3rd referral = Saturday School, ISS or suspension. ISS, suspension or expulsion. Saturday school ISS, or suspension. Suspension or expulsion. Saturday school or ISS Saturday school or suspension Suspension or expulsion Study hall, work detail (3 days), Saturday school Warning, suspension of driving privilege on campus, Saturday school or ISS afterschool Detention, Saturday School, ISS, or suspension (1-3 days) Saturday school or ISS 5th tardy – Referral to the Discipline Office for afterschool detention, Saturday school 6th tardy – Afterschool detention, Saturday school 7th tardy –Sat. School or (3) ISS (3) days 8th tardy – ISS (4) or Sat. School (4) days Suspension. Offenses will be reported to police. >li>Threatening and/or striking a teacher: 10 days suspension, arrest and expulsion 1st – teacher/student conference 2nd – Confirmed parent contact 3rd – Parent conference |
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OUTSTANDING KNIGHTS AND SENIOR FAVORITES
Outstanding Knights are chosen from the top ranked 10% of the senior class each year, split evenly between 10 males and 10 females. The faculty will vote on a list of students who qualified based on the following criteria:
1. Must be a member of the graduating senior class.
2. Must have been at Vanguard for at least one year prior to the beginning of the senior year.
3. Must have no discipline referrals.
Senior Favorites will be voted on by the members of the senior class according to predetermined categories.
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PARTICIPATION FEES FOR ATHLETIC / ACTIVITIES
All football participants will pay $85.00. All other athletes and activities will have individual participation fee, contact the sponsor. If the student participates in more than one sport /activity they will pay a maximum of $85.00. STUDENTS MUST PAY THE FEE TO BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR SELECTED SPORT.
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PASSES FOR BEING OUT OF CLASS
Class time is essential. No passes will be issued except in cases of emergency or for the purpose of instructional activities assigned by the teacher. Any student out of an assigned class MUST have the proper hall pass with the TEACHER’S SIGNATURE, STUDENT’S DESTINATION, DATE, AND TIME THE STUDENT LEFT THE CLASSROOM. Any student found in the buildings or grounds without such a pass, in a location other than specified on a pass, or off the most direct route to the class or destination, will receive disciplinary action.
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POLICY FOR MAKING UP WORK MISSED DUE TO ABSENCES
Classwork is to be made up within one day for each day of excused absence. Students must take the initiative to request make-up assignments from teachers upon the return to school and to complete this work within one (1) day for each day of absence except in the case of extenuating circumstances.
If their make-up allowance time runs into the end of the grading period when grades are due, they will receive an “F” for that class. It is the students’ responsibility to meet with his/her teacher to make up work missed. If the student does not make up the work within the required time, the “F” will remain as the grade earned. Students have up to 3 days to bring in notes from parents for absences. All notes must be turned into the Attendance Office before school. Students who are absent 6 times in a “one credit” class or 3 times in a “half credit” class, must demonstrate mastery in order to receive the credit.
100 – 90 = A
89 – 80 = B
79 – 70 = C
69 – 60 = D
59 – 00 = F
Students must check out in the attendance office.
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REPORT CARDS
Copies of report cards are given to the students after each four and a half-week grading period. Once the student receives the report card, it becomes the property of the students and the parents and need not be returned to the school. It is the responsibility of students to take report cards to their parents.
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REST ROOMS
NO EXCUSE WILL BE GIVEN TO SICK STUDENTS WHO REMAIN IN THE REST ROOM DURING THE CLASS TIME WITHOUT INFORMING A TEACHER OR AN ADMINISTRATOR.
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REQUIRED CLOTHING FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES
Required dress for students includes a T- shirt and shorts. Contact the PE department for current requirements. Students must wear socks and athletic shoes. If students wear “sweats” or “warm-ups” in the winter, any color is acceptable.
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SCHOOL PUBLICATION
The school publications and yearbooks are not a public forum, but are a part of the curriculum and learning process at Vanguard High School.
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SERVICE CLUBS
There are clubs at Vanguard High School that render services to the school, community, and the parent organization. These clubs are open for membership to all students who meet the academic and discipline requirements. TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, i.e.: sports programs, clubs, to attend dances, pep rallies, a student MUST maintain a 2.0 GPA or better. No club will hold a meeting without the sponsor. CLUBS ARE NOT SORORITIES OR FRATERNITIES.
Paperwork Required for each club a student joins:
Information Card
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STUDENTS BEING DRIVEN BY PARENTS
Parents are requested to use the loop in front of the gymnasium when bringing students to school in the morning or picking up students in the afternoon. DO NOT USE THE FACULTY PARKING LOT OR THE BUS LOOP.
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STUDENT MAJORITY TO MINORITY TRANSFERS
- The Board authorizes and supports the voluntary transfer of a student from a school in which his/her race is in the majority to a school in which his/her race is in the minority, including transfer by any minority student from a school where the total enrollment of minority students constitutes the majority.
- Application for reassignment made on the basis of majority to minority may be filed at any time.
- Transportation, if requested, shall be provided by the Board for students approved under the majority to minority transfer policy.
- In the event that space is not available at the requested school on a reassignment request under the majority to minority transfer policy, the district shall offer a reasonable comparable alternative school reassignment. Determination of available space shall include, but is not limited to, prescribed classroom teacher/pupil ratio for the requested grades, teacher daily or weekly contact limits (at the high school level), and satisfactory building capacity. If space is not available at the requested school, and the offer of an alternative is not accepted, the request shall be placed on "hold" until such time as space becomes available. At that time, the superintendent and/or his/her designee shall contact the requester.
- Any out-of-area transfer request (reassignment request) which also qualifies as a majority to minority request shall be treated as such, regardless of whether the out-of-area transfer for which the student applied would be granted or denied on the basis for which the transfer was sought.
Please address questions or clarifications to Mr. Tony Burke at 671-7743.
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STUDENT PARKING
Parking at Vanguard High School is a privilege and is by permit only. You must have a VHS parking permit to park on the campus. All students wishing to park on campus must complete an application and meet certain academic standards. Please take time to read the VHS parking application for information regarding parking. You may contact the Discipline office with any questions. Students must exit their vehicles immediately after parking. Congregating/loitering in the parking lot is prohibited.
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SURVEYS
Your child may be asked to respond to surveys during the school year. If you do not wish your child to participate, please notify the school in writing.
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TEACHER / PARENT CONFERENCE
Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher when there is concern about the child. Teacher/Parent conferences on campus should be scheduled in advance through the Guidance office.
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TELEPHONE
The office telephones are for SCHOOL BUSINESS and should be used by students for family emergencies only. In case of an emergency, the office personnel will deliver the message. All arrangements for rides must be made before school, as Vanguard does not have the personnel to take non-emergency messages.
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UNAUTHORIZED AREAS
1. Students are not permitted in areas where classes are in session during their lunch period.
2. Students are not allowed in any parking lot during the school day. Students must leave parking lots immediately upon arrival.
3. Students are not permitted to be in an unassigned area without written permission, for example, snack/coke machines / phones during class.
4. During lunch the following areas are off limits:
a. Around the gym
b. Vocational area
c. Around the portables
d. Baseball area
e. Bus loop
f. Inside the buildings without a pass
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WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
To withdraw from school, a student must obtain a withdrawal form from the Registrar’s Office. ALL TEXTBOOKS MUST BE RETURNED AND DEBTS PAID BEFORE TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE SENT.
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