Rivercrest Colts - Rivercrest Public Schools

Rivercrest Colts
Rivercrest 7-8
Rivercrest High School
1702 West State Hwy. 14
1700 West State Hwy. 14
Wilson, AR 72395
(870) 655-8421
Wilson, AR 72395
(870) 655-8111
Home of the Colts
2015-2016
Student Handbook
Superintendent – Mike Smith
Principal 9-12 – Dr. Tom Bennett
Principal 7-8 – William T. Fortson, II
Assistant Principal – Greg Griffin
Rivercrest School District
RIVERCREST HANDBOOK PARENT-STUDENT SIGNED STATEMENT
2015-2016
_______________________________________
Student’s Name (Print)
_______________
Grade
_________________
Date
1. I have received the Student Handbook complete with discipline, attendance, bus transportation
policies. Please note that although we may not agree with every policy, we understand that the
student must adhere to them while he/she is at school or at school-sponsored activities. In the event
that we are not entirely certain of some aspect of school policy, we will contact the principal for
clarification.
Yes ____ No _____
2. I have received a copy of the student enrollment information to be filled out and returned.
Yes ____ No _____
3. I have received a copy of the Computer/Internet use policy and agree with usage.
Yes ____ No ____
4. I have received a copy of the Act 2243 pertaining to Public School Assessments and Remediation.
Yes ___ No ___
5. I have received a copy of the School-Parent Compact with school and parent responsibilities.
Yes ____ No ____
6. I received a copy of the Parent Consent for Publications of Student information web site.
Yes ___ No ____
7. I have received a copy of the student release form on OBJECTION TO PUBLICATION OF
DIRECTORY INFORMATION. My objections to the disclosure or publication of directory
information to: (as defined in Policy No. 4.13F Privacy of Student Records) Deny Disclosure for the
following:
a. Military Recruiters ________
c. Public and school sources ______
b. Institution of postsecondary education _______
d. Potential employers _______
8. I have received a copy of the Code of Conduct for Athletes.
Yes ___ No ____
9. I received a copy of the Smart Core and Core requirements. These need to be filed with the
counselors.
Yes ____ No ____
10. I received a copy of the Free/Reduced lunch form. These need to be returned to the school even if
you do not qualify.
Yes ____ No ____
11. I received a copy of the homework policy.
Yes ____ No _____
12. I received a copy of the Parental Involvement Plan.
Yes ____ No _____
_______________________________________
Student Signature
_______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
_______________
Date
___________________
Phone
Rivercrest School District
Google Apps for Education Parent Consent Form
(Students Under 13)
Rivercrest School District is excited to be a “Google Apps for Education”
district. Students in grades 4-12 will have Google Education accounts to
use for educational purposes.
What are “Google Apps for Edu” and how will we use them?
See next page.
Students need to know:
Students will follow our acceptable use policy for appropriate use when using Google Apps.
These services are considered an extension of the school’s network. Students have no
expectation of privacy in their use at school, and service administrators have the right to monitor
user accounts for policy and security enforcement.
Parents need to know:
Rivercrest School District’s Acceptable Use Policy will be enforced. School staff will monitor
student use of applications when students are at school. Parents are responsible for monitoring
their child’s use of applications when accessing programs from home. Students are responsible
for their behavior at all times.
Access to and use of Apps for Education is considered a privilege given at the discretion of
Rivercrest School District. RSD maintains the right to withdraw access and use when there is a
reason to believe violations of law or District policies have occurred. In such cases, the alleged
violation will be referred to the Principal for further investigation and account restoration,
suspension or termination.
Child’s name: ___________________________________________________________
Child’s School: __________________________________ Child’s Grade: ___________
Child’s Home Room Teacher: ______________________________________________
I give my child permission to use Google Apps at school.
Parent/guardian Name: ___________________________________________________
Parent/guardian Signature: ________________________________________________
What are Google Apps for Education and how will we use them?
Google Apps for Education are free, web-based tools that allow students to create, edit and share files
and resources for school-related projects using a web browser like Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or
Safari. Since documents are all stored safely on Google servers, we don't have to worry about losing data
from a hard drive crash or a computer glitch.
Google Apps for Education will allow our students to collaborate on reports, spreadsheets and
presentations, and then e-mail the final product to their teachers. This cloud-based application provides
an infrastructure that allows students to collaborate and communicate electronically at no cost to the
district.
Some of the apps available include:
Google Mail – Students will not be using email in the traditional sense. Students will only be able to send
and receive email from teachers and other students for educational purposes. All outside email is
blocked unless communicating with an outside user will enhance the learning process. If
communication with an outside user is requested by the teacher, the teacher will monitor use
during the educational process. An individual email account will be assigned and managed by
Rivercrest School District. The student email address will be [email protected].
Students will be able to check email from any location.
Google Drive – Students will have access to a word processing, spreadsheet, drawing, presentation
toolset that is very similar to Microsoft Office. Students can access these files from any computer and
collaborate with other students and teachers. The ease of access and the ability to collaborate will
remove some of the barriers to learning that currently exist.
Google Sites – Students will have the opportunity to create individual and/or collaborative websites.
Google Calendar – Students will have an individualized calendar to help them organize schedules, daily
activities, and assignments.
Technology use in the Rivercrest School District is governed by federal laws including:
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) – The school district is required by CIPA to have technology
measures and policies in place which protect students from harmful materials including obscene and
pornographic materials.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) – COPPA applies to commercial companies and
limits their ability to collect personal information from children under 13. By default, advertising is turned
off for SMCSD’s presence in Google Apps for Education. No personal student information is collected for
commercial purposes. This permission form allows the school to act as an agent for parents in the
collection of information within the school context. The school’s use of student information is solely for
educational purposes.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) – FERPA protects the privacy of student
education records and gives parents the rights to review student records. The school will not publish
confidential education records for public viewing on the Internet. Parents have the right at any time to
investigate the contents of their student’s email account and Apps for Education files.
STUDENT ELECTRONIC DEVICE and INTERNET USE AGREEMENT
Student’s Name (Please Print)_______________________________________ Grade Level__________
School____________________________________________________________ Date____________
The Rivercrest School District agrees to allow the student identified above (“Student”) to use the district’s
technology to access the Internet under the following terms and conditions which apply whether the
access is through a District or student owned electronic device (as used in this Agreement, "electronic
device" means anything that can be used to transmit or capture images, sound, or data):
1. Conditional Privilege: The Student’s use of the district’s access to the Internet is a privilege conditioned
on the Student’s abiding to this agreement. No student may use the district’s access to the Internet
whether through a District or student owned electronic device unless the Student and his/her parent or
guardian have read and signed this agreement.
2. Acceptable Use: The Student agrees that he/she will use the District’s Internet access for educational
purposes only. In using the Internet, the Student agrees to obey all federal and state laws and regulations.
The Student also agrees to abide by any Internet use rules instituted at the Student’s school or class,
whether those rules are written or oral.
3. Penalties for Improper Use: If the Student violates this agreement and misuses the Internet, the Student
shall be subject to disciplinary action
4. “Misuse of the District’s access to the Internet” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. using the Internet for other than educational purposes;
b. gaining intentional access or maintaining access to materials which are “harmful to minors” as
defined by Arkansas law;
c. using the Internet for any illegal activity, including computer hacking and copyright or intellectual
property law violations;
d. making unauthorized copies of computer software;
e. accessing “chat lines” unless authorized by the instructor for a class activity directly supervised
by a staff member;
f. using abusive or profane language in private messages on the system; or using the system to
harass, insult, or verbally attack others;
g. posting anonymous messages on the system;
h. using encryption software;
i. wasteful use of limited resources provided by the school including paper;
j. causing congestion of the network through lengthy downloads of files;
k. vandalizing data of another user;
l. obtaining or sending information which could be used to make destructive devices such as guns,
weapons, bombs, explosives, or fireworks;
m. gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to resources or files;
n. identifying oneself with another person’s name or password or using an account or password of
another user without proper authorization;
o. invading the privacy of individuals;
p. divulging personally identifying information about himself/herself or anyone else either on the
Internet or in an email unless it is a necessary and integral part of the student's academic
endeavor. Personally identifying information includes full names, address, and phone number.
q. using the network for financial or commercial gain without district permission;
r. theft or vandalism of data, equipment, or intellectual property;
s. attempting to gain access or gaining access to student records, grades, or files;
t. introducing a virus to, or otherwise improperly tampering with the system;
u. degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance;
v. creating a web page or associating a web page with the school or school district without proper
authorization;
w. providing access to the District’s Internet Access to unauthorized individuals;
x. failing to obey school or classroom Internet use rules; or
y. taking part in any activity related to Internet use which creates a clear and present danger of the
substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the district or any of its schools.
z. Installing or downloading software on district computers without prior approval of the technology
director or his/her designee.
5. Liability for debts: Students and their cosigners shall be liable for any and all costs (debts) incurred
through the student’s use of the computers or access to the Internet including penalties for copyright
violations.
6. No Expectation of Privacy: The Student and parent/guardian signing below agree that if the Student
uses the Internet through the District’s access, that the Student waives any right to privacy the Student
may have for such use. The Student and the parent/guardian agree that the district may monitor the
Student’s use of the District’s Internet Access and may also examine all system activities the Student
participates in, including but not limited to e-mail, voice, and video transmissions, to ensure proper use of
the system. The District may share such transmissions with the Student’s parents/guardians.
7. No Guarantees: The District will make good faith efforts to protect children from improper or harmful
matter which may be on the Internet. At the same time, in signing this agreement, the parent and Student
recognize that the District makes no guarantees about preventing improper access to such materials on the
part of the Student.
8. Signatures: We, the persons who have signed below, have read this agreement and agree to be bound
by the terms and conditions of this agreement.
Student’s Signature: _______________________________________________Date _____________
Parent/Legal Guardian Signature: _____________________________________Date__________
Rivercrest High School Student Handbook
2015-2016
Table of Contents
DISTRICT CALENDAR
................................................................................................1
WELCOME TO RIVERCREST
...................................................................................2
Introduction/Alma Mater ............................................................................................................2
Equal Educational Opportunity ...................................................................................................2
Residence Requirements ..............................................................................................................3
Entrance Requirements ................................................................................................................3
Immunizations..............................................................................................................................5
Student Transfers .........................................................................................................................7
Privacy of Students’ Records/Directory Information ..................................................................8
Students who are Foster Children ................................................................................................10
GENERAL CAMPUS INFORMATION .................................................................................11
Cafeteria/Cafeteria Use ................................................................................................................11
Closed Campus ............................................................................................................................11
Contact with Students while at School ........................................................................................12
Visitors to the School ...................................................................................................................13
Lockers ........................................................................................................................................13
Textbooks.....................................................................................................................................13
TRANSPORTATION ...............................................................................................................14
Bus Information ...........................................................................................................................14
Personal Motor Vehicle Information ......................................................................................14
PLANNING A PROGRAM OF STUDIES .............................................................................15
Guidance Counselor .....................................................................................................................15
Classification
................................................................................................................15
Class Load ...................................................................................................................................15
Correspondence Course ...............................................................................................................15
Credit Recovery .......................................................................................................................16
Concurrent Credit .....................................................................................................................16
Early Graduation .........................................................................................................................16
College Early Entry ..................................................................................................................16
Smart Core/Graduation Requirements (Classes of 2016 and 2017) ............................................17
Smart Core/Graduation Requirements (Class of 2018 and Thereafter) ...................................20
Changing Schedules ....................................................................................................................23
GRADES, RECORDS, ETC .....................................................................................................24
Grading Scale ..............................................................................................................................24
Weighted Grading Scale .............................................................................................................24
Academic Reports ........................................................................................................................25
Parent-Teacher Communication .................................................................................................25
Homework ...................................................................................................................................25
Student Records ..........................................................................................................................26
Student Promotion and Retention ................................................................................................26
Attendance ..................................................................................................................................27
Make-Up Work ...........................................................................................................................29
School Trips ............................................................................................................................30
Truancy ...................................................................................................................................30
Withdrawal from School ..............................................................................................................30
GRADUATING WITH HONORS ...........................................................................................30
Valedictorian ...............................................................................................................................30
Salutatorian .............................................................................................................................31
Top 10 Percent ........................................................................................................................31
Honor Graduates .....................................................................................................................31
Arkansas Scholars .......................................................................................................................31
Core Seal on Transcript ..........................................................................................................32
SCHOLARSHIPS ......................................................................................................................32
Academic Challenge Scholarship ...............................................................................................32
Local Scholarships ..................................................................................................................32
AWARDS, HONORS, PRIVILEGES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS ...................................32
Honors/Awards Ceremony ..........................................................................................................32
Honor Students ............................................................................................................................33
Distinguished Student Award .................................................................................................33
Athletic Ceremony .......................................................................................................................33
Colt Award ..............................................................................................................................34
Homecoming ................................................................................................................................34
Prom
........................................................................................................................34
Commencement Ceremony .........................................................................................................36
Semester Exam Exemptions .......................................................................................................36
NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS.........................................................................................37
Married/Independent Students .....................................................................................................37
Pregnant Students ....................................................................................................................37
Homebound Students ..................................................................................................................37
Home Schooled Students .............................................................................................................38
Extracurricular Activity Eligibility for Home Schooled Students ..........................................38
STUDENT CONDUCT .............................................................................................................39
Discipline/Code of Conduct .........................................................................................................39
Behavior Not Covered .................................................................................................................40
Disciplinary Actions ...................................................................................................................40
Discipline: Students with Disabilities ..........................................................................................41
Due Process ..................................................................................................................................42
Search and Seizure / Interrogations .............................................................................................43
Video Surveillance and Other Student Monitoring .....................................................................44
Specific Offenses .........................................................................................................................44
Academic Dishonesty .................................................................................................................44
Bullying and Cyberbullying .........................................................................................................45
Bus Misconduct ..........................................................................................................................47
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices ...........................................................................................47
Controlled Substances ..................................................................................................................49
Dangerous Weapons ...................................................................................................................49
Demonstrations and Disorderly Activities ...................................................................................50
Gangs and Secret Societies .........................................................................................................50
Improper Appearance...................................................................................................................51
Indecent Exposure and Sexual Advances ....................................................................................52
Insult/Abuse of a Teacher ...........................................................................................................52
Overt Affection ............................................................................................................................53
Tardiness .....................................................................................................................................53
Teacher’s Removal of Student from Classroom .........................................................................53
Tobacco and Tobacco Products .................................................................................................54
Discipline Chart ..........................................................................................................................55
ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS ............................................................................................57
Co-Curricular Activities...............................................................................................................57
Student Council............................................................................................................................57
Student Organizations/Equal Access ...........................................................................................57
Fundraising ..................................................................................................................................58
Extracurricular Activities .............................................................................................................58
Interscholastic Athletics and Activities .......................................................................................59
Arkansas Activities Association Scholarship Rule .....................................................................59
Code of Conduct for Athletes ......................................................................................................60
SCHOOL AND STUDENT SAFETY .....................................................................................61
Emergency Drills .........................................................................................................................61
Internet Safety and Electronic Device Use Policy .......................................................................61
Parental Consent for Publication of Information .........................................................................64
Security / Videotapes ...................................................................................................................64
Student Medications.....................................................................................................................64
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ...............................................................................................67
Parental Involvement Plan ...........................................................................................................67
FACULTY AND STAFF ..........................................................................................................70
Administration .............................................................................................................................70
Meet the faculty ...........................................................................................................................70
Rivercrest School District
School Calendar
2015-2016
August 11-12
August 17
September 7
October 16
Professional Development (2 days)
First Day of Classes
Labor Day Holiday (No Classes)
End 1st Quarter (44 Days)
October 19
October 20
October 21
November 25, 26, 27
December 18
December 21-Jan 1
Start of 2nd Quarter
Parent Teacher Conferences (2:00-8:00)
Professional Development
Thanksgiving Holidays
End 2nd Quarter (41 Days)
Christmas Holiday
January 4
January 5
January 18
February 15
March 11
Professional Development (1st snow make-up)
First Day of Second Semester
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Presidents’ Day Holiday (2nd snow make-up)
End of 3rd Quarter (47 Days)
March 14
March 17
March 18
March 21-25
April 15
May 25
May 26
Start of 4th Quarter
Parent Teacher Conferences (2:00-8:00)
Professional Development (3rd snow make-up)
Spring Break
Professional Development (4th snow make-up)
End of 4th Quarter (46 Days)
Professional Development (5th snow make-up)
Make up days for inclement weather: January 4, February 15, March 18, April 15, May
26. Additional snow days will be added to the end of the calendar if needed.
1
Welcome to Rivercrest!
INTRODUCTION
This handbook has been prepared for the benefit and use of the Rivercrest High School students and
parents/guardians. It contains much of the information necessary to familiarize each student and his/her
parents/guardians with the routine affairs of the school. This information is important if our school is to
function in the very best manner possible. We encourage you to read and study this handbook so that you may
become familiar with our school’s traditions, regulations, curriculum, organizations, and activities. The
purpose of this handbook is to have a better informed student body.
Our vision is to equip students with critical life skills, vocational skills, and academic knowledge necessary for
a happy and productive life. This vision will be achieved by preparing students to practice good habits of
citizenship, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, think and work collaboratively, and
communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
RIVERCREST ALMA MATER
Proudly we hail thee so strong and true,
standing for glory and honor today.
Ever we’ll love thee and hold high thy name,
always a guiding force to lead us on our way.
As we go forth from your hallowed halls,
We shall be debted to you each day.
Proudly, we proclaim your name, RIVERCREST;
and with pride we salute the red and gray.
EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
No student in the Rivercrest School District shall, on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
age, or disability be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination
under any educational program or activity sponsored by the District. The District has a limited open forum
granting equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other youth groups.
Inquiries on non-discrimination may be directed to the superintendent, who may be reached at (870) 655-8633.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination or to file a complaint, visit
http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that
serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.
2
RESIDENCE REQUIRMENTS
Definitions:
“Reside” means to be physically present and to maintain a permanent place of abode for an average of no
fewer than (4) calendar days and nights per week for a primary purpose other than school attendance.
“Resident” means a student whose parents, legal guardians, persons having legal, lawful control of the student
under order of a court, or persons standing in loco parentis reside in the school district.
“Residential address” means the physical location where the student’s parents, legal guardians, persons having
legal, lawful control of the student under order of a court, or persons standing in loco parentis reside. A
student may use the residential address of a legal guardian, person having legal, lawful control of the student
under order of a court, or person standing in loco parentis only if the student resides at the same residential
address and if the guardianship or other legal authority is not granted solely for educational needs or school
attendance purposes.
The schools of the District will require two (2) proofs of residential address. Arkansas Code 6-18-202 reads as
follows: “Any person who knowingly gives a false residential address for purposes of public school
enrollment is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
The schools of the District shall be open and free through the completion of the secondary program to all
persons between the ages of five (5) and twenty one (21) years whose parents, legal guardians, or other
persons having lawful control of the person under an order of a court reside within the District 16 and to all
persons between those ages who have been legally transferred to the District for educational purposes.
Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older may establish a residence separate and apart from his or her
parents or guardians for school attendance purposes.
In order for a person under the age of eighteen (18) years to establish a residence for the purpose of attending
the District’s schools separate and apart from his or her parents, guardians, or other persons having lawful
control of him or her under an order of a court, the person must actually reside in the District for a primary
purpose other than that of school attendance. However, a student previously enrolled in the district who is
placed under the legal guardianship of a noncustodial parent living outside the district by a custodial parent on
active military duty may continue to attend district schools. A foster child who was previously enrolled in
District school and who has had a change in placement to a residence outside the District, may continue to
remain enrolled in his/her current school unless the presiding court rules otherwise.
Under instances prescribed in A.C.A. 6-18-203, a child or ward of an employee of the district or of the
education coop to which the district belongs may enroll in the district even though the employee and his/her
child or ward resides outside the district.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
To enroll in a school in the district, the child must be a resident of the district as defined in the Residence
Requirements policy, meet the criteria outlined in the policy for homeless students or foster students, be
accepted as a transfer student, or participate under a school choice option and submit the required paperwork
as required by the choice option.
3
Students may enter kindergarten if they will attain the age of five (5) on or before August 1 of the year in
which they are seeking initial enrollment. Any student who has been enrolled in a state-accredited or stateapproved kindergarten program in another state for at least sixty (60) days, who will become five (5) years old
during the year in which he/she is enrolled in kindergarten, and who meets the basic residency requirement for
school attendance may be enrolled in kindergarten upon written request to the district.
Any child who will be six (6) years of age on or before October 1 of the school year of enrollment and who has
not completed a state-accredited kindergarten program shall be evaluated by the district and may be placed in
the first grade if the results of the evaluation justify placement in the first grade and the child’s parent or legal
guardian agrees with placement in the first grade; otherwise the child shall be placed in kindergarten.
Any child may enter first grade in a district school if the child will attain the age of six (6) years during the
school year in which the child is seeking enrollment and the child has successfully completed a kindergarten
program in a public school in Arkansas.
Any child who has been enrolled in the first grade in a state-accredited or state-approved elementary school in
another state for a period of at least sixty (60) days, who will become age six (6) years during the school year
in which he/she is enrolled in grade one (1), and who meets the basic residency requirements for school
attendance may be enrolled in the first grade.
Students who move into the District from an accredited school shall be assigned to the same grade as they
were attending in their previous school (mid-year transfers) or as they would have been assigned in their
previous school. Home-schooled and private school students shall be evaluated by the District to determine
their appropriate grade placement.
The district shall make no attempt to ascertain the immigration status, legal or illegal, of any student or his/her
parent or legal guardian presenting for enrollment.
Prior to the child’s admission to a district school:
1. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall furnish the child’s social security number, or if they
request, the district will assign the child a nine (9) digit number designated by the department of education.
2. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall provide the district with one (1) of the following
documents indicating the child’s age:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
A birth certificate;
A statement by the local registrar or a county recorder certifying the child’s date of birth;
An attested baptismal certificate;
A passport;
An affidavit of the date and place of birth by the child’s parent or guardian;
United States military identification; or
Previous school records.
3. The parent, guardian, or other responsible person shall indicate on school registration forms whether the
child has been expelled from school in any other school district or is a party to an expulsion proceeding.
The Board of Education reserves the right, after a hearing before the Board, not to allow any person who
has been expelled from another school district to enroll as a student until the time of the person's expulsion
has expired.
In accordance with the policy on immunizations, the child shall be age appropriately immunized or have an
exemption issued by the Arkansas Department of Health.
4
Uniformed Services Member's Children
For the purposes of this policy: "active duty members of the uniformed services" includes members of the
National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section 1209 and 1211;
"uniformed services"4 means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as the
Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health
Services;"veteran" means: a person who served in the uniformed services and who was discharged or released
there from under conditions other than dishonorable; “Eligible child” means the children of:
 active duty members of the uniformed services;
 members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or
retired for a period of one (1) year after medical discharge or retirement; and
 members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active
duty for a period of one (1) year after death.
An eligible child as defined in this policy shall:
1. be allowed to continue his/her enrollment at the grade level commensurate with his/her grade level
he/she was in at the time of transition from his/her previous school, regardless of age;
2. be eligible for enrollment in the next highest grade level, regardless of age if the student has
satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in his/her previous school;
3. enter the District's school on the validated level from his/her previous accredited school when
transferring into the District after the start of the school year;
4. be enrolled in courses and programs the same as or similar to the ones the student was enrolled in
his/her previous school to the extent that space is available. This does not prohibit the District from
performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued enrollment of the
student in the courses/and/or programs;
5. be provided services comparable to those the student with disabilities received in his/her previous
school based on his/her previous Individualized Education Program (IEP). This does not preclude the
District school from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the
student;
6. make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of an incoming student with
disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan, necessary to provide the student with equal
access to education. This does not preclude the District school from performing subsequent
evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student;
7. be enrolled by an individual who has been given the special power of attorney for the student's
guardianship. The individual shall have the power to take all other actions requiring parental
participation and/or consent;
8. be eligible to continue attending District schools if he/she has been placed under the legal guardianship
of a noncustodial parent living outside the district by a custodial parent on active military duty.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Definitions
"In process" means the student has received at least one dose of the required immunizations and is waiting the
minimum time interval to receive the additional dose(s).
“Serologic testing” refers to a medical procedure used to determine an individual’s immunity to Hepatitis B,
Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella.
5
General Requirements
Unless otherwise provided by law or this policy, no student shall be admitted to attend classes in the district
who has not been age appropriately immunized against:
 Poliomyelitis;
 Diphtheria;
 Tetanus;
 Pertussis;
 Red (rubeola) measles;
 Rubella;
 Mumps;
 Hepatitis A;
 Hepatitis B;
 Meningococcal disease;
 Varicella (chickenpox); and
 Any other immunization required by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
The district administration has the responsibility to evaluate the immunization status of district students. The
district shall maintain a list of all students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or who have an
exemption provided by ADH to the immunization requirements based on medical, religious, or philosophical
grounds. Students who are not fully age appropriately immunized when seeking admittance shall be referred to
a medical authority for consultation.
The only types of proof of immunization the district will accept are immunization records provided by a:
A. Licensed physician;
B. Health department;
C. Military service; or
D. Official record from another educational institution in Arkansas.
The proof of immunization must include the vaccine type and dates of vaccine administration. Documents
stating “up-to-date”, “complete”, “adequate”, and the like will not be accepted as proof of immunization. No
self or parental history of varicella disease will be accepted. Valid proof of immunization and of immunity
based on serological testing shall be entered into the student’s record.
In order to continue attending classes in the district, the student must have submitted:
1) Proof of immunization showing the student to be fully age appropriately vaccinated;
2) Written documentation by a public health nurse or private physician of proof the student is in process of
being age appropriately immunized, which includes a schedule of the student’s next immunization;
3) A copy of a letter from ADH indicating immunity based on serologic testing; and/or
4) A copy of the letter from ADH exempting the student from the immunization requirements for the current
school year, or a copy of the application for an exemption for the current school year if the exemption
letter has not yet arrived.
Students whose immunization records or serology results are lost or unavailable are required to receive all age
appropriate vaccinations or submit number 4 above.
Temporary Admittance
While students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or have not yet submitted an immunization
waver may be enrolled to attend school, such students shall be allowed to attend school on a temporary basis
only. Students admitted on a temporary basis may be admitted for a maximum of thirty (30) days (or until
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October 1st of the current school year for the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and meningococcal vaccinations
required at ages eleven (11) and sixteen (16) respectively if October 1st is later in the current school year than
the thirty (30) days following the student’s admittance). No student shall be withdrawn and readmitted in order
to extend the thirty (30) day period. Students may be allowed to continue attending beyond the thirty (30) day
period if the student submits a copy of either number 2 or number 4 above.
Students who are in process shall be required to adhere to the submitted schedule. Failure of the student to
submit written documentation from a public health nurse or private physician demonstrating the student
received the vaccinations set forth in the schedule may lead to the revocation of the student’s temporary
admittance; such students shall be excluded from school until the documentation is provided.
The district will not accept copies of applications requesting an exemption for the current school year that are
older than two (2) weeks based on the date on the application. Students who submit a copy of an application
to receive an exemption from the immunization requirements for the current year to gain temporary admittance
have thirty (30) days from the admission date to submit either a letter from ADH granting the exemption or
documentation demonstrating the student is in process and a copy of the immunization schedule. Failure to
submit the necessary documentation by the close of the thirty (30) days will result in the student being
excluded until the documentation is submitted.
Exclusion from School
In the event of an outbreak, students who are not fully age appropriately immunized, are in process, or are
exempt from the immunization requirements may be required to be excluded from school in order to protect
the student. ADH shall determine if it is necessary for students to be excluded in the event of an outbreak.
Students may be excluded for twenty-one (21) days or longer depending on the outbreak. No student excluded
due to an outbreak shall be allowed to return to school until the district receives approval from ADH.
Students who are excluded from school are not eligible to receive homebound instruction unless the excluded
student had a pre-existing IEP or 504 Plan and the IEP/504 team determines homebound instruction to be in
the best interest of the student. To the extent possible, the student’s teacher(s) shall place in the principal’s
office a copy of the student’s assignments:
 for the remainder of the week by the end of the initial school day of the student's exclusion; and
 by the end of each school's calendar week for the upcoming week until the student returns to school.
It is the responsibility of the student or the student’s parent/legal guardian to make sure that the student’s
assignments are collected.
Students excluded from school shall have five (5) school days from the day the student returns to school to
submit any homework and to make up any examinations. State mandated assessments are not included in
“examinations” and the district has no control over administering state mandated make-up assessments outside
of the state's schedule. Students shall receive a grade of zero for any assignment or examination not completed
or submitted on time.
STUDENT TRANSFERS
The Rivercrest School District shall review and accept or reject requests for transfers, both into and out of the
district, on a case by case basis at the July and December regularly scheduled board meetings.
The district may reject a nonresident’s application for admission if its acceptance would necessitate the
addition of staff or classrooms, exceed the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or school building, or
cause the District to provide educational services not currently provided in the affected school. The district
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shall reject applications that would cause it to be out of compliance with applicable laws and regulations
regarding desegregation.
Any student transferring from a school accredited by the Department of Education to a school in this district
shall be placed into the same grade the student would have been in had the student remained at the former
school. Any grades, course credits, and/or promotions received by a student while enrolled in the Division of
Youth Services system of education shall be considered transferable in the same manner as those grades,
course credits, and promotions from other accredited Arkansas public educational entities.
Any student transferring from home school or a school that is not accredited by the Department of Education
to a district school shall be evaluated by district staff to determine the student’s appropriate grade placement.
The Board of Education reserves the right, after a hearing before the Board, not to allow any person who has
been expelled from another district to enroll as a student until the time of the person’s expulsion has expired.
Except as otherwise required or permitted by law, the responsibility for transportation of any nonresident
student admitted to a school in the district shall be borne by the student or the student’s parents. The district
and resident district may enter into a written agreement with the student or student’s parents to provide
transportation to or from the district, or both.
PRIVACY OF STUDENTS’ RECORDS/DIRECTORY
INFORMATION
Except when a court order regarding a student has been presented to the district to the contrary, all students’
education records are available for inspection and copying by the parents of his/her student who is under the
age of eighteen (18). At the age of eighteen (18), the right to inspect and copy a student’s records transfers to
the student. A student’s parent or the student, if over the age of 18, requesting to review the student’s
education records will be allowed to do so within no more that forty five (45) days of the request. The district
forwards education records, including disciplinary records, to schools that have requested them and in which
the student seeks or intends to enroll.
The district shall receive written permission before releasing education records to any agency or individual not
authorized by law to receive and/or view the education records without prior parental permission. The District
shall maintain a record of requests by such agencies or individuals for access to, and each disclosure of,
personally identifiable information (PII) from the education records of each student. Disclosure of education
records is authorized by law to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A personal record kept
by a school staff member is not considered an education record if it meets the following tests. it is in the sole
possession of the individual who made it; it is used only as a personal memory aid; and information contained
in it has never been revealed or made available to any other person, except the maker’s temporary substitute
For the purposes of this policy a school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator,
supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit
personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to
perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student
serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school
official in performing his or her tasks.
For the purposes of this policy a school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to
review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility, contracted duty, or duty of
elected office.
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In addition to releasing PII to school officials without permission, the District may disclose PII from the
education records of students in foster care placement to the student’s caseworker or to the caseworker’s
representative without getting prior consent of the parent (or the student if the student is over eighteen (18)).
For the District to release the student’s PII without getting permission:
 The student must be in foster care;
 The individual to whom the PII will be released must have legal access to the student’s case plan; and
 The Arkansas Department of Human Services, or a sub-agency of the Department, must be legally
responsible for the care and protection of the student.
The District discloses personally identifiable information from an education record to appropriate parties,
including parents, in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the
health or safety of the student or other individuals. The superintendent or designee shall determine who will
have access to and the responsibility for disclosing information in emergency situations.
When deciding whether to release personally identifiable information in a health or safety emergency, the
District may take into account the totality of the circumstances pertaining to a threat to the health or safety of a
student or other individuals. If the District determines that there is an articulable and significant threat to the
health or safety of a student or other individuals, it may disclose information from education records to any
person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other
individuals.
For purposes of the policy, the Rivercrest School District does not distinguish between a custodial and
noncustodial parent, or a non-parent such as a person acting in loco parentis or a foster parent with respect to
gaining access to a student’s records. Unless a court order restricting such access has been presented to the
district to the contrary, the fact of a person’s status as parent or guardian, alone, enables that parent or guardian
to review and copy his child’s records.
If there exists a court order which directs that a parent not have access to a student or his records, the parent,
guardian, person acting in loco parentis, or an agent of the Department of Human Services must present a filemarked copy of such order to the building principal and the superintendent. The school will make good-faith
efforts to act in accordance with such court order, but the failure to do so does not impose legal liability upon
the school. The actual responsibility for enforcement of such court orders rests with the parents or guardians,
their attorneys, and the court which issued the order.
A parent or guardian does not have the right to remove any material from a student’s records, but such parent
or guardian may challenge the accuracy of a record. The right to challenge the accuracy of a record does not
include the right to dispute a grade, disciplinary rulings, disability placements, or other such determinations,
which must be done only through the appropriate teacher and/or administrator, the decision of whom is final.
A challenge to the accuracy of material contained in a student’s file must be initiated with the building
principal, with an appeal available to the superintendent or his designee. The challenge shall clearly identify
the part of the student’s record the parent wants changed and specify why he/she believes it is inaccurate or
misleading. If the school determines not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the
requesting parent or student of the decision and inform them of their right to a hearing regarding the request
for amending the record. The parent or eligible student will be provided information regarding the hearing
procedure when notified of the right to a hearing.
Unless the parent or guardian of a student (or student, if above the age of eighteen (18)) objects, directory
information about a student may be made available to the public, military recruiters, post-secondary
educational institutions, prospective employers of those students, as well as school publications such as annual
yearbooks and graduation announcements. “Directory information” includes, but is not limited to, a student’s
name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, dates of
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attendance, his/her placement on the honor roll (or the receipt of other types of honors), as well as his/her
participation in school clubs and extracurricular activities, among other. If the student participates in inherently
public activities (for example, basketball, football, or other interscholastic activities), the publication of such
information will be beyond the control of the district. A student’s name and photograph will only be displayed
on the district or school’s web page(s) after receiving the written permission from the student’s parent or
student if over the age of 18.
The form for objecting to making directory information available is located in the back of the student
handbook and must be completed and signed by the parent or age-eligible student and filed with the building
principal’s office no later than ten (10) school days after the beginning of each school year or the date the
student is enrolled for school. Failure to file an objection by that time is considered a specific grant of
permission. The district is required to continue to honor any signed-opt out form for any student no longer in
attendance at the district.
The right to opt out of the disclosure of directory information under Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) does not prevent the district from disclosing or requiring a student to disclose the student's name,
identifier, or institutional email address in a class in which the student is enrolled.
Parents and students over the age of 18 who believe the district has failed to comply with the requirements for
the lawful release of student records may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education at Family
Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
20202.
STUDENTS WHO ARE FOSTER CHILDREN
The district will afford the same services and educational opportunities to foster children that are afforded
other children and youth. The district shall work with the Department of Human Services (“DHS”), the
Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), and individuals involved with each foster child to ensure that
he/she is able to maintain his/her continuity of educational services to the fullest extent that is practical and
reasonable.
The superintendent or his/her designee shall appoint an appropriate staff person to be the local educational
liaison for foster children and youth whose responsibilities shall include ensuring the timely school enrollment
of each foster child and assisting foster children who transfer between schools by expediting the transfer of
relevant educational records.
The District, working with other individuals and agencies shall, unless the presiding court rules otherwise,
ensure that the foster child remains in his/her school of origin, even if a change in the foster child’s placement
results in a residency that is outside the district. In such a situation, the District will work with DHS to arrange
for transportation to and from school for the foster child to the extent it is reasonable and practical.
Upon notification to the District’s foster care liaison by a foster child’s caseworker that a foster child’s school
enrollment is being changed to one of the district’s schools, the school receiving the child must immediately
enroll him/her. Immediate enrollment is required even if a child lacks the required clothing, academic or
medical records, or proof of residency.
A foster child’s grades shall not be lowered due to absence from school that is caused due to absence from
school that is caused by a change in the child’s school enrollment, the child’s attendance at dependencyneglect court proceedings, or other court-ordered counseling or treatment.
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Any course work completed by the foster child prior to a school enrollment change shall be accepted as
academic credit so long as the child has satisfactorily completed the appropriate academic placement
assessment.
If a foster child was enrolled in a district school immediately prior to completing his/her graduation
requirements while detained in a juvenile detention facility or while committed to the Division of Youth
Services of DHS, the district shall issue the child a diploma.
General Campus Information…
CAFETERIA AND CAFETERIA USE
Our school has a modern lunchroom staffed by courteous, qualified cooks. For students, the price of lunch is
$2.25 and the price of breakfast is $1.00. Rivercrest High School participates in the free/reduced breakfast and
lunch program, and forms are available in the office. Students will be issued a Meals Plus card, which they
will use to pay for their meals, at the beginning of school. Students must keep up with this card. There will be
a charge for any replacement card issued.
Students will comply with the following rules while going to and eating in the cafeteria:
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Nutrition guidelines do not permit students to bring sodas or outside food into the cafeteria.
Walk when going to and from the cafeteria.
Get in line and stay in place.
Be courteous to all school personnel helping in the cafeteria.
Put trays, trash, and silverware in the proper receptacles when cleaning up.
Display good manners and courtesy at all times.
Keep all food and drink in the cafeteria.
Any student who violates the school code of conduct in the cafeteria may be suspended from eating in the
cafeteria for a definite period of time. The student will be provided lunch at another location.
CLOSED CAMPUS
Rivercrest operates as a closed campus, and students will be required to remain on campus once they arrive to
begin the school day.
Requests for early dismissal must be presented in writing, signed by the parent or guardian, and given to the
office before the first period begins.
A student who becomes ill or has a situation arise during the day that would make it necessary for the student
to leave before the end of the day will be allowed to leave only when it has been verified that a member of the
family is home or that a parent or guardian has given permission to leave.
Any student leaving campus must bring a written note signed by a parent/guardian with a verification phone
number before the first period bell so the office can verify the information and properly complete the sign-out
sheet in the high school office. This also applies to students 18 or older.
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CONTACT WITH STUDENTS WHILE AT SCHOOL
CONTACT BY PARENTS
Parents wishing to speak to their children during the school day shall register first with the office.
CONTACT BY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS
If there is any question concerning the legal custody of the student, the custodial parent shall present
documentation to the principal or his/her designee establishing the parent’s custody of the student. It shall be
the responsibility of the custodial parent to make any court ordered “no contact” or other restrictions regarding
the non-custodial parent known to the principal by presenting a copy of a file-marked court order. Without
such a court order on file, the school will release the child to either of his/her parents. Non-custodial parents
who file with the principal a date-stamped copy of current court orders granting visitation may eat lunch,
volunteer in their child’s classroom, or otherwise have contact with their child during school hours and the
prior approval of the school’s principal.
Unless prior arrangements have been made with the school’s principal, Arkansas law provides that the transfer
of a child between his/her custodial parent and non-custodial parent, when both parents are present, shall not
take place on the school’s property on normal school days during normal hours of school operation.
CONTACT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, OR BY COURT ORDER
State Law requires that Department of Human Services employees, local law enforcement, or agents of the
Crimes against Children Division of the Department of Arkansas State Police, may interview students without
a court order for the purpose of investigating suspected child abuse. In instances where the interviewers deem
it necessary, they may exercise a “72-hour hold” without first obtaining a court order. Except as provided
below, other questioning of students by non-school personnel shall be granted only with a court order directing
such questioning, with permission of the parents of a student (or the student if above eighteen [18] years of
age), or in response to a subpoena or arrest warrant.
If the district makes a report to any law enforcement agency concerning student misconduct or if access to a
student is granted to a law enforcement agency due to a court order, the principal or the principal’s designee
shall make a good faith effort to contact the student’s parent, legal guardian, or other person having lawful
control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis identified on student enrollment forms. The principal
or the principal's designee shall not attempt to make such contact if presented documentation by the
investigator that notification is prohibited because a parent, guardian, custodian, or person standing in loco
parentis is named as an alleged offender of the suspected child maltreatment. This exception applies only to
interview requests made by a law enforcement officer, an investigator of the Crimes against Children Division
of the Department of Arkansas State Police, or an investigator or employee of the Department of Human
Services.
In instances other than those related to cases of suspected child abuse, principals must release a student to
either a police officer who presents a subpoena for the student, or a warrant for arrest, or to an agent of state
social services or an agent of a court with jurisdiction over a child with a court order signed by a judge. Upon
release of the student, the principal or designee shall give the student’s parent, legal guardian, or other person
having lawful control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis notice that the student has been taken
into custody by law enforcement personnel or a state’s social services agency. If the principal or designee is
unable to reach the parent, he or she shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to get a message to the parent to
call the principal or designee, and leave both a day and an after-hours telephone number.
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CONTACT BY PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE STANDARDS BOARD INVESTIGATORS
Investigators for the Professional Licensure Standards Board may meet with students during the school day to
carry out the investigation of an ethics complaint.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
Parents, grandparents, legal guardians, business, and community members are welcome and encouraged to
visit district schools. To minimize the potential for disruption of the learning environment, visitors, for a
purpose other than to attend an activity open to the general public, are required to first report to the school’s
main office. No one shall be exempt from this requirement. Visitors who are Level 3 or Level 4 sex offenders
may only enter a school campus as permitted by law.
Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to participate in regularly scheduled visitation events such as
school open houses and parent/teacher conferences. Additional conferences are best when scheduled in
advance. Conferences shall be scheduled at a time and place to accommodate those participating in the
conference. Visits to individual classrooms during class time are permitted on a limited basis with the
principal’s prior approval and the teacher’s knowledge.
Visitors, including parents wishing to speak with students during the school day shall register first with the
office.
The district has the right to ask disruptive visitors to leave its school campuses. Principals are authorized to
seek the assistance of law enforcement officers in removing any disruptive visitors who refuse to leave school
property when requested to do so.
LOCKERS
Students in grades 9-12 are assigned lockers alphabetically by grade. Locks will be given when the $5 rental
fee for the locker and lock is paid. A student should not use a locker other than the one which has been
assigned to him/her. Lockers should be kept clean and neat at all times. Each student is solely responsible for
ALL items located in their assigned locker.
TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks are furnished by the State of Arkansas. It is the student’s responsibility to care for the property with
which he/she has been entrusted. Payment is required for damaged or lost books.
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Transportation…
BUS INFORMATION
Riding the bus to school is not the right of any student; it is the privilege of all. In accepting this privilege
provided by the Rivercrest School District, the student is expected to conduct himself/herself on the bus as
he/she is expected to do in the classroom.
 Students shall be well-behaved and orderly on the bus;
 Stay in your seat when the bus is in motion;
 Do not put your hands, arms, or other objects out open windows; and
 Do not throw objects from open windows.
Disciplinary action will be taken against any student who fails to cooperate in keeping order on the bus.
Failure to cooperate will result in suspension from the bus.
PERSONAL MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION
Driving a personal motor vehicle on campus is a privilege. In order to maintain this privilege, it is
necessary that the student driver be aware of and adheres to the following rules and regulations for drivers:
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All motor vehicles must be registered in the principal’s office. When completing the registration sheet,
it is necessary to know the name, model, color, and tag number of the vehicle;
To register a vehicle, the student must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance on the
vehicle that will be driven to school. Students must also have at least a 2.0 GPA in order to drive a
vehicle to school;
At the time of registration, the student will purchase an RHS parking sticker for a $5 fee. A second
sticker will cost $8;
The parking sticker must be displayed and is to be hooked on the inside mirror;
Vehicle operators are to abide by all speed limits coming to and going from school;
The registered operator of each vehicle is responsible for the conduct of the passengers in that vehicle;
Students are to use the student parking lot located across the drive on the west side of the campus;
Students must leave the vehicle as soon as it is parked and come into the building;
Any student going to his/her vehicle without permission before the last bell rings after school will
forfeit his/her privilege of driving on campus;
No not park on the burms; and
Students shall not operate a vehicle on school grounds while using a wireless communication device.
ANY PERSON FAILING TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS WILL LOSE THE
PRIVILEGE OF DRIVING ON CAMPUS.
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Planning a Program of Studies…
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
A full time guidance counselor is available to assist students with individual problems. Guidance services
include conducting student conferences for planning courses of action for the present and the future;
administering, interpreting and keeping records of standardized tests and permanent records; providing
educational and occupational information; and maintaining vocational preparation and placement. The
counselor is available for conferences in situations relative to problems of adjustment and placement, choice of
subjects, and selection of a college or vocational institution. To help students identify personal strengths and
weaknesses in specific academic areas, to provide teachers with an evaluation of individual students in specific
academic areas, and to provide the Arkansas Department of Education with required evaluations, the counselor
supervises the administering of a variety of standardized tests throughout the year.
CLASSIFICATION
When planning a program of studies, the student should be aware of his/her grade classification.
Student classification is based on the number of credits that the student has earned, not on the number
of years that the student has been enrolled in school.
To be classified as a:
Sophomore, the student must have at least
Junior, the student must have at least
Senior, the student must have at least
6 credits
11 credits
16 credits
CLASS LOAD
ACT 675 of 2003 requires all students to attend a full day of school. No more than one class period for
extracurricular activities is allowed. The student should consult with the guidance counselor to be sure that
he/she understands which classes are considered academic.
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Up to four credits may be earned through correspondence courses from an accredited institution. A student
wanting to take a correspondence course should talk with the guidance counselor for information, directions,
and help. The counselor also can tell the student the amount of the fee for the course. The courses are
administered through a college or university. The student will complete work without the aid of a teacher and
mail the work in to the institution. The final exam will be monitored by a designated RHS staff member and
mailed to the institution for grading. If the student does not pass the course, no credit will be awarded. If the
student does pass the course, one half credit will be awarded. Correspondence courses will be accepted ONLY
after the student has failed the class at RHS.
Seniors needing credit through correspondence should order the course work no later than January 15.
The course must be completed leaving adequate time for the institution to grade and return grade report before
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graduation. For a senior who did not graduate with his/her class, correspondence courses must be completed
within nine months following the final year in high school in order to meet graduation requirements.
CREDIT RECOVERY
Students who receive a failing grade in a core class will be enrolled in a Credit Recovery program, which is
offered during the school day via online instruction in our Plato Lab. A “B” is the maximum grade which may
be earned in a Credit Recovery course. The grade earned in a Credit Recovery course will appear on the
student’s transcript along with the original grade.
CONCURRENT CREDIT
Students in grades 9-12 who successfully complete a course or courses offered by a publicly supported
community college, technical college, four-year college or university, or private institution shall be entitled to
receive both high school and college grades and credit, including credit toward high school graduation,
according to the regulations specified in the Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing Concurrent
College and High School Credit for Students who Have Completed the Eighth Grade.
College course credit may be used as high school elective credit and in some instances the college course may
substitute for a high school requirement. Three semester hours of college credit shall be the equivalent of one
unit of high school credit in the same subject area. A three-semester hour remedial/developmental education
course shall be the equivalent of one-half unit of credit for a high school career focus elective.
The student will be responsible for enrolling in the class, paying the tuition, and purchasing any books or
materials which are needed. The student is also responsible for requesting that the college or university
send the student’s grade to RHS.
If an Arkansas public college or university or private institution requires a college course placement score
greater than a score of 19 on the ACT or an equivalent assessment, the public school student must meet that
institution’s concurrent admissions and course placement requirements.
If interested, the student should see the Guidance Counselor for requirements and to obtain a copy of the
regulations governing college enrollment while in high school.
EARLY GRADUATION
A student who has completed ALL requirements for graduation by the end of his/her third year of high school
(junior year) may elect to graduate a year early and omit the senior year. The student must apply for early
graduation by September 1 of the last year of enrollment.
COLLEGE EARLY ENTRY
A student who has not completed all graduation requirements at the end of the third year (junior year) but
wants to enter college rather than to stay on campus and complete the senior year may be eligible for the
college early entry plan.
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A student who thinks that he/she may be interested in this plan should discuss the option with the Guidance
Counselor. The student should be sure that he/she completely understands the qualifications, requirements, and
responsibilities of the plan. After serious consideration by the student and a statement of approval of the plan
from the parents or guardians, the student should secure a permission form from the counselor.
Qualifications for application to the College Early Entry Plan are the following:
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Students electing to omit their senior year to enter college must have completed at least
sixteen academic credits. The courses for which the credits were earned must be approved by
the principal as acceptable for the student to proceed with the plan.
All additional course work required for graduation from Rivercrest High School must be
completed by correspondence courses or dual credit. The student should work with the
counselor to arrange this.
Students must have maintained at least a “B” average (3.00 GPA) in all course work
completed while attending RHS.
Students desiring to walk in the graduation ceremony with their class and/or receive a
Rivercrest High School diploma must obtain permission from the principal and
superintendent.
The College Early Entry student must be completely aware of the fact that it is the student’s responsibility to
stay in contact with the school throughout the year prior to graduation in order to be aware of and meet all
deadlines related to senior pictures and graduation.
SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE CLASSES OF 2016 AND 2017
All students are required to participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless their parents or guardians, or the
students if they are 18 years of age or older, sign a Smart Core Waiver Form to not participate. While Smart
Core is the default option, both a Smart Core Informed Consent Form and a Smart Core Waiver Form will be
sent home with students prior to their enrolling in seventh grade, or when a 7-12 grade student enrolls in the
district for the first time and there is not a signed form in the student’s permanent record. Parents must sign
one of the forms and return it to the school so it can be placed in the students’ permanent records. This policy
is to be included in student handbooks for grades 6-12 and both students and parents must sign an
acknowledgement they have received the policy. Those students not participating in the Smart Core
curriculum will be required to fulfill the Core curriculum or the requirements of their IEP (when applicable) to
be eligible for graduation. Counseling by trained personnel shall be available to students and their parents or
legal guardians prior to the time they are required to sign the consent forms.
While there are similarities between the two curriculums, following the Core curriculum may not qualify
students for some scholarships and admission to certain colleges could be jeopardized. Students initially
choosing the Core curriculum may subsequently change to the Smart Core curriculum providing they would be
able to complete the required course of study by the end of their senior year. Students wishing to change their
choice of curriculums must consult with their counselor to determine the feasibility of changing paths.
This policy, the Smart Core curriculum, and the courses necessary for graduation shall be reviewed by staff,
students, and parents at least every other year to determine if changes need to be made to better serve the needs
of the district’s students. The superintendent, or his/her designee, shall select the composition of the review
panel.
17
Sufficient information relating to Smart Core and the district’s graduation requirements shall be communicated
to parents and students to ensure their informed understanding of each. This may be accomplished through any
or all of the following means:
 Inclusion in the student handbook of the Smart Core curriculum and graduation requirements;
 Discussion of the Smart Core curriculum and graduation requirements at the school’s annual public
meeting, PTA meetings, or a meeting held specifically for the purpose of informing the public on this
matter;
 Discussions held by the school’s counselors with students and their parents; and/or
 Distribution of a newsletter(s) to parents or guardians of the district’s students.
Administrators, or their designees, shall train newly hired employees, required to be licensed as a condition of
their employment, regarding this policy. The district’s annual professional development shall include the
training required by this paragraph.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The number of units students must earn to be eligible for high school graduation is to be earned from the
categories listed below. A minimum of 22 units is required for graduation for a student participating in either
the Smart Core or Core curriculum. In addition to the 22 units required for graduation by the Arkansas
Department of Education, the district requires an additional two units to graduate for a total of 24 units. The
additional required units may be taken from any electives offered by the district. There are some distinctions
made between Smart Core units and Graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply
to Smart Core requirements.
SMART CORE: Sixteen (16) units
English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
Oral Communications: one-half (1/2) unit
Mathematics: four (4) units (all students under Smart Core must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or 12
and complete Algebra II.)
 1. Algebra I or Algebra A & B* which may be taken in grades 7-8 or 8-9;
 2. Geometry or Investigating Geometry or Geometry A & B* which may be taken in grades 8-9 or 910;
*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the
four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each
toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.
 3. Algebra II; and
4. The fourth unit may be either:
 A math unit beyond Algebra II: this can include Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Statistics, Algebra
III, Advanced Topic and Modeling in Mathematics, Mathematical Applications and
Algorithms, Linear Systems and Statistics, or any of several IB or Advanced Placement math
courses (Comparable concurrent credit college courses may be substituted where applicable);
or
 one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of Computer Programming, ADE
Computer Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer Science, or other
options approved by ADE.
Natural Science: a total of three (3) units with lab experience chosen from
One unit of Biology; and either:
18
Two units chosen from the following three categories (there are acceptable options listed by the ADE for
each):
 Physical Science;
 Chemistry;
 Physics or Principles of Technology I & II or PIC Physics; or
One unit from the three categories above and one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of
Computer Programming, ADE Computer Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer
Science, or other options approved by ADE.
Social Studies: three (3) units
 Civics one-half (½) unit
 World History - one unit
 American History - one unit
Physical Education: one-half (1/2) unit
Note: While one-half (1/2) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward
fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.
Health and Safety: one-half (1/2) unit
Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can
count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.7
Fine Arts: one-half (1/2) unit
CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units
All career focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s
contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and
reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where
appropriate.
CORE: Sixteen (16) units
English: four (4) units – 9, 10, 11, and 12
Oral Communications: one-half (1/2) unit
Mathematics: four (4) units
 Algebra or its equivalent* - 1 unit
 Geometry or its equivalent* - 1 unit
 All math units must build on the base of algebra and geometry knowledge and skills.
 (Comparable concurrent credit college courses may be substituted where applicable)
 one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of Computer Programming, ADE Computer
Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer Science, or other options approved by
ADE may be substituted for a math credit beyond Algebra I and Geometry
*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the
four (4) unit requirement.
Science: three (3) units
 at least one (1) unit of biology or its equivalent; and
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Two units chosen from the following three categories:
 Physical Science;
 Chemistry;
 Physics; or
One unit from the three categories above and one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of
Computer Programming, ADE Computer Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer
Science, or other options approved by ADE.
Social Studies: three (3) units
 Civics one-half (1/2) unit
 World history, one (1) unit
 American History, one (1) unit
Physical Education: one-half (1/2) unit
Note: While one-half (1/2) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward
fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.
Health and Safety: one-half (1/2) unit
Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can
count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits. 7
Fine Arts: one-half (1/2) unit
CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units
All career focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s
contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and
reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where
appropriate.
SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE CLASS OF 2018 AND THEREAFTER
All students are required to participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless their parents or guardians, or the
students if they are 18 years of age or older, sign a Smart Core Waiver Form to not participate. While Smart
Core is the default option, both a Smart Core Informed Consent Form and a Smart Core Waiver Form will be
sent home with students prior to their enrolling in seventh grade, or when a 7-12 grade student enrolls in the
district for the first time and there is not a signed form in the student’s permanent record. Parents must sign
one of the forms and return it to the school so it can be placed in the students’ permanent records. This policy
is to be included in student handbooks for grades 6-12 and both students and parents must sign an
acknowledgement they have received the policy. Those students not participating in the Smart Core
curriculum will be required to fulfill the Core curriculum or the requirements of their IEP (when applicable) to
be eligible for graduation. Counseling by trained personnel shall be available to students and their parents or
legal guardians prior to the time they are required to sign the consent forms.
While there are similarities between the two curriculums, following the Core curriculum may not qualify
students for some scholarships and admission to certain colleges could be jeopardized. Students initially
choosing the Core curriculum may subsequently change to the Smart Core curriculum providing they would
20
be able to complete the required course of study by the end of their senior year. Students wishing to change
their choice of curriculums must consult with their counselor to determine the feasibility of changing paths.
This policy, the Smart Core curriculum, and the courses necessary for graduation shall be reviewed by staff,
students, and parents at least every other year to determine if changes need to be made to better serve the needs
of the district’s students. The superintendent, or his/her designee, shall select the composition of the review
panel.
Sufficient information relating to Smart Core and the district’s graduation requirements shall be communicated
to parents and students to ensure their informed understanding of each. This may be accomplished through any
or all of the following means:
 Inclusion in the student handbook of the Smart Core curriculum and graduation requirements;
 Discussion of the Smart Core curriculum and graduation requirements at the school’s annual public
meeting, PTA meetings, or a meeting held specifically for the purpose of informing the public on this
matter;
 Discussions held by the school’s counselors with students and their parents; and/or
 Distribution of a newsletter(s) to parents or guardians of the district’s students.
Administrators, or their designees, shall train newly hired employees, required to be licensed as a condition of
their employment, regarding this policy. The district’s annual professional development shall include the
training required by this paragraph.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The number of units students must earn to be eligible for high school graduation is to be earned from the
categories listed below. A minimum of 22 units is required for graduation for a student participating in either
the Smart Core or Core curriculum. In addition to the 22 units required for graduation by the Arkansas
Department of Education, the district requires an additional two units to graduate for a total of 24 units. The
additional required units may be taken from any electives offered by the district. There are some distinctions
made between Smart Core units and Graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply
to Smart Core requirements.
Digital Learning Courses
The District shall offer one or more digital learning course(s) through one or more District approved
provider(s) as either a primary or supplementary method of instruction. The courses may be in a blended
learning, online-based, or other technology-based format. In addition to the other graduation requirements
contained in this policy, students are required to take at least one (1) digital learning course for credit while in
high school.
SMART CORE: Sixteen (16) units
English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
Oral Communications: one-half (1/2) unit
Mathematics: four (4) units (all students under Smart Core must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or 12
and complete Algebra II.)
 1. Algebra I or Algebra A & B* which may be taken in grades 7-8 or 8-9;
 2. Geometry or Investigating Geometry or Geometry A & B* which may be taken in grades 8-9 or 910;
21
*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the
four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each
toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.
 3. Algebra II; and
 4. The fourth unit may be either:
 A math unit beyond Algebra II: this can include Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Statistics, Algebra III,
Advanced Topic and Modeling in Mathematics, Mathematical Applications and Algorithms,
Linear Systems and Statistics, or any of several IB or Advanced Placement math courses
(Comparable concurrent credit college courses may be substituted where applicable); or
 one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of Computer Programming, ADE
Computer Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer Science, or other
options approved by ADE.
Natural Science: a total of three (3) units with lab experience chosen from
One unit of Biology; and either:
Two units chosen from the following three categories (there are acceptable options listed by the ADE for
each):
 Physical Science;
 Chemistry;
 Physics or Principles of Technology I & II or PIC Physics; or
One unit from the three categories above and one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of
Computer Programming, ADE Computer Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer
Science, or other options approved by ADE.
Social Studies: three (3) units
 Civics one-half (½) unit
 World History - one unit
 American History - one unit
Physical Education: one-half (1/2) unit
Note: While one-half (1/2) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward
fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.
Health and Safety: one-half (1/2) unit
Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can
count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits. 8
Fine Arts: one-half (1/2) unit
CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units
All career focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s
contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and
reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where
appropriate.
CORE: Sixteen (16) units
English: four (4) units – 9, 10, 11, and 12
22
Oral Communications: one-half (1/2) unit
Mathematics: four (4) units
 Algebra or its equivalent* - 1 unit
 Geometry or its equivalent* - 1 unit
 All math units must build on the base of algebra and geometry knowledge and skills.
 (Comparable concurrent credit college courses may be substituted where applicable)
 one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of Computer Programming, ADE Computer
Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer Science, or other options approved by
ADE may be substituted for a math credit beyond Algebra I and Geometry
*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the
four (4) unit requirement.
Science: three (3) units
 at least one (1) unit of biology or its equivalent; and
Two units chosen from the following three categories:
 Physical Science;
 Chemistry;
 Physics; or
One unit from the three categories above and one unit of computer science chosen from ADE Essentials of
Computer Programming, ADE Computer Science and Mathematics, AP Computer Science, IB Computer
Science, or other options approved by ADE.
Social Studies: three (3) units
 Civics one-half (1/2) unit
 World history, one (1) unit
 American History, one (1) unit
Physical Education: one-half (1/2) unit
Note: While one-half (1/2) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward
fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.
Health and Safety: one-half (1/2) unit
Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can
count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits. 8
Fine Arts: one-half (1/2) unit
CAREER FOCUS: - Six (6) units
All career focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s
contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and
reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where
appropriate.
CHANGING SCHEDULES
Students select the classes which they wish to schedule for the fall semester near the end of the spring semester
of the previous year. Over the summer break, the counselor works out each student’s class schedule using a
computerized scheduling program. Although the counselor makes an effort to schedule every class which the
23
student has requested, sometimes conflicting time periods of classes and overcrowding in classes will prevent
this from happening
Schedule changes should ONLY be made during the first week of the semester, and the student should have
teacher and counselor recommendations for the change. After the first week, no changes will be made until the
end of the semester except in an emergency or because of a scheduling error. Any schedule change will be
based solely on the student’s best academic interests.
Classes that are NOT semester courses may NOT be dropped at semester or any other time during the
academic year without the parent/guardian and the student having a conference with the principal.
The counselor may initiate a schedule change to comply with graduation requirements. Also, the classroom
teacher may initiate a request to the counselor for a schedule change due to the misplacement of a student in a
class.
Grades, Records, etc....
GRADING SCALE
The following grading scale is used at Rivercrest High School:
A ...................... 90 - 100
B ...................... 80 - 89
C ...................... 70 - 79
D ...................... 60 - 69
F……………... 0 - 50
WEIGHTED GRADING SCALE
Students who take Advanced Placement courses*, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, or honors courses
approved for weighted credit by the Arkansas Department of Education shall be graded according to the
following scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100 = 5 points
80-89 = 4 points
70-79 = 3 points
60-69 = 2 points
0-59 = 0 points
Students taking AP courses shall receive weighted credit as described in this policy. Credit shall be given for
each grading period during the course of the year, but shall be retroactively removed from a student’s grade for
any course in which the student fails to take the applicable AP exam. Students who do not take the AP exam
shall receive the same numeric value for the grade he/she receives in the course as if it were a non-AP course.
Students who transfer in with International Baccalaureate will receive weighted credit.
24
Students who do not take the AP test will only receive four-point credit. If the test is ordered and the student
does NOT take the test, the student must pay the state fee for unused tests. If a student has to take an AP exam
late, then the student must pay the late charge fee. Any student who misses AP testing will be billed for the
late charges unless it is a school function.
Students who transfer into the district will be given weighted credit for the Advanced Placement courses,
honors courses approved by the Arkansas Department of Education, and concurrent college courses taken for
weighted credit at his/her previous school(s) according to the following scale. Students who transfer into our
school district with IB credit will get the five point credit if all the state requirements are met.
Students should confer with their adviser, counselor, principal, and parents before enrolling in an AP course.
All students are encouraged to take AP courses.
ACADEMIC REPORTS
Progress reports will be sent home at the end of the third week and at the end of the sixth week. Online
academic reports are available throughout the semester on the Home Access Center (HAC). HAC passwords
will be given to parents/guardians and to students for access. Grades assigned to students reflect educational
objectives only.
PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION
The district recognizes the importance of communication between teachers and parents/legal guardians. To
help promote positive communication, parent/teacher conferences shall be held once each semester. Additional
parent-teacher conferences are encouraged and may be requested by parents or guardians when they feel they
need to discuss their child’s progress with his/her teacher.
Teachers are required to communicate during the school year with the parent(s), legal guardian(s), or caregiving adult or adults in a student’s home to discuss the student’s academic progress unless the student has
been placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services and the school has received a court order
prohibiting parent or legal guardian participation in parent/teacher conferences. More frequent communication
is required with the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of students who are performing below grade level.
All parent/teacher conferences shall be scheduled at a time and place to best accommodate those participating
in the conference. Each teacher shall document the participation or non-participation of parent(s)/legal
guardian(s) for each scheduled conference.
If a student is to be retained at any grade level or denied course credit, notice of, and the reasons for retention
shall be communicated promptly in a personal conference.
HOMEWORK
Homework is considered part of the educational program of Rivercrest High School. Assignments shall be an
extension of the teaching/learning experience that promotes the student’s educational development. As an
extension of the classroom, homework must be planned and organized and should be viewed by the student as
purposeful. It is expected that students will complete homework assignments outside of class. Teachers should
be aware of the potential problem students may have completing assignments from multiple teachers and vary
25
the amounts of homework they give from day to day. Parents shall be notified of this policy at the beginning of
each school year.
STUDENT RECORDS
All information regarding students and their families, shall be collected, maintained, and disseminated under
such safeguards as are necessary to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
HIPAA Act (2003). Rivercrest High School will adhere to the provisions of said Act.
Student records are considered private and shall be treated as such. Information derived from these records
shall be used by the school for legitimate educational interest. Students or parents desiring additional
information concerning student records may refer to the district’s Discipline Policies Manual, which may be
obtained from the superintendent.
STUDENT PROMOTION AND RETENTION
A disservice is done to students through social promotion and is prohibited by state law. The District shall, at a
minimum, evaluate each student annually in an effort to help each student who is not performing at grade
level. Parents or guardians shall be kept informed concerning the progress of their student(s). Notice of a
student’s possible retention or required retaking of a course shall be included with the student’s grades sent
home to each parent/guardian or the student if 18 or older. Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged and may
be held as necessary in an effort to improve a student’s academic success.
Any grades, course credits, and/or promotions received by a student while enrolled in the Division of Youth Services
system of education shall be considered transferable in the same manner as those grades, course credits, and promotions
from other accredited Arkansas public educational entities.
Promotion or retention of students, or their required retaking of a course shall be primarily based on the
following criteria. If there is doubt concerning the promotion or retention of a student or his/her required
retaking of a course, a conference shall be held before a final decision is made that includes the following
individuals:





The building principal or designee;
The student’s teacher(s);
School counselor;
A 504/special education representative (if applicable); and
The student’s parents.
The conference shall be held at a time and place that best accommodates those participating in the conference.
The school shall document participation or non-participation in required conferences. If the conference
attendees fail to agree concerning the student’s placement or receipt of course credit, the final decision shall
rest with the principal or the principal’s designee.
Regardless of the student having earned passing grades, a student who falls under one of the following
categories shall be considered for retention or shall not receive credit for the course associated with the
assessment. The student does not take the State mandated assessment for the student’s grade level or course
within the time frame specified by the State; takes the State mandated assessment but does not put forth a good
faith effort on the assessment as determined by the assessment administrator/proctor. The Superintendent or
26
designee may wave this provision when the student’s failure was due to exceptional or extraordinary
circumstances.
Students who do not score proficient or above on their grade level state assessments shall be required to
participate in an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP). Each AIP shall be developed by school personnel and the
student’s parents and shall be designed to assist the student in attaining the expected achievement level. The
AIP shall also state the parent’s role as well as the consequences for the student’s failure to participate in the
plan, which shall include the student’s retention in their present grade.
All students must successfully pass all end-of-course (EOC) assessments they are required to take unless
exempted by the student’s individualized education program (IEP). To receive academic credit on his/her
transcript in a course requiring a student to take a EOC assessment, the student must either receive a passing
score on the initial assessment or successfully participate in the remediation program identified in his/her
individualized Academic Improvement Plan (AIP), which shall focus on the areas in which the student failed
to meet the necessary passing score. Additionally, the lack of credit could jeopardize the student's grade
promotion or classification.
To the extent required by the State Board of Education, students in grade eleven (11) and below who do not
meet the required score on a college and career readiness measurement shall participate in the remediation
activities prescribed in his/her AIP which may include additional opportunities to retake the measurement.
Such remediation shall not require the student to pass a subsequent college and career readiness measurement
in order to graduate from high school.
Promotion/retention or graduation of students with an IEP shall be based on their successful attainment of the
goals set forth in their IEP.
In addition to the possibility of retention or withholding of course credit, students who either refuse to sit for a
State assessment or attempt to boycott a State assessment by failing to put forth a good faith effort on the
assessment as determined by the assessment administrator/proctor, or whose parents do not send their student
to school on the dates the assessments are originally administered or scheduled as make-up days shall not be
permitted to participate in any non-curriculum related extracurricular activity, including school dances, prom,
homecoming, senior events, and may be prevented from walking or participating in graduation exercises. The
student shall remain ineligible to participate until the student takes the same or a following State mandated
assessment, as applicable, or completes the required remediation for the assessment the student failed to put
forth a good faith effort on. The Superintendent or designee may wave this paragraph's provisions when the
student’s failure was due to exceptional or extraordinary circumstances. Students falling under the provisions
of this paragraph shall be permitted to attend curriculum related field trips occurring during the school day.
ATTENDANCE
If any student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan conflicts with this policy, the requirements of
the student’s IEP or 504 Plan take precedence.
Education is more than the grades students receive in their courses. Important as that is, students’ regular
attendance at school is essential to their social and cultural development and helps prepare them to accept
responsibilities they will face as an adult. Attendance is compulsory for children ages 5-17 on or before
August 1 of the current year. Interactions with other students and participation in the instruction within the
classroom enrich the learning environment and promote a continuity of instruction which results in higher
student achievement.
27
Excused Absences
Excused absences are those where the student was on official school business or when the absence was due to
one of the following reasons and the student brings a written statement from the parent or legal guardian
stating such reason to the principal or designee upon the student’s return to school. A written statement must
be submitted before the 1st bell of the day. A written statement presented for an absence having occurred more
than five (5) school days prior to its presentation will not be accepted.
1. The student’s illness or when attendance could jeopardize the health of other students. A maximum of six
(6) such days are allowed per semester unless the condition(s) causing such absences is of a chronic or
recurring nature, is medically documented, and approved by the principal;
2. Death or serious illness in their immediate family;
3. Observance of recognized holidays observed by the student's faith;
4. Attendance at an appointment with a government agency;
5. Attendance at a medical appointment;
6. Exceptional circumstances with prior approval of the principal;
7. Participation in an FFA, FHA, or 4-H sanctioned activity;
8. Participation in the election poll workers program for high school students;
9. Absences granted to allow a student to visit his/her parent or legal guardian who is a member of the
military and been called to active duty, is on leave from active duty, or has returned from deployment to a
combat zone or combat support posting. The number of additional excused absences shall be at the
discretion of the superintendent or designee;
10. Absences granted, at the superintendent's discretion, to seventeen (17) year-old students who join the
Arkansas National Guard while in the eleventh grade to complete basic combat training between grades
eleven (11) and (12);
11. Absences for students excluded from school by the Arkansas Department of Health during a disease
outbreak because the student has an immunization wavier or whose immunizations are not up to date.
Students who serve as pages for a member of the General Assembly shall be considered on instructional
assignment and shall not be considered absent from school for the day the student is serving as a page.
Unexcused Absences
Absences not defined above or not having an accompanying note from the parent or legal guardian, presented
in the timeline required by this policy shall be considered as unexcused absences. Students with ten (10)
unexcused absences in a course in a semester may not receive credit for that course. At the discretion of the
principal after consultation with persons having knowledge of the circumstances of the unexcused absences,
the student may be denied promotion or graduation. Excessive absences shall not be a reason for expulsion or
dismissal of a student.
28
When a student has five (5) unexcused absences, his/her parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis shall be
notified. Notification shall be by telephone by the end of the school day in which such absence occurred or by
regular mail with a return address sent no later than the following school day.
Whenever a student exceeds ten (10) unexcused absences in a semester, the district shall notify the prosecuting
authority and the parent, guardian, or persons in loco parentis shall be subject to a civil penalty as prescribed
by law.
It is the Arkansas General Assembly’s intention that students having excessive absences be given assistance in
obtaining credit for their courses. Therefore, at any time prior to when a student exceeds the number of
unexcused absences permitted by this policy, the student, or his/her parent, guardian, or person in loco
parentis, may petition the school or district administration for special arrangements to address the student’s
unexcused absences. If formal arrangements are granted, they shall be formalized into a written agreement
which will include the conditions of the agreement and the consequences for failing to fulfill the agreement’s
requirements. The agreement shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent, guardian, or person in loco
parentis, and the school or district administrator or designee.
Students who attend in-school suspension shall not be counted absent for those days.
Days missed due to out-of-school suspension or expulsion shall be unexcused absences.
The District shall notify the Department of Finance and Administration whenever a student fourteen (14) years
of age or older is no longer in school. The Department of Finance and Administration is required to suspend
the former student’s operator’s license unless he/she meets certain requirements specified in the statute.
Applicants for an instruction permit or for a driver's license by persons less than eighteen (18) years old on
October 1 of any year are required to provide proof of a high school diploma or enrollment and regular
attendance in an adult education program or a public, private, or parochial school prior to receiving an
instruction permit. To be issued a driver's license, a student enrolled in school shall present proof of a “C”
average for the previous semester or similar equivalent grading period for which grades are reported as part of
the student’s permanent record.
MAKE-UP WORK
It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher to make up all work missed.
Students shall have one class day to make up their work for each class day they are absent.
Students are required to ask for their assignments on their first day back to school or their first class day after
their return. Make-up tests are to be rescheduled at the discretion of the teacher, but must be aligned with the
schedule of the missed work to be made up. Make-up work which is not turned in within the make-up schedule
for that assignment shall receive a zero. Students are also allowed to make-up work as required/permitted by
the student’s Individual Education Program or 504 Plan. Work may not be made up for credit for unexcused
absences unless part of a signed agreement permitted by the policy on absences.
Out-of-school suspensions are unexcused absences. Work missed while a student is expelled from school may
not be made up for credit and students shall receive a zero for missed assignments.
In lieu of the timeline above, assignments for students who are excluded from school by the Arkansas
Department of Health during a disease outbreak are to be made up as set forth in the policy on immunizations.
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SCHOOL TRIPS
Students will not be allowed to participate in a field trip if they are failing a class or have excessive absences,
defined as absent more than nine days in a semester. Teachers should check with the principal if a student has
an extenuating circumstance (e.g. a major illness) which has caused the absenteeism. A student can be
denied the privilege of participating in a school trip based on his/her disciplinary record.
All students traveling to any out of town events by school sponsored transportation must make the return trip
by the same transportation unless special permission is given by the principal for extenuating circumstances
prior to the trip or an emergency occurs.
TRUANCY
“Truancy” is defined as the absence from school without permission from the parents/guardians or the school.
Rivercrest will not tolerate truancy or the habitual and unlawful absence from school. The parent or legal
guardian is responsible for requiring any student under his/her control or charge and less than 18 years of age
to attend school regularly except for legal absences as defined by state law. When truancy is detected by
school personnel, the suspected student shall be reported to the principal, who may request a parent conference
and /or set disciplinary action and /or and/or refer the case to the juvenile court or county court who may
determine the treatment for such offenders. Students who are in truancy and have already been referred to
juvenile court must attend school per the judge’s orders. This means students can only miss for medical
reasons with a doctor’s note.
WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
If a student plans to withdraw from school, he/she should have a parent or guardian contact the principal,
preferably in person, to acknowledge his/her awareness of the student’s plan to withdraw and to confirm
his/her approval of the withdrawal. The student should then report his/her intentions to the guidance counselor
who will direct him/her through the withdrawal process
Graduating With Honors...
VALEDICTORIAN
The member or members (in case of a tie) of the graduating class who has the highest cumulative high school
grade point average as of the end of the first semester of the senior year will be designated as the class
valedictorian(s). The valedictorian(s) will deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. The speech should be
prepared before graduation and presented to the principal or his/her assigned representative for approval.
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SALUTATORIAN
The member or members (in case of a tie) of the graduating class who has the second highest cumulative
high school grade point average as of the end of the first semester of the senior year will be designated as the
class salutatorian(s). The salutatorian(s) will deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony. The speech should
be prepared before graduation and presented to the principal or his/her assigned representative for approval.
TOP 10 PERCENT
Top Ten Percent is based on the cumulative grade point averages for each member of the graduating class at
the end of the first semester of their senior year. The number of students designated as the Top 10 Percent of
the graduating class depends on the total number of students in the class. The number is established by
computing 10 percent of the total class enrollment and rounding off the result. For example, if there were 120
in the class, 12 would be listed. If there were 115 in the class, 12 would be listed. If there were 114 in the
class, 11 would be listed.
This number is needed for some college and scholarship applications. The student should talk to the counselor
to get his/her rank in class, and it is also located on the student’s transcript.
HONOR GRADUATES
Members of the graduating class who have completed the Smart Core/College Preparatory Curriculum
requirements, have a cumulative 3.25 grade point average or higher at the end of the first semester of their
senior year, and meet the following criteria will be designated as honor graduates.
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Score at proficient or above on the End of Course Algebra and Geometry exams (if taken).
Score at 19 or above in each of the four divisions on the ACT (English, Reading, Math, and
Science Reasoning).
Complete at least one Pre-AP, AP, or concurrent credit class each year.
Complete four years of science courses.
Complete four years of High School-level mathematics beyond Algebra I.
ARKANSAS SCHOLARS
Students who achieve minimum scholastic and attendance criteria during their four years of high school will
be recognized as Arkansas Scholars. Employers in the area have agreed to consider this accomplishment when
evaluating job applicants. To become an Arkansas Scholar, a student must not make below a “C” for any
semester grade in grades 9-12. In addition, the student must have demonstrated a 95% or better attendance
record throughout high school, eight hours of community service is required, and one (1) year of a foreign
language is required. Students designated as Arkansas Scholars will have notice of such achievement on their
transcript.
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CORE SEAL ON TRANSCRIPT
To have the Core Seal embossed on his/her official high school transcript, a student must have completed the
Core Curriculum and must have a cumulative 2.75 grade point average or higher at the end of the second
semester of the senior year.
Scholarships...
Various scholarships are available for high school graduates who will continue their education at postsecondary technical schools, colleges, or universities. Several local scholarships are also awarded to Rivercrest
High School graduates each year. These scholarships are funded by clubs, organizations, alumni, patrons, and
businesses. Seniors should start their search for scholarships for which they may be eligible at the beginning of
their senior year. The student should pick up applications from the counselor for these and other available
scholarships. Their availability will be made known on the daily announcements, on the counselor’s bulletin
board, and through e-mail to students. INTERESTED STUDENTS MUST BE CAREFUL TO MEET
DEADLINES.
ARKANSAS ACADEMIC CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP
The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship applicant must meet graduate from an Arkansas public high
school, successfully complete the Smart Core curriculum established by the Arkansas Department of
Education, and have at least a 2.5 GPA or a minimum composite score of nineteen (19) on the ACT.
An applicant who has a disability identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Act 20 as is existed on July
1, 2009 and graduates from a Arkansas public high school but did not complete the Smart Core curriculum
because the applicant’s individualized education program under 6-41-217 did not require it, shall achieve at
least a 2.5 GPA and either score a nineteen (19) on the ACT or score proficient or higher on all state mandated
end-of-course assessments (including without limitation, Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology and Literacy).
Awards, Honors, Privileges,
and Special Events...
HONORS/AWARDS CEREMONY
In order to recognize and honor those students who have performed exceptionally in the classroom, each
spring the principal hosts the annual Honors/Awards Ceremony. Students who have been named to the Honor
Roll for the current year and students who will be receiving class awards, scholarships, and other special
recognition will be invited to the reception. The parents/guardians of these students will also be invited.
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HONOR STUDENTS
A student must meet ONE of the following stipulations which have been established for the designation of
students to be placed on the list and considered as Honor Roll student:
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The student must have maintained at least a 3.25 grade point average cumulative for the first three
nine-week grading periods of the current year, and he/she must be currently enrolled in at least three
courses from the *Smart Core Curriculum List.
OR
The student must have maintained at least a 3.50 grade point average cumulative for the first three
nine-week grading periods of the current year, and he/she must not be currently enrolled in any special
education classes.
Students who are on the Honor Roll for the first three nine weeks of the year will be invited to the
Honors/Awards Reception where they will receive an award depending upon the number of years that the
student has been named to the list.
DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD
The Distinguished Student Award is presented at the annual Honors/Awards Reception to a junior or senior
student who demonstrates distinguishing qualities in academic achievement, character, leadership, and service
to the school and community.
Candidates for the award must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher for the first three nineweek grading periods of the current year. The candidate must also be currently enrolled in at least three classes
from the Smart Core Curriculum List. In addition, the candidate must have a distinguished record of academic
and personal character as determined by a selection committee appointed by the school principal.
The candidates will be notified by a representative of the principal’s committee, who will give them several
forms to complete and others to give to their teachers for them to complete. All forms will be returned to the
committee, who will review and evaluate the candidates. Through their evaluation, the top candidate will be
determined and that student will be the award recipient.
ATHLETIC CEREMONY
An Athletic ceremony occurs each spring in order to recognize and honor the students who participate in
interscholastic athletics at RHS. Any student who was a member of one or more of the athletic teams during
the current school year will be invited to the reception by his/her coach. The parents/guardians of these student
athletes will also be invited. The coaches from each sport will hand out awards for those who have lettered in
the sport for the current year, those who have performed highly enough to receive a performance award in a
skill area in the particular sport, and those who have been named to all-conference, all-region, and all-state
teams.
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COLT AWARD
An award presented annually to a student athlete, the Colt Award is the most coveted award an RHS athlete
can receive. When in consideration for the award, the athlete is evaluated in the areas of scholarship, team and
school leadership, good attitude and character, involvement in school activities, and outstanding participation
in a number of interscholastic athletic teams at Rivercrest.
The coaching staff from each of the individual athletic teams has an opportunity to nominate a student(s) from
their team for the award at a coaching staff meeting with the athletic director. Each coaching staff may
nominate or pass. When the coaches have listed their nominees, the names will be submitted to all members of
the Rivercrest faculty who may make any appropriate comments regarding the qualifications of the nominees.
The athletic director will then meet with the nominees to inform them of their nomination and to give them an
information form which they are to complete and return to the athletic director. With the information from the
forms and their knowledge of the athletes, the coaching staff will evaluate the nominees and select the athlete
or athletes who best meet the qualifications.
The Colt Award recipient will be announced at the annual Athletic ceremony and will be presented a plaque.
HOMECOMING
Homecoming at RHS is a time for fun, games, and activities for the student body, and is also a time for alumni
to visit the campus and attend the Homecoming football game. Activities during the week are under the
direction of the Homecoming Committee, which shall include the president of the Student Council and of each
class. The group will announce the plans for the week when they are completed.
The senior players of the Colt football team will choose three senior maids to be on the Court. From those
three senior maids, the entire team will vote by secret ballot to choose the queen. Each senior maid will choose
two senior players to escort her in the afternoon ceremony. Sophomore and junior members of the varsity
football team will select two maids from each class to be on the Homecoming Court, and each sophomore and
junior maid will choose a football player to escort her in the afternoon Homecoming Ceremony. The Queen
will be announced and crowned in an afternoon ceremony before the student body on Friday and introduced in
a brief ceremony prior to the football game on Friday night.
PROM
Being allowed to attend the Prom is a privilege. Only eligible RHS students and their registered guests may
attend. A freshman may attend ONLY if he/she is invited by an eligible RHS sophomore, junior, or senior, and
he/she meets the criteria set for the other students. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to attend Prom
if they meet the following criteria:
 They must not have received an out of school suspension during the current academic year;
 They must not have been removed from the previous year’s Prom; and
 They must not owe any debts to the school.
If an eligible Rivercrest sophomore, junior, or senior would like to bring a date to the Prom who is a freshman,
sophomore, junior or senior at another high school or is a graduate of Rivercrest or another high school, he/she
should obtain, complete, and return a permission form to the assistant principal.
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APPROPRIATE PROM ATTIRE
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Females should wear a formal or a “dressy” dress.
Males should wear a sport or dress coat with appropriate shirt and tie and trousers, or a suit, or a
tuxedo.
No one will be admitted in gym shoes.
Questionable dresses or formal wear should be approved by one of the Prom advisors.
No canes will be allowed as part of a student’s formal wear.
The changing of clothing to something more casual will not be permitted during Prom hours.
PROM HOURS
The Prom will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will conclude at the designated pre-announced time. Sometimes an
earlier time is set for students who wish to come early to have pictures made by the professional photographer.
Listen for announcements about this or ask the Prom adviser
PROM PICTURES
A professional photographer will be at Prom to take pictures, and a variety of packages will be available in a
wide range of prices. Flyers will be available at school or posters will be up around school a few weeks before
Prom to describe packages and prices. If you have questions, ask the Prom adviser. ALL PICTURES MUST
BE PAID FOR AT THE TIME THEY ARE MADE. Students who are ineligible to attend the prom will not be
allowed to come and take pictures. The picture packages will be delivered at RHS a few weeks after the Prom.
PROM CONDUCT
Everyone attending Prom (students and their guests) should exhibit their very best behavior. This is a formal
occasion which means that all who attend should behave appropriately. Normal school conduct policies must
be followed.
Only eligible RHS students and their registered guests will be allowed to enter the Prom area at any
time. DO NOT INVITE GUESTS TO HAVE PICTURES MADE BECAUSE ADMISSION WILL BE
DENIED TO OUTSIDE INDIVIDUALS.
ADMISSION
The date that Prom tickets will go on sale will be announced on the daily announcements. Tickets are $20 per
person, and may be purchased at school. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $20 per person. Checks
or cash will be accepted. Students coming only to take pictures will have to purchase a ticket. Unless asked to
chaperone, parents/guardians will not be admitted into the Prom.
SENIOR WALK
Senior Walk is held on the evening of but prior to the Prom. Seniors who are ineligible to attend the Prom are
also ineligible to attend Senior Walk. Seniors wishing to walk must report to the Prom advisor 15 minutes
prior to the announced start time for the walk. Each senior may be escorted by one person of their choosing. If
the escort is a current RHS student, that student must meet the same criteria as required for attendance at the
Prom. This event is open to the public.
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COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Each senior will be given a select number of tickets depending on the size of the graduating class. There will
also be a select number of tickets reserved for faculty and guests, also depending on the size of the graduating
class. Seating for families of the Top 10% of the senior class and of Honor Graduates will be pre-determined.
All other seating will be by random draw. Any senior with an unpaid debt as of May 1 st will not receive tickets
nor walk in the graduation ceremony.
The dress code for graduation is as follows: Girls – a dress (not maxi) and dark shoes (no flip flops or tennis
shoes). Boys – a white dress shirt and tie (black, grey, or red), black dress pants or khakis, and dark dress
shoes (no flip-flops or tennis shoes). Graduation caps will not be decorated.
No person will participate in the commencement ceremony who, on that date, has not, in every respect, met the
requirements for graduation from RHS. Each graduating senior is responsible for purchasing a cap and gown
of the designated color and style from the distributor chosen by the school. Each graduating senior is expected
to attend commencement practice as announced by the principal. Seniors should arrive at the designated
location at the assigned time the evening of graduation.
Ushers for graduation shall be chosen by the Graduation Committee, and duties for ushers will be assigned by
that committee. Students must meet the following requirements during their junior year to be eligible for
selection:
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at least a 2.5 GPA;
90% attendance or better;
no out-of-school suspensions;
no more than five tardies for the year; and
an active member of at least one student organization.
SEMESTER EXAM EXEMPTIONS
Students with an “A” average in a one-semester class shall be exempt from taking a semester final in that class
at the conclusion of both the fall and spring semesters. No other exemptions will be granted from semester
tests at the end of the fall semester. At the conclusion of the spring semester, students with an “A” average in
a class shall be exempt from taking a semester final in that class. A final examination shall not be required in
an Advanced Placement class at the conclusion of the spring semester.
No student who has been Homebound during the semester shall be eligible for a semester exam exemption. No
student shall be exempt from a semester exam in any course offered through Arkansas Northeastern College,
College NOW, or compressed video. Students must follow the academic regulations set forth by those
institutions.
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Non-Traditional Students...
MARRIED/INDEPENDENT STUDENTS
Married/independent students shall have the same educational opportunities, curricular and extracurricular, as
other students in the general population of the school. They also will be expected to assume the same
responsibilities and abide by the same rules and regulations governing all other students. They should report
their marital or independent status change to the principal the first school day after the change.
PREGNANT STUDENTS
A student who is enrolled in a school in the Rivercrest School District shall notify the school nurse and the
principal as soon as possible after the pregnancy has been confirmed. She shall provide the principal with a
written statement from a licensed physician or mid-wife which will include confirmation of pregnancy, the due
date for delivery, and recommendations concerning the advisability of school participation by the student. A
parent or guardian or spouse conference with the student and the principal (and the school nurse if possible)
will be required at this time to discuss the physician’s or mid-wife’s recommendations as well as any options
and responsibilities of the student concerning her school work and her own health and safety and that of the
baby. If the physician’s or mid-wife’s recommendations change during the school year, an updated written
statement should be brought to the principal.
A pregnant student will be allowed to go on homebound status only when her physician or mid-wife submits a
recommendation in writing. The student shall be permitted to return to Rivercrest for classes only after the
delivery with a written statement from her physician that she is physically ready to return and that the
physician supports her return at this time.
HOMEBOUND STUDENTS
A student finding it necessary to apply for homebound status should complete an application in the assistant
principal’s office. If the student is physically unable to come to school to make the application, his/her parent
or guardian should do it for the student. The student will then be assigned to an appointed staff adviser for the
duration of the homebound period.
Students on homebound status will report to his/her homebound adviser on the Rivercrest campus on
designated dates in order to complete assignments, take exams, pick up additional class work, and confer with
classroom teachers if needed.
In the event that the student is unable to come to the campus due to hospitalization, doctor’s instructions,
physical inability, being contagious, etc., a parent or guardian must pick up the work for the student. The
parent or guardian will need to discuss the situation with the assistant principal who will talk to the classroom
teachers and the homebound adviser to devise a plan.
Students who fail to follow the homebound procedure will not receive grades.
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HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS
The following are the procedures for placement of students who have been receiving home schooling or
transferred from a non-accredited school:
 Any student desiring to enter Rivercrest claiming to have been in a home school must have proof that
his/her application for home schooling has been filed with the previous school district.
 Students will be given a general achievement test to determine if the student is eligible for grade level
placement. If the student has participated in the Sat-8 or SAT-9 testing or the equivalent, the results
can be used in lieu of another test.
 Should a student not achieve at grade level on the achievement test, grade placement will be
determined by the Rivercrest School District. A placement conference will be held for any student
whose scores fall below grade level on any of the basic battery (reading, language arts, and
mathematics). Conference participants shall include an administrator, counselor, parent(s), and other
school personnel deemed necessary. The Rivercrest School District shall retain the option to
reconsider placement at any time during the school year.
 If a student’s achievement level for a specific subject or subjects in grades 9-12 is in question, a
specific test from the appropriate core subject will be given to the student in each subject which credit
is being requested. [For example: If a student requests credit in Algebra I, the student will be given a
test that covers the objectives of a year-long Algebra I class. Sixty percent (60%) achievement will be
required for passing the test for credit.] NO LETTER GRADE WILL BE GIVEN. ONLY THE
NOTATION “CREDIT EARNED” WILL APPEAR ON THE TRANSCRIPT.
 The Rivercrest School District will require any student who desires to be a senior to enroll in at least
seven (7) academic classes. Thus, if a home school student enrolls as a senior, the student will be
required to take six classes regardless of the number of credits the student has at the time of
enrollment. The student must have earned 16 credits in order to be considered a senior. All students
are required to meet all state and local requirements to be eligible for graduation.
 The maximum credits that will be accepted for each year in attendance in home school cannot exceed
the number of credits earned by a student enrolled in Rivercrest School District during a regular school
year.
 A home schooled student will not be eligible for Honor Graduate status because he/she has not been
enrolled at an accredited public high school for the four year’s grades to be utilized in calculating
grade point average.
Students and their parent(s) interested in home schooling need to be aware that:
 Some college scholarships are based on the student’s grade point average. Students receiving “CR”
and not letter grades would not be eligible for some scholarships.
 It is the responsibility of the Rivercrest School District to determine the method by which credits are
earned in order to receive a high school diploma. Also, there is no requirement that the school must
honor the credits earned from home schooling.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME SCHOOLED
STUDENTS
Home-schooled student means a student legally enrolled in an Arkansas home school and who meets or has met the
criteria for being a home-schooled student, as established by A.C.A. § 6-15-503.
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Interscholastic activity means an activity between schools subject to regulations of the Arkansas Activities Association
that is outside the regular curriculum of the school district, such as an athletic activity, fine arts program, or a special
interest group or club.
Each school in the District shall post on its website its schedule of interscholastic activities, including sign-up, tryout, and
participation deadlines, at least one semester in advance of those activities. A hard copy of the schedule shall be available
upon request.
Home-schooled students whose parents or guardians are legal residents of the school district will be permitted to pursue
participation in an interscholastic activity in the student's resident school zone2 as permitted by this policy. Although not
guaranteed participation in an interscholastic activity, home-school students who meet the provisions of this policy, AAA
Rules, and applicable Arkansas statutes shall have an equal opportunity to try out and participate in interscholastic
activities without discrimination.
To be eligible to try out and participate in interscholastic activities, the student or the parent of a student shall mail or hand
deliver the student's request to participate to the student's school's principal before the signup, tryout or participation
deadline established for traditional students. Additionally, the student shall demonstrate academic eligibility by obtaining
a minimum test score of the 30th percentile or better in the previous 12 months on the Stanford Achievement Test Series,
Tenth Edition; another nationally recognized norm-referenced test; or a minimum score on a test approved by the State
Board of Education.
A student who meets the requirements for eligibility to participate in an interscholastic activity is required to register for
no more than one course3 in the District's school where the student is intending to participate in an interscholastic activity.
The student shall regularly attend the class in which the student is registered beginning no later than the eleventh (11th)
day of the semester in which the student's interscholastic activity participation is desired. The student must attend the
practices for the interscholastic activity to the same extent as is required of traditional students.
A home-schooled student who has met the try out criteria; and who has been selected to participate in the interscholastic
activity shall meet the following criteria that also apply to traditional students enrolled in the school:
 standards of behavior and codes of conduct;
 attend the practices for the interscholastic activity to the same extent as is required of traditional students;
 required drug testing;
 permission slips, waivers, physical exams; and
 participation or activity fees.
Students who participate in extracurricular or athletic activities under this policy will be transported to and from the
interscholastic activities on the same basis as other students are transported.
A student who withdraws from an Arkansas Activities Association member school to be home-schooled shall not
participate in an interscholastic activity in the resident school district for a minimum of three hundred sixty-five days after
the student withdraws from the member school.
Student Conduct...
DISCIPLINE/CODE OF CONDUCT
All students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that will contribute to the best interest
of the school system and not infringe on the rights of others. Students and parents should take care to see that
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they are well informed concerning rights, responsibilities, and expected standards of behavior. School rules are
in effect at any time:
 on the school grounds;
 off the school grounds at a school-sponsored activity; and
 on transportation to and from school or a school-sponsored activity.
It is the student’s responsibility to follow the rules that have been outlined by the administration. Failure to
comply is a breach of the Code of Conduct and will be punished quickly and appropriately. The mission of the
assistant principal is to protect and serve the campus populace by enforcing the “Code of Conduct” rules that
are governed by the Rivercrest School board and the Rivercrest administration and staff, as well as federal and
state laws. These rules will be enforced to foster an atmosphere that is conducive to good order and discipline
in our school system. It is our goal to provide a safe learning environment for every Rivercrest student.
Some specific disciplinary offenses are discussed in detail below. For the possible range of punishment
afforded for each offense, please see the Discipline Chart. The possible disciplinary consequences at
Rivercrest range from a minimum of a reprimand to a maximum of expulsion.
BEHAVIOR NOT COVERED
Rivercrest School District reserves the right to pursue disciplinary or legal action for behavior which is
subversive to good order and discipline in the schools even though such behavior is not specified in the written
rules in this handbook.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
REPRIMAND
A school official (teacher, administrator, or counselor) will discuss the problem behavior informally with the
student and try to reach an agreement regarding how the student should behave. The least punishment that will
be given is a verbal reprimand.
STUDENT CONFERENCE
A formal conference will be held between the student and one or more school officials. During this
conference, the student must agree to correct his/her behavior.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parent(s) or guardian will be notified by telephone, personal contact, behavior report, letter, or certified letter.
A conference may be conducted between the student, his/her parent(s) or guardian, appropriate school
personnel, and any other individual concerned.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
In the event that it becomes necessary for a certified staff member to administer corporal punishment to a
student, he/she will administer such punishment in the presence of another certified person. The use of
corporal punishment shall at all times be reasonable and proper. Considerations in this regard shall include but
not be limited to the following:
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Age of the student;
Size of the student;
Sex of the student;
Ability of the student to bear punishment; and
Overall physical condition of the student.
IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION (ISS)
In School Suspension (ISS) consists of a student being assigned to an isolated study room to complete all
assignments from their classes. The ISS proctor monitors the student’s work and submits it to the student’s
teachers so that learning may continue.
SUSPENSION
Rivercrest High School recognizes its authority to maintain good order and discipline within the school.
Conduct that tends to be disruptive of the educational program will be grounds for suspension. Suspension is
defined as the temporary removal of a student from a class, a club, an office, the bus, the cafeteria, or the
school for an activity or behavior that is disruptive or not in the best interest of the school.
Any student who is suspended from school will receive a grade of zero for any assignment or test given in the
student’s absence. This work cannot be made up for a grade.
EXPULSION
Expulsion is the prohibition from school and participation in any school activity. A student may not enter the
school grounds (except for a prearranged conference with an administrator) for the duration of the expulsion,
with loss of academic credit. This action shall be taken by the Board of Education only.
The Board of Education is authorized to expel a student for the remainder of the semester, the remainder of the
school year, or permanently for conduct it deems to be of such gravity as to make a relatively short, temporary
suspension inappropriate.
Arkansas Statute 80-1516 provides that the directors of a school district may exclude students for immorality,
refractory conduct, insubordination, infectious disease, habitual uncleanliness, or other conduct that would
tend to impair the discipline of the school, or harm the other pupils.
A student who re-enters school the semester or year following an expulsion is on probation. If this
student engages in behavior deeming it necessary for suspension, this student is automatically expelled
for the remainder of the semester.
DISCIPLINE: STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
AS DEFINED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)
The Board of Education recognizes that there are some students attending school in the Rivercrest School
District that have observable and/or diagnosed disabling conditions that require special considerations that are
not necessary for non-disabled students.
The Board of Education accepts the definition of a student with a disability as any school aged student, ages 521, who possesses a disability which causes an adverse effect on educational performance as determined by
the IDEA referral, assessment, programming and placement procedures. More specifically, these disabling
conditions include the following: mental retardation, hearing impairment, speech/language impairment, visual
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impairments, emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, other health impairments, specific learning
disability, deaf-blindness, multiple disabilities, autism, and traumatic brain injury.
The Board of Education also recognizes that there are times that a student with a disability will need to be
disciplined as a result of undesirable and/or unpredicted behavior which hinders his/her personal and/or
educational welfare or welfare of other persons. The Board of Education has provided the following
procedures for determining the discipline of students with disabilities:
 A student with a disability who engages in incidents of misconduct and disciplinary infractions is
subject to normal school disciplinary rules and procedures if indicated in their Individual Education
Program (IEP), so long as such treatment does not abridge the right to a free appropriate public
education.
 The IEP team for the student with a disability will consider on a case by case basis whether a change
in placement consistent with federal and state requirements is appropriate for a student who violates a
code of student conduct.
 The IEP teams for a student with a disability will consider the educational setting of the student,
determine if a Behavior Intervention Plan is needed and if the behavior is a manifestation of the
disability.
 Students with disabilities may be placed in an interim alternative educational setting in the case of a
weapon, drugs or inflicting serious bodily injury upon another.
 During the interim alternative placement, the students IEP team will determine if the current IEP and
placement were appropriate, if supplementary aids and services were provided if needed, and if
behavioral interventions were provided.
 Parents of students with a disability are to be informed of the district’s policy and procedures
regarding the discipline of students with a disability through the student handbook. Appropriate staff
members in the school building shall be made aware of which students are identified as IDEA
students.
 In disciplining a student with a disability, it is a requirement that due process procedures as mandated
by current federal and state regulations be followed.
DUE PROCESS
A student’s parents or legal guardians have the right to appeal any suspension or expulsion if they feel that
punishment is unjust or that the student is not guilty of what he/she has been accused.
An appeal to the superintendent must be made within five school days after notice has been received of a
suspension or expulsion. A formal hearing conducted by the superintendent and principal will be forthcoming.
Included in the hearing will be a recorder and any witnesses as might be necessary. The superintendent will
render a decision as to whether the suspension or expulsion will be upheld or revoked.
If the parents or guardians disagree with the decision, they have five school days to request an appeal of the
suspension or expulsion before the Rivercrest School Board. The school board acts only as a review forum and
will not retry the case at this time. The decision of the school board is the final step to the appeal process
within the school system.
The following steps may be useful in obtaining due process:
 Talk to the teacher or counselor;
 Confer with the school principal;
 Call the Superintendent of Schools at 655-8633 and make an appointment;
 Present the case to the school board; or
 Seek legal assistance
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For further details regarding due process, students and parents may refer to the district’s current Discipline
Policies Manual which may be obtained from the superintendent.
SEARCH AND SEIZURE / INTERROGATIONS
The district respects the rights of its students against arbitrary intrusion of their person and property. At the
same time, it is the responsibility of school officials to protect the health, safety and welfare of all students
enrolled in the district in order to promote an environment conducive to student learning. The superintendent,
principal, and their designees have the right to inspect and search school property and equipment. They may
also search students and their personal property in which the student has a reasonable expectation of privacy,
when there is reasonable and individualized suspicion to believe such student or property contains illegal items
or other items in violation of Board policy or dangerous to the school community. School authorities may seize
evidence found in the search, and disciplinary action may be taken. Evidence found which appears to be in
violation of the law shall be reported to the appropriate authority.
School property shall include, but not be limited to, lockers, desks, and parking lots, as well as personal effects
left there by the students. When possible, prior notice will be given and the student will be allowed to be
present along with an adult witness; however, searches may be done at any time with or without notice or the
student’s consent. A personal search must not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the
student and the nature of the infraction.
The superintendent, principals, and their designees may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to
help conduct searches. Such searches may include the use of specially trained dogs. A school official of the
same sex shall conduct personal searches with an adult witness of the same sex present.
State Law requires that Department of Human Services employees, local law enforcement, or agents of the
Crimes against Children Division of the Department of Arkansas State Police, may interview students without
a court order for the purpose of investigation of suspected child abuse. In instances where the interviewers
deem it necessary, they may exercise a “72 hour hold” without first obtaining a court order. Other questioning
of students by non-school personnel shall be granted only with a court order direction such questioning, with
permission of the parents of a student (or the student if above [18] years of age), or in response to a subpoena
or arrest warrant.
If the district makes a report to any law enforcement agency concerning student misconduct or if access to a
student is granted to a law enforcement agency due to a court order, the principal or the principal’s designees
shall make a good faith effort to contact the student’s parent, legal guardians, or other person having lawful
control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis on student enrollment forms. The principal or the
principal’s designee shall not attempt to make such contact if presented documentation by the investigator that
said person is named as an alleged offender of the suspected child maltreatment. This exception applies only
to interview requests made by a law enforcement officer, an investigator of the Crimes against Children
Division of the Department of Arkansas State Police, or an investigator or employee of the Department of
Human Services.
In instances other than those related to cases of suspected child abuse, principals must release a student to
either a police officer who presents a subpoena for the student, or a warrant for arrest, or to an agent of state
social services or an agent of a court with jurisdiction over a child with a court order signed by a judge. Upon
release of the student, the principal or designee shall give the student’s parent, legal guardian, or other person
having lawful control by court order, or person acting in loco parentis, notice that the student has been taken in
custody by law enforcement personnel or state’s social services agency. If the principal or designee is unable
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to reach the parent, he or she shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to get a message to the parent to call
the principal or designee, and leave both a day and after-hours telephone number.
VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER STUDENT MONITORING
The Board of Directors has a responsibility to maintain discipline, protect the safety, security, and welfare of its students,
staff, and visitors while at the same time safeguarding district facilities, vehicles, and equipment. As part of fulfilling this
responsibility, the board authorizes the use of video/audio surveillance cameras, automatic identification technology, data
compilation devices, and technology capable of tracking the physical location of district equipment, students, and/or
personnel.
The placement of video/audio surveillance cameras shall be based on the presumption and belief that students, staff and
visitors have no reasonable expectation of privacy anywhere on or near school property, facilities, vehicles, or equipment,
with the exception of places such as rest rooms or dressing areas where an expectation of bodily privacy is reasonable and
customary.
Signs shall be posted on campus buildings and in district vehicles to notify students, staff, and visitors that video cameras
may be in use. Parents and students shall also be notified through the student handbook that cameras may be in use in
school buildings, on school grounds and in school vehicles. Students will be held responsible for any violations of school
discipline rules caught by the cameras and other technologies authorized in this policy.
The district shall retain copies of video recordings until they are erased which may be accomplished by either deletion or
copying over with a new recording. Other than video recordings being retained under the provisions of this policy’s
following paragraph, the district’s video recordings may be erased any time greater than five days after they were created.
Videos, automatic identification, or data compilations containing evidence of a violation of student conduct rules and/or
state or federal law shall be retained until the issue of the misconduct is no longer subject to review or appeal as
determined by board policy or student handbook; any release or viewing of such records shall be in accordance with
current law.
Students who vandalize, damage, disable, or render inoperable (temporarily or permanently) surveillance cameras and
equipment, automatic identification, or data compilation devices shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action and
referral to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Specific Offenses...
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
A grade of zero will be given when a student is found guilty of academic dishonesty in any form. The teacher
will be the judge of whether a student is cheating. Plagiarism, which is one form of cheating, is the act of
copying someone else’s work and passing it off as your own, without giving credit to that person. Any student
who assists another student to cheat is also guilty of cheating himself/herself.
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BULLYING AND CYBERBULLYING
Respect for the dignity of others is a cornerstone of civil society. Bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and
intimidation, robs a person of his/her dignity, detracts from the safe environment necessary to promote student
learning, and will not be tolerated by the Board of Directors. Students who bully another person shall be held
accountable for their actions whether they occur on school equipment or property; off school property at a
school sponsored or approved function, activity, or event; going to or from school or a school activity in a
school vehicle or school bus; or at designated school bus stops.
A school principal or his or her designee who receives a credible report or complaint of bullying shall
promptly investigate the complaint or report and make a record of the investigation and any action taken as a
result of the investigation.
Definitions:
Attribute means an actual or perceived personal characteristic including without limitation race, color,
religion, ancestry, national origin, socioeconomic status, academic status, disability, gender, gender identity,
physical appearance, health condition, or sexual orientation;
Bullying means the intentional harassment, intimidation, humiliation, ridicule, defamation, or threat or
incitement of violence by a student against another student or public school employee by a written, verbal,
electronic, or physical act that may address an attribute of the other student, public school employee, or person
with whom the other student or public school employee is associated and that causes or creates actual or
reasonably foreseeable:
 Physical harm to a public school employee or student or damage to the public school employee's or
student's property;
 Substantial interference with a student's education or with a public school employee's role in
education;
 A hostile educational environment for one (1) or more students or public school employees due to the
severity, persistence, or pervasiveness of the act; or
 Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment;
Electronic act means without limitation a communication or image transmitted by means of an electronic
device, including without limitation a telephone, wireless phone or other wireless communications device,
computer, or pager that results in the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or
educational environment. Electronic acts of bullying are prohibited whether or not the electronic act originated
on school property or with school equipment, if the electronic act is directed specifically at students or school
personnel and maliciously intended for the purpose of disrupting school, and has a high likelihood of
succeeding in that purpose;
Harassment means a pattern of unwelcome verbal or physical conduct relating to another person's
constitutionally or statutorily protected status that causes, or reasonably should be expected to cause,
substantial interference with the other's performance in the school environment; and
Substantial disruption means without limitation that any one or more of the following occur as a result of the
bullying:
 Necessary cessation of instruction or educational activities;
 Inability of students or educational staff to focus on learning or function as an educational unit because
of a hostile environment;
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Severe or repetitive disciplinary measures are needed in the classroom or during educational activities;
or
Exhibition of other behaviors by students or educational staff that substantially interfere with the
learning environment.
Cyber bullying of School Employees is expressly prohibited and includes, but is not limited to:
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Building a fake profile or website of the employee;
Posting or encouraging others to post on the Internet private, personal, or sexual information
pertaining to a school employee;
Posting an original or edited image of the school employee on the Internet;
Accessing, altering, or erasing any computer network, computer data program, or computer software,
including breaking into a password-protected account or stealing or otherwise accessing passwords of
a school employee; making repeated, continuing, or sustained electronic communications, including
electronic mail or transmission, to a school employee;
Making, or causing to be made, and disseminating an unauthorized copy of data pertaining to a school
employee in any form, including without limitation the printed or electronic form of computer data,
computer programs, or computer software residing in, communicated by, or produced by a computer
or computer network;
Signing up a school employee for a pornographic Internet site; or
Without authorization of the school employee, signing up a school employee for electronic mailing
lists or to receive junk electronic messages and instant messages.
Examples of "Bullying" may also include but are not limited to a pattern of behavior involving one or more of
the following:
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Sarcastic comments "compliments" about another student’s personal appearance or actual or perceived
attributes;
Pointed questions intended to embarrass or humiliate;
Mocking, taunting or belittling;
Non-verbal threats and/or intimidation such as “fronting” or “chesting” a person;
Demeaning humor relating to a student’s race, gender, ethnicity or actual or perceived attributes;
Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money or other involuntary donations or loans;
Blocking access to school property or facilities;
Deliberate physical contact or injury to person or property;
Stealing or hiding books or belongings;
Threats of harm to student(s), possessions, or others;
Sexual harassment, as governed by policy 4.27, is also a form of bullying; and/or
Teasing or name-calling based on the belief or perception that an individual is not conforming to
expected gender roles (Example: “Slut”) or conduct or is homosexual, regardless of whether the
student self-identifies as homosexual (Examples: “You are so gay.” “Fag” “Queer”).
Students are encouraged to report behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single action which if
allowed to continue would constitute bullying, to their teacher or the building principal. The report may be
made anonymously. Teachers and other school employees who have witnessed, or are reliably informed that, a
student has been a victim of behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single action which if allowed
to continue would constitute bullying, shall report the incident(s) to the principal. Parents or legal guardians
may submit written reports of incidents they feel constitute bullying, or if allowed to continue would constitute
bullying, to the principal. The principal shall be responsible for investigating the incident(s) to determine if
disciplinary action is warranted.
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The person or persons reporting behavior they consider to be bullying shall not be subject to retaliation or
reprisal in any form.
Students found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, consideration may be given to other violations of
the student handbook which may have simultaneously occurred.
Notice of what constitutes bullying, the district’s prohibition against bullying, and the consequences for
students who bully shall be conspicuously posted in every classroom, cafeteria, restroom, gymnasium,
auditorium, and school bus. Parents, students, school volunteers, and employees shall be given copies of the
notice.
Copies of this policy shall be available upon request.
BUS MISCONDUCT
Violation of the Code of Conduct by a student while riding a Rivercrest School District bus will be handled as
follows:
First Offense ........................................... Warning
Second Offense ....................................... Parent Conference, Detention, & ISS
Third Offense .......................................... 5 days suspension from bus
Fourth Offense ........................................ 15 days suspension from bus
Fifth Offense ........................................... 30 days suspension from bus
The principal or assistant principal may alter the severity of punishment based on circumstances and other
conditions.
CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that respects the rights of others. Possession
and use of any electronic device, whether district or student owned, that interferes with a positive, orderly
classroom environment does not respect the rights of others and is expressly forbidden.
To protect the security of state originated tests that are administered as part of the PARCC assessments or the
Arkansas Comprehensive, Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP), no electronic device
as defined in this policy shall not be accessible by a student at any time during test administration unless
specifically permitted by a student's IEP or individual health plan. This means that when a student is taking a
PARCC or ACTAAP assessment, the student shall not have his/her electronic device in his/her possession.
Any student violating this provision shall be subject to this policy's disciplinary provisions. This prohibition
also applies to other types of standardized testing, including but not limited to the ACT, EXPLORE, and
PLAN assessments.
As used in this policy, “electronic devices” means anything that can be used to transmit or capture images,
sound, or data.
Misuse of electronic devices includes, but is not limited to:
 Using electronic devices during class time in any manner other than specifically permitted by the
classroom instructor;
 Permitting any audible sound to come from the device when not being used for reason #1 above;
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Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or
receiving help during an academic examination, or wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores;
Using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms;
Creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or
another person;
Using a recording device to record activity such as a fight or any other activity that is detrimental to
the learning environment. These acts will be treated and disciplined according to the Bullying Policy.
Use of an electronic device is permitted to the extent it is approved in a student’s individualized education
program (IEP) or it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.
Possession of electronic devices is permitted on the school campus only between classes, during lunch, and
before and after normal school hours. However, NO ear buds or head phones are allowed to be visible or
in use between classes. Those are only to be visible in the classroom with the teacher’s permission.
No student shall use any wireless communication device for the purposes of browsing the internet; composing
or reading emails and text messages; or making or answering phone calls while driving a motor vehicle which
is in motion and on school property. Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including
suspension.
The use of such devices at school sponsored functions outside the regular school day is permitted to the extent
and within the limitations allowed by the event or activity the student is attending.
The student and/or the student’s parents or guardians expressly assume any risk associated with students
owning or possessing electronic devices. Students misusing electronic devices shall have them confiscated.
Confiscated devices may be picked up at the school’s administration office by the student’s parents or
guardians. Students have no right of privacy as to the content contained on any electronic devices that have
been confiscated.
Students who use a school issued cell phone and/or computer for non-school purposes, except as permitted by
the district’s Internet/computer use policy, shall be subject to discipline, up to and including suspension or
expulsion. Students are forbidden from using school issued cell phones while driving any vehicle at any time.
Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Violation of Policy on Cell Phones and Electronic Communication Devices:
1st offense 2nd offense 3rd offense 4th offense -
The device will be confiscated and taken to the office. The device will be returned to
the student at the end of the day.
The device will be confiscated and taken to the office. The student will be assigned
noon detention and the device will be released only to the student’s parent/guardian.
The device will be confiscated and taken to the office. The student will be assigned
ISS and the device will be released only to the student’s parent/guardian.
The student will lose the privilege of bringing the device to school for the remainder
of the semester. Further violation will result in suspension from school.
Any student who refuses to give a communication device to a teacher or other school official when
requested to do so will be referred to the office for insubordination.
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CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Students under the influence of or having possession of controlled substances (illegal drugs), marijuana,
pretend drugs, alcohol, materials expressly prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or any non-prescribed
substance which alters behavior on school property, at school functions regardless of location, at the visited
school, during the regular school day, or any time the student is under school supervision shall be
recommended for expulsion.
DANGEROUS WEAPONS
No student shall possess a weapon, display what appears to be a weapon, or threaten to use a weapon while in
school, on or about school property, before or after school, in attendance at school or any school sponsored
activity, on route to or from school or any school sponsored activity, off the school grounds at any school bus
stop, or at any school sponsored activity or event. Military personnel, such as ROTC cadets, acting in the
course of their official duties are exempted.
A weapon is defined as any firearm; knife; razor; ice pick; dirk; box cutter; numchucks; pepper spray, mace, or
other noxious spray; explosive; taser or other instrument that uses electrical current to cause neuromuscular
incapacitation; or any other instrument or substance capable of causing bodily harm. For the purposes of this
policy, "firearm" means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile by the action of an
explosive or any device readily convertible to that use.
Possession means having a weapon, as defined in this policy, on the student’s body or in an area under his/her
control. If a student discovers, prior to any questioning or search by any school personnel, that he/she has
accidentally brought a weapon, other than a firearm, to school on his/her person, in a book bag/purse, or in
his/her vehicle on school grounds, and the student informs the principal or a staff person immediately, the
student will not be considered to be in possession of a weapon unless it is a firearm. The weapon shall be
confiscated and held in the office until such time as the student’s parent/legal guardian shall pick up the
weapon from the school’s office. Repeated offenses are unacceptable and shall be grounds for disciplinary
action against the student as otherwise provided for in this policy.
Except as permitted in this policy, students found to be in possession on the school campus of a firearm1 shall
be recommended for expulsion for a period of not less than one year. The superintendent shall have the
discretion to modify such expulsion recommendation for a student on a case-by-case basis. Parents or legal
guardians of students expelled under this policy shall be given a copy of the current laws regarding the
possibility of parental responsibility for allowing a child to possess a firearm on school property. Parents or
legal guardians shall sign a statement acknowledging that they have read and understand said laws prior to
readmitting the student. Parents or legal guardians of a student enrolling from another school after the
expiration of an expulsion period for a firearm policy violation shall also be given a copy of the current laws
regarding the possibility of parental responsibility for allowing a child to possess a firearm on school property.
The parents or legal guardians shall sign a statement acknowledging that they have read and understand said
laws prior to the student being enrolled in school.
The mandatory expulsion requirement for possession of a firearm does not apply to a firearm brought to school
for the purpose of participating in activities approved and authorized by the district that include the use of
firearms. Such activities may include ROTC programs, hunting safety or military education, or before or afterschool hunting or rifle clubs. Firearms brought to school for such purposes shall be brought to the school
employee designated to receive such firearms. The designated employee shall store the firearms in a secure
location until they are removed for use in the approved activity.
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The district shall report any student who brings a firearm to school to the criminal justice system or juvenile
delinquency system by notifying local law enforcement.
DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISORDERLY ACTIVITIES
Demonstrations and disorderly activities on the part of any student or group of students will not be tolerated at
any time on the campus of Rivercrest. Participation in any such demonstration activities, no matter how well
intended, shall bring about immediate suspension, and expulsion may result. Demonstrations and disorderly
activities on school grounds shall, if circumstances justify, be promptly handled by civil authorities.
GANGS AND SECRET SOCIETIES
The Board of Education of Rivercrest School District and the administration and staff of Rivercrest High
School have the responsibility of maintaining a safe and disruption-free school environment. The School Laws
of Arkansas state that “any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society or organization as defined in this
sub-chapter is declared to be inimical to the public free schools and therefore unlawful.” The School Laws of
Arkansas further expressly prohibit hazing. Gangs are hereby found to be expressly prohibited by the
Rivercrest School District.
Gangs, as defined in this policy, shall mean individuals who associate with each other primarily for criminal,
disruptive, and/or other activities as prohibited by law and /or by the School District’s rules and regulations
including any type of organization or society which fosters undemocratic practices and seeks to perpetuate
itself by taking in additional members from the pupils enrolled in the Rivercrest School District on the basis of
the decision of its membership rather than upon the free choice of any pupil in the school who is qualified by
the rules of the school to fill the special aims of an organization or society. Gang and gang-related activities
are not acceptable in the school setting. The Board of Education is aware that the presence of gangs
interferes materially and substantially with the educational process and with the requirement of appropriate
discipline in the school. Gangs foster anti-social behaviors, attitudes, and practices which may endanger the
health, safety, and welfare of our students. Therefore, students are prohibited from participating in any activity
related to gangs while at school, while traveling to or from school, or while attending school-sponsored events.
Prohibited activities include (but are not limited to) the following:
 Soliciting and/or recruiting others for membership;
 Participating in and/or inciting physical violence;
 Extorting or soliciting money and/or services, requesting any person to pay for protection, insurance,
or the payment of dues;
 Coercing, harassing, and/or otherwise intimidating, threatening or causing to harm any person;
 Wearing, possessing, using, displaying in any manner, distributing, or selling any clothing, jewelry,
emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other item commonly associated with membership in or affiliation
with a gang. When there is a question as to whether or not possessions or clothes are gang related,
determination will be made by the administration. Bandanas of any color are prohibited from being
worn, shown, or possessed while on school grounds or at school functions.
 Using any communication, verbal or nonverbal (gestures, one pants leg raised, handshakes, etc.)
suggesting or showing membership in, or affiliation with a gang;
 Engaging in any activity intended to promote or further the interests of any gang activity including,
but not limited to distributing literature, drawing or displaying unauthorized symbols on any surface,
teaching others to “represent”, or acting like a member of a gang.
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Engaging
in any activity defined by the laws of Arkansas to be “hazing”, including:
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i. Any willful act on or off the property of the Rivercrest School District by one student
alone or acting with others which is directed against any other student and done for
the purpose of intimidating the student attacked by threatening him/her with social or
other ostracism or by submitting such student to shame, or disgrace among his/her
fellow students, and acts calculated to produce such results;
ii. The playing of abusive tricks on or off the property of the Rivercrest School District
by one student alone or acting with others, upon another student to frighten or scare
him/her; OR
iii. Any willful act on or off the property of the Rivercrest School District by one student
alone or acting with others which is directed against any other student done for the
purpose of humbling the pride, stifling the ambition, or impairing the courage of the
student attacked or to discourage him/her from remaining in the Rivercrest School
District, or reasonably to cause him/her to leave Rivercrest rather than submit to such
acts
iv. Any willful act on or off the property of the Rivercrest School District by one student
alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming; or seriously
offering, threatening, or attempting to strike, beat, bruise, or maim; or to seriously
offer, threaten, or attempt to do physical violence to any student of the Rivercrest
School District or any other educational institution; or assault upon any such student
made for the purpose of committing any of the acts or producing any of the results to
such student as defined by this paragraph.
Any act or activity which violates any law or any policy of the Rivercrest School District when such
act or activity is taken to further the interests of a gang.
In accordance with Arkansas code Annotated 6-18-605, it shall be the duty of the school district to suspend or
expel from the Rivercrest School District any pupil who shall:
 Be or remain a member, promise to join, become a member, or solicit other persons to join, promise to
join, or pledge to become a member of any prohibited secret society or organization as described
above;
 Wear or display an insignia for purposes of identification with any such secret society or organization
while in or attending the Rivercrest School District.
IMPROPER APPEARANCE
Rivercrest recognizes that dress can be a matter of personal taste and preference. At the same time, the district
has a responsibility to promote an environment conducive to student learning. This requires limitations to
student dress and grooming that could be disruptive to the education process because they are immodest,
disruptive, unsanitary, and unsafe, could cause property damage, or are offensive to common standards of
decency.
Students sent home to change are expected to return to school. The time missed from school is unexcused.
STUDENTS WILL OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING DRESS REGULATIONS:
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Students are prohibited from wearing, while on the school grounds during the school day and at
school-sponsored events, clothing that exposes underwear, buttocks, or the breast of a female.
The wearing of muscle shirts, net shirts, tank tops, and sleeveless shirts by males is prohibited.
Shirts and blouses are to be buttoned when worn over t-shirts.
All shirts must have at least 4 inches of material across the shoulder and may not allow any
undergarments to be showing.
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
Hip huggers, low cut or strapless blouses, and blouses with spaghetti straps are not to be worn. No
bare midriffs or bare backs are to be shown. No writing is allowed on female pants such as “Hot
Body” or other inappropriate designs.
 Pants should be worn securely at the waist. Pants that are loose fitting and cannot be kept from
sagging are required to have a belt to keep them up. No undergarments can be showing.
 Dresses, skirts, skorts, and shorts cannot be more than 4 inches above the bended knee.
 No sleepwear, including pajama tops, bottoms, or lounge pants are allowed.
 Shirts and blouses are to be buttoned and no see-through tops or pants.
 Jeans or other apparel should not be deliberately mutilated. Holes in jeans above the knee can be worn
as long as no skin is showing through.
 Leggings are not to be worn as pants. Leggings may be worn but must have a shirt worn over
them long enough to cover the entire buttocks and the upper thigh.
 Shoes will be worn at all times. Tennis shoes must be tied and laced. No house shoes are permitted
 Hats, caps, swim wear and sunglasses are not to be worn in school.
 No undergarments will be worn as outer garments. No top may be worn that exposes cleavage.
 Belts are to be fastened around the waist, and suspenders are to be worn on both shoulders.
 All pants with belt loops must be worn with a belt that is fastened so pants will not sag.
 All clothing is to be worn on the proper side, in the proper manner in which the garment was
intended.
 Nose rings, tongue rings, eyebrow rings or any other piercing will not be allowed.
 Raised pants legs are not allowed.
 T-shirts are NOT to be worn that advertise drugs, alcohol, sex, or any topics such as the rebel flag, that
may be considered in poor taste.
 Students should NOT wear the American flag in a manner of disrespect.
 No HOODS shall be worn in the building.
 Bandanas of any color or colors are prohibited.
Students are allowed to wear shorts that meet the following criteria:
 Shorts must be loose fitting.
 Shorts are to be no more than four inches above the bended of the knee.
 No biker shorts, two layered shorts, or cut-offs will be allowed.
INDECENT EXPOSURE AND SEXUAL ADVANCES
A student shall not deliberately commit indecent exposure in school nor shall a student make improper sexual
advances toward another person. (Ark. Stat. 41-1811, 41-1812) Consequences for violation of this policy:
 Five (5) day suspension/probation; or
 Recommendation for expulsion for remainder of semester with loss of credits.
Sagging pants are considered to be indecent exposure and will be treated as such. Individual are considered to
be sagging if the following is not met: All pants/shorts should be worn at the waist with NO
undergarments of any kind showing above the pants/shorts.
INSULT/ABUSE OF A TEACHER
Arkansas Code Annotated Section 6-17-106 defines insult or abuse of a teacher as follows:
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(a)(1) It is unlawful during regular school hours and in a place where a public school employee is required to
be in the course of his or her duties, for any person to address a public school employee using language which
in its common acceptation is calculated to:
(A) Cause a breach of the peace;
(B) Materially and substantially interfere with the operation of the school; or
(C) Arouse the person to whom it is addressed to anger to the extent likely to cause imminent
retaliation;
(2) A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be
liable for a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $1,500.00.
(b) Each school district shall report to the Arkansas Department of Education any prosecutions within school
districts under this section.
OVERT AFFECTION
A student shall not use physical contact such as hugging, kissing, petting, or holding hands with another
student that conveys a connotation that can be judged as sexually explicit, during the regular school day, at
school functions (home or away), or during extracurricular activities.
TARDINESS
Tardiness is not allowed at Rivercrest. A student is tardy when the tardy bell rings and the student is not in
his/her seat and ready for work. If a student must return to his/her locker for materials, he/she will be
considered tardy. The punishment for unexcused tardiness is as follows:
1st offense – reprimand/warning
2nd offense – noon detention or corporal punishment
3rd offense – 2 days noon detention and a parent conference
4th offense – 1 day in ISS
An additional day in ISS will be given for each additional tardy above the fourth. Persistent tardiness may
result in the student being considered for placement in our Alternative Education Program.
TEACHER'S REMOVAL OF STUDENT FROM CLASSROOM
A teacher may remove a student from class whose behavior the teacher has documented to be repeatedly
interfering with the teacher's ability to teach the students in the class or whose behavior is so unruly,
disruptive or abusive that it interferes with the ability of the student's other classmates to learn. Students who
have been removed from their classroom by a teacher shall be sent to the principal's or principal's designee's
office for appropriate discipline.
The teacher's principal or the principal's designee may:



Place the student into another appropriate classroom;
Place the student into in-school suspension;
Place the student into the district's Alternative Learning Environment Program (ALE);
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

Return the student to the class; or
Take other appropriate action consistent with the district's student discipline policies and state and federal law.
If a teacher removes a student from class two (2) times during any nine-week grading period, the principal or
the principal's designee may not return the student to the teacher's class unless a conference has been held for
the purpose of determining the cause of the problem and possible solutions. The conference is to be held with
the following individuals present:





The principal or the principal's designee;
The teacher;
The school counselor;
The parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis; and
The student, if appropriate.
However, the failure of the parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis to attend the conference does not
prevent any action from being taken as a result of the conference.
TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Smoking or use of tobacco or products containing tobacco in any form (including, but not limited to,
cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) in or on any real property owned or leased by a district school,
including school buses owned or leased by the district, is prohibited. Students who violate this policy may be
subject to legal proceedings in addition to student disciplinary measures.
With the exception of recognized tobacco cessation products, this policy’s prohibition includes any tobacco or
nicotine delivery system or product. Specifically, the prohibition includes any product that is manufactured,
distributed, marketed, or sold as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, or under any other name or descriptor.
DISCIPLINE CHART
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Problem Area
First Offense
Subsequent Offenses
Expulsion
Expulsion
Parental Involvement
Police Notified
Expulsion
Police Notified
Reprimand
Loss of Permit
Expulsion
Expulsion
Parental Involvement
Police Notified
Expulsion
Police Notified
Loss of Permit
Loss of Permit
Bullying/ Harassment/
Threatening
Communication
Reprimand/
Parental Involvement
Expulsion-Notification of
Authorities
ISS
Bus
Student Conference
Expulsion from Bus
Suspension from Cafeteria
3 days eating in ISS room
Expulsion
Expulsion
Corporal punishment
Suspension
Parental Involvement/
Restitution
Suspension
Reprimand
Expulsion
Parental Involvement/
Restitution
Suspension
Reprimand/
Parental Involvement
Suspension
Reprimand
Suspension
Suspension/
Police Notified
Expulsion/
Police Notified
Suspension/
Parental Involvement
Expulsion
Five (5) days OSS/Five (5) days
ISS
Expulsion
Alcohol
Arson
Automobile
Cafeteria Misconduct
Controlled Substances
Cutting Class
Defacement of Property
Defiance of Authority
Destruction of Property
Disorderly Conduct
Dress Code Violation
Explosive Devices
Extortion
Fighting
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Expulsion-Notification of
Authorities
Maximum
Parental Involvement
Expulsion from Bus
3 days eating in ISS room
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Expulsion
Expulsion
ISS
Expulsion,
Suspension/
Restitution
Expulsion
ISS
Expulsion
Suspension/
Restitution
Expulsion
Noon Detention or Corporal
Punishment
Expulsion
Noon Detention
Suspension
Suspension/
Police Notified
Expulsion/
Police Notified
Suspension
Expulsion
Five (5) days OSS/Five (5) days
ISS
Expulsion
DISCIPLINE CHART (CONTINUED)
55
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Problem Area
First Offense
Subsequent Offenses
Food or Drink
Reprimand/
Parental Involvement
Noon Detention
Noon Detention
Minimum
Suspension
Maximum
Forgery
Suspension
Expulsion
Noon Detention
Expulsion
Suspension
Expulsion
Noon Detention
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Leaving Campus
without permission
from Principal/Designee
Profanity
Reprimand
Suspension
Reprimand
Suspension
Suspension
Expulsion
Reprimand/
Parental Involvement
Expulsion
Parental Involvement/3 days in
ISS
Suspension
Reprimand
Maximum
Minimum
Roaming the Halls
Suspension
Reprimand
Expulsion
Parental Involvement/ 5 days
in ISS
Expulsion
Noon Detention/Corporal
Punishment
Expulsion
Noon Detention/Corporal
Punishment
Suspension
3-day Suspension
5-day Suspension
Reprimand
Noon Detention
Restitution/
Parental Involvement
Restitution/
Suspension
Noon Detention/Parental
Involvement
5-day Suspension
Expulsion
Noon Detention
ALE
Restitution/
Suspension
Restitution/Expulsion
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Suspension
Minimum
Suspension
Police Notified
Expulsion
Expulsion
Maximum
Gambling
Gang Activity
Inappropriate Display
of Affection
Noon Detention
Smoking, Chewing
Tobacco
Tardiness
Theft
Truancy
Weapons
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Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Maximum
Activities and Athletics…
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Co-Curricular activities include teams, clubs, groups, and organizations which are academic in nature and are
composed completely of students enrolled in a particular class or classes or particular academic department
that reflects the function of the organization. Some groups require current enrollment in a specific class or
group of classes, while others allow a student to continue to be a member even though he/she is not enrolled
currently if he/she has been previously enrolled. Each organization is responsible for getting this specific
information to students who show interest in joining the group. However, for school attendance purposes, the
student must be currently enrolled to be considered co-curricular. Members who are not currently enrolled
in the class, classes, or department associated with the organization will be considered extracurricular
and must be familiar with the policy regarding maximum absences from school that would preclude
participation.
Co-curricular students who miss class for these activities are NOT counted absent regardless of the number of
days missed for co-curricular activities. These students are generally absent to attend academic competitions,
workshops, conventions, seminars, symposia, etc. which are extensions of academic work being
done or having been done in the classroom. However, the students are responsible for all missed work in
accordance with the policy on make-up of academic work found elsewhere in this handbook.
In addition, groups may be formed during the year based on academics for specific competitions,
performances, workshops, etc. that would be considered in this area. The principal would have to sanction
such groups. The principal may reclassify a group’s activity if it is not of an academic nature.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The Student Council serves as a recommending body to the school administration. With the exception of those
students serving on the Council by virtue of being elected president of their class, candidates for Student
Council must be a junior or senior. The president of the Student Council must be a senior. Candidates for
Student Council, including class president, must meet the following requirements:




a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above;
an attendance rate of 90% or better;
no in-school or out-of-school suspensions;
no more than five tardies for the current year; and
be an active member of at least one student organization.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS/EQUAL ACCESS
Non-curriculum-related secondary school student organizations wishing to conduct meeting on school
premises during non-instructional time shall not be denied equal access on the basis of the religious, political,
philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meeting. Such meeting must meet the following criteria:
The meeting is to be voluntary and student initialed; there is no sponsorship of the meeting by the school, the
government, or its agents or employees; the meeting must occur during non-instructional time; employees or
57
agents of the school are present at a religious meting only in a non-participatory capacity; the meetings do not
materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school; and a
non-school person may not direct, conduct, or regularly attend activities of student groups
.
All meetings held on school premises must be scheduled and approved by the principal. The school, its agents,
and employees retain the authority to maintain order and discipline, to protect the wellbeing of students and
faculty, and to assure that attendance of students at meeting is voluntary.
Fraternities, sororities, and secret societies are forbidden in the District’s schools. Membership to student
organization shall not be by vote of the organization’s members, nor be restricted by the student’s race,
religion, sex, national origin, or other arbitrary criteria. Hazing as defined by law is forbidden in connection
with initiation into, or affiliation with, any student organization, extracurricular activity or sport program.
Students who are convicted of participation in hazing or the failure to report hazing shall be expelled.
FUNDRAISING
All fund raising activities held in the district or in the name of the district must be pre-approved in writing by
the Superintendent and affected school principal. Approval will be predicated on the potential for return
relative to the time and energy to be invested in the fund raising. Fund raising that conflicts excessively with
and/or detracts from student or teacher instructional time in either the planning or the execution of the activity
will not be approved.
Neither an individual school nor the district shall be liable for any contract between clubs or organizations and
third parties.
Student participation in any fund raising activity shall:

Be voluntary. Students who choose not to participate shall not forfeit any school privileges. It shall not
be considered discriminatory to reward those who participate; and

Not influence or affect the student’s grade.
For purposes of this policy, “Door-to-door sales” means the selling of merchandise outside of the child's home
and off the school grounds.
Fund raising at Rivercrest High School may only be done by officially sanctioned student clubs, spirit groups,
school PTAs, or parent booster clubs. Student clubs and spirit groups must receive written approval from their
sponsor and the school principal before submitting the fund raising proposal to the superintendent.
Door to door fundraising activities are generally discouraged. If approved, students wishing to participate who
are under the age of eighteen (18) must return to their sponsor a signed parental notification and permission
form.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extracurricular activities include teams, clubs, groups, and organizations which are not composed completely
of students enrolled in a particular class or classes or a particular academic department that reflects the
function of the organization. Extracurricular activities enroll students from the general population of the
school.
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When participating in extracurricular activities during the school day, the student is not counted absent.
However, he/she is responsible for all missed work in accordance with the policy on make-up of academic
work found elsewhere in this handbook. A student may miss a MAXIMUM OF NINE (9) TIMES from any
class for these activities, not including regional, state, or national competitions. A student must be present for
one-half (½) of the school day in order to participate in any extracurricular activity.
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
Rivercrest offers the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics through the following sports:
baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, softball, and track. In addition, interscholastic activities
include cheerleading, JROTC, band, and choir. Each of these is governed by the Arkansas Activities
Association (AAA) and must adhere to the AAA’s rules, regulations, and requirements as well as local school
regulations. The school must set regulations for participation that meet the AAA requirements as a minimum,
but may set a higher standard if desired.
Rivercrest High School reserves the right to drug test all students in grades 7-12 involved in athletics,
cheerleading, JROTC, and band. These students may be placed in a pool of participants and randomly selected
for substance testing. The students will be subject to testing the entire school year.
ARKANSAS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
RULE
Students who participate in interscholastic athletics or activities regulated by the Arkansas Activities
Association must meet specific academic requirements to be eligible to participate. To be eligible, a student
must have passed at least four academic courses the previous semester and have earned a grade point average
that semester of at least 2.0 (“C” average) in all academic courses. A student who has passed four academic
courses but has not maintained the 2.0 GPA must enroll in and attend the Supplemental Instruction Program
(SIP) to maintain eligibility for the semester. This program meets on Saturday morning throughout the school
year. Transportation is not provided.
Once a student is enrolled in SIP, he/she must at least show improvement in their grades of one tenth of a point
the first semester in the program and reach a 2.0 (“C” average) the second semester in the program to remain
eligible for participation in competitive school-sponsored activities. The maximum length of time a student
may be in SIP is two consecutive semesters. Any student enrolled in the SIP program who is suspended from
school will automatically forfeit his or her eligibility to participate in interscholastic activities or athletics. If a
student does not improve his/her grade point average by one-tenth of a point and then exits the program, that
student will have to earn a grade point average of 2.0 before regaining eligibility.
Students must comply with these scholarship rules to participate in ANY interscholastic event sanctioned and
regulated by the AAA. (These standards do not apply to interscholastic events in vocational education.)
In order to be considered eligible to participate in competitive interscholastic activities, students with disabilities must pass
at least four (4) courses per semester as required by their individual education program (IEP).
In addition to the foregoing rules, the district shall abide by the rules and regulations of the Arkansas Activities
Association (AAA) governing interscholastic activities. AAA provides catastrophic insurance coverage for
students participating in AAA governed extracurricular activities who are enrolled in school. As a matter of
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district policy, no student may participate in a AAA governed extracurricular activity unless he or she is
enrolled in a district school, to ensure all students are eligible for AAA catastrophic insurance.
For any questions regarding the eligibility of home school students, who wish to participate in AAA activities
should direct their questions to the district office.
INTRASCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES
AAA GOVERNED ACTIVITIES
Students participating in intrascholastic extracurricular activities that would be governed by AAA if they were to occur
between students of different schools shall meet all interscholastic activity eligibility requirements to be eligible to
participate in the comparable intrascholastic activity. The District will abide by the AAA Handbook for such activities to
ensure District students are not disqualified from participating in interscholastic activities.7
NON-AAA GOVERNED ACTIVITIES
Unless made ineligible by District policies, all students shall be eligible to participate in non-AAA governed
intrascholastic extracurricular activities. Intrascholastic activities designed for a particular grade(s) or course(s) shall
require the student to be enrolled in the grade(s) or course(s).
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ATHLETES
It is a privilege to be a member of a Rivercrest athletic team. Students who participate in extracurricular
activities should take pride in representing our school and are expected to be good ambassadors. They should
set a high standard of conduct, eligibility and behavior. Students violating school/athletic regulations harm
themselves, their athletic team and their school. Athletics and other extracurricular activities are to be
considered a privilege and not an inherent right of the student. When an athlete accepts this privilege, they
must also live up to the code of conduct beyond that of the general student body, on and off school property.

Respect is to be shown for coaches, officials, opponents, spectators, and yourself. Good
sportsmanship is to be exhibited at all times.

Membership on a team is dependent upon good attitude, consistent work habits, regular class
attendance, and satisfactory academic performance.

Commitment to the team is to be shown by attendance at all practices, games and team meetings. In
cases where it is impossible to be in attendance due to sickness, injury, or another valid reason, the
coach should be notified beforehand.

Foul language, smoking, drinking, or drug use will not be tolerated.

Athletes who have been suspended or who are absent from school without approval will not be
allowed to play on that day.

Athletes are to realize that equal playing time is not guaranteed for all players. Before the season
begins, athletes and coaches should discuss expectations for the season.

Unsportsmanlike conduct of an athlete at extracurricular activities will not be tolerated, and offending
athlete may lose their right to participate in or attend future activities.
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
Athletics requires extra effort and sometimes extra discipline on the part of the athlete because of the
demands made upon them by rules of the coach and the stress of the activities. Athletes should make
themselves aware of these demands and be prepared to make required personal adaptations before
participating in athletic activities.

Athletes are to travel with the team on the bus provided by the school. After the event, the only way
the athlete may be released is to parent or legal guardian, in person.
School and Student Safety…
EMERGENCY DRILLS
All schools in the district shall conduct fire drills at least monthly. Tornado drills shall also be conducted not fewer than
three (3) times per year with at least one each in the months of September, January, and February. Students who ride
school buses shall also participate in emergency evacuation drills at least twice each school year.
The district shall annually conduct an active shooter drill and school safety assessment for all district schools in
collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency management personnel. The training will include a
lockdown exercise with panic button alert system training. Students will be included in the drills to the extent that is
developmentally appropriate to the age of both the students and grade configuration of the school.
Drills may be conducted during the instructional day or during non-instructional time periods.
Other types of emergency drills may also be conducted to test the implementation of the district's emergency plans in the
event of violence, terrorist attack, natural disaster, other emergency, or the district’s Panic Button Alert System.
Students shall be included in the drills to the extent practicable.
INTERNET SAFETY AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE
POLICY
The Rivercrest School District makes electronic device(s) and/or electronic device Internet access available to students, to
permit students to perform research and to allow students to learn how to use electronic device technology. Use of district
electronic devices is for educational and/or instructional purposes only. Student use of electronic device(s) shall only be as
directed or assigned by staff or teachers; students are advised that they enjoy no expectation of privacy in any aspect of
their electronic device use, including email, and that monitoring of student electronic device use is continuous.
No student will be granted Internet access until and unless an Internet and electronic device use agreement, signed by both
the student and the parent or legal guardian (if the student is under the age of eighteen [18]) is on file. The current version
of the Internet and electronic device use agreement is incorporated by reference into board policy and is considered part of
the student handbook.
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Technology Protection Measures
The District is dedicated to protecting students from materials on the Internet or world wide web that are inappropriate,
obscene, or otherwise harmful to minors; therefore, it is the policy of the District to protect each electronic device with
Internet filtering software that is designed to prevent students from accessing such materials. For purposes of this policy,
“harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
(A) taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
(B) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an
actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition
of the genitals; and
(C) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
Internet Use and Safety
The District is dedicated to ensuring that students are capable of using the Internet in a safe and responsible manner. The
District uses technology protection measures to aid in student safety and shall also educate students on appropriate online
behavior and Internet use including, but not limited to:
 interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms;
 Cyberbullying awareness; and
 Cyberbullying response.
Misuse of Internet
The opportunity to use the District’s technology to access the Internet is a privilege and not a right. Students who misuse
electronic devices or Internet access in any way will face disciplinary action, as specified in the student handbook4 and/or
Internet safety and electronic device use agreement. Misuse of the Internet includes:
 The disabling or bypassing of security procedures, compromising, attempting to compromise, or defeating the
district’s technology network security or Internet filtering software;
 The altering of data without authorization;
 Disclosing, using, or disseminating passwords, whether the passwords are the student’s own or those of another
student/faculty/community member, to other students;
 Divulging personally identifying information about himself/herself or anyone else either on the Internet or in an
email unless it is a necessary and integral part of the student's academic endeavor. Personally identifying
information includes full names, addresses, and phone numbers.
 Using electronic devices for any illegal activity, including electronic device hacking and copyright or intellectual
property law violations;
 Using electronic devices to access or create sexually explicit or pornographic text or graphics;
 Using electronic devices to violate any other policy or is contrary to the Internet safety and electronic device use
agreement.
4.29F-Student Internet Use Agreement
The Rivercrest School District agrees to allow the student identified above (“Student”) to use the district’s
technology to access the Internet under the following terms and conditions:
1. Conditional Privilege: The Student’s use of the district’s access to the Internet is a privilege conditioned on
the Student’s abiding to this agreement. No student may use the district’s access to the Internet unless the
Student and his/her parent of guardian have read and signed this agreement.
2. Acceptable Use: The Student agrees that he/she will use the District’s Internet access for educational
purposes only. In using the Internet, the Student agrees to obey all federal and state laws and regulations. The
Student also agrees to abide by any Internet use rules instituted at the Student’s school or class, whether those
rules are written or oral.
3. Penalties for Improper Use: If the Student violates this agreement and misuses the Internet, the Student
shall be subject to disciplinary action:
1. Loss of privilege
62
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Teacher/Principal/Student Conference
Teacher/Principal/Parent Conference
ISS/OSS
Three Day Suspension
Five Day Suspension
Recommendation for expulsion with loss of credit.
4. “Misuse of the District’s access to the Internet” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. using the Internet for other than educational purposes;
b. gaining intentional access or maintaining access to materials which are “harmful to minors” as defined by
Arkansas law;
c. using the Internet for any illegal activity, including computer hacking and copyright or intellectual property
law violations;
d. making unauthorized copies of computer software;
e. accessing “chat lines” unless authorized by the instructor for a class activity directly supervised by a staff
member;
f. using abusive or profane language in private messages on the system; or using the system to harass, insult,
or verbally attack others;
g. posting anonymous messages on the system;
h. using encryption software;
i. wasteful use of limited resources provided by the school include paper;
j. causing congestion of the network through lengthy downloads of files;
k. vandalizing data of another user;
l. obtaining or sending information which could be used to make destructive devices such as guns, weapons,
bombs, explosives, or fireworks;
m. gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to resources or files;
n. identifying oneself with another person’s name or password or using an account or password of another
user without proper authorization;
o. invading the privacy of individuals;
p. divulging personally identifying information about himself/herself or anyone else either on the Internet or
in an email. Personally identifying information includes full names, address, and phone number.
r. theft of vandalism of data, equipment, or intellectual property;
s. attempting to gain access or gaining access to student records, grades, or files;
t. introducing a virus to, or otherwise improperly tampering with the system;
u. degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance;
v. creating a web page or associating a web page with the school or school district without proper
authorization;
w. provides access to the District’s Internet Access to unauthorized individuals;
x. failing to obey school or classroom Internet use rules; or
y. taking part in any activity related to Internet use which creates a clear and present danger of the substantial
disruption of the orderly operation of the district or any of its schools.
z. Installing or downloading software on district computers without prior approval of technology director or
his/her designee.
5.Liability for debts: Students and their cosigners shall be liable for any and all costs (debts) incurred through
the student’s use of the computers or the Internet including penalties for copyright violations.
6. No Expectation of Privacy: The Student and parent/guardian signing below agree that if the Student uses
the Internet through the District’s access, that the Student waives any right to privacy the Student may have for
such Internet Access and may also examine all system activities the Student participates in, including but not
limited to e-mail, voice, and video transmissions, to ensure proper use of the system. The District may share
such transmissions with the Student’s parents/guardians.
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7.No Guarantees: The District will make good faith efforts to protect children from the improper or harmful
matter which may be on the Internet. At the same time, in signing this agreement, the parent and Student
recognize that the District makes no guarantees about preventing improper access to such materials on the part
of the Student.
PARENTAL CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION
The purpose of the district and school website is to provide information about our school to the community.
Students and staff of Rivercrest are recognized for their achievements and activities. The website also serves to
promote the excellence of our school to people who are moving into our school district. The website is:
Http://www.smccolts.com
Your permission is requested to publish your child’s name and/or picture on the internet site. If a picture is
published, only the student’s first name may be used with the picture, and then only if you have given
permission for this to be done. Personal information, such as parent names, addresses, or telephone numbers
will never be published.
If you have any questions, please contact: Dana Lane, sponsor of the Rivercrest web page at
[email protected]
SECURITY/VIDEOTAPES
The district may record security videotapes on district property. These videotapes, which are made for the
protection and welfare of the school community, typically contain images of many students, as well as district
employees and other persons.
Security videotapes contain personally identifiable information about students. State and federal laws
generally prohibit the release of this information, and the district has not designated the videotapes as
“directory information” that may be disclosed without the prior written consent of the students’ parents or
guardians.
Security videotapes, and the personally identifiable information contained on the videotapes, will be disclosed
only when authorized by law or when the disclosure is made to school officials with legitimate educational
interests. The videotapes otherwise will not be disclosed to any person.
STUDENT MEDICATIONS
Prior to the administration of any medication to any student under the age of eighteen (18), written parental
consent is required. The consent form shall include authorization to administer the medication and relieve the
Board and its employees of civil liability for damages or injuries resulting from the administration of
medication to students in accordance with this policy. All signed medication consent forms are to be
maintained by the school nurse.
Unless authorized to self-administer, students are not allowed to carry any medications, including over-thecounter medications or any perceived health remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration,
while at school. The parent or legal guardian shall bring the student’s medication to the school nurse. The
student may bring the medication if accompanied by a written authorization from the parent or legal guardian.
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When medications are brought to the school nurse, the nurse shall document, in the presence of the parent, the
quantity of the medication(s). If the medications are brought by a student, the school nurse shall ask another
school employee to verify, in the presence of the student the quantity of the medication(s). Each person present
shall sign a form verifying the quantity of the medication(s).
Medications, including those for self-administration, must be in the original container and be properly labeled
with the student’s name, the ordering provider’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage, frequency, and
instructions for the administration of the medication (including times). Additional information accompanying
the medication shall state the purpose for the medication, it’s possible side effects, and any other pertinent
instructions (such as special storage requirements) or warnings. Schedule II medications that are permitted by
this policy to be brought to school shall be stored in a double locked cabinet.
Students with an individualized health plan (IHP) may be given over-the-counter medications to the extent
giving such medications are included in the student's IHP.
Students taking Schedule II medications methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin or closely related medications as
determined by the school nurse), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and amphetamine sulfate (e.g. Adderall or
closely related medications as determined by the school nurse) shall be allowed to attend school.
Students taking Schedule II medications not included in the previous sentence shall be allowed to bring them
to school under the provisions of this policy and shall be permitted to attend and participate in classes only to
the extent the student's doctor has specifically authorized such attendance and participation. A doctor's
prescription for a student's Schedule II medication is not an authorization. Attendance authorization shall
specifically state the degree and potential danger of physical exertion the student is permitted to undertake in
the student's classes and extracurricular activities. Without a doctor's written authorization, a student taking
Schedule II medications, other than those specifically authorized in this policy, shall not be eligible to attend
classes, but shall be eligible for homebound instruction if provided for in their IEP or 504 plans.
The district's supervising registered nurse shall be responsible for creating both on campus and off campus
procedures for administering medications.
Students who have written permission from their parent or guardian and a licensed health care practitioner on
file with the District may:
1) Self-administer either a rescue inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine;
2) Perform his/her own blood glucose checks;
3) Administer insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses;
4) Treat the student’s own hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia; or
5) Possess on his or her person:
a) A rescue inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine; or
b) the necessary supplies and equipment to perform his/her own diabetes monitoring and treatment
functions.
Students who have a current consent form on file shall be allowed to carry and self-administer such medication
while:
 In school;
 At an on-site school sponsored activity;
 While traveling to or from school; or
 At an off-site school sponsored activity.
A student is prohibited from sharing, transferring, or in any way diverting his/her medications to any other
person. The fact that a student with a completed consent form on file is allowed to carry a rescue inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, diabetes medication, or combination does not require him/her to have such on his/her
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person. The parent or guardian of a student who qualifies under this policy to self-carry a rescue inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, diabetes medication, or any combination on his/her person shall provide the school
with the appropriate medication, which shall be immediately available to the student in an emergency.
Students may be administered Glucagon, insulin, or both in emergency situations by the school nurse or, in the
absence of the school nurse, a trained volunteer school employee designated as a care provider, provided the
student has:
1. an IHP that provides for the administration of Glucagon, insulin, or both in emergency situations; and
2. a current, valid consent form on file from their parent or guardian.
A student shall have access to a private area to perform diabetes monitoring and treatment functions as
outlined in the student's IHP.
Emergency Administration of Epinephrine
The school nurse or other school employees designated by the school nurse as a care provider who have been
trained and certified by a licensed physician may administer an epinephrine auto-injector in emergency
situations to students who have an IHP developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which
provides for the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in emergency situations.
The parent of a student who has an authorizing IHP, or the student if over the age of eighteen (18), shall
annually complete and sign a written consent form provided by the student's school nurse authorizing the nurse
or other school employee certified to administer auto-injector epinephrine to the student when the employee
believes the student is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Students with an order from and a licensed health care provider to self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine
and who have written permission from their parent or guardian shall provide the school nurse an epinephrine
auto-injector. This epinephrine will be used in the event the school nurse, or other school employee certified to
administer auto-injector epinephrine, in good faith professionally believes the student is having a lifethreatening anaphylactic reaction and the student is either not self-carrying his/her /epinephrine auto-injector
or the nurse is unable to locate it.
The school nurse for each district school shall keep epinephrine auto-injectors on hand that are suitable for the
students the school serves. The school nurse or other school employee designated by the school nurse as a care
provider who has been trained and certified by a licensed physician may administer auto-injector epinephrine
to those students who the school nurse, or other school employee certified to administer auto-injector
epinephrine, in good faith professionally believes is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
The school shall not keep outdated medications or any medications past the end of the school year. Parents
shall be notified ten (10) days in advance of the school’s intention to dispose of any medication. Medications
not picked up by the parents or legal guardians within the ten (10) day period shall be disposed of by the
school nurse in accordance with current law and regulations.
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Parental Involvement…
RIVERCREST HIGH SCHOOL PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
PLAN
Rivercrest High School understands the importance of parental involvement in promoting higher student
achievement and general good will between the school and those it serves. Therefore,
Rivercrest High School will strive to develop and maintain the capacity for meaningful and
productive parental and community involvement that will result in partnerships that are mutually
beneficial to the school, students, parents, and community. To achieve such goals, the school will
work to:
1. Remove all barriers to positive parental involvement.
A. The school will pay attention to the policies that effect students and parents who are
economically disadvantaged, disabled, limited English proficient, limited literacy, or who are of a
racial or ethnic minority.
B. School policies will be reviewed and revised if necessary.
2. Welcome parents into the school and seek parental support and assistance.
A. The school should not have any school policies that would discourage a parent from
visiting the school or from visiting a child’s classroom. For the safety and education of the students
and staff, parents must follow established rules for visiting the school or classroom.
B. The school staff should be encouraged to use volunteer surveys to compile a volunteer
resource book which:
a. Lists the interests and availability of volunteers;
b. Determines how frequently a volunteer would like to participate, including the
option of just one (1) time per year;
c. Includes options for those who are available to help at home; and
d. Helps to match school needs with volunteers’ interests.
The volunteer brochure sent home in student packets addresses these requirements.
3. Recognize that communication between home and school should be regular, two-way,
and meaningful.
A. The school shall prepare an informational packet to be distributed annually to the
parents of each child in school (appropriate for the age and grade of the child),
describing and including:
a. The Parental Involvement Program;
b. The recommended role of the parent, student, teacher, and school;
c. Ways for the parent to become involved in the school and in his/her child’s
education;
d. A survey for the parent regarding his/her interests concerning volunteering
at the school;
e. Some of the activities planned throughout the year designed to encourage
parental involvement, including but not limited to:
Open House;
Parent Teacher Conferences;
Parent speakers;
Parent meetings;
Jr. and Sr. Parent meetings;
Chaperones for trips;
Academic / Career Fairs; and
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f. A system to allow the parents and teachers to communicate in a regular, meaningful,
and two-way manner, including but not limited to:
Newsletters;
Report cards;
Progress reports;
School and district website;
Home Access Center (HAC);
Office notes;
Calendars;
Handbook meetings;
Parent / Teacher meetings;
Academic / Career Fairs;
Teacher correspondence (letters sent home);
E-mail;
School phone system; and
School Messenger.
B. Develop with parents a student/parent/school/compact outlining:
a. How parents, staff and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic
achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to
help children achieve;
b. How the school will provide high-quality curriculum in a supportive and effective learning
environment that will enable the children to meet the school’s achievement standards; and
c. How each parent will be responsible for supporting their child’s learning and participating,
as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and positive extracurricular time.
C. The school may plan and implement other activities (determined by the school) to be beneficial to
encourage communication with parents.
4. Recognize that a parent is a full partner in the decisions that affect his or her child and
family:
A. To encourage parents to participate as a full partner, the school shall provide:
a. At least two parent teacher conferences;
b. Frequent reports, including progress reports and report cards, to parents on their child’s
progress (the complete list will be reviewed and revised throughout the year.);
c. School and district website with the Home Access Center (HAC);
d. E-mail;
e. School Messenger;
f. Reasonable access to staff, including E-mail, phone calls, and individual conferences;
g. Opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s education, including in the
following activities:
Academic awards ceremonies;
Athletic awards ceremonies;
Academic / Career Fairs;
Band concerts;
Choir concerts;
Grandparents’ Day;
Open House;
Parent Teacher conferences; and
Veteran’s Day assembly.
B. Include in the school’s policy handbook, the school process for resolving parental concerns,
including:
a. How to define the problem;
b. Who to approach first; and
c. How to develop solutions.
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C. Engage in other activities that will encourage parents to participate as full partners (as determined
by the school).
5. Promote and support responsible parenting.
A. To promote and support responsible parenting, the school shall, as funds are available:
a. Purchase parenting books, magazines, and other informative materials regarding
reasonable parenting through the library, advertise the selections, and give parents an
opportunity to borrow materials for review;
b. Create parent centers;
c. Purchase a set of parenting CDs; and
d. Purchase parenting books.
6. Acknowledge that parents play an integral role in assisting student learning. To help the
parent in assisting students, the school shall (the complete list will be reviewed and revised
throughout the year):
A. Schedule an annual parental involvement meeting at which each parent is given a report on the state
of the school.
B. Schedule other meetings at which parents are given overview of:
a. What students will be learning;
b. How students will be assessed;
c. What parents should expect for their child’s education; and
d. How a parent can assist and make a difference in his/her child’s education.
C. Engage in other activities that (as the school determines) will help parents assist in student
learning.
7. To undertake efforts to ensure that Parental Involvement is recognized as an asset to the
school.
A. The Superintendent will designate for each school one certified staff member who is willing to
serve as a parent facilitator to:
a. Help organize meaningful training for staff and parents;
b. Promote and encourage a welcoming atmosphere to foster parental involvement in
the school; and
c. Undertake efforts to ensure that parental participation is recognized as an asset to the
school.
The certified staff member serving as a parental involvement facilitator shall received supplemental
pay for the duties as required by law.
B. Engage in other activities that (as the school determines) will ensure that parental
involvement is an asset to the school.
8. Recognize that community resources strengthen school programs, family practices, and
student learning. To take advantage of community resources the school shall:
A. Consider recruiting alumni from the school to serve on committees to provide advice and
guidance for school improvement, including an Alumni Association, a Career and Technical
Education Advisory Committee, and a Parental Involvement ACSIP Committee.
B. Enable the formation of a Parent Teacher Association or organization that will foster parental and
community involvement within the school. The school will consider using leaders of this organization as a
resource when making appropriate decisions affecting children and families.
C. Engage in other activities that will use community resources to strengthen school program, family
practices, and student learning, including the Mississippi County Teen Summit, Career Day, and
scholarship assemblies.
9. The school will conduct an annual review of Parental Involvement policies to examine their
The school will conduct an annual review of parental involvement policies to examine their effect on
promoting higher student achievement. This will be done by a committee consisting of parents,
community members, certified staff, and administration.
10. This policy shall be part of the Rivercrest High School’s Title I plan and shall be distributed
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to the district’s parents and provided, to the extent possible, in a language that parents can
understand.
Faculty and staff...
ADMINISTRATION
Superintendent:
Principal
Asst. Principal
Principal (7-8)
Mike Smith
Dr. Tom Bennett
Greg Griffin
William T. Fortson, II
FACULTY AND STAFF
ALE DEPARTMENT
Denise Forister, Director
Murphy Smith, Aide
ART DEPARTMENT
David Mason
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Debbie Vaughn
CAREER & TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
Holly Baker
Tracey Bell
Shelby Coffman
Lynette Penn
CAFETERIA STAFF
Louise Ashburn
Mildred Boone, Mgr.
Mary Coburn
Fredia Johnson
Joyce Jones
Peggy Murphy
Faye Smith
Claudia Thompson
Carolyn Turner
CREDIT RECOVERY/INTERVENTION
Judy Brown
Frank Felizco
Tammy Henard
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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Cary Beth Duffel
Beth Ephlin
Logan Howard
Lora Jones
Carin McClung
Portis Pleasants
Elea Robertson
Karen Thomas
FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Laurisa Mann
GUIDANCE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Lee Ann Graham
Christy Stewart
Diann Townson
HEALTH/PE DEPARTMENT
Rickey Everett
Johnny Fleming
Brett Hardin
Allen Higgins
Judy Watson
JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT
Karen Thomas
JROTC
1st SGT Billy Bell
Major J.C. Northcutt
LIBRARIAN
Leslie Lancaster
Pat Henderson, Aide
MATH DEPARTMENT
Sebree Bird
Merceditas Felizco
Tammy Fleming
Lisa Poag
Emily Thomasson
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Patrick Adams
Jessica Burmingham
SCHOOL NURSE
Kathy Morgan
SCHOOL SECRETARY
Tina Gordon (7-8)
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Debbie Vaughn (9-12)
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Brooke Brewer
Kelly Chandler
Lowell Coffman
Janie Hattle
Dewayne Poag
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Sean Bennett
Mike Conley
Denise Forister
Laurisa Mann
Gaylon Rainwater
SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Walt Barton
Rebecca Beall
Tena Fleming
Earline Macklin
Morgan Ransone
Wanda Riley
Betty Scott
SPEECH/DRAMA DEPARTMENT
Cary Beth Duffel
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Joe Faries
Kristy Graham
Dana Lane
Clurman Strickland
COLT PRIDE!!
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