Student/Parent Handbook

This handbook is designed to give you a brief summary of the rights and responsibilities that you and your child have within Hanford Joint Union High School District. In the following links, pages, and attachments, you will find key policies and laws that affect your child's education; processes for accessing services; and procedures for finding answers to questions or voicing concerns. The handbook is updated and in the data confirmation process that parents complete every year. This handbook covers everything from dress code to graduation ceremonies, so we encourage you to become familiar with its contents. This guide also directs you to resources relating to policies adopted by the Governing Board to identify and avoid any forms of harassment, hate-motivated behavior and/or discrimination in our schools.

Click on the items below to read the student/parent handbook areas you are looking for. If you have any questions, contact the Superintendent's Office at 559-583-5901 ext. 3101 or ssalazar@hjuhsd.org 

Board of Trustees

Lisa Chavarin - Area 1,  Paula Massey - Area 2, Melonie Robinson - Area 3, Alicia Martella - Area 4,  Paul Gillum - Area 5

District Office Contacts

Complete Staff Directory

DISTRICT OFFICE: 559-583-5901
823 W. Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230
www.hjuhsd.org

Superintendent: Victor Rosa, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services: Ward Whaley
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services and Operations: Renee Creech
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services: Bobby Peters
Director of Business Services: Julie Fagundes
Director of Student Services: Janice Ede
Director of IT: Richard Braswell
Director of MOT: Ben Stidman
Coordinator of Safety and Activities: Darin Parson
Food Service Manager: Brooke Kenney
District Nurse: KiAsha Maciel
Español: Ext. 3120

HJUHSD MISSION 

The Mission of HJUHSD is to provide a positive learning environment that fosters academic and extra-curricular achievement, social-emotional well-being, and the life skills necessary to allow our students to thrive within our community and make our community thrive.

BELL SCHEDULES

FOGGY DAY SCHEDULES - are announced on a day-to-day basis. Foggy Day information is available at 583-5909 or on Channel 18. Parents must send a note or call if students are late due to fog.

• Plan A: Buses on a 1 1⁄4 hour delay
• Plan B: Buses delayed 3 hours total
• Plan C: Morning buses canceled On all plans, classes begin at 8:55 a.m. for HHS, HWHS and SPHS and 9 a.m. for EFJ. Afternoon buses run as usual. Shuttles run between HHS, HWHS, and SPHS at 8:30 a.m.
   

SIGNIFICANT DATES and HOLIDAYS

(Please review your School's Calendar for specific daily details)

General Student Information

EMERGENCY CARDS: Updated contact information ensures an effective response in the case of a student emergency. Parents/Guardians must ensure students have updated contact information on file with the school.

LIBRARY/TEXTBOOKS/ ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Students checking out library materials, textbooks, or electronic devices must have proper ID. Students must have a pass from a teacher to visit the library during class. Failure to observe library rules may result in loss of library privilege. Students are responsible for all items left in classrooms or on campus. Charges will be assessed for lost or damaged books. A fine of $5 will be assessed for any book or electronic devices returned without a barcode. If a student feels a textbook/electronic device was damaged before it was checked out to her/him, the student should report the damage to the library and file a “Prior Damage” report. Textbooks/electronic devices stolen from personal property (backpack, car, house, etc.) must be reported to police and a copy of a police report is needed to clear the debt. Students who have a library/textbook/electronic device debt or overdue fees will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

SAT/ACT TESTING - Although HJUHSD may offer testing dates at one of our sites, not all students take College Board Exams at one of our sites. HJUHSD has no distinct affiliation with the College Board and is not made aware when HJUHSD students sign up for the exam. Taking these exams requires specific applications which may not be available on a school issued device. It is critical that the student/parent make the Career Center Technicians aware of the location and date in which the student will take the exam. This way, our IT department can ensure a school issued device will function properly. The student may also choose to take their own personal device instead of the school issued one to avoid any issues. 

ONLINE PORTAL - The Online Portal allows parents and students to access grades and attendance online. Gradebook access is available at HJUHSD schools and local Family Resource Centers. For more information or to create or update an account, please call: HH: Kristen Rodrigues, 583-5902 x 3122 HW: Christine Lee, 583-5903 x 3128 SP: Sharon Prichard, 583-5912 x 2006 EFJ: Irma Montano, 582-5904 x 7000

PHOTOS OF STUDENTS - Occasionally, HJUHSD uses the name, photo, video or comments of students for educational or promotional purposes, including news releases, publications, and websites. If you DO NOT want your child’s likeness to be used, contact your school.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Students are encouraged to wear the P.E. apparel. Up to 3 loaners may be provided per semester with student ID. P.E. students are not to loiter around classrooms and are to remain in the P.E. area until the passing bell rings. Locker rooms and P.E. facilities are off-limits unless attending class.

PROPERTY: PERSONAL/SCHOOL - HJUHSD staff cannot accept non-school related items (including gifts and food) for delivery to students. School-related items may be brought to the Attendance Office. Students may pick them up during non-instructional times. HJUHSD is not responsible for food or personal property dropped off at school.

The school cannot be responsible for theft from lockers or classrooms. Keep lockers locked and combinations confidential. Safeguard and protect personal belongings.

Lockers and desks are the property of the District and are subject to inspection anytime to protect the safety of the students and staff and to prevent possession of drugs/weapons at school. Students are responsible for the contents of their lockers.

Students who willfully deface, damage or vandalize school or personal property may be suspended or expelled and parents/guardians are liable for damages. Parents/guardians are also liable for District property loaned to students and not returned.

Weapons, controlled substances, electronics (musical devices, electronic games, and other non-communication devices, etc.) clothing /items in violation of Dress Code, or other items disruptive to the learning environment are not allowed on campus. Items may be confiscated. The District is not responsible for confiscated items. Students may be suspended for contraband possession and/or subject to further discipline for repeated offenses.

Students may carry cell phones or other electronic communication devices at school /activities, but they are not to cause a disruption during instructional time or activities where a request has been made to turn off the device. Students are not to leave class to take or make a call. Students may use such devices at break, lunch or after school. The District is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged devices.

Office phones are for school business and emergencies. Students using school phones may be required to provide the name of the person called, the reason and the number for staff to make the call.

REGISTRATION PRIOR TO ENTERING OR REMAINING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY -  To provide protection and to safeguard students, teachers, employees, and school property, the public (except those persons exempted) is required to register in the school office prior to entering or remaining on the school premises during school hours. School hours have been defined as one hour before classes begin until one hour after classes end.

Signs are posted at each school entrance indicating the location of the school office (place of registration) and penalties for failure to comply. Should you have any questions, you are invited to contact your school's office.

SENIOR REDUCED SCHEDULES - Hanford High, Hanford West High, and Sierra Pacific High School seniors who meet specific criteria may be permitted to enroll in five or six courses during their senior year. To qualify for a shortened day, students must meet the following criteria:

Reduce Schedule by 1 Period

• Have earned 170 units at the time of registration; or 205 units at the beginning of the senior year

Reduce Schedule by 2 Periods

• Have earned 180 units at the time of registration; or 215 units at the beginning of the senior year
• Have 90% attendance
• Have a 2.0+ GPA Permission for a shortened day will only be granted with a signed agreement with a parent/guardian.

STUDENT INSURANCE - Students are covered by accident insurance at school and school-sponsored activities (excluding participation in football). If a student is injured, he/she should report the injury to a staff member. Student accident insurance is secondary to any private insurance and pays a maximum of $2,500.

SCHOOL TRAFFIC

• HHS, student drop-off/pick-up should be at the Douty Street Parking Lot/Drop Off Zone. The curb area is designated for drop off only - no parking will be permitted. Please note that the curbs along Grangeville Boulevard in front of the school are red – no stopping or parking is allowed at any time. The Service Drive and Grangeville Parking Lot are not for drive-through traffic or drop-off/pick-up. Parking is never allowed along the Service Drive.
• HWHS, student drop-off/pick-up should be in the area on Campus Drive, within the drop off/pick-up area in the main parking lot, or in theback service drive before and after school. The curb west of Campus Drive is not to be used for drop-off/pick-up at any time. Only buses are to access the bus drive. Parking along Campus Drive is allowed outside of school hours only.
• SPHS, parents dropping off students should enter off of 13th Avenue in front of the school entering the driveway just south of the 200 building and staying to the right. The area in front of the 200 building is dedicated for student drop off/pick up and all traffic should travel from south to north.

English Learners

ENGLISH LEARNERS All programs for English Learners share the following goals: Building academic fluency in the English language and supporting the achievement of grade-level academic standards. In accordance with California law, students with lower levels of English proficiency will be placed in a Structured English Immersion Program. Parents have the right to choose the program model that they feel best meets the needs of their children. Parent requests for program changes are reviewed and acted on immediately.

Structured English Immersion: Classes are designed for students learning English and at “less than reasonable fluency in English” in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Small group instruction is organized around the English Learner curriculum and is taught by District English Language Development (ELD) instructors. Activities are designed to give each student a solid start in the process of learning a second language and succeeding academically.

English Mainstream: Classes are designed for native speakers of English and for English Learners who have acquired “reasonable levels of fluency in English” in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Instruction is in English. Students who are not yet re-designated as “fluent English proficient” receive instructional accommodations and ELD support through a Language Acquisition Support class. This ensures full access to the curriculum for students who are not yet proficient in English.

Alternative (bilingual) program: Most instruction takes place in the student’s primary language. Daily English Language Development instruction is also provided. If parents wish their student to be placed in this type of program, they may apply for a waiver. A bilingual program will be offered if at least 20 waivers for students speaking the same primary language, at the same grade level, have been approved.

• English learners receiving Special Ed. services will be scheduled according to their Individualized Education Program.
• Waiver process: A parent may apply for a waiver if they would prefer an alternative (bilingual) program of instruction. The student may be eligible for a waiver if one of the following applies:
• The student already knows English (EC 311(b))
• The student is at least 10 yrs old (EC 311(a))
• The student has special physical, emotional, psychological or educational needs (EC 311 (c))

If a student is not yet fluent in English, he/she must remain enrolled in an English language program for at least thirty days. During this time, the student’s language proficiency and academic achievement will be further assessed. Parents may obtain a waiver from the school site. To submit a waiver requesting an Alternative Program, the parent/guardian must come to the school and meet personally with the principal and complete the form. A waiver committee will review the request and contact the parent. The waiver process is further explained in the District’s ELL Master Plan, available on the District website and at each school.

Exit from the English Learners Program- Reclassification to Fluent English Proficient: Upon receipt of ELPAC scores, students scoring at eh overall 4 level will be flagged for possible re-designation. District criteria that determine that an EL student is working at a comparable level to the average native speaker will be combined with the ELPAC scores and studied by school and District staff. Parents of EL students who meet reclassification criteria will be informed and have an opportunity to discuss program options. Redesignated Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) studentswill be monitored at the end of each semester for four years to ensure they continue to work at a comparable level to the average native-speaking student.

Important Legal Information:

• Mainstream placement may be requested by a parent/guardian at any time, regardless of English language test scores.
• Parents have the right to make arrangements through the school office to visit different classroom programs.
• If a parent is not in agreement with their student’s placement, they have the option to request a change in programs.

Questions? Call 559-583–5901 ext. 3120. Spanish language translation is available.

Annual Meetings For Title I Parents

Hanford Joint Union High School District uses Title I funds to provide school-wide services for all students enrolled on Title I campuses. The Title I campuses will hold at least one meeting annually to review Title I guidelines and services offered at the campus level. Copies of the district’s current Parent Involvement Policy and campus designed Parent-Student Compact will be distributed at the meeting. Both documents will be provided in English and in Spanish. The meeting will be held at a convenient time and location; notice of the meeting will be provided through public announcements and school-based information flyers. Translators will be available to help with non-English speaking parents/caregivers.
HJUHSD will provide parents of participating students, if requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practically possible.

The district will, with the assistance of its Title I schools,

• Provide materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their students’ academic achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement
• Pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parental involvement activities, including transportation and child care costs, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions
• Train parents to enhance the involvement of other parents
• Arrange school meetings at a variety of times, or conduct in-home conferences between teachers or other educators, who work directly with participating children, with parents who are unable to attend those conferences at school

STUDENT-PARENT-STAFF COMPACT

Students, parents, and staff all share the responsibility for student learning. By reading and signing this Compact of Shared Responsibilities we can better understand how everyone contributes to a student’s success.

HIGH STANDARDS & EXPECTATIONS

LEARNING STUDENTS WILL PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL STAFF WILL

SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS STUDENTS WILL PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL STAFF WILL

COMMUNICATING STUDENTS WILL PARENTS/GUARDIANS WILL STAFF WILL

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: The Hanford Joint Union High School District (HJUHSD) prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying on the basis of actual or perceived characteristics including: physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, age, marital or parental status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, in any HJUHSD program or activity, which is funded directly by, or that receives or benefits from any state financial assistance, including in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies, as required by state and federal law. (See, e.g., Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Age Discrimination Act of 1975; EC §§ 200, 220; Government Code § 11135.) Inquiries regarding compliance with applicable state and federal anti-discrimination statutes may be directed to Ward Whaley, Assistant Superintendent - Administrative Services, 823 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford CA. 93230, the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, D.C. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to the admission and participation in HJUHSD programs. (P.L. 92-318; 34 CFR 106.9) The District’s Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures are available at www.hjuhsd.org and/or 823 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, California. A copy of the District's Uniform Complaint Procedures are available at 823 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 92320. The District’s Title IX Coordinator is: Ward Whaley, Assistant Superintendent - Administrative Services, 823 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford CA 93230. Contact information is wwhaley@hjuhsd.org and/or (559) 583-5901 extension 3126. The District’s 504 Coordinator is : Janice Ede, Director of Student Services, 823 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford CA. 93230. Contact information is jede@hjuhsd.org and/or (559) 583-5901, extension 3117.

*** This handbook is a summary of HJUHSD policies and practices. It is not a complete compilation. Policies may change without notice. ***

DRESS CODE

HJUHSD is committed to establishing a positive educational atmosphere in class, on campus, and at school events. The dress code represents that commitment and applies to all students. Its purpose is to emphasize that school is the student’s place of work and that respect for self and others places some restrictions on dress/grooming.

Students and parents share the responsibility that students comply with the dress code for HJUHSD schools and school events. Students will follow the dress code during school, school functions, and after-school activities.

• Undesirable group affiliation and or gang symbols, colors, insignias, or other items or apparel will not be worn at school or any school-sponsored activity.

• Dangerous clothing and or accessories are not permitted.

• Clothing, accessories, and tattoos may not be sexually suggestive or depict alcohol, tobacco, drugs, profanity, obscenity, weapons, violence, or defamation of any ethnic, religious, gender, or social group.

• Students' undergarments must be covered at all times.

• Clothing that becomes revealing when standing, sitting, or moving to the midriff, pubic area, buttocks, or chest is prohibited.

• No pajama/lounge pants are allowed.

• Shoes must be worn and must not be a safety hazard. Shops, labs, and physical education classes will require students to wear appropriate footwear for the activity and student safety.

• No slippers allowed. All shoes must have a hard sole.

• Wearing sunglasses indoors is not permitted unless prescribed by an Optometrist.

School employees will send students to the office for potential dress code violations. The administration may contact parents and or guardians to provide appropriate clothing; If the student cannot correct the dress code violation, the student may be assigned a discipline consequence. Nothing in this code is construed as prohibiting the school from requiring students to comply with a determination that their dress or grooming is harmful or distracting (BP 5132).

Graduation Ceremony Dress Code

• Business Attire, such as dress shirts, ties, slacks or dark denim, blouses, dresses, well-maintained shoes, etc. is expected to be worn by graduates.

• No shorts of any kind.

• Undesirable group affiliation and or gang symbols, colors, insignias, or other items or apparel will not be worn at school or any school-sponsored activity.

• No sponsorship, advertising, or political campaign references of any kind. 

• Dangerous clothing and or accessories are not permitted (i.e. spikes or chains).

• No clothing, accessories, and/or tattoos may be sexually suggestive or depict alcohol, tobacco, drugs, profanity, obscenity, weapons, violence, or defamation of any ethnic, religious, gender, or social group.

• Students' undergarments must be covered at all times.

• Clothing that becomes revealing when standing, sitting, or moving to the midriff, pubic area, buttocks, or chest is prohibited.

• No sunglasses allowed.

• No purses, bags, backpacks, cell phones, and keys or key rings that do not easily fit in a pocket, are allowed.

The school-approved Cap, Gown, and Stole, worn appropriately, are the only approved dress items for the graduation ceremony. 

Exception - Students who have enlisted in a US Military branch and have completed basic training, may choose to wear their military dress uniform or stole/sash in accordance with CA Education Code 35183.3. 

Allowable adornments include:

• Cords from any approved school program (CSF, FFA, Pathways, etc.) (See chart below)

• Medallions from any approved school programs (Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Academy) (See chart below)

• V Stole - National Honor Society 

• Pins representing approved school programs or clubs may be pinned on the stole only

• Our Native American/Indigenous students have specific permission under the law (AB 1248, adding Education Code section 35183.1) and our guidelines to adorn their caps with beading as is culturally relevant to their tribal traditions. In addition, they are able to adorn their tassels and graduation regalia within the parameters of the law. Like other students below, the adornments must be culturally significant, appropriate as described in the graduation dress code, and cannot distract from the ceremony. 

• One flower, money, braided ribbon, or candy type of lei or stole is allowed for any student. The school-approved stole must be the most visible/prominent.

HJUHSD Graduation Cap Decoration Guidelines

HJUHSD graduates are allowed to decorate their graduation caps within the guidelines mentioned below. We remind our students and families that graduation ceremonies are a privilege for our students and not an education code requirement. Therefore, we are allowing this type of decoration for all students, but will closely monitor to ensure that our ceremonies remain dignified and formal while still allowing for students to express their culture, heritage, and accomplishments. To be clear, this is allowed, but certainly not required. Your school graduation cap as it was purchased is more than appropriate.

Our Native American/Indigenous students have specific permission under the law (AB 1248, adding Education Code section 35183.1) and our guidelines to adorn their caps with beading as is culturally relevant to their tribal traditions. In addition, they are able to adorn their tassels and graduation regalia within the parameters of the law. Like other students below, the adornments must be culturally significant and cannot distract from the ceremony. 

For all students, the decorating of the graduation cap is allowed within the following rules and guidelines. Decorations that do not follow these rules will be asked to be removed from the cap, or the student WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the ceremony. 

• Cannot contain any sponsorship, advertisement, political campaign candidates or slogans, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons, or to be of a sexual nature.

• Cannot denote an affiliation with gangs or which advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students.

• All decorations and adornments must be appropriate at a dignified commencement ceremony. 

• Cannot be obscene, profane, vulgar, or lewd.

• Cannot contain words or items diminishing or slandering toward any individual or institution, the school, or any staff/faculty member is prohibited. 

• Cannot include numbers other than the graduation year.

• Cannot threaten the safety and welfare of any person.

• Cannot make noise or have moving parts. No bells, horns, or anything that can produce sound, spin, or move in any way.

• All cap personalization must follow the HJUHSD Student Dress Code.

• Decorations cannot rise more than a ½ inch above the base (flat, top part) of the mortarboard.

• Only the flat, top area and brim of the cap may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any sides of the cap other than the graduation tassel.

• Decoration should not interfere with attaching the tassel to the cap and moving the tassel from side to side for the ceremony. 

Appropriate Suggestions: 

• Recognizing the university or post-secondary school you will be attending

• Your graduation year

• The branch of the military you will be joining

• Athletic or academic achievement during high school

It is highly suggested that you trace your cap onto cardboard, cardstock, paper, or any other separate material, and decorate the separate material. In case you make a mistake you can start over with a new piece of paper. YOU WILL NOT GET ANOTHER CAP. After decorating, stick it to your cap with double-sided tape or velcro. Allowing for decoration to be easily removable if deemed inappropriate. 

In line with our rule of no stoles other than approved school stole, no religious, national, ethnic, or cultural stoles are allowed other than those outlined in (AB 1248, adding Education Code section 35183.1) for Native American/Indigenous people. However, students may have a pin on their approved school stole representing any of these items. (ie, National Flag Pin)

Do not wear anything that would detract from the dignity of the occasion. Administration may set additional restrictions/guidelines.

Cell phones or other electronic devices are not allowed during the ceremony.

District Approved Graduation Recognition Adornments

ELIGIBILITY

All students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities regardless of race, color, national origin or gender. “Ineligible” students may not participate in any extra-curricular activities, athletics, or off-campus lunch privileges. HJUHSD’s Eligibility Policy is based on student performance in Academics, Attendance, and Behavior/Citizenship. Extracurricular activities include athletic competitions, performances which are not co-curricular, dances, field trips which are not co-curricular, student activities outside of school, and off-campus lunch privileges. Off-campus lunch privileges are only allowed for 11th and 12th grade students who meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility is reviewed every six-week grading period. Incoming freshmen are eligible for extracurricular activities for the first six weeks of school, then they must meet the requirements of eligibility. For all others, the eligibility standards are in effect on the 10th calendar day after the end of each grading period or the Monday after report cards are due, whichever comes first. 

To meet eligibility requirements, students must maintain all of the following:

1. 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) or better
2. Cannot have two or more F’s in a grading period
3. Must meet 90% Attendance Requirement

• Saturday School available for make-up 

• Students shall not participate in an activity during or after school if, on the day of the activity, they: 

  • have a medical excuse that prevents participation 

  • are absent any portion of the school day other than for official school business or a valid reason (as decided by the administration)

Students/parents should notify the school of the circumstances. Getting clearance prior to the absence can prevent problems.

4. No more than six tardies in a six week grading period​​​​

   • Saturday School available for make-up
   • Lunch Detentions can be used for make-up at sites where lunch detention is available
      

5. No Suspensions 

   • Students suspended from school will be ineligible to participate in or attend extracurricular activities while under suspension as well as their next extracurricular activity after a suspension. If no activity is scheduled during the suspension, the ineligibility will be the first activity within five school days of the student’s return. If no activity is scheduled within five days, there will be no ineligibility penalty other than the time missed from school.
   • In addition, any student who is suspended in any week of the six week grading period will be ineligible for the following six week grading period.
      

6. Students on a Credit Recovery Contract that are not making regular progress on their contract, ie Not attending Zero Hour, After School,  or Summer School.

Other Eligibility Rules and Considerations

Academics - A grade change affecting eligibility must have the approval of an administrator. The teacher must complete a Change of Grade form and return it to the Counseling Office within five school days after the grade was initially submitted by the teacher.

Intervention Center - Any student sent to the Intervention Center for discipline reasons during the school day will be ineligible to participate in any type of extracurricular activity for that day.

Additional Athletic Eligibility Rules and Considerations

Alcohol/Drugs - Any student in possession of or using tobacco, alcohol, drugs at school or a school activity while they are engaged in an extracurricular activity:

• May be dropped from the team or activity and will not be allowed to participate in any other sport or activity until that activity is completed.
• Will forfeit all awards and privileges for the sport or activity during which the infraction occurred.
• Will face school discipline, which may include suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion.
• Will be suspended from participation in all activities, which may include the graduation ceremony, for one calendar year.
• Must complete the district Drug & Alcohol  Program (DAP)
• May appeal to the Principal for reinstatement after 45 days of actual attendance. The Coach has the right to suspend any athlete using or in possession of any tobacco or electronic cigarettes that can deliver nicotine and non-nicotine vaporized solution products, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs at any time during the designated season of sport. Athletes are also accountable for CIF policy.

Quitting - If an athlete quits/is dropped from a sport for discipline reasons prior to the end of the season, s/he will not be allowed to participate in another sport until the first team’s season is completed unless the Athletic Director gives permission after consulting with the original coach. The athlete may appeal any decision to the principal.

Restricted Eligibility means transferring athletes will be ineligible to participate in any sport(s) they participated in at the previous school for 12 months from the date of attendance at the new school.

As defined by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), student-athletes who move with their entire family (“full-family move”) into another attendance area are eligible immediately for interscholastic athletics at the new school of attendance. Should another full-family move take place within 12 calendar months of the first move, the affected student-athlete would become ineligible for participation in interscholastic sports at the new school pending.

OPEN LUNCH PRIVILEGE

Hanford High, Hanford West, and Sierra Pacific 11th and 12th-grade students who maintain good discipline standards and grade requirements have the privilege of leaving campus at lunch. Students are required to stay on campus during breaks. Failure to maintain good standards may result in the loss of this privilege for up to one calendar year. Students tardy to class after lunch may lose this privilege. Students involved in unacceptable behavior off-campus may lose this privilege. For Hanford High, Hanford West High and Sierra Pacific High 9th and 10th-grade students it is a CLOSED CAMPUS.

HJUHSD Early Credit Recovery Intervention Language

HJUHSD strives toward student success and the ultimate graduation of all of our students. At times, some students fall behind in the required class credits they will need to be able to graduate from high school due to failing one or multiple classes. Unlike elementary and middle school, classes in high school must be completed and passed or they must be repeated in some form. The following information explains the HJUHSD process for providing our students opportunities to make up credits and to get back on track toward graduation. It also explains the ramifications of not making up credits in a timely manner.

Although grades are reviewed regularly and progress reports go out every six weeks to help ensure successful completion of a course, a student's completed credits are only reviewed at the end of each semester.  When a student fails a course or courses and becomes deficient in credits, a school counselor will meet with the student and determine a plan of action to bring the student current on credits. One of the following will take place:

1. Counselor and student will discuss the course or courses that were failed and determine if the particular course is required or recommended to be recovered immediately or possibly be able to be made up later in the student's high school career. 
    

2. If the counselor determines that the course or courses failed must be repeated in credit recovery, a Credit Recovery Contract will be completed and the student will be enrolled in a credits Recovery class during zero hour (7:45AM-8:25AM) or after school (3:45PM-4:25PM). They may also be enrolled in Summer School for credit Recovery. This first attempt is considered the “Initial Contract” and will require both a counselor and student signature. A copy will be sent to parents to inform them of the additional courses or summer school enrollment and requirements to attend. 

The Credit Recovery Class utilizes an online curriculum/website called APEX. The Credit Recovery teacher will give your student login information and instructions on how to access their online course(s). Because it is a web-based program, the student can work on classes in addition to the times listed above at any time, including after school and weekends. Once the credits have been recovered, the counselor will review the student’s contract and transcript to determine if the student can stop attending the credit recovery classes. Attendance and progress in these credit recovery courses is mandatory as outlined in the contract.

3. In situations in which the student does not complete the credits in the contract due to lack of work, attendance, etc. or if the student fails additional classes, the counselor may issue a second or even third contract. However, if a second or third contract is required, a parent conference will be held with the counselor, student, parent, and an administrator. All of which will sign the contract and acknowledge that failure to complete the contract will result in the student being involuntarily transferred to an alternative school program district such as Earl F. Johnson High School or voluntarily to Hanford Online Charter High School if they meet conditions for independent study.
    

4. If the second, third, or final contract has a credit deficiency of 35 credits or more, the student will be a junior or senior, and at least sixteen years of age, and attendance has contributed to the lack of credit completion or recovery, the contract will be an Involuntary Transfer Contract and the student will be transferred to an alternative school within the district. In this situation a meeting between the Student, Parent, and school Administrator will take place and the contract will be signed by all parties. Refusal to sign the contract or attend a parent conference does not change the involuntary transfer process. School sites will make a maximum of three attempts to make parent contact within a two week period before the student will be referred to the Administrative Panel for involuntary transfer.  

For students on an IEP- The process of making up credits will be discussed through the IEP process

Contract monitoring of students will be conducted by the contract issuing counselor with information and input from credit recovery teachers.

Students who are involuntarily transferred will always be encouraged to complete enough credits in their alternative school to return to their comprehensive high school to graduate. However, they may also choose to meet the credit requirements of the alternative school and graduate from there. The ultimate goal for the district is to provide every opportunity to earn a diploma possible. 

The District believes all students have the right to be educated in a positive learning environment free from disruptions. To and from school, on school grounds and at school activities, students are expected to exhibit appropriate conduct that does not infringe upon the rights of others or interfere with the school program. Behavior is considered appropriate when students are diligent in study, careful with school property, and courteous and respectful to others.

The District has adopted a Multi-Tiered System of Support process that is an approach to focus on the needs of the victims and the offenders, as well as the involved community. Multi-Tiered System of Support is an integrated, comprehensive framework that focuses on CCSS, core instruction, differentiated learning, student-centered learning, individualized student needs, and the alignment of systems necessary for all students’ academic, behavioral, and social success.

Students are expected to:

1.     Be on time, at a workstation and ready to work
2.     Be courteous to and cooperative with teachers
3.     Be dismissed by a teacher, not a bell
4.     Respect/not disrupt the learning environment
5.     Respect school and personal property
6.     Leave food/drink outside of class
7.     Observe classroom rules

Students who violate district/school rules and regulations may be subject to discipline. (BP 5131)

The District desires to prepare students for responsible citizenship by fostering self-discipline and personal responsibility. The Board believes that high expectations for student behavior, effective classroom management, and parent involvement can minimize the need for discipline.

When misconduct occurs, staff shall implement appropriate mediation to attempt to identify and address the causes of the behavior. Continually disruptive students may be assigned to alternative programs, intervention centers, or removed from school in accordance with law and District policy.

At all times, the safety of students and staff and the maintenance of an orderly school environment shall be priorities in determining appropriate discipline. Staff shall enforce rules fairly, consistently and without discrimination. (BP 5144)

In accordance with Education Code 48904:

(a)  (1) Notwithstanding Section 1714.1 of the Civil Code, the parent or guardian of any minor whose willful misconduct results in injury or death to any pupil or any person employed by, or performing volunteer services for, a school district or private school or who willfully cuts, defaces, or otherwise injures in any way any property, real or personal, belonging to a school district or private school, or personal property of any school employee, shall be liable for all damages so caused by the minor. The liability of the parent or guardian shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), adjusted annually for inflation. The parent or guardian shall be liable also for the amount of any reward not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), adjusted annually for inflation, paid pursuant to Section 53069.5 of the Government Code. The parent or guardian of a minor shall be liable to a school district or private school for all property belonging to the school district or private school loaned to the minor and not returned upon demand of an employee of the school district or private school authorized to make the demand.

(2) The Superintendent annually shall compute an adjustment of the liability limits prescribed by this subdivision to reflect the percentage change in the average annual value of the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Government Purchases of Goods and Services for the United States, as published by the United States Department of Commerce for the 12-month period ending in the prior fiscal year. The annual adjustment shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred dollars ($100).

(b)  (1) Any school district or private school whose real or personal property has been willfully cut, defaced, or otherwise injured, or whose property is loaned to a pupil and willfully not returned upon demand of an employee of the school district or private school authorized to make the demand may, after affording the pupil his or her due process rights, withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of the pupil responsible for the damage until the pupil or the pupil’s parent or guardian has paid for the damages thereto, as provided in subdivision (a).

(2)  The school district or private school shall notify the parent or guardian of the pupil in writing of the pupil’s alleged misconduct before withholding the pupil’s grades, diploma, or transcripts pursuant to this subdivision. When the minor and parent are unable to pay for the damages, or to return the property, the school district or private school shall provide a program of voluntary work for the minor in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. Upon completion of the voluntary work, the grades, diploma, and transcripts of the pupil shall be released.

(3)  The governing board of each school district or governing body of each private school shall establish rules and regulations governing procedures for the implementation of this subdivision. The procedures shall conform to but are not necessarily limited to, those procedures established in this code for the expulsion of pupils.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

We define Academic Dishonesty as the act of fraud or deception in any academic setting. Students should understand that Academic Dishonesty includes but is not limited to:

• Communicating with another student during an exam 
• Copying material during an exam, allowing another student to copy from their exam paper 
• Using unauthorized notes or devices without explicit teacher permission
• Submitting falsified information for grading purposes 
• Obtaining and supplying a copy and/or information about an exam without the knowledge and consent of the teacher 
• Submitting work written by another person or generated via Artificial Intelligence (Al) technology (except as outlined below *) 
• Submitting work written by the student for another assignment without the instructor's knowledge or consent (self-plagiarism) 
• Copying another person's assignment(s), allowing another student to copy his or her assignment 
• Intentionally failing to use quotation marks where appropriate. 
• Failing to acknowledge paraphrased materials via textual attribution properly, footnotes, endnotes and/or a bibliography. 
• Making up data for an experiment. 
• Citing nonexistent sources (articles, books, etc.). 
• Taking a photo of an exam. 
• Taking home exams without the knowledge and consent of the instructor.

Students are responsible to understand and respect the standards of Academic Honesty and apply these standards to their work.  

We acknowledge that methods and tools for cheating and plagiarism are always changing. Therefore, we expect students to interpret the standards of academic honesty with integrity and in good faith. If you are unclear whether a particular act constitutes academic dishonesty, ask a teacher before you do it! .

We recognize the potential benefits that Artificial Intelligence (Al) can have on student learning. In an effort to guide students in the use of this technology appropriately in the school setting, we have outlined the following acceptable uses: Use Al to support your learning, not to replace it. Al is a tool that can help you learn, but it is not a substitute for your own effort. You should still do the work required to learn the material.

• Be honest about your use of Al. If you use Al to help you with an assignment, be sure to cite your sources. Submitting Al generated content as a substitute for original student work will be considered plagiarism. 

• Be aware of the potential risks of using Al, such as copyright infringement, false  information and data privacy. 

• Teachers can use their discretion to assign or allow students to use these tools at certain times. Make sure to respect the rules of each of your teachers. Teachers do monitor student use of Al to ensure that students are using Al tools ethically and responsibly.

ACTIVITIES

All school rules, including Dress Code, apply at all activities. Purchasing an Associated Student Body Card covers the cost of academic and athletic awards and provides free or reduced admission to activities. Students participating in athletics and other specific activities are encouraged to purchase an ASB card. A free School ID Card is available for students who do not wish to purchase an ASB card. In case of loss, replacement ASB/ID Cards may be purchased at the ASB Office. Misuse of ASB Cards may result in loss of ASB privileges and fees.

Only HJUHSD students and their guests are admitted to dances. Improper behavior may result in removal from the dance and disciplinary action. No students will be allowed into any dance without an ASB/ID card. Ineligible students may not attend dances.

Formal Dress is required at Winter Formal and Prom. Excessively revealing clothing, in the judgment of the administration, will not be allowed. Guidelines for formal dress will be provided in advance of dances. School debts must be cleared to attend Formal and Prom.

Students may request to bring guests to the Formal and Prom. Guests must be a current High School student during the time of the dance and must be pre-approved by administration. Elementary students or students who no longer attend high school may not attend high school dances. Improper behavior of a guest may result in loss of privileges for the student who brought him/her. No student or guest may return to a dance after leaving.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

The use of alcohol or other drugs adversely affects academic success is physically and emotionally harmful and has serious social and legal consequences. The District desires to keep schools free of alcohol and other drugs, including unlawful use of prescription drugs, and to reduce student use of these substances. Any student using alcohol/drugs is strongly encouraged to talk to a parent/guardian or staff member.

Students who disclose their use of alcohol/drugs when seeking help from an intervention or recovery program shall not be disciplined for such.

Any student who has unlawfully possessed, used, sold or otherwise furnished or been under the influence of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind, or who has sold or furnished in any manner a controlled substance while enrolled in HJUHSD may be, after due process, suspended up to five school days.

Students may be suspended for drug/alcohol offenses on school grounds, to/from school, during lunch (on or off campus), during/to/from activities, etc.

During suspension, a student-parent- administrator conference will be scheduled, after which, one of the following may occur:

• If it is established the student sold or furnished a controlled substance or a substance represented as a controlled substance; possessed one ounce or more of marijuana; has been cited by the police with possession for sale, or violated the alcohol and drugs policy on any prior occasion during his/her school career, s/he will be referred to the Board for expulsion.
• If the student was in possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, possessed/used marijuana or alcohol and was a first-time violator, one of the following alternatives will apply. All aspects will be considered, including past record of the student, circumstances of the case and potential for change in behavior.
  • (1) The student will be placed on administrative probation for one year and will be ineligible for activities. S/he may petition for reinstatement of eligibility after 45 days of regular school attendance. Administration may recommend an approved alcohol/drug abuse program (at no cost to the District/school). Failure to maintain satisfactory scholarship, attendance, conduct or violation of probation terms will result in transfer to an alternative program or an expulsion recommendation.
  • (2) The student will be transferred to an alternative educational program. The student will be placed on administrative probation for one year. S/he may petition for reinstatement of eligibility and/or admission to the regular school program after 45 days of regular school attendance. Return to the regular school program is normally granted at the semester. The principal will conduct an administrative review to determine if the student will be returned to the regular program.

SMOKING, TOBACCO, SPITTING - No smoking, Vaping or use of tobacco or electronic cigarettes that can deliver nicotine and non-nicotine vaporized solution products by any person is permitted on any campus or on the streets, sidewalks, and properties adjacent to campus. Possession/use of tobacco or electronic cigarettes that can deliver nicotine and non-nicotine vaporized solution will result in disciplinary action, up to a five-day suspension. The student may also be cited by the police. Spitting is an extreme health hazard and will not be tolerated on school facilities.

DISCIPLINE VIOLATIONS

All school rules are in effect from the time the student leaves for school until the student arrives home, including lunch. The rules apply on and off-campus and at school activities.

MINOR OFFENSES- Addressed by Teacher/Counselor/ Administrator. 
Consequences could include: Intervention Center, Suspension (for habitual violations of minor offenses), Lunch Detention, Campus Beautification, and or Loss of Off Campus Privileges.

MAJOR OFFENSES - Addressed by Administrator.
Minimum Consequences May Require: a suspension, possible referral to police, possible referral for expulsion, administrative probation for the school year

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Lunch Restriction: Students may be restricted to campus during lunch.

Saturday School: Students may be assigned to four-hour Thursday and/or Saturday School for moderate or repeated offenses. Students must bring school work. Thursday and/or Saturday School may also be used to make-up absences (see Graduation Requirements).

Intervention Center: The Board believes that, in many cases, it would be better to remediate the student’s behavior by keeping the student at school and providing him/her with support that is coordinated with the counseling department, parent, student and/or teacher. Students will be assigned to work if they do not bring a class assignment. Students in the intervention center may be required to assist with campus beautification under staff supervision. Students may be suspended from specific classes and required to attend Intervention Center instead. (BP 5144.1)

Suspension: When efforts to improve behavior have not worked or when violations are of a serious nature, students may be suspended from school for 1-5 days. Except where suspension for a first offense is warranted in accordance with law, the suspension shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct. (EC 48900.5) Suspended or expelled students shall be excluded from all school-related extracurricular activities during the period of suspension or expulsion. (BP 5144.1)

Administrative Probation/Behavior Contract: Students with severe or chronic attendance or behavior issues may be placed on a behavior contract. Students who violate contracts may be placed on administrative probation (restricted from activities and privileges), placed in an alternative program or referred for expulsion.

Involuntary Transfer to an alternative program may be imposed when other means fail to bring improvement and if the student:

• habitually violate minor offenses
• violated major offense
• is habitually truant/irregular in attendance
• A student may be transferred or referred for expulsion on the first violation if the student commits an illegal act (arson, bomb threat, fake alarms) or if the administration determines the student’s presence is a danger to persons /property or threatens to disrupt the instructional process. Following referral, a conference will determine appropriate placement. Students with continuing behavior problems may be placed on administrative probation or expelled. Parents are notified of disciplinary action by mail. If a student has a chronic discipline problem, every effort is made to have a parent/teacher /administrator conference.

Expulsion: For severe or prolonged breaches of discipline by a student. Except for single acts of a grave nature, expulsion is used only when there is a history of misconduct, when other forms of discipline, including suspension, have failed to bring about proper conduct, or when the student’s presence causes a continuing danger to him/herself or others. (EC 48915) On a case-by-case basis, the enforcement of an expulsion order may be suspended by the Board pursuant to the requirements of law. (BP 5144.1) The Board supports the removal of potentially dangerous students from the classroom as a top priority. It ensures fair and equal treatment of all students and requires that all offenders be punished to the fullest extent allowed by law. Staff shall immediately report to the Superintendent or designee any incidence of offenses specified in law, Board policy and administrative regulation as cause for suspension or expulsion. (BP 5144.1)

ACTS RESULTING IN EXPULSION

(EC 48900) A student may be expelled for the following acts related to school activity/attendance, including, but not limited to: On school grounds, to/from school, during lunch (on/off campus), during/to/from a school-sponsored activity.

A hearing will be held by an Administrative Panel. Parents /guardians will be notified in writing at least 10 days in advance of the hearing. Parents/students may be represented by counsel. The Panel will consider all evidence, including the student’s record, and make a recommendation to the Board, which will make the final decision. Parents will be notified of the decision/appeal process.

Level I Expulsions (EC 48915(c))

Administration will immediately suspend and recommend expulsion and the Board will expel any student who has committed any of the following acts at school or an off-site school activity:

• Possessing, selling, or otherwise furnishing a firearm. This subdivision does not apply to an act of possessing a firearm if the pupil had obtained prior written permission to possess the firearm from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal. This subdivision applies to an act of possessing a firearm only if the possession is verified by an employee of a school district.
• Brandishing a knife at another person.
• Unlawfully selling a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.
• Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 48900 or committing a sexual battery as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 48900.
• Possession of an explosive.

Level II Expulsions (EC 48915(a))

Administration will recommend expulsion and the Board may expel students for any of the following acts committed at school or a school activity unless the principal or superintendent finds that expulsion is inappropriate, due to the particular circumstance:

• Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in self- defense.
• Possession of any knife or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil.
• Unlawful possession of any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, except for the first offense for the possession of not more than one avoirdupois ounce of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis.
• Robbery or extortion.
• Assault or battery, as defined in Sections 240 and 242 of the Penal Code, upon any school employee.

Level III Expulsions (EC 48900)

Administration may recommend expulsion and the Board may expel a student for any of the following acts committed at school or a school activity:

• Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.
• Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, except in self-defense.
• Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous objects, unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the pupil had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the principal or the designee of the principal.
• Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind.
• Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
• Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion.
• Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.
• Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property.
• Possessed or used tobacco, or any products containing tobacco or nicotine products, or e-cigarette and vaping products, JUULs and or electronic cigarettes that can deliver nicotine and non-nicotine vaporized solution including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel. However, this section does not prohibit use or possession by a pupil of his/her own prescription products.
• Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
• Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section 11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
• Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.
• Possessed an imitation firearm. As used in this section, “imitation firearm” means a replica of a firearm that is as substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm.
• Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code or committed a sexual battery as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
• Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or a witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.
• Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma.
• Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing as defined in Section 32050.
• Committed sexual harassment as defined in Section 212.5. The conduct described in Section 212.5 must be considered by a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
• Caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of hate violence, as defined in Section 233(e).
• Intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against school district personnel or pupils, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting class work, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of either school personnel or pupils by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment. Upon ordering an expulsion, the Board will set a date for a readmission review. For Level 1 Expulsions that date will be one year from the date the expulsion occurred, except that the Board may set an earlier date on a case-by-case basis.

GANGS 

The Governing Board desires to keep District schools free from the threats or harmful influence of any groups or gangs which exhibit drug use, violence or disruptive behavior.

To discourage the influence of gangs, school staff shall take the following measures: Any student displaying behavior, gestures, apparel or paraphernalia indicative of gang affiliation shall be referred to the principal or designee. The student’s parent/guardian shall be contacted and may be asked to meet with school staff. Students may be sent home to change clothes. Students will be required to cover gang-related tattoos while at school/activities.

Students who seek help in rejecting gang associations may be referred to community-based gang suppression and prevention organizations. Staff shall actively promote membership in authorized student organizations that can provide students with companionship, safety, and a sense of purpose and belonging, including Positive sports and cultural activities and affiliations with the local community and structured, goal-oriented community service projects.

Students displaying undesirable group affiliations or activities may be placed on administrative probation /behavior contract, suspended, expelled or referred to law enforcement as provided in policies. (BP/AR 5136)

General Discipline 

The use of skateboards, rollerblades, skate shoes, bikes, etc. is prohibited at all times on school grounds.

Vandalism, Theft, and Graffiti: Vandalism includes the negligent, willful, or unlawful damaging or theft of any District-owned real or personal property, including the writing of graffiti. Any student who commits an act of vandalism

shall be subject to disciplinary action by the District and also may be prosecuted through other legal means. If reparation of damages is not made, the District also may withhold the student’s grades, diploma and/or transcripts in accordance with law. (BP 5135.5) The District shall seek reimbursement of damages and rewards from any individual or from the parent/guardian of any minor who commits any act of theft or vandalism. (BP 3515.4)

Search and Seizure Policy - The Governing Board recognizes that incidents may occur which jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff, which necessitate the search of students, their property or their lockers by school officials.

School officials may search for individual students and their property when there is a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence that the student is violating the law or the rules of the District or the school.   The Board urges that discretion, good judgement and common sense be exercised in all cases of search and seizure.

In an effort to keep the schools free of drugs and weapons, the District may use specifically trained non-aggressive dogs to sniff out and alert staff to the presence of substances or objects which are prohibited by law or District policy.  The dogs may sniff the air around lockers, desks, bags, items or vehicles on District property or at District-sponsored events as long as they are not allowed to sniff any person.  Such procedures will be conducted in accordance with County, State, and Federal regulations.  The above inspections shall be unannounced and may take place at the discretion of the superintendent or designee. (BP 5145, 12a-d)

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS - Hanford Police Officers serve as School Resource Officers at Hanford High, Hanford West High, and Sierra Pacific High School. SROs assist with daily operations and act under the authority of the District and the Hanford Police. SROs help ensure a safe environment, investigate campus-related crimes/incidents and advise staff, parents, and students on legal matters.

SROs may conduct random searches (classes, lockers, vehicles, common areas) for drugs, weapons, etc. SROs may interview students. It may be necessary for SROs to take students into police custody.

Release to Peace Officer: If a student is released to a peace officer during school hours, the school will immediately contact the parent /guardian by phone to notify them where the student is reportedly being taken, except when the minor has been taken into custody as a suspected victim of child abuse (PC Section 11165, WIC Section 305). Parents/ guardians should ensure accurate Emergency Cards are on file at the school.

BULLYING/HARASSMENT 

BULLYING - The District prohibits student conduct that intentionally instills fear through bullying tactics. Bullying behavior includes, but is not limited to, threats, teasing and taunting by asserting power through physical or verbal aggression, including online or cyberbullying.

Bullying may be direct or indirect, such as gossip or exclusion. Bullying usually causes the victim to become increasingly distressed and fearful.

Students who are the victims of bullying should immediately contact the principal or designee. If the student believes the situation has not been remedied, he/she may file a complaint with the Superintendent’s Office.

Staff who receive notice of bullying or personally observe such behavior shall notify administration or law enforcement, as appropriate. Students engaging in bullying behavior shall be subject to discipline in accordance with District policy.

Students who engage in bullying will be suspended per EC 48900. Continued bullying may result in expulsion. (BP 5138.1) The District recognizes that creating a safe learning environment is a critical part of helping each child to achieve academic success. Students and parents can utilize the anonymous phone reporting and Students, parents, staff and community members are encouraged to quickly and anonymously report school safety concerns with the STOPit app, available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store or on the web.

STOPit School Access Codes: Hanford High - hhsstopit Hanford West - hwhsstopit Sierra Pacific - sphsstopit Earl F. Johnson - efjstopit Hanford Community Day - hcdsstopit Hanford Online Charter - holcstopit Hanford Adult School - hasstopit

HARASSMENT - The District prohibits intimidation or harassment of any student. Harassment is defined as intentional threats or intimidation directed against a student or group of students that is so severe it materially disrupts classwork, creates substantial disorder and invades the rights of students by creating an intimidating or hostile environment.

Students who are being harassed should immediately contact the staff or administration. If a situation is not remedied, a complaint may be filed with the Superintendent. Students who harass other students shall be subject to appropriate discipline, including counseling, suspension, and expulsion.

District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, with respect to the actual or perceived ethnic group, religion, gender, color, race, ancestry, national origin, and physical or mental disability, age or sexual orientation. (BP 5145.3)

SEXUAL HARASSMENT - The District prohibits sexual harassment of students at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities. The District also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against people who complain, testify, assist or otherwise participate in the complaint process. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/or other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Students who are being or have been sexually harassed shall immediately contact the school staff or administration. A school employee to whom a complaint is made shall, within 24 hours of receiving the complaint, report it to the principal or designee. The principal or designee shall immediately investigate the complaint in accordance with administrative regulation. Where the principal or designee finds that sexual harassment occurred, he/she shall take prompt, appropriate action to end the harassment and address its effects on the victim. The principal or designee shall also advise the victim of any other remedies that may be available. The principal or designee shall file a report with the Superintendent and refer the matter to law enforcement authorities, where required.

Any student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include suspension or expulsion, provided that, in imposing such discipline, the entire circumstances of the incident shall be taken into account. (BP 5145.7)

The district shall notify students, parents/guardians, employees, bargaining units, and applicants for employment of the name or title, office address, email address, and telephone number of the district's Title IX Coordinator. (34 CFR 106.8)

Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors, or other unwanted verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made against another person of the same or opposite sex in the educational setting, under any of the following conditions: (Education Code 212.5; 5 CCR 4916)

1. Submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term or condition of a student's academic status or progress.
2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct by a student is used as the basis for academic decisions affecting the student.
3. The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on the student's academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
4. Submission to or rejection of the conduct by the student is used as the basis for any decision affecting the student regarding benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through any district program or activity.

Examples of types of conduct which are prohibited in the district and which may constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

1. Unwelcome leering, sexual flirtations, or propositions
2. Unwelcome sexual slurs, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, or sexually degrading descriptions
3. Graphic verbal comments about an individual's body or overly personal conversation
4. Sexual jokes, derogatory posters, notes, stories, cartoons, drawings, pictures, obscene gestures, or computer-generated images of a sexual nature
5. Spreading sexual rumors
6. Teasing or sexual remarks about students enrolled in a predominantly single-sex class
7. Messaging, grabbing, fondling, stroking, or brushing the body
8. Touching an individual's body or clothes in a sexual way
9. Impeding or blocking movements or any physical interference with school activities when directed at an individual on the basis of sex
10. Displaying sexually suggestive objects
11. Sexual assault, sexual battery, or sexual coercion
12. Electronic communications containing comments, words, or images described above

Any prohibited conduct that occurs off campus or outside of school-related or school-sponsored programs or activities will be regarded as sexual harassment in violation of district policy if it has a continuing effect on or creates a hostile school environment for the complainant or victim of the conduct.

Notifications

A copy of the district's sexual harassment policy and regulation shall:

1. Be included in the notifications that are sent to parents/guardians at the beginning of each school year (Education Code 48980; 5 CCR 4917)
2. Be displayed in a prominent location in the main administrative building or other area where notices of district rules, regulations, procedures, and standards of conduct are posted (Education Code 231.5)
3. Be summarized on a poster which shall be prominently and conspicuously displayed in each bathroom and locker room at each school. The poster may be displayed in public areas that are accessible to and frequented by students, including, but not limited to, classrooms, hallways, gymnasiums, auditoriums, and cafeterias. The poster shall display the rules and procedures for reporting a charge of sexual harassment; the name, phone number, and email address of an appropriate school employee to contact to report a charge of sexual harassment; the rights of the reporting student, the complainant, and the respondent; and the responsibilities of the school. (Education Code 231.6)
4. Be posted in a prominent location on the district's web site in a manner that is easily accessible to parents/guardians and students. This shall include the name or title, office address, email address, and telephone number of the employee(s) designated as the district's Title IX Coordinator. (Education Code 234.6; 34 CFR 106.8)
5. Be provided as part of any orientation program conducted for new and continuing students at the beginning of each quarter, semester, or summer session (Education Code 231.5)
6. Appear in any school or district publication that sets forth the school's or district's comprehensive rules, regulations, procedures, and standards of conduct (Education Code 231.5)
7. Be included in any handbook provided to students, parents/guardians, employees, or employee organizations (34 CFR 106.8)

Reporting Complaints

A student or parent/guardian who believes that the student has been subjected to sexual harassment by another student, an employee, or a third party or who has witnessed sexual harassment is strongly encouraged to report the incident to a teacher, the principal, the district's Title IX Coordinator, or any other available school employee. Within one school day of receiving such a report, the principal or other school employee shall forward the report to the district's Title IX Coordinator. Any school employee who observes an incident of sexual harassment involving a student shall, within one school day, report the observation to the principal or Title IX Coordinator, regardless of whether the alleged victim files a formal complaint.

When a report or complaint of sexual harassment involves off-campus conduct, the Title IX Coordinator shall assess whether the conduct may create or contribute to the creation of a hostile school environment. If the Title IX Coordinator determines that a hostile environment may be created, the complaint shall be investigated and resolved in the same manner as if the prohibited conduct occurred at school.

When a verbal or informal report of sexual harassment is submitted, the Title IX Coordinator shall inform the student or parent/guardian of the right to file a formal written complaint in accordance with applicable district complaint procedures.

Complaint Procedures

All complaints of sexual harassment by and against students shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with law and district procedures. The Title IX Coordinator shall review the allegations to determine the applicable procedure for responding to the complaint. All complaints that meet the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with AR 5145.71 - Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures. Other sexual harassment complaints shall be investigated and resolved pursuant to AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures.

HATE ACTIVITY - The District affirms the right of every student to be protected from hate-motivated behavior. It is the intent of the Board to promote harmonious relationships that enable students to gain a true understanding of the civil rights and social responsibilities of people in our society. Behavior or statements that degrade an individual on the basis of race, ethnicity, culture, heritage, gender, sexual orientation, physical/mental attributes, religious beliefs or practices shall not be tolerated.

Any student who is a victim of hate-motivated behavior shall immediately contact the principal or designee. If the student believes that the situation has not been remedied, he/she may file a complaint with the Superintendent’s Office. (BP 5145.9)

HAZING - No student shall conspire to engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any person. Students violating this regulation shall be subject to District discipline and penalties specified in law. (AR 6145.5, EC 32051)

Hazing includes any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to these organizations which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any pupil or other person attending any school. (EC 32050)

Off Campus Discipline

OFF-CAMPUS VIOLATIONS - If the administration anticipates a problem on or off-campus, it may take action. If a student makes a threat on campus and follows through off-campus, the administration may take action. Police may be involved. If a threat of illegal activity occurs off-campus and is reported to the school, the school may investigate. However, the incident is the responsibility of the police and a police report should be filed. (EC 48900, 44808)

OFF-LIMITS AREAS - All HJUHSD campuses are off-limits to students not enrolled at the school. All elementary and junior high schools are off-limits without prior authorization from high school and elementary/junior high administration. Earl F. Johnson Memorial Park is off-limits before school, during lunch, and after school until 4:30 p.m. adjacent hospitals (including parking lots), the Kings County Government Center, and all homes, garages, lawns, yards, lots, etc. adjacent to campus are off-limits. Students may not loiter before/after school or at lunch on streets, sidewalks or properties adjacent to the school, including property surrounding each campus at a distance of one lot down each side street. Administration works with law enforcement to enforce these regulations. School parking lots are off-limits during class time and break.

There is no loitering allowed in school parking lots at any time.

Also off-limits - HH: In front of the office (except for business), the gym (w/out supervision), areas adjacent to the gym, Neighbor Bowl, Douty Street fields, baseball/softball fields, and EFJ. HW: Hanford Adult School; athletic fields during class without supervision. SPHS: Outside perimeter fence without supervision.

SCHOOL CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

HJUHSD is pleased to offer students a variety of extra-curricular opportunities, including athletics, activities, and clubs. Studies show participation in activities can positively affect attendance and academic success. Please go to your school's website for a list of clubs and activities available at that school. Parents are encouraged to go over this list with students. Parents also have the right to deny student participation with the “Student Exemption Form” at the school office.

SCHOOL DANCE/ACTIVITY RIDE REQUIREMENTS

It is the goal of the District’s transportation department to provide students with safe transportation. Safe transportation does not stop during events where you may choose to allow your student to use transportation from a limousine, party bus, or other ride service provider for a school function. To protect the safety of our students HJUHSD adheres by the laws listed below.

• Assembly Bill 830 requires limousine companies to get a specific type of permit from the DMV, and chauffeurs driving students must receive additional training. The law also addresses vehicle classified as a School Pupil Activity Bus (SPAB). If a limousine transports students to and from school function it has a SPAB vehicle classification.
• Not all limousine services have authorization to operate limos classified as SPAB limos. The seating capacity of a limo determines whether the license is required to lawfully transport students and school personnel.
• A PAB is a motor vehicle that is designed, used, or maintained to transport more than ten passengers, including the driver, but not more than 25 persons including the driver while being used for the transportation of pupils to or from school-related activities. This vehicle is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and must be currently registered with them. A PAB is contracted by a parent or someone other than a school or school district and unlike a school bus or SPAB, a PAB is not issued and required to display a vehicle inspection certificate (CHP 292). However, a PAB operator is required to have each PAB pass an annual inspection and place the vehicle inspection report, issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), in an easy to reach location within the vehicle.
• The driver of a PAB must possess a driver’s license of a class appropriate to the vehicle driven and that is endorsed for passenger transportation. The driver must also possess either a school bus or SPAB driver certificate issued by the CHP.

This ensures the driver has received proper training and a thorough background check which will prevent ex-felons from operating these vehicles. Finally, the driver of a PAB must possess a parental authorization form for each pupil signed by a parent or legal guardian of the pupil that gives permission for that pupil to be transported to or from the school-related activity.

We also strongly recommend verifying the validity of the company’s authority. You can do this in two ways. You can check the CPUC Web site at www.cpuc.ca.gov/MoveandRide and search using the carrier’s company information or download a complete spreadsheet of all passenger carriers and search through the list to verify the carrier’s operating authority. The other option is to contact the CPUC’s Transportation enforcement Intake Desk at 800-894-9444 and ask to verify the carrier’s operating authority.

HJUHSD will conduct spot checks during events where limos and party buses may be present. These spot checks could result in students not being allowed back on to a limo or party bus if proper qualifications are not present. Please check with the company you are contracting with to ensure their vehicles have proper CHP inspection certificates and the driver of that vehicle has the proper license to transport students to a school function. If you have questions or concerns please contact HJUHSD transportation department at 583-5908.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is taken each period. Parents are recommended to call the Attendance Office on the day of an absence to verify the reason; however, parents have up to three days to clear absences. Failure to clear an absence may result in Thursday/Saturday School or other consequences. Excused absences include: (BP 5113)

• Medical appointments
• Personal illness/injury (doctor’s note required after 14 days). (If the illness is long-term, the doctor’s excuse must be renewed each grading period or upon request. At doctor’s request, a home teacher may be provided for an illness of more than three weeks.)
• Quarantine directed by county/city health officer
• Funeral service for immediate family members (parents, grandparents, siblings). 1 day in California, 3 out-of-state.
• Subpoena/jury duty
• Religious holiday

Students absent for these reasons may be cleared by a parent/doctor note. Notes must include Student’s full name and grade, dates /reason for absence and parent/guardian signature and phone number.

Absences other than illness and emergencies should be arranged in advance when possible. Medical appointments should be after school when possible. If that is not possible, please schedule so the student can be at school part of the day. Ask the doctor for a note any time your student is absent for medical appointments /illness. Doctor-verified absences do not affect the 90% attendance requirement. If your student has a chronic medical condition that causes frequent absence, a doctor’s note may be filed in the office to cover absences due to the condition. If students must miss school for five or more days for a family situation, you may request a short-term Independent Study. Contact a Counselor for information in advance of the absence. School activity absences are limited to 10 days/periods per class, per semester. (Area/state or national competition excluded.)

Students who arrive late must check-in at the Attendance Office with a note from a parent/guardian before going to class. Leaving school early should only be permitted when absolutely necessary.

All students must be checked out or released by parent/guardian or emergency contact before leaving campus. Verification of parent/guardian or emergency contact may be required. If a student does not return after lunch a parent/guardian or emergency contact must verify the absence.

Tardy: Students are to be in class on time and prepared to learn. Students who are late to class must have a pass from a teacher or staff member. Habitually tardy students may be assigned a consequence. A parent conference may be called.

If a student is absent, the parent/guardian will receive an automated phone message from the school to their primary phone the same day. Please refer to page 44 for School Attendance Review Board (SARB) for any and all habitual truancy.

To participate in graduation ceremonies, students must attend a minimum of 90% of the days they are enrolled. Students cannot miss more than 18 days per year. The period with the most absences will determine total days absent for 90% requirement. (BP 5113, EC 48205, 45194, 46014, 46012)

Attendance Make-up: With prior administrative approval, Saturday School can be used to make up for days already absent, but may not be used as credit for future absences. (5 units of Summer School/College courses earns 12 days attendance; 10 units earns 25 days; max. 25 days per summer.)

A "chronic absentee" has been defined in EC Section 60901(c)(1) as "a pupil who is absent on 10 percent or more of the school days in the school year when the total number of days a pupil is absent is divided by the total number of days the pupil is enrolled and school was actually taught in the regular day schools of the district, exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays."

The California Legislature defined a truant in very precise language. In summary, it states that a student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse three times during the school year must be classified as a truant and reported to the proper school authority. This classification and referral helps emphasize the importance of school attendance and is intended to help minimize interference with instruction. Effective January 1, 2013, the law was amended to authorize school administrators to excuse school absences due to the pupil’s circumstances, even if the excuse is not one of the valid excuses listed in the California Education Code (EC) or the uniform standards established by the governing board of the district.

Any pupil reported as truant three or more times within the school year is considered a habitual truant and a school official shall hold at least one conference with the pupil's parent or guardian.  Any pupil considered a habitual truant, or is irregular in school attendance, or is habitually insubordinate or disorderly during school attendance may be referred to a School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

Upon a pupil's initial classification as a truant, the school district shall notify the pupil's parent or guardian, by first class mail or other reasonable means, of the following: the pupil is truant; the parent or guardian is obligated to compel the pupil to attend school; the parent or guardian who fails to meet this obligation may be guilty of an infraction and subject to prosecution under Article 6 (commencing with § 48290) of Chapter 2 of Part 27; that alternative educational programs are available, that the parent or guardian has the right to meet with appropriate
school personnel to discuss solutions to the pupil's truancy, that the pupil may be subject to prosecution under EC § 48264, that the pupil may be subject to suspension, restriction or delay of driving privileges, and that it is recommended the parent/guardian attend classes with the pupil for one day (EC § 48260.5)

Excessive Absences - Pupils who are experiencing excessive school absences may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).  The SARB is designed to assist the pupil and parent in reducing school attendance problems by maximizing the use of school and coordinated community resources.

IMMUNIZATIONS - Childhood diseases such as measles can spread quickly in a school setting. By law, to attend school in California, your child must be immunized. This is for the protection of students and staff alike. Under a new law known as SB 277, beginning January 2016, exemptions based on personal beliefs, including religious beliefs will no longer be an option for the vaccines that are currently required for entry into child care or school in California. Check your child’s immunization records for these REQUIRED immunizations:

• Polio: 4 doses (3 doses OK if one was given on or after 2nd birthday).
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis: 4 doses of DTap, DTP, DT, Tdap, or Td (3 doses OK if last dose was given on or after 2nd birthday. At least one dose must be Tdap or DtaP/DTP given on or after 7th birthday for all 7th-12th graders).
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella MMR: 1 dose (Dose given on or after 1st birthday. Mumps vaccine is not required if given separately).
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): 2 doses If you cannot find your child’s record and are not sure when he/she was immunized, we strongly urge that he/she be immunized against childhood diseases right away. Any student new to Kings County schools must present Mantoux Skin Test Documentation measured in millimeters within six months of entry into grades 7 - 12 for Tuberculosis. A chest x-ray will be required if Mantoux was positive. Has your child received all required immunizations? If not, make an appointment with your doctor or at the KC Health Dept. Immunization Clinic at 330 Campus Drive Hanford, CA Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Take your records with you to this appointment. We can grant only CONDITIONAL ADMISSIONS to school until these additional immunizations are complete.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL - All student medication (prescription and non-prescription) must be stored in the office. Upon parent request and with doctor instructions, students may be given medication by a school employee. Parents/guardians must provide:

• A written doctor’s statement detailing: Student’s name, medication name, dosage, method, length of time the medicine is to be taken, and a statement that it is required during school hours. Parents can pick up the order for administration of medication during the school day form at the school site’s Health Services Office or find it online here.
• A parent/guardian authorization: Parents must sign the medication in school form to authorize a school employee to administer the medication.
• Parents/guardians must deliver medication to school in the original container/label. All prescription labels must include the patient’s name, doctor’s name and instructions.
• All expired or unused medication not picked up by a parent/guardian of the last day of school will be discarded in accordance with district policy. Self-Medication: Students are only allowed to carry medication if the school receives a written doctor’s statement that it is medically required and a parent request form. Failure to follow directions/endangering self /others may result in the loss of this privilege. All student medical information is confidential. (BP 5141.21a)

GRADUATION

To earn an HH/HW/SP diploma, students must earn at least 265 units in the required areas of English, Math, Science, History, PE and electives. Students may be allowed to use alternative means to complete the required course of study. See the Course Catalog for more information.

Students may earn a diploma from EFJ/CDS with a minimum of a total of 220 if they meet all other requirements. Students graduating from HOC must earn at least the 140/180 credit requirement.

To participate in HH/HW/SP graduation ceremonies, students must attend 90% each year. This means students cannot miss more than 18 days per year. The period with the most absences will determine total days absent. With prior administrative approval, Saturday School can be used to make up for days already absent, but may not be used as credit for future absences. (5 units of Summer School/College courses earns 12 days attendance; 10 units earns 25 days; max. 25 days per summer.)

To participate in HH/HW/SP/EFJ/HOC graduation ceremonies, seniors must have:

1.     Attained the required number of units.

2.     Attained 90% attendance as detailed above. (HOC calculated differently)

3.     Parents/families will not receive tickets to graduation if outstanding debts are owed to any district school.

4.     No more than one out-of-school suspension for a major offense during the senior year.*

5.     No time on expelled status in the senior year.

6.     Must be eligible at the time of the ceremony.

7.     No more than two semester F's senior year.

Seniors eligible for graduation from any alternative program (EFJ, CDS, HOC) will not be allowed to transfer back to a comprehensive site after the second grading period of the spring semester of their senior year. Any Alternative Education Program senior who has not transferred to a comprehensive high school by the second grading period of the spring semester will graduate from, and may participate in, that school’s graduation ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony Dress Code:

• Business Attire, such as dress shirts, ties, slacks or dark denim, blouses, dresses, well-maintained shoes, etc. is expected to be worn by graduates
• No shorts of any kind
• Undesirable group affiliation and or gang symbols, colors, insignias, or other items or apparel will not be worn at school or any school-sponsored activity.
• Dangerous clothing and or accessories are not permitted (i.e. spikes or chains).
• No clothing, accessories, and tattoos may be sexually suggestive or depict alcohol, tobacco, drugs, profanity, obscenity, weapons, violence, or defamation of any ethnic, religious, gender, or social group.
• Students' undergarments must be covered at all times.
• Clothing that becomes revealing when standing, sitting, or moving to the midriff, pubic area, buttocks, or chest is prohibited.
• No sunglasses allowed.
• No purses, bags, or backpacks of any kind are allowed

The school’s Cap, Gown, and Stole, worn appropriately, are the only approved dress items for the graduation ceremony. No other stole of any kind is allowed. Caps and gowns may not be decorated in any way.

Allowable adornments include:

• Cords from any approved school program or club (CSF, FFA, Pathways, etc.)
• Medallions from any
• Pins representing approved school programs or clubs may be pinned on the stole only
• Eagle feathers and/or beads in the tassel are allowed for any student. (No beading of the tops of caps will be allowed)
• One flower lei is allowed for any student.

In line with our rule of no stoles other than approved school stole, no religious, national, ethnic, or cultural stoles are allowed. However, students may have a pin on their approved school stole representing any of these items. (ie, National Flag Pin)

Do not wear anything that would detract from the dignity of the occasion. Any and all Administration may set additional restrictions/guidelines.

Cell phones or other electronic devices are not allowed during the ceremony.

High School Graduation Requirements Exemptions and Waivers - A foster youth, homeless student, former juvenile court school student, migrant child, or child of a military family who transfers schools any time after completing his/her second year of high school shall be required to complete all state minimum graduation requirements specified in Education Code 51225.3, but shall be exempt from any additional district-adopted graduation requirements unless the Superintendent or designee makes a finding that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate by the end of his/her fourth year of high school. Within 30 days of the transfer, any such student shall be notified of the availability of the exemption and whether he/she qualifies for it. (Education Code 51225.1)

ATTENDANCE AREAS HJUHSD has attendance areas for high school enrollment. School of attendance is based on home address. Attendance areas were implemented to create neighborhood schools and balance the student population. To request to attend a school outside their attendance area, students must complete an Intradistrict Transfer Request.

Students may request a school change to participate in a non-duplicated academic program, such as NJROTC, Linked Learning Academies, or if they have a special need resulting in a hardship. All Intra-district Transfer Requests are reviewed based on need and available space.

INTRADISTRICT OPEN ENROLLMENT The Governing Board desires to provide enrollment options that meet the diverse needs and interests of district students and parents/guardians, while also maximizing the efficient use of district facilities and resources. The parents/guardians of any student who resides within district boundaries may apply to enroll their child in any district school, regardless of the location of their residence within the district. (Education Code 35160.5) Enrollment Priorities No student currently residing within a school's attendance area shall be displaced by another student transferring from outside the attendance area. (Education Code 35160.5)

The Superintendent or designee shall grant priority for the enrollment of a student in a district school outside of the student's attendance area, if the student:

1. Is enrolled in a district school designated by the California Department of Education (CDE) as "persistently dangerous" (20 USC 7912; 5 CCR 11992)
2. Is a victim of a violent crime while on school grounds (20 USC 7912)
3. Is a victim of an act of bullying committed by another district student, as determined through an investigation following the parent/guardian's submission of a written complaint with the school, district, or local law enforcement agency pursuant to Education Code 234.1 (Education Code 46600)

If the district school requested by the student is at maximum capacity, the Superintendent or designee shall accept an intradistrict transfer request for another district school. (Education Code 46600)

Application and Selection Process In order to ensure that priorities for enrollment in district schools are implemented in accordance with law and Board policy, applications for intradistrict open enrollment shall be submitted between September 1 through October 31 for the upcoming Spring Semester and between December 1 and January 31 for incoming 9th graders and February 1 through March 31 for incoming 10th, 11th and 12th graders entering the upcoming Fall Semester. The Superintendent or designee shall calculate each school's capacity in a nonarbitrary manner using student enrollment and available space. (Education Code 35160.5) Except for the enrollment priorities listed above, the Superintendent or designee shall use a random, unbiased selection process to determine which students shall be admitted whenever a district school receives admission requests that are in excess of the school's capacity. (Education Code 35160.5) Enrollment decisions shall not be based on a student's academic or athletic performance. However, existing entrance criteria may be used for enrolling students in specialized schools or programs, provided that the criteria are uniformly applied to all applicants. In addition, academic performance may be used to determine eligibility for, or placement in, programs for gifted and talented students. (Education Code 35160.5)

Transportation In general, the district shall not be obligated to provide transportation for students who attend school outside their attendance area. However, upon parent/guardian request, the district shall provide transportation assistance to any student who is eligible for free or reduced-price meals and whose enrollment in a district school outside the student's attendance area is a result of being a victim of bullying. (Education Code 46600)

TRANSFERS FOR VICTIMS OF A VIOLENT CRIMINAL OFFENSE Within a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 14 calendar days, after it has been determined that a student has been the victim of a violent criminal offense while on school grounds, the student's parents/guardians shall be offered an option to transfer their child to an eligible school identified by the Superintendent or designee. In making the determination that a student has been a victim of a violent criminal offense, the Superintendent or designee shall consider the specific circumstances of the incident and consult with local law enforcement as appropriate. Examples of violent criminal offenses include, but are not limited to, attempted murder, battery with serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, rape, sexual battery, robbery, extortion, or hate crimes. The Superintendent or designee shall consider the needs and preferences of the affected student and parent/guardian in making the offer. If the parent/guardian elects to transfer the student, the transfer shall be completed as soon as practicable. Transfers from a "Persistently Dangerous" School Upon receipt of notification from the California Department of Education (CDE) that a district school has been designated as "persistently dangerous," intradistrict transfers shall be granted as follows:

1. Within 10 days of receipt of the notification from CDE, the Superintendent or designee shall provide parents/guardians of students attending the school with notice of the school's designation. Along with this notification, or at least 14 calendar days before the start of the school year, the Superintendent or designee shall provide a list of other district schools to which any student of the school that is designated as persistently dangerous may transfer.
2. Parents/guardians who desire to transfer their child out of the school shall provide a written response to the Superintendent or designee and shall rank-order their preferences from among all schools identified by the Superintendent or designee as eligible to receive transfer students.
3. The Superintendent or designee shall consider the needs and preferences of students and parents/guardians before making an assignment, but is not obligated to accept the parent/guardian's preference if the assignment is not feasible due to space constraints or other considerations. The Superintendent or designee shall notify the parents/guardians of the assigned school.
4. For students whose parents/guardians accept the offer, the transfer shall be made as quickly as possible. If the parents/guardians decline the assigned school, the student may remain in the current school.

The transfer shall remain in effect as long as the student's school of origin is identified as "persistently dangerous." The Superintendent or designee may choose to make the transfer permanent based on the educational needs of the student, parent/guardian preferences, and other factors affecting the student's ability to succeed if returned to the school of origin.

The Superintendent or designee shall cooperate with neighboring districts to develop an interdistrict transfer program in the event that space is not available in a district school.

Other Intradistrict Open Enrollment Except for transfers for victims of a violent crime and from a "persistently dangerous school," the following procedures shall apply to intradistrict open enrollment:

1. After the enrollment priorities have been applied in accordance with Board policy, if there are more requests for a particular school than there are spaces available, a random drawing shall be held from the applicant pool. A waiting list shall be established to indicate the order in which applicants may be accepted if openings occur during the year. Late applicants shall not be added to the waiting list for the current year but shall instead wait for a subsequent lottery.
2. The Superintendent or designee shall provide written notification to applicants as to whether their applications have been approved, denied, or placed on a waiting list. If the application is denied, the reasons for denial shall be stated.
3. Approved applicants must confirm their enrollment within 10 school days.

A student granted intradistrict enrollment under other circumstances shall not be required to reapply for readmission but may be subject to displacement due to excessive enrollment. Any complaints regarding the open enrollment process shall be submitted in accordance with the applicable complaint procedure.

California Education Code, section 48980, requires a school District (Hanford Joint Union High School District (HJUHSD)) to provide annual notice to a parent or guardian (hereinafter referred to as “parent”) of certain rights and responsibilities. The parent is required to acknowledge receipt of this notice by completing the online summer data confirmation process. As a parent or guardian, you are invited to request additional information regarding

HJUHSD policies related to these activities or programs from the office of your child's school of attendance or by contacting the Educational Services Department at 559-583-5901 ext. 3105. Information in this document may also be accessed from Hanford Joint Union High School District’s Website: www.hjuhsd.k12.ca.us.

HJUHSD recognizes that parents/guardians are their children’s first and most influential teachers and that continued parental involvement in the education of children contributes greatly to student achievement and a positive school environment.

HJUHSD is committed to continually improving instruction and providing a safe and healthy environment for students. We maintain high expectations for proper student behavior on our school campuses and program sites. Responsible and appropriate student behavior is achievable when the expectations and responsibilities outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook are understood, positively reinforced, and followed.

Your acknowledgment of receipt of this notice does not indicate your consent for your child to participate or not to participate in any activity or program listed. In conclusion, please read the handbook, including the Discipline section carefully and return the appropriate signed forms to your student's school as soon as possible.

Absence for Religious Exercises and Instruction: Pupils may be excused, with written permission from a parent or guardian, in order to participate in religious exercises or receive moral and religious instruction away from school property. Every pupil so excused must attend at least the minimum school day. No pupil shall be excused from school for such purpose on more than four days per school month. (Ed. Code, § 46014)

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education: A parent or guardian has the right to excuse their child from comprehensive sexual health education, human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) prevention education, and assessments related to that education. A parent or guardian who wishes to exercise this right must state their request in writing. (Ed. Code, § 51938) A parent or guardian may inspect the written and audiovisual educational materials used in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (“AIDS”) prevention education. Parents have a right to request that the District provide them with a copy of the California Healthy Youth Act. (Ed. Code, § 51930 et. seq.)

Parents or guardians shall be notified in writing if the District plans to administer an anonymous, voluntary and confidential test, questionnaire, or survey containing age-appropriate questions about the pupils’ attitudes concerning or practices related to sex in grades 7 to 12 and given the opportunity to review the test, questionnaire, or survey. A parent or guardian has the right to excuse their child from the test, questionnaire, or survey by stating their request in writing. (Ed. Code, § 51938)

Every child’s parent will be notified prior to the commencement of any comprehensive sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention education instruction whether the instruction will be taught by District personnel or by outside consultants. If outside consultants or guest speakers are used, the notice shall include the date of the instruction, and the name of the organization or affiliation of each guest speaker will be identified. Parents have a right to request that the District provide them with a copy of Education Code sections 51933, 51934, and 51938. (Ed. Code, § 51938) If arrangements for instruction by outside consultants or guest speakers are made after the beginning of the school year, the Superintendent or designee shall notify parents/guardians no less than 14 days before instruction is given. (Ed. Code, § 51938)

Excuse from Instruction in Health: Upon written request of a parent or guardian, a pupil may be excused from any part of instruction in health which conflicts with the parent(s)’ or guardian(s)’ religious training or beliefs (including personal moral convictions). (Ed. Code, § 51240)b

Administration of Medication: Medication prescribed by a physician or ordered by a physician assistant for a child may be administered during the school day by the school nurse or other designated school personnel, or self-administered by the child if the medication is prescription auto-injectable epinephrine or prescription inhaled asthma medication, but only if the parent consents in writing and provides detailed written instructions from a physician, or a physician assistant as specified by law. In order for a child to carry and self-administer prescription auto-injectable epinephrine or prescription inhaled asthma medication, the physician or physician assistant must also provide a written statement detailing the name of the medication, method, amount, and time schedules by which the medication is to be taken and confirming that the pupil is able to self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine or prescription inhaled asthma medication. Parents must also provide a release for the school nurse or designated school personnel to consult with the pupil’s health care provider regarding questions that may arise with regard to the medication and releasing the District and its personnel from civil liability if the self-administering pupil suffers an adverse reaction as a result of self-administering auto-injectable epinephrine or prescription inhaled asthma medication. The written statements specified in this section shall be provided at least annually and more frequently if the medication, dosage, frequency of administration, or reason for administration changes. Forms for administering medication may be obtained from the school secretary. (Ed. Code, §§ 49423, 49423.1, 49423.5)

Students on Medication: Parents are to notify the school nurse or other designated certificated school employee if their child is on a continuing medication regimen. This notification shall include the name of the medication being taken, the dosage, and the name of the supervising physician. With parental consent, the school nurse may confer with the physician regarding possible effects of the drug, including symptoms of adverse side effects, omission or overdose and counsel with school personnel as deemed appropriate. (Ed. Code, § 49480)

Immunizations: The District shall exclude from school any pupil who has not been immunized properly, unless the pupil is exempted from the immunization requirement pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with section 120325) of part 2 of division 105 of the Health and Safety Code. The immunization exemption based on personal beliefs has been eliminated. (Health & Saf. Code, § 120325) A student who, prior to January 1, 2016, submitted a letter or affidavit on file at the District, stating beliefs opposed to immunization, is permitted to enroll in that institution until the student enrolls in the next grade span. Grade span means: 1) birth to preschool; 2) kindergarten and grades 1 through 6, inclusive, including transitional kindergarten; and 3) grades 7 through 12, inclusive. On or after July 1, 2016, the District shall exclude from school for the first time or deny admittance or deny advancement to any student to the 7^th grade unless the student has been immunized for their age as required by law. (Health & Saf. Code, § 120335) A student may still be exempted from the immunization requirement based on medical condition or circumstances. A licensed physician or surgeon must transmit a completed medical exemption certification form from the California Department of Public Health directly to the local educational agency and the California Immunization Registry. The standardized medical exemption form shall be the only documentation of a medical exemption that shall be accepted by the District. (Health & Saf. Code, §§ 120370, 120372)

A parent or guardian may consent in writing for a physician, surgeon, or health care practitioner acting under the direction of a supervising physician and surgeon to administer an immunizing agent to a pupil at school. The health care practitioner may administer immunizations for the prevention and control of diseases that present a current or potential outbreak as declared by a federal, state, or local public health officer. (Ed. Code, §§ 48216, 48980(a), 49403; Health & Saf. Code, §§ 120325, 120335) Students are advised to adhere to current immunization guidelines regarding full human papillomavirus (“HPV”) immunization before admission or advancement to the eighth-grade level. HPV vaccination can prevent over 90 percent of cancers caused by HPV. HPV vaccines are very safe, and scientific research shows that the benefits of HPV vaccination far outweigh the potential risks. A fact sheet has been attached describing the benefits of an HPV vaccination. (Ed. Code, § 48980.4, Health & Saf. Code, § 120336)

Physical Exams and Testing: The District is required to conduct certain physical examinations and vision and hearing testing of students, unless the parent has a current written objection on file. However, the child may be sent home if they are believed to be suffering from a recognized contagious or infectious disease, and shall not be permitted to return until the school authorities are satisfied that any contagious or infectious disease does not exist. (Ed. Code, §§ 49451, 49452, 49452.5, 49455; Health & Saf. Code, § 124085).

Confidential Medical Services: For students in grades 7 through 12, the District may release a student for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without obtaining the consent of the student’s parent or guardian. (Ed. Code, § 46010.1)

Medical Coverage for Injuries: Hanford Joint Union High School District may provide or make available medical or hospital services, or both, for injuries to pupils arising from school programs or activities. No pupil shall be compelled to accept such services without their consent or, if the pupil is a minor, without the consent of a parent or guardian.. (Ed. Code, § 49472)

Athletic Participation Insurance Information: Under state law, school districts are required to ensure that all members of school athletic teams have accidental insurance that covers medical and hospital expenses.   This insurance requirement can be met by the school district offering insurance or other health benefits that cover medical and hospital expenses.  More information about the district provided insurance coverage can be obtained by calling:

• BMI Benefits, LLC:  1-800-445-3126

Some pupils may qualify to enroll in no-cost or low-cost local, state or federally sponsored health insurance programs.   Information about these programs may be obtained by calling:

• Health Families:  1-888-747-1222
• Medi-Cal:  1-800-880-5305

Mental Health Services: The District shall notify pupils and parents or guardians no less than twice each school year of the steps to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus and/or in the community. (Ed. Code, § 49428) The mental health services available include:

National Resources

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 74171

Community Resources - Behavioral Health

• Kings Behavioral Health, 460 Kings County Dr. #101, Hanford, CA 93230, (559) 852-2444
• Kings View Counseling Services, 1393 Bailey Dr., Hanford, CA 93230; (559) 582-4481; Warmline: 1-877-306-2413

Community Resources - Substance Abuse

• WestCare, 410 E. 7th St., Hanford, CA  93230,  (559) 584-8100
• Champions Recovery, 311 N. Douty St, Hanford, CA 93230; (559) 583-9307

County Resource Phone App

• 211 Intelliful

Services for Students with Exceptional Needs or a Disability: State and federal law require that a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment be offered to qualified pupils with disabilities ages 3 through 21 years. Students classified as individuals with exceptional needs for whom a special education placement is unavailable or inappropriate may receive services in a private nonsectarian school. Please contact the local director of special education for specific information. (Ed. Code, § 56040 et seq.) In addition, services are available for students who have a disability which interferes with their equal access to educational opportunities. (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 34 C.F.R. § 104.32) The District official listed below is responsible for handling requests for services under Section 504 and may be reached at the following address and telephone: 

(a)  A parent or guardian has the right to inspect and review student records relating directly to their child during school hours or obtain a copy of such records within five (5) business days of their request.

(b)  Any parent who wishes to review the types of student records and information contained therein may do so by contacting the principal at their child’s school. The principal of each school is ultimately responsible for maintenance of student records.

(c)  A parent with legal custody has a right to challenge information contained in their child’s records. Any determination to expunge a student’s record is made after a review of said record(s) by site administrators and certificated staff. Following an inspection and review of student records, the parent may challenge the content of the student’s record. The right to challenge becomes the sole right of the student when the student becomes eighteen (18) years of age.

(d) A parent or guardian has the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent disclosure is authorized without consent.

A parent may file a written request with the Superintendent of the District to remove any information recorded in the written records concerning the child which is alleged to be:

1. Inaccurate.
2. An unsubstantiated personal conclusion or inference.
3. A conclusion or inference outside of the observer’s area of competence.
4. Not based on the personal observation of a named person with the time and place of the observation noted.
5. Misleading.
6. In violation of the privacy or other rights of the pupil.

Within thirty (30) days, the Superintendent or designee shall meet with the parent/guardian and the certificated employee who recorded the information, if any, and if the person is still employed with the District, and sustain or deny the allegations. If the allegations are sustained, the Superintendent shall order the correction, removal or destruction of the information. If the Superintendent denies the allegations, the parent may appeal the decision to the Governing Board within thirty (30) days. The Board shall determine whether or not to sustain or deny the allegations. If the Board sustains the allegations, it shall order the Superintendent to immediately correct, remove or destroy the information from the written records of the student. (Ed. Code, § 49070)

If the final decision of the Board is unfavorable to the parents, or if the parent accepts an unfavorable decision by the District Superintendent, the parent shall have the right to submit a written statement of objections to the information. This statement shall become a part of the student’s school record until such time as the information objected to is removed.

Both the Superintendent and the Board have the option of appointing a hearing panel in accordance with Education Code sections 49070-49071 to assist in the decision making. The decision as to whether a hearing panel is to be used shall be made at the discretion of the Superintendent or the Board and not of the challenging party.

(e) A Student Records Log is maintained for each student. The Student Records Log lists persons, agencies or organizations requesting and/or receiving information from the records and the legitimate interests therefor to the extent required by law. Student Records Logs are located at each school and are open to inspection by parents or guardians. (Ed. Code, § 49064)

(f) School officials and employees having a legitimate educational interest, as well as persons identified in Education Code sections 49076 and 49076.5 and in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, may access student records without first obtaining parental consent. “School officials and employees” are persons employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and District-employed law enforcement personnel), a Board member, a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special service (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist), or a parent, student, foster family agency, short-term residential treatment staff, or caregiver whose access to student records is legally authorized. A “legitimate educational interest” is one held by a school official or employee whose duties and responsibilities create a reasonable need for access. (Ed. Code, §§ 49063(d), 49076, 49076.5; 20 U.S.C. § 1232g)

(g) Parents and guardians have the right to authorize the release of student records to themselves. Only parents and guardians with legal custody can authorize the release of student records to others.

(h) Parents and guardians will be charged ten ($0.10) cents per page for the reproduction of student records.

(i) Parents have a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education for alleged violations of parent rights related to student records. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(g))

(j) Parents may obtain a copy of the District’s complete student records policy by contacting the Superintendent.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: Parents have certain rights regarding student information and records which are guaranteed under federal law. A handout notifying parents of these rights is attached.

Student Discipline: District and school rules pertaining to student discipline are available to parents or guardians of district students in the school office. (Ed. Code, § 35291) Students may be subject to discipline for off-campus misconduct if the misconduct is related to school activity or attendance and causes or is reasonably likely to cause a substantial disruption to school activity. For example, a student using technology such as a home computer, cellular phone, or other electronic device may be disciplined for bullying, engaging in unlawful harassment, or making threats against students, staff, or district property even if such misconduct occurred off-campus and during non-school hours. (Ed. Code, § 48900(r))

Dissection of Animals: If a student has a moral objection to dissecting (or otherwise harming or destroying) animals, or any part of an animal, the pupil must notify the teacher regarding such objection, and the objection must be substantiated with a note from the pupil’s parent or guardian. If the pupil chooses to refrain from participating in such a project or test, and if the teacher believes that an adequate alternative education project or test is possible, then the teacher may work with the pupil to develop and agree upon an alternate education project or test for the purpose of providing the pupil an alternate avenue for obtaining the knowledge, information or experience required by the course of study. No student shall be discriminated against based upon their decision to exercise their rights under this section. (Ed. Code, §§ 32255-32255.6)

Temporary Disability: A temporary disability which makes it impossible or inadvisable for a student to attend class may entitle the student to receive individualized instruction. It is the responsibility of the pupil’s parent or guardian to notify the school district in which the pupil is deemed to reside of the pupil’s need for individualized instruction.

Home Instruction: The district in which the student resides is to provide individual instruction if the student is receiving the instruction in their home. Individual instruction in a pupil’s home pursuant to Education Code section 48206.3 shall commence no later than five working days after a school district has determined that the pupil shall receive this instruction.

Hospital or Health Facility Instruction: The school district in which the hospital or other residential health facility, excluding a state hospital, is located must provide individual instruction to a student with a temporary disability. Within five working days of receipt of the notification, the district must determine whether the pupil will be able to receive individual instruction, and, if so, when the individual instruction will begin. Individual instruction will commence no later than five working days after a positive determination has been rendered. A student with a temporary disability who is in a hospital or other residential health facility, other than a state hospital, which is located outside the student’s school district of residence shall be deemed to comply with the residency requirements of the school district in which the hospital is located. A school district may continue to enroll a pupil with a temporary disability who is receiving individual instruction in a hospital or residential health facility to facilitate the timely reentry of the pupil in their prior school after the hospitalization has ended, or in order to provide a partial week of instruction. On days in which the student is not receiving individual instruction in a hospital or other residential health facility, they may attend school in their district of residence if well enough to do so. A pupil receiving individual instruction who is well enough to return to a school shall be allowed to return to the school, including a charter school, that they attended immediately before receiving individual instruction, if returning during the same school year. (Ed. Code, §§ 48206.3, 48207, 48207.3, 48207.5, 48208, 48980(b))

Pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom shall be treated in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disabling condition. (Ed. Code, § 221.51)

Student Residency: A student may be enrolled in the District if (1) the student’s parent, legal guardian or other person having control and charge of the student resides in the District (Ed. Code, § 48200); (2) the District has approved interdistrict attendance (Ed. Code, § 46600); (3) the student is placed in a regularly established children’s institution, licensed foster home, or family home; (4) the student is a foster child who remains in their school of origin pursuant to Education Code section 48853.5(f) and (g); (5) the student is emancipated and lives within the District; (6) the student lives in the home of an adult who has submitted a caregiver affidavit; (7) the student resides in a state hospital within the District; or (8) the student’s parent or legal guardian resides outside of the boundaries of the school district but is employed and lives with the student at the place of their employment within the school district boundaries for a minimum of three days during the school week. (Ed. Code, § 48204) The law allows, but does not require, a district to accept a student for enrollment where at least one parent or legal guardian of the student is physically employed within the district’s boundaries for a minimum of 10 hours during the school week. (Ed. Code, § 48204) A student also complies with the residency requirements for school attendance in a school district if they are a student whose parent is transferred or pending transfer to a military installation within the state while on active duty pursuant to an official military order. However, the parent must provide proof of residence in the school district within ten (10) days after the published arrival date provided on official documentation. (Ed. Code, § 48204.3) A student also complies with the residency requirement if the student’s parent/guardians were residents of the state but departed California against their will if the student provides official documentation evidencing the departure of their parent/guardians against their will; that the student moved outside of California as a result of their parent/guardians departing California against their will; and that the student lived and was enrolled in school in California immediately before moving outside of California. (Ed. Code, § 48204.4)

Attendance Options: Students who attend schools other than those assigned by the District are referred to as “transfer students” throughout this notification. There is one process for choosing a school within the District which the parent lives (intradistrict transfer), and three separate processes for selecting schools in other districts (interdistrict transfer). (Ed. Code, § 48980(h))

Attached is a copy of the District’s Policy on Interdistrict and Intradistrict Transfers. Parents interested in interdistrict or intradistrict transfers should contact the Superintendent’s office. The general requirements and limitations of each process are described as follows:

(a) Choosing a School Within the District in Which Parent Lives: Education Code section 35160.5(b) requires the school board of each district to establish a policy that allows parents to choose the schools their children will attend, regardless of where the parent lives in the district. The law limits choice within a school district as follows:

• Students who live in the attendance area of a school must be given priority to attend that school over students who do not live in the school’s attendance area.
• In cases in which there are more requests to attend a school than there are openings, the selection process must be “random and unbiased,” which generally means students must be selected through a lottery process rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. A district cannot use a student’s academic or athletic performance as a reason to accept or reject a transfer. However, a district may consider special circumstances that might be harmful or dangerous to a particular pupil in the current attendance area of the pupil, including physical threats of bodily harm or threats to the emotional stability of the pupil documented by a state or local agency, licensed or registered professional, or court order.
• Each district must decide the number of openings at each school which can be filled by transfer students. Each district also has the authority to keep appropriate racial and ethnic balances among its schools, meaning that a district can deny a transfer request if it would upset this balance or would leave the district out of compliance with a court-ordered or voluntary desegregation program.
• A district is not required to provide transportation assistance to a student who transfers to another school in the district under these provisions.
• If a transfer is denied, a parent does not have an automatic right to appeal the decision. A district may, however, voluntarily decide to put in place a process for parents to appeal a decision.
• Victims of Bullying: A school district of residence must approve an intradistrict transfer request for a victim of an act of bullying unless the requested school is at maximum capacity, in which case the district must accept an intradistrict transfer request for a different school within the district. A school district of residence may not prohibit the interdistrict transfer of a victim of an act of bullying if there is no available school for an intradistrict transfer and if the school district of proposed enrollment approves the transfer application. (Ed. Code, § 46600)
• A school district of proposed enrollment shall ensure that pupils admitted under this law are selected through an unbiased process that prohibits an inquiry into or evaluation or consideration of whether a pupil should be enrolled based on academic or athletic performance, physical condition, English proficiency, family income, or any of the individual characteristics set forth in Education Code section 220, including, but not limited to, race or ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and immigration status.

(b) Choosing a School Outside the District in Which Parent Lives: Parents have two different options for choosing a school outside the district in which they live. The two options are:

(i) Interdistrict Transfers (Ed. Code, §§ 46600–46610): The law allows two or more districts to enter into an agreement for the transfer of one or more students for a period of up to five years. New agreements may be entered into for additional periods of up to five years each. The agreement must specify the terms and conditions under which transfers are permitted. The law on interdistrict transfers also provides for the following:

• Once a pupil is enrolled in a school pursuant to an interdistrict transfer agreement, the pupil must be allowed to continue to attend the school in which they are enrolled without reapplying, unless revocation of the interdistrict transfer is a term and condition of the agreement between the districts; however, a district must not rescind existing transfer permits for pupils entering grade 11 or 12 in the subsequent school year.
• Upon request, a pupil determined to be the victim of an act of bullying by a pupil of the district of residence must be given priority for interdistrict attendance under any existing interdistrict attendance agreement or additional consideration for the creation of an interdistrict attendance agreement. (Ed. Code, §§ 46600(b), 48900(r))
• If either district denies a transfer request, a parent may appeal that decision to the county board of education. There are specified timelines in the law for filing an appeal and for the county board of education to make a decision. (Ed. Code, § 46601)
• A school district of residence shall not prohibit the transfer of a student who is a homeless child or youth, a current or former migratory child, a foster youth, the victim of an act of bullying, or a child of an active military duty parent to a school district of proposed enrollment if the school district of proposed enrollment approves the transfer application.
• If a pupil is a victim of an act of bullying and their school district of residence has only one school offering their grade level, such that there is no option for an intradistrict transfer, the pupil may apply for an interdistrict transfer, and the school district of residence shall not prohibit the transfer if the school district of proposed enrollment approves the application for transfer. (Ed. Code, § 46600)
• A school district that elects to accept an interdistrict transfer pursuant to this subdivision shall accept all pupils who apply to transfer under this subdivision until the school district is at maximum capacity and shall ensure that pupils admitted under this subdivision are selected through an unbiased process that prohibits an inquiry into or evaluation or consideration of whether or not a pupil should be enrolled based on their academic, performance, athletic performance, physical condition, proficiency in English, family income, actual or perceived characteristics, such as disability (mental and physical), gender (includes gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), actual or potential parental, family, or marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom), nationality (includes citizenship, country of origin and national origin), immigration status, race or ethnicity (includes ancestry, color, ethnic group identification and ethnic background), religion (includes all aspects of religious belief, observance and practice, including agnosticism and atheism), sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality), or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. (Ed. Code, § 46600)
• Upon request of the parent on behalf of a pupil eligible for transfer pursuant to this subdivision, a school district of enrollment will provide transportation assistance to a pupil who is eligible for free or reduced-price meals. (Ed. Code, § 46600)
• A school district of enrollment may provide transportation assistance to any pupil admitted under this subdivision. (Ed. Code, § 46600(d))

(ii)  “Allen Bill” Transfers (Ed. Code, § 48204(b)): The law allows, but does not require, each school district to adopt a policy whereby the student may be considered a resident of the school district in which their parents (or legal guardian(s)) physically work for a minimum of 10 hours during the school week if that is different from the school district in which the student resides. This code section does not require that a school district accept a student requesting a transfer on this basis, but a student may not be rejected on the basis of race/ethnicity, sex, parental income, academic achievement, or any other “arbitrary” consideration. Other provisions of Education Code section 48204(b) include:

• Either the district in which the parent (or legal guardian) lives or the district in which the parent (or legal guardian) physically works may prohibit the student’s transfer if it is determined that there would be a negative impact on the district’s desegregation plan.
• The district in which the parent (or legal guardian) physically works may reject a transfer if it determines that the cost of educating the student would be more than the amount of state funds the district would receive for educating the student.
• There are set limits (based on total enrollment) on the net numbers of students that may transfer out of a district under this law, unless the district approves a greater number of transfers.
• There is no required appeal process for a transfer that is denied. However, the district that declines to admit a student is encouraged to provide in writing to the parent the specific reasons for denying the transfer.

(c) Transferring a Student Convicted of a Felony/Misdemeanor: Education Code section 48929 authorizes the governing board of a school district to transfer a student enrolled in the district who has been convicted of a violent felony as defined in Penal Code section 667.5 or misdemeanor listed in Penal Code section 29805 to another school within the district when the student and victim of the crime are enrolled in the same school. The governing board has adopted a policy regarding such transfers at a regular meeting pursuant to Education Code section 48929. The policy requires: 1) notice to be provided to the student and student’s parent or guardian of the right to request to meet with the principal or designee of the school or District; and 2) that the school first attempt to resolve the conflict before transfer by using restorative justice, counseling, or other services. The policy also includes information regarding whether the transfer decision is subject to periodic review and the procedure used to conduct the review, and the process the board will use to consider and approve or disapprove the recommendation of the school principal or other school or school district designee to transfer the student.

Sexual Harassment Policy: Each student will receive a written copy of the district policy on sexual harassment. The purpose of this policy is to provide notification of the prohibition against sexual harassment as a form of sexual discrimination and to provide notification of available remedies. A copy of the District’s policy on sexual harassment is attached. (Ed. Code, §§ 231.5, 48980(f))

Notice of Alternative Schools: California state law authorizes all school districts to provide for alternative schools. Section 58500 of the Education Code defines alternative school as a school or separate class group within a school which is operated in a manner designed to:

(a) Maximize the opportunity for students to develop the positive values of self-reliance, initiative, kindness, spontaneity, resourcefulness, courage, creativity, responsibility, and joy.

(b) Recognize that the best learning takes place when the student learns because of the student’s desire to learn.

(c) Maintain a learning situation maximizing student self-motivation and encouraging the student in their own time to follow their own interests. These interests may be conceived by the student totally and independently or may result in whole or in part from a presentation by the student’s teachers of choices of learning projects.

(d) Maximize the opportunity for teachers, parents, and students to cooperatively develop the learning process and its subject matter. This opportunity shall be a continuous permanent process.

(e) Maximize the opportunity for the students, teachers, and parents to continuously react to the changing world, including but not limited to, the community in which the school is located.

In the event any parent, pupil, or teacher is interested in further information concerning alternative schools, the county superintendent of schools, the administrative office of this district, and the principal’s office in each attendance unit have copies of the law available for parent information. This law particularly authorizes interested persons to request the governing board of the district to establish alternative school programs in each district. (Ed. Code, § 58501)

Nutrition Program: The State Department of Education has established a statewide program to provide nutritious meals and milk at school for pupils, and to provide free meals to the neediest children. In some instances, nominal cash payments may be required. (Ed. Code, § 49510 et seq.)

Leaving School Grounds: The District, pursuant to section 44808.5 of the Education Code, has decided to permit the pupils enrolled in 11th and 12th grade in accordance with district criteria as detailed in the handbook, to leave the school grounds during the lunch period. Section 44808.5 of the Education Code further states: “Neither the school district nor any officer or employee thereof shall be liable for the conduct or safety of any pupil during such time as the pupil has left the school grounds pursuant to this section.” (Ed. Code, § 44808.5)

U.S. Department of Education Programs: The following applies only to programs directly funded by the U.S. Department of Education:

All instructional materials, including teacher’s manuals, films, tapes, or other supplementary material which will be used in connection with any survey, analysis, or evaluation shall be available for inspection by the parents or guardians of the children.

No student shall be required, as part of any applicable U.S. Department of Education funded program, to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning:

(a) political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parents;

(b) mental and psychological problems of the student or their family;

(c) sex behavior or attitudes;

(d) illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;

(e) critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;

(f) legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;

(g) religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or

(h) income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program)

without the prior consent of the student (if the student is an adult or emancipated minor), or in the case of an unemancipated minor, without the prior written consent of the parent. (20 U.S.C. § 1232h)

Procedimiento Uniforme de Quejas:

Quejas que Alegan Discriminación, Acoso, Intimidación, y Acoso Escolar:

State and federal law prohibit discrimination in education programs and activities. The District is primarily responsible for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4620.)

Under state law, all pupils have the right to attend classes on school campuses that are safe, secure, and peaceful. (Ed. Code, § 32261) State law requires school districts to afford all pupils equal rights and opportunities in education, regardless of their actual or perceived characteristics, such as disability (mental and physical), gender (includes gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), actual or potential parental, family, or marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom), nationality (includes citizenship, country of origin and national origin), immigration status, race or ethnicity (includes ancestry, color, ethnic group identification and ethnic background), religion (includes all aspects of religious belief, observance and practice, including agnosticism and atheism), sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality), or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. (Ed. Code, §§ 210-214, 220 et seq., 234 et seq.; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4900 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.; 29 U.S.C. § 794; 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.; 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; 34 C.F.R. § 106.9) The District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and retaliation in all acts related to school activity or attendance. In addition to being the subject of a complaint, a pupil engaging in an act of bullying as defined by Education Code section 48900(r) may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion.

The District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures may be used in cases where individuals or a group have suffered discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, §§ 4610, 4630, 4650; Ed. Code, §§ 234 et seq., 48900(r))

(a) Any individual, public agency or organization has the right to file a written complaint alleging that they have personally suffered unlawful discrimination or that an individual or specific class of individuals has been subjected to unlawful discrimination. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, §§ 4610, 4630(b)(1))

(b) Copies of the District’s complaint procedures are available free of charge. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4622)

(c) Complaints must usually be filed with the superintendent/designee of the District.

(d) Discrimination complaints must be filed within six (6) months of the date the alleged discrimination occurred, or within six (6) months of the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination. Within that six (6) month period, complainant may file a written request with the district superintendent or designee for an extension of up to ninety (90) days following the six (6) month time period. Extensions will not be automatically granted, but may be granted for good cause. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4630(b))

Complaints Other Than Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying:

The District has a written complaint procedure which may be used in cases where any individual, public agency or organization alleges violations of state or federal law, other than those relating to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying.

(e) Written complaints may be made regarding:

(i) Adult Education

(ii) After School Education and Safety

(iii) Agricultural Career Technical and/or Vocational Education

(iv) American Indian Education Centers and American Indian Early Childhood Education

(v) Bilingual Education

(vi) California Peer Assistance and Review Programs for Teachers

(vii) Consolidated Categorical Aid Programs

(viii) Migrant Child Education Programs

(ix) Every Student Succeeds Act (formerly No Child Left Behind)

(x) Career Technical and Technical Education and Technical Training Programs

(xi) Child Care and Development

(xii) Child Nutrition

(xiii) Compensatory Education

(xiv) Consolidated Categorical Aid

(xv) Economic Impact Aid

(xvi) Special Education

(xvii) “Williams Complaints”

(xviii) Pupil Fees

(xix) Instructional Minutes for Physical Education

(xx) Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)

(xxi) Pregnant and Parenting Pupils, including parental leave

(xxii) Student Parent Lactation Accommodations

(xxiii) Course Assignments already Completed or without Educational Content

(xxiv) Physical Education Instructional Minutes

(xxv) Foster Youth, Homeless Youth, former Juvenile Court School Student Services, Migrant Youth, and Pupils of Military Families

(xxvi) Regional Occupational Centers and Programs

(xxvii) Continued Education Options for Former Juvenile Court School Students

(xxviii) School Safety Plans

(xxix) School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA)

(xxx) Tobacco-Use Prevention Education

(xxxi) School site Councils

(xxxii) State Preschool

(xxxiii) State Preschool Health and Safety Issues in Local Education Agencies Exempt From Licensing

(xxxiv) Any other district-implemented state categorical program that is not funded through the local control funding formula pursuant to Education Code section 64000

(xxxv) Any other educational programs the Superintendent deems appropriate

(Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, §§ 4610(b), 4622, 4630; Ed. Code, §§ 222, 8200-8498, 8500-8538, 32289, 33315, 33380-33384, 35186, 46015,47606.5, 47607.3, 48853.5, 49013, 49069.5, 49490-49590, 49701, 51210, 51223,51225.1, 51225.2, 51226-51226.1, 51228.1, 51228.2, 51228.3, 52060-52075,52160-52178, 52300-52490, 52334.7, 52500-52616.24, 54000-54029, 54400-54425, 54440-54445, 54460-54529, 56000-56867, 59000-59300,64001; 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400, 6601, 6801, 7101, 7201, 6301 et. seq.; Health& Saf. Code, §§ 1596.792, 1596.7925, 104420)

Any individual, public agency or organization has the right to file a written complaint alleging that the District has violated a federal or state law or regulation governing any program listed above. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4630(b)(1))

Copies of the District’s complaint procedures are available free of charge. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4622)

Complaints must usually be filed with the superintendent or designee of the District under the timelines established by District policy. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4630(b))

Within 60 days from the date of receipt of the complaint, the District’s responsible officer or their designee shall conduct and complete an investigation of the complaint in accordance with local procedures adopted pursuant to California Code of Regulations, title 5, section 4621 and prepare a written decision. The time period may be extended by mutual written agreement of the parties.

(f) Williams Complaints: Complaints, including anonymous complaints, may be made and addressed on a shortened time line for the following areas: (Ed. Code, §§ 8235.5, 35186)

(i) Insufficient textbooks and instructional materials;

(ii) Emergency or urgent school facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of pupils;

(iii) Noncompliance with the requirement of Education Code section 35292.6 to stock, at all times, at least half of the restrooms in the school with feminine hygiene products and to not charge students for the use of such products;

(iv) Teacher vacancy or misassignment; or

(v) Noncompliance of a license-exempt California State Preschool Program (CSPP) with health and safety standards specified in Health and Safety Code section 1596.7925 and related state regulations.

[NOTE: In order to identify appropriate subjects of complaint, a notice shall be posted in each classroom in each school in the school district notifying parents, guardians, and pupils of the following:

• There should be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials. For there to be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials each pupil, including English learners, must have a textbook or instructional materials, or both, to use in class and to take home.
• School facilities must be clean, safe, and maintained in good repair.
• There should be no teacher vacancies or misassignments.
• In case of a shortage of complaint forms, a form may be obtained at Hanford Joint Union High School District Office located at 823 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA  93230

A complaint of noncompliance with Education Code section 35186 may be filed with the school principal or designee under the Uniform Complaint Procedures. A complainant not satisfied with the resolution of a Williams Complaint has the right to bring the complaint to the district governing board at a regularly scheduled hearing. In the case of a complaint regarding emergency or urgent school facilities conditions, a complainant has the right of appeal to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(g) Pupil Fees Complaints: A pupil enrolled in the District shall not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity that constitutes an integral fundamental part of the district’s educational program, including curricular and extracurricular activities. (Ed. Code, § 49010 et seq.)

A pupil fee includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: a fee charged to a pupil as a condition for registering for school or classes, as a condition for participation in a class or an extracurricular activity, as a security deposit to obtain materials or equipment, or a purchase that a pupil is required to make to obtain materials or equipment for an educational activity.

A complaint of noncompliance with Education Code section 49010 et seq. may be filed with the school principal under the Uniform Complaint Procedures. A complaint shall be filed not later than one calendar year from the date the alleged violation occurred. A complaint may be filed anonymously if the complaint provides evidence or information leading to evidence to support an allegation of noncompliance. A complainant not satisfied with the decision of the school may appeal the decision to the California Department of Education.

(h) Foster, homeless, former juvenile court pupils and pupils in military families: the District will post a standardized notice of the educational rights of pupils in foster care, pupils who are homeless, former juvenile court pupils now enrolled in a school district, and pupils in military families as specified in Education Code sections 48645.7, 48853, 48853.5, 49069.5, 51225.1, and 51225.2. This notice shall include complaint process information, as applicable.

Responsible Official: The District official responsible for processing complaints is listed below at the following address:

Complaints Made Directly to the State Superintendent:

Complaints may be filed directly with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the following cases:

(i) Complaints alleging that the District failed to comply with the complaint procedures described herein, including failure or refusal to cooperate with the investigation.

(j) Complaints regarding Child Development and Child Nutrition programs not administered by the District.

(k) Complaints requesting anonymity, but only where complainant also provides clear and convincing evidence that complainant would be in danger of retaliation if filing complaint at District level.

(l) Complaints alleging that the District failed or refused to implement a final decision regarding a complaint originally filed with the District.

(m) Complaints alleging that the District took no action within sixty (60) days regarding a complaint originally filed with the District.

(n) Complaints alleging immediate and irreparable harm as a result of applying a district-wide policy in conflict with state or federal law and that complaining at the local level would be futile.

(Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, §§ 4630, 4650)

Appeals:

(o) Except for Williams Complaints, a complainant may appeal the District’s decision to the California Department of Education. (Ed. Code, § 262.3(a); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, §§ 4622, 4632)

(i) Appeals must be filed within thirty (30) days of receiving the District decision.

(ii) Appeals must be in writing.

(iii) Appeals must specify the reason(s) for appealing the District decision, including whether the facts are incorrect and/or the law has been misapplied.

(iv) Appeals must include a copy of the original complaint and a copy of the District decision.

(v) Pupil fee complaints appealed to the California Department of Education will receive a written appeal decision within 60 days of the department’s receipt of the appeal.

(vi) If the school/District finds merit in a complaint, or the California Department of Education finds merit in an appeal, the school/District will provide a remedy to all affected pupils, parents, and guardians. For pupil fee complaints, this includes reasonable efforts by the school to ensure full reimbursement to all affected pupils, parents, and guardians, subject to procedures established through regulations adopted by the state board.

(p) If a complaint is denied, in full or in part, by the Department of Education, the complainant may request reconsideration by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4665)

(i) Reconsideration must be requested within thirty (30) days of receiving the Department of Education report.

(ii) The original decision denying the complaint will remain in effect and enforceable unless and until the State Superintendent of Public Instruction modifies that decision.

Civil Law Remedies:

In addition to the above-described complaint procedure, or upon completion of that procedure, complainants may have civil law remedies under state or federal discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying laws. These civil law remedies can include, but are not limited to, injunctions and restraining orders. These civil law remedies are granted by a court of law and may be used, in part, to prevent the District from acting in an unlawful manner. Delay in pursuing civil law remedies before a court of law may result in loss of rights to those remedies. Any questions regarding civil law remedies should be directed to an attorney. (Ed. Code, § 262.3(b); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 4622)

Pupil-Free Staff Development Day and Minimum Day Schedule: A copy of the District’s pupil-free staff development day and minimum day schedules is listed here for reference. A pupil’s parent or guardian will be notified during the school year of any additional minimum days and pupil-free staff development days no later than one month before the actual date. (Ed. Code, § 48980(c))

Review of Curriculum: A prospectus of curriculum, including titles, descriptions, and instructional aims of every course offered by each public school, is available at the school site for review upon request. Copies are available upon request for a reasonable fee not to exceed the actual copying cost. (Ed. Code, § 49091.14)

Pupil Find System; Policies and Procedures: Any parent suspecting that a child has exceptional needs may request an assessment for eligibility for special education services through the Director of Student Services and/or Special Education, or their designee. Policy and procedures shall include written notification to all parents of their rights pursuant to Education Code section 56300 et seq. (Ed. Code, § 56301; 34 C.F.R. § 104.32(b))

School Accountability Report: Parents/guardians may request a hard copy of the School Accountability Report Card which is issued annually for each school of the District. (Ed. Code, § 35256)

Asbestos Management Plan: The current management plan for asbestos-containing material in school buildings is available at the District Office. (40 C.F.R. § 763.93)

Assistance to Cover Costs of Advanced Placement Examination Fees: The District may help pay for all or part of the costs of one or more advanced placement examinations that are charged to economically disadvantaged students. (Ed. Code, §§ 48980(j), 52242)

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) took full effect in 2018 to replace the No Child Left Behind Act in modifying the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). If updates are provided by the California Department of Education, the following notice may change and new information may be added.

• Information Regarding Professional Qualifications of Teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Aides: Upon request, parents have a right to information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, and aides. This includes whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and subjects they teach, whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency permit or other provisional status because of special circumstances, the major or field of discipline for any degrees or certifications held by the teacher, and whether any instructional aides or paraprofessionals provide services to the parents’ child and, if so, their qualifications. In addition, parents have a right to notice when the parent’s child has been taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified. (ESEA § 1112(e)(1)(A) (as amended by ESSA))
• Information Regarding Individual Student Reports on Statewide Assessments: Upon request, parents have a right to information on the level of achievement of their student on every State academic assessment administered to the student. (ESEA § 1112(e)(1)(B) (as amended by ESSA))
• School Identified for School Improvement: A local educational agency shall promptly provide notice to a parent or parents of each student enrolled in an elementary school or a secondary school identified for school improvement (school that fails for two consecutive years to make adequate yearly progress as defined in the State’s plan) for comprehensive support and improvement activities or targeted support and improvement activities. The notice will be in an understandable and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand. The notice will include an explanation of what the identification means; how the school compares in terms of academic achievement to other elementary schools or secondary schools served by the local educational agency and the State educational agency; the reasons for the identification; an explanation of what the school identified for school improvement is doing to address the problem of low achievement; an explanation of what the local educational agency or State educational agency is doing to help the school address the achievement problem; an explanation of how parents can become involved in addressing the academic issues that caused the school to be identified for school improvement; and an explanation of the parents’ option to transfer their child to another public school (with transportation provided by the agency when required or to obtain supplemental educational services for the child). (ESEA § 1111(c-d) (as amended by ESSA))
• Parent and Family Engagement: ESSA requires the District to notify parents of a written parent and family engagement policy. (ESEA § 1116) (as amended by ESSA) (20 U.S.C. § 6318(b)). The policy must include how each school will: convene an annual meeting to which all parents of participating students shall be invited and encouraged to attend, to inform parents of the requirements of this policy and the right of parents to be involved; offer a flexible number of meetings; involve parents in an organized and timely manner in the review and development of programs under this part including development of the parent and family engagement policy; provide parents timely notice about programs under this part, a description of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic achievement, and if requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and participate in decisions related to the education of their children; allow parents to submit comments on the plan when the school makes it public; jointly develop a compact with parents describing the school’s responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum in a supportive and effective learning environment and addresses the importance of communication between parents and teachers; provide assistance to parents of children served by the school in understanding academic standards, assessments, and the requirements of this part; provide materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s achievement; educate teachers on the importance of parent outreach and communication; coordinate parent involvement in school programs; provide information related to school and parent programs in a format and language the parents can understand; adopt and implement model approaches to improving parental involvement; and provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities as parents may request. This policy shall be provided in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language that parents will understand.
• Limited English Proficient Students: ESSA requires notice be given to parents of limited English proficient students regarding limited English proficiency programs, not later than 30 days after the beginning of the school year (or, for students identified later in the school year, within two weeks). Notice includes: the reasons for the identification of the student as limited English proficient; the need for placement in a language instruction educational program; the student’s level of English proficiency and how such level was assessed; the status of the student’s academic achievement; the methods of instruction used in the available programs (including content, instructional goals, and the use of English and native language); the exit requirements for the program; how the program meets the objectives of the student’s IEP, if applicable; and, parent options for removing a student from a program, declining initial enrollment and/or choosing another program. (ESEA § 1112(e)(3)(A) (as amended by ESSA)) In addition, the notice shall include the following: (1) whether the student is a long-term English learner or at risk of becoming a long-term English learner; (2) the manner in which the program will meet the needs of long-term English learners or those at risk of becoming long-term English learners; and (3) the manner in which the program will help long-term English learners or those at risk of becoming long-term English learners develop English proficiency and meet age-appropriate academic standards. (Ed. Code, §§ 313.2, 440; 20 U.S.C. § 6312)

The information provided above is available upon request from each student’s school or the district office. Additional notices that may be required shall be sent separately. (20 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.)

Military Recruiter Information: 20 U.S.C. section 7908 requires that school districts disclose the names, addresses and telephone numbers of high school students to military recruiters upon request, unless parents request that this information not be released without prior written consent. Parents have the option of making such a request. If parents do not wish this information to be provided to military recruiters, they must notify the District office of this fact in writing. The writing should be directed to the District official listed below at the following address:

A homeless child will be allowed to continue their education in their school of origin through the duration of homelessness at the point of any change or any subsequent change in residence once a child becomes a homeless child. If the child’s status changes before the end of the academic year so that they are not homeless, the District will allow a child in high school to continue their education in the school of origin through graduation. For a child in grades K through 8, the District will allow the formerly homeless child to continue their education in the school of origin until the end of the academic school year. A homeless child transitioning between school grade levels will be allowed to continue in the school district of origin in the same attendance area. If a homeless child is transitioning to a middle or high school where the school designated for matriculation is in another school district, the homeless child must be allowed to continue to the school designated for matriculation in that school district. The new school will be required to enroll the child immediately regardless of any outstanding fees, fines, textbooks or other items or moneys due to the school last attended or if the child is unable to produce clothing or records normally required for enrollment, including academic records, medical records, proof of immunization history, proof of residency, other documentation, or school uniforms. (Ed. Code, § 48852.7)

The District has designated Janice Ede as the educational liaison for foster children and can be contacted at (559)583-5901 ext. 3117 or jede@hjuhsd.org.  The educational liaison will disseminate a standardized notice to foster children that has been developed by the State Department of Education and includes complaint process information. (Ed. Code, § 48853.5)

A foster child shall be allowed to continue their education in the school of origin under specified circumstances. If it is determined that it is in the best interests of the foster child to transfer to a school other than the school of origin, the foster child shall immediately be enrolled in the new school, regardless of any outstanding fees, fines, textbooks, or other items or moneys owed to the school last attended or if the child is unable to produce clothing or records normally required for enrollment, including academic records, medical records, immunization history, proof of residency, other documentation, or school uniforms. The last school attended must provide all records to the new school within two business days of receiving the request. (Ed. Code, §§ 48853, 48853.5)

Upon receiving a transfer request or notification of a student in foster care, the District shall, within two business days, transfer the student out of school and deliver the educational information and records to the next educational placement. Grades and credits will be calculated as of the day the student left school and no lowering of grades will occur as a result of the student’s absence due to the decision to change placement or for a verified court appearance or related court activity. (Ed. Code, § 49069.5)

The District shall exempt from local graduation requirements or consult with the student and their educational rights holder about the option to remain in school for a fifth year to complete the local graduation requirements, a student who is in foster care, a homeless child or youth, a child of a military family, a former juvenile court school student, a migratory child, or newcomer student for recently arrived immigrant pupils and who transfers between schools under certain circumstances. (Ed. Code, §§ 51225.1, 51225.2)

The District shall accept coursework done by a student who is in foster care, a homeless child or youth, a child of a military family, a former juvenile court school student, a migratory child, or newcomer student while attending another school. The District will not require those students to retake courses or partial courses they have satisfactorily completed elsewhere. (Ed. Code, § 51225.2)

“Newcomer student” means a student who is between the ages 3-21, was not born in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and has not been attending one or more schools in any of the referenced locations for more than three (3) full academic years. (Ed. Code, § 51225.2; 20 U.S.C. § 7011)

A complaint of noncompliance alleging violations of these sections, except for Education Code section 48852.7, may be filed under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures pursuant to Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Continued Education Options For Juvenile Court School Students: A juvenile court school student, or the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, may voluntarily defer or decline issuance of their diploma until after the student is released from the juvenile detention facility, thereby allowing the student to take additional coursework at a local education agency. The county office of education will notify the student, the person holding to right to make educational decisions for the student, and the student’s social worker or probation officer of all of the following:

(a) The student’s right to a diploma;

(b) How taking coursework and meeting other educational requirements will affect the student’s ability to gain admission to a post-secondary educational institution;

(c) Information about transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges; and

(d) The option to defer or decline the diploma and take additional coursework. (Ed. Code, §§ 48645.3(a), 48645.7)

Sex Equity In Career Planning: Parents shall be notified in advance of career counseling and course selection commencing with course selection in Grade 7, to promote sex equity and allow parents to participate in counseling sessions and decisions. (Ed. Code, § 221.5(d))

Pesticide Products: Persons wishing to be notified in advance of individual pesticide applications may register with the Hanford Joint Union High School District for that purpose. (EC §§ 17612, 48980.3) Contact District Operations at559-583-5902.

The Healthy Schools Act of 2000 requires California schools to notify parents/guardians of pesticides they expect to apply during the year. We intend to use any of the following pesticides listed this year. All of the chemicals listed are EPA approved and registered for use on school grounds in compliance with the Safety School Act. (Ed. Code, §§ 48980.3, 17611.5, 17612)

More information about these pesticides and pesticide use reduction is at the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation website: www.cdpr.ca.gov. (Ed. Code, §§ 48980.3, 17611.5, 17612)                                                                      

Parents/guardians may request prior notification of individual pesticide applications at the school. If you would like to be notified every time we apply a pesticide, please complete the form and return it to Ben Stidman at 8710 E. Lacey Blvd., Hanford. If you have any further questions or concerns, you may contact Ben at 583-5908 ext. 3297.

Pregnant and Parenting Pupils: Pregnant and parenting pupils are entitled to accommodations that provide them with the opportunity to succeed academically while protecting their health and the health of their children. “Pregnant or parenting pupil” means a pupil who gives or expects to give birth or a parenting pupil who has not given birth and who identifies as the parent of the infant.

A pregnant or parenting pupil is entitled to eight weeks of parental leave. This leave may be taken before the birth of the pupil’s infant if there is a medical necessity and/or after childbirth during the school year in which the birth takes place, inclusive of any mandatory summer instruction. A pregnant or parenting pupil is entitled to additional leave if deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician. (Ed. Code, § 46015)

The person holding the student’s educational rights (i.e. the pupil if over 18 or the parent if under 18) may notify the school of the student’s intent to exercise this right. Leave may still be taken even if notice was not provided.

During the leave, the student’s absences shall be deemed excused and the student shall not be required to complete academic work or other school requirements.

A pregnant or parenting pupil may return to the school and the course of study in which they were enrolled before taking parental leave. Upon return to school after taking parental leave, a pregnant or parenting pupil is entitled to opportunities to make up work missed during their leave, including, but not limited to, makeup work plans and reenrollment in courses.

A pregnant or parenting pupil may remain enrolled for a fifth year of instruction in the school in which the pupil was previously enrolled when it is necessary in order for the pupil to be able to complete state and any local graduation requirements, unless the local educational agency makes a finding that the pupil is reasonably able to complete its graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school.

A student who chooses not to return to the school in which they were enrolled before taking the leave is entitled to alternative education options offered by the local educational agency to include educational programs, activities, and courses equal to those they would have been in if participating in the regular education program.

A student will not incur any academic penalties as a result of using the accommodations in this section. (Ed. Code, § 46015)

A complaint of noncompliance may be filed under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures in accordance with Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Student Parent Lactation Accommodations: The District is required to provide reasonable accommodations to a lactating student on a school campus to address breastfeeding needs. (Ed. Code, § 222)

A student may not be penalized academically because of the reasonable accommodations provided during the school day. A student must also be given the opportunity to make up missed work.

A complaint of noncompliance may be filed under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures pursuant to Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Course Assignments: The District is prohibited from assigning a student enrolled in any of grades 9 through 12 to any course period without educational content for more than one week in any semester, except under specified conditions. Under no circumstances will the District assign a student enrolled in any of grades 9 through 12 to a course period without educational content because there are not sufficient curricular course offerings for the student to take during the relevant period of the designated school day. (Ed. Code, § 51228.1)

The District is prohibited from assigning a student enrolled in grades 9 through 12 to a course that the student has previously completed and received a grade determined by the District to be sufficient to satisfy the requirements and prerequisites for admission to the California public post-secondary schools and the minimum high school graduation requirements, except under specified conditions. Under no circumstances will the District assign a student enrolled in any of grades 9 through 12 to a course the student has previously completed and received a sufficient grade, as specified, because there are not sufficient curricular course offerings for the student to take during the relevant period of the designated school day. (Ed. Code, § 51228.2)

These sections do not apply to students in alternative schools, community day schools, continuation high schools or an opportunity school. The District may continue to authorize dual enrollment in community college, to run evening high school programs, and to offer independent study, work experience education, and other specified courses.

A complaint of noncompliance may be filed under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. (Ed. Code, § 51228.3)

Regional Occupational Centers and Programs/County Offices of Education Programs/Adult Education Programs: A regional occupational center or program, county office of education program, or adult education program must meet specified requirements for certification by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in order to provide an employment training program for adults or to authorize an education program beyond secondary education that leads to a degree or certificate. (Ed. Code, § 52334.7)

A complaint alleging that a local agency violated federal or state laws or regulations governing adult education programs under Education Code section 52501 or regional occupational centers and programs may be filed under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. A complaint alleging that a county office of education violated federal or state laws or regulations governing the county office’s participation in any student financial assistance program authorized by Title IV may also be filed under the Uniform Complaint Procedures and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

Pupil Fees: A pupil enrolled in a public school will not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity. (Ed. Code, § 49011)

(a) The following requirements apply to prohibited pupil fees:

(i) All supplies, materials, and equipment needed to participate in educational activities must be provided to pupils free of charge.

(ii) A fee waiver policy shall not make a pupil fee permissible.

(iii) The District and its schools shall not establish a two-tier educational system by requiring a minimal educational standard and also offering a second, higher educational standard that pupils may only obtain through payment of a fee or purchase of additional supplies that the school district or school does not provide.

(iv)  The District and its schools shall not offer course credit or privileges related to educational activities in exchange for money or donations of goods or services from a pupil or a pupil’s parents or guardians, and the District and its schools shall not remove course credit or privileges related to educational activities, or otherwise discriminate against a pupil, because the pupil or the pupil’s parents or guardians did not or will not provide money or donations of goods or services to the District or school.

(b)  Solicitation of voluntary donations of funds or property and voluntary participation in fundraising activities are not prohibited. The District and its schools are not prohibited from providing pupils prizes or other recognition for voluntarily participating in fundraising activities. (Ed. Code, § 49010 et seq.)

A complaint of noncompliance may be filed under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. (Ed. Code, § 49013)

Safe Storage of Firearms: The District is required to provide parents notice of California’s child access prevention laws and laws relating to the safe storage of firearms.  The District has attached a memorandum describing such laws. (Ed. Code, §§48986, 49392)

Synthetic Drugs: The District is required to provide parents notice of the dangers associated with using synthetic drugs that are not prescribed by a physician, such as fentanyl, as well as the possibility that dangerous synthetic drugs can be found in counterfeit pills. The District has attached a memorandum describing such laws. (Ed. Code, § 48985.5)

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress: The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) includes Smarter Balanced Summative assessments in English Language Arts and Math in grades 3-8 and 11 and California Alternative Assessments (CAA) in English Language Arts and Math in grades 3-8 and 11 for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The California Science Test (CAST) for science is required for all students in grades 5, 8, and once in high school unless the student’s IEP indicates administration of the CAA. Students in grades 3-8 and in high school may choose to take the optional standards-based test in Spanish (CSA) for reading/language arts. The CAASPP includes an assessment for students whose primary language is a language other than English upon enrollment in a California public school. A parent or guardian may make a written request to excuse their child from any or all parts of the assessments. (Ed. Code, §§ 52052, 60604, 60615, 60640; 5 C.C.R. § 852. 

Internet Use: A link to the Hanford Joint Union High School District Policy on Student Use of Technology is attached at Appendix A. (See AR 6163.4). A school district that provides pupils with access to the Internet and online services shall adopt a policy regarding such access and inform parents of “harmful matter” as defined in Penal Code Section 313 subdivision. (A). Such a policy shall be attached to the annual notification required by Education Code Section 48980 (EC 51870.5). Any student using HJUHSD Network facilities must sign the Internet Usage Agreement indicating they agree to follow the policies, conditions, and rules of the Kings County Office of Education.

HJUHSD Intra District and Inter District Board Policies

HJUHSD District Policy on Sexual Harassment

HJUHSD District Policy on Professional Standards