RSS Code of Conduct Disclaimer
The school is an agent for the public, which created it, and has a basic responsibility to help parents educate, lead, and when necessary, discipline their child. The Board of Education and its employees will never be reluctant to insist that the parents accept this responsibility and will intervene to protect the necessary learning environment.
Rowan Salisbury School & Henderson Requirements
ALL ROWAN SALISBURY SCHOOLS’ STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT RULES AND PROCEDURES APPLY TO HENDERSON ALTERNATIVE. ADDITIONAL HENDERSON REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES ARE OUTLINED IN THE HANDBOOK. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PARENTS AND STUDENTS READ AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THESE RULES, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES.
Parent Engagement & Support
Henderson Independent High School (HIHS) has a strong commitment to family and community involvement in schools, and we are excited about the opportunity to serve you and your family this school year. Our goal is to educate and support the development of the whole child – academically, socially, and emotionally – so every student in HIHS can experience success in school and life. Your participation is crucial in achieving this goal. Studies show that parent involvement is more important for student achievement than income, social standing, or a parent’s education level. This handbook provides the information you will need to ensure that your child has a successful school year.
Register as a Volunteer
Share your talent, time, and treasure with HIHS! Serve as a tutor, mentor, lunch buddy, exam proctor, or visit your child’s class to discuss your career or hobbies. Rowan Salisbury Schools (RSS) offer Tier I and Tier II volunteers within the school district. Please visit the district website at Rowan-Salisbury Schools District and select the tab titled Community, then Volunteers. This page will give you the information needed to begin the process of volunteering at HIHS or within the school district.
Henderson Independent High School Website
The HIHS website offers up-to-date information on the latest school news. The site provides daily updates, as well as departmental information, school profiles, testing information, board policies, calendars, bell schedules, individual teacher websites, and much more. The About Us section of the website also offers helpful fact sheets and school information.
HIHS Social Media
Connect-ED
Connect-ED is a telephone communications system that allows HIHS to send important messages to students and staff quickly and efficiently.
Severe Weather
The safety of all children is RSS’ first concern when deciding if schools must be opened later, closed or closed early because of weather conditions. Here are some important points to remember:
Monitoring Your Child’s Academic Progress
RSS offers a variety of tools to inform you about your child’s progress in school. We encourage parents to utilize the tools listed below to keep track of your child’s progress and to address issues as they arise.
PowerSchool: ParentPortal
PowerSchool is a web-based program that assists parents in tracking their child’s progress in school. Parents can see attendance, assignments, grades, disciplinary information and other data from any computer or mobile device with internet access. If your child is new to HIHS, you may obtain security credentials for PowerSchool from the Data Manager. Parents can create their own username and password with the provided Access ID and password for each child.
Report Cards
All HIHS parents will receive report cards documenting their child’s academic progress throughout the school year. Report cards are distributed quarterly. Teachers will make sure to have PowerSchool gradebook up to date by the progress report date. The table below gives the dates for both progress reports and report cards.
Quarter | Progress Report | End of Quarter | Report Card |
---|---|---|---|
1 | September 14, 2022 | October 10, 2022 | October 17, 2022 |
2 | November 16, 2022 | December 16, 2022 | January 9, 2023 |
3 | February 8, 2023 | March 10, 2023 | March 23, 2023 |
4 | April 19, 2023 | May 24, 2023 | Over Summer |
Personalized Educational Portfolio (PEP)
Upon enrollment, each Henderson student will receive a PEP. This portfolio will contain a student goals sheet that will be generated at intake meetings in coordination with parents/guardians and representatives from Henderson faculty and staff. These goals sheets will correspond with sheets used to collect, record, and report academic data as well as information regarding the development of interpersonal skills, and a tracker for Henderon’s behavioral points system. The portfolio will also contain critical information for students such as login information for school technology use. This information will be updated and reviewed periodically throughout the student’s stay at Henderson and will be a determining factor used in the consideration of a student’s preparation to return to their home school.
Competency Based Education (CBE)
To help students reach their full potential, and to catch students up to appropriate grade level competencies when applicable, Henderson will be embracing CBE. CBE allows students to express existing mastery in course-related skills in order to spend their valuable class time focusing on areas in which they require development. Students at Henderson will be enrolled in Edmentum courses that provide students with a checklist of what they should accomplish to achieve academic success specific to each course. Teachers will guide students through Edmentum courses while also meeting with them, individually and in teacher-designated learning groups, to provide more personalized academic support.
Graduation Requirements
Future Ready Curriculum (FRC) 22 total credits
4 English (English I, II, III, IV)
4 Mathematics (Math I, Math II, Math III, and one advanced math higher than Math III)
3 Sciences (Biology, Earth/Environmental Science, Physical Science
4 Social Studies Entering High School 2020-2021 (Word History, American History, Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy, Economics and Personal Finance) Entering High School 2019-2020 (World History, American History 1, American History 2, and Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy or Founding Principles, Civics and Economics)
1 Health/PE
Students are required to successfully complete CPR instruction to meet Healthful Living Essential Standards. Accommodations/alternative assessments for students identified by ADA or IDEA will be provided.
2 Elective credits of any combination from either: Career and Technical Education (CTE), Arts Education, or World Language
4 Elective credits from the following: Career and Technical Education (CTE), ROTC, Arts Education, and/or any other subject area or cross-disciplinary courses (eg. mathematics, science, social studies, English, or dual enrollment courses).
* In order to graduate a minimum of 22 credits must be earned in the appropriate courses Students will discuss graduation requirements with the guidance counselor.
Grading Scale
Promotion Standard
End of Course (EOC) & End of Grade (EOG) Exams
The NC Department of Public Instruction requires that all students take End of Course (EOC) exams and End of Grade (EOG) if they are enrolled in courses with any of the identified exams. EOC’s are administered at the end of the semester in December and May. EOG’s are administered at the end of the year in May.
Benchmarks
Benchmark assessments are given periodically throughout the semester. These measurements show what your student has mastered and which objectives still need to be learned. Students will be given individual skill reports to share with parents.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
A parent-teacher conference is an opportunity for parents to meet one-on-one with a teacher to discuss the status of their child’s academic, social and emotional progress. Parents and guardians may request a conference at any time during the school year. We encourage parents of students in all grade levels to talk with their child’s teacher(s) throughout the year.
We encourage you to ask for a conference:
In preparation for the conference, make a list of points to ask, share or discuss with the teacher, such as:
If your child is having difficulty and your school has contacted you, schedule a conference or telephone conversation as soon as possible. Please do not wait until it is too late to address the concern. A timely conference is the best way to ensure your child’s success in school. After the conference, we encourage you to talk with the child about the results and make follow-up contacts with the teacher. The school will also contact parents/guardians to schedule conferences as needed.
Twilight School
At Henderson, we value meeting our students where they are and helping them grow to where they need to be. Twilight School is one option our students have to pursue growth. If a student has a hard time participating in the daily school schedule, they may be offered the opportunity to attend school after regular school hours. Through the Twilight School, students will be in a much smaller classroom setting with more one-to-one instruction. Twilight School will ONLY be offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 - 6:00 pm.
Twilight students will work in Edmentum to achieve their academic goals. This is an ideal program for students who are gainfully employed during traditional school hours. Acceptance or placement into Twilight School is at the discretion of the principal.
Henderson Attendance Policy (Including Truancy)
Good school attendance is essential to the students success, they NEED to Be Here! Students are required to attend school in accordance to N.C.G.S 115c-378. Students who attend on a consistent basis tend to do well academically and behaviorally. In order to ensure the success of the students assigned to Henderson, they must serve the assigned number of days provided by the district before returning to their homeschool. Any unexcused absences must be accounted for. Parents are required to notify Mrs. Stewart, Office Secretary, by 8:15am if a student will be late or absent for the day. On consecutive absences, you will receive a phone call from a Henderson Faculty Member. If a student continues to have multiple absences, days may be added to their time spent at Henderson.
Following an absence(s) a note must be submitted for approval of the missed day. If there’s no documentation within 5 days the student will receive an unexcused absence. Multiple unexcused absences within a quarter could lead to a failing grade for a class. The following are recognized by the state of North Carolina as lawful or valid reasons for the temporary absence of a student:
Illness or injury – document with a doctor’s note whenever possible
Death in the family
Medical or dental appointment (Please schedule these after school when possible.)
Court or administrative proceedings where the student’s presence is required by the court
Religious observances
Educational opportunity (Parents should secure permission in advance.)
Suspension from school
*Parents should notify the school of the reason the child was absent. Absences due to extended illnesses may also require a statement from a physician.
Tardy Policy
Students are expected to be on time for all classes. The following disciplinary steps will be enforced for tardies:
Make-Up Work
A student will receive no credit for work missed unless the work is made up.
Immediately upon returning to school, the student will contact his/her teacher to make arrangements for completing the missed work.
The teacher will set a reasonable deadline and will help the student with the missed instruction.
All work must be made up within a number of days equal to the number of days plus 1 additional day the student was absent.
If work is not made up by the designated due date, an automatic zero (0) will be entered as the grade for the missing assignment.
Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival
Upon arrival at school, students are to follow the transportation process listed below starting at 8:00 am.
Students will be guided through the check-in process upon entering the school
Book bags are not allowed.
Students are to go directly to their 1st block class unless directed to another area by an adult.
Students must follow the dress code.
Students who arrive after the designated time (8:30 am) must be signed in the front office by an adult unless on a late bus.
Regular Dismissal
Teachers will dismiss students individually and a Henderson staff member will escort students to the designated pickup area.
Students, who are walking, are to leave campus immediately upon dismissal.
Students, who are transported by parents, must be picked up no later than the designated times listed below:
Early Dismissal
Parent or parent’s designee must come in the building to sign the student out.
If a student returns to school the same day, they must check back in with the office and go back through the check in process.
Students are not allowed to leave campus for lunch.
Students who leave campus without appropriately being signed out will be considered skipping school.
After School
Students must not be on campus after the regular school hours unless under the supervision of a HIHS faculty or staff member.
The AM Process
8:00 AM
Busses/vehicles will enter on 12th Street, turn left into the parking lot, and line up along the sidewalk.
A staff member and SRO will be present to receive the student from the bus/vehicle.
Student will proceed into the building to go through metal detector and a general search. Student will be assessed for dress and prohibited items.
Student will then proceed to class.
Appearance Upon Arrival
The PM Process
3:00 PM
Vehicles will enter on 12th Street, turn left into the parking lot, and line up along the sidewalk.
A staff member and SRO will be present to call out the bus number on the school radio.
The student will be informed from inside the building that their bus has arrived.
Students will turn in their iPads and exit at the bus ramp.
Drivers Should Not
SMOKING/TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS
NC State School Board policy forbids the use of tobacco products on school grounds/property by anyone. RSS School Board policy forbids possession or use of tobacco products and matches/lighters on school grounds/property by anyone. Students who are participating in school-sponsored events may not use tobacco products on or off the school grounds/property. Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions.
Henderson Student Dress Code
The Reason Behind a Dress Code
At Henderson, we want all students to be seen as successful, important, and respected. This includes modeling good citizenship through dress. All garments should be clean and presentable. Good hygiene is strongly encouraged.
Khaki Pants
Shirts
Shoes and Socks
Belts
Not Allowed at HIHS
Incentive for Good Behavior
At Henderson we want students to be allowed to express their individuality, while also still following Rowan Salisbury Schools dress code policy. If a student completes 10 consecutive days without dress code violations, behavioral referrals, or administrative interventions the student may dress according to the list below; However if a student violates dress code, receives a behavior referral, has unexcused absences, or has administrative interventions they will have to go back to uniform.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
We define social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.
Restorative Practices
Restorative practices offer schools an alternative to traditional disciplinary actions that center on punishment for misbehavior and breaking rules. Restorative practices focus on resolving conflict, repairing harm, and healing relationships. They support a positive and safe school climate, prevent bullying, and reduce disciplinary incidents. A restorative culture can mitigate the negative effects of punitive discipline policies that exacerbate inequity.
School Connect
School-Connect provides our middle and high school students with a social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. School Connect is used to improve students’ social, emotional, and academic skills and strengthen relationships among students and between students and teachers here at Henderson.
Character Education
It is the commitment of HIHS that every member of our community will unite and create a thriving culture for character development in every classroom. As part of the emphasis on character development, parents, teachers and other adult role models will highlight positive character literature, curriculum-related areas and in life’s lessons.
S.O.A.R.
S - Safety
We will create a safe and orderly environment for all students, faculty, and staff. All stakeholders will work together to develop and maintain a dynamic, student-centered learning environment.
O - Ownership
We will create a school culture of honesty and forthrightness, holding ourselves to high academic and ethical standards, and dealing with everyone with respect and dignity.
A - Achievement
We will establish high academic standards for our students, and work together to meet those standards.
R - Respect
We will establish high expectations for ourselves and our students, and work together to meet those expectations. We will foster a total school community environment where the goal is to respect the opinions and rights of others.
Eagle Standards for Behavior
The EAGLE Standard based on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) will serve as our proactive, school-wide behavior management system. Staff will use school-based data to develop processes to promote positive behavior, with a focus on prevention of inappropriate behaviors. The following character traits are the focus for student achievement and success: Safety, Ownership, Achievement, and Respect.
A clearly defined set of universal behavior expectations will be taught through classroom instruction, modeling, and real-world experiences. EAGLE Standards support positive staff-to-student interactions, which will promote a climate of positive social and academic competency. Henderson Independent High School follows all procedures and guidelines of the RSS Code of Conduct.
Some behaviors are very serious and are non-negotiable. Any infraction related to the “Non-Negotiables” may result in an automatic 10-day suspension with the recommendation of long-term suspension and charges may be filed against the student. If a student has a second infraction of one of the behaviors listed below, Long Term Suspension will be justified. (Manifestation hearings will take place for students with disabilities to determine if the suspension is due to their disability.)
The Non-Negotiable Behaviors are:
In the event a student displays behaviors considered harmful or dangerous to themself or others, trained staff members may implement non-violent physical control techniques. Administration will be notified and the incident will be documented. Parents will be contacted once safety for the students, personnel and school has been secured.
Reasonable Suspicion
The administration has the right to search a student, his/her belongings, cell phone or electronic devices if it is deemed there is reasonable suspicion that a school rule has been violated. Trained law enforcement K-9 units periodically conduct random searches for controlled substances. Illegal substances and/or stolen property will be confiscated and law enforcement will be contacted. Students in unauthorized areas of campus will automatically be subject to search.
Student Searches
School officials have the authority to conduct reasonable searches of students and to seize student’s unauthorized materials for the purposes of maintaining a safe, orderly environment and upholding standards of conduct established by the RSS Board of Education.
Designated Bathroom Times
To increase the safety and productivity of our student body, there will be designated bathroom times. These times will be:
Middle | High | |
---|---|---|
Check-In | 8:00 - 8:30 | 8:00 - 8:30 |
Lunch | 11:15 - 11:45 Wednesday: 11:45 - 12:15 |
11:45 - 12:15 Wednesday: 11:45-12:45 |
Before Dismissal | 2:40 - 2:47 Wednesday: 12:40 - 12:47 |
2:50 - 2:57 Wednesday: 12:50 - 12:57 |
Teachers will escort or facilitate an escort being provided for students to go to the bathroom. Check-in and lunch monitoring personnel will escort students to the bathroom during those periods. Other times due to emergency situations or medical necessity will be allowed based on administration.
ISS Policy and Procedure
The Purpose
Ensuring the safe, secure, and orderly operation of Henderson Independent High School, while maintaining an atmosphere conducive to teaching, learning, and quiet study, is a major responsibility of school administrators, teachers, parents and students.
In School Suspension (ISS) allows the student who has demonstrated behavior that disrupts the educational process of others, yet does not warrant removal from school, to have his/her behavior modified and to try and correct the issue at hand that caused them to be placed into this setting. ISS has three components to it: punitive, restorative, and counseling/mentoring. This setting allows suspended students to remain in school, to maintain academic progress, attempt to correct the unacceptable behavior and return to their normal classroom setting.
Offenses that constitute ISS are, but are not limited to:
Procedure
Requirements/Expectations
Students Shall Not
Failure to follow the HIHS ISS policy and procedures may result in additional days in ISS or warrant out of school suspension (OSS).
MTSS
A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a systemic, continuous-improvement framework in which data-based problem solving and decision-making is practiced across all levels of the educational system for supporting students. This includes not only school improvement through engaging, research-based academic practices, but behavioral practices as well as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
School Counseling
School counselors are a core part of our Student Support Teams (which typically consist of our school counselors, Intervention Specialist, nurses, and SEL/MTSS/ PBIS team). School counselors tend to have heavy involvement in supporting school-wide culture and climate building as well as classroom lessons. School counselors also play a role in using data to determine student needs and then facilitating (sometimes with school-based colleagues, sometimes with community partners) small group intervention programs. School counselors also work with community partners to provide additional support for students and families and make referrals out to community-based support organizations. They also participate in teacher team meetings to consult and strategize on support in the classroom, as well as intervention planning meetings with other student support members, administrators, and family members.
School Nursing
School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success.
Internet Use
Devices (iPads)