GRADING SCALE

Grades are important to everyone, not only to the student and parent, but also to the teacher, school and community.

A     90 - 100
B     80 -  89
C     70 -  79
D     60 -  69
F     Below 60

All courses carry the following grade points.

                Regular     Honors *     Advanced Placement
                 A = 4      A = 4.5           A = 5
                 B = 3      B = 3.5           B = 4
                 C = 2      C = 2.5           C = 3
                 D = 1      D = 1             D = 2
                 F = 0      F = 0             F = 0


* Honors weights are not used to calculate the "Official GPA".
  The "Official GPA" is calculated by counting Advanced Placement 
  courses  using the 5 point weighted scale and Regular and Honors
  courses using the 4 point scale.  The Honors 4.5 weighted scale 
  is added to the calculation only to determine "Rank in Class".

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A student must earn at least twenty-two (22) units in grades 9-12 to be graduated from a Fort Smith high school. Only two (2) physical education units may count toward graduation. The class of 2009 will be required to complete 4 years of math and at least twenty-three (23) units for graduation.

These units must include:

A student identified as handicapped, as per State Department of Education definition of handicapped, may be graduated by meeting the requirements above or by completion of his IEP (Individual Education Program) for graduation, as established by the student's programming committee.

DIPLOMAS

Upon completion of graduation requirements, the Fort Smith schools award three (3) types of diplomas:

HONORS DIPLOMA - meet requirements for graduation; pass competency test; maintain a 3.0 grade point average; pass eight units of honors courses, six of which must be earned in grades 10, 11, 12. (Honors courses will be so identified on the transcript.)

DIPLOMA - meet requirements for graduation and pass competency test.

No student can participate in any senior class or graduation activities unless he has met or is meeting all requirements for graduation.

Diplomas will be awarded to pupils following completion of final credits. For more specific information concerning courses and graduation, you should see your guidance counselor.

Southside posts a recognition roll at the close of the first and third nine week period and at the close of the first and second semester. To qualify for this honor, a student must carry a schedule of four full-credit courses per semester; must also have a grade point average of 3.00 or above for the quarter by the number of full credit courses taken that semester; and must have a satisfactory citizenship rating.

Each summer the Fort Smith school system sponsors a Summer School program for students who must repeat a course due to unsatisfactory grades or for those who wish to take additional courses. The summer school session runs for six weeks, four hours each morning.

The Basic School is available at night during the school year for students to take courses to meet graduation requirements.

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THE SCHOOL DAY

Each day at Southside begins with the first period at 8:05 a.m. The morning tardy bell rings at 8:10 a.m. The second period is designated as the homeroom. Through this instructor, all class business is conducted. A brief period is allotted for announcements given over the public address system.

Southside provides a five minute passing time between classes. Lunch is served during two different periods of 35 minutes each and are lettered in their order of A and B.

The day's schedule usually remains unaltered except in the event of special educational, business, or pep assemblies. There is not a change of scheduled due to tests except for semester examinations at the conclusion of each semester. At this time, in order to test the seven periods, one test is given one day with extended time followed by our regular schedule, and the next two days include three classes per day with 1 hour and 35 minutes in length per class and an hour allowance for lunch.

THE BELL SCHEDULE

1st Period---- 8:10 - 9:00

2nd Period---- 9:05 - 10:05

3rd Period--- 10:10 - 11:00

4th Period--- 11:05 - 11:55

5th Period (A LUNCH) 11:55 - 12:25---(CLASS) 12:30 - 1:20

5th Period (CLASS) 12:00 - 12:50---(B LUNCH) 12:50 - 1:20

6th Period---- 1:25 - 2:15

7th Period---- 2:20 - 3:10

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HIGH SCHOOL POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

Pupils are expected to acquaint themselves with the special policies and regulations effective in our high school. Questions concerning school policies should be discussed with the principal or the assistant principals or guidance counselors.

A pupil who graduates from a Fort Smith high school must complete the last two of his high school units in the school which grants the diploma. A pupil may not take his final requirements in a summer session and satisfy graduation requirements for Fort Smith schools when all other high school work has been done elsewhere.

THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS APPLY TO ALL STUDENTS AT SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL:

ATTENDANCE

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Types of absences: EXCUSED, PARENT PERMISSION, UNEXCUSED.

DEFINITIONS:

EXCUSED ABSENCES

1. Personal illness of the student - In case of extended or chronic illnesses or where question of illness may arise, the principal may require verification of an illness by a physician.
 
2. Official school sponsored activities.
 
3. Court appearances - The principal may require written verification from the court of the appearance of the student.
4. Medical/Dental appointments - Parents/guardians are urged to schedule medical or dental appointments after school hours. When this is not possible, the appointment should be scheduled so the student will not miss the same class(es) repeatedly.
5. Death or serious illness in the immediate or extended family.

 

PARENTAL PERMISSION ABSENCE:
1. Student may be excused for any reason, provided such absence has been cleared BEFORE the absence occurs by direct communication with a parent. (All parent requests shall be made in writing unless the parent calls the school on or before the absence occurs. Emergency cases may be approved by the principal or his designee.)
2. Parent permission shall afford the student the privilege of making up all assignments and/or class activities as the teachers direct.

3. Absences for parental permission shall not be granted in conflict with semester examination schedules.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

1. An unexcused absence shall be considered to be a willful absence from school if it is without the knowledge of the student's parents/guardian.

2. Absence from school with the knowledge of the student's parents/guardian but without acceptable cause will be an unexcused absence.

3. Any other absence, not considered excused in the preceding sections "Excused Absences" or "Parent Permission" will be counted as unexcused.

4. Students on short-term suspension from school (not to exceed 10 days) shall be considered absent but excused for the purpose of absenteeism. Suspended students will not be allowed to make up any work assigned or scheduled on the days of the suspension.

PARENTAL CONTACT

Parents should contact the school by 9:00 a.m. any day that a student will be absent. In addition to assisting the school with the attendance record, parent notification to the school is a security measure to verify the locations of all students.

Upon the second unexcused absence in any semester, a letter will be sent to the parent notifying him/her that upon the fourth day of unexcused absence from any class, a petition will be filed with the county prosecuting attorney or city prosecuting attorney to request appropriate legal action necessary to improve the student's attendance. Such notification may lead to a penalty of up to $500 plus court costs, in accordance with ACA 6-18-222.

Students with long-term, medically documented illness or injury may be allowed to make up work and may be given assistance in obtaining credit for courses in which they are enrolled.

LEGAL NOTIFICATION

Upon notification by the school district that a student of mandatory school age is no longer attending school or has ten consecutive absences in any class, the prosecuting attorney or city attorney will be notified that the student is no longer attending school. Students with unexcused absences in excess of four total days in any one semester may be considered delinquent and appropriate notification to the prosecuting or city attorney may be made subject to the directions of the superintendent or his designee.

The school district shall notify the Department of Finance and Administration whenever a student 14 years of age or older is no longer attending school, and the Department of Finance and Administration shall suspend the student's learner permit or driver's license until the student reenrolls and is successfully attending school.

COURSE CREDIT

Credit may be denied to students, grades 9-12, enrolled in credit courses, when a student has more than 15 days of total absence in a semester.

DENIAL OF PROMOTION

Excessive absences may be a basis for denial for promotion or graduation.

GRADING

A student who is absent from any given class will be permitted to make up major tests and major assignments, if the student has an excused absence. The student must make arrangements with the teachers, on the first day the student returns to class, to complete work missed because of an excused absence. A student will be given an "O" or "F" if the assignment(s) missed is the result of "unexcused" absence.

MAKE-UP WORK FOR SUSPENDED OR TRUANT STUDENTS

Students suspended from school will not be given credit for any work missed during the suspension. Any student who is truant forfeits the right to make up any work for credit.

STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN ABSENT FROM SCHOOL:

1. When a student is absent, parents should call the school by 9:00 a.m.

2. If a student does not return to school after an appointment, his parents should notify the school.

3. Students cannot leave the campus for any reason without clearing through the office or health room. Students will also check in school through the office when entering late. All students entering late will be counted tardy. Entering after the first 20 minutes of class will be counted absent.

4. First period tardy slips will be issued through the P.E. Office by the South Gym during the first 20 minutes of class. After that, tardy students must report to the attendance office or an assistant principal.

5. Students entering late during any part of the day should have their parent/guardian call or bring a note to the attendance office or an assistant principal stating the reason for entering late. Students exiting school early must have a parent/guardian call or bring a note to the attendance office before school to receive their "early exit" slip.

6. Failure to follow the above procedures will result in the absence being recorded as unexcused.
 
ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR STUDENTS 18 OR OLDER:
Each student 18 years old or older will be limited to a maximum of 15 days absence during any one semester. A student who is absent more than 15 days per semester from any class will be dropped from that class for the remainder of the semester. A failing grade will be recorded for the course. A student who is dropped from as many as two classes during a semester because of excessive absence will be dropped from school until the beginning of the next semester. The only exception to this policy will be made when a student exceeds the maximum number of allowable days absent as a result of severe personal or family medical problems (as certified by the attending physician), school business, or other extenuating circumstances as determined by the principal and/or assistant principal. Students who are 18 years old or older may be dropped from class and/or school prior to being absent 15 days when there is evidence of lack of cooperation relative to this policy and acknowledgment that future attendance would not be meaningful. School suspension will not be counted against the students' maximum allowable 15 days absence.

SEMESTER TEST EXEMPTION POLICY
Students who have an A, B, or C in a class and have only three absences or less in the class have the option of being exempt from the semester test in that class. Students who qualify for the exemption but elect to take the test to raise their grade may not have their semester grade lowered because of the optional test.

TARDINESS

Promptness is expected of all students. A pupil who is not in his proper place when the tardy bell rings is considered tardy.

1. If you arrive at school late, first 20 minutes of class, report to the attendance office for a tardy slip. Entering after the first 20 minutes of class will be counted absent.

2. If you are late to a class, the teacher may require you to go to the attendance office for a tardy slip.

3. If you have been detained by a teacher, ask for a note from that teacher before going to the attendance office for a tardy slip.

4. Tardies are recorded per semester.

5. Repeated tardiness to a class will result in the following penalties:

ILLNESS AT SCHOOL

The following procedures will be followed if you become ill at school:

1. A student becoming ill must report to the health room or an assistant principal.

2. If a student has to stop by the restroom before coming to the health room, he must report to the health room as soon as possible or send someone to the office to notify the health room supervisor of his whereabouts.

3. Students are not to leave the building or stay in the restroom when they become sick.

4. Students who come to the health room will be sent home after a parent has been contacted.

5. Failure to follow these procedures will result in the student being considered truant (see penalties for truancy.)

LEAVING CAMPUS

Southside has a closed campus and students are not to leave the campus for any reason without checking out through the office.

1. If a parent wishes their child to leave school during the day, the parent must call or the child must bring a note to the ATTENDANCE OFFICE before school starts giving the time and reason for leaving. The student will be given an exit permitting them to leave at the specified time.

2. Unexpected or emergency requirements to leave school can be arranged by telephone with the assistant principal.

3. In order for a student to leave campus during the lunch periods, parents must pick up the student through the front office.

4. Students are not to go to the parking lots without permission from an assistant principal.

5. Failure to follow the above procedures will result in the absence being considered unexcused.

TRUANCY

A student absent without the consent of his parents or guardian is truant. You are also truant if you:

1. Leave school without checking out through the office.

2. Are absent from a class without permission.

3. Obtain a pass or transfer to go to a certain place and do not report there.

4. Become ill and go home or stay in a restroom instead of reporting to the health room.

5. Truancies are recorded per year.

TRUANCY WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

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LUNCH

Southside has a cafeteria where students can purchase lunch either from a regular plate lunch or a variety of foods. The CAMPUS IS CLOSED TO ALL STUDENTS DURING LUNCH from 11:00 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. The following rules must be observed when using the cafeteria:

1. Do not leave trays, paper, milk cartons, paper cups, or silverware on the tables. Return them to the dishwashing area and deposit them in the proper place.

2. No food is allowed to be eaten in any hallway, stairway, or room. All food and drink must be eaten in the cafeteria or in the pavilion behind the school.

3. Drinks are allowed only in the back half of the main hall or in the cafeteria area.

4. It is not the responsibility of cafeteria personnel or custodians to clean up after you. It is your responsibility.

5. Failure to abide by the above rules will result in disciplinary action.

NO SMOKING POLICY

Smoking is not allowed on the Southside campus, parking lot, or in the building.

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF SMOKING RULES ARE:

1. Student in possession of cigarettes or other tobacco products will be given 3 days in suspension. Parents will be notified.

2. Students smoking will be suspended for 5 days for outside smoking and 10 days for inside smoking. (1st offense) Parents will be notified.

3. A second tobacco possession or use offense will result in a 10 day suspension.

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