The Portal – A Learning Community OPTIONS SECONDARY SCHOOL 467 Moss Street, Room 501, Chula Vista, CA 91911 (619) 796-7320

Fax (619) 796-7335

General School Information and Student Behavioral Guidelines

2013-2014 RESIDENCY: California state law requires proof of residency. All students must have a signed district affidavit and appropriate proof of residence (as indicated on the affidavit) on file in order to attend OSS/The Portal. All changes in address require a new proof of residency. Please contact the registrar at 619-7967324. ATTENDANCE: California state law requires school attendance for students under age 18. At the Portal, students are enrolled in 100-minute classes within concentrated sets of instructional time frames. Thus, regular attendance, and daily classroom participation is very important for each student in pursuing and maintaining positive academic achievement. Saturday School is available and students who have been absent are encouraged to attend.  TARDINESS: Students are expected to report to all classes on time.  TRUANCY: Truancy will not be tolerated. EMERGENCY CARDS: Each parent must complete two emergency cards. All requested information must be provided. These cards are used for identification purposes. Only the parents and/or guardians and their designated people (as listed and identified on the emergency card) may be permitted access to students. The school may not release students to any individual who has not been so designated on the emergency card by the parent or guardian. Parents need to notify the office in person of any changes to be made on the emergency card. VISITORS / PARENTS: Upon entering and leaving The Portal, all visitors are required by law to check in at the school's main office (room 501). Those wishing to visit classrooms must have prior approval from the teacher (24 hours) and obtain a Visitor's Pass for the office. Only individuals designated on the emergency card may be given access to students. Students from other schools (CVA enrollees excepted) are not permitted to be on or near the campus. Portal students are not

permitted on or near another school campus without proper authority. ENTERING / LEAVING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS: Please use the Moss Street side of Chula Vista Adult School campus when entering or leaving the Portal’s campus. Buses will drop off and pick up students at the designated loading zone area on Moss Street. Parents are asked to drop off and pick up students on Moss Street. For safety reasons, persons walking into campus are advised to use the walkway located immediately to the east of the Options Secondary School administration offices. THE PORTAL IS A CLOSED CAMPUS. Students are not permitted to leave campus until their school day has ended. This policy includes the lunch period. Students who need to leave campus must provide the office with a note from a parent before period one. An OFF CAMPUS PERMIT will be issued. This permit is kept until the next day, when the student should present it to the teachers of the missed classes. Parents picking up students during the school day are requested to come into the administrative office and sign their student out. Leaving campus without a proper permit is considered truancy.

TRANSPORTATION: District bus transportation is available at established regional bus stops. Yearly bus passes may be purchased at SUHSD transportation office at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA. For information on prices, purchasing of bus tickets and location of bus stops you may call the district transportation office at 691-5527 or the Portal office. LUNCH/ NUTRITION BREAK: Students should eat a good lunch before coming to school each day. There will be a 30-minute lunch/nutrition break between first and second period. It is suggested that students bring a sack lunch/snack and drink from home. A limited selection of food items (sandwich, fruit and milk) will be available for purchase.

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HEALTH SERVICES: Students must have two emergency cards and one health card on file. THE PORTAL will have a nurse "on call". If a student is taking any medications of any kind that student and their parents need to advise the The Portal office personnel Medication may only be taken at school under the supervision of school personnel and completed a Physician’s Recommendation for Medication Form must be on file. California state law prohibits student possession of drugs of any type on school grounds. TEXTBOOKS: Textbooks are very expensive instructional items. The average cost of a general textbook runs from $40.00 to $80.00 per textbook. Textbooks are issued free of charge for student use. Students are expected to keep their textbooks covered. It is the student's responsibility to take proper care of these textbooks and to return them in good condition. Students and parents are responsible for payment of all damaged, lost or unreturned textbooks. SCHOOL SUPPLIES:  Students are expected to bring the necessary school supplies to class daily. This includes: pens, pencils, binder, paper, and any other materials specifically requested by the teachers. A backpack is suggested for the storage and transportation of school books and materials. It is recommended that students clearly label all personal items with their names. GRADING: Both scholarship and citizenship grades are recorded as "A", "B", "C", "D", and "F". An "A" grade represents outstanding achievement; a "C" grade represents average work, and an "F" grade represents poor performance. REPORT CARDS: The Portal school year is divided into four instructional sets. Students are enrolled in a minimum of three classes per instructional set. Grades are issued at the end of these instructional sets (see calendar). Grades at the end of these instructional sets are placed on the student's permanent record. Teachers will advise parents should their student's academic performance become unsatisfactory. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers and staff at any time regarding the academic progress of their student. HOMEWORK: Homework is an integral part of the school program. It is designed to supplement class instruction and to give students the opportunity to practice the skills learned. Teachers will define their policies. If absent,

it is the student's responsibility to check with each teacher to find out the missed work and/or call a "study buddy friend" to find out what work will be needed. PERSONAL POSSESSIONS: Neither Options Secondary School/The Portal nor the Sweetwater Union High School District is responsible or liable for lost or stolen items. STUDENT CONDUCT AND BEHAVORIAL EXPECTIONS: All students are expected to: • attend regularly and to be in class on time. • respect fellow classmates, teachers, and staff. • come with materials and be prepared to learn. • make your best effort to participate and to learn. • follow classroom and school rules. • follow California state law and district policies. • help keep classrooms and campus area clean and free of litter and graffiti. • show no public displays of affection.  NO GUM chewing on campus. NO cell phones or electronic devices in the classroom. DRESS GUIDELINES: Students are expected to dress in a clean, wellgroomed manner and to wear appropriate clothing for school and all related activities. Shoes must be worn at all times. Any apparel which may disrupt the school or classroom environment is prohibited. As such, the following guidelines will be enforced on The Portal campus:  Any article of clothing that is worn or altered in such a way as to identify students with nonschool clubs, teams or gangs is not allowed. Apparel representing community organizations may be worn with prior approval of the school principal or designee.  Pendletons, and other shirts, worn untucked, loose and with top button buttoned are not allowed.  Pants must be the appropriate size, belted at the waist. Oversized, sagging or altered pants are not allowed.  Pajamas are not acceptable attire during the school day or at school events/activities. Skirts, shorts and pants must be worn so that midriffs are not exposed.  Accessories (such as jewelry, hair nets, belts, and bandannas) with non-school logos, insignias, colors or writing depicting non-school clubs, teams or gangs are not allowed.

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Any clothing or accessories which advocate, advertise, or display any type of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, hate, violence, foul language, graffiti, or any acts which are illegal, obscene, sexual or hazardous to one's health, are not allowed.  Attire, including clothing, masks, jewelry and other accessories, which is a safety hazard to the wearer or others, is not allowed. This includes wallet chains and jewelry or accessories with sharp studs. GIRLS: Half shirts, crop tops, tops which are backless, strapless, halter-type or have low cut necklines, fishnet tops, see-through tops, or blouses/tops which drape open to reveal the midriff or navel are not permitted at school. All shirts and blouses must be long enough to be tucked in. Tops must have straps at least 1 inch wide and cover bras. Undergarments should not be visible. Sock-like footwear and slippers are not appropriate and are not allowed. BOYS: Muscle shirts, tank tops (particularly the undershirt type) are not appropriate and are not allowed. All shirts must be long enough to be tucked in. Shoes and/or sturdy sandals must be worn at all times. Sock-like footwear and slippers are not appropriate and are not allowed. Oversized shorts, worn with pulled up socks, showing no skin are not permitted. ITEMS PROHIBITED AT SCHOOL: As a general rule, do not bring items to school, which have no legitimate reason to be at school. Items brought to school need to be relevant to classroom activities and the course of study. Any item is prohibited and should not be brought to school because it is either illegal, has no legitimate purpose at school, or may disrupt the learning environment, such as, but is not limited to:  explosives or incendiary devises of any kind, including matches.  White-out and permanent colored markers.  alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or any controlled substances.  obscene or pornographic materials.  "slam books".  any type of dangerous object (including but not limited to guns, knives, chains, slingshots, darts).  accessory items/jewelry or clothing items containing sharp pointed studs.  lasers of any type, sale, use, and possession. (Assembly Bill 293).

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negative peer group graffiti on any item, such as, but not limited to, notebooks or backpacks. large sums of money valuable items such as cameras, radio, jewelry, "collectibles", such as trading cards, Pokemon, etc., wallets with long chains (over six inches in length). Toys or other items that have no reasonable purpose to be brought to school. (i.e. gameboy). pictures, words or advertising advocating use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, suggestive, obscene, depicting vandalism, violence or illegal activities found on school materials is prohibited. use of CD headphones are not permitted during class time. use of cell phones are not permitted during class time. Cell phones need to be turned off during class time.

BICYCLES, ROLLERBLADES, SCOOTERS & SKATEBOARDS are prohibited: Due to safety and security concerns, students may not bring bicycles, rollerblades, scooters or skateboards to school. DISCIPLINARY POLICY: When a behavioral problem arises, a teacher or staff member may do the following:  counsel the student.  contact the parent.  assign a written reflection.  assign a campus clean up.  request a parent conference.  refer to counselor.  refer to assistant principal/principal.  other actions may include: intervention plan; detention; suspension, intra-district transfer, or alternative educational placement.  SUHSD Board of Trustees authorizes school officials to conduct searches and seizures when there is reasonable suspicion that a student has violated some rule or law. (Policy #5116) GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION AND/OR EXPULSION: The California Education Code 48900 states any offense, that occurs on the way to school, at school, or on the way home from school is subject to school disciplinary action. The following may result in suspension (and in some situations expulsion) from school under Education Code 48900:

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(a) caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause physical injury to another person. (b) possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or any other dangerous object. (c) unlawfully possessed, used, sold or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, any controlled substance, as defined in Sections 11006.5-11058 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind. (d) unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, as defined in Sections 11006.5 -1105 8 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then 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. (e) committed robbery or extortion. (f) caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property. (g) stole/or attempted to steal school property or private property. (h) possess or used tobacco, except as provided in Section 48901. (i) committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity. (j) had unlawful possession of, or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section 11364 of the Health and Safety Code. (k) defiance and disrutption. (1) knowingly received stolen public property or private property. (m) possession of a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm). (n) committed or attempted to commit sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, 289 of the Penal Code or committed a sexual battery as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code. (o) harassed, threatened or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary preceding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or both (2) sexual harassment (3) hate violence (a) threat of force or use of (b) caused injury (4) (a) harassment or (b) threat, intimidation against school officials, school property or both (7)

terrorist threats against school officials, school property or both. S.U.H.S.D. Bus Rules All pupils of the Sweetwater Union High School District shall behave in proper manner while on the bus showing courteous consideration for the rights of other students. All passengers shall obey the following rules: 1. Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Stand in line and wait for the bus. (The bus will not wait for any students at any stop.) 2. When boarding the bus, present a bus pass or a single-ride ticket 3. Fill seats as directed by the driver and remain in your seat while on the bus. 4. Always be courteous to the bus driver and fellow students. 5. Report any vandalism or damage on the bus to the bus driver. 6. Report lost or found items to the bus driver. 7. When getting off the bus, cross the street in the crosswalk under the supervision of the driver. Never cross the street behind the bus. 8. Do not try to "save" seats for other passengers. 9. Do not speak loudly while on the bus. Speak quietly or not at all. 10. Do not talk to the driver except when necessary. 11. Do not use profanity or abusive language. 12. Do not smoke on the bus. 13. Do not eat or drink while on the bus. 14. Do not put your head, arms or any part of your body outside the bus at any time. 15. Do not litter or damage the bus. Parents must pay for any damage caused by vandalism. 16. Do not throw anything within the bus or out of the bus. 17. Do not bring animals or other pets on the bus. Properly licensed and muzzled guide dogs are excepted. 18. Do not bring skateboards, radios, tape players, or any other types of stereo equipment on the bus. 19. Do not walk/cross behind the rear of the school bus. 20. Do not open or use the emergency exits except in an emergency. Pupils who violate any of the above rides of conduct will be given a bus citation. Written citations will be sent directly to the principal via district mail and a copy will be filed in transportation. The principal or its designee will notify the parent/guardian and the pupil of warnings and/or suspension. Each citation will be investigated to determine facts and a parentstudent conference will be held if necessary.

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The consequences for receiving a school bus citation (Board Policy #5131.9) are as follows: • First and second citation - meet with student and issue a warning • Third citation - suspended from AM-PM bus ride for three days • Fourth citation - suspended from AM-PM bus ride for one week • Fifth citation - suspended from AM-PM bus ride for two weeks • Sixth citation - suspended from AM-PM bus ride

for one month • Seventh citation - suspended from AM-PM bus ride for the rest of the school year For more information concerning Sweetwater Union High School District Student Bus Rules, please

contact the transportation office at (619) 6915527.

r“The Sweetwater Union High School District does not discriminate with regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, eligion, color, mental disability, or physical disability, age, marital or parental status or any other unlawful consideration.” SUHSD Board Policy #2224

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