Handbook

Student Responsibilities

• Attend school and/or all classes every day. Your education is important to your future.
• If you are absent, make sure your parent or legal guardian call or send a written note (or e-mail from the link on AHAs website) that you are going to be absent.
• On the first day back to class, students are responsible for requesting make-up assignments. Failure to complete make-up work in the time allowed may place students at risk of not earning class credits.
• Students will have the opportunity to complete work in a period of time equal to the number of days absent unless other arrangements have been mutually agreed upon by the student and the teacher.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

• Submit an absence form excuse (via telephone or AHA website) when your child is absent.
• Check your child’s attendance regularly on Synergy.
• Update emergency card information as changes occur such as a change in phone number, change in address or change in work location, etc.

Please schedule appointments after school hours or schedule so your child does not miss the whole day of school or the same class over and over.

School Responsibilities

• Parents will be contacted by e-mail or by phone by a teacher after 3 absences.
• As per APS, a student in need of early intervention (truant) at five (5 unexcused absences) and a habitual truant (10 unexcused full day absences)
• Student will be referred to administration after 5 absences.
• Student will be put on an attendance contract after 8 absences and the family will meet with the attendance assistant principal. The school will also request additional documentation for excessive absences.
• The district will mail out a letter to the family at 10 absences.

For purposes of this procedural directive, “personal electronic device” includes cellular phones, pagers, smartphones, music and media players, gaming devices, tablets, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, and any other device that accomplishes its purpose electronically that is owned by the student.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

• The student who possesses a personal electronic device shall be responsible for its care.
• Student possession of cell phones and other personal electronic devices on all school campuses, including athletic fields, and school buses, at school-sponsored activities and while the student is under the supervision and control of school district employees is permitted. All students may use these devices on campus before school begins (7:30am) and after school ends (2:25pm). AHA administration and staff will not allow use of cell phones or personal electronic devices during instructional time without explicit approval and knowledge of the class instructor.
• The requirement that personal electronic devices may not be used during instructional time may not apply in the following circumstances, only if/when the student obtains prior approval from the principal or his/her designee:
  • The student has a special medical circumstance for self or family member.
  • The student is using the device for an educational or instructional purpose with the teacher’s permission and supervision and approved by the principal.
• Personal electronic devices shall be permitted on school buses, as authorized by the driver, unless use of the personal electronic device causes a disruption on the school bus.
• Students shall not use personal electronic devices on school property or at a school-sponsored activity to access and/or view internet websites that are otherwise blocked to students at the school. Blocked sites include, but are not limited to, most social networking sites.
• Student use of personal electronic devices that disrupts the instructional day may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the personal electronic device. When personal electronic devices are confiscated, they will only be released and/or returned using AHA’s cell phone/electronic device return policy. Students are expected to relinquish their electronic device to school personnel upon request. Failure to do so will result in additional disciplinary action.

Unauthorized Use

Unauthorized use of personal electronic devices includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Possessing, viewing, sending or sharing video or audio information having sexual, violence, threatening, or inappropriate content on school grounds, school events, or school busses shall be prohibited and may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the personal electronic device is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action(s).
• Transmitting school materials for unethical purposes such as cheating is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action(s).
• Any activity which may be in violation with the Albuquerque Public Schools Bullying Prevention policy and procedural directive is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action(s).
• District staff may confiscate and search personal electronic devices when there is reasonable suspicion of unauthorized or illegal use of the devices and may turn the devices over to the proper authorities for further investigation when warranted.

District Staff Rights and Responsibilities

• Albuquerque Public Schools shall not be responsible for the theft, loss or damage to personal electronic devices brought to school by a student while the device is under the student’s care. The school where the personal electronic device is confiscated shall be responsible for the theft, loss or damage of personal electronic devices if the district employee demonstrated a reckless disregard for internal procedures developed by the school. The school shall be responsible for the theft loss or damage of personal electronic devices confiscated by district staff if the school has not developed internal procedures.
• The school shall develop internal procedures for staff concerning confiscation of personal electronic devices. These procedures shall include but are not limited to, expectations that the staff will immediately secure the device and turn the device into the school designated location, develop a process for parents/legal guardians to retrieve devices, and record when the device was confiscated and why.
• District staff may confiscate personal electronic devices when such devices are being used in violation of this procedural directive and/or internal school procedure. Upon confiscation, district staff shall follow all district and school procedural directives and processes.
• District staff may search confiscated personal electronic devices and examine the content of students’ personal electronic devices when there is reasonable suspicion of unauthorized or illegal use of the devices and may turn the devices over to the proper authorities for further investigation when warranted. When determining if a search is appropriate, district staff shall ensure the following conditions are met before conducting the search:
• The search is reasonable at its inception. That is, when the context is such that it is clear that the student or students are clearly misusing the device and that the search of content would turn up evidence of the violation.
• The scope of the search of the content is reasonably related to the objective of the search and appropriate in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the suspected violation.

Corrective Action

Corrective action shall be determined by the number of previous acts, the nature of the act, and the context in which the alleged act occurred. Consequences may range from positive behavioral interventions to suspension and expulsion for repeated offenses and/or depending on the severity of the violations.

Student dress is essential to student respect and behavior; therefore Atrisco Heritage Academy requires professional student dress. Student dress and grooming is to reflect high standards of personal conduct so that each student’s attire promotes a positive, safe and healthy atmosphere within the school. Students and their parents/guardians have the responsibility to be aware of Atrisco Heritage Academy’s dress code and must conform to those requirements. The responsibility to interpret and enforce the policy rests with the administration. Clothing and accessories will be confiscated and returned to parents/guardians. The school is not responsible for any losses.

Unacceptable Clothing & Accessories

Unacceptable clothing and accessories include but are not limited to:

• Excessively tight or revealing clothing including short shorts, short skirts, sheer shirts or bare midriff, tank tops, low cut shirts, off the shoulder shirts, spaghetti straps, tube tops, halter tops or muscle shirts, altered clothing as well as ripped or frayed clothing.
• Attire or accessories that advertise, display, or promote any profanity, or drug, including alcohol or tobacco, sexual connotation, violence, disrespect and/or bigotry towards any group are not acceptable.
• No cleavage can be showing.
• Old English script on any article of clothing or accessory is not permitted on campus.
• No sagging or baggy pants or wearing pants below the waist, including ‘low rise’, skinny jeans or pants belted below the waist that allow underwear or skin to show.
• Spiked jewelry, chains, belts with more than 2” excess.
• Gang-related attire, including memory shirts.
• Sunglasses are not permitted.
• Hats, caps, beanies, head gear, headbands, hair nets are not allowed unless they are specific to instruction, safety, religious, or medical reasons. AHA hats may be worn, but only outside the buildings. Hoodies must be removed upon entering campus.
• Pajamas, house slippers and trench coats are not allowed.
• Shoes must be worn at all times.

Student Identification Badges (IDs/Lanyards)

Students at AHA are required to wear IDs whenever they are on campus. IDs should not be covered by clothing and must be visible at all times. The first ID Badge will be issued at registration. IDs are used to check out books, to purchase school meals, and attend school functions. School staff has the right to ask to see an ID at any time. Failure to show your ID Badge may result in disciplinary action. IDs are not to be traded, tampered, defaced or altered; and any ID with significant damage (such as breaks or pieces missing) is considered invalid. Replacing a lost ID will cost $5.00 and may be purchased in the Activities Office before, after school or during lunch. Please refer to the Jaguar Code for discipline policies regarding IDs and lanyards.

Students are required to wear AHA lanyards. No other lanyard will be considered. The first lanyard is given free at registration. All replacements are $5.00 and can be purchased through the activities office. Lanyards are not to be tampered, defaced or altered. Any found as such must be replaced immediately at student’s expense.

All vehicles parked on school grounds must be registered with the school (no exceptions), and the AHA parking sticker must be placed in the upper corner of the front windshield on the driver’s side. The cost for parking is $30 for a full year and $20 after the 1st semester. Stickers for all additional vehicles are $20 year-round. Replacement parking stickers are $30. All fees are non-refundable and must be paid in cash only. A 2016-2017 AHA student ID, valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration and proof of insurance are all required to purchase a parking sticker.

• Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to receive a parking sticker.
• No temporary permits are issues.
• No freshman allowed to drive to AHA.
• Vehicles parking on the AHA campus must be fully registered. No temporary registrations will be accepted.
• Students will lose driving and parking privileges if three (3) or more discipline referrals are received during any semester.
• Excessive tardies in any class could also result in loss of driving and parking privileges. Also, more than 10 unexcused absences will result in the loss of driving and parking privileges for the remainder of the semester.
• Student with parking stickers are permitted to drive on campus and park only in designated student parking areas. Parking on campus during school hours without a sticker may result in your vehicle being booted. Removal of boot will require payment of parking fee. Student cars may be towed after a second offense.
• Students cannot access their vehicles during school hours. Students are not allowed to return to vehicles during the school day to retrieve books, IDs, backpacks, athletic gear, assignments, etc., without permission.
• Students must follow all posted speed limits. Horseplay with vehicles in parking lot will result in suspension of permits.
• No vehicles shall be left on campus overnight. Such vehicles will receive a violation tag and/or be towed at the owner’s expense.
• Students may not buy or transfer a parking sticker to another student at any time; doing so will result in loss of privileges for all parties involved. Students may also not transfer stickers from one vehicle to another.
• AHA will not replace or refund lost, stolen, or suspended parking permits. If available, a new permit may be purchased at full permit price. No temporary registrations will be issued.
• All vehicles, drivers and passengers are subject to all New Mexico state traffic laws. This includes all laws and sections concerning provisional driver’s licenses.

Neither AHA nor APS is responsible for loss or damage to vehicles and their contents. Parking regulations are strictly enforced. It is a privilege, not a right, to drive and/or park on school grounds. Vehicles on campus are subject to search while on school grounds. The administration reserves the right to tow any vehicle deemed in violation of AHA or APS policy.