The purpose of this handbook is to help students and parents get acquainted with the facilities and regulations of our school. Please read each page carefully in order to become familiar with the items which concern you.

The general policies, rules, and regulations that follow are intended to be used for the benefit of everyone involved with Cooter School. For each student there are guidelines of policies to follow as you grow and mature here at Jr.-Sr. High. For parents, these rules and regulations are aimed at informing and acquainting you with the policies of our school.

Having respect for oneself and showing respect and consideration for those around you are important qualities which make for a congenial student body. We expect the best from you and, in turn, the staff will strive to administer policies with sincere fairness and justice.

The opportunity to get an education is a privilege which should not be abused. Among the lessons one learns in school, a very important one is discipline. Discipline is not taught as a subject but is a vital part of the whole structure of education. Success in life depends upon good self-discipline. In your training you should develop self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. Self-discipline is the key to good conduct and the proper consideration for others.

Persons in authority must take a firm position concerning the violations of school standards with regard to disrespect to teachers, the flaunting of authority, vandalism, and other behavior patterns.

We urge you to give much thought toward trying to understand the purpose of discipline in school so that you may form a positive attitude toward it and not only do your part in making your school an effective place for learning but in developing habits of self-restraint and self-control which will make you a better person.

Most students will progress in school without any difficulty, but some may have problems in learning, social adjustments, or both. If a problem occurs, be sure to level with parents, the principal, counselor, and teachers.

We welcome you and urge you to take advantage of all the opportunities offered by your school. We hope this booklet will provide you assistance in being a successful student in the Cooter Public Schools.

Cooter High Our Alma Mater

Loyal We Will Be

To the Blue, Red, and White Our Colors

Through Eternity

In the Future We’ll Remember

Joys and Friendships Nigh

To the School We Love and Cherish

Hail to Cooter High

       SCHOOL COLORS

Red, White, and Blue

Wildcats

MISSION STATEMENT

The Cooter R-IV School will assist all students in finding their interests and capabilities and to further develop those interests and capabilities to the maximum use of their potential as successful citizens for the Twenty-First Century.

Superintendents Office (573) 695-3312

Principals Office (573) 695- 4972

FAX (573) 695-3073

Cooter Reorganized District R-IV does not discriminate on the basis of a handicapping or disabling condition. The Board of Education, administration, and faculty strive to make our school accessible to physically challenged students. Parking for disabled students is located next to the high school and is clearly marked. Restrooms accessible to the handicapped have been installed at the high school and are for the use of students in grades K-12. Cooter R-IV policy also clearly states, that, if needed, classes can be moved from the upper floors to the ground floor to make them more accessible to handicapped students.

Should school be dismissed due to snow, ice, or other inclement weather conditions, several area radio stations will announce the closing of school the morning of the dismissal. The following stations will inform the public of the dismissal.

KHLS Blytheville 96.3

KCRV Caruthersville 105.1

KTMO Kennett 106.5

                                                                                                              VISITORS

Visitors to classes cannot be permitted. The policy of the Board of Education states: "Only students enrolled in school and authorized people will be allowed on school grounds, buildings, and gym." Persons wishing to visit school must first check through the Principal’s Office to receive a visitor’s permit.

There will be no fees for books, keyboarding, etc. The price of admission for activities will be established at the beginning of each school year. All students are responsible for unreasonable wear and damage to books and equipment. Should a student fail to pay for damages done to books, equipment, furniture, or buildings, the transcript of grades and student records will be held. Release of student records will occur upon settlement of damages.

1. Lockers and desks are not student owned. They are owned by the school district and provided for student use. The administration reserves the right to inspect and search any and all lockers at whatever time and for whatever reason deemed necessary.

2. Lockers for keeping books and other personal property will be assigned to students at the beginning of each school year. Do not leave books on top of lockers or in the windows. Lockers must be kept in a tidy condition free of posters, markings, and debris.

3. Cooter School will not be responsible for personal belongings left unattended. Students should secure all valuables by using a lock on their locker or giving valuables to teacher. (Money, clothes, cell phone, jewelry, purses, wallets, etc…)

Students arriving on school campus on a school day, by way of bus, walking, vehicle or any other mode of transportation is not to leave school campus without receiving permission from the teacher on duty or the Principal. One is not allowed to enter the building for any reason other than bad weather before 8:15. Permission to enter the building may be granted from a teacher or administrator under certain circumstances. When students must go inside due to inclement weather, students are to go to the gymnasium only.

If driving to school students should have their vehicles parked in the student parking area and be out of the vehicle before the first bell has rung at 8:15. This will help to prevent tardiness and congestion in the parking lot.

The sign-in sheet is to be used by any student who is arriving at school after the 1^st hour tardy bell has rang. The sign-out sheet is not used as permission to leave school. This list is used only for approved permission. Approval is granted when a parent, grandparent, etc., comes to school to get the student or phones the school giving permission or sends a note stating the reason for leaving school. A student using the sign-out sheet without permission is perceived as truant. A note or phone call from parents must be presented for a student to be excused to sign-out.

Absenteeism hampers educational achievement and is detrimental to vocational and academic success. Parents, students, and teachers all share in the responsibility for encouraging regular attendance. The following policy has been designed and hereby adopted to provide a framework for ensuring responsible attendance by all students. The "Compulsory Attendance Law" of the state of Missouri requires that all students must attend school until the age of sixteen.

Each period will count 1/7 of a school day. Students will be allowed 8 unexcused absences in each class per semester. Students that exceed 8 unexcused absences in a class will not be allowed to make up work. Students that have 9 or more unexcused absences in any class will not be allowed to participate in or attend ANY extracurricular activities (including Prom, Graduation, ballgames, and parking on school property) for the reminder of the semester.

Students that have 9 or more absences in any class will be required to attend 2 Saturday Detentions to make up 1 absence. Students will follow the Saturday Detention Policy while attending Attendance Recovery.

On the students’ 11^th absence the student and his/her parents will appear before the Attendance Committee. The Attendance Committee will decide what further action will be taken. The Attendance Committee consists of the Principal, Counselor, Superintendent, School Board Members, and Teachers.

Students are responsible for completing assignments missed during absences. The student is to ask the teacher for missed assignments. Make-up work is to be submitted to staff in a timely manner (three days unless other arrangements or made).

Truancy is the absence from one or more classes during a school day without the permission of parents or school authorities. Work missed while a student is truant may not be made-up and the student receives an "F" for the day in each class missed. The disciplinary procedures for truancy are as follows:

1st Offense: Corporal Punishment/ISS

2nd Offense: ISS/Saturday Detention/OSS

3rd Offense: Appear before the Board of Education.

The fact that tardiness causes daily disruption to the instructional process makes it necessary to adopt the following policy to discourage late arrival in class:

Tardy will be assessed when a student is not in class when second bell rings. Three minutes will be provided as a pass time so students may go to their lockers and use the restroom as needed. Students must bring proper materials to the class. Leaving the classroom for materials will be considered a tardy.

The standard marking system is as follows:

Should a student make an "F" the first quarter and a grade higher than an "F" the second quarter, the student will receive a semester grade by using the point system by averaging the two number grades together to obtain the semester grade. This rule shall also apply to grades for the third and fourth quarter. The second semester grade will be determined by averaging the two grades.

To be on the honor roll, a student must have an 85% in all classes with no grade less than a "B" in any class. All classes and grades earned are used to figure honor roll. To graduate with Honors, a student must have a four-year percentage of an 88 average and have a composite score of 18 or higher on the ACT test. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian must have attended Cooter High School four complete school calendar years (8 semesters) prior to graduation. Recognition, Awards, Class Rank, Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be determined by % average of grades. Students must make honor roll all four (4) quarters in order to qualify for the honor roll trip.

                                                                                             CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

7th Grade: Must be promoted from the sixth grade.

8th Grade: Must have completed and successfully passed at least five of eight semesters of the following seventh grade subjects:

A. English

B. Social Studies

C. Science

D. Math

9th Grade: Must have completed and successfully passed at least three of the following eighth grade subjects:

A. English

B. Social Studies

C. Science

D. Math

10th Grade: Must have completed at least 5.5 units of ninth grade work.

11th Grade: Must have completed at least 11 units of ninth and tenth grade work.

Policy passed by the Board of Education states:

1. Any student absent more than eight times from a class during a semester will receive no grade nor credit in that class without prior approval of the Superintendent or Board of Education.

2. In order to graduate, a student must pass twenty-two units of credit and be in attendance for eight semesters. Starting with the class of 2010, a student must pass twenty four units of credit and be in attendance for eight semesters.

3. All students must pass one full unit of American government, ½ unit of Missouri History, ½ unit of health, and ½ unit of Personal Finance before graduation.

4. All students must complete the following curriculum before graduating:

Students will have one week to change their schedule at the beginning of school, in situations where it is deemed necessary, with the approval of the counselor and principal. Schedule changes at mid-semester will be done only in an emergency situation with the approval of the Counselor and Principal.

Report cards will be given to students the first Friday following each nine week period when possible. The report will contain a grade, a record of attendance and such other information as professional staff may deem desirable.

A. Purpose

1. It shall be the primary purpose of the lunchroom program to make available to all pupils in the district hot lunches and milk in accordance with the standards and requirements established in the National School Lunch Program and Special Milk Program.

B. Free Lunches

1. Free lunches and reduced lunches will be allowed on recommendation by the Principal or determined by information on application for school lunches. Applications are sent home the first day of school. If one wishes to apply for free lunches, one may complete an application in the Principal’s office.

C. Lunch Period and Cafeteria

1. The lunch period is from 11:49 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

2. Each student will empty his or her tray and remove all debris, silverware, etc. from his or her area.

3. Orderly behavior is expected of every student while in the cafeteria.

Students will be allowed to leave campus for lunch between 11:49 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. on a daily basis. This is a privilege that can be revoked at any time for one student or for the entire student body. This privilege will be at the discretion of the administrative team. During this "open campus" students may not go to their home or residence without permission and the approval of the principal.

Students are to place bottles, cans, and other trash in provided containers. Do not throw trash along the road or sidewalk. Littering of the town and campus will not be tolerated. Students are not to sit or stand on the lawns at residences between school and town during lunch. If you are coming from town and have some paper hold on to it until you can dispense of it properly.

1st Offense: Verbal reprimands and clean littered area/loss of off campus privileges

2nd Offense: Clean the area/Corporal Punishment/ISS

3rd Offense: ISS/Saturday School

                                                                                       GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT CONDUCT

1. As high school students you are considered as young men and women; therefore, you are expected to conduct yourselves as such in a public institution.

2. It is proper for students to keep emotional impulses under control and to refrain from showing a public display of affection-such as holding hands, physically assaulting a student in the hall, etc.

3. It is proper that respect and courtesy be shown for other people, their property, and public property at all times.

4. Students are to refrain from sitting in windows, on furniture in classrooms, or entering classrooms through the windows; all of which could lead to disciplinary action.

5. The office is not for loafing. Should you have business in the office, conduct it as soon as possible and return to class.

6. Students are not to cross the highway in front of the building to talk with persons in cars at noon or to loaf at the fence next to the parking area at noon.

7. Students are not to raise or lower windows or screens without permission from the teacher.

Students are to remain in class during class periods. Students are not allowed to leave class unless it is an emergency and with permission from the classroom teacher. Students are to be in their assigned classroom at all times.

Food and drink items should not be visible inside the school buildings. Students will be allowed to eat and drink in the gymnasium before school and during the lunch period as long as they are responsible in cleaning up after themselves. This privilege may be revoked by the administrative team at any time. Students should not chew gum in the building.

The school schedules assemblies and pep rallies during the school year. Admission is free and everyone is required to attend. Good conduct by the student body is very important at these assemblies and rallies. Visitors and participants in the assembly program will judge our school and community by the type of behavior exhibited during the program.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Class meetings shall be scheduled according to class needs. All class and club parties and other group activities must be approved and scheduled on the activity calendar by the Principal. Each class is permitted to engage in one fund-raising activity annually. All fund-raising activities must be approved by the Principal and scheduled on the activity calendar in advance of the beginning date.

Students attending dances or other social activities sponsored by Cooter School cannot be enrolled below the 7th grade. If a person is not attending Cooter School, a date-card must be completed and submitted to the Principal for verification and approval.

The following rules apply to all dances including the Junior/Senior Prom:

1. Students are allowed to invite guests. If this guest is from another school or has already graduated, the name of the guest must be placed on the dance guest list. This list will be in the Principal’s Office. Out-of-school guests not approved by noon on the day of the dance will not be allowed to attend the dance. If the Prom is held on Saturday, out-of-school guests must be approved on Friday the day before. Males will have to invite females and females will have to invite males.

2. Each student is responsible for his or her guest/date.

3. A faculty member will be at the door with a list of students and dates. Those not registered will not be allowed entrance.

4. No smoking will be allowed at any time. Those caught smoking will be told to leave the dance.

5. No drinking of beer, alcohol, or any other type of intoxicating beverage is allowed. Those caught will be escorted from the dance immediately and will be subject to the punishment described in the handbook for drinking alcoholic beverages. In addition, a person will not be allowed to enter the dance if he/she is under the influence of alcohol or any other drug.

6. There will be no loitering or visiting outside the gym before, during, or after the dance.

7. If a student leaves the dance, he/she may not return.

8. Elementary students cannot be invited to any dance.

9. The Junior/Senior Prom is limited to students in grades 9-12 and recent graduates. Jr. High students are not allowed to attend any of the Prom activities.

1. To help ensure the safety of the many students who ride the school buses it is necessary that classroom conduct is expected on the buses.

2. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and all students are expected to comply with the requests of the driver.

3. On field trips, school sponsored trips, etc., the same conduct as indicated above is to be maintained and the teacher/sponsor on the bus will be in charge.

4. Misconduct on a bus may result in the loss of the privilege to ride the bus. If a student rides the bus to an activity the student must also ride it back unless prior arrangements have been made by contacting in person or by phone, (no notes) or if parents are at game or activity in person and student is released to them by the sponsor of the activity or Principal.

5. During bad weather, snow, ice, water, the drivers are instructed to use their own judgment as to whether to travel on certain roads. Should a bus be unable to travel a road due to conditions, students will not be recorded absent.

1. BETA CLUB: This organization is for honor students, grades 9-12. The purpose of Beta Club is to promote scholarship, leadership and good citizenship in the student body at Cooter High School. A student must have a "B" average, that is an 85% or above, for the preceding semester to become eligible for membership.

2. BAND: The Cooter Wildcat Band performs as both a marching unit and concert band representing the school in parades, festivals, and concerts. Attendance at concerts and parades is mandatory for band members.

5. PEP CLUB: The Pep Club is an organization composed of interested members of the student body and cheerleaders.

6. STUDENT COUNCIL: Student Council is an organization open to students meeting the requirements established in the following Constitution.

ARTICLE I: NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section I The name of the governing body of the students of Cooter High School shall be the "Cooter High School Student Council."

Section II The objectives of the Student Council are as follows:

A. To improve student-teacher relationship.

B. To improve school sportsmanship and relations between Cooter High School and other schools.

C. To provide student leadership for various school projects and promotion of school activities for students.

D. To encourage students to take pride in the care and maintenance of the school building and grounds.

E. To advise the Principal on matters relating to the interest and welfare of the student body.

F. To enable the students to learn and practice the principles of democracy and to develop characteristics of good citizenship.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section I The following shall be voting members:

A. The two representatives from each class. The representatives of each class must be of the opposite sex.

B. A President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be elected from each class.

C. The President will vote only in case of a tie.

ARTICLE III: QUALIFICATIONS

Section I A student must have a 2.0 GPA (no grade lower than a C) in all classes the preceding semester to be eligible for membership. The student must also maintain a 2.0 GPA (no grade lower than a C) while he/she is a member.

Section II The student must have attended one full semester previous to the time the term commences, with the exception of the seventh grade. The student must have attended one full semester at Cooter Elementary School. R-III students are exempt from this requirement.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section I Offices and Duties

A. President

1. The President will preside at all meetings.

2. Call special meetings.

3. Appoint all committees.

4. Assume such other duties as are generally associated with this office.

5. The President will hold no other school Presidency.

6. The President must be a Junior or Senior.

B. Vice-President

1. The Vice-President will perform all duties of the President in case of absence.

2. The Vice-President will perform such other duties as are usually associated with this office.

C. Secretary

1. The Secretary will keep minutes of meetings.

2. Keep an accurate attendance record.

3. Handle all official correspondences.

D. Treasurer

1. The Treasurer will be in charge of all funds both collection and disbursement, and will keep accurate records of such funds.

2. Make monthly report on the financial status of the organization to its membership.

3. The books shall be audited at the end of the year by a committee of the Student Council Representatives and the results of this audit will be submitted to proper authorities.

E. Reporter

1. The reporter will report Student Council happenings to the school paper in time for publication.

ARTICLE V: REMOVAL OF MEMBERS

Section I: Reasons for Removal

A. Failure to maintain a 2.0 GPA (no grade lower than a C)

B. Repeated failure to attend meetings.

C. Failure to represent the class and school properly and fairly.

D. Failure to carry out duties as an officer or representative.

E. Any other actions which are detrimental to the welfare and best interest of the school.

Section II: Method of Removal

A. Student Council will present charges of impeachment to faculty.

B. A two-thirds majority vote of the entire faculty is necessary to carry out an impeachment.

Section III: Vacancies

A. A special election of the class or classes involved will be called to fill the office.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section I Regular meeting.

Section II Special meetings will be called when necessary.

ARTICLE VII: SPONSOR

Section I The sponsor will be the Principal or a faculty member appointed by the Principal. The sponsor will advise but will not vote.

ARTICLE VIII: QUORUM

Section I -A quorum will consist of three-fourths of the members.

ARTICLE IX: POWERS

ARTICLE I: PURPOSE

Section I The purpose of the Pep Club is, under the leadership of the cheerleaders, to:

A. Support the Wildcats by attendance at activities.

B. Encourage school spirit.

C. Cheer and yell at pep rallies and activities.

ARTICLE II: ATTENDANCE/RULES

Section I Pep Club members are required to attend all home games and are encouraged to attend away games.

A. If it will be impossible to attend a particular game, please see the sponsor before the game so that you may be excused.

Section II Pep Club members are required to sit with the Pep Club at all games.

A. Do not leave the Pep Club except at half-time or between games.

B. Do not leave the Pep Club until after the Victory Cheer at the end of a game.

Section III Rules

A. There will be no smoking, no foul language, no abusive yelling at referees, and no unsportsmanlike behavior.

B. Pep Club members are encouraged to ride the bus to away games.

C. If you ride the bus to a game, you must also ride the bus back unless you are riding with a parent. If this be the case, be sure to clear it with the sponsor.

D. If you are not in school the day of a game, you will not be allowed to ride the bus.

E. Pep Club members will be asked to assist the cheerleaders in making posters and other efforts to boost school spirit.

ARTICLE III: EXPULSION

Section I Any failure to comply with the rules and regulations or failure to cooperate with the cheerleaders, sponsor, other faculty, and administration will result in immediate expulsion from the Pep Club in addition to other possible disciplinary action.

Any person wanting to participate in athletics must meet all the requirements established by the school and the coach. Participation in athletics is a privilege and not an inherent right.

An athlete is ineligible to participate in athletics:

1. If the athlete is not a good school citizen.

2. If the athlete does not meet the state requirement of having earned, the preceding semester of attendance, a minimum of 3.0 units of credit or have earned credit in 80% of the maximum allowable classes in which any student can be enrolled in the semester, whichever is greater, at your school.

3. If the athlete has competed in a sport for all or parts of four seasons.

4. If the athlete enters school at a point during the semester later than the first eleven days.

5. If the athlete is 19 years of age before July 1.

6. If the athlete transfers from another high school to Cooter without corresponding change of residency by the parents.

7. If the athlete has attended high school more than eight semesters.

Accident insurance is provided at cost to all students. Students are encouraged to purchase the accident insurance which is nominal in cost but broad in coverage. Information concerning the details of the insurance is in a brochure given to each student during the first week of school. Claim forms may be obtained in the Principal’s office.

Any student participating in athletics, shop classes, or vocational classes must have the school insurance before they can practice or play. This insurance is a safety net for all parties involved.

The Cooter R-4 Board of Education recognized that student drug abuse is a significant health and safety problem for schools. Among the problems, substance abuse negatively affects students’ health, behavior, learning, reflexes, and the overall development of individual students. A student who uses drugs can be a danger to him/herself, or a member of their team or organization. Drug abuse includes, but is not limited to, the use of illegal controlled substances, substances represented to be controlled, and misuse of legal drugs and medications. The administration has noted an increase in the evidence of drug use by our students, including those participating in extracurricular activities. Students who participate in extracurricular activities are respected and admired by a large segment of the student body and are expected to conduct themselves as good examples of conduct, sportsmanship, and training.

The purposes of the Cooter R-4 School District’s Student Drug Abuse Policy include:

1. To send a clear message that the district is committed to eliminating student drug abuse or to helping students experiencing drug abuse problems.
2. To work cooperatively with the parents by assisting them in keeping their children free from drug abuse.
3. To deter drug abuse or misuse by all students.
4. To establish standards of conduct for district students.
5. To identify students who are misusing drugs so that intervention plans can be implemented by home and school.
6. To establish a safe environment for student athletes during competition and generally for all students.
7. To provide a vehicle for parents to become aware of chemical abuse problems involving their children that corrective action may be taken.
8. To provide referrals for students who need evaluation and counseling.

The Cooter R-4 School District’s Drug Testing Program will test students, grades 7-12, who participate in extracurricular activities.

The following extracurricular activities will fall under the the Cooter R-4 School District’s Drug Testing Program:

Academic Team Basketball Vehicle Drivers

Band Cheerleading Volleyball

Beta Club FBLA

Baseball Student Council

Selection of students to be tested will be performed randomly on a lottery style basis by the building principal. With the exception of the Superintendent, no other staff, faculty, or administration will have access to this list. Students to be tested will be randomly, with all students who are participating in that activity not necessarily selected during the activity season. _____________ will be used as Cooter R-4 School District’s testing agency.

The test results will be disclosed only to the Principal who will disclose in writing the results of any positive or negative test to the student and the student’s custodial parent or guardian.

If a student tests positive, the student will be retested the following day in order to confirm the results. These 2 results will be considered the first positive test. Upon the occurrence of the first positive test, the Principal will schedule a conference with the student’s parents to explain the results. Counseling, at the student’s expense, will be strongly recommended for every student who tests positive. The student will be suspended from all extracurricular activities for thirty (30) school days. During the time of suspension, the student may attend other school-sponsored activities but shall not participate as a member of an extracurricular group.

After thirty (30) days, the district’s outside testing agency, at the student’s expense, may immediately retest the student or, if the student chooses, he/she will be tested at the Cooter R-4 School District’s expense during the next scheduled testing cycle following the thirty (30) day suspension. A written copy of the test results will be given to the Principal. If this or any other subsequent test during that school year proves to be the student’s second positive test, the student will be suspended from all extracurricular activities for one (1) calendar year. To regain eligibility after twelve (12) months, the student must have a negative test at a pre-designated site at the student’s expense. If the retest is negative the suspension from extracurricular activities will be lifted.

Upon the occurrence of all positive tests, counseling, at the student’s expense, will be strongly recommended.

The Missouri Legislature recently passed a law requiring each local district to possess a written discipline policy. The Cooter School District R-IV adopted the following policy and reserves the right to add to the policy things that may stated in The Public School Laws of Missouri or The Constitution of Missouri pertaining to schools in Missouri.

A. The purpose of this discipline policy is to meet the mandate of the legislation which requires each local district to possess a written discipline policy.

B. The purpose of this discipline policy is to prevent actions which might interfere with the educational mission of the school.

C. The purpose of this policy is to ensure a safe and orderly environment for learning in the district. This policy will provide for all affected a clear statement of the expectations this school district has for its students and the consequences which will follow when deviations from the expectations occur.

D. Selected Missouri laws may be cited or quoted to offer evidence of the legal authority of the Board of Education in matters regarding the disciplinary policy.

E. A major responsibility of the faculty is the continuance of efforts toward maintaining and improving desirable student behavior. All teachers in Cooter School District R-IV have the responsibility and authority to enforce discipline at anytime. In addition, the faculty has the authority to correct any student, when necessary, without hesitation.

F. The administration shall report acts of school violence and or drug offenses to teachers and other district employees with a need to know. School administrators are to report acts of violence to proper authorities.

G. Need to know is defined as school personnel who are directly responsible for the student’s education or who interact with the student on a professional basis.

H. Phrase, "Act of school violence," refers to the exertion of physical force to a student with the intent to do serious physical injury while on school property, including a school bus or while involved in school activities.

I. DRUGS: Any substance deemed illegal by law or subscription drugs not communicated to the Principal or the nurse.

The administration and faculty of The Cooter R-IV School District strongly believe that the unlawful possession and use of illegal drugs and alcohol is wrong and detrimental to the overall well-being of this school district. Furthermore, this district believes the use and abuse of illegal substances can be harmful to the health of the person using them.

The Cooter Board of Education, in accordance with laws regarding the use of illegal drugs, has adopted the following policy for any student under the influence of a controlled substance. Students involved in taking a controlled substance--traveling to or from school or during the school day--will be handled in the following manner. The administration of the Cooter R-IV School District stresses to parents and students that compliance with these standards is mandatory.

WEAPON: Defined as a firearm and the following items as defined in section 571.010 RSMo: blackjack, a concealable firearm, an explosive weapon, a firearm, a firearm silencer, a gas gun, a knife, brass knuckles, a machine gun, a projectile weapon, a rifle, a shotgun, a spray gun, or a switchblade knife.

The Board of Education of the Cooter R-IV School District adopted and implemented the following gun-free school policy beginning the 1995-96 school year:

1. Shorts may be worn to school that are mid-thigh length. P.E. shorts, track, jogging, and biking shorts are not to be worn.

2. Mini-skirts and shorts that are not mid-thigh length are not allowed.

4. Bare midriff (stomach) apparel may not be worn.

5. Female students are not allowed to wear cut-off sleeveless shirts.

7. Male students are not allowed to wear tank tops or cut-off sleeveless shirts.

8. No pajamas or house shoes of any kind.

11. Male students are not allowed to wear earrings of any type.

12. Body piercings except for traditional piercings will not be allowed.

14. No sunglasses shall be worn in the halls or in the classrooms.

15. No alcohol and/or drug related slogans shall be worn.

16. Haircuts, hairstyles or hair color that is non-traditional to the point of causing distractions will not be allowed.

17. Students should always dress properly. Students appearing at an activity dressed improperly will be told to leave and will not be allowed to participate in the activity. Students disobeying the dress code will be punished by: being sent home to change clothes, detention or corporal punishment and/or a conference with parents.

1st Offense: Corporal Punishment/ISS

2nd Offense: ISS/Loss of Driving Privileges

3rd Offense: May not bring vehicle to school for 30 days.

4th Offense: May not bring car to school for the remainder of the year.

The school district reserves the right to punish behavior that is subversive to good order and discipline in the school even though such behavior may not specified in the Student Handbook.