TUTTLE  MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK

WELCOME!  TO THE STUDENT:

The staff at Tuttle Middle School welcomes you! We look forward to another exciting and challenging school year. We are here to help you reach your goals in any way we can. We encourage you to be active learners and active participants in all that we do. We want the years you spend with us to be the best they can be. The following pages of this handbook explain what you will need to know to make these years a success. When you enroll in classes, you assume the following obligations:

1. To be present and on time each school day.
2. To follow all the rules and policies of this school and handbook.
3. To complete each assignment on time.
4. To give all your attention in class.
5. To participate in all class activities.
6. To be respectful and cooperative.
7. To bring the necessary equipment to participate.

Take time to go over these pages with your parents. The opportunity to work with you as a team as you prepare for your future is an opportunity that is important to all of us.

We at Tuttle Middle School want to thank you for the opportunity to work with your child this school year. We are dedicated to providing the best education any child could receive here or anywhere. We want your child to get well-rounded instruction in academia, values, morals, citizenship, sportsmanship, manners, respect, and character building. We hope to accomplish these goals through providing meaningful daily lessons, as well as providing a positive role model through constant correction and mentoring when the need arises.

We would like to invite you to become as much a part of the educational process as possible. Statistics show that the education of the child will be most successful when the school and the parents work in a combined effort for the benefit of the student. To assist in this, we would like to invite you to come by the school at any time to visit or become a part of the educational process.

We have also set our school calendar to provide scheduled times which we hope to get together to discuss your child's progress. You can expect to receive periodic grade reports in two forms. First, progress reports will be mailed to you approximately halfway through each block. Secondly, report cards will be sent home with the students at the end of each block. Beyond these formal times, teachers will be in contact either by phone or correspondence when special attention is needed. These contacts are based on efforts to assist you and the student in gaining sound concepts of proper behavior and good education.

This handbook was written to provide both the student and parent with a blue print of what is expected of our students. Please take the time to go over it with your student and become familiar with the guidelines and policies within. Teachers will also be sending home classroom expectations for the students, which gives them insight to what will be accomplished in their classes. Again, please feel free to discuss these with your student.

We encourage you to become part of the educational team and assist us in our endeavors to provide a quality education. If you have any comments or questions, we welcome them. If you are able to volunteer any time or resources to some of our programs, please do. We encourage participation from parents as well as students.

This handbook was put together by a committee of teachers, students, and parents and was approved by the Board of Education of Tuttle Public Schools. It is revised annually as necessary. We hope that you will take the time to familiarize yourself and discuss with your child its contents.

Sincerely,
Jim Stewart, Principal
Tuttle Middle School

GENERAL INFORMATION

Lunch money will be taken daily in the cafeteria. The cost of a Class A Lunch is $1.70 for students and $2.25 for adults. Items may also be purchased separately at individual prices. The middle school uses the Meal Tracker computerized lunch account system. A student's account may be credited weekly, monthly, or yearly. The students will be issued lunch cards that will be scanned to debit their lunch accounts. They may charge up to $10.00 on their account. Above $10.00 will result in their card be taken from them until their charges are paid. Report cards will be held at the end of each term for unpaid charges.

Tuttle Middle School has closed campus for lunch. If a student wishes to check out to go off campus to eat, they must have a parent present.

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**Teachers on Lunch Duty would have Recess Duty. In case of bad weather, 7th and 8th grade students will go to 3rd period instead of going outside. At the teacher's discretion, students will be allowed to go to another teacher's room to ask questions, but disciplinary encore will be abandoned for that day. If we have enough notice, we will show Channel One at this time to avoid 15 minutes out of regular class. Sixth graders will either stay in 3rd period or report to the cafeteria on days that the weather prohibits going out.

BLOCK TERMINOLOGY
A block is a one nine-week period of instruction at the end of which 1/2 unit is awarded. A block is equal to one traditional semester of credit but has a duration of 9-weeks.

A term is a two-block period of instruction. Two blocks are equal to one full year of study. The school year is divided into two terms. The Fall Term consists of block one and two, beginning in August and ending in December. The Spring Term consists of block three and four, beginning in January and ending in May.

ENCORE PROGRAM
Teachers will be in their rooms to assist students with any assignment or make-up work. Encore is not a "free period" for students. It is important that all students realize this is not "their" time. It is part of their schedule as instructional time. The teacher or principal will determine use of this time. When Encore is assigned, attendance is MANDATORY!

The following rules apply to encore:

1. All students making a "D" or an "F" in a subject will be required to report back to the appropriate teacher during this time.
2. Students may also be assigned encore for tardies in a particular class. Students who are tardy must report back to the teacher for whom they were tardy.
3. All teachers have assistance plans to help students with problems or test remediation. Any student not assigned encore but wanting to receive extra help may see a teacher at any point during encore. Every attempt should be made to advise the teacher in advance, if at all possible, that you would be attending encore and why.
4. Students must pick up make-up work during encore.
5. Encore can be utilized for meetings of clubs and organizations.
6. Departments may schedule department meetings during encore. Students should be advised in advance that their teacher would not be available during encore on that day. Students should also be aware that duty teachers will not be in their classrooms during their encore time.
7. MANDATORY ENCORE TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES.
8. Failure to attend Encore will result in referral to the principal.

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TARDIES
If a student is not in his/her seat when the bell rings, for any reason, he/she is tardy. From time to time teachers may be instructed to lock their doors as soon as the bell rings. Any student remaining in the hall will automatically receive a detention for that tardy. This lockout procedure will be random and without warning to the students. Tardiness interferes with the instructional process, which is a detriment to not only the student who is tardy, but to the other students in the class as well. If your child is tardy to school, please come to the office and check him/her in, or send a note. Excessive excused tardies may also result in disciplinary action if normal class routine is continually disrupted. A student is also considered tardy if it is necessary for him/her to leave the room during class time to take care of responsibilities that should have been taken care of between classes. "Tardies" are cumulative for an entire block. Each unexcused tardy will be handled in the following manner:

1st Tardy Warning 
2nd Tardy Encore 
3^rd Tardy Notify parent and detention
4^th Tardy Sent to Principal - ISS

*NOTE When activity buses arrive late, students must check in at the office. These tardies will be excused provided the student does not linger unnecessarily in route to the class.

Parents who bring their children to school should assist us by getting them here on time. Please teach your child dependability, punctuality, and their importance. If class routine is disrupted due to tardiness, excused or not, efforts to correct will be made and your child may be disciplined.

Students arriving to class more than 5 minutes late may be considered absent or truant rather than tardy.

ATTENDANCE

One criteria of a student's success in school is regular and punctual attendance. Frequent absences may lead to poor academic work, lack of social development, and possible academic failure. No single factor may interfere with a student's progress more quickly than frequent tardiness or absence. Schools are required to report excessive absences to the district attorney. Please note that oversleeping is not considered an excused absence or tardy!

If a student is ill or must be absent from school, the parents are to call the school before 9:00 a.m. The middle school number is 381-2062. If a parent doesn't call with the reason of absence within twenty-four hours, the absence will be unexcused, and the student will not be able to make up the work missed. The student may also bring a note signed by the parent if the student returns to school the very next day. Tardiness is not accepted. A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in his/her seat when the bell rings.

If a student must leave school for any reason, the parent must sign a checkout sheet in the office before the student will be allowed to leave with them. If someone other than the parent will be picking up the student, we must receive a phone call from the parent giving permission for their child to leave school. Students will be released to parents only during or near the lunch periods.

According to state law, it is the obligation of every parent to insure that every child under his/her care and supervision receives adequate education and training and, if of compulsory attendance age, attends school. Schools are required by state law to keep an accurate record of attendance. A student must be in attendance 90% of a semester. A student may not have more than six absences per block. A student and his/her parents will be notified at the third, fifth, and sixth absence. We request that you provide written documentation of medical appointments. If a student acquires an excessive number of excused absences because of illness, we will require written documentation. Any subsequent absence after six per block for any reason will be unexcused unless a doctor's statement specifically addresses that particular absence. Remember, if a student must leave the campus during the day, he/she MUST OFFICIALLY CHECK OUT IN THE MAIN OFFICE FOR AN ABSENCE TO BE EXCUSED. Exceptions, which are considered valid reasons for absences, include illness, injury, or death of a family member.

The district may require suitable proof of excused absences, including written statements from medical sources. An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that is not excused. Students who oversleep, are suspended, or are expelled shall be considered unexcused. Each unexcused absence shall be entered on the student's record. The parents or guardians of the student receiving an unexcused absence shall be notified orally or in writing by the district of the unexcused absence. The maximum number of unexcused absences a student may incur before judicial proceedings are initiated to enforce compulsory attendance is four unexcused absences from school or from class in any one month or ten unexcused absences during any calendar year or school year.

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HOMEWORK/MAKE-UP WORK|
Individual teachers will assign homework. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and turn in on time all assignments. Zeros will be recorded for missing assignments. Make-up work will be accepted for all excused absences. It is the responsibility of the student to pick up make-up assignments on the day he returns to class during Encore. There shall be one day allowed for make-up work for each day of absence. Pre-announced tests or assignments that were assigned prior to an absence will be required the day the student returns. Any homework requested by a student while at home will be due the first day back at school. A building administrator may make exceptions to any provision of this paragraph when unusual circumstances arise.

HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
A homework assistance program is provided for middle school students. This is what we call our Encore Program. If you are making below a C in any class, it is mandatory that you attend encore.

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BUS REGULATIONS
 Any changes must be approved by the transportation department. Misbehavior endangers your safety, and since school transportation is a privilege, you may be required to walk or provide your own transportation. The following applies to students misbehaving on the bus: Transportation is furnished for all students who live 1.5 miles or more from school. Since the bus driver is fully responsible for matters of safety, he/she is given full authority over all students on his/her bus. Students are to ride on the bus assigned to them.

1st Offense Student will be taken to the office, his/her parents will be contacted, and he/she will have discipline assigned.
2nd Offense Student will be taken to the office and will be suspended from the bus for 3 days.
3rd Offense Student will be taken to the office and will be suspended from the bus for 2 weeks.
4th Offense The student will be required to stay off the bus for the rest of the semester.

*More severe infractions may require a more rapid advancement than steps above.

 BUS RIDER RULES
Riding a school bus is a privilege and the privilege may be removed for not abiding by the following bus rider rules:

Previous to loading students should:

1. Be on time at the designated bus stops --- keep the bus on schedule.
2. Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus.
3. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter.
4. Be careful in approaching bus stops.
5. Do not move toward the bus at the school loading zone until the bus has been brought to a complete stop.
6. Respect people and their property while waiting on the bus.
7. Receive proper school official authorization to be discharged at places other than the regular bus stop.

While on the bus students should:

1. Keep all parts of the body inside the bus.
2. Refrain from eating and drinking on the bus.
3. Never use any form of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
4. Assist in keeping the bus safe and clean at all times.
5. Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts the driver's attention and may result in a serious accident. (The life you save may be your own.)
6. Treat bus equipment as you would valuable furniture in your own home. Damage to seats, etc., must be paid for by the offender.
7. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.
8. Maintain possession of books, lunches, or other articles in your lap and keep the aisle clear.
9. Help look after the safety and comfort of smaller children.
10. Do not throw objects in or out of the bus.
11. Remain in your seat while the bus is in motion.
12. Refrain from horseplay and fighting on the school bus.
13. Be courteous to fellow pupils, the bus driver, and the patrol officers or driver's assistants.
14. Remain quiet when approaching a railroad crossing stop.
15. Remain in the bus during road emergencies except when it may be hazardous to your safety.
16. Stay seated at all times on bus seats.
17. Keep conversations at a low tone of voice.
18 Keep hands and feet to yourself.

After leaving the bus students should:

1. Go at least ten feet in front of the bus, stop, check traffic, wait for the bus driver's signal, then cross the road.
2. Go home immediately, staying clear of traffic.
3. Help look after the safety and comfort of small children.

1. The above rules and regulations should apply to all trips under school sponsorship.
2. Sponsors should be appointed by the school officials.

 All students traveling between schools must ride the shuttle unless receiving permission from a teacher, coach, or principal.

The bus and school activities are extensions of the school and all rules and guidelines in this handbook apply.

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When a student's behavior justifies suspension, the student forfeits the privilege of participating in the social and academic life of the school. The student suspended from school shall be required to continue his/her education on the third day of a five or fewer day suspension or on the sixth day of his/her six or more day suspension. The parents will be responsible for making arrangements with school officials to follow this objective. The student's daily schoolwork will be picked up at the school between 3:00 and 3:30 each day and must be returned the next day during the same time. A student needing assistance with his schoolwork will call the school, and arrangements can be made for assistance. The parents will be responsible for picking up and returning the assignments. Any testing missed while under suspension will be taken care of between 3:00 and 3:30 as needed. In addition, during the term of the suspension, the student will not be permitted to participate in any extra-curricular activities offered by the school district. Also be advised that the presence of a suspended pupil on any public school campus, even as a spectator at any event, is prohibited. Failure to comply may result in additional suspension.

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Students are cautioned to use great restraint and good judgment when speaking. When a student makes a comment to anyone regarding any act of violence toward a person or property, threaten someone, about bringing a gun, bomb, or weapon to school, or that someone else has done any of these things in a sarcastic or joking manner, it will be viewed as a serious threat to the safety of all and the educational routine of the school. This is a serious offense and could result in long-term suspension.

If a student believes that or has knowledge of anyone possessing or having access to any weapon, controlled dangerous substance, or other potentially harmful item, it is his/her duty to report this to the teacher or principal immediately. Do not determine for yourself as to its validity. Bring it to the authority so that it can be checked out, for yours and everyone else's safety. If you would feel more comfortable making an anonymous report, you may 1-877-SAFE-CAL(L) (1-877-723-3225). This is a confidential school safety hotline that is a service of the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Students are expected to get where they are scheduled or expected to be on time and prepared. Before school, students should not arrive to school before the buses arrive. There are designated areas for students throughout the day, and students are expected to leave school property promptly after school. No loitering.

This is the students' school. Students should take pride in its care and maintenance. Students are expected to clean up after themselves and correct any problem that they caused by either performing necessary correction or restitution.

Students should bring only those items to school that are necessary to carry out the daily educational needs of that student. No other items should be brought to school unless by prior approval. Items that may be used to harm another person or damage property should never be brought to school or on a bus.

Students should consider the following statements as rules to live by at school. Disciplinary measures will be taken to correct behavior.

1. The student's behavior should be conducive to a good learning atmosphere. Manners and respect should be practiced at all times.
2. Any student using profane language should be immediately taken to the principal for disciplinary action.
3. Students shall not damage, mark, mar, or deface any school property. Such cases should be reported to the administration. Disciplinary action will be taken, and the student will be required to pay for repairs or damage.
4. All students must obey and follow instructions given by any staff member of Tuttle Schools.
5. All bus students are under supervision of their respective bus driver and shall follow all rules for behavior requested by the bus driver. All students failing to do so shall be reported to the appropriate principal's office. Students should meet bus promptly at bus stops, and if possible, notify the driver in advance or call another student who gets on the bus before you if you are not going to ride the bus that day.
6. Fighting is prohibited.
7. All students should be instructed that they represent Tuttle Schools and the community when they are on trips of all types.
8. It will be understood that students who are frequent discipline problems are not interested in their own education; therefore, such students will be dismissed from school.
9. Any student who is guilty of immorality or violation of the regulations of public school may be suspended by the principal of such school, which suspension shall not extend beyond the current school semester and the succeeding semester; provided the pupil suspended shall have the right to appeal the decision before the local board of education.
10. The student is to have no expectation of privacy in lockers, bags, containers, or outside wearing apparel when it is suspected there may be contraband or unnecessary educational items within. The superintendent or principal of any public school in the State of Oklahoma or any teacher or security personnel shall have the authority to detain and authorize the search, of any pupil or pupils on any school premises or while in transit under the authority of the school, or any function sponsored or authorized by the school, for dangerous weapons or controlled and/or dangerous substances, as defined in the Uniformed Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.
11. The Tuttle School system will function in complete agreement with the Federal Title IX Act.

There may be times throughout the school year that a class or group will take a field trip. The Spring Fling, assemblies, and other fun activities are also used as rewards and incentives to encourage good behavior. Such events that may arise are privileges. If a student has been suspended out of school or had ISS more than once, he/she may not be allowed to participate in the event that applies to him/her.

When considering disciplinary measures for special education students, the following should be considered:

1. When suspension of less than ten (10) days from school is necessary, the due process procedures established for regular students shall be followed.
2. For suspension of over ten (10) days or an accumulation of ten (10) days, these additional procedures shall be followed:

a. Schedule an IEP meeting to determine if the student's behavior is the result of the handicapping condition.
b. When the behavior is related to the handicapping condition, and a change in program or removal from the current program is recommended, the IEP must be revised to reflect the change in placement.
c. The school must provide an alternative program (i.e., IEP revision, home based, etc.)

1. When the behavior is not related to the handicapping condition, the procedures established for regular students shall be followed.

3. In an EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE THE STUDENT is endangering himself or others, the school has the authority to remove the student from school immediately. However, the IEP/Placement team must convene as soon as possible after an emergency removal to determine FURTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION. In any event, the district's disciplinary due process procedure must be followed.
4. Professional judgment shall be used when considering corporal punishment as a means of discipline for handicapped students.

a. Exceeding the speed limit in a school zone 1
b. Reckless driving in a school zone 1
c. Sitting in cars on or near the school grounds during school hours 1
d. Loud or boisterous conduct which disturbs the orderly, efficient, and disciplined atmosphere and operation  1
e. Unauthorized roaming of hall campus 1
f. Gum and food items during unauthorized times 1
g. Profanity, obscene material or gestures 1
h. Unauthorized leaving of campus 1
i.. Public display of affection 
j.  Dress 1
k. Cafeteria Negligence 1
l. Bullying 2
m. Smoking or possession of tobacco on campus (will result in loss of tobacco product) 2
n. Class disturbance 2
o. Willful defacing, altering or destruction of school building, fixtures, walls, furniture, etc. (vandalism - will require reimbursement to the school for damages)   2
p. Passing a school bus while loading or unloading  3
q. Refusal, verbally or by action, to follow the directive of a staff member  3
r. Stealing or possession of stolen property  (will require reimbursement to the victim for the property)  3
s. Fighting 3
t. Pocket knife or other item which could cause harm 3 or 4
*u. Fighting involving a weapon 4
*v. Drugs, alcohol, or any other controlled substance, possession, under-the-influence, sale or distribution 4
*w. Passing of non-controlled or non-dangerous substances as being controlled or dangerous substances or alcohol 4
*x. Possession of dangerous weapons or controlled dangerous substances 4
* WILL CARRY THE MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT ALLOWED BY LAW

SPECIFIC INTERACTIONS AND DISCIPLINE
Skipping/Truancy Spending class time in an area of the building or campus without proper authorization (A student is considered skipping when absent from the classroom without approval of the school and the permission of the parent or guardian. Discipline will include ISS. The amount will be determined by the amount of time missed and number of occurrences. Excessive truancy and truancy from ISS may result in suspension and the District Attorney being notified.
Lying Intentionally giving, or withholding, information to misinform or mislead 2
Altering records Changing school documents by any method 3
Forgery Writing or using the initials or signature of another person 3
Cheating Using or assisting someone else with material that is not allowed or should not be used 3
Plagiarism,  Copying from another, securing copies of test, securing answers in advance or from others, or the use of another's work as your own 3

FIGHTING OR AGITATING
Students are not safe when physical contact occurs. It is difficult to determine when a fight actually starts. Does it start with the first contact or spoken word or even bad previous events? Every effort will be made to determine cause and fault, but basically, both parties are usually somewhat at fault and could prevent the confrontation if they want. Remember also, rough play leads to conflict. Play nicely with each other and remember, it is just a game. If students cannot play together without becoming rough, they will lose privileges.

Tuttle Middle School's Conflict Resolution Program includes, among other deterrents, a Peer Mediation Program, in which, when a student feels as though his/her feelings are reaching the point of a confrontational level or has encountered a situation which he or someone he knows may be nearing a conflict, he or she may report this to the counselor. Then efforts are made to resolve conflicts through peaceable, adult-like means. This may include counselor or principal intervention, or peer mediators who listen to the facts of the situation then give ideas on how they might handle the same situation short of a confrontation. These methods have proven to be highly successful when given the chance. It is human nature for a person to use force to solve problems, but unfortunately, the outcome is not always fair, desirable, and is certainly not socially accepted as a proper way to resolve problems.

Parents, please encourage your student to begin solving conflicts in an adult manner. Encouraging your students to "handle the situation himself or herself", "defend yourself", or "take up for yourself" could result in disciplinary action, or worse yet, harm or injury. We want to help. Report conflicts to the counselor.

AGITATING:   These students are those who stand outside the fight and shout to encourage those involved to continue. They often may instigate the problem by carrying messages or playing the middleman to create conflict between two people. They also belittle students who may otherwise let a situation go into becoming more raged. They say and do things to get conflicts started. This infraction will be considered just as serious as those involved in the conflict.

1st Offense 3 to 5 days ISS
2nd Offense 5 days of Out of School Suspension or 5 days of ISS
3rd Offense Suspension

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

3 Unexcused absences in one block 2 days of ISS
4 Unexcused absences in one block 3 days of ISS
5 Unexcused absences in one block 4 days of ISS

HARASSMENT
School should be a safe and fun place. However, it is not that for students who are victims of harassment. Harassment is not just boys making sexual advances to girls. It is anytime a person is made to feel uncomfortable due to the actions of another student. This could be boy to girl or girl to boy. It could be members of the same sex. It also does not have to have a sexual connotation. Suggestive comments, aggressive comments, actions, or looks can all be construed as possible harassment areas.

If a student is being harassed at school, we want it stopped. Report these incidents to the counselor. Action will be taken to protect our students. In the event students are uncomfortable as a result of something being said or done by another student or students, those students will be disciplined as necessary to stop those actions.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Please note that many factors effect the decision of the principal when rendering discipline. Any action that results in a student being referred to the principal should be considered extreme and may warrant disciplinary action. The principal will evaluate each event separately and render a decision that is appropriate for the circumstances, not to exceed suspension for the remainder of the current semester and all of the next.

The authority of administrators to suspend or otherwise discipline a student is not limited to the student's on-campus conduct. Students may be suspended out-of-school or otherwise disciplined for off-campus conduct which is contrary to law or which has an adverse impact on good order, discipline, or the learning environment of the school. Disciplinary action shall be taken for violations of the Tuttle Middle School Code of Conduct. The principal will use discretion in determining appropriate placement and discipline. Frequent or numerous referrals may require more severe action than those listed. Recommended discipline action may include but is not limited to encore, detention, conferences

with principal and/or counselor, ISS, suspension, assigned duties, restitution, or other appropriate discipline. Four levels of action shall be addressed by the administration. They are as follows:

  DISCIPLINE ACTION:
Level I: Verbal or written reprimands, assignment to before or after school detention, ISS or suspension. Second Level I offense shall advance to Level II.
Level II: Includes, but not limited to, second Level I violations, Detention,
Assignment to ISS, or suspension. Second Level II offense shall advance to Level III.
Level III: ISS or suspension. Continued disruptions result in more serious suspensions.
Level IV: Violations will result in long term suspension and law enforcement notification.

DETENTION
Teachers may assign after school detention to a student. Detention time is 3:05 to 4:00 on either Tuesday or Thursday. Parents will be notified before the student stays after school. Arrangements must be made by the parents for transportation from the school. Students will have access to the pay phone after detention. The student must be picked up promptly after detention or walk home. Failure to serve detention will result in disciplinary action being taken by the principal.

IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION (ISS)
The purpose of ISS is to correct behavior as an alternative to suspension. ISS gives students the opportunity to remain in school when more serious offenses have been committed. Students are allowed to continue their education and will receive credit for their work. Any student who has been assigned ISS exhausts one avenue of behavior correction. This offense will be considered when placing a student when a future rule infraction occurs.

Students will be given guidelines on where to report, ISS behavior, and what to bring. Failure to follow any of these guidelines will result in additional days of ISS or suspension. Truancy from ISS will result in suspension. Students who check out early or arrive late must make up a full day of ISS. No partial days of ISS will count as a day served. Students in ISS lose the privilege of participating in extra-curricular activities on the day or days of the ISS.

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Long Term Suspension
A student suspended from Tuttle Schools will be allowed an informal hearing in which the student and parents are told the nature of the accusation. Once a principal has met with the student, the principal can decide the length of the suspension. Students are ineligible to participate in or attend extracurricular activities during a suspension. Students may be suspended for more than ten days (long term) or less. Students suspended for less than ten days may request their case be brought before a suspension committee.

If the student is suspended for more than ten days, he/she will be allowed a formal hearing.

STEP 1: If the student or parent wishes to appeal the long-term suspension, they must notify the principal within forty-eight hours that they intend to appeal. After the student serves five school day's suspension, and before he/she is readmitted to school, the principal will provide a hearing on or before the fourth school day after being notified in which the student and parents may participate. The principal will conduct the hearing.

STEP 2: If the student and parents involved are not satisfied with the ruling of the principal, an appeal may then be made with the superintendent for an evidentiary hearing to be conducted by a designated hearing officer. This appeal shall be made in writing within forty-eight hours of the principal's decision. The hearing officer will hear the appeal within five school days after proper notification.

STEP 3: If the student and parents are not satisfied with the decision of the hearing officer, an appeal may be made to the Board of Education in the following manner:

1. The notification of appeal must be made in writing to the Board of Education through the Superintendent's office within forty-eight hours after the hearing officer's decision is rendered. The Board of Education will hear the appeal as soon as possible.
2. The student will be advised that he/she may be present at the Board hearing accompanied by a representative to act on his/her behalf, as will the school official.
3. The student will be informed of hearing procedures and given reasonable time to prepare for the hearing.
4. During the hearing the student or his/her legal counsel shall have the right to examine evidence, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and present evidence and testimony on behalf of the student. The school official shall have the same stated right
5. The decision of the Board of Education will be final. (School Laws of Oklahoma, 1982, Chapter I, Article XXIV, Section 393)

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