Alternative School Program

The Lamar County School District offers an Alternative School Program in compliance with Section 37-13-92 of the Mississippi code of 1972.  The alternative school serves students in grades 5 – 12 from Baxterville, Oak Grove, Purvis, Sumrall, and Lumberton.  Students are referred to the alternative school for a variety of reasons, including drug and weapon offenses, habitual misbehavior, and transfers from other alternative school programs.  The district does not accept students who have been expelled from another school/school district until such time as the expulsion period has ended.  Any student transferring into the LCSD who was in an alternative school program in the transferring district will automatically be placed in the LCSD alternative program until such time as LCSD personnel can make a decision as to proper placement.

Enrollment of Students

A student must be enrolled in the referring school PRIOR to coming to the alternative school.  The principal of the referring school will contact the alternative school principal to provide verbal, followed by written, information about the student being referred.  Once the alternative school principal has this information the following steps will take place:

1. The alternative school staff will arrange a time for the parent/guardian and student to come to the school for the initial appointment.
2. An overview of the rules and expectations will be provided.
3. A starting date will be given to the family, preferably immediately.
4. Please make sure to ask for a Lamar County School District handbook if you currently do not have one.  The alternative school follows the procedures listed in the handbook.  Exceptions to, and highlights of, the district handbook are provided in this handbook.

Attendance Policy

The alternative school follows the same policy for attendance outlined in the LCSD handbook.  Attendance is taken daily and entered into the district database that holds all attendance.  If a student is going to be absent, please call the school before 9:00 a.m. that morning.  If a call is not received, a staff member will call the home to determine the reason for the absence.   A written excuse must be provided to the school no later than three days following the absence. 
If a student misses three days of school without an excuse, he/she will have one day added to their time.  If they miss four days without an excuse, two days will be added on, and so on.  If a student is suspended from alternative, they will have to make up all days missed due to suspension.
If a student is caught sleeping, he/she will receive a verbal warning.  Once a student receives a verbal warning, for each time the student is caught sleeping, he/she can receive an additional day of time.

Behavior Modification/Discipline Policy

The alternative school utilizes a level system to encourage appropriate behavior.  Students are graded on their behavior daily by the alternative school staff using a 10 item rating scale (see appendix).  Students who maintain appropriate behavior over a designated period of time are offered various privileges.  Many of the students in the program are able to earn their way back into their home school.  For those students who may have been assigned a lengthier period of time at alternative, appropriate behavior increases their chances for various privileges and rewards. 

The alternative school follows the same disciplinary steps outlined in the LCSD handbook.  Students can be issued in-school and out-of-school suspension for misbehavior.  Those in serious violation of school policy will be recommended for expulsion from the Lamar County School District.

Child Nutrition Program

Students in the alternative school will be provided breakfast and lunch using the same fee scale as the home school.  Whether a student receives free, reduced, or full pay meals will not change as a result of attending alternative school.  Students will utilize the Purvis campus cafeteria.  Money in the student’s account can be accessed by the student at the Purvis cafeteria.  Student’s who fail to bring money to school for their lunch will be allowed to borrow from the school office.  Parents will receive written notification of money owed and will be expected to repay to the office within the week. 
Students are expected to show exemplary behavior while in the cafeteria.  Students are not allowed to interact with students outside of the alternative school.  The use of the cafeteria is viewed as a privilege and can be taken from the student for misbehavior in the cafeteria, on the bus, or in the classroom.  In the event the student is not allowed to go to the cafeteria, a sack lunch will be brought to the student, to be eaten in isolation. 

Counseling Services

The alternative school employs a full-time certified school counselor.  Students meet with the counselor for individual and group counseling.  The counselor follows the ethical standards set forth by the American Counseling Association, including confidentiality of information.  The counselor works with the students on problem-solving, social skills, stress management, and other personal skills. 

Dress Code

            The following is the required dress code for ALL alternative school students:

1. All alternative students will wear a hunter green polo type shirt that is suitable for both males and females.  NO EXCEPTION.
2. The shirt will be issued to the parent and student at the intake meeting with the alternative school principal.
3. THE SHIRT SHALL BE NEATLY TUCKED IN AT THE APPROPRIATE WAIST.  NO SAGGING.  A BELT MUST BE WORN WITH THE PANTS, SHORTS OR SKIRT, IF THE ITEM IS DESIGNED FOR BELT WEAR.
4. All alternative students will wear khaki pants or shorts.  Skirts and capris are optional for female students.  The length of the short and skirt is addressed in the Lamar County School handbook.
5. NO JEWELRY, CELL PHONES, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN EXTRA LUNCH MONEY IS ALLOWED.  Any additional items brought by a student will be taken by school personnel and held until the parent can pick it up.
6. Students who do not follow the required dress code can lose their cafeteria privilege.  Those who continue to disregard the dress code can be issued in-school or out-of-school suspension.

Progress Reporting/Grading Procedures

The alternative school staff covers all core subjects on a students’ schedule.  Due to the large number of various elective courses, not all subjects can be covered, such as driver’s education, vocational education, physical education, etc.  The schedule will be reviewed at intake and the family will be informed if a course cannot be covered. 
At the end of a nine-week period, grades are faxed to the home school, where staff there average the alternative grades with grades the student may have earned prior to attending alternative school.  The home school is responsible for providing the family with a report of grades at the end of the nine weeks.  If a student does not receive this information from the school, please notify the alternative school staff and a copy of the grades can be obtained.

Searches

All alternative school students are searched prior to entering the classroom.  Staff members use a hand-held metal detector to scan the students.  Student pockets, shoes, jackets, etc., are checked for non-allowable items.  All searches are reasonable in scope.

Student Medications

School personnel shall not provide medication, including both prescription and over-the-counter medications, to students.  However, school personnel may dispense medication provided by parents with written instructions, which include the student’s name, dosage, and dosage schedule as found on the prescription bottle.  Students must give the note and medication to school staff immediately upon arrival to school.

TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT

1. Students enrolled at the alternative school WILL NOT be transported by the regular Lamar County transportation system.
2. There must be a parent or guardian with the student during the pickup and drop off at the designated stop.  If the parent cannot be there for some reason, then the parent assumes the responsibility for the student, not Lamar County School District.
3. Students will be suspended or expelled from the alternative school bus for any bus misbehavior.  The responsibility for transportation then falls to the student’s family.
4. Students assigned to the alternative school are not allowed to be on ANY of the Lamar County school campuses.  This includes all sporting events or after-school activities.

 Voluntary Drug Testing Policy

All students in grades 9 – 12 are eligible to voluntarily participate in the drug testing upon submission of a consent form.  Students who sign a consent form shall be tested at the next random testing, shall remain eligible for drug testing throughout the entire school year, and shall become part of the testing pool subject to random drug testing.  Please see the district handbook for information regarding counseling services available for students who test positive.

 

Weekly Behavior Chart

Medication Authorization Form

Drug Screening Authorization