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Roundup: HCPSS Policy and Guideline Updates and Clarifications

September 27th, 2019

Below you can find some HCPSS policy and guideline updates and clarifications to ensure your family is aware of expectations for the 2019-20 school year.

Policy 1050 Tobacco-Free Environment
HCPSS has emphasized consequences related to vaping as part of of its Tobacco-Free Environment policy. The use, possession or sale of any tobacco or nicotine product or paraphernalia, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) used for vaping by students is prohibited in any setting in which students are responsible to school authority and/or supervision.

Policy 8010 Grading and Reporting: Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5
Most notably, teachers will report on students’ five learning behaviors–interpersonal skills, responsibility, perseverance, collaboration and initiative–in all subjects. Homework guidelines were also formalized. Policy 8010 for Grading and Reporting now covers Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 only. Middle school grading is now covered by Policy 8020.

Policy 8020 Grading and Reporting: Middle and High School
Policy 8020 now includes middle school grading and reporting. In lieu of interim reporting, teachers will notify parents of progress throughout the marking period through HCPSS Connect. W (Withdrawal) codes will be used to indicate that a student withdrew from a course more than the equivalent of four weeks (20 school days) from the start of the course. Additionally, extra credit is not offered in Grades 6-12, however students may be provided with opportunities to recover credit and demonstrate mastery through other relevant coursework. Clarifications are also provided for homework, which cannot count as more than 10% of a quarterly grade; grading practices for non-traditional courses; and assessments.

Policy 9210 Student Dress Code
The updated policy places the primary responsibility for a student’s attire with the student and parents. Updates include what students must wear, what students are permitted to wear and what is prohibited to wear. Student attire should minimize interruption to instruction. Student clothing can align with their gender, gender expression or gender identity. The policy also makes it clear that students may wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination.

PE Dress Guidelines for Students
Physical education students should wear clothing and footwear that allows for safe and free movement, and is conducive for learning. If a student is wearing clothes to school that adhere to the guidelines, they should not be required to change. Students who are not dressed safely to participate should not be forced to change but should instead be given an assignment aligned to the current unit of study and participate in a non-active role in class. Wearing or changing into a specific uniform for physical education class is not part of the physical education standards, curriculum, requirements or expectations.

For additional information, visit the Policies and Procedures and Physical Education web pages.