Student Handbook

2008-2009 SCHOOL SCHEDULE

2008-2009 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

ATTENDANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Because of the commitment of Francis Tuttle to prepare students for jobs/careers, many of the policies and procedures of the school reflect those found in the work place rather than those typically found in a school.
 
Students are expected to attend classes and be in class on time. Violation of this policy may result in withdrawal.

Absences: An absence is defined as missing more than 30 minutes of class time. Attendance of 91% of scheduled hours per semester is expected for successful completion. Students may not exceed nine percent (9%) absences. Based on a half-time, first of semester entry date, these percentages equate to:

• Students are allowed a maximum of 8 absences per semester. Adult students who exceed 8 absences are withdrawn; high school students who exceed 8 absences are withdrawn or returned to the home school and may forfeit credit for the semester.
• At 4 absences (5% of scheduled hours), students are placed on probation.
• Attendance is prorated for students entering during the semester or who are on a non-traditional schedule. See instructor if this applies.

Tardies: Students arriving late or leaving class early, resulting in missing 30 minutes or less of class, will be marked tardy. Each incident will count as one tardy. Three tardies equal one absence.

Make-Up Time: It may be possible for a student to arrange for make-up time with the instructor. The availability of this opportunity will depend upon the instructor's schedule, class load and a student's past performance in class.

Make-up time slips must be given to the Attendance Office for credit to be received.

• Saturday class will be available for make-up purposes through Campus Administration.
• Students will be allowed to make-up 12 hours per semester if half-time; 24 hours if full-time.

Withdrawal: Students withdrawn for attendance may seek readmission through Campus Administration or the Instructional Director.

The following are special provisions that apply to adult and/or high school students:

Adult Students:

• Students who miss five (5) consecutive days without contacting the school will be withdrawn.
• Bereavement leave for the immediate family are exempted absences and do not count against the 91% attendance requirement.
• A leave of absence may be granted to a student for five (5) consecutive days or greater (not to exceed 20 class days) and must be approved by the instructor, in addition to the instructional director or student advisor. A leave of absence will be granted only one time in a twelve -month period. A student must be enrolled 20 school days days in each school year to be eligible for a leave of absence.
• Pre-approved required jury duty, court appearance and military duty are exempted absences and do not count against the 91% attendance requirement.

High School Students:

• Pre-approved home school activities, illness with a doctor's note, or bereavement leave for the immediate family are exempted absences and do not count against the 91% attendance requirement.
• NOTE: For approval of home school activities, students must have at least a grade of "C" in their FT class and not be on probation. An activity form must be completed at least three (3) days in advance and must be signed and approved by the instructor.
• When high school students exceed 8 absences, they receive NG (no grade), thereby receiving no high school credit.
• Students who exceed the attendance policy may forfeit the opportunity to attend the remainder of the current semester and the following semester.

All Students:

• Pre-approved job interviews, job orientations and professional workshops are exempted absences and do not count against the 91% attendance requirement.
• Absences will NOT be excused for agency appointments. Appointments are to be scheduled after school hours.
• Exempted absence documentation is to be submitted to the Attendance Office within 5 days of absence. 
• Students who exceed the attendance policy may forfeit the opportunity to attend the remainder of the current semester and the following semester.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Students are responsible for their own accident and health insurance. Information on school accident insurance for high school students is available at the home high school.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Students may be disciplined, including suspension from school for any of the following acts while on the school campus, school-sponsored field trips or activities, school buses, or attending school activities.

• Arson, extortion, forgery, gambling.
• Any use of cell phones during class time. (Cell phones are to be turned OFF during class time.)
• Cheating, plagiarism.
• Conduct that threatens or jeopardizes the safety of others.
• Cutting class or sleeping, eating or refusing to work in class.
• Disruption of the educational process or operation of the school, creating or attempting to create a disturbance or repeated classroom disturbances.
• Driving a privately owned vehicle on school property in a reckless or unsafe manner.
• Failure to attend assigned detention, alternative school or other disciplinary assignment without approval.
• Failure to comply with state immunization records.
• False reports or false calls.
• Fighting.
• Hazings (initiations) in connection with any school activity.
• Immorality, indecent exposure.
• Inappropriate attire.
• Inappropriate behavior or gestures, inappropriate public behavior.
• Obscene language, physical or verbal abuse, profanity, vulgarity.
• Possession of caustic substances.
• Possession of obscene materials.
• Possession, threat or use of a dangerous weapon and related instrumentalities (i.e., bullets, shells, gunpowder, pellets, etc.).
• Possession, use, distribution, sale, conspiracy to sell or possess or being in the chain of sale or distribution, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages, low-point beer (as defined by Oklahoma law, i.e., 3.2 beer) and/or controlled substances.
• Sexual or other harassment of individuals including, but not limited to, students, school employees, volunteers.
• Theft.
• Threatening behavior (whether involving written, verbal or physical actions).
• Use of any tobacco products.
• Use or possession of missing or stolen property if property is reasonably suspected to have been taken from a student, a school employee, or the District.
• Using racial, ethnic or sexual epithets.
• Vandalism.
• Violation of the Board of Education policies, rules, or regulations or violation of school rules and regulations.
• Violation of Internet Use Statement, accessing sites not applicable to program.
• Wearing of gang colors and paraphernalia associated with gangs.
• Willful damage to District property.
• Willful disobedience of a directive of any school personnel, open or persistent defiance of authority to any school personnel, whether in or away from school.

Any high school student who is in violation of the policies and procedures of Francis Tuttle may be suspended by the administration. The suspension shall not extend beyond the current school semester and the succeeding semester. The student suspended shall have the right to appeal the decision of the administrator in accordance with student appeal policy.

In cases of suspension of a high school student, home school administrators and parents will be notified by telephone, letter or other means. During the time a student is suspended, he/she is excluded from all school activities, including extracurricular activities.

Adult students are required to adhere to the same standards of conduct as secondary students. Consequently, the Superintendent or his/her designee and selected administrators shall have the authority to implement disciplinary procedures with any adult student who is in violation of the policies and procedures of Francis Tuttle. The discipline policy applies while on Francis Tuttle property, while in attendance at any Francis Tuttle sponsored activity, or while under the general supervision of school personnel, regardless of location.

DRESS CODE

Clothing should be appropriate and should be neat, clean, inoffensive and decent. Some examples of inappropriate attire are clothing or accessories that display obscene or profane language or symbols, or that unduly expose the body (for example, bare midriffs, clothing that allows undergarments to be visible when the student is sitting or walking, tank tops, short-shorts). Prohibited are the nude look, see-through blouses and revealing fashions without appropriate concealing undergarments. For health reasons, footwear is necessary. Hair should be neat, clean and well-groomed at all times.

Any type of wearing apparel that distracts from the classroom atmosphere will be considered inappropriate. Modesty and the avoidance of distracting influences are the key to appropriate dress. Additional guidelines may be required within programs or departments.

USE OF TOBACCO

The use of all tobacco products that includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chewing tobacco or any other form of tobacco product is prohibited on school district property. This policy is applicable to all campuses including buildings and grounds. This policy also applies to personal vehicles parked on school grounds.

USE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Francis Tuttle does not permit students to use or be under the influence of a controlled substance on school property. A student suspected of being in possession of or under the influence of a controlled substance will be subject to the procedures outlined in the policy adopted by the Board of Education which includes counseling and suspension or dismissal from school. A copy of the policies and procedures related to controlled substances is available from your instructor or from an administrator.

POSSESSION OR USE OF WEAPONS

Students are prohibited from the possession or use of any weapon on school property, at a school function, in a locker, on a school bus, in a personal vehicle or in transit to or from school or any District function.

A weapon under this policy includes, but is not limited to guns; rifles; pistols; shotguns; any device which throws, discharges or fires objects, bullets, or shells; knives; explosive or incendiary devices; hand chains; metal knuckles; or any other object that can reasonably be considered a weapon or dangerous instrument; or any object that is used as a weapon or dangerous instrument. Included in this prohibition is any facsimile or counterfeit weapon resembling a weapon.

Any student who knowingly aids, accompanies and/or assists in the violation of this policy shall also be deemed in violation and shall be subject to discipline in the same manner as any student who directly violates this policy.

Students found in violation shall be subject to mandatory discipline. The student shall be suspended for not less than 10 days and not more than a year. Possession of a firearm shall result in a one-year suspension. The District Attorney's office will be notified and prosecution may occur.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY

Students may be placed on Academic Probation if they are not making satisfactory progress. Terms of the Academic Probation will be determined by the instructor and the instructional director of the department. If the terms of the Academic Probation are not met, the student may be dismissed for a minimum of the current semester and succeeding semester.

WITHDRAWAL BY STUDENT

A student desiring to withdraw from Francis Tuttle must notify the instructor. Francis Tuttle will coordinate withdrawals of high school students with the home high schools. All school property is to be returned at the time of withdrawal. All financial obligations must be cleared before final withdrawal.

COLLEGE CREDIT

Qualified adult and high school students enrolled may concurrently enroll at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), OSU-Okmulgee and OSU-Oklahoma City and receive transcripted college credit toward an associate degree.

TRANSCRIPTS/CERTIFICATE REQUESTS

Students desiring a copy of a transcript or certificate must make the request in writing with the department secretary for the career major in which the student is enrolled. Transcripts/certificates will be mailed or ready for pick-up within three working days of request. All financial obligations must be cleared before a transcript/certificate will be issued.

CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES

The Career Planning Center (CPC) offers a variety of services to facilitate student development in the academic, career, and personal/social areas. The CPC staff includes certified and licensed professional counselors. For more information regarding guidance and counseling services, see the Francis Tuttle web site at www.francistuttle.com.

TUITION POLICY

One-third of the semester's tuition is due prior to or on the first day of class unless the student has been approved for financial aid.

Fall/Spring Semester:  Refunds of tuition will be made only for whole blocks in which the student does not attend at all. Refunds will not be prorated for less than one full block.  "New" students to Francis Tuttle who drop during the first two weeks of their first enrollment block will receive a full refund for payments they have made.

Summer Semester:   No refund will be given to students who withdraw on or after the block start date.

For students who receive federal financial aid, Francis Tuttle follows the Federal Title IV Return of Funds policy which may be accessed at the Francis Tuttle web site, www.francistuttle.com.

Deferred payment plans will include a $25 processing fee. Enrollment termination will occur if payment is one week past due. Students enrolling after the 9th week of the semester will be required to pay entire tuition for the remainder of the semester to secure enrollment. Confirmed financial aid applicants may qualify for tuition and book deferrals (maximum book deferrals are $300). No Deferred Payment Plan is available after the first nine weeks of a semester. No plans shall be written for Small Business Management and hourly enrollments for a term of less than eight weeks.

PERMIT TO LEAVE

Checking out early can be accomplished through the Campus Administration office in the Campus Center or with the student's respective instructional director. Parental permission will be secured before a high school student is released.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus transportation is provided to each high school in the district. Students riding the bus are expected to conduct themselves on the school bus the same as in the classroom. The bus driver has the same authority as the instructor.

DRIVING PRIVILEGES

Cars must be parked properly upon arrival and not moved until the end of the class session.  Students will not be permitted to loiter in the parking lots or sit in their cars before or after school, during break or lunch period.  The speed limit for all automobiles is posted.  If, at any time, students violate the rules and regulations concerning their use of personal vehicles, driving privileges may be revoked and the student will be required to find other means of transportation.  Security personnel in the parking lots have the same authority as the instructor.

STUDENT/EMPLOYEE SAFETY

The Board of Education, administration and staff of Francis Tuttle are committed to providing a safe learning and working environment. The school is in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations pertaining to the safety of the facilities, equipment and materials.

Each student must pass a safety examination before beginning to use equipment which might be hazardous.

HONOR SOCIETIES

NATIONAL CAREER TECH HONOR SOCIETY
MU ALPHA THETA
Membership is extended to students who qualify.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

High school and adult students enrolled at Francis Tuttle are encouraged to participate in one of several student organizations which offer leadership development activities as well as skills and leadership competition at the local, district, state and national levels.

• SkillsUSA - For students in Industrial and Technical, Portland Campus, and Occupational Services.
• BPA - BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS OF AMERICA. For students in the Information Technology programs.
• HOSA - HEALTH OCCUPATIONS STUDENTS OF AMERICA. For students in Health Sciences programs.
• FCCLA - FAMILY, CAREER AND COMMUNITY LEADERS OF AMERICA. For students in Early Care and Education of Children, Culinary Arts and Occupational Services.
• ISA - INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS AND AUTOMATION. For students enrolled at the Portland Campus.
• DECA - For students enrolled in the Marketing and Professional Sales and Quick Service Restaurant Management.

AVAILABILITY OF CONSUMER INFORMATION

The following information is available at the Francis Tuttle web site, francistuttle.com/consumerinfo. Students may also request copies of consumer information in writing from the Career Planning Center. Information includes:

• Rights under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
• Completion/Graduation rate for First-time, Full-time postsecondary students
• ? Institutional information including cost of attendance, procedures to withdraw, institutional refund policy, return of Title IV funds, academic support, licensing and accreditation
• Financial Assistance available to students and how to maintain continued eligibility for financial assistance
• Campus Security Report and Drug Prevention Program
• Admissions and enrollment information

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Any student enrolled at Francis Tuttle, who alleges a violation, misinterpretation or inequitable application of those rules and regulations set forth in student rules and regulations or discrimination or harassment in programs/services on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status may seek resolution of the situation.

It is the desire of the administration and Board of Education that any grievance a student might have about a situation or procedure at the school be resolved in an informal manner. This would include discussing the problem or grievance with an instructor, an advisor, or an administrator.

However, in situations where a solution cannot be reached in this informal manner, steps for a formal hearing of the problem are detailed in the grievance procedures available in the Career Planning Center, from any administrator, and posted on student bulletin boards in each building.

APPEAL OF SUSPENSION OR WITHDRAWAL

Steps for appeal of suspension or withdrawal are detailed in official Board of Education policy and may be obtained from any administrator.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Francis Tuttle not to discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disabilities.  This policy shall be followed in the operation of its educational programs and activities, recruitment, admissions, employment practices and other educational services. Inquiries concerning application of this policy may be directed to the Human Resources Director, Rick Dimit, who serves as the Coordinator of Title IX; Section 504; and Americans with Disabilities Act for both campuses

SUPERINTENDENT
Kay Martin, Ph.D.

CHIEF OF STAFF
Tom Friedemann, Ed.D.

CHIEF ADM. OFFICER
Bruce Campbell

CHIEF TECH. OFFICER
Russ Hester

CHIEF OF CUSTOMER SERVICE
Stacy Meldrum, Ed.D.

CHIEF INST. OFFICER
Jane Vaughn, Ed.D.

CAMPUS ADMINISTRATOR/PRINCIPAL
Millie Clarke, Ph.D.

INSTRUCTIONAL DIRECTORS
Information Technology: Michelle Keylon
Health Sciences:  Jody Wemhaner
Portland Campus:  Malcolm Fowler
Industrial & Technical/Personal Services:  Bill Allen
Reno Campus:  Marie Howard
Off-Site Programs:  Carla High

FRANCIS TUTTLE
Portland Campus
3500 NW 150 St.
OKC, OK 73134

Reno Campus
7301 W Reno Ave.
OKC, OK 73127

Rockwell Campus
12777 N Rockwell
OKC, OK 73142