J. Everett Light Career Center

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Philosophy

It is the purpose of the J. Everett Light Career Center to provide the education and training needed by youth and adults to succeed in a chosen vocation and to bridge the gap between school and the world of work. It shall provide an alternative form of education by offering specialized education and training in a variety of recognized vocations in realistic settings.

JELCC is dedicated to preparing youth and adults for economic independence, personal fulfillment, and an appreciation for work and the dignity of the individual. It is our belief that a student’s self concept can become more positive through a better understanding of one’s personal interests, capabilities and short and long-range goals.

The curriculum and learning experiences are designed to enable students to obtain rewarding employment upon completion of the vocational programs and/or entrance in a post-secondary institution for further study. Students need to consider various career objectives while in school and, through counseling and guidance, make realistic and attainable career selections.

The J. Everett Light Career Center is dedicated to the principle that vocational education complements the student’s total curriculum, and expands opportunities and choices upon completion of the vocational program. It is dedicated to those students who need, want, and can profit from this type of educational opportunity.

Mission Statement

The J. Everett Light Career Center, with the commitment of its staff, parents, advisory committees, and employing community will prepare youth and adults, through quality vocational technical education, with the skills necessary to enter a chosen vocation and/or post-secondary program, encouraging economic and personal growth for all students.

Accidents and Insurance

J. Everett Light Career Center does not provide insurance for students. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide this coverage.

Admission Requirements

The J. Everett Light Career Center is open to any individual interested in training for a specific occupation or specializing in a particular facet of their current occupation.

High School Students: High School students must be enrolled in and attend classes at one of the participating high school as a regular student. The student must be at least 16 years of age and usually of junior or senior class ranking. Participating schools may establish additional criteria. Students may obtain an application from their Guidance Counselor.

Adults: The Career Center accepts enrollment of adults (those not currently attending a high school) for the purpose of fulfilling a specific career objective. These adult students are responsible for the tuition for the class (currently $2,500 per school year). High School students receive priority placement in each program. If space remains, adults are accepted to the program. Adult applications are accepted from April 1 through May 30 for the next school year.

Advisory Committees

Advisory committees are an integral part of each of our instructional programs. These committees are composed of individuals who work in or who are directly related to that particular instructional area. Each instructor is responsible for organizing an advisory committee that gives general direction and input to the program.

Advisory committees provide guidance on course content and equipment necessary to provide up to date instruction. Persons interested in serving on a committee are encouraged to call Mr. John Fox, Assistant Director at (317) 259-5265.

Attendance

Both parents and students should understand that all student absences require a call from a parent to the JEL Attendance Office at 259-5265 extension 4400 before 9:00 a.m. The reasons for the absence and the teacher (or class) name must be given.

If a call is not received, the absence will be considered unexcused. Excused absences will be recorded for the following reasons:

1. Death of an immediate family member

2. Exhibiting at the State Fair

3. Serving as a Page in the state legislature

4. School-sponsored field trips

5. Major religious holidays

6. Doctor or dental appointments

7. One absence to take a driver’s test

8. College visitations—two days per year for juniors and seniors

9. Precinct worker

10. Personal illness/injury

In addition to these reasons, JELCC excuses absences for the following

Home School activities (requested by administration)

ISTEP activities

Absence when home school is closed due to inclement weather

For an excused absence, a student, after his/her return to school, is given two (2) days for each day of absence to makeup any work missed. The teacher sets the due dates. The responsibility rests with the parents and students to obtain assignments and turn them in on time.

Students will be placed on Attendance Probation after eight (8) days of absence in a semester, excused or unexcused. Students may be removed from a program if they are absent twelve (12) or more days.

For an unexcused absence, all missed work and tests may be completed. If the make-up work and tests are completed by the date set by the teacher, seventy-five (75) percent credit of the grade earned will be recorded. In the case of truancy, no credit will be given to make-up work or tests missed.

Tardiness—Students are expected to be on time each day. Students late for class due to a late arriving bus will be considered excused. Students that are tardy due to oversleeping, car trouble, etc. are considered unexcused. Students are allowed three (3) tardies per semester. Students that are tardy four (4) times in one semester will receive an after school detention. A student receiving any additional tardies after the fourth tardy in the same semester will be suspended for each incident thereafter.

Prearranged Absence—Prearranged Absence forms are available from the Guidance Counselor. This form lists the days of absence and must be signed by the parent, student, and teacher. Prearranged absences are considered UNEXCUSED absences, however make-up work is accepted without penalty. Arrangements for make-up work will be determined prior to the absence. It is the responsibility of each student to contact his/her instructor for any make-up assignments.

Back To School Night

Early in the school year an evening open house is held for parents and interested community members. Parents of current student are urged to tour the Career Center and meet the staff. The 2001 Back-To-School Night is Monday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Books/Fees/Tuition

Secondary students enrolled in high schools participating with JELCC will be charged for books and fees through their home school. Adults not enrolled in a participating high school will be charged tuition and fees depending on the program in which they are enrolled.

Breaks

Each teacher has the option of one class break scheduled by the administration of the building. The break is not to exceed ten minutes in length and is to be taken only at the time assigned. Vending machines are available in the break room for the student’s convenience.

Calendar

All Career Center classes will follow the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township’s school calendar (see inside front cover of this booklet). All students are expected to be in attendance when the Career Center is open for classes.

Certificates

Certificates will be awarded to students who successfully complete a one or two-year course. These certificates are awarded at the Recognition Program held each spring.

Cheating

Cheating of any kind is considered a serious offense by the faculty and staff of the J. Everett Light Career Center. A student caught cheating the first time will lose all credit for that assignment or test. A student caught cheating for the second time will receive a failing grade for the course in which the second offense occurred. Cheating consequences are cumulative by semester.

First Offense—The teacher will complete a discipline referral to the Assistant Director. The Assistant Director will note the incident and inform the parents/guardian of the consequences of cheating.

Second Offense—The teacher will complete a discipline referral to the Assistant Director. The Assistant Director will notify the student, parent and home school that the student is to be withdrawn from the JELCC program.

Computer Usage

All Career Center students will have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art computer systems. Food and drink are not permitted in the Media Center, Computer Labs, and other others where computers are present.

All students will be required to sign and abide by the Internet and Other On-Line Access Contract. This contact states specific rules and procedures that a student must follow to use the computer and access the internet. These contracts will be distributed during the first few weeks of school. No student will be permitted to use the internet without a contract on file, signed by a parent/guardian.

Co-op Regular Programs

Students may be placed at training stations in the community during the last semester of their Career Center program. A training agreement will be signed by the student, employer, parent, and administration detailing specifics of the training to be provided.

Communication Equipment

Beepers, pagers, telephones, radios, electronic games, CD players or other similar equipment may not be brought to school. They will be confiscated and must be claimed by the parent/guardian of the student.

Credit

The J. Everett Light Career Center recommends that the home high school issue 3 credits for each semester of work successfully completed in a three-hour program and 2 credits for each semester of work successfully completed for a two-hour program.

Dress Code

Student dress is the responsibility of students and parents. However, the Career Center shares this responsibility in areas of health, safety, cleanliness of person and apparel, and classroom deportment. Students are expected to observe standards of common decency in their dress. Students shall not wear shirts or apparel advertising alcohol, sex, racism, hate, tobacco, drugs, Satanism, weapons, etc. Students will also not wear tank tops (including spaghetti-strapped or undershirts), short shorts, and short mini-skirts.

Some programs may have specific requirements for safety purposes. Also, some programs will require student to purchase and wear specific uniforms that are necessary to carry out the curriculum of the program.

Students are to be clean in appearance, and wear shoes or other similar footwear for reasons of health and safety. Headwear or sunglasses are not to be worn inside the school.

Driving/Parking

The home school will determine the need for individual students to drive to the Career Center. Each student operating a motor vehicle must obtain a parking sticker and display it in the rear window of his/her vehicle. The sticker cost is $2.00 and can be obtained after completing a Request for Parking Permit form that is available in the JELCC Bookstore. North Central students must obtain their parking permit at their school.

Driving privileges may be revoked for unsafe driving practices or violation of school rules.

Parking: Student vehicles must be parked in the lot on the south side of the Career Center. (the lot closest to the softball and football fields) Students who park in other locations may have their cars towed.

Drug Testing

Students enrolled in the J. Everett Light Career Center may be required to submit to a drug and alcohol test under the following circumstances:

1. The student violates the district policy and/or the school rules pertaining to use, possession, and/or being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

2. If an administrator, teacher, or other staff member has reasonable suspicion that a student might be using drugs and/or alcohol.

A copy of the regulations on student drug and alcohol testing is available from the Assistant Director of the Career Center.

Enrollment Procedure

Each participating high school shall be responsible for enrolling and assigning students to the J. Everett Light Career Center. The criteria used for selecting applicants will include educational background and school attendance. Students must complete an application with their home school Guidance Counselor. If a program becomes full, a waiting list will be established.

The Career Center counselor and faculty are available upon request to provide informational programs to groups of individual students regarding Career Center programs.

Field Trips

Most Career Center field trips should occur during the scheduled time for the program. The teacher must secure approval from all area principals whose students are involved and the Assistant Director of the Career Center two weeks in advance if the trip goes beyond the regular scheduled class time. The Assistant Director must approve all field trips.

Each student participating in a school-sponsored field trip must submit a signed parent permission form supplied by the teacher. The permission form is to be on file for each trip.

Grades

Each nine-weeks grading period the Career Center will send to each student’s home high school a letter grade indicating his/her progress toward a semester grade. The student will also receive a grade report from his/her teacher. The letter grade will be:

A Superior

B Above Average

C Average

D Below Average

F Failure

I Complete

Home School Special Events

Students should listen to home school announcements and watch bulletin boards for upcoming events. Students must get permission from the home school two days in advance to be excused from a J. Everett Light Career Center program for the special event. The home school counselor should notify the Career Center Guidance Counselor in advance of any absences due to home school events.

Identification

All students must have a home school identification card or have other means of identification. Students are to present their identification to any staff member upon request.

Lockers

Lockers are issued at the Career Center for student use to store supplies and personal items necessary for school use. Lockers shall not be used to store items which cause, or can reasonably be foreseen to cause an interference with school purposes or an educational function, or which are forbidden by state law or school rules.

Locker combinations are confidential and are not to be shared. The Career Center will retain access to all student lockers by keeping a master list of combinations for all lockers. Students may not use their own locks or other devices to prevent access by school officials. The Career Center retains the right to inspect all lockers to insure that they are being properly maintained, and used for it’s intended purpose. Lockers may also be inspected if the Director or his designee has reasonable suspicion that the locker contains items which cause, or can reasonably be foreseen to cause interference with school purposes or an educational function, or which are forbidden by state law or school rules.

The student’s use of the locker does not diminish the Career Center’s ownership or control of the locker. Except in an emergency the student will be notified and allowed to be present if they are on the school premises prior to their locker being inspected. Whenever a student’s locker has been inspected without the student’s presence, the student will be notified of the inspection as soon as possible. If a general inspection of all lockers is necessary in a defined area, students will not necessarily be given the opportunity to be present.

Lost and Found

The lost and found department is located in the Bookstore.

Media Center

The Career Center provides a well-equipped Media Center for student and community use. There are 12 computer stations for internet browsing, word processing, vocational learning, and other manner of careering. The center has approximately 3,000 books, 70 different magazines and a growing collection of career-orientated video tapes and cassettes available to borrow.

School Closing

Career Center students are encouraged to listen to the various radio and television stations to determine if the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township and the J. Everett Light Career Center are closed due to inclement weather. In the event a participating school is closed and the J. Everett Light Career Center is open, students from that participating school are NOT required to attend their Career Center class but may do so if they can safely travel.

School to Work Programs

Student Skills Guarantee

The J. Everett Light Career Center provides a written guarantee to an employer certifying that a graduate can perform tasks listed on a technical certificate. This certificate is granted to them based on their level of accomplishment upon completion of a program. Upon recommendation by the teacher, the Vocational Director provides a written guarantee that the graduate can perform the skills listed on the technical certificate. The Student Skills Guarantee is valid for a period of one year following completion of the program. Contact the Vocational Director for more information.

Support Services

All students enrolled in the program at the J. Everett Light Career Center are provided the opportunity for supportive assistance. JELCC employs both a full time Counselor, Special Needs Coordinator (room A305), and Industry/Community Liaison to work with any student requesting assistance. Students with identified special needs may include those with a disability who receive supports based on an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or a Section 504 plan, those who use English as a Second Language, or those who are academically or economically disadvantaged. These and other students may be at risk in vocational training and job preparation if supportive services, modifications, and adaptations are not available to them.

Support may be in the form of individual or group counseling, individual or small group tutoring, instructor assistance in curriculum, testing modifications, parent contact, assistance in providing job placement. In addition, students are encouraged to make use of peer tutoring and other supports available from their home high schools.

Students can receive career guidance, assistance with job placement and other post secondary information if requested. Career interest testing is also available.

There is no cost for any of these services.

Student Conduct

JELCC students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which will not impair the educational mission of the school. The following list of school regulations, when violated, may result in the detention, suspension or expulsion of a student from school. The rules apply to violations occurring on school property, at school functions off school property, or traveling to or from school-related activities.

I. Student Misconduct of Substantial Disobedience

A. Using violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or other comparable conduct constituting an interference with school purposes, or urging other students to engage in such conduct. The following enumeration is only illustrative of and not limited to the type of conduct prohibited:

i. Occupying any school building, school grounds or part thereof with the intent to deprive others of its use.

ii. Blocking the entrance or exits of any school, building, corridor, or room within with the intent to deprive others of lawful access to or from the use of the building, corridor, or room.

iii. Setting fire to or substantially damaging any school building or property.

iv. Preventing or attempting to prevent by physical act the convening or continued functioning of any school or education function, or of any meeting or assembly on school property.

v. Continuously and intentionally making noise or acting in any manner so as to interfere seriously with the ability of any teacher or any of the other school personnel to conduct the educational function under his/her supervision. (This ground shall not, however, apply where such conduct is constitutionally protected as an exercise of free speech or assembly or other rights under the Constitution of Indiana or the United States).

B. Intentionally causing or attempting to cause damage to school property or to private property.

C. Stealing or attempting to steal school property or private property.

D. Intentionally causing or attempting to cause physical injury or intentionally behaving in such a way as could reasonable cause physical injury to any person. (self-defense or reasonable action undertaken on the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some other person does not, however, constitute violation of this provision).

E. Threatening or intimidating any student for the purpose of, or with the intent of, obtaining money or anything of value from the student.

F. Knowingly possessing, using, or encouraging the unlawful use of, selling, transmitting, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or being under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic, drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, tobacco products, anabolic steroid, alcoholic beverage, stimulant, depressant, intoxicant of any kind, any controlled substance as defined under federal or state law, or any substance represented to be any one of the above. Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a physician licensed to practice in the State of Indiana is not a violation of this ground.

G. Knowingly possessing or using on school grounds during school hours an electronic paging device or a handheld portable telephone in a situation not related to a school program or educational function.

H. Engaging in a criminal law violation that constitutes a danger to students or constitutes an interference with school purposes or an educational function.

I. Failing in a substantial number of instances to comply with directions of teachers or other school personnel during any period of time when the student is properly under their supervision, where the failure constitutes an interference with school purposes or an educational function.

J. Engaging in conduct that is immoral, vulgar, profane, libelous, treasonous, insubordinate, or promotes racial or religious prejudice and constitutes an interference with school purposes or an educational function.

K. Engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior on school property.

L. Disobeying administrative authority in a manner which constitutes an interference with school purposes or an educational function.

M. Willful absence or tardiness of students.

II. Possession of a Firearm

A. No student shall possess, handle, transmit or bring to school or on school property any firearm.

B. The following devices are considered to be a firearm defined in section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code:

* any weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive

* the frame or receiver of any weapon described above

* any firearm muffler or firearm silencer

* any destructive device which is an explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or any similar device

* any weapon which will, or which may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant which has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter

* any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in the two immediately preceding examples, and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled

C. The penalty for violation of IIA is a minimum of ten(10) school days suspension pending an expulsion meeting, and, upon a finding of violation by the expulsion examiner, expulsion from school for one calendar year, with the return of the student to be at the beginning of the first school semester after the end of the one year period. The Superintendent may, on a case-by-case basis, modify the period of expulsion for a student who is expelled under this section. A student with disabilities (as defined in IC 20 1 6.1-7) who violates IIA is subject to procedural safeguards under the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

D. The Superintendent of Superintendent’s designee shall notify the office of the Marion County Prosecutor when a student is expelled under this ground.

III. Procession of a deadly weapon other than a firearm

A. A student who is identified as bringing a deadly weapon as defined in IC35-41-1-8 to school or on school property or who possesses a deadly weapon on school property may be expelled for a period of not more than one calendar year. The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee shall notify the office of Marion County Prosecutor when a student is expelled under this ground.

B. Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting a knife or any other object that can reasonably be considered a weapon or is represented to be a weapon constitutes grounds for suspension or expulsion.

IV. Legal Settlement

A student may be expelled from school if the student’s legal settlement is not in the attendance area of the district.

V. Other grounds

In addition to the grounds for suspension or expulsion set forth as example above, a student may be suspended or expelled for engaging in an unlawful activity on or off school grounds if the unlawful activity may reasonably be considered to be an interference with school purposes or an unlawful activity meeting the above criteria which takes place during weekends, holidays, other school breaks, and the summer period when a student may not be attending classes or other school functions.

Some examples of conduct which may result in detention, suspension, or expulsion under the above listed rules are:

a. Failure by the student to identify himself when addressed by any school staff member

b. Smoking on school grounds

c. Failure to report to the office when directed by school personnel

d. Fighting

e. Tampering with fire fighting equipment or the fire alarm system

f. Use of profanity

g. Violations of traffic or parking regulations

Disciplinary problems should be resolved at the teacher/student/parent level if possible. If the problem is not resolved at this level, the teacher may complete a conduct referral form and submit it to the Assistant Director. This conduct referral may result in verbal reprimand, detention, in-school suspension, behavior contract, suspension, expulsion or other behavior modification activity.

If a student is suspended or expelled from the Career Center, the student is also suspended or expelled from their home high school. A suspension/expulsion from a high school is also a suspension/expulsion from JELCC.

The participating school principal will receive a copy of all discipline referrals and will be contacted immediately in the case of a suspension or expulsion.

Student Organizations and Recognition

All students enrolled in the Career Center will be eligible and required to belong to and participate in one of the six youth clubs depending on the program in which they are enrolled. The following clubs are active in district, state, and national contests; have officers; participate in community projects; and enjoy a wide range of club activities:

Business Professionals of America

Distributive Education Clubs of America

Home Economics Related Occupations

Health Occupations Students of America

Tele-Communications Club

Vocational Industrial Clubs of America

Student Ambassadors: Each faculty member is asked to select two students from their program to become JEL Student Ambassadors. These Ambassadors assist with tours of the building, giving presentations about Career Center programs and assisting with various programs throughout the year.

National Vocational Honor Society: These qualified students participate in the National Vocational Honor Society. The National Vocational Honor Society is an international organization with chapters around the world. The teaching staff at JELCC believes this is a very positive program for our students. Student must be nominated by a teacher and meet academic and personal standards. The society recognizes academic excellence, as well as student occupational proficiencies.

Student of the Month: Every month each teacher will designate a Student of the Month for their particular program. The student’s picture will be displayed and a letter of recognition will be sent to the principal of the home school.