We believe all students can behave appropriately in our classrooms. We will not tolerate a student interrupting our teaching or interfering with another student’s learning.
Students, parents, and the staff of Cortez High School must share in the responsibility for creating the best possible school setting. In order to create a positive environment in which students can learn, we must expect:
· Demonstration of courtesy and respect for all people.
· Respect for all personal property.
· Appropriate behavior conducive to the school setting.
The following behaviors are neither appropriate nor conducive to the school setting:
· Disrespect or defiance.
· Unsafe conduct.
· Disrupting the educational process.
· Inappropriate language.
· Destruction of property.
Students at Cortez are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with expectations of parents, educators, and the community. Those who are uncooperative or violate the code of conduct will be referred to the Assistant Principal. Students are responsible for their own actions. See the Glendale Union High School District Student/Parent Handbook for the Code of Conduct and consequences at www.guhsdaz.org. Click the Student/Parent Handbook link to read the handbook.
The school day officially runs from 7:55 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. The hour from 2:35 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. is considered part of the regular school day. During this time, teachers may require student’s attendance for academic or disciplinary action.
A parent or guardian must call the Attendance Office at 623-915-8201 to excuse an absence by noon of the day following the absence. After school hours, voice mail is available for any messages. Since direct verbal communication between parents/guardians and the school is the best deterrent to truancy, notes will only be accepted with verbal confirmation from a parent. Parental support in attendance matters will allow the administration to deal promptly and effectively with those students who are absent without their parent’s permission.
Students may NOT leave campus during the school day without following the proper check out procedure. THIS INCLUDES LUNCH PERIOD! The correct checkout procedure is:
If a student needs to leave during the school day:
1. The parent will call the attendance office before school to provide the information regarding the checkout time and reason.
2. The student should arrive at Attendance Office prior to the checkout time to pick up a Permit to Leave Campus.
Students are expected to be in their assigned work station, ready to work when the late bell rings. If a student is tardy to class, he or she will be sent to the Attendance Office. Students that are tardy two (2) or more times during a semester will receive disciplinary consequences. Students that are tardy twice in one school day will be suspended on or off campus.
Students are required to carry passes issued by their teacher while out of class. Students who abuse this pass policy will have the privilege revoked. Students found on campus without a pass are subject to disciplinary action.
All students must be in possession of a current school ID when on campus or at a school sponsored event. If the ID card is lost, stolen, or damaged, it is the responsibility of the student to purchase a replacement ($5.00). ID cards can be purchased at the Bookstore before or after school.
The GUHSD Board recognizes that each student's mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance except when their choices affect the educational program of the schools or the health and safety of others. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop and enforce school regulations prohibiting student dress or grooming practices that:
Present a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school
o Specific programs may require specific attire to be worn
o No bedroom attire (slippers, blankets, etc.)
Materially interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program
o Pants and shorts must be worn at the waist
o All tops must have straps worn above the shoulder
o Undergarments of any kind cannot be visible
o No exposed cleavage, midriff, back, sides, buttocks or part of the torso
Represent membership in a gang
o No bandana print
o No Old English writing/lettering
Display obscene language or symbols, or symbols of sex, drugs, or alcohol on clothing
o Nothing may contain racial, ethnic, religious, handicap slurs etc.
*If clothing disrupts the educational process and is NOT listed, Cortez Administration reserves the right to decide what is deemed appropriate.
CD Players, radios, cell phones, laser pointers, cameras or other devices that disrupt the educational process are prohibited on campus. Skateboards and roller blades are not permitted on campus at any time. Students are not to have sports bottles or glass containers of any kind on campus. Permanent markers are prohibited at all times.
All student vehicles are to be parked in the student parking lot off Dunlap Avenue. Students must obtain a student parking pass from the Attendance Office; the cost is $25 for the year. Vehicles which are parked illegally, in faculty/visitor parking lot, or in a manner that blocks or hinders safe movement of others will be subject to disciplinary action and loss of parking privileges. Any vehicle entering the school grounds is subject to search by school authorities.
Students should be dropped off and picked up from the Dunlap Avenue parking lot or from the street curb on 31st Avenue. DO NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP STUDENTS IN THE 31ST AVENUE PARKING LOT.
In an effort to reduce the danger associated with crossing Dunlap Avenue, students may be suspended for crossing Dunlap Avenue at a place other than at designated crosswalks.
Food will be allowed in the cafeterias, the quad (do not cross the red lines), and the snack bar area. Please place trash in the appropriate containers upon leaving your area. Students leaving trash around campus will be subject to disciplinary action. Food and drink are not to be taken into the classroom. Students are not to sell candy or other food items in the buildings.
Due to the volume of calls coming in to the school, it is not possible to relay messages to students except in emergencies. Classrooms will not be interrupted to give messages or deliver forgotten items to students. The teacher will be contacted between classes and asked to send the student to the office to pick up a message or forgotten items during non-class time.
No food deliveries will be permitted on campus and the office will turn deliveries away.
Students are not to receive flowers, balloons, cakes, or other celebratory items during school hours. These items will remain in the Attendance Office until school is dismissed.
After school detention will be held from 2:35 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. All students must have their valid school I.D. card to enter. Doors will be closed and locked at 2:40 p.m. Late students will not be admitted. Students must have schoolwork to occupy the entire two-hour period. Failure to comply with the rules may result in further disciplinary action.
On occasion, after school detention may be rescheduled due to illness or emergency. A phone call to the attendance office by the parent/guardian before the assigned detention is required to reschedule. Requests for rescheduling may be denied. If an 8th hour/AE class is required the same day as an after school detention, one hour may be served in assigned 8th hour class and the other in after school detention.
It is highly recommended that students not bring personal property to school. Cortez High School assumes no responsibility for any personal property which is brought to school.
A lost and found is maintained in the Attendance Office. Students finding items on campus are asked to turn them into the Attendance Office. If the owner can be identified, the items are returned. If you lose something, check with the Attendance Office to see if it has been turned in.
Visitors on campus during school hours, before, or after school, must register in the Front Office and be issued a visitor’s pass. Prior approval must be obtained from teachers and administration 24 hours in advance of the visit. Visitors not in possession of a pass will be subject to the trespass laws of the State of Arizona.
Students may call the Attendance Office during the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to make an anonymous call to give information pertaining to destruction of school property, vandalism or criminal activity on our campus. The phone number to call is (623) 915-8208.
All students shall attend the required assemblies. The Cortez student body maintains a reputation for being a fine audience. All student body assemblies will be called to order and dismissed by your student body president or an officer serving in this capacity.
The Media Center of Cortez High School is delighted to provide materials, services, and programs that complement the student experience. The Media Center is open from 7:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. Individual students are only admitted by pass during class hours. The student must present his/her I.D. card to check out materials.
Also located in the Media Center, the Computer Lab is available for student use during regular Media Center hours. While working on the computers students must:
· Contribute to a positive learning environment
· No food, gum, candy, or drinks
· Proper use of equipment (students will be required to make restitution of $75.00 per hour for damage to hardware or software.)
· No infringement of copyright laws
· Sit in assigned seat at all times
· Students must have their I.D. card
· Log onto your personal account only
· No inappropriate internet use
Computer violations may result in loss of computer privileges.
The Heath Center is located in the Administration Building. When accidents or illness occur during school hours, emergency care will be given according to the standing orders. The student must obtain a pass from his/her teacher to go to the Health Center. The nurse may, based on their judgment, give the student permission to go home or they may send the student back to class. Any further care is the responsibility of the parents