DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION

Mailing address for all departments is 12400 SW 15th Street, Yukon  OK, 73099

Departments

Elementary Curriculum

Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction

Misty Eidson

eidsonm@mustangps.org

Intermediate and Middle School Curriculum

Director of Intermediate and Middle School Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Robbyn Glinsmann

glinsmann@mustangps.org

High School ELA and Social Studies Curriculum

Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction

Educational Technology and Virtual Instruction for grades PreK-12

cummingss@mustangps.org

High School Math and Science Curriculum

Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction

Assessments for grades PreK-12

Dr. Lesa Rohrer

rohrerl@mustangps.org

Fine Arts

Director of Fine Arts

Dr. Mike Raiber

raiberm@mustangps.org

Child Nutrition

Director of Child Nutrition

Kay Rainwater

rainwatern@mustangps.org

Transportation

Director of Transportation

Donnie Ryan

ryand@mustangps.org

Mailing address for all sites is 12400 SW 15th Street, Yukon  OK, 73064

Elementary Schools (PreK - 4th grade) 

Centennial Elementary School

Jennifer Hodde, Principal
Lauren Sanders, Assistant Principal
405.256.6466
700 South Czech Hall Road
Mustang, OK  73064

Lakehoma Elementary School

Shawna Carter, Principal
Karen Bush, Assistant Principal
405.376.2409
224 South Clear Springs Road
Mustang, OK  73064

Mustang Creek Elementary School

Leah Anderson, Principal
Kayleen Browning, Assistant Principal
405.324.4567
10821 Southwest 15th Street
Yukon, OK  73099

Mustang Elementary School

Andrea Peterson, Principal
Kaylee Kuykendall, Assistant Principal
405.376.2491
400 South Mustang Road
Mustang, OK  73064

Mustang Trails Elementary School

Jami Hasty, Principal
Lindsey Coffey, Assistant Principal
405.324.0016
12025 Southwest 15th Street
Yukon, OK  73099

Mustang Valley Elementary School

Jennifer Young, Principal
Elizabeth Brown, Assistant Principal
405.324.2541
3001 S Morgan Road
Oklahoma City, OK  73179 

Prairie View Elementary

Jandra Honeman, Principal
Amanda Boucher, Assistant Principal
405.256.6989
9201 SW 59th Street
Oklahoma City, OK  73179

Riverwood Elementary

Jessika Hill, Principal
Amy Armstrong, Assistant Principal
405.256.5200
1800 SW 44th Street
Mustang, OK  73064

Intermediate Schools (5th - 6th grade)

Canyon Ridge Intermediate Center

Christy Woodson, Principal
Dolly Thomas,  Assistant Principal
405.256.6955
3600 S. Sara Road
Mustang, OK  73064

Meadow Brook Intermediate Center

Jessica Giblet, Principal
Taylir Thompson, Assistant Principal
405.256.5250
12500 SW 15th Street
Yukon, OK  73099

Mustang Horizon Intermediate Center

Deana Ellis, Principal
Jennifer Meacham, Assistant Principal
405.256.6282
430 W Forster Drive
Mustang, OK  73064

Middle Schools (7th - 8th grade)

Mustang Central Middle School

Lisa Stacey, Principal
Matt Mitchell, Assistant Principal
Lauren Hunt, Assistant Principal
405.256.5275
11820 SW 44th Street
Mustang, OK  73064

Mustang Middle School

Ramae Collins, Principal
Richard Mead, Assistant Principal
Ryen Muralt, Assistant Principal
405.376.2448
1145 S. Heights Drive
Mustang, OK  73064

Mustang North Middle School

Christy Bradley, Principal
Kameron Hill, Assistant Principal
Brandi Owen, Assistant Principal
405.324.2236
10901 SW 15th Street
Yukon, OK  73099

High School (9th - 12th grade)

Mustang High School

Dr. Kathy Knowles, Principal

Craig Chestnut, Assistant Principal (12th)

Renee Boatman, Assistant Principal (9th - 11th A-G)

Chad Harper, Assistant Principal (9th - 11th A-G)

Kaitlin Hensley, Assistant Principal (9th - 11th H-O)

Jared Homer, Assistant Principal (9th - 11th H-O)

Danny Brown, Assistant Principal (9th - 11th P-Z)

Katy Korstjens, Assistant Principal (9th - 11th P-Z)

Cody Little, Assistant Principal (Communication & Campus Engagement)

Keli Wilkie, Assistant Principal (Student Support & Curriculum)

405.376.2404

801 South Snyder Drive

Mustang, OK  73064

Mustang Education Center (PreK & 9-12)

Greg Frederick, Principal
405.376.7322
400 North Clear Springs Road
Mustang, OK  73064

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS (PreKindergarten-6th Grade)

Principals and teachers, with the aid of evaluative criteria, will group students in the classes that will provide 

the best possible learning situation.  It is recommended that once a student is assigned to a group that 

he/she continues with that group for the school year. 

CLOSING OF SCHOOL

In the event school must be canceled for any reason, the announcement will be made on local news stations 

prior to 6:00 a.m. when possible. MPS will also post the information on the district web site at 

www.mustangps.org and social media. 

DOCTOR NOTE REQUIREMENTS

All Doctor notes must be on provider letterhead with specific date(s) for all excused absences for each illness. 

Doctor Notes must be verifiable by including the provider’s contact information. 

EMERGENCY SIGNALS

Due to the differences in intercom systems throughout the district, each site administrator will be responsible 

for educating students, parents and staff of emergency signals for the school.  Students should remember to 

conduct themselves in a safe and orderly manner when a drill is being conducted.

FFA SCHOOL FARM/ BARN GENERAL RULES AND POLICIES - Excerpt from Policy 5152

Only FFA members who are enrolled in Mustang Public Schools Ag Ed program may house animals in the   barn. Pens will be made available to Mustang 4-H members by nomination dates at the discretion of the Ag Ed Instructor. In order to house animals in the barn, members must complete a barn contract and be in good standing with the Mustang FFA program. No animals will be housed in the barn until these requirements are met. Additional information will be provided from the Ag Ed instructors.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips will be made only with the prior approval of the building principal, administrative designee and 

transportation director.  Advance written consent of the student's parent or legal guardian is required for any 

off-campus field trip.  Field Trips do not include interscholastic contests or extracurricular activities where 

students perform or compete.

The Mustang Board of Education recognizes educational field trips as part of the curriculum.  The following 

criteria should be considered in deciding whether or not a field trip would be a beneficial experience for 

students:

• Would this field trip be a better experience for students than other activities which might be conducted within the school building?

• Would the students benefit more from the field trip than they would from  a virtual learning experience, a guest speaker, experiment, project, etc?

There will be two (2) class parties per year which will be determined by each elementary site.  Teachers will 

notify all parents of food allergies in their child’s classroom. Teachers will encourage parents to limit sugary 

items, and provide a variety of foods for students to choose from. Store-bought foods with nutritional 

information is encouraged. 

Parents are requested to refrain from bringing preschool children, younger children or siblings to class parties, 

as their attention needs to be directed to assisting with the party's events for the students and assisting the 

teacher during this time. No audio or video recordings are allowed during the parties.

Birthday party invitations are never to be distributed at school and birthday parties are not hosted in 

classrooms. Birthday snacks may be provided by parents, but should be limited to no more than one day per 

month, as determined by the teacher, to protect instructional time. 

Parents of students with allergies will be notified when treats will be provided so they will have the opportunity 

to provide alternate treats for their child if necessary.

All celebrations must be arranged through the classroom teacher.  

FOOD DELIVERY

No 3rd party food delivery to schools will be allowed (example: Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc)

PERSONAL ITEMS

Students are not to bring any toys, including toys that look like “fake” weapons, electronic games, cameras, 

etc. to school without permission from the teacher or an administrator. 

THE SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGED, LOST OR STOLEN PERSONAL ITEMS. 

PETITIONS AND SURVEYS

Neither petitions nor surveys for any cause may be circulated in the school without the permission of the principal.

PLAYGROUND EXPECTATIONS

Students will follow all playground rules and procedures established by the individual teacher(s) and/or 

principal at each school site.  Children should be dressed appropriately for outdoor activities.  Outdoor 

activities such as recess will take place unless there is inclement weather; wind chill of thirty-two (32) degrees 

or less, or heat index of 100 degrees or more. In order to ensure the safety of all students, visitors will not 

be allowed on the playground during scheduled recess times or during Bronco Club hours.

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION - All students Grades 9-12

Students must be in possession of a school issued student ID at all times. Our preference continues to be that each student would have their ID visible, but it will only be required that it is always on their person

(physical or digital). When students arrive at school and learn they are not in possession of the student ID (physical or digital) they can report to the media center between 8:00AM and 8:40AM to purchase a new ID. The need for replacement due to lost, damaged or stolen IDs will be at the cost to

the student at $10.00 each. If asked by any school staff member, students must be able to provide their student ID (physical or digital) to confirm their enrollment as a current MHS student. If a student is asked to present their ID and they fail to have it on their person (physical or digital), they will result in disciplinary action.  

If a student is not able to produce their student ID upon request the student will receive:

• 1st offense: ISI for three days.  However, after day 1 the student will return to their class once they produce their ID. 

• 2nd offense: suspension for 1 day. The student will be suspended for the remainder of the school day. All incidents following 1:00 p.m. will result in the suspension lasting through the following school day. 

STUDENT INSURANCE

The only students who are insured are those students whose parents have obtained a Student Accident 

Insurance Policy made available at the beginning of each school term.  This is only a limited accident policy; it 

does not cover illness.  If additional insurance coverage is desired, parents should purchase trip insurance 

from a private carrier.

USE OF THE MEDIA CENTER

Our goal is to provide a welcoming atmosphere for student research, facilitate learning and personal growth 

and promote a love for reading.

The media center provides a wide selection of materials and equipment for student use – books, magazines, 

newspapers, and computers.  

The following rules shall be observed when visiting the media center:

Elementary

• No more than two (2) books may be checked out at one time.

• Regular library materials may be checked out for two (2) weeks. After the (2) week period, the materials are allowed to be re-checked out by the same person.

• The loss of any material will be paid for by the person having checked it out.

• Every student will get the opportunity to visit the library on a regular basis.

• No food, gum chewing or drink is allowed in the Media Center.

Intermediate & Middle School

• No more than two (2) books may be checked out at one time.

• Regular library materials may be checked out for two (2) weeks. After the (2) week period, the materials are allowed to be re-checked out by the same person.

• Reference material may be checked out only overnight.

• The loss of any material will be paid for by the person having checked it out (fines will be assessed for overdue materials).

• Every student will get the opportunity to visit the library on a regular basis.

• No food, gum chewing or drink is allowed in the Media Center.

Many activities are scheduled in the Media Center such as book reviews, book fairs, guest speakers, contests and virtual learning experiences. 

High School

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:05 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.; Friday, 8:05 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The following rules shall be observed when visiting the media center:

• No student has the right to interfere with the learning of another student or the purpose of an activity.

• A student may have up to two (2) items checked out under his/her name at one time.

• Students will check out books and other items at the circulation desk; regular books check out for a period of two (2) weeks and can be renewed for an additional two (2) weeks if necessary.  Magazines can be checked out during the school day and are due at the end of 6th period.  Reference items can be checked out overnight and can be renewed one (1) time.

• The loss of any material will be paid for by the person having checked it out (fines will be assessed for overdue materials).

• Students entering the media center must have a pass designating his/her purpose, signed and dated by his/her teacher.  No passes are required for the lunch hour.

• Any student possessing media center materials without having checked them out will be denied the privilege of using the media center for the remainder of the semester.

• Items can be returned in a book drop or taken to the circulation desk for check in.

• Any fine(s) or overdue book(s) must be remedied before a student can check out anything else in his/her name.

• Students must place unwanted items in their proper place on the shelf or bring them to the circulation desk for re-shelving.

• Books must be returned and fines paid before a student leaves the school either by withdrawing or graduating.

• No food or drinks are permitted in the media center.

• All media center records are final.

TRESPASSING

The campuses are private property owned by Mustang Public Schools.  School administration has the legal authority when warranted to request for an individual to exit the property.  The request could apply to any adult, visitor, or student.  In the event an individual does not comply with the request the Director of School Safety and Security and local law enforcement will be contacted.  At that point law enforcement and MPS have legal authority to implement consequences if needed.  

USE OF TELEPHONES

Students should use the telephone in the school office.  Neither teachers nor students will be called to the 

telephone during a class period unless it is an emergency.

VISITORS

Parents are encouraged to visit the school.  All guests are required to check in at the school office first 

and receive a visitor’s pass. Check in will require a valid photo ID. If a parent/guardian wishes to visit a 

classroom, the following guidelines must be followed.

Classroom Visitor Guidelines

• Parent(s)/guardian(s) will need to submit a request to a building administrator with a 24 hour notice to request to observe a classroom. Upon approval of request, a building administrator or designated appointee will schedule the visitation. Classroom visits may not exceed one hour. ISI classrooms are not available for classroom visits due to student confidentiality. 

• Parent(s)/guardian(s) should not disrupt the learning environment in any way.  If the visitor has concerns or questions regarding the curriculum, classroom, or teacher, a meeting can be arranged at a future date and time.  Disrupting the classroom is not an option, the parent or guardian will be asked to leave the room immediately if disruption occurs. 

• Parent(s)/guardian(s) are not allowed to record any part of the school or classroom; including video, photo, or audio due to the privacy of other students. 

• Parent(s)/guardian(s) can take notes while observing. 

• Parent(s)/guardian(s) should not engage in conversation with the teacher or any students, including their personal child while observing the classroom.

• Convicted sex offenders will not be permitted.

• Administration may determine at any time that classroom observations will not be allowed.  His or her decision is not subject to review. 

VOTING INFORMATION

All registered voters who live within the MPS attendance area are allowed to vote in bond elections and other 

school related issues.  The privilege of voting is not dependent on residing within the twelve (12) square miles 

of the Mustang City limits, but on residing within the seventy (70) square miles comprising the Mustang 

School District.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY

Policy #5020   

Educational programs are built on the foundation of continuity of instruction and participation in the classroom setting. Consistent classroom attendance can lead to the development of strong work habits, responsibility, and self-discipline. Because attendance also has a definite correlation to academic performance, the quality of a student’s education suffers when he/she is absent from class. Students are encouraged to maintain regular attendance and to schedule non-academic activities during times which will not conflict with classroom instruction.

Students will be recorded as “absent” when they are late to their assigned class or do not attend in accordance with each building’s administrative regulations. This will apply to both the regular schedule and to a modified schedule.

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

It shall be unlawful for a parent, guardian, or other person having custody of a child who is over the age of five (5) years, and under the age of eighteen (18) years, to neglect or refuse to cause or compel such child to attend and comply with the rules of some public, private or other school, unless he or she is exempted by one of the following conditions: 

1. Such child has been screened as required by Oklahoma School Law and has been determined not to be ready for kindergarten, or a parent, guardian, or other person having custody of the child, provides by certified mail prior to enrollment or at any time during that first year, notification of election to withhold the child from kindergarten until the next school year after the child is six (6) years of age, or unless other means of education are provided for the full term the schools of the district are in session. One-half (1/2) day of kindergarten shall be required of all children five (5) years of age or older as appropriately provided for by Oklahoma School Law. 

2. Such child has completed the 12th grade. It shall be unlawful for any child who is over the age of sixteen (16) years and under the age of eighteen (18) years, and who has not finished four (4) years of high school work, to neglect or refuse to attend and comply with the rules of some public, private or other school, or receive an education by other means for the full term the schools of the district are in session except as provided by Oklahoma School Law.

3. Other conditions as stated in Article 10, Section 229 of the School Law of Oklahoma. Parents or guardians who fail to comply with the attendance law may be charged with a misdemeanor.  70 O.S. § 10-105. (See student handbook for other attendance policies.)

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

Definitions.  The following words and terms, when used in the Section, Shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) "Chronic absenteeism" means absence from school at least ten percent (10%) of the time that school is in session and the student is included in membership.

(2) "Significant medical condition" means, for the purposes of the Section, a severe, chronic, or life-threatening physical or mental illness, infection, injury, disease, or emotional trauma.

CATEGORIES OF ABSENCES

Excused Absence: 

     A.  Excused Absences will be granted in accordance with 70 O.S. § 10-105.

1. The student is excused from attending school by reason of mental or physical disability a         determined by the district upon receipt of written recommendation by a duly licensed and practicing physician. 

2. The student is excused from attendance at school during observance of a religious holiday. 

3. The student is excused from attendance at school if the absence is deemed by the principal and parent/guardian to be an emergency. 

4. The student is excused with a Physician’s diagnosis accompanying documentation. 

5. The student is excused with a documented court appearance. 

2. A student is excused from attendance if the parent/legal guardian has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting and may be granted excused absences at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee.

Unexcused Absence: 

1. When a student misses one or more classes during a school day with or without the knowledge or permission of a parent/guardian and school authorities provided the absence does not qualify as an excused absence.

2. Unexcused absences are limited to eight (8) per semester for each class.

Excessive Absences:

1. Students who exceed eight (8) unexcused absences in a semester shall receive a NC for that class, unless they have failed the class and then they will receive an F. 

2. If a student exceeds eight (8) unverified absences, a doctor’s statement that confirms the dates of the illness may be turned in to the attendance office upon the student’s return to school resulting in the absence(s) being changed to an excused absence(s). Doctors’ notes should be submitted to building administrative assistants upon return from absence(s). Original doctor’s notes or other documentation should be kept for your own records.

3. Students who fail based only on their attendance exceeding the eight-day limit may submit an appeal to a site committee within five (5) days prior to the end of the current semester. The appeal form is located on the School website. Instructions for the process of submitting the form to the Appeal Committee is located on the form.  The appeal committee consisting of an administrator, teacher and counselor will review the merits of the appeal and submit a final decision to the site administrator. The decision of the committee is final.

ATTENDANCE PROVISIONS

1. If a student is absent, a parent or guardian must notify the school office, give a reason for the absence, and an approximate date of return.  

2. Students who are unaccounted for and/or truant may receive additional disciplinary action in accordance with Board Policy #5080. 

3. Students must be in attendance at least two (2) of the first (3) three hours or (2) two of the last (3) three hours to be recorded present one-half day, each for the morning and afternoon. 

4. Students are encouraged to make up any work missed due to an absence. In order to receive credit, the student is responsible for obtaining, completing and returning to the teacher the assignments missed during the absence. In general, students will be granted one school day for each school day missed due to an absence. More time may be allowed at the discretion of the teacher, depending on the nature of the assignment(s) and length of the absence. Requests for homework assignments through the office can only be made when a student is absent for three (3) or more consecutive days. Requests for homework assignments should be made by 9:30 a.m. and will be available for pick up the following day. 

5. If a child is absent without valid excuse four (4) or more days or parts of days within a four (4) week period or is absent without valid excuse for ten (10) or more days or parts of days within a semester, the attendance officer shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child and immediately report such absences to the District Attorney in the county wherein the school is located for juvenile proceedings pursuant to Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  70 O.S. § 10-106 (OSCN 2023)

6. All students attending Mustang schools, unless they are legally emancipated or meet the requirements to qualify for “self-support,” shall be required to have notification of absence by their parent/guardian. Students who are legally emancipated or meet the requirements of “self-support” may assume responsibility for all absences. 

7. College visitations may be counted as a school activity and will not count as an absence provided the following criteria are met: 

   1. Limited to two (2) per year, or four (4) days 

   2. The student applies through the appropriate counselor 

   3. Documentation confirming the visit is provided by the college or university and turned in to      the attendance office upon return to school.

ACTIVITIES ABSENCE: The maximum number of absences for activities, whether sponsored by the school or outside agency/ organization, which removes any student from the classroom shall be ten (10) for any one class period of each academic school year. Any absences in excess of the ten (10) days will be reviewed by the appointed Internal Activities Review Committee. The criteria for earning the right to represent the school in any activity or contest must be submitted in writing by school sponsors and approved by the Internal Activities Review Committee. The criteria submitted to the MPS Internal Activities Review Committee should support a balanced education for each student through co-curricular and extra-curricular programs. The MPS Board of Education shall appoint the members of the Internal Activities Review Committee at the beginning of each school year. This committee shall be responsible for reviewing and recommending any deviation of the activities policy to the MPS Board of Education.

Excluded from this number are:

• State and national levels of school sponsored contests (State and national contests are those for which a student must earn the right to compete.)

• Recognition events by community organizations

• Performances for local community organizations

• Local service learning activities

• State approved exemptions

TRUANCY

Truancy is defined as an absence without permission of parents or school: A student may not be permitted to make up work missed as a result of truancy, which may be recorded as a zero in the teacher’s grade book. All truancies are subject to other discipline such as detention, suspension or other consequences. Each teacher is asked to report all suspected truancy incidents to the principal. Any student or students participating in an unauthorized skip day or walk out will be subject to the regulation covering truancy and/or referred to the district attorney.

TARDINESS AND EARLY CHECKOUT

Any student who arrives late to school must report to the office for admission. All other tardiness would be classified as an unexcused tardy. Any student who is detained by the office or a teacher should ask for a note to his/her next teacher so he/she will not be counted tardy. Teachers will mark all tardies in the student information system. An absence will be recorded for every three (3) tardies received in a class during a semester.  Any student leaving early from school, must checkout through the office.  An Early Checkout will be added to attendance for the student.  An absence will be recorded for every three (3) early checkouts received in a class during a semester.

Tardies and Early Checkout absences are applied to the eight (8) day absence total. Students will be assigned detention after the third (3rd) tardy, and every third (3rd) tardy thereafter, and/or ISI assigned at the discretion of an administrator.  Any student missing more than fifteen (15) minutes will be counted absent.

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM MEDICAL EXEMPTION

A student, parent, or legal guardian may request a medical exemption for a chronically absent student in the event of a significant medical condition, meaning a severe, chronic, or life-threatening physical or mental illness, infection, injury, disease, or emotional trauma that meets all of the following criteria: 

1. The condition affects the student so severely as to incapacitate the student from attending   school for an identifiable time period or number of school days, or for which the student must receive regular medical care requiring absence from school; 

2. The student is unable to receive instruction through homebound education services for an identifiable time period or number of school days due to the medical condition or its treatment, or homebound education is not appropriate due to brief recurring absences for the purpose of receiving treatment.

3. The school or school district has been provided with written documentation of the condition that is verified in writing by a physician licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma, or by a physician licensed in another state if the student has received related treatment out of state. A copy of the documentation verifying the student's condition shall be filed in the student's educational record. Student absences due to a severe chronic or life-threatening physical or mental illness injury, or trauma will be exempted from inclusion in the calculation of the chronic absenteeism indicator of the applicable school site as long as the determination of eligibility is made by the district’s medical exemption review committee (OAC § 210-10-13-25.)  The district’s medical exemption review committee will be designated by the superintendent on a yearly basis and shall report student absences that are medically exempt to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) Office of Accountability.

Should the student meet the above listed Criteria, the Medical Exemption form can be found online or in the school attendance office. It will need to be completed with all supporting documentation and submitted to the principal or designee 5 days prior to the end of the current semester.  The same committee reviewing appeals will review the merits of the exemption request and submit a final decision to the site administrator. The decision of the committee is final.

REDISTRICTING

Any student going into an exit grade at a school site affected by redistricting will be given the opportunity to continue attendance during the exit year. The parent/guardian must provide transportation during the initial redistricting year for student/students. Siblings of said student/students will be required to attend the school in the new residency area. Requests for intra-district transfer will be considered in accordance with the existing intra-district policy #5005.

VIRTUAL, BLENDED AND DISTANCE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

The district will not require medical documentation to support personal or family illness that results in an excused absence from virtual classes.  However, students will be required to make up any work that has been missed.  

A student will not be considered absent from school in a virtual, blended, or distance learning environment if:

They are not physically present at school but are completing work in a distance learning program or virtual online program approved by the school district and are meeting the following attendance requirements.

1. The student has completed instructional activities for no less than ninety (90%) of the time that services were provided in a virtual or distance learning format.  Instructional activities may include online logins to curriculum or programs, offline activities, completed assignments, testing, in-person communications or meetings with school personnel via teleconference, videoconference, email, text, or phone,

2. The student is on pace for on-time completion of the course as required by the school district,

3. The student has completed instructional activities within the time that services were provided in a virtual or distance learning format during the academic year, or

They have a medical condition that incapacitates the student and precludes them from participating in instruction in a traditional school setting and the student is able to progression instruction via alternative education delivery methods approved by the local board of education.  Any COVID-19 related absences due to a child’s medical needs will be considered a significant medical condition.

Attendance/participation in a virtual, blended or distance learning environment may be monitored in accordance with local district policy and determined by documented student/teacher/course interaction that may include, but is not limited to, online chats, emails, posting/submission of lessons.  The student may be counted “present” or “in attendance” when the instructor provides evidence of student/teacher/ course interaction that demonstrates student progress toward learning objectives and demonstrates regular student engagement in course activity. Such attendance/participation reports, progress reports, and grades shall be provided on a regular basis to parents and the school district via electronic format. 

Upon the need to stay home for illness, quarantine, caring for ill family members, or COVID-19 related reasons, parents/legal guardians should immediately notify school personnel prepared to share the specific circumstances to ensure proper attendance coding within the school districts record keeping. 

College Visits: Students (9th – 12th) will be allowed two (2) college visits (four (4) days total) per year.  These days will be counted as activity absences and will not be counted toward exemptions or attendance.  The student must apply for college visits through the appropriate counselor and provide documentation of the visit upon return to school. 

ARRIVAL TIMES

All classes will begin promptly at the times listed below. TO ENSURE SUPERVISION AND THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD,  STUDENTS MAY NOT BE DROPPED OFF EARLIER THAN THE DESIGNATED TIMES.

K-12th Hours Hours Students May Arrive

Elementary Schools (K-4th only) 7:40-2:35 no earlier than 7:15

Intermediate Schools 8:10-3:05 no earlier than 7:35

Middle Schools 8:40-3:35 no earlier than 8:10

High School 8:40-3:35 no earlier than 8:00

MEC PASS 8:00-2:10 arrive at the HS campus by 7:45

PRE-K Hours

Full Day Pre-K Classes 7:55-2:50 unloading begins at 7:40

Half Day Pre-K (am classes) 8:10-10:45 unloading begins at 8:05

Half Day Pre-K (pm classes) 12:30-3:05 unloading begins at 12:15

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

All Mustang Public Schools have a closed campus.  Students who become ill or are injured during the school day will be allowed to leave only after their parents have been notified and permission has been granted by the attendance office personnel.

No student will be checked out by telephone to leave campus for lunch.  Students must be checked out by a parent, guardian or emergency contact, in person, only after showing proper identification. Students will not be allowed to be checked out within the last 30 minutes of school ending. 

School Levels Students May Not Be Checked Out After

Elementary students No later than 2:05

Intermediate students No later than 2:35

Middle School & High School students No later than 3:05

GRADING POLICY

#5071

GRADING PHILOSOPHY

PURPOSE OF GRADES

We believe the purpose of grades is to communicate, as concisely as possible, a student’s mastery of grade-level content. Grades should reflect a valid and pure representation of what a student knows and is able to do based on a given set of concepts and skills specified by the Oklahoma Academic Standards.  Grades are used to provide feedback, document progress, and guide instructional decisions. 

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

We believe the philosophy behind grades is the same for all students.  However students with special needs or special circumstances may need accommodations or modifications.  As a legal document, any accommodation or modification as determined by the educational team and listed in the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) or 504, must be followed. 

NUMBER OF GRADES

We believe grades should be taken frequently in a manner that allows students, parents, and teachers to monitor a student’s mastery of grade-level content.  A grade should not be locked in for a period of time with no means for a student to improve his/her grade.  For example, it would be inappropriate for a teacher to only take one summative grade on a large, lengthy assignment, or any other method that prohibits a student from the ability to continually show progress towards the mastery of grade-level content.

HOMEWORK 

We believe homework compliments mastery of grade-level content.  Homework is an extension of a school related assignment which requires time and effort outside the regular classroom.  Homework shall be meaningful and have a purpose aligned to the content standards.

EXTRA CREDIT

We believe extra credit, if given, should be on a limited, but equal basis and should only be for the completion of standards based work.  Extra credit not attached to a learning objective is not appropriate and should not be given, such as bringing tissues or other classroom supplies, attending extra-curricular events, or returning a class syllabus.

TESTING EXEMPTIONS (grades 9-12 only)

Examinations will be given at the end of each semester.  Any deviation from the scheduled testing dates must have the approval of the administration and teacher five (5) days in advance of the scheduled testing dates.  Students may not test early.

Students may be exempt from two semester exams of their choice if they meet all the following criteria:

1. Must have an A or B average in the class to be exempted.

2. No suspensions or truancies in the current semester.

3. Students cannot be exempt from the same tests in the fall semester and spring semester.

4. Students must apply for exemption one week prior to finals.

Students enrolled in an AP class can earn exemptions for each AP course if they meet the following requirements:

1. Take the AP exam for the class.

2. Have a “B” or higher in the class.

            Final exemptions in AP courses will be handled by the AP teacher.

            AP exemptions will not count against the one exemption for a non-AP course.

ASSESSMENT

We believe assessments should be used to gather more information about instruction, student’s progress towards mastery of grade-level content and to identify gaps in learning.  Assessments can vary in formality from verbal responses, daily assignments, exit slips, observations, quizzes, end of unit/chapter tests, interim assessments, benchmarks, and semester tests to state assessments.  Any assessment should have purpose beyond the single purpose of assigning a grade. Formative and summative assessments should guide instruction, provide feedback, and determine where remediation is needed. According to Doug Reeves, “Effective feedback not only tells students how they performed, but how to improve the next time they engage in the task.”  Effective feedback is also conclusively supported by many researchers such as Marzano, Wiggins, & Reeves as the single most effective teaching behavior for academic growth.

COMMON GRADING PRACTICES

We believe grading practices between school sites and for courses with the same title should apply consistent expectations and practices, such as weighting of grades, late work, missing work, or number of tests or assignments.  Clear grading criteria from grade levels or departments shall be explicitly communicated to students and parents at the beginning of the course. 

PARENT/GUARDIAN EXCEPTIONS

We believe that parents are partners in the education of their child and essential to the academic success of students.  We recognize parents as the first and most important lifelong teachers of their children.

We believe parents should ensure their child attends school and is ready to learn.  Parents should monitor and guide their child’s academic progress to ensure success, such as checking the parent portal regularly, review homework and help study for tests.

Communication between parents, teachers and other education professionals is vital to student achievement.

GRADING PROCEDURES

Grades PK –  4

Standards-Based Grading Scale

        4                 Proficient

        3                                      Developing

                                 2                                      Emerging

                                 1     Limited

Grades 5 -12

Letter Grade       Percentage Grade Point*

A 90-100   4.0

B   80-89     3.0

C 70-79   2.0

D   60-69     1.0

F Below 60   0.0

P Proficient   0.0

U             Failing   0.0

NC         No Credit   0.0

Grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number. 

Semester grades are continuous and do not start over at the end of the quarter.  

Grades PK-4

Report cards will be sent home at the end of each nine-week period.  

Grades 5-8

Cumulative grades will be available in the Parent Portal at the end of each nine-week period.  

Grades 9-12

Cumulative grades will be available in the Parent Portal at the close of each semester’s grading period.  

Grades 5-12

Student grades may be accessed anytime by using the Parent Portal.

TIME ENROLLED

Grades 3-8

A student must be enrolled a minimum of twenty (20) days in a quarter in order to receive a grade from Mustang Public Schools.

If a student transfers into MPS from an accredited school, the sending school’s grades will be weighted according to the time left in the quarter and/or semester.

High School:

A student must be enrolled 90% of the semester in a class in order to receive credit for that class. 

If a student transfers into MPS from an accredited school, the sending school’s grades will be weighted according to the time left in the semester. 

If a student transfers in without grades, that student must be enrolled for 90% of the semester to obtain credit.  

Any student not receiving credit for time enrolled, may apply for an appeal with the appeal committee. The appeal committee’s decision is final.

GRADE APPEAL PROCESS

In the instance that a student’s assigned grade is appealed, the following steps are to govern the process.

• Student, parent and/or guardian contesting a semester/course grade, must provide to the teacher a written statement that includes reason(s) for the appeal and relief sought by the complainant, within twenty (20) days of the last day of the term for which the grade was assigned. The teacher’s decision is to be communicated in writing within ten (10) days of receipt of the statement of appeal.

• If the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision of the teacher, a written appeal can be made to the school site principal. The appeal must include a written statement with the reason(s) for the appeal and relief sought by the complainant.  It must be requested within ten (10) days of receipt of the teacher’s decision. If the written appeal is not provided to the principal within ten (10) days of the complainant’s receipt of the teacher’s decision, the decision of the teacher will be final.

It will be the responsibility of the school principal to investigate the complaint.  After consulting with District Administration, the principal will issue a written ruling in the matter within ten (10) days of the receipt of the statement of appeal.  The principal’s decision is final.  In the absence of the site principal, the superintendent or his/her designee will act in the place of the site principal.

Graduation information is posted in the Graduation section. 

PARENT PORTAL

Parent Portal is a web-based home-to-school program that links parents and schools via the Internet.  Data is transferred from the student information program and the teacher’s electronic grade book to a read-only web interface.  

The following information can be displayed in Parent Portal:

• Attendance 

• Assignments and Current Grades

• Report Cards

• Course History –High School only

• Transcripts –High School only

• Student Personal Information – address, phone number, etc.

• Student Photo – if available

• School Announcements

• School Address

• School Phone Number  

• Staff Contact Information

Parents can also complete a screen to receive an email notification when there is a change in grades, attendance, etc.  The information displayed is in “real time.”

Parent Portal does not provide information on lunch accounts or transportation information.

Parent Portal accounts are created for parents during the new student enrollment process. Legal custodial guardians of existing students may request a Parent Portal account by emailing psppsupport@mustangps.org. Guardians should be prepared to show picture identification and legal custody documents if applicable. 

All records and grades are accessed online for grades 5 - 12 through the Parent Portal.  Progress reports will not be printed and distributed unless parent/guardian/student requests one from the front office.

INCOMPLETES (Grades 5-12)

A student will receive an incomplete grade for any progress report if that student has been on homebound education or excessively absent due to illness.  The appropriate grade will be given for completed work at the time of the semester grades and no assignments will be accepted after the semester without administrative approval.

INTERNET BASED INSTRUCTION 

Policy # 5056

Internet-based programs offered for instructional purposes and/or high school credit shall be approved by and under the supervision of the Mustang Public Schools Board of Education. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for implementing Internet-based instruction for secondary students (grades 7-12), but not limited to:

• Credit for courses not offered by the District

• Curriculum for long-term suspended students

• Credit recovery

• Fulfill graduation requirements

• Virtual school

• Advancement

• Enrichment

• Remediation

• Homebound

• Home-based

This policy complies with 70 O.S Section 1-111, which states:

“Students absent from school in which they are regularly enrolled may be considered as being in attendance if the reason for such absence is to participate in scheduled school activities under the direction and supervision of a regular member of the faculty or to participate in an online course approved by the district board of education. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to provide for the implementation of supplemental online courses. Each district board of education shall adopt policies and procedures that conform to rules for online courses as adopted by the State Board.”

DEFINITIONS

Alternative Method Delivery System: the delivery of instruction through Web-based or video-based technologies.

Asynchronous instruction: the primary format of instruction does not depend on real-time interaction of the participants.  Asynchronous instruction allows the student to engage in learning activities anywhere at any time.

Supplemental online course: is an online program that allows students who are enrolled in a public school to supplement their education by enrolling part time in online courses that are educationally appropriate for the student, which are equal to classroom instruction time required by student attendance and participation in the district.

Educationally appropriate: means an instructional delivery method best suited for an individual student to advance the student’s academic standing toward meeting the learning expectations of the district and State graduation requirements for the student.  The determination of educationally appropriate will be made at the local school district level.

Hybrid Learning: a delivery method that combines online lessons for theory and periodic class meetings on campus to complete lab exercises and/or assessments.

Blended:  delivery of instruction utilizing both traditional (face to face) and online instruction.  A blended student schedule would include a mix of traditional classes and online classes.

Online Course: a delivery method in which students complete the entire course online with minimal visits to the campus.

Synchronous instruction: occurs when the instructor and student’s primary interactions are in real-time.

      Regular classroom instruction is synchronous instruction, as well as two-way interactive video. Web-based instruction that requires real-time interaction between student(s) and instructor as the primary format of instruction is synchronous instruction.

Virtual instruction: uses the World Wide Web as the primary medium of instruction, with a computer serving as the primary tool of instruction. Web-based instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous.

Guidelines

Prior to offering an online instructional course, the Board of Education shall comply with the following guidelines recommended by the State Department of Education:

1. The Board of Education will grant students credit for completion of courses offered by means of Internet based instruction.  School district policies governing grading scales and credits earned shall be applied to Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program courses under the same criteria as courses offered by the school district.  A grade assigned for course credit that was completed through the online program shall be treated the same as any other course offered by the district.  

2. Only students who are enrolled in MPS District will be granted access to online courses.

3. Internet-based instruction shall be viewed as a method by which the school district can expand the course offerings and can access instructional resources. These technologies should not be viewed solely as substitutes for direct, face-to-face student and teacher interactions, but as a means of expanding the ability of the district to bring the world of knowledge to the students.

4. Requests for enrollment in online courses shall be as follows:  

1. Interested students shall be required to fill out a request for enrollment in online course(s) form.

2. The principal or designee shall evaluate the application and determine whether the online course is educationally appropriate for the student.  Upon completion of the course, the credit earned by students shall be placed on the student’s high school transcript or for grades 7-8 the student cumulative record.

3. If the online course is not deemed to be educationally appropriate, notification shall be provided to the student in writing as to the reasons in support of the principal’s recommendation and the student shall be afforded the opportunity to appeal the principal’s decision to the local school board or designee.  The decision of the local school board or designee with regard to whether a course is educationally appropriate is final and non-appealable. 

4. If enrollment in the online course is allowed, the site principal shall appoint a certified staff member to serve as the building level contact person to assist students enrolling in Internet-based instruction to serve as a liaison to the on-line teachers and provider(s).  Students shall have a grace period for withdrawal from a supplemental online course of fifteen (15) calendar days from the first day of a supplemental online course enrollment without academic penalty.

5. Students earning credit by means of Internet-based instruction shall participate in required state-level academic assessments in the same manner as other regularly enrolled students within the district. No student shall be allowed to participate in these assessments at a place other than a MPS site.

6. Courses offered for credit by means of Internet-based instruction shall be aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards. 

7. Contractual agreements shall be established between the school district and parent(s) or legal guardian of students participating in alternative instructional delivery system courses prior to the beginning of instruction. These contracts may address such issues as grading criteria, time allotted for course completion, student attendance, the responsibility for course costs (if applicable), equipment and other issues deemed necessary by the district. Contracts and applications for Internet based instruction are available at each secondary site’s counseling office.

8. Instructors of Internet-based instruction shall be: (a) certified in Oklahoma or another state to teach in the content areas of the course offered or (b) a faculty member at an accredited institution of higher education that possesses the specific content expertise necessary to teach the course.

9. Each teacher for Internet-based instruction will be provided in-service training pertaining to the methodology of instructional delivery and the technical aspects of Internet-based instruction.

10. The security of individual student data and records shall be maintained and receive the same protection afforded students under state and federal laws. No individual student data obtained through participation in Internet-based instruction courses shall be used for any purposes other than those that support the instruction on the individual student.

11. District level aggregated data obtained through participation in online instruction courses shall be utilized for education purposes only and shall not be provided to commercial entities.

12. All federal and state statutes pertaining to student privacy, the posting of images on the World Wide Web, copyright of materials, Federal Communications Commission rules pertaining to the public broadcasting of audio and video, and other such issues shall be adhered to by the district.

13. Student progress shall be monitored on a weekly basis by the online course provider.  Attendance/participation in an online course shall be monitored in accordance with local district policy and determined by documented student/teacher/course interaction that may include, but is not limited to, online chats, emails, postings/submission of lessons.  The student may be counted “present” or “in attendance” when the online course provider provides evidence of student/teacher/course interaction that demonstrates student progress toward learning objectives and demonstrates regular student engagement in course activity.  Online course providers shall make available to student, parents, and the school district reports that reflect daily attendance/participation, progress reports, and grades.  Such attendance/participation reports, progress reports, and grades shall be provided on a regular weekly basis to parents and the school district via electronic format.  Students at remote sites who participate in the online courses offered by Mustang Public Schools will be responsible for providing their own equipment and Internet access.

14. Any student, grades 9-12, who receives their entire class schedule through an online environment cannot participate in any extracurricular activities. A student must be enrolled and in physical attendance at a secondary school site for at least three (3) periods of the school day to participate in any extracurricular activities. The administration has the ability to make adjustments to the three period requirement to meet the needs of a student when educationally appropriate.

DISTRICT HONOR ROLLS

Grades 5-8

Students will be recognized at the Academic Awards Assembly at the end of the school year when named to the Superintendent’s or Principal’s Honor Roll. The Superintendent’s Honor Roll shall consist of those students who have no grade less than an “A” in every subject for each quarter of the current school year. The Principal’s Honor Roll shall consist of those students who have no grade below “B” for each quarter of the current school year. For the purpose of computing the Honor Roll during the second semester students’ third nine-week grade and the six-week grade of the fourth nine-week period will be averaged.

The State Honor Society is a statewide organization recognizing those students who have made “A’s” each nine-weeks of the second semester of the previous school year and each nine-weeks of the first semester of the current school year.

Transfer students are eligible for the State Honor Society and for the Principal’s and Superintendent’s Honor Roll.

Several additional honors such as academic, citizenship, outstanding boy/girl and 8th grade prestige awards are presented at the annual academic awards assembly. Student disciplinary records will be reviewed when students are considered for awards and honors. Frequent or serious referral for behavior will reflect negatively upon honors selections.

Grades 9-12

The Superintendent’s Semester Honor Roll shall consist of those students who have no grade less than “A” for the indicated period.  The Principal’s Honor Roll shall consist of those students who have a grade average of “B” or 3.0 on a four point system who have no grade less than a “B.”

RENAISSANCE - (Secondary level only)

The purpose of the Renaissance program is to recognize students who are achieving academic excellence with incentives, rewards and recognition.  

Seniors that have received all A’s and B’s throughout their four (4) years of high school shall be eligible for Renaissance graduation cords.

STATE HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

The member of the State Honor Society shall be designated as the top 10% of each class based on the cumulative grade point average at the end of the first semester.  These students will be notified in late spring.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Students in the sophomore, junior and senior classes who have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale are academically eligible to apply for membership in the Mustang High School Chapter of the National Honor Society. (Freshmen are not eligible.)

Students who are accepted for membership by the Faculty Advisory Committee must comply with the guidelines set forth in the National Honor Society Constitution and High School Chapter By-laws.

A National Honor Society member who transfers to another school and brings a letter from the former principal or chapter adviser to the new school adviser shall be accepted automatically as a member in the new school’s chapter.  Transfer members must meet the new chapter’s standards within one (1) semester in order to retain membership.

OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC SCHOLAR

Graduating seniors who meet all of the requirements listed below shall be recognized by the local school district and the State Board of Education as an Oklahoma Academic Scholar in compliance with State law, which became effective in 1986:

• Accumulate a minimum grade point average of a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, in grades 9, 10, 11 and the first semester of grade 12, or be in the unweighted top ten (10) percent of their graduating class.   

• Complete (or will complete) the curricular requirements for a standard diploma.

• Achieve a composite score of 27 on the ACT or 1,220 combined score on the SAT I.  The ACT or SAT I must have been taken on a national test date before the date of graduation.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mustang High School will issue an Academic Achievement Diploma to all graduating seniors who have fulfilled the following scholastic requirements:

• Minimum of 3.60 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale

• Minimum score of 25 on the ACT Test or a minimum score of 1050 on the SAT

• Minimum of 26 credits earned in the following courses:

  • English 4 credits

  • Science 3 credits – starting with Biology I

  • Math 3 credits – starting with Algebra I

  • Social Studies 3 credits

  • Foreign Languages or Approved 2 credits – 1st and 2nd year courses

Computer Technology

• Electives 11 credits

CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION

A Certificate of Distinction will be awarded to students who have met or exceeded the following criteria by the end of their senior year in high school with at least a 3.25 grade point average on a 4.00 scale:

• Earned four (4) units each in English, mathematics (excluding Math of Finance), social studies and science

• Earned two (2) additional units in the area of technology, the humanities or the arts (Art I, II, III, IV; Instrumental Music I, II, III, IV; Drama I, II, III, IV; Debate I, II, III, IV; Crafts I, II; Digital Art Media, All vocal music choirs)

• Earned two (2) units in the same foreign language and

ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY AND REGULATIONS

A student must be maintaining a “passing grade” in all classes in order to participate in an activity.  Effective January 1, 1989 scholastic eligibility will be determined by the regulations listed at the end of this section.  These regulations conform to Rules of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA).  A student must be present in all classes the day an activity is scheduled; or if the activity is scheduled on a weekend or holiday, or is an all-day activity, a student must have been present the preceding school day.  Any exception to this policy must be approved by the administration.

The maximum number of absences for activities, whether sponsored by the school or outside agency/organization, which removes any student from the classroom shall be ten (10) for any one (1) class period of each school year.  Excluded from this number are state and national levels of school-sponsored contests.  State and national contests are those for which a student must earn the right to compete.  The criteria for earning the right to represent the school in any activity or contest must be submitted in writing by local school sponsors and approved by the local board of education.

Each local board of education shall appoint, at the beginning of the school year, an Internal Activities Review Committee.  This committee shall be responsible for reviewing and recommending any deviation of the activities policy to the local board of education.  Any deviation from the ten (10) days absence rule shall not exceed five (5) days.

A student must be maintaining a “passing grade” in classes to be missed while participating in an activity during the school day.  A weekly eligibility list of students will be made available at the end of each week through the activities director’s office.

*REGULATIONS OF OSSAA RULE 3 – SCHOLASTIC ELIGIBILITY

Section 1 – Semester Grades

• A student must have received a passing grade in any five (5) subjects counted for graduation in which he/she was enrolled during the last semester he/she attended fifteen (15) or more days.

• If a student does not meet the minimum scholastic standard, he/she will not be eligible to participate during the first six (6) weeks of the next semester he/she attends.

• A student who does not meet the above minimum scholastic standard may regain his/her eligibility by achieving passing grades in all subjects in which he/she is enrolled at the end of a six (6) week period.

Section 2 – Student Eligibility During a Semester

• Scholastic eligibility for students will be checked at the end of the third week (during the fourth week) of a semester and each succeeding week thereafter.

• A student must be passing in all subjects in which he/she is enrolled during a semester.  If a student is not passing all subjects in which he/she is enrolled at the end of the week, he/she will be placed on probation for the next one (1) week period.  If a student is still failing one or more classes at the end of his/her probationary one (1) week period, he/she will be ineligible to participate during the next one (1) week period.  The ineligibility periods will begin on Monday and end on Sunday.

• A student who has lost eligibility under this provision must regain passing grades in all of his/her classes in order to regain eligibility.  A student regains eligibility under Rule 3 with the first class of the new one (1) week period (Monday through Sunday).

Section 3 – Special Provisions

• An 11th or 12th grade student may maintain eligibility if he/she is passing the classes required for graduation.  An 11th or 12th grade student who is concurrently enrolled in high school and college may use the college courses to meet the minimum number of subjects needed to maintain eligibility.  These may be a combination of high school subjects equivalent to high school units, which are accepted by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.  (Physical education and athletics cannot be included in the requirements.)

• An ineligible student who changes schools during a semester will not be eligible at the new school for a minimum period of three (3) weeks.  A student may regain his/her eligibility by achieving the scholastic standard in Rule 3, Section 2-b at the end of a three (3) week period.

• Incomplete grades will be considered to be the same as failing grades in determining scholastic eligibility.  School administrators are authorized to make an exception to this provision (Rule 3, Section 3-c) if the incomplete grade was caused by an unanticipated hardship.  (Examples of such hardships would be illness, injury, death in family and natural disaster) OSSAA Board policy allows a maximum of two (2) weeks to apply for this exception.

• One summer school credit earned in an Oklahoma State Department of Education accredited program may be used to meet the requirements of Rule 3, Section 1a for the end of the spring semester.

• Schools may choose to run eligibility checks on any day of the week.  The period of ineligibility will always begin the Monday following the day eligibility is checked.

Prohibition of Race And Sex Discrimination In Curriculum  -  Excerpt from Policy 1114

Mustang Public Schools (MPS) is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for every student within our system. Our adopted curriculum and Oklahoma State Standards comply with state and federal law. All MPS teachers regularly participate in professional development programs and training that prepare them to sustain and enrich classroom teaching and learning experiences that attempt to reasonably incorporate a variety of perspectives reflective of the diverse population of our school district. The classroom materials we use are vetted by the Mustang Public Schools staff and / or Oklahoma State Department of Education and are on the approved textbook adoption list. MPS strives to maintain open, welcoming, and respectful educational environments for all students, teachers, and staff across the district. 

The district hereby designates the Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction (Robbyn Glinsmann) as the employee responsible for receiving complaints.  Complaints may be provided via telephone at 405-256-6982 and via email to HB1775@mustangps.org

GENERAL STATEMENT ON STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The State and Local Boards of Education vest in this administration the power to establish student behavior rules and regulations necessary to create and preserve conditions essential to orderly operation of the school.

The Boards require that all school personnel share in the supervision of the students’ development toward desired standards of conduct and support all personnel acting within the framework of established policy.

The Boards advocate that while education is a right of our youth, it is not an absolute right.  It is qualified first by eligibility requirements and secondly by performance requirements.  The school must be concerned with the individual and his/her welfare, but in working with the individual, must at all times be concerned with the welfare of all students.  Too much time spent on a few, results in neglecting the majority.  The following are responsibilities, which MPS students are expected to assume and follow at all times:

• To obey all rules and regulations pertaining to students of MPS while on the school campus, while using district transportation and when representing MPS in a school-sponsored activity.

• To apply themselves to the established course of study.

  • Be prompt and regular in attendance

  • Complete school assignments on time

  • Pay attention to teachers

  • Learn to criticize fairly and to accept criticism

• To respect the authority of the administration, faculty and staff of MPS.

• To respect school property.  Remember: A modern, fully equipped school building designed for beauty and utility belongs to many generations and is not the sole property of any annual group of students.  Thus, it is the privilege and obligation of any one-student body to appreciate fully, use carefully, preserve faithfully and pass to future generations, the building, its grounds and its equipment without blemish. NOTE: Anyone who damages or defaces any school property will be held liable and is expected to replace or pay for the property damaged in order that the citizenship record of the student will not be adversely affected.

• To refrain from expressions of non-conformity through demonstrations, violence and other forms of incitement.

GENERAL STATEMENT ON RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS

The ultimate responsibility of student behavior rests with the parents.  The following are among their specific responsibilities:

• Support the school in requiring each student to observe all school rules and regulations, as well as accepting responsibility for any willful misbehavior on the part of the student.

• Send each student to school with proper cleanliness and neatness of dress.

• Maintain an active interest in the student’s daily work.  Make it possible for him/her to complete assigned homework particularly by providing a quiet place with conditions conducive to study.

• Comply with the school’s requests.  This includes reading carefully all communications and signing and returning them as requested.

• Cooperate with the school in attending conferences set up for exchanging information and for planning of the student’s continued progress.

It is the belief of the administration that the most effective discipline is self-discipline.  Students in MPS are treated as young ladies and gentlemen, and are expected to prove to be such by their actions and by their response to the school society.

The office of the principal is charged with the responsibility of handling such discipline problems as may become serious enough to be referred to the office.  However, every teacher is responsible for the discipline at all times in all parts of the building and on the grounds.  Teachers have full authority and responsibility to correct student behavior whenever such correction is necessary.

In cases where a student has been unable to adjust to his/her school environment and where his/her behavior has become so objectionable that the problem cannot be resolved otherwise, he/she will be referred to the principal.  Therefore, through conference, every effort will be made to assist the student in overcoming his/her difficulty.

Counselors and parents may be called in when it is felt that they can help the student become an acceptable member of the student body.  If all these efforts fail to obtain the desired result, the principal will make a final disposition of the case in line with the best interests of the individual student and the school as a whole.

STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

Policy # 5080

Discipline Policy

It is the belief of Mustang Public Schools that the primary function of the schools is to educate the students.  It is further believed that students have the right to learn free of unnecessary distractions and to attend a school in which an atmosphere conducive to learning exists.

Education includes establishing norms of acceptable behavior and assisting students in understanding and attaining those norms.  From time to time, it may be necessary for the benefit of the students and of the school, for the faculty and the administrators to enforce corrective actions for breaches in acceptable behavior.  Each student will be treated in a fair and equitable manner, and the severity of the disciplinary action will be based on a careful assessment of the circumstances surrounding any infraction of the school regulations.

It is the policy of Mustang Public Schools that no student of the district shall participate in any form of hazing, harassment, intimidation and bullying.  Threatening behavior by electronic communication is prohibited whether or not such communication originated at school or with school equipment, if the communication is specifically directed at students or school personnel and concerns harassment, intimidation or bullying at school.  Furthermore, no student of the district shall participate in or be members of any secret fraternity or secret organization that is in any degree related to the school or to a school activity.  (Refer to District Policy #  5110)

The administrator has the discretion to choose any disciplinary action in regard to unacceptable student behavior.  The following examples of behavior are not acceptable in society generally and in the school environment particularly:

1. Truancy

2. Developing non-factual accounts for absence or behavior

3. Cheating on school work

4. Using profanity or expressing vulgarities

5. Disrespectful conduct/language toward another student, teacher, substitute teacher or staff member in or out of the classroom

6. Blatant disrespect toward faculty or staff

7. Public display of affection

8. Physical altercation/fighting while at school or at a school activity

9. Assault and battery

10. Insubordination or defiance

11. Dress code violation

12. Misuse of PTD/wireless communication device

13. Other disruptive or insubordinate behavior

14. Misuse of the internet and/or local area network computer  

15. Vandalism/arson

16. Theft

17. Forgery, fraud or embezzlement of legal tender

18. Gambling

19. Gang-related behavior, including gestures, language or dress

20. Sexual, physical and verbal harassment, threats or threatening behavior, bullying, intimidation, hazing, racial slurs or stalking of students or employees

21. Possessing or distribution of pornography

22. Use or possession of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, vapes or vaping products or any other product packaged for smoking or the simulation of smoking on campus or school activity

23. Possessing, sharing, selling, distributing or use of alcohol, illicit substances or paraphernalia including intoxicating and/or non-intoxicating substances

24. Possessing, sharing, selling, distributing and/or use of prescription, non-prescription drugs in violation of school policy

25. Possessing, sharing, selling, distributing and/or use of substances represented as intoxicating or non-intoxicating

26. Possession, threat or actual use of dangerous or offensive weapons including “fake” weapon

27. An act of violence

28. Acts of licentious behavior, sexual misconduct, lewdness or indecent exposure

29. Adjudication as a delinquent for an offense that is non-violent (Title 57-571 of the Oklahoma Statutes) committed on any school premise, while in transit under the authority of the school or while attending any function authorized or sponsored by the school

30. Adjudication for an offense that is a violent act off campus

31. Repeated minor offenses

32. Failure to produce MPS identification badges (grades 9-12)  

33. Parking lot violations

34. Failure to comply with the teacher or school administrator when asked to empty pockets or provide your backpack will be grounds for disciplinary action.

These examples are not intended to be exhaustive and the exclusion or omission of examples of unacceptable behavior is not an endorsement or acceptance of such behavior.

In considering the different forms of disciplinary action, the faculty and the administration of the school district will consider the following; however, the school is not limited to these various methods, nor does this list reflect any order of sequence of events to follow in disciplinary actions:

1. Conference with student

2. Conference with parent

3. In-school Intervention

4. Detention

5. Referral to counselor

6. Behavior contract

7. Changing student's seat assignment or class assignment

8. Requiring a student to make financial restitution for damaged property

9. Requiring a student to clean or straighten items or facilities damaged by the student's behavior

10. Restriction of privileges

11. Involvement of local authorities

12. Referring student to appropriate social agency or to a delinquency prevention and diversion program administered by the office of Juvenile Affairs

13. Suspension

14. Performing Campus-site services for the school district

15. Other appropriate disciplinary action as required and as indicated by circumstances which may include, but is not limited to, removal from eligibility to participate or attend extracurricular activities as well as removal from the privilege of attending or participating in the graduation ceremony, school dances, prom, prom activities, and/or class trips, change of placement which could include online instruction, education at Canadian County Juvenile Center, or other placement as administration sees appropriate.
    
    

ISI: In-school Intervention is an alternative to home suspension when deemed advisable by the principal. In-school Intervention is assigned during part of or all of a student’s schedule, where the student spends time in a monitored, structured study environment. Students will have access to regular child nutrition programs during assigned restriction and access to equal education opportunities. The decision of the principal is final.

Student Privileges While Under ISI: When a student’s behavior justifies ISI, the student forfeits the privilege of participating in social activities and will not be permitted to participate in or be in attendance at any extracurricular activities in which schools participate. 

PROCEDURES 

The procedure for investigating reported incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying or threatening behavior, is as follows:

1. The matter should immediately be reported to the building principal or designee.  If the bullying involved an electronic communication, a printed copy of the communication as well as any identifying information such as email address or web address shall be provided to the building principal or designee.  As much detailed information as possible should be provided to the building principal or designee in written form to allow for a thorough investigation of the matter. 

2. Upon receipt of a written report, the building principal or designee shall contact the superintendent or designee and begin an investigation to determine the severity of the incident and the potential for future violence. 

3. If, during the course of the investigation, it appears that a crime may have been committed the building principal or designee and/or superintendent or designee shall notify local law enforcement and request that the alleged victim also contact law enforcement to report the matter for potential criminal investigation. 

4. If it is determined that the school district’s discipline code has been violated, the building principal or designee shall follow district policies regarding the discipline of the student.  The building principal or designee shall make a determination as to whether the conduct is actually occurring. 

5. Upon completion of the investigation, the principal or designee or superintendent or designee may recommend that available community mental health care substance abuse or other counseling options be provided to the student, if appropriate.  This may include information about the types of support services available to the student bully, victim, and any other students affected by the prohibited behavior.  If such a recommendation is made, the administration shall request disclosure of any information that indicates an explicit threat to the safety of students or school personnel provided the disclosure of information does not violate the provisions or requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Section 2503 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1376 of Title 59 of Oklahoma Statutes, or any other state or federal laws relating to the disclosure of confidential information.

6. Upon completion of an investigation, timely notification shall be provided to the parents or guardians of a victim of documented and verified bullying.   This information should be provided within three (3) school days of the conclusion of the investigation. 

7. Upon completion of an investigation, timely notification shall be provided to the perpetrator of the documented and verified bullying.  This information should be provided within three (3) days of the conclusion of the investigation.

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICE (PTD)

Mustang Public Schools limit the student use of PTD’s or Personal Technology Devices.

• PreK-6th grade students will not be allowed to utilize PTD’s while on school grounds.

• 7th-8th grade students will not be allowed to utilize PTD’s at school from 8:35-3:35 (or 5 minutes before school begins through the dismissal bell at the end of the regular school day).

• 9th-12th grade students will be only permitted to utilize PTD’s during lunch, passing periods, and before/after school or for the use with any campus management platforms or other school software.

PTDs include but are not limited to laptops, computers, tablets, cellular phones, smart phones, smart watches, ear pods, or headphones.  Devices whose primary purpose is gaming and portable speakers are expressly prohibited at all times.

All students will be permitted to carry their cell phones / PTD’s in their backpacks but they must be turned off, unless it is at one of the approved times listed above.

Possession of a cell phone / PTD on school campus is a privilege, and may be revoked at any time by the administration for violating this school policy regarding such possession.  Furthermore the school and its employees are not responsible for any theft or damage for any cell phone / PTD while on school grounds.  The school is not obligated to investigate the loss or damage of a cell phone/PTD.

Any deviation from this plan will be at the discretion of school administration.

DRESS CODE STANDARDS 

Mustang Public schools respect the students’ rights to express themselves appropriately in the way they dress.  All students who attend Mustang Public Schools are also expected to respect the school community by dressing appropriately for a PreK - 12 educational environment.  Student attire should facilitate participation in learning as well as the health and safety of students and personnel.  This policy is intended to provide guidance for students, staff, and parents.

Click here for a dress code example

Accessories

·         Headgear including hats or hoodies are allowed as long as eyes and ears are not obstructed     from the headgear. 

·         Sunglasses may not be worn to cover the student’s eyes while inside the school. 

·         Clothing and accessories that endanger student or staff safety may not be worn. 

·         Clothing that is considered pajamas or bedtime wear is prohibited.

Shoes

·         All students are required to wear shoes. 

·         Cleats, shoes with wheels, house shoes or any shoe that limits physical activity or safety are not permitted.

Hair color/hairstyle

·         Hair color/hairstyle, makeup or face paint that disrupts the learning environment is prohibited.

Gang Related

·         Items will be identified and monitored by police and school officials.  They are subject to change at the discretion of the administration as the need arises.

 District Guidelines: Offensive writing, suggestive slogans or logos which pertain to beer, liquor, drug or tobacco; electronic cigarettes/vapes or vaping products or any other product packaged for smoking or the simulation of smoking; vulgarity, sexual innuendos, obscenity or nudity or promotion of violence are not allowed. Clothing may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. 

 School administration reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Clothing or accessories that create a disruption to the learning environment may not be allowed. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to attend class. Parents will be called if appropriate clothing is not available or the student refuses dress-code appropriate clothing. 

FOOD CONSUMPTION

Food/drinks must be consumed in the cafeteria/commons.  Outside food/drinks brought in by parents/guardians can only be consumed by their child and cannot be shared by other students unless directed by the school. Ex. Classroom parties.

TOBACCO USE

In accordance with Oklahoma law and the wishes of parents, educators and students, tobacco in any form, tobacco products or simulated tobacco products of any kind will not be possessed or used by students while on school premises.  Tobacco will not be possessed or used by students attending any school-sponsored event outside school premises or while in transport to or from such an event in school authorized vehicles.

In accordance with School Laws of Oklahoma and the Mustang Public School District’s desire to provide a healthy smoke-free environment for students, employees and patrons, commencing the 16th day of March 2004, all facilities within the District will be smoke-free twenty-four (24) hours per day on a year round basis.  This prohibits smoking, the use of snuff, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, vapes or vaping products or any other product packaged for smoking or the simulation of smoking, or any other form of tobacco product by all persons.  This policy extends to all activities, vehicles and property.

There will be no designated smoking areas anywhere in the District. (Policy and Procedures, #2060)

ILLICIT DRUG DEFINITION, AS USED IN THIS HANDBOOK, IS DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

• Any controlled dangerous substance as defined in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act

• Any intoxicating beverage as defined by Oklahoma law

• Any substance which is represented to be a prescription, non-prescription drug, facsimile of an illicit substance or synthetic drug

• Any inhalant

• Any other chemical or natural substance which is capable of producing injury and is misused by a student

USE OR POSSESSION OF ILLICIT SUBSTANCES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY OR AT ANY SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITY

Students using, in possession of, or after having used controlled illicit substances, facsimile of an illicit substance, intoxicating beverages, non-intoxicating beverages and/or intoxicating substances, paraphernalia or exhibiting observable behaviors during school, while attending a school sanctioned activity, while on any school premises, or when being transported, or sharing/transferring will be suspended.

First Offense

The following suspension will go into effect according to the grade level of the student on the day of the first day of the offense. 

• Grades 9-12 = 45 days (10 days out and 35 days in DPP)

• Grades 5-8 = 45 days

• Grades PreK-4 = a plan will be submitted and approved by the Superintendent or designee

Reinstatement option

The suspension may be reduced for the first offense if the student/parent/guardian agrees to complete a reinstatement option which will consist of a list of criteria that will be set by Mustang Public Schools.

Criteria for a reinstatement will include the following: 

• meeting with the Director of Student Assistance Programs • Counseling services that consist of a school approved chemical dependency education program, or a comparable program approved by the administration. Any counseling fees will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian. • Urinalysis - At administrative request, the urinalysis will begin after 30 days from the date of the suspension and will be required throughout the term of the suspension (a minimum of once per month after the original urinalysis). The results will not affect the suspension term, however the school and parent(s) may implement additional counseling services as needed. If a student refuses to participate in the urinalysis at any point during the term the original suspension will go into effect.

Additional criteria can include but is not limited to: • check and connect weekly with a site counselor or site administrator or site mentor • In school placement High School – Disciplinary Placement Program (DPP)  Middle School or Intermediate School – ISI • On-site small group meeting with LPC • re-entry meeting with a site counselor or site administrator • community service • performing campus-site services for the school district • research and an assignment related to the offense

The reinstatement option will reduce the suspension days as follows:

      ●    Grades 9-12 = 45 days/reduced to 10 days (3 days out, 7 days in DPP)

• Grades 5-8 = 45 days/reduced to 10 days

• Grades PreK-4 = a plan will be submitted and approved by the Superintendent or designee

If a student fails to meet the terms of the reinstatement option the remaining days of the original suspension will be served, unless approved by the administration. 

By choosing the reinstatement option, any right to an appeal of the full length of the suspension is voluntarily waived.

A reinstatement option will be available one time during grades 5th - 8th and one time for grades 9th - 12th, regardless if it was for use or possession or distribution.

Second Offense

If a student has a second offense during grades 5th - 8th or 9th - 12th.  The following suspension will go into effect according to the grade level of the student on the day of the offense. The reinstatement option will not be available. 

      ●   Grades 9-12 = 45 days (10 days out and 35 days in DPP)

• Grades 5-8 = 45 days

 ● Grades PreK-4 = a plan will be submitted and approved by the Superintendent or                    designee

DISTRIBUTION FOR GAIN OF ILLICIT SUBSTANCES

Any student selling, or distributing illicit substances, prescription and/or non-prescription drugs, illegal drugs, wine, beer, intoxicating beverages, non-intoxicating beverages and/or intoxicating substances during the school day, or a school activity, on school premises or while being transported by school personnel, will be suspended for ninety (90) school days. A forty-five (45) school days reinstatement option may be available in some circumstances. Grades 9-12 may under special circumstances place a student in the DPP as part of the suspension plan if approved by site and district administration, which could include a combination of out of school and DPP placement.  A second offense will result in at least ninety (90) school day suspension with no reinstatement option. In addition, law enforcement authorities will be notified. By choosing the forty-five (45) day reinstatement option, any right to an appeal of the full length of the suspension is voluntarily waived.

Teachers are required by state law to report any suspected drug or alcohol use to the principal.  Violation of this policy will be reported to the law enforcement authorities.  Any incident that occurs outside the school day or not at a school function will be reported to the police.

ANY STUDENT SUSPENDED FOR ILLICIT SUBSTANCES

For a student that does not take advantage of the option or commits a second offense or for distribution offenses, counseling services can still be available for students at parent request.  Upon return from suspension for illicit substances a student will be required to have an in person meeting with the principal or designee prior to returning to the in person classroom.  This requirement will apply regardless of whether an early reinstatement option was utilized or not.  Parents or Guardians and / or students that are seeking help for students with issues related to drugs or alcohol can contact the Director of Student Assistance Programs 405-376-724.  The Director will be able to help answer questions and direct parents /students to various resources.

VANDALISM

Each student shall pay for all damages he/she may do to school property within one (1) week after demand, unless an arrangement for deferred payment has been made with the school administration.  Failure to make such payment shall be cause for suspension. The pupil responsible shall pay for books belonging to the school that are lost, stolen or mutilated.

DANGEROUS WEAPONS

The use, display or possession of any kind of gun, ammunition, fireworks, weapon or device capable of discharging or throwing projectiles, whether loaded or unloaded, or the possession of any dagger, pocket knife, bowie knife, dirk knife, switchblade knife, spring-type knife, butterfly knife, sword cane, knife having a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife, blackjack, loaded cane, billy, hand chain, metal knuckles or any chemical or biological device intended by its nature to cause property damage, harm or endanger the life, health or safety of others. Examples include but are not limited to, mace, or pepper spray or other offensive weapon, or facsimile of a weapon, on the campus, parking lots, premises or property of the Mustang Public Schools or during school sponsored activities, functions or events whether such weapon is concealed or unconcealed, may result in the immediate suspension of all students involved for the current school semester and possibly the succeeding semester.  

The term "gun or device capable of discharging or throwing projectiles" shall include, but not be limited to:

• Rifles, pistols or shotguns of any caliber including a starter gun 

• B-B guns, tasers or  air pistols 

• Potato throwers, dart guns or blow guns 

• Any other device the purpose of which is to throw, discharge or fire objects, bullets or shells

For the purpose of this policy, any student who aids, knowingly accompanies, assists or participates with another student who uses, displays or possesses a gun, facsimile of a weapon, or device capable of discharging or throwing projectiles in violation of this policy may be suspended for the current school semester and possibly the succeeding semester.

USE OR POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS OR OFFENSIVE WEAPONS

Any pupil found to be in possession of or using dangerous or offensive weapons or facsimile of a dangerous weapon on the school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity may be suspended by the superintendent or principal for a period not to exceed the current school semester and possibly the succeeding semester (Refer to School Laws of Oklahoma, Article 24/Section 488.2).

SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS

The term suspension or suspended as used in this policy and Oklahoma Law means that the student has been removed from attendance at any school.  Alternative in-school placement, in-school restriction, detention, and similar disciplinary measures are not considered to be out-of-school suspensions and are not subject to an appeal process.  Any student suspended out of school is prohibited by the terms of said suspension from being on the school grounds before, during, or after school hours and from participating in or attending any school sponsored activity unless otherwise directed by the administration.  All suspensions must have the approval of the superintendent or his/her designee. The authority to suspend a student from a school in the district is delegated to the respective building principals. The principal shall exercise his/her discretion as to the length of time of the suspension.  When determining whether cause exists for suspension or determining the length of a suspension, the student’s prior history of disciplinary infractions during the current school year may be considered if similar infractions have occurred in the past and other forms of discipline have not deterred such behavior.

Students may be suspended from school for engaging in any of the following while on school grounds, while on school vehicles and buses, or at school activities/events:

• Violation of policy, rule, or regulation

• Possession of an intoxicating beverage, low-point beer (37 O.S. 163.2)

• Possession of missing or stolen property if the property is reasonably suspected to have been taken from a student, a school employee, or the school 

• Possession of a dangerous weapon or a controlled dangerous substance (Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act)

• Possession of a firearm (may result in out-of-school suspension of not less than one year)

• Any act which disrupts the academic atmosphere of the school, endangers or threatens fellow students, teacher, or officials, or damages property

• Students in grades six through twelve found to have assaulted, attempted to cause physical bodily injury, or acted in a manner that could reasonably cause bodily injury to a school employee or person volunteering for a school shall be suspended for the remainder of the current semester and the next consecutive semester.  The term of the suspension may be modified by the school district superintendent on a case-by-case basis.

A full suspension shall not extend beyond the present semester and the succeeding semester except for violations of the Gun-Free Schools Act which provides suspensions for up to one calendar year or longer. 

Except under circumstances that require the immediate removal of a student or students, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) shall be informed before a student is released from school.

Students who are suspended out-of–school who are on an individualized education plan pursuant to IDEA, P.L. No. 101-476, shall be provided the education and related services in accordance with the child’s IEP.

Any student who has been suspended for a violent offense that is directed towards a classroom teacher shall not be allowed to return to that teacher’s classroom without the approval of that teacher.

No school board member, administrator, or teacher may be held civilly liable for any action, taken in good faith, which is authorized by law under the provisions of this policy.

SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION - ten (10) days or less

Short-term suspension is when a student is suspended from school for ten (10) days or less. Before a student is suspended out of school, the school administration shall consider and apply, if appropriate, alternative in-school placement options that are not to be considered suspension (such as placement in an alternative school setting, reassignment to another classroom, in-school intervention, etc.). 

• When a student is suspended, his/her parent(s) will be notified as soon as possible. 

• If the student is suspended for five (5) days or less the district may provide an educational plan. 

• If a student is suspended for more than five (5) days the district shall provide the student with an education plan designed for the eventual reintegration of the student into school which provides for the core units in which the student is enrolled. 

• The parent(s) will bear the responsibility of monitoring the student’s education progress until the student is readmitted to school. 

• Students suspended from school shall be ineligible to participate in  or attend extracurricular activities.

• Any student serving suspension during the time of graduation activities shall not be allowed to participate in or attend ceremonies or programs honoring graduates.

Appeal Process

The first level of appeal for suspensions of ten (10) days or less will be to the building principal.

• A written request specifying the reason(s) for the appeal must be submitted to the building principal within three (3) days of the notice of the suspension. 

• A conference will be scheduled with the building principal.

• This step may be skipped if the building principal was part of the first conference.

• The Principal may uphold, overrule or modify the suspension. 

• The student and the student’s parent(s) shall be notified in writing within five (5) days of the decision. 

• The student has the right to appeal the decision.

The second level of appeal for suspensions will be to the appeal committee. 

• In order to appeal the building principal's decision, a written request specifying the reason for the appeal must be submitted to the district hearing officer for short-term suspensions within three (3) days. 

• Upon receipt of the appeal, the district hearing officer shall schedule an appeal hearing within three (3) days from the date the notice of intent is filed.

• The appeal committee will consist of one (1) central office administrator and two (2) building principals other than the suspending principal. 

• During the hearing with the appeal committee, the  student or the student’s parent(s)  shall have the right to provide evidence as to why the suspension, or the duration thereof, is inappropriate.

• Upon full investigation of the matter, the committee shall determine the guilt or innocence of the student and the reasonableness for the term of the out of school suspension. 

• The appeal committee may uphold, overrule or modify the suspension. The student and the student’s parent(s) shall be notified in writing within five (5) days of the decision. 

In a short term suspension (10 days or less) appeal, the student shall have the right for representation, however the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student will not be able to bring legal representation to a level one suspension appeal hearing. If legal counsel is to be present in the level two appeal hearing on a short term suspension, MPS requires a twenty-four (24) hour notice to exercise the option for legal counsel representation.

The decision of the appeal committee for short-term suspension will be final and may not be appealed to the district hearing officer or the board of education/board hearing officer. 

LONG-TERM SUSPENSION - more than ten (10) days

A long-term suspension is when a student is suspended from school for more than ten (10) days. When a long-term suspension occurs, the student’s parent(s) will be notified as soon as possible, except under circumstances that require the immediate removal of the student. 

• Before a long-term suspension is imposed, an initial suspension will occur while an investigation is conducted. 

• A conference with a site administrator will be arranged to take place when the investigation is complete. 

• The parent(s) will be provided a copy of the education plan and will bear the responsibility of monitoring the student’s education progress until the student is readmitted to school. 

• A student, who is suspended from school for more than ten (10) days, may be eligible for an alternative placement to enroll in internet-based course work, but must abide by the contract guidelines given at time of enrollment.

• Students suspended from school shall be ineligible to participate in or attend extracurricular activities.

• Any student serving suspension during the time of graduation activities shall not be allowed to participate in or attend ceremonies or programs honoring graduates. 

Schools are not responsible for the provision of educational services to those students who have been  suspended for possession of a dangerous weapon or a controlled dangerous substance. (Reference Title  70, OK statutes, Section 24-101.3)  

A student and/or his/her parent(s) may appeal the suspension. 

Appeal Process

1. The first level of appeal for suspensions will be to the building principal.

• This step may be skipped if the building principal was part of the first conference. 

• A written request specifying the reason(s) for the appeal must be submitted to the building principal within three (3) days of the notice of the suspension.

• A conference will be scheduled with the building principal.

• The Principal may uphold, overrule or modify the suspension. 

• The student and the student’s parent(s) shall be notified in writing within five (5) days of the decision. 

• The student has the right to appeal the decision.

2. The second level of appeal for suspensions will be to the appeal committee.

• In order to appeal the building principal's decision, a written request specifying the reason(s) for the appeal must be submitted to the district hearing officer  for long-term suspensions within ten (10) days.

• Upon receipt of the appeal, the district hearing officer shall schedule an appeal hearing with the appeal committee within ten (10) days from the date the notice of intent is filed.

• The appeal committee will consist of one (1) central office administrator and two (2) building principals other than the suspending principal.

• During the hearing with the appeal committee, the  student or the student’s parent(s)  shall have the right to provide evidence as to why the suspension, or the duration thereof, is inappropriate.

• Upon full investigation of the matter, the committee shall determine the guilt or innocence of the student and the reasonableness for the term of the out of school suspension.

• The appeal committee may uphold, overrule or modify the suspension. The student and the student’s parent(s) shall be notified in writing within five (5) days of the decision.

• If the appeal committee does not withdraw the suspension, the student has the right to appeal the decision.

3.  The third level of appeal for suspensions will be to the Board of Education/board hearing officer.

• In order to appeal the appeal committee’s decision the student or the student’s parent(s) shall notify the superintendent in writing within ten (10) days following receipt of the decision of the appeal committee.

• Upon receiving notice of a student’s intent to appeal,  the  superintendent  shall  advise  the  Board  of Education/board hearing officer.

• The Board of Education/board hearing officer will conduct the hearing within ten (10) days from the date the notice of intent is filed with the superintendent.

• During the hearing of the appeal before the board of education/board hearing officer, the student or the student’s parent(s) shall have the right to provide evidence as to  why  the  suspension,  or  the  duration  thereof,  is inappropriate.  

• The Board of Education/board hearing officer shall determine the guilt or innocence of the student, and the reasonableness of the term of the suspension.  

• The Board of Education/board hearing officer may uphold, overrule or modify the suspension. The student and the student’s parent(s) shall be notified within five (5) days of the decision.

• Decisions of the suspension appeal may not be appealed.

• The decision of the Board of Education/board hearing officer suspension hearing with the hearing officer shall be final.

In a long term suspension (more than 10 days) appeal, the student shall have the right for representation, however the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student will not be able to bring legal representation to a level one or a level two suspension appeal hearing. If legal counsel is to be present in the level three appeal hearing on a long term suspension, MPS requires a twenty-four (24) hour notice to exercise the option for legal counsel representation.

NOTE: 70 O.S. § 24-101.3 (E) states that a student who has been suspended from a public or private school in the State of Oklahoma or another state for a violent act or an act showing deliberate or reckless regard for the health or safety of faculty or other students shall not be entitled to enroll in a public school of this state, and no public school shall be required to enroll such student, until the terms of the suspension have been met or the time of suspension has expired.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL CONDUCT

The Board of Education recognizes that out-of-school conduct of students attending school within this district is not normally a concern of the Board.  However, the Board believes that disciplinary action for conduct occurring off school property and not involving a school activity is proper if the conduct is a sufficient connection to the school.

Therefore, it is the policy of this Board that any student attending school within this district will be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, suspension from school for any conduct, which in the opinion of the school administrators, has an adverse impact upon the school.

Such activity includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Damaging school property, e.g. a school bus;

• Engaging in activity which causes physical or emotional harm to other students, teachers or other school personnel;

• Engaging in activity which directly impedes discipline at school or the general welfare of school activities.

Search of Students, Personal Property, and School Property - Excerpt from Policy 5125

Upon reasonable suspicion, the school shall have the authority to detain and search or authorize the search, of any pupil or property in the possession of the pupil when said pupil is on any school premises, or while in transit under the authority of the school, or while attending any function sponsored or authorized by the school.

PREVENTION OF BULLYING - REPEATED ACTS OR PATTERNS OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, THREATENING BEHAVIOR OR HAZING 

Policy # 5110

It is the policy of this school district that bullying of students by other students, personnel, or the public will not be tolerated. Students are expected to be civil, polite, and fully engaged in the learning process. Students who act inappropriately are not fully engaged in the learning process. This policy is in effect while the students are on school grounds, in school vehicles, at designated bus stops, at school-sponsored activities, or at school-sanctioned events, and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district. Bullying of students by electronic communication is prohibited whether or not such communication originated at school or with school equipment, if the communication is specifically directed at students or school personnel and concerns harassment, intimidation, or bullying at school. The school district is not required to provide educational services in the regular school setting to any student who has been removed from a public school or private school in Oklahoma or another state by administrative or judicial process for an act of using electronic communication with the intent to terrify, intimidate or harass, or threaten to inflict injury or physical harm to faculty or students.

As used in the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act, "bullying" means any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education of any student. Such behavior is specifically prohibited.

In administering discipline, consideration will be given to alternative methods of punishment to ensure that the most effective discipline is administered in each case. In all disciplinary action, teachers and administrators will be mindful of the fact that they are dealing with individual personalities. The faculty may consider consultation with parents to determine the most effective disciplinary measure.

In considering alternatives of corrective actions, the faculty/administration of the school district will consider those listed below.  However, the school is not limited to these alternative methods, nor does this list reflect an order or sequence of events to follow in disciplinary actions. The board of education will rely upon the judgment and discretion of the administrator to determine the appropriate remedial or corrective action in each instance.

• Conference with student

• Conference with parents

• In-school intervention

• Detention

• Referral to counselor

• Behavioral contract

• Changing student's seat assignment or class assignment

• Requiring a student to make financial restitution for damaged property

• Requiring a student to clean or straighten items or facilities damaged by the student's behavior

• Restriction of privileges

• Involvement of local authorities

• Referring student to appropriate social agency or to a delinquency prevention and Diversion program administrated by the office of Juvenile Affairs

• Suspension

• Performing Campus-site services for the school district.

• Other appropriate disciplinary action as required and as indicated by the circumstances which may include, but is not limited to, removal from eligibility to participate or attend extracurricular activities as well as removal from the privilege of attending or participating in the graduation ceremony, school dances, prom, prom activities, and/or class trips, change of placement.

Harassment set forth above may include, but is not limited to, the following: 

• Verbal, physical, or written harassment or abuse;

• Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature;

• Implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements, etc.;

• Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student;

• Unwelcome physical contact.

The superintendent or designee shall develop procedures providing for:

• Prompt investigation of allegations of harassment;

• The expeditious correction of the conditions causing such harassment;

• Establishment of adequate measures to provide confidentiality in the complaint process;

• Initiation of appropriate corrective actions;

• Identification and enactment of methods to prevent reoccurrence of the harassment; and

• A process where the provisions of this policy are disseminated in writing annually to all staff and students.

REFERENCE         

21 O.S. §850.0

70 O.S. §24-100.2

PROHIBITING BULLYING (INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES)

The following procedures will be used by any person for the filing, processing, and resolution of a reported incident of harassment, intimidation, bullying, or threatening behavior. The procedures are to be followed by the administration of the school district in an effort to determine the severity of the incident and the potential to result in future violence.

DEFINITIONS 

Bullying:  means any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education of any student.

Electronic communication: means the communication of any written, verbal, pictorial information or video content by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, a mobile or cellular telephone or other wireless communication device, or a computer.

Threatening behavior: means any pattern of behavior or isolated action, whether or not it is directed at another person, that a reasonable person would believe indicates potential for future harm to students, school personnel, or school property.

PROCEDURES

The procedure for investigating reported incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying or threatening behavior, is as follows:

• The matter should immediately be reported to the building principal or designee. If the bullying involved an electronic communication, a printed copy of the communication as well as any identifying information such as email address or web address shall be provided to the building principal or designee.  As much detailed information as possible should be provided to the building principal or designee in written form to allow for a thorough investigation of the matter.

• Upon receipt of a written report, the building principal or designee shall contact the superintendent or designee and begin an investigation to determine the severity of the incident and the potential for future violence.

• If, during the course of the investigation, it appears that a crime may have been committed the building principal or designee and/or superintendent or designee shall notify local law enforcement and request that the alleged victim also contact law enforcement to report the matter for potential criminal investigation.

• If it is determined that the school district’s discipline code has been violated, the building principal or designee shall follow district policies regarding the discipline of the student. The building principal or designee shall make a determination as to whether the conduct is actually occurring.

• Upon completion of the investigation, the principal or designee or superintendent or designee may recommend that available community mental health care substance abuse or other counseling options be provided to the student, if appropriate. This may include information about the types of support services available to the student bully, victim, and any other students affected by the prohibited behavior. If such a recommendation is made, the administration shall request disclosure of any information that indicates an explicit threat to the safety of students or school personnel provided the disclosure of information does not violate the provisions or requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Section 2503 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1376 of Title 59 of Oklahoma Statutes, or any other state or federal laws relating to the disclosure of confidential information.

• Upon completion of an investigation, timely notification shall be provided to the parents or guardians of a victim of documented and verified bullying.   This information should be provided within 3 school days of the conclusion of the investigation.

• Upon completion of an investigation, timely notification shall be provided to the perpetrator of the documented and verified bullying.  This information should be provided within 3 days of the conclusion of the investigation.

Reports may be made anonymously. However, no formal disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.  Reports shall be made immediately to the building principal or designee by any school employee that has reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a person is a target of bullying.

The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for enforcing this.  The building principal or designee  should  notify  the  superintendent  within  twenty-four  (24)  hours  of  any  report  of bullying.  Upon completion of an investigation, the building principal or designee should notify the superintendent or designee of the findings of the investigation.  Documentation should also be provided to the superintendent or designee to establish that timely notification was provided to the parents of the victim and the parents of the perpetrator.

RESIDENCY POLICY

Policy # 5015

LEGAL RESIDENCY

The Mustang Public Schools will enroll students who are deemed to be legal residents of the district.  In order to establish the legal residency of a child for school attendance, the student must be residing in the district with his/her parent(s), court appointed legal guardian or person having legal custody.  The Mustang Public Schools will not accept affidavit forms or notarized affidavits obtained from the custodial parent giving care and custody to another individual.  The student must be living with the parent(s), court appointed legal guardian or person having legal custody full time, as a permanent resident or with a legal guardian who can provide verifiable documentation that they are contributing to a “substantial degree” to the support of the child.

If a divorce has been granted, the decree will state which parent has legal custody.  If the decree awards joint custody, and each parent contributes in “substantial degree” to the child’s support while they have custody, then the residence in which the child resides on a regular basis determines the legal residency of the child for school attendance.

In order to determine legal guardianship or legal custody, the parent or guardian will be asked to provide a copy of the divorce decree indicating which parent has custody or a copy of the court order granting legal guardianship.  When the issue of whether a parent, legal guardian or custodial parent is contributing to a “substantial degree” to the support of the child, health insurance coverage forms and IRS end-of-year tax statements from the previous calendar year may be requested.  

Students without visible means of support, who reside within the Mustang Public Schools, will be granted enrollment privileges as a Homeless Student.

Homeless students are defined in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2001.

Individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.  These include:

• Children and youths who are sharing the housing of another person due to the loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason

• Children living in motels, hotels and trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations

• Children living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement

• Children and youths who have primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings

• Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings

• Migratory children

Any student meeting these criteria should be referred to the MPS Homeless Liaison at (405) 376-7335 to assist in completing immediate enrollment per the procedures in place with MPS.  

In cases of dispute of enrollment as a homeless student or the assigned attendance school, the parent shall be afforded due process per the MPS District McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Complaint Guidelines.  (AR5015.3)

CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTAL RIGHTS

It is the policy of the Mustang Board of Education that a parent who is awarded legal custody of a child by court action shall file a copy of the court decree awarding such custody with the school.  If the custodial parent does not wish the child to be released to the non-custodial parent, appropriate written instruction should also be filed with the school.

All staff are instructed to refer any questions to the appropriate building principal or the  Assistant Superintendent.

Absent a court decree to the contrary, both natural parents have the right to view the student’s school records, to receive school progress reports, to visit the child briefly at school and to participate in parent/teacher conferences (not necessarily together in the same conference).  

RESIDENCY DUE PROCESS

In cases of dispute of residency, the student/parent/legal guardian shall be afforded due process by the Mustang Board of Education.  A student who has been denied enrollment by the Mustang Public Schools has the right to submit his/her written appeal to the Residency Dispute Officer of Mustang Public Schools within three (3) days of residency dispute.

Parent/Legal guardian must provide, with the request for review, additional pertinent information pertaining to the residency dispute.

The residency officer will render a decision and notify parent/legal guardian within three (3) days of the receipt of the request for review.

In the event that the parent/legal guardian disagrees with the decision, they must notify the residency officer in writing within three (3) days of the receipt of the decision.  The residency officer will submit findings and documentation to the Mustang Board of Education.

The Board will review the dispute and render a decision at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.  The Board’s decision shall be final.

NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENT 

Proof of Residence

Students enrolling in Mustang Public Schools shall be required to provide two (2) verifiable proofs of residency.  The parent/legal guardian shall be asked to provide the following:

•  current utility billings including gas, electric, water or sewer and/or 

•  lease agreement

•  contract on a home, (completion of the build and residency established within approximately 45 days of enrollment) 

• warranty deed statement

• mortgage statement.  

If utility billings are not available, the school shall accept a current or active verification of service from the utility company that the services have been established.  The letter must be on letterhead and signed by an appropriate official.  Telephone billing, television cable billing, personal checks or driver’s license will not be accepted as a verifiable, current proof of residency.  By completing the enrollment process, the resident/owner/parent/guardian are consenting to approval allowing the school district to request, inspect and verify additional proofs of residency.

Residency Verification by Affidavit

Parent(s)/Legal guardian(s)/Students who cannot provide the necessary information to verify their address because they are residing with a friend or relative on a temporary or permanent basis shall be required to complete a “Residency Verification by Affidavit” form completing a residency verification by Affidavit requires both the homeowner/resident and the parent/legal guardian of the student must sign and each must provide a current valid driver’s license (not expired) or state issued I.D. card.  The homeowner/resident shall provide the two (2) proofs of residency as required for all new students.  The name on the affidavit must match the name on the proofs of residence.  The Parent/Legal guardian shall provide two (2) proofs of residency.  Mail (such as bank statement, medical bills, insurance papers, but not personal letters or junk mail), either addressed to the parent at the address claimed as the residence or forwarded by the United States Postal System to the address claimed as the residence, updated lease agreement showing parent/legal guardian and student’s name as occupants.  A Residency Verification by Affidavit is valid for the current school year only and is to be renewed each year (during the summer).   By completing the RVA process, the resident/owner/parent/guardian are consenting to approval allowing the school district to request, inspect and verify additional proofs of residency.

Renewal of existing Residency Verification by Affidavit forms takes place over the summer for the upcoming school year.  Completion of new Residency Verification by Affidavit forms for the upcoming school year may be completed at the time of enrollment or over the summer months.

The child shall not be enrolled until all necessary documentation has been provided and verified.  If the homeowner/MPS resident /parent/legal guardian/student moves, the enrollment of the student is null and void and the student may be immediately withdrawn.

The MPS Administration reserves the right to make a home inspection.  MPS may bill the legal MPS resident for the cost of educational services if falsification of the affidavit occurs.  Oklahoma State Law specifies that any person who willfully makes a false statement in a “Residency Verification by Affidavit” form shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both.  The parent must agree to notify MPS immediately upon any change in residence.

New Residence

The intent to build a home within the Mustang Public School District does not constitute legal residency.  If a home is in the process of construction, and a copy of a construction contract with local address can be filed with the school system, a resident shall have approximately forty-five (45) school days from the date of initial enrollment to establish permanent residence in the home under construction.  If residency is not established within the allotted time period, the student’s enrollment can be terminated.

Home Language Survey

The parent/guardian(s) of any student enrolling must complete the Home Language Survey for K-12 School Districts.

The Home Language Survey will apply to all years the student is enrolled with MPS.  A new Home Language Survey must be completed in the event that a student withdraws from the district and returns at a later date. 

In compliance with state and federal laws, if your child meets the state of Oklahoma's definition for "bilingual", your child will be given a language assessment placement test within 30 calendar days at the start of the school year within the first 10 (ten) days of enrollment.  If your child qualifies for *ELL (English Language Learners) services, he/she will also participate in the post-testing procedures in the spring. Results of these tests will be provided for the parent's review and will be maintained in the student's cumulative folder and in other district files.

LEP (Limited English Proficient) and EL (English Learners) are interchangeable terms.

ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES AND RECORDS  - Excerpt from Policy 2222

Electronic or digital signatures can take many forms and can be created using many different types of technology. The authenticity and reliability of electronic signatures relating to transactions are dependent on the accompanying processes, supplemental records, and the overall context in which records are created, transferred, and signed. The Mustang School Board adopts the following policy with respect to the use of electronic records and signatures in connection with its communications with parents, guardians, or other persons having control over a child enrolled in this district.

Policy #5035

All children between the ages of five (5) years on or before September 1, and twenty-one (21) years on or before September 1, shall be entitled to attend school free of charge in the district in which they reside.

All children who are at least four (4) years of age but not more than five (5) years of age on or before September 1 and who have not attended a public school kindergarten shall be entitled to attend half-day or full-day early childhood programs at any public school in the state where such programs are offered; provided no child shall be required to attend any early childhood education program.  The following paragraphs shall govern early childhood programs:

Children who are at least four (4) years of age but not more than five (5) years of age on or before September 1 shall be entitled to attend either half-day or full-day early childhood programs in their district of residence free of charge as long as the district has the physical facilities and teaching personnel to accommodate the child.  For purposes of calculation of State Aid, children in an early childhood education program shall be included in the average daily membership of the district providing the program.  

A child who has not reached the age of five (5) years on or before September 1 and who resides in a district that does not offer an early childhood program shall be eligible for transfer to a district where an early childhood program is offered if the district that offers the early childhood program agrees to the transfer.  A district offering early childhood programs may refuse to accept a nonresident child if the district does not have the physical facilities or teaching personnel to accommodate the child in an early childhood education class.  If the child requesting the transfer has not reached the age of four (4) on or before September 1, the district may refuse to accept the nonresident child if the district determines the child is not ready for an early childhood program.  Children who are accepted in a program outside their district of residence as provided in this paragraph shall be included in the average daily membership of the district providing the program for State Aid funding subject to the State Aid formula weight limitations set forth in paragraph 1 of this subsection.

Children who have reached the age of four (4) years on or before September 1 may apply for admittance to Pre-Kindergarten in MPS.  The program operates Monday through Friday with half-day sessions.  The program is free and follows the MPS’s calendar.  Transportation is not provided.

No child shall be enrolled in Kindergarten unless he or she will have reached the age of five year on or before September 1 of the school year. No child shall be enrolled in the first grade unless he/she will have reached the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 of the school year. The superintendent may waive the age requirement for students who wish to enroll in first grade upon parent request and based upon a review of the child’s circumstances. 

No non resident and non transferred pupil shall be allowed to attend school in any school district unless a tuition fee equal to the per capita cost of education for a similar period in such district during the preceding year has been paid to the receiving district in advance yearly or by semester as determined by the district board of education of receiving district.  If the State Board of Education discovers that such attendance has been allowed without prior payment of the tuition fee in advance as required, no further payment of any State Aid Funds shall be made to the district until such district has shown to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education that all such tuition fees have been paid or that such tuition pupil will no longer be allowed to attend school until the required tuition fee has been paid.

Any parent, guardian, person or institution having care and custody of a child who pays ad valorem tax on real property in any other school district other than that in which that person resides may, with the approval of the receiving board, enroll the child in any school district in which ad valorem tax is paid and receive a credit on the nonresident tuition fee equal to the amount of the ad valorem tax paid for school 

district purposes in the school district in which the child is enrolled.  Provided, the credit shall not exceed the total amount required for the tuition payment (70-1-114)

Where tuition has been paid to permit the underage child to attend kindergarten in a school district, the child is not entitled to attend first grade free of charge in another district where he does not meet the general minimum age for free first grade attendance required by this section, January 29, 1976 (AG Op. No. 76-132)

Mustang Public Schools does not accept tuition for underage children.

Enrollment of new students can be completed online through the online enrollment system.  Central Enrollment office staff will subsequently review and enroll students whose enrollment process is complete.  Returning students will fill out online re-enrollment during each spring semester.  State law and district policy requires that parents provide the following information at the time of enrollment:

• State issued ID or Driver’s License (must be current, not expired)

• official birth certificate for all new students enrolling in MPS

• two (2) proofs of residence (see New Student Enrollment - Proof of Residency in Residency Policy # 5015)

• immunization record that meets the immunization requirements for the State of Oklahoma.  For a current guide please contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health Immunization Services at 1-800-234-6196 or their website at http://www.health.ok.gov.

STUDENTS MAY NOT ENROLL WITHOUT COMPLETE IMMUNIZATION RECORDS OR PROOF THAT THE STUDENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF RECEIVING REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS.  NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.  Exemptions to the immunization law may be granted in accordance with the state law and State Health Department requirements.

Notification of Changes in Enrollment Information

Please notify the Central Enrollment office with a change of address, custody changes, legal name changes, updated legal documents, phone number changes, emergency contact updates, etc. 

Pre Re-Enrollment for Returning Students

Returning students will fill out online re-enrollment during each spring semester.  District policy requires  1 (one) proof of residency at re-enrollment in the spring and 1 (one) in the fall.  

Enrollment of Students From a School Not Accredited By the Oklahoma State Board of Education

Policy # 5016

A student enrolling in grades 1-8 in the Mustang Public Schools after having attended a school not accredited by the Oklahoma State Board of Education or another state for nine weeks or longer shall be required to be tested by the Mustang Public Schools to help determine grade level placement. A team consisting of the site principal, school counselor and a classroom teacher will evaluate the test scores along with other factors such as age, and social/emotional well-being to determine the best placement for the student.

Students requesting validation of credits from a school not accredited at the high school level (grades 9-12) by the Oklahoma State Board of Education or another state must submit documentation and/or an official transcript from the school to the Principal of Mustang High School. Before a core academic credit will be awarded by Mustang High School on an official school transcript, the student must demonstrate proficiency at a 60% level or above through credit by examination. Exams will only be given in the core academic courses from the non-accredited school that were completed with a passing grade of a D or higher. For the courses where credit by examination is awarded, credit will be documented on an official Mustang High School transcript and will reflect the score earned; i.e., 76% equals a C. Enrollment can then be finished based on courses still needed for graduation requirements.

In addition to the use of achievement testing for core academics, other consideration may be given by the principal or delegated authority to the type of program in which the student participated, the facilities and equipment, types of activities, number of hours per week, etc. for elective credits. Examination results will be kept in the student’s cumulative file. 

TRANSFER POLICY

Policy # 5005

Previous Transfers (prior to January 1st, 2022)

Transfers previously granted by the school board will remain in effect unless the board of education takes          action to deny a future year’s attendance based upon discipline, or attendance as addressed within this policy. Parents/Guardians will be notified by July 15th of the district’s decision to deny continuance. This discontinuance can be appealed to the school board according to this policy.

Transfer Application Overview & Timeline

The school district will not accept or deny a transfer based on ethnicity, national origin, gender, income level, disabling condition, proficiency in the English language, measure of achievement, aptitude or athletic ability. Parents/Guardians can request a transfer at any time. Receipt of applications will be documented by the district so that the district may review those applications in the order submitted for purposes of capacity limitations. The administration will notify parents/guardians of the decision to approve or deny within 30 calendar days of request receipt in writing by either hand-delivery, by U.S. Mail or electronic mail. If denied, the notification shall include an explanation including but not limited to any citation to the statute, regulation, or school district policy under which the denial was made; A copy or electronic link of the policy adopted by the district for determining the number of transfer students the school district has the capacity to accept; a copy or electronic link of 210:10-1-18.1 from the Administrative Code; and the date upon which the appeal will be due. 

Upon notification of an approved transfer, the parents/guardian has 10 calendar days to initiate enrollment. Failure to do so may result in transfer revocation.

For existing transfers, the district will not require parents to resubmit a new transfer application each school year and will advance the previous application of an enrolled student amending only the grade placement of the student. A student shall be allowed to transfer to a district in which the parent or legal guardian of the student is employed as an employee per 70 O.S. § 8-113. 

State law does limit the ability of a student to transfer no more than two (2) times per school year to one or more school districts in which the student does not reside. Exceptions to this limit will exist for students in foster care. Students are legally entitled to reenroll at any time in his or her school district of residence. Any brother or sister of a student who transfers may attend the school district to which their sibling transferred as long as the school district has capacity in the grade level and the sibling does not meet a basis for denial as listed below. A separate application must be filed for each student so that the district can timely consider requests in the order applications are received.

It is the policy of the board of education that any legally transferring student shall be accepted by the district under the following circumstances:

1. The district has the capacity to accept the student at the grade level at the school site;

2. The transferring student has not been disciplined for:

a. violation of a school regulation,

b. possession of an intoxicating beverage, low-point beer, as defined by Section 163.2 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or missing or stolen property if the property is reasonably suspected to have been taken from a student, a school employee, or the school during school activities, or

c. possession of a dangerous weapon or a controlled dangerous substance while on or within two thousand (2,000) feet of public school property, or at a school event, as defined in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.

3. The transferring student does not have a history of absences. “History of absences” means ten or more absences in one semester that are not excused for the reasons provided in 70 O.S. § 10-105 or due to illness.

By the first day of January, April, July and October, the board of education shall establish the number of transfer students the district has the capacity to accept in each grade level for each school site within the district. The number of transfer students for each grade level at each site that the district has the capacity to accept will be posted in a prominent place on the school district’s website. The district shall report to the State Department of Education the number of transfer students for each grade level for each school site which the district has the capacity to accept.

Capacity Determination

Capacity, determinations are specifically for the purpose of complying with Oklahoma state law (70 O.S. § 18-113.1) establishing guidelines to determine the capacity for Mustang Public Schools to accept transfer students as defined by law. Capacity is not intended to define district decisions related to staffing allocations or class size determinations for non-transfer students.

In making the decision to determine Capacity, the board of education shall review class size limits specified in 70 O.S. § 18-113.1 and multiply those limits times the number of specified classroom teachers employed by the school district at each grade level. If classroom space is not sufficient to accommodate that number of students due to a classroom being disproportionately sized, the district’s capacity numbers will reflect a lesser amount based upon that classroom size. Mustang Public Schools recognizes the need to provide additional support in schools designated as School wide Title I sites. Capacity limits are smaller for these sites as described below. 

The following calculations will be used to determine Program Capacity for schools not designated as School wide Title I school sites.

● PK-4th Grades

By site, the number of core grade level teachers per grade level x 20 students = capacity for that grade level.

● 5th -6th Grades

By site, the number of English Language Arts sections per grade level x 20 students = capacity for that grade level.

● 7th-8th Grades

By site, the number of English Language Arts sections per grade level x 25 students = capacity for that grade level.

● 9th-12th Grades

By site, the number of English Language Arts sections per grade level x 28 students = capacity for that grade level.

The following calculations will be used to determine Program Capacity for schools designated as School wide Title I school sites.

● PK-4th Grades

By site, the number of core grade level teachers per grade level x 18 students = capacity for that grade level.

● 5th -6th Grades

By site, the number of English Language Arts sections per grade level x 18 students = capacity for that grade level.

● 7th-8th Grades

By site, the number of English Language Arts sections per grade level x 22 students = capacity for that grade level.

● 9th-12th Grades

By site, the number of English Language Arts sections per grade level x 25 students = capacity for that grade level.

As it relates to Capacity, “Student” is defined as any student currently enrolled in Mustang

Public Schools, regardless of instructional delivery format.

As it relates to Capacity, “English Language Arts” includes all levels of English Instruction for each specific grade level (e.g. English 3 and AP English Language). Self-contained special education courses and special education related teacher maximums are defined elsewhere.

As it relates to Capacity, the “sections” of English Language Arts are defined as one regular class taught by at least one teacher for a time of 1 period in the school day. 

Transfer Capacity Review

The school district shall enroll transfer students in the order in which they submit their applications. If the number of student transfer applications exceeds the capacity of the district, the district shall select transfer students in the order in which the district received the application.

Uniformed Military Services - Dependent Children

Students who are the dependent children of a member of the active uniformed military services of the United States on full-time active-duty status and students who are the dependent children of the military reserve on active duty orders shall be eligible for admission to the school district regardless of capacity of the district. Students shall be eligible for military transfer if:

1. At least one parent of the student has a Department of Defense issued identification card; and

2. At least one parent can provide evidence that he or she will be on active-duty status or active-duty orders, meaning the parent will be temporarily transferred in compliance with official orders to another location in support of combat, contingency operation or a national disaster requiring the use of orders for more than thirty (30) consecutive days.

Transfer Acceptance

If accepted, a student transfer is granted for the existing school year and may continue to attend in future years. At the end of the school year, the district may deny continued transfer of the student due to disciplinary reasons or a history of absences. Parents will be responsible for transportation for accepted transfers.

Automatic Approvals

If a parent receives notification from the State Department of Education their transfer has been automatically approved due to military, foster care or a teacher employment status situation, Mustang Public Schools may immediately revoke the transfer upon failure to meet qualifying approval criteria outlined in law; teacher hired but never shows for work; military deployment orders are rescinded; etc.

Transfer Denial & Appeal

If a transfer request is denied by the administration, the parent or legal guardian of the student may appeal the denial within ten (10) calendar days of notification of denial to the board of education. The appeal period begins 3 days after notification sent by US mail or the day after a notification sent by email or hand delivered. The appeal to the board of education shall be submitted to the office of the superintendent. The appeal shall include the following: The name, address and telephone number of the parent of the student and the student for whom the appeal is being taken; the date the district gave notice denying the transfer request; the basis for appealing the decision of the school district; and the name, address and telephone number of the legal representative, if applicable. The board of education shall consider the appeal at its next regularly scheduled board meeting if notice is provided prior to the statutory deadline for posting the agenda for the meeting. During the appeal, the board will review the action of the administration to make sure that the district policy was followed with regard to the denial of the transfer. The board of education will meet in an executive session to review the educational records of the student. If the policy was not followed, the board of education shall vote to overturn the denial and the transfer will be granted. Any board vote on the appeal must be taken in open session. The student’s name should not be included in the agenda or in the motion. If the board of education votes to deny an appeal of a request to transfer, the board of education shall instruct the superintendent to provide notification of denial in writing to the parent of the student by either hand-delivery, by U.S. Mail, or by electronic mail. The notification shall include: An explanation, including the legal citation to the statute, regulation, or school district policy under which the denial was made; a copy of the policy adopted by the board of education for determining the number of transfer students the district has capacity to accept; a copy of the State Board of Education’s prescribed form for an appeal; and a copy of 210:10-1-18.1 which identifies the Accreditation standard for appealing the denial of a student transfer. If the board of education votes to uphold the denial of the transfer, the parent or legal guardian may appeal the denial within ten (10) calendar days of the notification of the appeal denial to the State Board of Education. The parent or legal guardian shall submit to the superintendent of the district, a notice of appeal on the form prescribed by the State Board of Education. The superintendent will immediately provide copies of the appeal to each member of the board of education.  Upon receipt of notice of an appeal, but not later than five (5) calendar days prior to the date at which the State Board of Education is scheduled to consider the appeal, the board of education may submit a written response to the appeal. Responses should not exceed five (5) pages. If not submitted by the parent, the board of education shall provide a copy of the policy adopted to determine the number of transfer students the district has the capacity to accept in each grade level for each school site within the district.  The parent and the school district will have an opportunity to appear in person or by authorized representative or by attorney to address the State Board at the meeting.  

Athletics

A student who enrolls in a school district in which the student is not a resident shall not be eligible to participate in school-related extramural athletic competition governed by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association for a period of one (1) year from the first day of attendance at the receiving school unless the transfer is from a school district which does not offer the grade the student is entitled to pursue as per 70 O.S. § 8-103.2.

In-District Transfer

A request to transfer to another school in the Mustang district can be submitted any time after April 1 for the following school year. All In-District Transfer requests should be submitted electronically. A link to the online request form will be provided to parents individually upon request. Parents should contact the Mustang Education Resource Center for access to the online transfer request form. A transfer is approved for one (1) school year only. The transfer request process must be completed each year before a child can be considered for a transfer. An in-district transfer may be revoked at any time for disciplinary reasons.

Transfer of Special education Students

 If a transfer application is received for a child with disabilities to a school district other than the district of residence of the child pursuant to the Education Open Transfer Act, the following provisions shall apply: 

1. The school district shall establish availability of the appropriate program, staff, and services prior to approval of the transfer; 

2. Prior to the approval of the transfer of a child on an individualized education program (IEP), a joint IEP conference shall be required between the district of residence and the receiving district; and 

3. Upon approval of the transfer, the receiving district shall claim the child in the average daily membership for state and for federal funding purposes and shall assume all responsibility for education of the child. 

For state funding purposes, the State Department of Education shall include the appropriate grade level weight and all category weights to which the pupil is assigned pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-201.1 of this title when calculating State Aid pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-200.1 of this title, regardless of whether the receiving district provides education to the student using traditional in-class means or via online instruction. When applicable, the receiving district may apply to the Oklahoma Special Education Assistance Fund for assistance in meeting any extraordinary costs incurred. REFERENCE: 70 O.S. §13-103.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Policy # 5025

Unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, Mustang Schools will:

• Accept exchange students on J-1 visas, issued pursuant to paragraph (a) (15) (J) of Section 1101 of Title 8 of the United States Code.

• Mustang Schools will not accept exchange students on M-1 visas, issued pursuant to paragraph (a) (15) (M) of Section 1101 of Title 8 of the United States Code, which are for vocational or non academic students or F-1 visas, issued pursuant to paragraph (a) (15) (f) of Section 1101 of Title 8 of the United States Code, therefore, MPS is not an I-20 issuing school.

• Use the governing regulations set by the United States Information Agency (USIA) for Exchange Visitor Programs as guidelines and standards for local schools.

• Have the right to accept or reject any exchange student or sponsoring organization not adhering to the USIA regulations and have the right to reject any exchange student if the student, legal custodian, or legal guardian is not a resident of the district.

• Foreign exchange students will be classified as juniors and will not participate in graduation exercises.  

SCHEDULE CHANGES (Grades 9-12)

Course schedules should be created with the goal of providing optimal academic growth for a student.

Therefore, requests for schedule changes which result in a student being moved to a course which is, in general, below the intellectual capabilities of the student will not typically be approved.  In addition, requests for schedule changes due to a student’s desire to “be with a friend” or to have a specific teacher will also be denied.

Schedule changes are permitted through the first ten (10) days of the semester.  Schedule changes will only be considered for legitimate reasons such as a schedule conflict, meeting graduation requirements or an inappropriate placement as determined by a teacher, counselor, or administrator.  Any schedule change after the first ten (10) days of the semester will require administrative approval.  See procedures for the appeal process for a change of schedule after the 10-day deadline.

Schedules may be adjusted if any of the following criteria exist and space is available:

• Incomplete schedules or computer errors

• Duplication of courses

• Student who does not meet prerequisites or does not have teacher approval

• Student accepted to a special program (e.g., Career Tech)

• Student placed with a teacher under whom the student previously received a failing grade

• A student’s desire to take a more challenging course (no reversal at a later date)

Appeal Process for a Schedule or Teacher Change Following the 10-Day Deadline

1. A conference with parent(s), student, teacher, and an administrator is required. During this conference, the problem/concern will be discussed, and a plan will be formulated to assist the student and teacher in addressing the concern through mutual effort. This plan must remain in effect for a minimum of six (6) weeks before re-evaluating the situation.

2. If the parent feels the above plan has not been successful, he or she may contact the administrator in writing to communicate his or her continued concerns. The principal will determine, based on communication with the parent, student and teacher, whether a schedule change is in the best interest of the student.

PROFICIENCY-BASED PROMOTION/CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

Policy # 5065

Upon the request of a student, parent or guardian, a student will be given the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in one or more areas of the core curriculum. Proficiency will be demonstrated by assessment or evaluation appropriate to the curriculum area. Elementary, middle and high school students who are legally enrolled in Mustang Public Schools and who have not previously received instruction in the requested course/grade level will qualify to request proficiency based promotion. Proficiency for advancing to the next level of study will be indicated by a 90 percent or comparable performance on an assessment or demonstration. The opportunity for proficiency assessment will be provided at least twice each school year. Application for testing must be made at least fourteen (14) days prior to the testing date. Students shall have the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in the following core areas as identified in 70 O.S.11-103.6:

• Social Studies

• Language Arts

• The Arts

• Languages

• Mathematics

• Science

Students demonstrating proficiency in a core curriculum area will be given credit for their learning and will be allowed to advance to the next grade/level of study. The school will confer with parents in making promotion/acceleration decisions. Students must progress through a curriculum area in a sequential manner. If proficiency is demonstrated, the notation to be placed on the student’s permanent record/transcript will be a letter grade of an “A.” The credit(s) shall count toward meeting the requirements for the high school diploma.

Students who do not demonstrate proficiency will be allowed to request testing during the next assessment period. Failure to demonstrate proficiency will not be noted on the student’s transcript.

Application forms, testing dates and other information are available from the school counselor. 

STUDENT PROMOTION/RETENTION 

Policy #5070

In accordance with the Reading Sufficiency Act of the state of Oklahoma and the policy of the Mustang Board of Education, the following criteria for the selection of students to be promoted to the next grade level, retained in their current grade, or denied course credit, will be used in the Mustang School District.

Mustang Public Schools will comply with the laws and rules applicable to the Reading Sufficiency Act.

Students in grades K-4:

1. Any first grade, second grade, or third grade student who demonstrates end-of-year proficiency in reading at the third-grade level through a screening instrument which meets the acquisition of reading skills criteria shall not be subject to retention. Upon demonstrating proficiency through screening, the district shall provide notification to the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) of the student that they have satisfied the requirements of the Reading Sufficiency Act and will not be subject to retention pursuant to this section.

2. If a third-grade student is identified at any point of the academic year as having a significant  

reading deficiency, which shall be defined as not meeting grade level targets on a screening instrument which meets the acquisition of reading skills criteria, the district shall immediately begin a student reading portfolio and shall provide notice to the parent of the deficiency.

3. If a student has not yet satisfied the proficiency requirements of this section prior to the completion  

of third grade and still has a significant reading deficiency, as identified based on assessments administered, and has not accumulated evidence of third-grade proficiency through a student portfolio or is not subject to a good-cause-exemption, then the student shall not be eligible for automatic promotion to fourth grade.

4. The minimum criteria for grade-level performance of third grade students pursuant to the Reading Sufficiency Act shall be that students are able to read and comprehend grade-level text.  To determine the promotion and retention of third-grade students, the State Board of Education shall use only the scores for the standards for reading foundation/processes and vocabulary portions of the statewide third-grade assessments. 

5. A student not eligible for automatic promotion and who does not meet the criteria established by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability on the reading portion of the statewide third-grade assessment may be evaluated for  probationary promotion by a Student Reading Proficiency Team.  The student shall be promoted to the next grade if the team members unanimously recommend probationary promotion to the school principal and district superintendent for approval.  If a student is allowed a probationary promotion, the team shall continue to review the reading performance of the student and repeat the requirements of this paragraph each academic year until the student demonstrates grade-level reading proficiency, as identified through a screening instrument which meets the acquisition of reading skills criteria, for the corresponding grade level in which the student is enrolled or transitions to a locally designed remediation plan after the fifth grade which shall have the goal of ensuring that the student is on track to be college and career ready. 

6. Students who do not meet the performance criteria established by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability on the reading portion of the statewide third-grade assessment and who are not subject to a good cause exemption shall be retained in the third grade and provided intensive instructional services and supports.

A third grade student may be promoted for “good cause” if the student meets one of the following statutory exemptions:

• English language learners who have had less than two years of instruction in an English language learner program;

• Students with disabilities whose individualized education plans, consistent with state law, indicates that the student is to be assessed with alternative achievement standards through the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP);

• Students who demonstrate an acceptable level of performance on an alternative standardized reading assessment approved by the State Board of Education;

• Students who demonstrate through a student portfolio, that the student is reading on grade level as evidenced by demonstration of mastery of the state standards beyond the retention level;

• Students with disabilities who participate in the statewide criterion-referenced tests and who have an individualized education plan that reflects that the student has received intensive remediation in reading and has made adequate progress in reading pursuant to the student’s individualized education program. 

•  Students who have received intensive remediation in reading through a program of reading instruction for two (2) or more years but still demonstrate a deficiency in  reading and who were previously retained in prekindergarten for academic reasons, or  in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, or third grade.

• Students who have been granted an exemption for medical emergencies by the State Department of Education. 

For other students in grades K-4 who do not fall under the Reading Sufficiency Act guidelines:

• A classroom teacher may recommend promotion or retention of a student. 

• A placement committee which may consist of a principal, counselor, and teacher(s) shall determine if a student is to be assigned to the next higher grade.  

• The committee shall consider grade level achievement, standardized test scores, attendance records and other criteria as needed. Penmanship, art, music and physical education grades are not included in the core subjects when considering retention.  

• A conference with parent(s) or guardian(s) will be held prior to the retention of any student.  

Students in grades 5-8:

• A conference with parent(s) or guardian(s) will be held prior to the retention of any student.

• Considerations for retention will include: grade level achievement, standardized test scores, attendance records and other criteria as needed.

Students in grades 9-12:

• Credit for a course of study will be transcripted if the student has achieved a grade average of 60% or above as determined by the teacher of record.

PROMOTION/RETENTION APPEAL PROCESS

Whenever a school or placement committee recommends that a student be retained at the present grade level or promoted to the next grade level, the parent (s) or guardian, if dissatisfied with the recommendation, may appeal the decision by complying with the district’s appeal process.  The decision of the Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or designee shall be final.  The parent(s) or guardian may prepare a written statement to be placed in and become a part of the permanent record of the student stating the parent(s)’s or guardian(s)’s reason(s) for disagreeing with the decision of Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or designee.  

Appeal Process:

1. In Order to appeal the school’s decision, a written request specifying the reason(s) for the appeal must be submitted to the Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or  designees for promotion / retention within three (3) days.

2. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or designee shall schedule an appeal conference. 

3. During the appeal conference the Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or designee reserves the right to include additional district administration. 

4. During the appeal conference, the student’s parent(s) shall have the right to provide any new  information relating to the established criteria as to why the recommendation of the school is inappropriate.

5. The student shall have the right for representation.  If legal counsel is to be present in the meeting, MPS requires a twenty-four (24) hour notice to exercise the option for legal counsel representation. 

6. Upon full review of the matter, the Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or designee shall determine if the placement of the student is appropriate.

7. The Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or designee may uphold, or overrule the placement. The student and the student’s parent(s) shall be notified in writing within five (5) days of the decision.

8. The decision of the Board of Education/Board Hearing Officer or designee shall be final and not subject to any further appeal.

REFERENCE

70 O.S. §24-114.1

            70 O.S. §1210.508C

APPEAL OF ATTENDANCE RECORD

Appeal of Attendance Record: A written appeal concerning attendance must be made to the Appeal Committee within 10 days from the last day of the semester. The appeal form is located on the High School website. Instructions for the process of submitting the form to the Appeal Committee is located on the form. Doctors’ notes should be submitted to building secretaries throughout the semester. Original doctor’s notes or other documentation should be kept for your own records. An appeal committee consisting of an administrator, teacher and counselor will review the merits of the appeal and submit a final decision to the site administrator. The decision of the committee is final. 

OFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

If a student plans to request withdrawal from school, the parent/guardian of the student must notify the school.  The student will then receive a withdrawal slip to present to each of his/her teachers and counselor.  The teachers will record a withdrawal grade, which will be the grades earned during the current semester.  If he/she has any state owned books, library or departmental books or supplies, he/she must return them to the counseling office.  After he/she gets his/her teacher’s and counselor’s signatures on the slip, he/she must present it to the principal for approval.

GRADUATION

Policy #5075

The Mustang Board of Education recognizes that a 12-year course of study in certain specific subject areas has proven to be beneficial in assisting students to become productive citizens and to prepare for advanced study.  Therefore, it is the policy of the board of education that the required course units plus elective units must be equal to a minimum of 26 units for graduation.

A credit/unit represents the credit/unit given for successful completion of one (1) year of study in a solid subject.  All students must be enrolled in a minimum of seven (7) classes per semester.

MHS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

All classes taken to meet graduation requirements must be taken in grades 9-12.

According to the law, your student will automatically be enrolled in the college preparatory/work ready curriculum, and you do not need to do anything to enroll your student in this curriculum. However, if you choose the core curriculum, you must complete the “College Preparatory/Work Ready Parental Curriculum Choice Letter” and turn it in to your student’s school counselor. Please contact your counselor if you have questions or need additional information.

Overview of Graduation Requirements by Class

Specific courses can be found in the Mustang High School Course Guide or the Oklahoma State Department of Education website. sde.ok.gov/sde/

Additional Requirements for CC and CP/WRC:

• Personal Financial Literacy Requirement

• CPR/AED Requirement

• Statewide student assessment system

  • ELA

  • Math

  • Science

  • US History

Mustang Public Schools requires students to successfully complete twenty-six total credits to graduate.  However, under special circumstances due to organizational structure outside of the student’s control, Mustang Administration may recommend to the MPS School Board of Education to waive the twenty six minimum credit requirement and reduce the requirement while staying in the state guidelines. 

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT 

Dual enrollment credit is earned by high school students attending classes with other college students on the college campus. It is also sometimes earned by taking special classes at their high school sanctioned by the college to qualify for credit. When students who have earned dual enrollment credit graduate high school, they also come with a transcript from the college with all of their earned credits. Concurrent enrollment policies should be designed to create as many higher education pathways as possible for students. The following courses are approved for students at Mustang Public Schools for concurrent enrollment: 

Course offerings

ASSESSMENTS

Students graduating from Mustang High School, who start the ninth grade must meet the following requirements regarding assessments: 

●        Each student is required to take the assessments included in the statewide student assessment system (OSTP College and Career Ready Assessments ACT or SAT and Science Content in the 11th grade) as adopted by the State Board of Education in order to graduate from a public high school with a standard diploma. Each student will also be required to meet any other high school graduation requirements adopted by the State Board of Education. State law also requires students to be tested in U.S. History once during high school. 

●        Students will be excused from meeting this graduation requirement if they transfer in after the testing window closes their junior year or transfer in during their senior year.

GRADUATION EXERCISES

Only those seniors in attendance at Mustang High School and qualified under the aforementioned requirements shall be considered for participation in the Mustang graduation ceremony.

A student must complete all graduation requirements to participate in graduation exercises. If a student is missing ½ a credit, an appeal can be made to the High School Principal.  An Appeal Committee will review each case individually.  The Appeal Committee’s decision is final.

A Mustang High School student who is not allowed to graduate and participate in commencement exercises because of lack of sufficient units of credit, but subsequently completes the required credits through correspondence, summer school or similar approved methods, will have two options:

1. Upon completion of credit, the student may receive his/her diploma at that time.

2. Upon completion of requirements, a student will be allowed to participate in the commencement exercises of the next graduating class and receive his/her diploma at that time. If the student desires to participate in the exercise, he/she must notify the school on or before April 1. The student understands that he/she must abide by all policies as stated in the Mustang High School Student Handbook for the current year.

A student will not be able to participate in graduation exercises if under school suspension or incarcerated.

Students will need to dress in appropriate attire for the graduation ceremony. 

Procedure for Adding additional cords 

High school organizations who are governed by a National Organization and are tied to a transcripted course can request cords to be worn at graduation. The organizations may submit a written request for consideration of additional cords to the High School Principal for approval. This request should include all important information including the requirements for earning the cord through the organization.  Only cords approved by Mustang High School can be worn during the graduation ceremony.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Valedictorian and Salutatorian status will be based on student’s performance from their ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade year. All students with a GPA of 4.00, weighted or unweighted (no rounding of points) and above will be valedictorians and will have a class rank of number 1. All students with a 3.970 (no rounding of points) through 3.999, with no grade lower than a B, will be salutatorians. This is computed from a seven (7) semester transcript.

Students coming from out-of-state/out-of-country institutions with transfer grades that can only be transcripted as “P” may be eligible for valedictorian/salutatorian consideration only with administrative approval.

Students with weighted GPAs, which fall within the designated range for valedictorian/salutatorian, will be removed from consideration for the following:

• one (1) or more grades lower than a “B”

• one (1) or more grades of “NC”

• one (1) or more semesters of grades of “P,” which may be transcripted from out-of-state/out-of country transfer grades, unless administration approval is granted

• have attended high school more than 8 semesters

• fewer than seven (7) semesters of grades, unless on an early graduation contract

EARLY GRADUATES

Traditional setting: Six (6) semester graduates must have twenty-two and one-half (22.5) credits completed by the end of the 5th semester; the weighted GPA of those twenty-two and one-half (22.5) credits is used for valedictorian/salutatorian determination. It is the parent(s’) and student’s responsibility to notify the counselor if there is an intent to graduate early. The student will need to sign the early graduation contract. 

Non-traditional pathway: (any student utilizing an alternative setting which includes, but is not limited to MEC/PASS, MTC, Virtual Academy, CCEC, etc.). Student and Parent/Guardian must declare intended graduation by April 15 in order to participate in graduation exercises for the current school year. In order to declare graduation, the student and parent/guardian must meet with the school counselor and sign off on a graduation contract. In this instance, the student must successfully complete all graduation requirements prior to the graduation date. If a student does not declare by April 15 or does not successfully complete all graduation requirements, then they will not be allowed to participate in graduation exercises during that year.  

ALL STUDENTS

Any student that fails to meet the requirements for graduation will be re-enrolled for the following school year in order to finish all outstanding requirements. Upon completion of those outstanding requirements, the student would be eligible to participate in the graduation exercises for that school year.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE

A “simple average” of the grade points from all classes for a student will be calculated (add grade points

from each class and divide by the number of classes taken). If a student has not taken an advanced

placement (AP) or advanced placement prep class, the process ends here.

GRADE WEIGHTING

The following grade weight policy is:

• advanced placement classes will be weighted on a 5-point scale in computing grade point averages