Students & Parents
Jackson River
Technical Center
105 E. Country Club Lane
Covington, VA
24426-9640
(540) 862-1308
The purpose of this Handbook is to familiarize the
students, teachers, and parents with the policies, regulations, and
organization of Jackson River Technical
Center
Letter from the
Administration
Admission of
Postgraduate Students
Discrimination
Grievance Procedure
Paging &
Communication Devices
Absences, Tardies,
and Early Dismissals
Absences for Home
School Activities
General
Expectations & Disciplinary Actions
Tobacco Products
& Lighters/Matches
Dear Students:
On behalf of the JRTC Joint
Board of Control and the entire JRTC staff we
welcome you to Jackson River Technical Center. At the Center, you will
have unique opportunities for personal growth and skill development that will
be of tremendous benefit to you as you enter the world of work.
Jackson River Technical
Center is a very important part of the Alleghany Highlands community. The Center's staff, the Joint Board of
Control, and the entire community take great pride in this Center and the
quality training which it makes available to all students.
This handbook has been
developed to assist you in being successful at our Center. It contains information about the Center,
operating policies and procedures, and expectations that we have of students.
Please read this entire book very carefully and ask questions of staff members
about any part that you do not understand. It is extremely important that you
are fully aware of all the information it contains so that you can be
successful at the Center and know what is expected of you as a student.
As students of JRTC, it is
expected that you will conduct yourselves as mature young men and women. All faculty and staff are to be given the
same degree of respect that you would like to receive in return.
We are very pleased to have
you as a part of JRTC. Pursue your
training here with enthusiasm and a positive attitude and you will have a very
successful year.
Sincerely,
Thomas
M. P. Beirne, Director
Glenn
Spangler, Assistant Director
Jackson River Technical Center, in
accordance to Joint Board policy for the Technical Center, endorses the
following principles and guidelines for functioning as a jointly owned
technical center.
The Center staff aspires to help each
individual to discover and enhance his/her unique abilities so that he/she may
achieve vocational and civic success.
It strives to develop a proper respect for
honest work, pride in accomplishment, and awareness of the contributions for
the individual worker to society and the economy.
The Center staff seeks to graduate
"independent learners"--persons who have the necessary fundamentals
to interpret and, in turn, utilize their ever-expanding knowledge and skills.
The Center staff also seeks to graduate
"learners." Through the
activities of student organizations, students learn their roles in the school,
community, and the world of work.
Students serve others and make vital contributions toward improving the
quality of life in today's world and more importantly to shape tomorrow's
world.
The Center staff strives to point out to
each person that the greatest assets are individual skill and knowledge,
personal initiative, self-confidence, dreams and ideas, with the persistence
and determination to carry them to completion.
The Center staff provides to the
handicapped and disadvantaged individuals a
full range of vocational programs including occupationally specific
courses of study, cooperative education, and apprenticeship programs through
recruitment, enrollment, and placement activities in the least restrictive
environment.
Provisions have been made for keeping the
school and community informed about school philosophy and objectives through
various means: school visitation by the community and parents, presentations to
other schools, and updated brochures describing the various programs. Also included in the communication process
are slide presentations and student organization community awareness projects
for both community and civic groups.
Communication is further facilitated through adult and apprenticeship
programs. The community is kept
informed of the Center's activities through articles in the local newspapers,
radio broadcasts, and television.
Objectives are to:
1. Assist its students in
the selection of a vocation that coincides with their abilities and aspirations
2. Provide the instruction
and practical experiences that will provide the opportunity for each
student to prepare for gainful employment
3. Expose its students to current technical
knowledge so that they may perform
objectives necessary for entry level in the world of work
4. Develop its students to
the depth and quality of technical knowledge and skills for job retention
5. Help the individual
become aware of associated job hazards and develop safety consciousness
6. Assure
that each individual becomes aware of responsibilities and has the opportunity
to exercise individual judgment in carrying out job assignments
7. Cultivate those
qualities that prepare the individual to adjust to a constantly changing lifestyle
that accompanies the advancement of a technological
society
8. Develop leadership
through educational, vocational, civic and social activities
9. Promote high standards
in work ethics, craftsmanship, scholarship, and safety
10. Give the student prestige and recognition on the basis of school
and community
achievements
11. Broaden the student's perspective through programs, publications
and personal
contacts in the local, state, and national student organizations
12. Develop the individual student's physical, mental, and social well
being
13. Cooperate with other agencies in providing
continuing education for adults in the community as the needs present
themselves.
Job-entry level vocational training
programs are available to students at Jackson River Technical Center. These courses allow the student to earn
credits toward graduation and receive a vocational certificate in addition to
his or her diploma. Successful
completion of a program sequence will fulfill a math or science requirement for
graduation. Also, all classes meet the
practical arts graduation requirements.
Advanced
Sports, Entertainment, and Recreation Marketing: This is a one-credit, one-semester course designed for
students to continue their study of the sports, entertainment, and recreation
industry including the impact of the internet marketing and international
marketing in this area. Other topics include market research, market
segmentation, and sponsorships as well as planning, implementing, and
evaluation SER events. The course will also cover working with agents and
personal managers and appraising the role of labor unions in SER. Additional
study will be focused on developing a career plan in the field.
Prerequisites: Sports, Entertainment and Recreation Marketing Grades:
11, 12
Business Law: This is a one-credit, one-semester course designed to
acquaint students with the basic legal principles common to business and
personal activities. Topics include evaluating contracts, maximizing purchasing
power through credit, and renting and owning real estate. Business concepts
such as contracts, ethics, starting a business, hiring employees, and managing
employees are included. This course is recommended for any student intending to
pursue a degree in law or business.
Prerequisite: None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Business Management:
This is a one-credit, one-semester course
designed to assist students to study the basic management concepts and
leadership styles as they explore business ownership, planning, economics,
international business and human relations issues such as employee motivation
and conflict resolution. Students
explore the impact of technology on the business world. Students learn to evaluate and choose
appropriate marketing tools.
Prerequisite: None Grades:
10, 11, 12
Design
Multimedia, and Web Technologies: This is a one-credit, one-semester course designed to
help students develop proficiency in using desktop publishing software to
create a variety of printed and electronic publications. Students will
incorporate journalistic principles in design and layout of publications.
Students will work with hardware and software to develop web sites and
multimedia presentations.
Prerequisite:
None Grades:10, 11, 12
Entrepreneurship
Education: This
is a one-credit, one-semester course designed for students who wish to
concentrate on strategies for career development through ownership/management
of their own businesses. Although individual skills are emphasized, the focus
of the course is on development of a business plan, including the following:
Determination of type of business enterprise, legal considerations, location
selection, financing, steps in getting the enterprise started, marketing
strategy, and interaction with successful entrepreneurs.
Prerequisite:
None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Hotel/Motel
Marketing:
This is a one-credit, one-semester course. In this specialized course, students
with a career interest in the field of hospitality and recreation develop
skills in the areas of hotel front-office procedures, human relations, food and
beverage service, purchasing, tourism, travel, and sales promotion. In
addition, students obtain a thorough understanding of the hotel-motel industry
and the career options available. Academic skills (mathematics, science,
English, and history/social science) related to the content are a part of this
course. Computer/technology applications supporting this course are studied.
Prerequisite: None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Keyboarding
Applications: This is a one-credit, one-semester course
designed to allow students to develop or refine touch skills for entering
alphabetic, numeric, and symbol information on a keyboard. Students apply
keyboarding skills to produce a variety of personal and business
documents. Students will develop a
resume, type business letters and memos, and learn to develop charts and
tables. Students will compile a
portfolio containing representative examples of each type of document learned.
Prerequisite: NoneGrades: 9,
10, 11, 12
Marketing: A one-credit one-semester course for entry level
positions and/or continued education in a variety of careers that require
knowledge of communications, economics, and psychology as well as techniques in
sales, promotion, and management.
Examples include sales, public relations, business management, product
design and merchandising, fund-raising, advertising and promotion using all
types of media, and international marketing.
Marketing uses the cooperative education method offering a combination
of classroom instruction and supervised on-the-job training with continuing
supervision throughout the school year.
Prerequisite:
None Grades: 11 & 12
Sports,
Entertainment, and Recreation Marketing : This is a one-credit, one-semester course designed to
help students develop skills in the
areas of marketing analysis, event marketing, communication, and human
relations, along with a thorough understanding of the sports, entertainment,
and recreation industry and career options available. Academic skills
(mathematics, science, English, and history/social science) related to the
content are a part of this course. Computer/technology applications supporting
this course are studied.
Prerequisite:
None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Health
Assistant I: This is a one-credit, one-semester course
designed to introduce students to the various occupations within the health
care field and to develop common basic skills utilized in such
occupations. This course includes
acquainting the student with the health care industry, introducing and
surveying various health careers, identifying medical terminology of the entire
body system, vital signs, infection control, the introduction of the Omnibus
Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and Universal Precautions, understanding human
needs and communications.
Prerequisite: None Grades:
10, 11, 12
Health Assistant
II: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to assist students in the development of basic nursing care and skill
utilized in many health assistant careers.
Care competencies such as communication skills, first aid and
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), professionalism, ethics, nutrition and
medical terminology are included in the content. American Red Cross Community First Aid and CPR certification is
issued upon satisfactory completion of that unit. Supervised laboratory
training is a major component of the course.
Prerequisite: Health Assistant I Grades: 11, 12
Health
Assistant III: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to offer students advanced preparation through classroom instruction
and clinical experience. Instruction is
based on competencies for careers such as dental aide, medical assistant, nurse
aide, etc. Emphasis is on advanced skill through clinical work experience
managed by the teacher in a hospital, nursing home, or medical agency.
Satisfactory completion of the nurse aide theory and clinical components will
enable a student to take the NACEP test to become a CNA.
Prerequisite: Health Assistant II Grade: 12
Automotive Technology I: This is a one-credit, one-semester course
designed for students interested the automotive technology field. Studies in
this course will include basic safety, identification of automotive systems,
proper use and safety with basic hand tools, minor repair and maintenance of an
automobile, general interior and exterior maintenance of an automobile and
occupations in the automotive field.
Prerequisite: None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Automotive
Technology II: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to give students instruction in the basic principles in the class such
as safety, shop tools, service manuals, engine principles measurements, design
and construction, mechanical and fluid engine systems, and electrical engine
systems. Students will be working on
automobiles during lab portions of the course.
Prerequisite: Automotive Technology I Grades: 11, 12
Automotive
Technology III: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to expand the knowledge a student has learned in the two previous
automotive technology courses. Students
will receive instruction in emission control systems, automotive computers,
power transmission systems, vehicle suspension and control systems, vehicle
accessory systems, and the work experience program. Students will continue to work on automobiles during lab portions
of the course.
Prerequisite: Automotive Technology II Grade: 12
Carpentry
I: This is a one-credit, one-semester course
designed to introduce students to the principles of carpentry as they relate to
construction. Classroom and lab
instruction integrates safety, shop and field math needed by carpenters, tools,
materials, fasteners, blueprints, and layout work. The student will be involved in hands-on experiences such as the
building of a house, shop orders, cabinets, small buildings, and other such
projects.
Prerequisite: None
Grades: 10,
11, 12
Carpentry
II: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to give students more emphasis on carpentry principles. Classroom and lab instruction integrate
additional and more detailed instruction from the topics in a review of
Carpentry I; safety; rough carpentry; concrete forms; wall, floor, roof, and
stair framing; leveling instruments; and estimation principles and cost of
materials. Students will be involved in
construction of a house at JRTC, Cabinetmaking, and other carpentry related
work.
Prerequisite: Carpentry I Grades: 11, 12
Carpentry
III: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to give students more advanced emphasis on carpentry. Students will receive classroom and lab
instruction in safety, installation of windows and doors, drywall construction,
ceiling finishing, interior trim work, blueprint reading and drawing, and the
construction of a house at JRTC.
Prerequisite: Carpentry II Grade: 12
Computer
Systems Technology I: This is a one-credit,
one-semester course designed to provide
students with the basic concepts needed to install, troubleshoot and
repair all aspects of personal computers.
Skills taught include hardware assembly and setup, use of common
operating system commands (DOS, Windows, Novell, Linux, etc.), and the
installation of software. Knowledge and
skills will be taught using a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on
activities.
Prerequisite:
None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Computer
Systems Technology II: This is a two-credit, one-year
course designed to expand on basic concepts taught in Computer Systems
Technology I. More advanced skills in
computer assembly and repair will be taught.
In addition students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to
install, configure, troubleshoot and repair computer networks. Students will also learn how to assemble a
custom hardware and software configuration to accomplish a given task. Knowledge and skills will be taught using a
combination of classroom instruction and hands-on activities.
Prerequisite:
Computer Systems Technology I Grades:
11, 12
Computer
Systems Technology III: This is a two-credit, one-year
course designed to expand on concepts and skills learned in previous
courses. A combination of classroom
instruction and hands-on activities will teach knowledge and skills necessary
for: installation and configuration of
client-server and peer-to-peer networks and installation and configuration of
routers, firewalls, and other network appliances from various vendors. Students will also be introduced to
networked and stand-alone software application development, and custom
configurations.
Prerequisite:
Computer Systems Technology II Grade:
12
Electrical
Wiring: This is a one-credit, one-semester course
designed to train students in the basic electrical knowledge and performance
skills required to work in the building trades field. Classroom and hands-on instruction will include units in electrical
safety; tools; blueprints and load calculations; electrical wiring codes; 110
volt, 220 volt, and low voltage circuits; fuses and circuit breakers; test
equipment; and basic troubleshooting.
The student will develop electrical repair skills and basic wiring
skills. Prerequisite: None Grades:
11, 12
Plumbing:
This is a one-credit, one-semester course designed to train students in
the basic plumbing skills required for entry-level positions in the building
trades field. Classroom and hands-on
instruction will include plumbing safety, plumbing codes and permits, isometric
plumbing drawings, floor plans and layouts, drainage systems, vent systems,
traps, cleanouts, water supply and distribution systems.
Prerequisite: None Grades: 11, 12
Welding I:
This is a one-credit, one-semester course designed to introduce students
to the welding field. Areas of
instruction are shop and equipment safety, oxygen-acetylene cutting, and arc
welding. Detailed instruction on parts of the torch, bottle pressure settings,
types of flames, and equipment care are included for oxygen-acetylene
cutting. The four basic types of weld
joints: butt, lap, tee, and corner in
the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions will be practiced in arc
welding. Instruction in the use of
other shop equipment is included.
Prerequisite: None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Welding II:
This is a two-credit, one-year course designed to allow students to
continue working with the four basic types of welding joints: butt, lap, tee, and corner. Other areas of instruction are carbon arc
torch, plasma arc cutting, pneumatic sheer and brake press, tungsten inert gas
(TIG), mechanical inert gas (MIG) processes and MIG/TIG welding using mild
steel, stainless steel, and aluminum metals.
Prerequisite: Welding I Grades: 11, 12
Welding
III: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to allow students a more extensive training in TIG and MIG processes,
welding of basic joints, and pipe welding. Students will also receive additional instruction in blueprint
reading, metal fabrication, and design.
Through satisfactory completion of the
welding program sequence, the student will have the opportunity to
receive certification on mild steel plate using 7018 electrodes.
Prerequisite: Welding II Grade: 12
Building
Maintenance I, II, & III: These are
two-credit, one-year courses designed to train students in the basic knowledge
and performance skills required for entry level positions in the field of
custodial services and lawn care. These
courses will enable a student to obtain employment in one of the areas
mentioned. The program is flexible in
order that students can develop and advance at their own pace in grasping and
understanding the various job skills.
Additional goals of the class are to help the student achieve a feeling
of confidence and success, as well as the development of pride in workmanship.
Prerequisite: Placement only Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Building
Trades I & II: These are two-credit, one-year
courses designed to train students in the basic knowledge and performance
skills required for entry level positions in the field of building
construction. The course will enable a
student to obtain employment as helpers in the areas of carpentry, plumbing,
electricity, masonry, HVAC, and building maintenance. Flexibility in the program allows students to pace themselves in grasping and understanding the
various job skills. Additional goals of
the class are to help the student achieve a feeling of confidence and success,
as well as the development of pride in workmanship.
Prerequisite: None
Grades: 9, 10, 11,12
Culinary
Arts I: This is a one-credit, one-semester course
designed to introduce students to the basics of the food industry. Students
will be given an overview of the food service industry, general safety,
sanitation, kitchen orientation and equipment, nutrition, customer service, and
basic cooking principles. Students will
also apply those topics to actual work in the kitchen in preparing basic meals
and in hosting large banquets.
Prerequisite: None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Culinary
Arts II: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to give students more in-depth experiences in working in the food
industry. Students will have more
hands-on time in the kitchen to prepare meals and banquets. Students will continue to expand their food
industry knowledge by making menus, studying recipe structure and use, basic
food preparation, and fast food operations.
Prerequisite: Culinary Arts I Grades:
11, 12
Culinary
Arts III: This is a two-credit, one-year course
designed to introduce students to kitchen management skills. Students will cover several topics dealing
with management: equipment, business
management, personal management, cost control, menu planning, and
marketing. The majority of this class
is spent in the kitchen with the student working individually and in small
groups to prepare for meals and banquets.
Prerequisite: Culinary Arts II Grade: 12
Early
Childhood Education I: This is a one-credit,
one-semester course designed to introduce the student to the principles of
child growth and development, planning and implementing learning activities,
principles of guiding children’s behaviors, healthy and safe environments,
exploration of the child care industry and career development. Basic hands-on experience working with
children and their families is provided in the JRTC Preschool.
Prerequisite: None Grades: 10, 11, 12
Early
Childhood Education II: This is a two-credit, one-year
course designed to continue developing students’ knowledge and skill that would
apply to many careers dealing with children.
Areas of learning include types and characteristics of child care
centers, employability requirements, basic child development, children's
behavior, guidance and discipline techniques, types of behavior, behavioral
procedures, promotion of children's health and safety, child abuse awareness,
facility maintenance, and developmentally appropriate activities. Continued practical hands-on experience is
gained in the JRTC Preschool.
Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education I Grades: 11, 12
Early
Childhood Education III: This is a two-credit, one-year
course designed to develop more professional attitudes and abilities and
combine learned knowledge with current information and practices. Additional
topics of instruction will be CPR and First Aid Training, behavior management
and communication skills, learning theories, program management, and record
keeping skills. Continued practical
hands-on teaching experience in working with children and their families is
gained in the JRTC Preschool.
Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education II Grade: 12
Work
Experience: Certain students in some JRTC programs may
participate in a work experience program in a JRTC approved local business or
industry. In this work experience
program, a student may earn additional credit in the third course of a
three-course sequence. The student must participate in a related business or
industry to that final course in a JRTC program. The student’s teacher would supervise the work experience program
as it would relate to the JRTC classroom and lab.
Prerequisite: Enrolled in the final course of a three-course
sequence Grade:
12
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Student organizations allow students to
take a more active part in the education process, aid in leadership
development, help students learn to work effectively with others, provide
opportunities for community service, provide opportunities for achievement, and
provide other experience to assist in the development of the total student.
These organizations operate under guidelines established by the Director.
There are five organizations at Jackson
River Technical Center: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Distributive
Education Clubs of America (DECA), Health Occupations Students of America
(HOSA), Family, Careers, Community Leaders Of America (FCCLA), and Skills USA
(Skills USA). These organizations are
considered an integral part of the curriculum for JRTC students. Students must
meet on a regular basis during class time under the supervision of their
teacher. All club activities must be approved in advance by the advisor(s) and
the Director or the Assistant Director.
INTRA CENTER COUNCIL
The basic objective of the Intra Center
Council (ICC) is to provide a student the opportunity to voice opinions, and
when possible, the means to influence decisions affecting the student body of
Jackson River Technical Center. Further
goals shall be to provide a training ground of developing student leadership,
citizenship, scholarship and service; to further positive relationships within
the school community; and to promote school spirit. The function of the ICC is to coordinate the activities of all school
clubs and classes to benefit the school and community.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The Jackson River Technical Center is
operated primarily for sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking a high school
diploma. Special programs may be
formulated according to the needs of other students.
A. The registration of students will be a
cooperative effort between the home school
guidance counselors and the JRTC Assistant Director to ensure that students registered are the ones
with the most interest and can profit the most
by attendance at the Center.
B. Registration Criteria:
1. must be a bonafide member of Alleghany County or City of Covington school systems
2.
must be at the grade level required for the selected course
3.
aptitude as measured by the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT)
4. completion of prerequisite
courses, if applicable
5. must meet acceptable level of appearance based on course
requirements
C. Students who do meet one or more of the
registration criteria in one of
the regular programs may be considered for registration through the cooperative effort of the home school guidance
department and the
staff of JRTC. Final authority on registration of such students will be
the responsibility of the JRTC staff.
D. All registration activities are coordinated by
the JRTC Assistant Director. Final authority in the registration of all
students will be the responsibility of
the JRTC administration.
E. Area adults may be admitted to certain
programs under special circumstances.
ADMISSION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
Jackson River Technical Center may admit
postgraduate students into its regular day programs under the following
conditions:
1. Postgraduate students must
have been a member of the Alleghany County
or City of Covington school system the previous year.
2. Postgraduate students must
be continuing the third consecutive year of
a regular program of which they were enrolled at their home school or working on an industry certification in
their certificate field.
3. Postgraduate student registrations must be
coordinated with the home school
administrations, on a space available basis, after priority has
been given to home school undergraduates. Postgraduates will be
credited to their home schools for enrollment calculation purposes.
4. Postgraduate students will
be expected to adhere to all policies and guidelines
governing regular student attendance.
5. Final approval of registrations
will be given by the Jackson River Technical
Center's administration after consultation with home school administrators.
Alternative Education is designed for
those students who have a need for alternative schooling. Students attending must apply through their
home school. Students must have good
attendance, work ethic and follow the rules of JRTC.
Alternative Education students will be
expected to adhere to all policies and guidelines governing regular
students. Non-compliance with rules
will result in the student’s removal from the program.
In addition, all Alternative Education
students must observe the rules of their sending school when on that school’s
property.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
Schedule changes will be made only under
extenuating circumstances. Students wishing to discuss a possible schedule
change must contact the Assistant Director during the first week of class.
Transferring to another class can only be accomplished if space is available in
the desired program and approved by the Assistant Director. Students returning
to the parent home school program will be subject to the policy of that school.
Students having a period(s) of
nonmembership due to late entry, withdrawal and reentry, etc. will receive
credit prorated on a six-weeks grading period basis.
Students will be withdrawn from the Center
upon official withdrawal from the home school.
All withdrawals from the Center must have the approval of the Center's
Director.
Because of the hands-on nature of the
programs at the Center, it is impractical to offer meaningful homebound
instruction. Students going on
homebound instruction at the home school will be withdrawn from their classes
at JRTC while on homebound instruction and may reenter their JRTC class upon
return to regular classes at the home school.
All students will be treated fairly and
equally and not discriminated against for any reason. Any student feeling that he/she has been discriminated against
should report any complaints to the Director, who is the Equal Opportunity
Coordinator for Title VI, Title IX and Section 504.
Title
VI (Civil Rights Act of 1964) prohibits discrimination on the basis of
race, color, and national origin.
Title
IX (Civil Rights Act of 1975) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.
Section
504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973) prohibits discrimination on the basis of
handicap.
Final
adjudication of any complaint processed will be subject to the approval of the
Joint Board of Control.
A student shall not sexually harass
another student or any school employee, volunteer, student teacher or any other
person present in school facilities or at school functions. Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive environment.
DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
The purpose of this policy is to provide
an orderly procedure for the expeditious resolution of students and parents
grievances concerning discrimination.
Step 1. In
the event a student or parent believes that there is a basis for a grievance,
the aggrieved shall present the alleged grievance (Title VI, Title IX, and
Section 504) to the coordinator within twenty (20) days after its occurrence.
Step 2. If
the action of Step 1 fails to resolve the grievance to the satisfaction of the
affected party, the aggrieved shall, within five (5) working days, submit such
grievance in writing to the Administrator for his resolution. The Administrator shall reply in writing
within five (5) working days after the initial presentation of the grievance.
Step 3. If
the action of Step 2 fails to resolve the grievance to the satisfaction of the
affected party, the aggrieved shall, within five (5) working days, submit such
grievance to the Joint Board for resolution.
The Joint Board shall review the grievance
and hold a hearing, if necessary, no later than the next regular meeting
date. The board will reply to the
grievance in writing within fifteen (15) days thereafter and decision of the
board shall be final.
Students are encouraged to make use of the
Center's Director and Assistant Director for advisement and counseling. Appointments may be made for academic,
vocational, and personal counseling at any time during the school year.
Students may receive group counseling at
various times during the school year.
This group counseling will be vocationally oriented, but students will
have an opportunity for self-exploration.
Also, the home schools shall have primary responsibility for counseling
services to their students.
In case of an emergency, the Center must
have written permission from the parent to take a student to the hospital or
doctor. This is accomplished by the
completion of the Emergency Care Form by the parent or guardian. The name of a specific doctor should be
included when the form is completed as well as a phone number where the parent
can be reached if not at home.
COMPUTER ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
All students and employees must read and
sign the acceptable use policy for computer use at JRTC. Failure to do so will result in the loss of
computer access privileges.
JRTC does not offer insurance policies for
its students. However, considering the
nature of the curriculum, it is highly recommended that students obtain
insurance protection through home school insurance plans or personal policies.
Students will be assigned textbooks for
their class. These textbooks must be
returned at the close of school in condition equal to how the textbook was
issued. Textbooks that have been worn
beyond normal wear and tear will be assessed a fee to cover the textbook's
being repaired. If a textbook is beyond
repair or has been lost during the year, the student must pay the replacement
cost for the textbook. A student’s
teacher will check textbooks for damage, and the Assistant Director will
determine the fee for repair or replacement.
The student must pay assessed fees before the student's last day for the
school year. Textbooks are the property
of JRTC.
Students will be responsible for paying
fees to cover consumable materials like workbooks and other required materials
used in lab activities. All students
will be expected to pay for consumable workbooks by the end of the second week
of school. Applications for
time-payments or assistance are available from and should be returned to the
Assistant Director. Students not
securing the required books, equipment, and materials will receive an
incomplete and/or failing grade. Other
materials can include but are not limited to safety glasses, leather soled
boots, tools, aprons, hairnets, etc.
Lockers are the property of JRTC and will
be assigned to students by their teachers.
Lockers may be searched a minimum of one unannounced time per year and
any other time there is reasonable suspicion to believe that something may be
in a locker which warrants an inspection.
Students are responsible for removing all items from lockers prior to
the end of school. JRTC will not be
responsible for items left in lockers after the last day of school.
All valuables must be placed inside the
locker for safety. DO NOT GIVE YOUR LOCKER COMBINATION TO ANYONE!
Fundraising activities that are not JRTC
sponsored are not to be conducted on Center premises without prior permission
from the Director or Assistant Director.
As with all club activities, JRTC fundraising activities must receive
advance approval. Fundraising sales and
solicitations are not to be conducted during class time. Money and unsold items
from fundraising activities should be promptly returned to the teacher.
A toll phone is available in the corridor
for student use. The office phone may
be used only for emergencies and only with appropriate permission. Students are not to use teacher's office
phones. The toll phone is not to be
used during class time.
PAGING &
COMMUNICATION DEVICES
The possession of beepers or any type of
personal paging device and other added communication devices may be carried but
must be kept out of sight. They must
turned off during class time and never be a disruption.
Soda and snack machines are available for
the use of the students during scheduled break periods. Students are expected to properly dispose of
trash. Sodas and snacks are to be
consumed during the break and are not to be consumed in the classroom. Students are not allowed to take any drinks
or any type of drink container into the classrooms unless they are placed
inside book bags or backpacks. Failure
to properly use these machines may result in the loss of this privilege and/or
other disciplinary action including suspension. All snacks and drinks
bought at JRTC are not to be consumed outside the regulations of the home school.
Typical student dress for classroom
activities at the Center shall provide for covering from bottom of the neck to
the knee area. Prohibited clothing
shall include, but not be limited to halter tops, short shorts, biker/compression
shorts, see through clothing, short skirts/dresses, tank tops, any apparel that
exposes the midriff, and clothing that bears inappropriate, distasteful
language/images, or any other offensive messages, including, but not limited to
alcohol, tobacco promotions, and/or clothing that bears double meaning
messages, i.e., Big Johnson or Coed Naked clothing.
All clothing is to be worn so that it does
not expose undergarments. No pants that sag are to be
worn.
Due to the nature of the activities at
JRTC, flip flops are not acceptable footwear.
Any apparel or unusual accessory that
distracts from school decorum and interferes with the safe smooth operation of
the school program cannot be allowed.
Hats, caps, headbands, bandanas or other
headgear are not to be worn in the Center, except as required during lab
activities. Also, sunglasses are not to
be worn in the building.
Students involved in laboratory activities
may also be required to follow additional rules regarding student dress as it
relates to their individual program's needs or teacher requirements. Such additional requirements may include,
but not be limited to specific footwear, need of long pants, safety/protective
clothing and equipment, protective eyewear, and headwear i.e., hairnets.
Questions regarding the acceptability of
clothing should be directed to the Assistant Director.
Students who are participating in
activities that require the use of safety glasses must wear approved Z87 ANSI
rating protective eyewear that must include protective side shields. Clear lens glasses must be worn in all areas
except in welding.
Also specific footwear may be required in
activities in many programs. A student
is expected to provide this footwear each day that it is needed to participate
in specific activities.
When
Alarm Sounds:
1.
Close
and lock all interior doors
2.
Turn
off all lights and other electrical equipment
3.
Close
all doors after leaving the area in an orderly manner
4.
Proceed
without talking along the primary exit route
5.
If
primary route is blocked, follow the secondary route
6.
Be
sure to follow the directions of JRTC Staff members
When
Outside The Building:
1.
All
persons are to remain with their class so that they can be accounted for by
their teacher
2.
Remain
quiet to listen for additional directions
3.
Wait
for an administrator or maintenance person to signal by hand to return to the
building
4. Return to your class in a
quiet and orderly manner
Students need to understand the fire
drill/evacuation procedure for their class.
In compliance with the
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), a plan for the management of
asbestos in Jackson River Technical Center was developed and implemented. Prior
to July 9, 1989. The plan may be
inspected by any interested person during normal office hours by contacting the
Director or Assistant Director of Jackson River Technical Center. Re-inspection of Jackson River Technical
Center was completed, in accordance with the management plan.
Parents and other interested persons are
invited and encouraged to visit JRTC.
All visitors must check in at the office. Groups planning to visit the Center will present requests at
least one week in advance for approval by the Director or Assistant
Director. Students are not to invite
friends to visit them during their class period. Any exceptions to this policy must receive prior approval from the
Director or Assistant Director.
Due to the limited space, parking will be
limited to JRTC staff and visitors.
Students attending JRTC will be subject to the following regulations
concerning transportation:
The home school board for Covington High
School students will provide transportation.
These students will be expected to use this bus transportation. Students
missing the bus at their home school because of tardiness, late lunch, etc.,
must check into the office at their home school and receive permission from
their home school principal before being allowed to come to the Center via
other forms of transportation. Students
missing the bus without an acceptable excuse will be subject to disciplinary
action.
Any student bringing an automobile to the
Center for repair work or for some other reason must have prior written
permission. This permission is obtained
by filling out an automobile registration form, which will be signed by the
teacher and the JRTC Director or Assistant Director. If the student requesting permission is from a class other than
Auto Technology, that student must have permission from his/her teacher as well
as the Auto Technology teacher if the car is being brought to the Center for
repairs.
A
student must obtain permission from the office prior to bringing his/her car on
campus. Any student bringing an automobile
without permission, allowing other students to ride without permission, riding
with another student or another person without permission, or driving in an
unacceptable manner will be subject to disciplinary action.
Alleghany High School students must report
back to AHS at the end of their classes at JRTC. Only parents are permitted to pick up students at JRTC.
PHILOSOPHY:
Regular and punctual attendance is
important in the development of good work habits and for the acquisition of
skills. As vocational education is
oriented to the actual performance of competencies, many experiences and
opportunities to learn and perform are lost when a student is absent and unable
to participate in the class for any reason.
Due to their nature, many of these experiences cannot be made up,
therefore, the Joint Board of Control for JRTC believes that students cannot
acquire the desired competencies and work habits needed without regular and
punctual attendance.
Active participation in class will be the
major component of each student's grade for each grading period. Active participation includes being present
for the entire class time; having the proper books, materials, safety equipment,
etc.; participating constructively in class activities and discussions;
demonstrating achievement of related tasks/competencies; working cooperatively
and effectively with others; performing required duties and assignments;
demonstrating safe and proper work habits; and demonstrating personal
characteristics appropriate for an effective and successful employee. The JRTC Director will ensure that
appropriate consideration will be given to class participation in the grading
system of each teacher/program and that appropriate consistency is maintained
with all teachers/programs within the Center.
A student will be recorded as absent on
any day in which the student fails to attend fifty percent or more of the class
period unless the entire group of students attending from that student's home school
is excused to attend a school-related activity.
Report
Cards: Periodically during the school year, a
progress report shall be sent to the parents by way of their students. When report cards are used, they will
reflect the standard of work the student has achieved, his/her attitudes, and
his/her work habits. The teacher shall make the evaluations and provide the
information necessary for a sound working relationship between the school, the
students, and the home in the guidance of the student. Grades will be sent to the home school
according to their reporting schedules.
Parental
Conference: The Joint Board encourages conferences
with parents for purposes of understanding and assisting students.
Grading
And Reporting: Students may earn up to the maximum
number of Carnegie Units of credit for classes they are enrolled in each
year. Earned credits will be based upon
the following criteria:
1. Class participation
2. Knowledge gained
3. Skills obtained
4. Care of equipment and materials
5. Job performance and quality of work
6. Interaction with others
7. Judgment
8. Ability to follow directions
9. Attitude
10. Safety Consciousness
11. Dependability
12. Attendance
13. Conduct
14. Student organizations
15. Any other trait that may indicate the student's progress or
development.
The main purpose of reporting is to
provide information necessary for a sound working relationship between the
school, student, and the home in the guidance of the student. Grades will be sent to the home school
according to the reporting schedule.
Key To Grading System
A Excellent A 93-100
B Above Average B 85-92
C Average C 77-84
D Passing D 70-76
F Failure F 0-69
I Incomplete
*Failure to complete all course requirements or clear
all JRTC obligations will result in a grade of incomplete.
Students who, in their JRTC program, for a
semester meet the following criteria will be named to the JRTC Honor Roll (A or
A-B) for that semester. The criteria are
1. Maintain a minimum grade of
"A" for the A Honor Roll or "B" for the A-B Honor
Roll for each of the three six weeks and the semester,
2. Receive positive ratings on
the semester evaluation sheet,
3. During the semester are
absent no more than three days for
the A Honor Roll and no more than five days for the A-B Honor
Roll,
To receive a certificate from Jackson
River Technical Center, a student must successfully complete all courses in a
certificate program sequence with an overall grade average of not less than 77%
and must have earned a grade of not less than 77% in the last course of the
program sequence. The student must also meet the requirements of graduation of
the home school or have passed the GED.
ABSENCES, TARDIES, AND EARLY DISMISSALS
All JRTC students missing a full day(s) of
school are to have their absence excuses processed at the home school and
present an absence slip from the home school to the JRTC office on the first
day back. Students checking in or out of school at a time that will cause them
to be absent or tardy at JRTC must follow the proper check-in, check-out, or
early dismissal procedure at the home school and obtain an excuse for the JRTC
office. In the case of any absences, an
absence slip from the home school must be presented to the JRTC office not
later than the second day back or the absence will be considered unexcused,
regardless of the reason for the absence.
Students absent from class due to
suspension, skipping, missed bus, or certain other reasons as determined by the
Center's administration will receive a grade of "0" for the
day(s). Students will complete all work
missed because of absenteeism. It is
most important for the student to understand that successful school work
depends to a large degree on the regularity and punctuality of attendance.
No student may be dismissed early from
school to go to work nor check-in due to having been at work. And no student shall receive an excused
absence due to having had been at work.
ABSENCES FOR HOME SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Each home school will provide the Center
with a monthly calendar of events, if at all possible. A student may be released in the event that
a special school program is devised to correlate to a specific school objective. The home school principal shall inform the
Center's Director and retain the students at the home school.
Since punctuality is an important work
habit, the student will be expected to arrive on time for each class. Students not complying with this regulation
will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible suspension.
The policies, procedures and expectations
contained in this handbook are to be used as guidelines. Other actions and behaviors not listed may
result in disciplinary action. Any act
or behavior deemed inappropriate by the administration based on common sense
and traditional standards will result in disciplinary action.
Disciplinary actions may range anywhere from
a warning to out-of-school suspension.
The type of action will be determined by school authorities and will
reflect the disciplinary problem.
Students presenting chronic discipline problems or committing serious
offenses may be recommended for expulsion.
The most commonly used disciplinary action is in-school suspension.
With the requirements of fair and
equitable treatment of all students and within the guidelines of federal
judiciary the following shall constitute the minimum due process procedures to be followed in the detention,
suspension, and expulsion of students:
1. The
student shall be apprised of the nature and facts of the alleged misconduct.
2.
The
student shall be given an opportunity to explain the circumstances
of the
alleged misconduct.
3.
The
student shall be informed of the conditions of the disciplinary
action.
4. The
parents or guardian of a detained and suspended student or the student, if he/she is age 18 or older, may
appeal the decision as
provided in board policy.
If the parents of a disciplined student
choose to appeal a decision after discussing the incident with the
administrator involved, they may do so by scheduling an appointment with the
Director or Administrator of the Center.
Speaking directly to the teacher at a mutually convenient time can best
solve classroom conflicts. Should the student or parent not be satisfied with
his/her conference with the teacher, and then he/she should state his/her
concern with the Director or Assistant Director.
A student who makes any type of threat to
harm any school personnel or any member(s) of the family of any school
personnel will be subject to disciplinary action. Virginia Code Section 18.z-60 provides that a person orally making a threat to kill
or do bodily injury to school personnel, while on school property, on a school
bus, or at a school-sponsored activity, shall be guilty of a Class I
misdemeanor.
No student shall possess unauthorized
firearms, knives, military armament, slingshots or any other type of weapon or
smoke bombs and explosives, including fireworks, on school property or in
association with any school activity.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
In addition to other policies and
expectations, students are expected to refrain from involvement in the
following activities. Involvement will result in disciplinary action.
1. Failure or refusal to follow a request or
direction of any JRTC staff member
2. Being disrespectful or rude to any JRTC staff
member, school visitor, or any other
individual
3. Intimidating,
harassing or verbally abusing another individual
4. Instigating or being involved in a verbal or
physical altercation 5. Interfering with the disciplining
of another student
6. Use of unacceptable language, gestures, body
motion or other form of communication
7. Tampering, defacing, vandalizing, destruction
or other damaging of property
8. Unauthorized concealment, removal, or
attempted removal of any school or
personal property or any form of theft, fraud or extortion
9. Lying,
cheating or other form of dishonesty
10. Presenting forged or otherwise fraudulent note
or document
11. Failure or refusal to return any assigned
property or clear school obligations
12. Any behavior or action that is disruptive or
creates a disturbance
13. Running, throwing of objects or any type of
horseplay
14. Failure or
refusal to participate in or complete a class activity
15. Failure or refusal to bring all necessary
materials to class
16. Leaving or failing to report to assigned area
without appropriate permission
17. Skipping class or leaving school without
following proper procedure
18. Excessive tardies, early dismissals, or
"no notes"
19. Missing bus without a valid reason
20. Violation of transportation policy
21. Violation of safety rules or procedures
22. Use of equipment without appropriate permission
23. Purchasing, possessing, or consuming refreshments
during class time
24. Sitting or leaning on fence outside the
building
25. Littering
26. Inappropriate dress or indecent exposure
27. Gambling or playing games not assigned as part
of class activity or possession of inappropriate games, toys, etc.
28. Possession of radios, tape recorders or
players, telephones, other audio devices, or any video devices, including
cameras, except when approved by the Director or Assistant Director
29. Possession of weapons, knives, firearms,
explosives or other types of dangerous
articles
30. Display of affection in male/female
relationships other than conversation or holding
hands
31. Any action that can injure or lead to the
injury of any student
32. Unauthorized use of computer hardware and/or
the unauthorized access to electronic
data
33. Any unauthorized presence on school property or
school function
34.
Make
any communication, perform any act, or wear or possess material that is
racially divisive or creates ill will or hatred
35.
Construction
of projects or the participation in any activity not authorized
by school personnel.
In addition to general student
expectations, students also shall not engage in any conduct, which materially
and substantially disrupts the ongoing, educational process or which is
otherwise a violation of federal, state or local law.
The following corrective actions are among
those available to the school administration for violation of the Student Code
of Conduct. Each offense shall be
considered fully in determining reasonable corrective actions.
1.
Counseling
2.
Admonition/warning
3.
Reprimand
4.
Loss
of privileges
5.
Parental
conferences
6.
Task
or restrictions assigned by the Director or Assistant Director
7.
Detention
after school or before school
8.
Suspension
from school-sponsored activities or events prior to, during, or after the
regular school day
9.
In-school
suspension
10.
Out-of
school suspension
11.
Referral
to an alternative education program
12.
Notify
legal authority where appropriate
13.
Expulsion
In-school suspension only affects a
student's status at JRTC. Students receiving in-school suspension are to obtain
assignments from their teacher and report to the office immediately upon
reporting to the Center. In-school
suspension will be served in a special study carrel area under the supervision
of the administrative office. Students will be expected to work with no talking
or other disruptive behavior. Students violating this requirement will receive
additional suspension. Students on in-school suspension will be given a zero
(“0”) participation grade. Written work
will be graded and recorded as a work grade.
A letter from the school's administration will be sent home concerning
the student's assignment to ISS. This
letter may also become part of the student's permanent record.
While a student is in ISS,
the student shall obey the following rules:
1. Students are to be working on assignments
from the JRTC class for the entire class period. In the event that the assigned work is completed, an office staff
member will notify the teacher that additional assignments are needed.
2. Students may communicate only with school staff and only when
necessary. 3. Students are not to communicate
with office aides, other students, or school
visitors in any
fashion. Creation of noise or
distractions is not permitted.
4. Students are to sit erect and face forward the entire time
that they are in the
study carrel. Sleeping or lounging is not permitted. Students are to turn around
only when they need to communicate with
an office staff member.
5. Marking, scratching, or otherwise damaging the study carrel is
not permitted.
Any such damage
found by the student when entering the study carrel at the
beginning of the
period must be reported to an office staff member at the
beginning of the
period. The student will be held
responsible for any damage not
noted at the beginning of the period.
6. Students may go to the restroom/water fountain one time during
the period at
any other time
than during break. Permission must be secured from an office
staff member.
Students are not to use the office restrooms/water fountain.
7. Food, drink, candy, gum, etc. are not permitted in the study
carrel.
8. Students should immediately exit the study carrel and the school
building
without requesting
permission in the event of a fire drill or other emergency.
The only other
time that students are to exit the study carrel is to go directly to
see an office
staff member.
9.
Students
are not to leave scrap paper or other trash in the study carrel at the end
of each
period.
10.
Students
may exit the study carrel when the bell sounds at the end of the class period unless instructed to do
otherwise.
11.
Failure
to follow these guidelines may result in additional ISS or regular out-of-
school suspension (OSS).
OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION (OSS):
Students on out-of-school or regular
suspension are not allowed to attend school, be on school grounds or attend any
school activity. Students will be counted absent and will be given a grade of
"0" for the day(s). Students
receiving regular or out-of-school suspension from JRTC are automatically
suspended from their home school and vice versa. The administration will attempt to telephone the student's
parents or legal guardians. A letter
from the school's administration will also be sent home concerning the student
being suspended from school. This
letter will also become part of the student's permanent record.
The possessing, using, having evidence of
prior use, or distributing of illegal chemicals, alcohol,
"look-alike" drugs (including alcohol), anabolic steroids, any drug
not prescribed for the student by a physician, or any substance represented as
a drug or alcohol on school property or at any school activity is
prohibited. Likewise, the possessing or
using of drug paraphernalia on school grounds or at any school-related event is
also prohibited. Publications or other
printed matter that advocates the use of illegal drugs as acceptable social
behavior are prohibited from possession, sale, or distribution on school
property.
To maintain control of the drug traffic
within the school and to insure the health and welfare of the students, the
Joint Board requires any student who is taking a prescribed or patent medicine
for illness or other medical needs to report this fact to the director or other
designated staff member. If the student
so requests, this information will be held in professional confidence. Such medication, if to be taken during the
school day, shall be placed in the care of the director or his designee.
Students who have questions concerning
drugs are encouraged to seek help and counsel of school personnel.
TOBACCO PRODUCTS & LIGHTERS/MATCHES
Students shall not use or possess tobacco
in any form while on the school premises, on any school trip, or at any
function held under the auspices of any school organization. The possession of a lighter and/or matches
shall also be in violation of school rules.
Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action.
Jackson River Technical Center strives to
meet the vocational education needs of the Alleghany Highlands area adults
through its Adult Evening Program.
Adult classes are open to any area resident regardless of prior
training, experience or level of education. The program will offer other courses desired by area
residents based on demand, availability of a qualified teacher, and limitations
of the facility. New classes are
offered each Fall, Winter, and Spring session.
JRTC students may enroll in the Adult Evening Program with the approval
of the Director or the Assistant Director and their respective home school
counselor.
Apprenticeship, in its simplest terms, is
training for those occupations commonly known as skilled crafts or trades that require
a wide and diverse range of skills and knowledge, as well as maturity and
independence of judgment. The
apprenticeship-training program combines on-the-job training and work
experience with related instruction in the theoretical aspects of the
trade. The on-the-job training and work
experience are achieved in the employer's own business. The related instruction is provided by Jackson
River Technical Center. The JRTC
Apprenticeship Coordinator in cooperation determines the course of study for
each apprentice with the employer.
Individuals successfully completing an
apprenticeship program are awarded by the State of Virginia a nationally
recognized certification as a journeyperson in their trade. Further information regarding apprenticeship
is available from the JRTC Apprenticeship Coordinator.