Apopka High School Mission

1. Apopka High School Mission The Mission of Apopka High School is to foster a community of learners where all students achieve high educational standards and become responsible citizens for the 21st century.

3. Darter Expectations Be Responsible: To be accountable for one’s own actions To be punctual, prepared, committed and follow the rules   Be Respectful: To be cooperative, polite, patient, and caring of others   Be Resourceful: The ability to effectively deal with new or challenging situations To be a problem solver

4. Habits of Highly Effective Darters Be Proactive! Begin With The End in Mind! Put First Things First! Think Win-Win! Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood! Synergize! Sharpen the Saw!

5. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Mr. William Floyd, Principal Dr. Joyce Clark, Senior Assistant Principal Dr. Lawrence Fox, Assistant Principal Mr. Ray Mahoney, Assistant Principal Mrs. Kim Santana, Assistant Principal Ms. Abby Azucey, Administrative Dean Mr. Ed Coffie, Administrative Dean Mr. Ernest Swift, Administrative Dean Mrs. Crystal Sims, Administrative Dean

6. Electronic Devices Electronic devices will be confiscated by the teacher and turned in to the office. Parents may pick up their child’s confiscated electronic device in the front office. Use may be allowed before school, after school, and during class changes. However, they should not be on nor seen while in the classroom!

7. Progress Book Teachers will be using an on-line grade book called Progress Book. Through Progress Book, students and parents will be able to access up to date grades via the Internet, allowing students and parents to have the ability to view their grades at any time. Parents and students can receive their passwords in the front office.

8. Make-up Work Policy Daily attendance is required for optimal progress. Regardless of the type of absence, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to make-up missed assignments/notes. Time allowed for excused absences will be equal to the number of days absent plus one. If a student has ten or more unexcused absences in a semester he/she must earn a “C” or higher on the semester/final exam to pass for that semester.

9. Student-Athlete Eligibility Requirements 2.0 overall GPA (Grades are checked at the beginning of each semester.) Valid, current physical examination on file with the AHS athletic trainer. Birth certificate on file. New members must provide original or sealed/notarized copy of their birth certificate to Athletic Director at least one full week prior to participation in any game. This will be returned after it has been recorded in the permanent record. Insurance is available for purchase through the school. See the front office for details.

10. The OC Club The Club is Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty’s unique youth initiative and incentive program designed to reward Orange County youth for making positive choices about how to spend their free time. Its purpose is to motivate youth ages 5 to 19 to get involved in character-building recreational activities and to reward them for making the positive choice to do so. Students may join the OC Club for free. As a member, each child receives a membership card (valid through September 30 of each year) that can be used to take advantage of the great benefits of being a Club member. These benefits include free bus service on LYNX on weekdays during the school year, exclusive member events and more! Any students at AHS involved in sports, clubs, activities or tutoring are eligible for OC Club Membership. See Mrs. Burkhart in the SAFE Office or Mrs. Fields in the Media Center for an application!

11. The Student Success Center The Student Success Center is open to all students as a tutoring and resource center. The SSC is open before school, during lunches and after school for drop-in homework help, tutoring in various subjects, computer lab access, study groups and more. Visit the SSC for up-to-date hours and services! The SSC is staffed by teachers, community volunteers, AmeriCorps Volunteers, and peer tutors. The SSC is located in the Media Center.

12. The “What’s Next?” Room (Career & College Resource Center) The “What’s Next?” Room is located in the Student Services Building. You can find all kinds of career and college resources here, including college catalogs, ACT & SAT registration and practice materials, and more. Seniors can also access the scholarship book , which contains local and national scholarships that students may apply for. The What’s Next Room is open during lunches and is staffed by parent volunteers.

13. Online Database Access from the Media Center If you need valid and reliable information, the Apopka High Media Center provides a wealth of databases at http://destiny.ocps.net. This valuable Destiny website also has a tab for the AHS Media Center catalog. The following logins are required to access the databases for current reference information, magazines, newspapers, multimedia, statistics, careers and more: All of the databases and ebooks-- ID: apopka PW: darter. Several only require darter Encyclopedia Britannica and Enciclopedia Universal en Espanol-- ID: ocps PW: orange FCAT Explorer-- ID: first initial, last name (jsmith) PW: 8 digit birthday (08091992) Florida echoices-- No password if you choose “Jump In” and “Choices Planner”

15. OCPS EEO Non-Discrimination Statement The School Board of Orange County, Florida, does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability or any other reason prohibited by law. The Equal Employment Opportunity Supervisor responsible for compliance is Catherine Van Kirk; the Section 504 Supervisor responsible for compliance is Harriet Brown, Esq.; and the Title IX Supervisor responsible for compliance is Kevin Demer. Each may be contacted at the Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801 (407.317.3200).

16. Student Activities Anime Club Art Club Athletics AVID Band Best Buddies Beta Club Business Professionals of America Chess Club Chorus Colorguard/Winterguard CROP (College Reach-Out Program) Darter 2 Darter Drama Club FCCLA Fellowship of Christian Athletes French Club French Honor Society Freshman Class Council Future Farmers of America Gay-Straight Alliance Health Occupations Students of America Interact Club Jazz Band Junior Class Council Marine Corps JROTC Migrants Taking Initiative Mu Alpha Theta National Art Honor Society National Honor Society Newspaper- "The Insight" Quarterback Club Red Cross Club SAFE Ambassadors Senior Class Council Sophomore Class Council Spanish Honor Society Student Government Tech Prep Thespians Troupe 3926 Tri-M Music Honor Society Yearbook

17. Darter AthleticsHead Coaches Athletic Director Assistant Athletic Director Athletic Business Manager Athletic Trainer Baseball Basketball (Boys) Basketball (Girls) Bowling (Girls & Boys) Cheerleading Cross Country (Boys) Cross Country (Girls) Flag Football (Girls) Football Golf (Boys) Golf (Girls) Lacrosse (Girls) Soccer (Boys) Soccer (Girls) Softball Special Olympics Swimming (Boys & Girls) Tennis Track & Field (Girls) Track & Fields (Boys) Volleyball (Boys) Volleyball (Girls) Water Polo (Boys & Girls) Weightlifting (Boys) Wrestling (Boys) Wrestling (Girls) Mr. Russell Wambles Mr. Eddie Sanders Mr. Mike MacWithey Mr. Gjerome Mogol Mr. David Lee Mr. Eddie Jenkins Ms. Miriam Jenkins Ms. Kim Kampe Ms. Jennifer Neiswanger Mr. Eddie Jenkins Ms. Miriam Jenkins Mr. Matt Houvouras Mr. Rick Darlington Mr. Don Cary Mr. Kent Partain Ms. Sally Leffler Mr. Simon Kassabi Mr. Doug Matthews Mr. Mike MacWithey Ms. Terry Householder Mr. Jerry Russell Mrs. Tracy Barrington Mr. Bruce McMillian Mr. Tom Paolucci Mr. Jamie Lillethorpe Mr. Jamie Lillethorpe Mr. Jerry Russell Mr. Rick Darlington Mr. Todd Hauser Mr. Bruce McMillian

18. ALCOHOL/DRUGS Any student known to have alcohol or a drug in their possession, or known to be under the influence thereof, while in school or while participating or attending a school-sponsored function, shall be recommended for expulsion from school per Orange County School Board Code of Student Conduct.

19. ATTENDANCE PHILOSOPHY Regular school attendance is mandatory if high school students are to be successful in classes. Apopka High School believes a strong attendance policy supports the achievement of students.

20. ATTENDANCE POLICY On a daily basis, student absences will be recorded as unexcused. In order to excuse and absence, the parent/guardian must fill out and send in the excused absence form within 48 hours. The following will be accepted as excused absences: illness or injury illness or death of a family member recognized religious holidays medical appointments prearranged absences of educational value School related field trips, assemblies, extracurricular activities or suspensions will count as an excused absence. Students with ten (10) or more unexcused absences in a semester must pass the semester/final exam with a grade of “C” or better toe receive the earned semester grade. Students with ten (10) or more unexcused absences in a semester who make a “D” or “F” on the semester/final exam will receive an “F” for the semester grade. A student with ten (10) unexcused absences will be reported to the school social worker. According to Florida law, the Department of Motor vehicle will be notified of all students with fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences in a 90-day period. Drivers’ licenses will be revoked. If a student is confined to the home or hospital by a doctor for a minimum of fifteen (15) school days, the student may be eligible for Hospital/Homebound school program. Application forms may be obtained from the school counselor or the Homebound office. Students are exempt from the attendance policy while enrolled in the program. At the time of initial enrollment in Orange County schools, each student must report previous school expulsions, arrests resulting in a charge, and juvenile action taken against him/her.

21. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY Progress reports and report cards shall reflect the academic status and attendance of students. These are hand delivered to the home by students. Missing more than 30 minutes of any hour class equals one (1) absence from that class. REMEMBER: EACH TWO HOUR BLOCK IS EQUAL TO TWO ABSENCES. The students will be given a chance to make up course work missed due to absences. For each day absent, a student receives an equal number of days to make up missed work. Make up work will not be giving for absences due to skipping.

22. AUTOMOBILES/PARKING Parking on campus is a privilege. Due to space available, there is a limit to the number of students who will be able to park on campus. Seniors and juniors in that order who meet the following criteria will be eligible for a parking decal on a first come, first serve basis: 2.0 GPA Five (5) or fewer tardies to school the proceeding semester. Ten (10) or fewer unexcused absences the proceeding semester. Students with excessive discipline problems and/or suspension(s) may not be eligible. Students who violate these criteria after purchasing a decal are subject to revocation.   Information on your vehicle and regulations covering operation of the vehicle on campus and in the parking area must be completed before a parking permit is granted. General rules applicable for all students are as follows: All cars must be registered and properly permitted. Parking will be allowed in the STUDENT PARKING LOT in designated parking spots. No one will be permitted to loiter in the parking lot. Students may not occupy cars after arriving at school. Smoking in care entering or exiting the parking lot is prohibited. Any student with authorization t leave during the school day will not carry other students unless they have a permit to leave school. Parking is not permitted in the circle to the entrance of the building at any time during the school day. Driving on campus is restricted to 5 m.p.h. Only seniors are permitted to park in the designated senior parking area. Students using an invalid permit or violating the parking rules will lose their parking privileges. Apopka High School or Orange County Public Schools is not liable for damage/theft to automobiles in the school parking lot.

23. BULLYING OCPS Bullying and Harassment Policy upholds that bullying or harassment of any student or school district employee is prohibited: During any education activity conducted at an OCPS K-12 educational institution During any OCPS school-related or school-sponsored activity (field trip) On a school bus of a public K-12 educational institution Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer of an OCPS K-12 institution Parents and/or students should report incidents of bullying in writing to AHS administration. Students also have the option of anonymously reporting incidents of bullying to the SPEAKOUT HOTLINE at 1-800-226-7733.

24. CAFETERIA Lunches purchased at school or brought from home must be eaten in the dining commons. Eating or drinking in classrooms is forbidden. In consideration of your fellow students, refrain from butting in line, purchasing food for others, or leaving trash on the table. Please deposit trash in the receptacles. DO NOT leave campus for lunch. Under no circumstances are work program students to return to campus with food for themselves or others. No outside food deliveries are allowed on campus. Teachers have the privilege of being served first.

25. COUNSELORS Ms. Pam Catron Ms. Nancy Gerena Ms. Linda Ashbaugh Ms. Jennifer Neiswanger Ms. Brenda Hernandez Ms. Denise Palmer Ms. LaJuana Raines Ms. Abby Azucey- CCT for ESOL/LEP Ms. Janet Herskovitz-Placement Specialist Ms. Suzanne Buchanan- Placement Specialist

26. DRESS CODE For the school and classroom situation, students are to observe modesty, appropriateness, and neatness in clothing and personal appearance. The following regulations concerning dress and grooming are deemed necessary in order to comply with the requirements of proper personal appearance. Students must wear shoes. (Slippers are prohibited.) Transparent, mesh and/or see-through material should not be worn without proper under garments. Bare midriff attire, tight or revealing clothing and/or backless dresses/tops are not allowed. Shirts must be worn at all times in the building. Hats, caps, bandanas, ALL headdress and chains are not allowed on the campus. Clothing and/or jewelry which display or suggest sexual, vulgar, drug, alcohol or tobacco related wording/graphics or may tend to provoke violence or disruptions in school are not allowed. Tank tops and/or undershirts can only be worn as a undergarment. Clothing representing non-sanctioned clubs and/or groups is prohibited. Shorts and/or skirt length must be mid-thigh. Long overcoats and/or excessively loose fitting overcoats/clothing are prohibited. Chains or any jewelry containing any type of sharp objects are not allowed. Clothes shall be worn as they are designed-suspenders over the shoulders, pants secured at the waist, no underwear as outerwear, and no underwear exposed. Repeated dress code violation is a level II & III offense punishable by ISS & Suspension. Any student not suitably dressed or groomed may be removed from school until the violation involved has been corrected after which the student shall be allowed to return to class, school, or related activity. The principal, in connection with the sponsor, coach, or other person in charge of an extracurricular activity, may regulate the dress and grooming of students who participate in the activity. The school administration shall have the right to appraise any current fashion or fad and determine whether it is appropriate for school wear. Students wearing athletic or club uniforms must comply with the school dress code rules.

27. GRADING SCALE A (100-90) B (89-80) C (79-70) D (69-60) F (59 or Below)

28. IDENTIFICATION CARD Your Apopka High School student ID cards must be carried at all times during regular school attendance. Your ID card will be used for obtaining library books, lunch and entrance to certain school activities. Students in early release programs (work, GED, Westside) must also have that specified on their ID cards and on their possession at all times. This card must be shown when requested in order for a student to exit school and/or parking lot. Replacement cards are $5.00.

29. INTIMATE BEHAVIOR Students are expected to refrain from public displays of affection in the school. The practice of embracing and kissing is considered in poor taste and disruptive behavior for the educational environment.

30. LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY A student must first obtain permission through the attendance office to leave school early. This permission is determined by the attendance office.

31. LOCKERS Lockers are available through SGA for $5.00. In addition, those students assigned the padlocks will be assessed a $5.00 fee if their padlock is not returned in good working condition at the end of the school year or upon withdrawal. You are held responsible for the equipment and books issued to you and stored in the locker. DO NOT LEAVE SUMS OF MONEY OR VALUABLES IN LOCKERS (HALL OR P.E.)!! APOPKA HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ITEMS LOST OR STOLEN. NO STICKERS, SIGNS, OR MARKINGS SHALL BE POSTED ON YOUR LOCKERS!!!

32. LOCKER OR STORAGE AREA SEARCHES All lockers remain the property of the school system. Individual lockers or storage areas may be searched without prior notice. Prohibited or illegally possessed substances or objects include but are not limited to the following: Drugs Alcoholic beverages Weapons Stolen items Objects or materials declared as contraband by regulations. Such searches of individual lockers or storage areas are unrelated to lockers or storage area clean-ups which may occur from time-to-time and which apply to all lockers or all locker and storage areas in certain parts of the school.

33. LUNCHES (REDUCED & FREE) Applications for free and reduced lunches may be obtained in the office. Students approved for free or reduced lunch will have to present their school ID to the cashier to be scanned. Only the authorized student may receive or eat the free or reduced lunch.

34. MEDIA CENTER SERVICES The Media Center will be open for student use the first day of school and remain open until the last day. Operating hours will be from 7:15 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Most materials circulate for a two-week period. An overdue fine for late returns is charged. The fine is 10 cents per day excluding weekends and holidays- not to exceed $2.00.

35. MESSAGES Students receiving messages from parents will be called between classes or at the end of the day. Apopka High School is not responsible for messages or articles not picked up by students. Students will be called to receive messages from parents only.

36. PASSES All students in the halls during class time must have an Apopka High School pass that is properly filled out and signed by the teacher indicating the date, time and purpose or destination of the pass holder. Students who abuse the pass privilege will have their pass privileges revoked for a period of time up to and including the remainder of the year.

37. SAFE HARBOR If at any time a student discovers that they are in possession of a prohibited item, they can surrender it to an administrator without penalty or disciplinary action. Safe Harbor applies to objects that are not fire arms and objects that students can lawfully possess off campus.

38. SAFE PROGRAM For help with depression, drugs, alcohol, abuse, grief, eating issues, peer mediation, etc.

39. SCHOOL ACCIDENT INSURANCE School accident insurance is not automatically provided to students of Apopka High School. However, students will be given the opportunity to purchase a group insurance plan provided for all schools in Orange County. The policy will partially pay for medical and hospital service needed as the result of an accident. Purchasing of insurance is entirely voluntary. It is the responsibility of the parent to secure the insurance forms from the school office. Any accident should be reported immediately to the teacher in charge and to the office.

40. SCHOOL BUS Students should be on time at the designated stops and should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before boarding. While on the bus, students should practice courtesy, good conduct, and safety. IMPROPER CONDUCT ON THE BUS WILLRESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM THE BUS AND/OR SCHOOL. If you have questions concerning scheduling or routing problems contact Orange County Bus Transportation at 407-317-3800.

41. SCHOOL DANCES Apopka High School will hold two school sponsored dances, Homecoming and Prom. Only AHS students with ID cards are allowed to attend Apopka High School dances. Any AHS student wishing to invite a non-AHS student must seek administrative approval prior to the dance. No one aged 21 or over will be permitted to attend an Apopka High School dance. These dances will be well chaperoned. Once students enter, they stay inside unless they are ready to leave the premises. Students on suspension and/or students who have created problems at other extracurricular events will not be allowed to attend. Appropriate attire is required for these dances. No slam dancing, freak dancing or other unsafe or inappropriate dancing will be tolerated. Middle school students are not allowed to attend Apopka High School dances.

42. SCHOOL SUPERVISONFL STATUE 232.25 School Supervision according to FL STATUE 232.25: Students are not permitted to be on campus more than 30 minutes prior or 30 minutes after a school related activity on school grounds.

43. SMOKING & USING TOBACCO Orange County School Board policy prohibits possession and use of all tobacco products by students at school, on a school bus or at any school related activity on school grounds.

44. STUDENT SERVICES GUIDANCE – RECORDS A complete academic transcript, attendance record and cumulative folder will be kept for every student. Guidance services are available to all students on an individual basis and also in a group situation. Counselors are on duty during the day to assist the students. A newsletter is published periodically by the Guidance Department to inform students of scholarships, test dates and the admission recruiters who are on campus from the colleges, vocational schools, and the military.

45. TARDIES There are no excused tardies. All students arriving to school after 7:45 a.m. must go to the attendance office to sign in. (Students arriving significantly late may not be admitted to school without a doctor’s note or parent contact Students who are found skipping are subject to search.

47. TESTING Tests will be administered periodically to determine progress. However, no nine weeks or semester test will be given early and must be given only on the designated day. All teachers will give semester exams. If for some reason a student is absent on the day on a 9 week or semester exam test day, he receives an “F” and is given one week to make up the test. If the student fails to make up the test, the grade remains an “F”.

48. TEXTBOOKS Students who lose or misplace textbooks must pay for them before replacements will be issued. Students are to get lost textbooks forms from the individual teachers, and payment is made to the bookkeeper.

49. VENDING MACHINES Apopka High School assumes no responsibility for lost monies or damaged goods received. Vending machines are not to be used during class time.

50. VISTORS Students are not permitted to bring visitors to school. Students are not to visit with anyone who is not currently enrolled in AHS anytime without first obtaining administrative approval. Small children, including babies, will not be brought to visit during school hours. Students are prohibited from visiting other school campuses during their school hours.

51. WEDNESDAY SCHOOL ISS Wednesday School will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Failure to attend an assigned Wednesday School will result in three (3) days of In School Suspension.