Student/Family Handbook 2019-2020

Middle College High School @DTCC 1616 Cooper St.

Durham, North Carolina 27703 Main Office: 919-536-7203

Fax: 919-536-7294 Website: http://mchs.dpsnc.net

Twitter: @MCHSDurhamTech 

Instagram: middlecollegehs

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Table of Contents

Topic Page Topic Page

MCHS Calendar 3 Student Services 17

DTCC Academic Calendar 4 Clubs 18

DTCC Campus Map 6 Athletics 18

Bell Schedules 7 Academic Information 19

Contact Information 10 Grading and Reporting 19

School Hours, Safety & General Information

11 Progress Reports/Report Cards

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Bullying/Harassment 13 Credit Substitutions 21

Dress Code 14 College Course Information 22

Fire/Evacuation Drills 14 Academic Interventions 24

Textbooks 15 Testing and Final Exams 25

Student Discipline 16 Transportation 26

Forms:

● Absence for Religious Holiday ● Athletic Participation ● Permission to Self-Carry Medication ● High School Event Absence Form

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Regular Schedule

Period 1

9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Planning 10:45 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Period 2 12:20 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.

Period 3 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

*Lunch is provided to students from 11:30 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. daily.

Town Hall/House Schedule

Period 1

9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

TOWN HALL/HOUSE Town Hall: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

House: 11:30 – 12:10 p.m.

Period 2 12:20 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.

Period 3 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

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Early Release Schedule

Period 1 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Period 2 (note this change) 10:20 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

Planning 11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Period 3 12:20 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.

Buses leave campus 1:30

*Please notify your teacher if your college course conflicts with this schedule or you will be marked as having an unexcused absence or tardy.

1-Hour Delay Schedule

Period 1 10:15 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.

Planning 11:35 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Period 2 12:45 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.

Period 3 2:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

*Please notify your teacher if your college course conflicts with this schedule or you will be marked as having an unexcused absence or tardy.

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2-Hour Delay Schedule

Planning 11:15 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Period 1 (note this change) 12:20 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.

Period 2 1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.

Period 3 2:25 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

*Please notify your teacher if your college course conflicts with this schedule or you will be marked as having an unexcused absence or tardy.

3-Hour Delay Schedule

Period 1 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Planning 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Period 2 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Period 3 2:40 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

*Please notify your teacher if your college course conflicts with this schedule or you will be marked as having an unexcused absence or tardy.

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Contact Information Please refer to the Middle College High School Website for the full staff directory

https://www.dpsnc.net/Page/2091

Title Name Phone Extension

School Administration

Principal Crystal Taylor-Simon 1211 (main office)

Student Services School Counselor Tiffany Brown 1207

College Liaison/Magnet Coordinator

William Evans 1202

Support Staff Administrative Assistant/Guidance Secretary

Rosalinda Silva 1211

Data Manager/Treasurer Kimberly Faison 1203

Exceptional Children EC Inclusion Erma Lewis-Wills 1206

Career Development Career Dev. Coordinator Sylvia Bittle 1206

DTCC Campus Police Police/Security 5555

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School Hours, Safety, General Information

Main Office The main office of Middle College High School is located in Newton Building 4 - Room 123. The main office and counselor’s office is to be respected as a professional office space. Accordingly, students will not loiter in these areas and will not request the main office to receive and /or deliver packages at school from home or community vendors.

Arrival/Building Access/Early Release/Late Departure Middle College High School hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Middle College has an open campus policy. A MCHS student is required to be at school only while his/her classes are in session, during Town Hall or House presentations, scheduled tutorial sessions and school-sponsored academic supports. (See the section on academic probation) A MCHS student whose schedule consists of Durham Tech courses may be on campus while the MCHS staff is not on campus. Durham Public Schools is not liable for student activity when students are not under the direct supervision of Durham Public Schools staff. Instructional Time MCHS prioritizes instructional time. In order to protect the learning environment, we do not interrupt the classroom to deliver messages or items to students. The main office staff will accept items that support instruction such as books, assignments, notebooks, etc. and students will only be permitted to retrieve these items during their lunch, between classes or after school. All phone calls need to be directed to the main office (919-536-7203). Students should not be taking calls on their cell phone during class. Attendance & Tardiness Students attending Middle College High School must adhere to both the DPS attendance policy (for their high school classes) and the DTCC attendance policy (for their college classes). Middle College High School has an Open Campus Policy which means that students are required to be at school only while his/her classes (including Town Hall & House) are in session and if they are scheduled for mandatory academic support. (Please see the Terms of Agreement) for additional details. Students will sign in with their high school or college teacher when on campus. When students are assigned mandatory supports, they will sign in with a proctor. Students have permission from the school to leave campus at all other times. DPS Board Policy 4100 “Attendance at school is essential if a student expects to do well. Regular attendance is necessary for successful completion of required class work and promotion to the next grade. Moreover, attendance and participation in class are integral parts of the teaching-learning process, and regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to successful personal, social and professional life. A student is absent from a class if the student misses more than half the class period, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Absences resulting from participation in school-sponsored activities will not count against the minimum attendance requirement. This policy does not limit a teacher or

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principal from imposing disciplinary sanctions for students who miss portions of the school day or a class without excuse. A student who is absent from school shall within three days of returning to school furnish a written excuse from the student’s parent/guardian, custodian or doctor stating the reason for the absence.” (This note must be turned into the main office in the Newton Building 4-124.) DTCC Attendance Policy POLICY STATEMENT The focus of Durham Technical Community College’s Student Learning and Instructional Services is effective student learning for career and personal growth. To this end, faculty and staff are available to work closely with students from the point of application for admission through the progression of courses to completion of studies at the College. Regular attendance is required for students to complete all course requirements and receive the optimum benefit of instruction. PROCEDURE For students who have officially entered the course, absences are calculated from the first class meeting, not from the student’s first attendance date. Hence, students entering late may have already accumulated part of the absence limit which varies according to the contact hours of the class. Tardiness and Early Departure Students should be on time for each class session and should be prepared to remain for the full duration of the class. Tardiness or early departure from class that results in the student missing at least twenty (20) percent of the instructional session may be considered an absence. Chronic tardiness and/or leaving class early may adversely affect the student’s course grade and may cause the student to receive a grade of “F”. Additional Information about the DTCC attendance policy can be found at https://www.durhamtech.edu/sites/default/files/media-files/policies/Class-Absences.pdf Attendance and Makeup Work (DPS Policy 4104) Students are entitled to make up work from an excused absence (as defined in policy 4101) without receiving penalties to their marks or grades. School-level staff are authorized to set reasonable deadlines for submission of make-up work. High school and middle school students are responsible for securing and arranging make-up work from their teachers. In the case of elementary students, the teacher will assign make-up work where appropriate at the teacher's discretion. Make up work shall be assigned at the convenience of the teacher, and may be specific material missed by the student, or may be reinforcement or enrichment assignments. HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS If a student wishes to attend an IMPORTANT EVENT (as determined and agreed upon by Principal, teacher and student/parent), the student MUST complete a “High School Event Absence Form” (located in the main office) prior to the event and submit this to their teacher, who then submits to the Principal. Such events cannot exceed FIVE days during the course of any semester. Failure to follow this procedure will result in the student being denied the possibility of an excused absence for the event. Tardiness MCHS Tardy Policy Being tardy to class is unexcused unless accompanied by an official medical note, the school bus is running late or a college class overlaps their high school class. If a student has a college class that ends

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5 minutes or less prior to the start of the high school class, then that student will be permitted to arrive 5 minutes late to class. This information must be verified by presenting their college schedule to the teacher at the beginning of the semester. Tardiness to class will result in disciplinary consequences. NOTE: Personal transportation problems (car breakdown, traffic, etc) will be marked "unexcused". A tardy will be entered on the attendance report for students who are not in class at the appropriate time. Consequences for tardiness:

Tardy #1 Parent Communication

Tardy #2 Parent Communication, Teacher Assigned Consequences and Guidance Referral

Tardy #3 Parent Communication, Teacher Assigned Consequences and Attendance Committee Referral

Tardy #4 Referral to Administration

DTCC Tardy Policy Students should be on time for each class session and should be prepared to remain for the full duration of the class. Tardiness or early departure from class that results in the student missing at least twenty (20) percent of the instructional session may be considered an absence. Chronic tardiness and/or leaving class early may adversely affect the student’s course grade and may cause the student to receive a grade of “F."

Attendance and Deselection: Students with 3 unexcused absences will be referred to the principal and are subject to disciplinary consequences. Students who have 6 or more unexcused absences will be placed in our M.A.P (Maverick Academic Preparedness) program. Failure to attend M.A.P. sessions will result in disciplinary consequences. Students who have 10 unexcused absences will be recommended for deselection. In order to avoid deselection, students must meet with the waiver committee to provide documentation for those absences. They must also review their academic status with the committee to provide evidence of satisfactory academic progress. Students who fail to show for their waiver committee appointments waive their right to provide evidence for attendance and these unexcused absences will result in administrative disciplinary consequences and will weigh heavily in the decision for deselection. Bullying/Harassment The goal of Middle College High School is to provide every student and employee in the school system with a safe and orderly learning environment. For this reason, MCHS strictly prohibits harassing or bullying of any kind. Students who observe or are the victim of bullying and harassment should report this to a staff member.

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Dress Code Although students are on the campus of DTCC, they must remember that they represent Durham Public Schools. The primary goal of Durham Public Schools is to provide a safe learning environment where all students are able to achieve at their highest potential. The personal appearance of every student is an important component of establishing a safe environment for optimal learning and respect for one another. Students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance that are compatible with an effective learning environment. Details of the DPS Dress Code Policy can be found in the DPS Student/Parent Handbook. Failure to comply with this policy can result in disciplinary consequences. (DPS Policy 4104) Fire/Evacuation/Lockdown Drills All fire/evacuation/lockdown drills are conducted by Durham Technical Community College. Evacuation instructions are posted in each classroom and each student is expected to follow the drill expectations communicated by DPS and DTCC faculty/staff members. Teachers will go over the DTCC Emergency Response protocols at the beginning of the year and the Emergency Response Checklist will be posted in each room. Identification Cards

To ensure a safe campus environment for all, students are expected to carry their identifications when they are on campus. Students must be prepared to show their identification cards when requested by Durham Tech or MCHS faculty or staff. The identification card may be a Durham Tech ID card or other official form of identification, such as a license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Any student wishing to utilize campus services or facilities, such as the library or computer labs, must have a valid Durham Tech ID card or Campus Access card.

Student Parking Students who drive to school will need to obtain a parking permit through Durham Technical Community College (Building 8).This parking permit is free to Middle College High School students. DTCC transportation and parking regulations can be found at https://www.durhamtech.edu/campus-police-and-public-safety/traffic-and-parking-requirements Student Medication For authorization to use medication during school hours, please ensure the proper Medication Administration form or Self-Medication form is on file with the main office. Visitors Volunteers and visitors on school property also are expected to comply with DPS and DTCC Board Policy and established school rules and procedures. All Middle College High School visitors need to report to Building 4 (Newton Building) for assistance. Visitors are not allowed to visit teacher classrooms during the regular school day unless there is a pre-scheduled conference that has been approved by the teacher. Students cannot bring friends or relatives to attend classes with them. Former MCHS students cannot visit teachers during the teacher’s instructional time. Any person refusing to follow this policy will be directed to leave the area and can result in Campus Police involvement.

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Campus Police (DTCC) Durham Tech provides campus police who are located in Building 8. Officers are on campus daily to help maintain a safe and secure campus. Technology/Electronic Policy (DPS Policy 4301) Unless specifically authorized by a teacher or school administrator, students shall not use, display or have in the “on” position any personal electronic communication or entertainment device, including cell phones, pagers, music players, electronic games or similar items during instructional time, testing or mandatory school assemblies and activities (Town Hall/House). Any device possessed or used in violation of this policy may be confiscated and held for return to the student’s parent or guardian. Laser pointers and other electronic devices that could damage eyesight or otherwise cause physical harm are specifically covered under this policy. Depending on the circumstances, such items may also constitute “weapons” under Rule III-3, and the student may be disciplined accordingly. Students shall be personally and solely responsible for the security of their electronic devices or personal technology devices. The Durham Public Schools is not responsible for any electronic devices or personal technology devices that are lost, stolen or damaged while on school property or at school events. Textbooks (DTCC) Textbooks required for most DTCC courses are free to MCHS students during the academic year only. Students must report to the MCHS main office no later than August 9 in order to obtain their book or voucher for their college courses. Do NOT go directly to the DTCC campus bookstore! Vouchers Vouchers are provided to students if MCHS does not have a copy of the required book already in the bookroom. Students must take this voucher to the DTCC bookstore to obtain a copy of their book. Students are required to use all textbook vouchers by the 15th day of school. Please note that the DTCC bookstore may choose not to honor vouchers presented after this date. If the student fails to use the voucher, then they will become responsible for the cost of any remaining textbooks that they will need. Middle College High School cannot purchase textbooks for college classes during the summer. For more information on this topic, please see the “College Course Information” section of this handbook. All textbooks need to be returned in good condition. Students are responsible for the cost of any lost, damaged, or stolen books. Failure to pay will result in school records being frozen. Lost and Found Any lost-and-found items should be turned in to the Campus Police and Public Safety Office. Persons looking for lost items should check in the Campus Police and Public Safety Office (Building 8). Debts to the school

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Students are responsible for all books, materials, software, hardware, calculators, sports equipment, and other materials issued to them by the school. Failure to keep these materials and return them to the school in the condition similar to which they were issued will cause the student to be financially responsible for these items. Lunch/Food Program DPS Nutrition services: Middle College High School will be providing free school lunches to those students who are interested in receiving a daily lunch. Students who are interested must submit a lunch form to Mrs. Silva no later than August 9th 2019. Lunch is provided by Durham Public School’s R.N. Harris Elementary. The lunch schedule is from 11:30 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Students must report to the DTCC Café which is located in Building 10. On every 1st Friday of the month when Middle College has Town Hall/House meetings, pizza will be provided to all students. DTCC Café: Provides breakfast and lunch at a la carte prices. Their menu can be found on their website or by following this link. Mondays-Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Breakfast); 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Lunch) DTCC Food Pantry: For students in need, there is a food pantry located Building 3-110C. Information about their services can be found by visiting the DTCC website or by following this link.

Student Discipline

The academic and social expectations for students at Middle College High School are high. Respect for oneself and others, as well as respect for instructional time and a healthy learning environment, are essential to a successful school. Students are expected to display appropriate behavior at all times and in all locations of DTCC and DPS.. These locations include the grounds, classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias, parking lots, buses, etc. Judicially, MCHS and DTCC staff members have authority over students regardless of place. Students are expected to respect this authority. Disciplinary measures vary based upon the infraction; however, teachers and school administrators will adhere to the measures prescribed by the policies of Durham Public Schools (DPS Student Handbook) and DTCC policies. If disciplinary measures are necessary, students may be assigned lunch detention, after-school detention (ASD), Saturday detention (SD) or out-of-school suspension (OSS). Serious or repeated offenses will result in deselection or recommendation for long-term suspension. Disciplinary measures are progressive in application. Teachers are expected to try different interventions (except in cases that involve threats to safety and security) prior to referring a student to the administration. When a student is referred to an administrator, several different approaches, subject to mitigating or aggravating factors, may be used in an attempt to affect a behavior change. Lunch Detention (LD)/After-School Detention (ASD)/Saturday Detention (SD) Teachers and administrators may utilize detention as a consequence for student misconduct.

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● Students assigned to lunch detention and/or ASD by a teacher will serve their consequence with the teacher who assigned the consequence.

● Students assigned to lunch detention by an administrator will report directly to the designated location and will remain there for the duration of their lunch. Students will be permitted to bring their own lunch or obtain a school lunch as directed by the adult supervising lunch detention. The teacher will document this consequence in Educator’s Handbook.

● Students assigned ASD by an administrator will report to the Building 5 library. The administrator will check them into the library quiet room or a cubicle near the principal’s office. The student will remain from 3:45 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. as directed by the administrator. Tardiness to ASD is not allowed; thus, failure to report on time is treated as a “no show,” and the student may be assigned additional days or Saturday Morning Detention (repeat offenses). A student who fails to report to or cooperate in ASD as directed will be disciplined in like manner. ASD is held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The student is responsible for securing transportation home from school.

● Students assigned Saturday Detention by an administrator will report to Building 5 - library, and remain there from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as directed by an administrator. Failure to report to Saturday Detention will lead to escalated consequences.

Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) Students who commit serious infractions or who are repeat offenders may face out-of-school suspension (OSS), which is a denial of school attendance and a denial of participation in or attendance at school-sponsored activities. Such suspensions are made by the administration in accordance with the policies of the Durham Public Schools. While serving out-of-school suspension, students have a right to receive make-up work; however, they are NOT permitted to attend any school function and are NOT permitted on any DPS or DTCC campuses. Violators may face additional suspension and/or trespassing charges. *Students who are assigned multiple days of OSS will be deselected and reassigned to their base school.

Student Services Information Student Services Team School Counselor The Middle College High School counselor, Mrs. Tiffany Brown, is located in Building 4-121. The student services main number is 919-536-7203 ext. 1207. She is licensed to assist students with the following concerns:

● Academic guidance, increasing achievement and study skills ● Personal/social/emotional relationships at home or in school ● Educational and College/Career planning ● Scholarship and Financial Aid resources ● Test preparation ● Access to interpretation services

To arrange a conference with the counselor, students and parents/families should make appointments in advance.

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College Liaison/Magnet Coordinator The primary responsibility of the college liaison, Mr. William Evans, is to recruit eligible juniors and seniors and assist them through the MCHS and Durham Tech enrollment process. He also helps monitor and provide support to students who are enrolled in college classes. Mr. Evans is located in Building 4 - 106. Please schedule an appointment if you would like to meet with him. Career Development Coordinator The Career Development Coordinator (CDC) Office is located in Building 4-107. Students may obtain assistance with career and college guidance, as well as information about job shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, Armed Forces, and employment opportunities. Available on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Student Services Website A wealth of information can be found on the counseling website at www.mchscounseling.blogspot.com. Here you can find scholarships, important reminders and helpful links. Parents and students can sign up to receive real-time notifications. Appointments and Referrals Whenever possible, an appointment should be made with the counselor. Appointments can be scheduled by visiting the counseling website and clicking appointments. If you are concerned for a friend and wish to submit an anonymous referral, you can do so using the appointment link as well. Senior Planning Meetings Every senior is required to meet with the counselor during the first semester. Appointments for senior planning meetings can be scheduled via the counseling website. Transcript Requests All requests for official transcripts should be made online via the Common App, CFNC, the MCHS transcript request form or the Durham Public Schools transcript request system. Transcript requests should not be made via email, voicemail or verbal request. Instructions and links for transcript requests can be found on the counseling website. Please be advised that MCHS faculty cannot send Durham Tech transcripts. These must be requested directly by the student from DTCC. Clubs MCHS and DTCC have a variety of different clubs and organizations in which students can participate. These activities provide students an opportunity to explore their interests and build community. For more information about clubs, please see the MCHS and DTCC website for club listings. Athletic Information MCHS students are allowed to participate in athletics at their “base” school. Any student participating in a sport at their base school MUST fill out an Athletic Participation Form at the beginning of each semester. All attendance policies outlined by the base schools apply. Attendance and academic information will be communicated to the base school’s athletic coach because they have an educational need to ensure students are maintaining their eligibility to play a sport.

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Academic Information

Academic Integrity/Cheating MCHS expects that all students demonstrate high academic integrity. Academic integrity ensures that students respect and value their own work and the work of others. Students who demonstrate academic integrity ensure that they have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills which helps teachers to appropriately plan instruction and interventions tailored to individual student needs. Students who fail to uphold the standards of academic integrity will be found in violation of academic misconduct and are subject to disciplinary consequences. Examples of academic misconduct include but are not limited to: Plagiarism - Intentionally or unintentionally using the ideas, words or works of art of another person without proper and clear acknowledgement or trying to pass off someone else’s work as your own. Collusion - Supporting academic misconduct of another student, copying someone else’s work or allowing your work to be copied and submitted for assessment. Testing Misconduct - Using unauthorized material and/or devices on an examination or communicating with another student during an examination. Misc. - Any other means of academic dishonesty communicated by the staff of MCHS or DPS Board Policy

Grading and Reporting

Powerschool Students and parents can access grades and attendance information by logging into Powerschool (my.ncedcloud.org.) If you have any questions or concerns about Powerschool, please contact Ms. Silva in the main office. Powerschool is also the location where students can access Canvas and Edmentum by clicking on the apps.

Grading Scale (Board Policy 3200.2) The State Board uses a standard 10-point grading scale for all high school students. This scale does not include “pluses or minuses”. Under the 10-point scale, grades and grade point average calculations will be applied as follows:

A 90 - 100 4.0

B 80 - 89 3.0

C 70 - 79 2.0

D 60 - 69 1.0

F <59 0.0

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In high school, grades are awarded corresponding quality points for the calculation of a student’s grade point average (GPA). These values and those courses receiving weighted values are noted below:

Quality points for students who entered grade 9 prior to 2015-2016:

Letter Grade

Standard Course

Honors Course

AP or College Course

A 4 5 6

B 3 4 5

C 2 3 4

D 1 2 3

F 0 0 0

Quality points for students who entered grade 9 in 2015-2016 and beyond:

Letter Grade

Standard Course

Honors Course

AP or College Course

A 4 4.5 5

B 3 3.5 4

C 2 2.5 3

D 1 1.5 2

F 0 0 0

Progress Reports

1st Quarter 8/2 - 10/10

2nd Quarter 10/14 - 12/19

3rd Quarter 1/6 - 3/6

4th Quarter 3/17 - 5/21

Progress Report

September 4 (Wednesday)

November 13 (Wednesday)

February 5 (Wednesday)

April 15 (Wednesday)

End of Grading Period

October 10 (Thursday)

December 19 (Thursday)

March 6 (Friday)

May 21 (Tuesday)

Report Cards Distributed

October 17 (Friday)

January 10 (Friday)

March 23 (Monday)

June 12 Final secondary report cards

will be mailed. High school report card delivery is dependent on

NCDPI score reporting.

Graduation information

English 4 credits

Math 4 credits to include Math I, Math II, Math III and a 4th Math

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Science 3 credits to include Earth & Environmental Science, Biology and Physical Science

Social Studies 4 credits to include World History, American History I & II and Civics and Economics

Health & PE 1 credit

World Languages 2 credits in the same language required for admission to a 4-year college (Counts towards elective credits)

Electives (North Carolina Requirement) 6 credits

Electives (Durham Public Schools) 6 credits

Total for graduation 28 credits (expected) *Total credits required for graduation may vary depending on individual student circumstances (ie. students entering from different LEA or homeschool)

*All students must have had CPR training Credit Substitution College courses can be substituted for high school courses to help complete graduation requirements.

High school course… can be substituted with college course(s)...

American History 1 ❏ HIS 131

American History 2 ❏ HIS 132

ENGLISH 3 Students must take three courses from the listed sequence in order to gain English 3 credit.

❏ ENG 111 followed by… ❏ ENG 112 or 113 followed by… ❏ ENG 231 or ENG 232

ENGLISH 4 Students must take three courses from the listed sequence in order to gain English 4 credit.

❏ ENG 111 followed by… ❏ ENG 112 followed by… ❏ ENG 241 or 242

FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEVEL 1 ❏ ARA, ASL, FRE, GER, SPA 111 or 211

FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEVEL 2 ❏ ARA, ASL, FRE, GER, SPA 111, 112, or 212

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FOURTH MATH REQUIREMENT Choose one. You may take additional courses if you wish but they are not required for substitution purposes.

❏ MAT 143 ❏ MAT 152 ❏ MAT 171 ❏ MAT 172 ❏ MAT 263 ❏ MAT 271

PHYSICAL SCIENCE Students may choose a sequence (CHM or PHY) and take both courses listed in order to do a physical science substitution.

❏ CHM 151 followed by… ❏ CHM 152

❏ PHY 151 or 251 followed by… ❏ PHY 152 or 252

National Honor Society Middle College High School recognizes juniors and seniors who have achieved excellence in the area of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. The school’s selection committee will evaluate candidates based on the four pillars of the National Honor Society: • Scholarship: Students must have a minimum of 3.5 cumulative UNWEIGHTED GPA. • Service: Voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation. • Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. • Character: The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record. Understanding the Obligations of Membership: Students who accept membership and are inducted into the chapter should be aware of the time and commitment involved with this honor. For example, there will be chapter meetings, and members must participate in chapter and individual service projects to benefit the school and community.

College Course Information Middle College High School is a unique learning environment which fully integrates students into a collegiate experience. In order to remain enrolled in Middle College students and parents must understand and agree to the conditions outlined in the Terms of Agreement which was signed prior to enrollment. For questions or concerns regarding the Terms of Agreement, please see Mr. William Evans, the college liaison.

Advising All students must have an individual advising session with the College Liaison (or a designated Durham Tech Advisor) prior to the college course registration period. Students who do not attend an advising session will not be permitted to register. Students who attend advising but register for a course that was not approved by the liaison or advisor may be required to drop that course.

College Course Registration All MCHS students are required to take college courses each semester in order to remain enrolled at the school. Students who do not register for courses by the indicated deadline each semester may be

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required to transfer out of MCHS. When scheduling college courses, it is the student’s responsibility to check the following items…

● Make sure the college class does not conflict with any required high school classes. ● Make sure the course is being offered on the DTCC campus of your choice. ● Make sure you do not have other commitments or barriers that interfere with your courses,

including class time and study time. Examples include transportation, jobs, sports, and other extracurricular or community activities.

College Class Attendance Students must follow the attendance policy set forth by their college instructors. Failure to attend college classes can result in a student automatically failing or being withdrawn from that class. Students should be sure to read their college syllabi carefully to check individual policies. Note: There are no excused or unexcused absences for college courses; all absences are counted the same. If there is ever a conflict between a college class and a high school event, the student should notify the appropriate high school staff member but attend the college class. College Course Withdrawal Since failing and withdrawing from courses impact future financial aid prospects, students may NOT drop a college course without permission from the MCHS college liaison or the MCHS principal. Permission will only be given to students who have a documented medical rationale. Students experiencing academic difficulty should meet with their teacher and notify the MCHS college liaison and MCHS counselor immediately to get information about academic supports. If a student is automatically withdrawn from a college course due to attendance, this will be considered an unauthorized withdrawal which can lead to the student being reassigned to his/her base school. College Grades The high school only receives the final grade for each college class. College Instructors may post grades in Sakai or Cengage. Parents are asked to partner with MCHS by checking their student’s grades and communicating them to the college liaison throughout the semester so MCHS can provide academic support when needed. Sakai Sakai is the DTCC online management platform. DTCC instructors may use this platform to provide course information, handouts, assignments, tests, grades or online discussions. To learn more about Sakai, visit https://sakai.durhamtech.edu/portal Contacting College Instructors Durham Tech Instructors are not required to communicate with parents; therefore, students are expected to take the lead in consulting with their instructors about any concerns. We recommend the following means for parents to stay informed and involved in their child’s college education…

● Review student’s grades via Sakai or Cengage. ● Have the student email the instructor and copy the parent on the email. ● Have the student set up a conference with the instructor and invite the parent to attend with the

student. The student must be present and lead the conference. Overloads Students may add a fifth course each semester if they have parental permission (via signature on the Overload Permission Form) and if they did not fail a course the previous semester. Students who are found to have failed a course after they have registered for a fifth course for the next semester will be required to drop the fifth course prior to the first day of classes.

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Summer Textbooks Juniors who elect to take college courses during the summer may use books provided by MCHS if we have them in stock. If we do not have a book or materials currently in stock, students must purchase the items themselves or choose a different course. Graduating seniors may not receive summer textbooks from MCHS.

Academic Interventions

STUDENTS AT RISK OF ACADEMIC FAILURE (Board Policy 3405) Durham Public Schools identify students at risk of academic failure based on grades, observations, state assessments, and other factors that impact student performance that teachers and administrators consider appropriate. Students who are at risk of academic failure shall be identified and provided with academic interventions. Identification of and Assistance to Students at Risk Available resources will be organized to implement a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) that uses data-driven problem-solving and research-based instructional practices for all students. Processes and standards for addressing concerns about student performance and for documenting student responses to research-based and evidence-based instruction and interventions within the MTSS will be established. School administrators and teachers shall address the needs of students identified as at risk of academic failure through the supports available in the MTSS and/or other processes established by the superintendent. The parents or guardians of such students should be included, through oral or written communication or other means, in the implementation and review of academic and/or behavioral interventions for their children. Student Academic Interventions at MCHS Academic Probation If a student fails one or more classes or their unweighted GPA falls below a 2.5, the student may be placed on academic probation and academic interventions will become mandatory. Students on academic probation are assigned a probation advisor. If a student fails to attend or complete academic interventions and/or fails another class the following semester, he/she may be subject to disciplinary consequences and/or re-assigned to their base school. Academic Interventions All students have access to the MCHS academic interventions. Struggling students should contact their counselor immediately. MCHS

● Face-to-Face Tutoring ● E-Learning and Flex Assignments ● D.A.S.H. (Daytime Academic Study Hall)

DTCC

● Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) supports and tutoring ● Instructor office hours

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● UpSwing (online tutoring)

Middle College PTSA 2019-2020

All parents of enrolled MCHS students are encouraged to join and participate in the PTSA. Please contact Ms. Camellia Fleming at extension 1204.

School Improvement Team To achieve its vision for Durham Public Schools, the Board of Education is committed to continuous improvement in student performance with principals as visionary leaders focused on high student achievement. In support of this vision, each school shall establish a school improvement team to develop an improvement plan in accordance with state law, State Board of Education policy, and Department of Public Instruction guidelines. The School Improvement Team is comprised of the Principal and representatives including Assistant Principals, instructional personnel, instructional support personnel, teacher assistants assigned to the school, and parents of children enrolled in the school. SIT members for the 2019-2020 school year can be found on our website.

Testing and Final Examinations DPS

The Board of Education requires that a final examination be given at the end of each course earning a credit toward high school graduation. In EOC/NCFE/CTE tested courses, the state test counts as the final exam. Final exams in non-EOC/NCFE/CTE courses should be a valid reflection of the student’s mastery of course content. Exams should be cumulative in nature and test material and skills taught during the period covered by the exam. The exam schedule should be such that a student takes no more than two exams per day. Provisions shall be made for students to make up exams missed due to excused absences or short-term suspensions. This policy may be waived for approved dual-enrollment college courses. Final Exam Exemptions (DPS Policy 4106) High school students may be exempt from their non-state required final exams if they meet one of the following conditions:

● Have an “A” average and no more than 3 absences in that course. ● Have a “B” average and no more than 2 absences in that course. ● ANY absences (excused or unexcused; lawful or unlawful) count toward the limit for exam

exemption except school sponsored field trips, school approved activities, religious holidays, and district approved medical hardship waivers.

● Students who are exempt from an exam may elect to take the exam. The grade will only count if it improves the student’s overall grade.

● This policy does not apply to courses offered through community colleges, universities or online services.

*For information about DTCC testing, please visit the DTCC website or contact your DTCC instructors. ACT Test Dates for 2019-2020 The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requires that all juniors take the ACT in February 2020. This is a nationally recognized college entrance exam that will be used to measure students’

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college and career readiness. Students will automatically be registered for this exam and it is paid for by the state. This test will be given during the school day and MCHS will provide support to help students prepare for this test. This score may be submitted to colleges during the application process. Please monitor the MCHS website for updates and ACT prep dates. Students may also access additional information about the ACT by visiting https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents.html SAT 2019-2020 Students interested in taking the SAT should visit https://www.collegeboard.org/ Fee Waivers All inquiries about fee waivers should be directed to the counselor, Ms. Tiffany Brown.

Transportation The following modes of transportation are available to Middle College High School students:

● Parents/Guardians may drop students off and pick them up ● Students can receive a free parking permit and may drive to school. (See the student driver

section of this handbook) ● Students from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools may receive a free public transit bus pass that

has been provided by CHCCS. ● Students from Durham Public Schools may ride the Early College or Hillside New Tech school

bus if a route already comes to their neighborhood. Each morning, the bus will pick you up at a neighborhood stop and drop you off at Middle College by approximately 8:45 a.m. The bus will pick you up from Middle College at approximately 3:45 p.m. each afternoon and take you back to your neighborhood stop.

● Students from Orange County Schools may purchase a public transit bus pass and be reimbursed by the OCS district office.

● Any student enrolled in at least three semester hours of college courses may receive a free public transit bus pass from the Durham Tech Security Office in Building 8.

Student Drivers Speeding, careless or reckless driving may result in revocation of driving privileges and/or other punishment. Driving or riding in vehicles on campus for recreation is prohibited. Vehicles should not be driven on sidewalks or off of the pavement. Student Parking (DTCC Regulations) A parking permit/decal may be obtained by visiting the Campus Police and Public Safety office (Building 8; 919-536-7255) during the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students and employees must complete a parking permit request form (found on the DTCC website) and present their driver's license and proof of enrollment or employment at the time of their request.

● Students may use any campus parking space except ones marked for special use, including those designated as no parking, loading, and fire zones.

● Students are prohibited from using spaces the College has reserved for service vehicles, employees, and visitors.

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● Students may not park along curbs marked as fire lanes, on the lawn or sidewalks, driveways, on neighboring property, or in any manner that blocks or obstructs the passage of pedestrians or vehicles.

● Students may not occupy more than one (1) parking space at a time. ● Students parking at off-campus locations for College-related purposes must comply with the

agency’s parking regulations. ● Students must display a valid parking permit/decal at all times while parked on College

premises. Student parking permits/decals must be renewed each academic year. Permits/decals must be displayed facing outward and without obstruction.

The following regulations apply to visitors parking on College premises:

● Visitors, including prospective students and prospective employees, may park in designated visitor parking spaces.

If visitor spaces are not available, please contact our main office number 919-536-7203 for more instructions.

Fees and Fines Fees – Parking permits/decals are free for MCHS students. There is a $10 replacement fee for lost permits/decals. Fines – Vehicles parked on College premises without a valid and properly displayed permit/decal will be ticketed and may be towed. Cited students are responsible for fines and are subject to the penalties outlined below. Cited students may also be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the DTCC Student Code of Conduct.

Durham Tech will issue a citation and levy a $5 fine against the permit holder or vehicle owner for any of the following violations:

● Failure to display a parking permit/decal; ● Improper display of a parking permit/decal; ● Display of an outdated decal; ● Parking in a no parking, loading, or fire zone; ● Parking in a tow-away zone, reserved area, fire lane, or on the lawn or sidewalk; and/or ● Using more than one (1) parking space.

Parking citations may be appealed according to the Parking Citation Appeals procedure.

Payment

Students may pay parking citation fines at the Cashier’s Window (White Building/Building 1) or online via Self-Service once their individual AR account has been updated. The College accepts payment via credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express), cash, check, or money order.

Students who fail to pay their parking citation fines will not be eligible to register for classes and will not be permitted to apply for graduation or obtain copies of their College transcript. They may also be subject to the following additional penalties:

● Having their vehicle towed if they have unpaid fines totaling more than $25; ● Having their vehicle equipped with a vehicle immobilization device or “boot”, which can only

be removed by Campus Police; and

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● Disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Vehicles parked on College premises for more than forty-eight (48) hours will be towed at the individual’s expense unless the permit holder or vehicle owner has received prior authorization from Campus Police and Public Safety. Additional information about the DTCC parking and permit regulations can be found by visiting their website.

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