Homework-free days dwindling
From Staff Reports / WFAA.com
MESQUITE, Texas - Classes resume Monday in the Mesquite district, so here's a back-to-school primer for parents and students.
You'll find school supply information, holiday and report card dates, meal prices, registration and immunization requirements, rules of conduct and attire, and more.
Additional information is available on the school district's Web site,
http://www.mesquiteisd.org.
REGISTRATION
New-student registration takes place on individual campuses. Contact your school's office to make an appointment. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enrolling parents or guardians need to provide:
Identification, such as a driver's license
Proof of residency within the school attendance zone
Copy of student's birth certificate or other document to prove identity
Student's immunization record
Copy of student's Social Security card
Copy of records from school the student most recently attended, including withdrawal form if it is available
HOURS
Elementary schools: 7:55 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
Middle schools: 8:15 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.
High schools: 8:35 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
On early-release days, students will be sent home at these times:
Elementary schools: 1:25 p.m.
Middle schools: 1:55 p.m.
High schools: 2:15 p.m.
STUDENT HOLIDAYS
Sunnyvale School follows the same calendar.
Aug. 27: Staff development day
Sept. 6: Labor Day
Oct. 4: Fair day
Oct. 25: Staff development day
Nov. 24-26: Thanksgiving holidays
Dec. 20-Jan. 3: Winter break and teacher preparation day
Jan. 17: Martin Luther King holiday
Jan. 28: Staff development day
March 14-18: Spring break
March 25: Snow day/holiday
April 29: Snow day/holiday
OTHER KEY DATES
Sunnyvale School follows the same calendar.
Monday: First day of school
Aug. 24: Middle school early release day and open house
Aug. 26: Elementary school early release day and open house
Aug. 30: High school early release day and open house
Sept. 15: Early release for all students
Dec. 17: Early release for all students
Feb. 2: Early release for all students
Feb. 22-23: TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)/SDAA (State-Developed Alternative Assessment) test days
April 5: TAKS/SDAA test day
April 19-22: TAKS/SDAA test days
May 12: Early release for all students
May 26: Last day of school and early release for all students
ATTENDANCE RULES
Students must attend at least 90 percent of the days a class is offered to receive credit. Students absent without permission are considered truant and are subject to discipline, including court penalties against the student and parent.
Detailed attendance policies are available in the student handbook, distributed to each child at the start of the school year. The handbook is also available online at
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/misdweb/enrollment/handbook.pdf.
DRESS CODE
Generally:
1. Clothing containing offensive slogans, symbols and other suggestive or controversial designs is not allowed
2. Startling, unusual or immodest attire of any sort shall not be permitted. Fads in hairstyles, clothing or anything designed to attract attention to the individual or to disrupt the orderly conduct of the classroom or campus is not permitted.
3. Hair is to be clean and well-groomed. Unusual coloring or excessive hairstyles that may include "tails," "designs," "puffs," etc. are prohibited.
4. Clothing and other articles that are considered "gang-related" are not allowed.
5. Extremely baggy clothing will not be allowed. Pants, shorts, etc. are not to be worn below the waistline and should be appropriately sized.
6. Shorts may be worn but must reach at least fingertip length.
7. Tongue rings and visible body piercings, other than earrings on girls, are not allowed.
8. Inappropriate tattoos and body art are not allowed.
9. Tight-fitting shorts or "short shorts" will not be allowed.
10. Cutoffs, boxer shorts, pajama bottoms, bike shorts, short leggings as outer garments, etc. will not be allowed.
11. Hats, scarves, bandanas, hair coverings or hooded shirts are not to be worn by students except under circumstances designated by the principal. (Note: The school board is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to let elementary students wear hooded shirts as long as the hoods are kept down inside the school.)
12. Torn, ripped or cut clothing will not be allowed.
Additional guidelines for boys:
1. Shirts are to have sleeves. (Note: The school board is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to allow students in kindergarten through third grade to wear sleeveless shirts that have shoulder straps at least 3 inches wide.)
2. Appropriate shoes are to be worn.
3. Hair is to be out of the eyes, not extend below the earlobes and cut so that it does not extend over the collar (dress shirt).
4. Mustaches, beards and other facial hair are prohibited.
5. Earrings are prohibited.
Additional guidelines for girls:
1. Apparel that is too tight or too short for modesty will not be allowed.
2. Low-cut apparel is not allowed.
3. Girls are to wear sufficient undergarments.
4. Appropriate shoes are to be worn.
5. The following are unacceptable: clothing designed with shoulder straps less than 3 inches wide, bare midriffs, halters or bare backs.
Enforcement:
The Mesquite school district's philosophy states that the district is responsible for the development of the whole student; this includes good dress/grooming habits. It is the responsibility of all professional personnel to administer the dress and grooming guidelines.
SOURCE: Mesquite school district Code of Conduct
MEAL PRICES
Meal prices in Mesquite schools have increased by a dime. The new prices are:
Student breakfast (all ages): 90 cents
Elementary student lunch: $1.60
Middle and high school student lunch: $2
Adult breakfast: $1.25
Adult lunch: $2.40
Reduced-price breakfast*: 30 cents
Reduced-price lunch*: 40 cents
*Available only to eligible students who apply. Parents may apply for the service between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the food and nutrition services department in the district's service center, 800 E. Kearney. Students will also bring an application home the first week of school. Call 972-882-5512.
REPORT CARDS
Elementary and middle school report cards will be sent home on:
Sept. 30
Nov. 11
Jan. 6
Feb. 24
April 14
Week of May 30
High school report cards will be sent home on:
Oct. 1
Nov. 12
Jan. 7
Feb. 24
April 15
Week of May 30
BUS INFORMATION
For information about school bus routes and schedules, call individual schools or the district busing office at 972-882-1915.
CELLPHONE POLICY
Students may not use pagers, cellphones, etc. on a campus during school hours, and the devices must remain off during the school day. Devices that are on or cause a disruption will be confiscated. The school will not be responsible for damage, loss or theft of the items.
IMMUNIZATIONS
State law requires students to be up to date on immunizations before registering for school. Texas requirements cover diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and B, and varicella (chickenpox). For some of these, proof that a child has had the illness can be substituted for vaccination. Medical exemptions are allowed with a physician's written statement. Parents also can exempt children for reasons of conscience or religious belief. For more information, including where to get shots, call the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services at 214-819-2000.
DISTRICT PROFILE
Square miles: about 60
Fall enrollment: about 34,000
Serves: all of Mesquite, high school students from Sunnyvale, and parts of Balch Springs, Garland and Dallas
Elementary schools: 31
Middle schools: seven
High schools: five
Alternative schools: one
RUMOR CONTROL
The Mesquite school district offers a rumor-control and information hotline where parents and students can get the facts about rumors they've heard or share information with district officials. The hotline – 972-882-5437– is operated during school hours.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Elementary pupils should take their supplies on the first day of class. Supply lists are available on individual school Web sites and in each school office. Many school PTAs are selling packaged supplies.
Middle and high school students should take a pen, pencil and notebook or folder with paper on the first day. Their teachers will give them supply lists.
Elementary supply lists:
Austin:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/austin/supplylists.htm
Beasley:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/ beasley/beasley_news/newsletter2.htm
Black:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Black/ClassInfo.html
Cannaday:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Cannaday/supplylist1.html
Florence:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/florence/sch ... plies.html
Floyd:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/floyd/supplies.htm
Galloway:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Galloway/supply.html
Gentry:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/gentry/suplist_0405.htm
Gray:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Gray/SupplyList.html
Hanby:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/hanby/supplylists.html
Hodges:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/hodges/supplies.html
Kimball:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/kimball/supplies.html
Lawrence:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Lawrence/SuppliesLists.htm
Mackey:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Mackey/supplies.html
McKenzie:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/mckenzie/supplylist.htm
McWhorter:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/McWhorter/Su ... fault.html
Moss:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/moss/kinder_supplies.htm
Motley:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Motley/supplies.html
Pirrung:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/ pirrung/schoolsuppliesnew.html
Porter:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/porter/supplies.html
Price:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Price/supplies-home.htm
Range:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/range/Supply2004.htm
Rugel:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/rugel/school_supplies.htm
Rutherford:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/rutherford/s ... lylist.htm
Seabourn:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Seabourn/supplies2004.html
Shands:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/shands/tiftech.html
Shaw:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/shaw/Supplies.html
Smith:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/smith/supplies/default.html
Thompson:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Thompson/
Tisinger:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Tisinger/supply.htm
Tosch:
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/Tosch/supplylist.html