Policies & Procedures
Policies & Procedures
Click here for the English version of the Policy (including the handout from registration)
Click here for the English version of the Acceptable Use Agreement for Technology Use
Clicker here for the Spanish version of the Policy (including the handout from registration)
Click here for the Spanish version of the Acceptable Use Agreement for Technology Use
Attendance and Tardies:
Students are expected to arrive on time and to attend class on a regular basis. It is important to notify your teacher by contacting the teacher by phone, text, or e-mail if you are absent. Students with excessive absences will be dropped.
Maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment
1) The use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs is prohibited on all school campuses by State law and Board Policy.
2) Weapons of any kind, including attire that could be used as a weapon are prohibited.
3) Students are expected to follow VUSD dress code.
4) Displaying apparel or accessories that are viewed as indicators of gang affiliation are not to be worn, including insignias, signs, and tattoos.
Behavior Expectations:
1) Be on time and prepared every day.
2) Respect the rights and property of others.
3) Respect the authority of the teacher.
4) Do not disrupt the learning of others or a teacher’s ability to teach.
5) Do not bring food or drink into classrooms. Bottled water is okay.
6) Do not use obscene or vulgar language.
7) Follow the laws and ordinances of the City of Visalia and the State of California.
Consequences for Violations:
1) Warning
2) Conference with the teacher to sign/review class expectations/syllabus
3) Conference with school administrator.
4) May be dropped from Adult School classes.
Students with Disabilities
Visalia Adult School makes every effort to arrange services and accommodations for any student with a documented disability. Students should make an appointment in the Visalia Adult School Student Services Office (730-7646) to meet with a counselor in order to arrange accommodations in the classroom.
Refund Policy
Registration fees will be refunded if student drops the course prior to the first day of class or if the class is canceled. Fees are non-transferable. Credit card reimbursements; allow for 4-6 business days.
Mobile Communication Devices (BP 5131(b))
Students may possess or use mobile communication devices, including but not limited to, a cell phone, smart watch, pager, or other mobile communication device, while on campus or at school-sponsored activities provided that such devices do not disrupt the educational program or school activity. Mobile communication devices shall be turned off during class time and at any other time directed by a district employee. Such devices are considered personal property. Students possess these items at school entirely at their own risk. The school or district is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
No student shall be prohibited from possessing or using a mobile communication device that is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student’s health and the use of which is limited to health-related purposes. Devices are subject to search of content if used in violation of Conduct Code, Education Code, or have information in them regarding Education Code/Conduct Code violations. (Education Code 48901.5)
STUDENT USE OF TECHNOLOGY (BP 6163.4) The Governing Board recognizes that technology provides ways to access the most current and extensive sources of information. Technology also enables students to practice skills and to develop reasoning and problem-solving abilities. In addition, electronic resources foster workplace skills that may be transferable to new technologies. Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide safe access to technological resources throughout the District’s schools and classes and that students use technology at school in a responsible and proper manner.
Before a student is authorized to use the District’s technological resources, the student shall sign and return the Acceptable Use Agreement specifying user obligations and responsibilities. Student users of District technology shall have no expectation of privacy and understand that District staff may monitor or examine all system activities to ensure safe, responsible, and proper use of the system.
Students are authorized to use District equipment to access the Internet or other online services in accordance with Acceptable Use Agreement and/or Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6163.4. Students who fail to abide by the Acceptable Use Agreement and/or Board Policy and Administrative
Regulation 6163.4 may be subject to disciplinary strategies, revocation of the right to use technological resources, and/or legal action, as appropriate.
Technological Resources – Internet Definition and Usage Risks
The Internet is one technological resource that students may have access to as part of the educational process. As technology and culture changes, so does the Internet. What it looks like today is not necessarily what it will look like tomorrow. There are some risks involved when students are allowed to access the Internet. Known risks are as follows:
1) Websites that contain inappropriate content (like pornography, alcohol or drugs) for students or contain content that doesn’t agree with one’s views or beliefs (like politics, religion, or hate).
2) Websites that could lead to contact with undesirable persons.
The District cannot guarantee that a student will never access sites such as those mentioned above, but will minimize the likelihood of occurrence by the following:
1) Using electronic filtering to block access to age-inappropriate content or sites without educational value;
2) Reasonably supervising student activities during student use;
3) Using technology through guided lessons;
4) Monitoring use of District’s systems for improper use without advance notice or consent; and,
5) Regularly reviewing practices for improvement
REMINDERS AND GUIDELINES FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY USE
1) Use appropriate language in your electronic communication. Remember that you are a representative of not only yourself, but also your school and community on a publicly accessible system. You may be alone with your computer, but what you say and do could be viewed globally.
2) Digital communications are never truly deleted. Know that everything that you put out on the Internet or other electronic systems is kept indefinitely – even after you hit the ‘delete’ button – and can be reviewed.
3) Remember that sharing personal information with strangers can result in unsafe conditions and unwanted intrusions of your privacy.
4) Take care of technology equipment and resources so it is in good condition and ready for other students. Use proper handling and storage methods.
5) Use accurate and descriptive titles for your documents and communication. Tell people what it is about before they read it.
6) Target your communications appropriately. Use the appropriate audience for your message, not the widest.
7) Be brief and to the point with your communication. Shorter messages are more often read completely and understood better.
8) Make sure your documents and communication use correct spelling and grammar. Forgive the spelling and grammatical errors of others.
9) Remember that humor and satire are often misinterpreted.
10)Cite references for facts you present.
11)Remember that we all make mistakes. Don’t attack other’s writing; persuade them with facts.
VISALIA UNIFIED POLICIES
Student Harassment, Discrimination & Bullying
(Prohibited by Law and by District Board Policy 5131.2, 5145.3, 5145.7 and 5145.9)
The Governing Board desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the District’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any District school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Any individual who believes that his or her rights are being violated or that he or she is being discriminated against should immediately contact the principal or designee. If the situation is not promptly remedied at the site level, a complaint can be filed in accordance with administrative regulations by contacting the office of the Area Superintendents at 730-7515.
Privacy Notice and Student Consent
In accordance with local, State and Federal requirements, information is collected about our student population to evaluate program effectiveness, community needs, etc. Students have a specific right not to share their social security number (SSN) in the collection of that data.
The Governing Board recognizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of directory information and therefore, authorizes the release of such information only in accordance with the law, Board Policy, and Administrative Regulations.
The Superintendent or designee may authorize the release of student directory information to representatives of the news media, employers, prospective employers or nonprofit organizations as provided by law. Colleges and military recruiters shall have access to student’s name, address, and telephone number upon request, unless student has specified in writing that the information shall not be released without prior consent.