Policies & Agreements

Program Expectations

Grades

• Grade PK-5, maintain a grade of at least 70 in all core and magnet classes during each grading cycle
• Grade 6-12, maintain an individual class average of 75 or higher in all core classes and an average of 80 or higher in all magnet classes

Attendance

• Maintain regular attendance in accordance with school and Magnet policy
• Refrain from excessive tardiness in accordance with school and Magnet policy
• Respect school rules concerning the timely drop-off and pick-up of students

Behavior

• Adhere to the HISD Student Code of Conduct and maintain a conduct grade of ‘S’ or higher

General

• Meet other expectations as defined by the individual program and relevant to that program

Students who either do not meet these program expectations or whose parents do not meet program expectations are placed on an HISD Magnet Growth Plan for a minimum of one grading cycle. The growth plan is intended to help students and parents successfully meet program expectations. A growth plan committee comprised of campus professionals will evaluate progress on this plan at the end of the specified time period. The growth plan is reviewed each grading cycle that it remains in place, and it is used to determine if the student should continue in the magnet program the following school year.

HISD values a safe and distraction-free learning environment. In accordance with House Bill 1481, all Texas public schools will implement a strict “No Personal Communication Device” rule during the instructional day.

WHAT’S CHANGING

The following devices are prohibited from use on school property during the instructional day.

 

The instructional day is defined as follows: From the time a student arrives on campus in the morning until the final period of the day concludes. Lunch and passing periods are included. 

Devices must be: 

• Kept at home or stored away
• Turned off in backpacks or lockers

Only District-provided devices are approved for use during class time.

Exceptions only for: 

• Approved medical needs
• A documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician
• Special Education needs (as outlined in the student’s IEP or 504 plan) 

Houston Independent School District provides transportation services to eligible students to attend their assigned campuses. Transportation is a privilege, and students are required to obey appropriate safety and conduct rules to remain eligible for transportation services. HISD Transportation Services may utilize cameras to record student activity.  Students are expected to know and follow bus rules in the following areas:

Before Boarding the Bus

• Morning: Arrive at your designated stop at least ten minutes prior to your scheduled pick-up time. 
• Afternoon: Go directly to bus loading area immediately upon dismissal. HISD will not send a bus to pick you up if you miss your bus because you were late.
• Be careful in the loading area. Wait in an orderly line and avoid horseplay. Stay out of the street or bus drive while waiting for the bus to arrive.
• Approach the bus entrance only after the bus has come to a complete stop. Pushing or shoving while boarding the bus will not be tolerated.
• Once on the bus you may not exit unless it is an emergency determined by an administrator.

After Boarding the Bus

• Obey the bus operator’s directions.
• Go to the closest available seat or to your assigned seat and stay seated until you arrive at your destination.
• Speak in a classroom voice. Rough-housing or horseplay on the bus will not be allowed.
• Keep the bus litter free. No food or drinks may be consumed on the bus.
• Buses are the property of HISD. If you cause any damage to or vandalize an HISD bus, you and your parent or guardian will be financially responsible, and you may permanently lose your transportation privileges.
• Never throw an object in or out of the bus.
• Keep all parts of your body inside the bus at all times.
• Observe the rules of good conduct.  The use of profane language, rude gestures, or malicious behavior toward the bus operator, a fellow passenger, or another motorist will not be tolerated.
• For the safety of all passengers, aisles must be kept clear of all objects such as books, backpacks, musical instruments, packages, and coats.
• Items which are prohibited on school grounds may not be taken on an HISD school bus, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or weapons.

All provisions of the HISD Code of Student Conduct and The Rice School expectations apply to students when being transported by HISD transportation services. Violations of the HISD Code of Student Conduct and The Rice School expectations while on an HISD school bus will be referred to the appropriate campus administrator for disciplinary action.

I understand that in order to remain eligible for HISD transportation to and from The Rice School, I must learn and follow the provisions, rules, and expectations stated in this Bus Riders Agreement.

Download a pdf of the HISD Student Code of Conduct here: 

HISD Student Code of Conduct

I will be respectful, responsible, safe and prepared

I will ...

• help create an environment where teachers can teach and everyone can share in successful learning.
• cooperate with all members of the school community.
• respect others, the environment, and myself.

The threefold goal of The Rice School Code of Conduct is:

1. To set the expectation that students will always be held accountable for the behavior they CHOOSE.
2. To show students how to MONITOR their behavior, and
3. To give students practice in EVALUATING the behavior they choose.

As a student:

1. I am responsible for learning the behavior expectations of my school community.
2. I choose the ways that I behave.
3. I know that I am accountable to my school community for my chosen behaviors.

As a teacher, administrator and school staff:

1. I am responsible for providing consistent modeling of appropriate school community behavior.
2. I am responsible for providing consistent supervision of student behavior.
3. I am responsible for providing consistent correction of student behavior.

DISCIPLINE
Houston ISD Code of Student Conduct is our framework for campus discipline.
The following identifies possible consequences for inappropriate behavior:

• Loss of Privileges (i.e. recess, field trips, school dances, assemblies and other extracurricular activities).
• After school Detention
• In School Suspension (ISS)
• Suspension (as per HISD Code of Student Conduct)

Download a pdf of the HISD Code of Student Conduct here:

HISD Student Code of Conduct

Car Rider Safety

• Students are supervised by teachers while car riders wait in cafeteria/gymnasium.
• Parents display sign/tag on dashboard of vehicle for students to be called.
• Teachers in carpool call car rider’s name, student lines up on sidewalk, wait for car.
• Teachers/Staff open car doors for students to load into the car.
• Students enter from curbside only.
• No crossing between cars or walking to parking lot.
• Keep traffic flowing smoothly.
• Drivers must be attentive and NOT on cell phones or mobile devices.

Walker Safety

• Parents line up in designated Parent Walk Up line.
• Present sign/tag with student’s name.
• Designated Rice School Teacher calls for the student.
• Student is escorted by a Rice School Teacher to the parent.
• Parents should remind students to never walk home alone.
• Students must be picked up by the parent/guardian.
• Students must be on the approved walker list.

Bus Riders Safety

• Teachers escort students to the assigned Bus.
• Teachers maintain orderly bus lines.
• Teachers verify correct students on each bus.
• Teacher communicates missing students or changes to driver.
• Staff stay until buses depart.

Final Check

• Teachers remain with students.
• Report issues (safety, late pick-ups, concerns) to office.
• Remain on duty until dismissal is cleared by administration.

Dismissal Safety Protocols