Policies and Procedures

Closed Campus

South Davis maintains a closed campus—students must remain on school grounds during school hours, including lunch time. Students may not check-out at lunch time unless their own parent comes to the school to check them out. If this procedure is not followed, students will be considered truant, and a truancy citation will be issued.

Reporting Absences

When students are absent, a parent or guardian should call the school the day of the absence. If the school has not received an explanation of the absence, we will call home to attempt to verify the reason for the absence. All absences must be cleared within one week, or they will automatically be recorded as unexcused and may be considered truancies. The attendance office direct line is (801) 402-6406. This line is open 24 hours a day to report student absences.

Extended Absences

If the custodial parent or legal guardian of a student foresees their student will be absent from school for an extended period of time, the parent/guardian shall submit a written request for preapproval of the extended absence to the school’s administration. The school administrator shall review the request. If the school administrator finds that the proposed extended absence will not adversely impact the student’s education, the administrator shall approve the extended absences as “excused absences.” If the school administrator finds that the extended absences will adversely impact the student’s education, the administrator shall deny the request and inform the parent in writing that such absences will not be deemed “excused” and may be considered to be truancies or violations of compulsory education law. Further, it must be understood that participation in classes is a vital aspect of learning and assessment of learning. Reduction of class requirements cannot be expected for extended absences and prolonged absences may result in a lower grade in many classes as there is no way to duplicate the activities of some classes while the student is absent.

Late Arrivals

If at any time a student arrives late, he/she must check in to school at the attendance window. Students must have a signed “Absence Clearance Form” or a parent must come into the school to clear the absence from scheduled classes. All late arrivals will be considered tardy. If a student misses more than 20 minutes of class time, the tardy will be marked as an absence.

Check In/Out

Students must officially check out at the attendance window in order to leave school before the end of the school day. For the sake of safety, we do not allow parents to check out students over the phone or check out students who are not their own children. Because we need a signature to release students, parents must come into the school to sign their students out. When students return, they must check in with the office. They will be given an admittance form to show to the teacher. Parent signatures are not required upon returning.

Released Time Policy

Utah law permits “The release of students during school hours for attendance at religious classes taught on private property, but not on public school premises.” When students are released, they should attend the religious instruction and not on school property or at some other location in the community. Students at “some other location” in the community are considered to be truant. Released-time students must be off of school property by the time the tardy bell rings, and they may not re-enter school property until the dismissal bell rings. Students who are on school property during that released time are considered to be trespassing.

Truancy Procedures

A student is considered truant when he/she is absent from school without a legitimate or valid excuse. An “habitual truant” is a school-aged minor who: is at least 12 years old; is subject to the state compulsory education law; and is truant at least ten times during one school year; and fails to cooperate with school authorities to resolve the attendance problem.

1st Occurrence: Administrative conference and policy review with student. Parent contacted by Attendance Secretary Warning Truancy Citation.
2nd Occurrence: Administrative conference with student. Parent contacted. $10.00 Truancy Citation.
3rd Occurrence: Administrative conference with student and parents. $15.00 Truancy Citation.
4th Occurrence: Parent contacted. $20.00 Truancy Citation. Student referred to Local Case Management. 5th Occurrence: Parent contacted. $25.00 truancy citation issued. CCP with Student Services to determine next steps.

Tardy Procedures

2 tardies: Teacher may notify parents that the next tardy may result in an “N.”
3 tardies: Teacher notifies parent via email.
4 tardies: Teacher notifies parents via phone or email, and devises plan/creates contract for tardy make-up in order to avoid a “U” in citizenship.
5 or more tardies: Referred to administrator to set up an attendance contract and determine next steps which may include an administrative “U”.

Hall Passes

Hall passes are only to be used one student at a time for emergencies at the teacher’s discretion. Students will use Hall Passes respectfully and responsibly by:
• Returning to class in a reasonable amount of time (approx. 5 min).
• Demonstrate respect and responsibility while in the hall, restroom, office and other areas of the school.

After School Hours

Students are expected to leave the school building and school grounds by 3:15 Monday — Friday unless they are working with a teacher, attending after school remediation or involved in a school sponsored activity.

Medication, Sick Bed, and Ice Packs

The school cannot give medication for any reason. However, we can store prescriptions that students may use in the office with written permission from parents. Students will be allowed to check-in to the sick bed for twenty minutes if they are not feeling well. If the student is unable to return to class after twenty minutes, parents will be called to come check the student out and take them home.

Citizenship Credit

Citizenship credit is generally awarded unless the student accrues three (3) unexcused absences or four (4) tardies (per class, per term) or exhibits serious negative behavior. Some teachers have policies which differ. Teachers will state their citizenship policy in their class disclosures.

Teachers are encouraged to give sufficient warning before students receive a “U” and may provide make-up opportunities within their own classrooms before these appear on the report card.

When students are in danger of losing citizenship credit, they are to work with the teacher issuing the U.
• Interventions during the term can often prevent a U.
• When a U is given, teachers and students should work together to arrange to make-up the specific credit.

U Make-up

If students are unable to work with the teacher issuing the U, the following options are available, but require a fee of $5 per U:
• Complete Citizenship make-up via Canvas. To enroll click here.
• Raise a term’s grade point average by .5 over the previous term’s grade point. If grades are raised by 1.0, two “U’s” will be taken off.
• Perfect attendance the following term in the same class the U was given.
• Making up credits can clear a “U” if students provide a transcript or proof of completion. A fine will be assessed unless there was a cost for make-up credits.
• Two hours of pre-approved service either at South Davis Junior High, Davis County School District, or Woods Cross City or another local entity.

1. Service must be done after the U is issued and approval is required through main office prior to beginning.
2. To get approved fill out the form here. Fill out the digital form completely.

When the service hours are complete, bring a signed note from the person you did service for with their phone number for verification.

Dress Code Policy

School Dress and Grooming Expectations:
South Davis Junior High recognizes that dress and grooming affect the behavior of students. There are sanitation and safety factors directly related to proper dress and grooming. School administrators, teachers, parents, and students need clear dress and grooming guidelines so that rules of dress and discipline can be enforced consistently.

Hair
All students shall wear their hair in a clean and well-groomed manner. Extreme hairstyles that cause a distraction to the learning environment are prohibited.

Clothing
South Davis Junior High emphasizes the importance of school, parent, and student collaboration in encouraging students to come to school dressed appropriately for the educational environment. The following types or styles of clothing are prohibited at school or school activities:

• Extreme or slovenly clothing, including but not limited to, baggy or “sagging” pants or shorts, excessively oversized jackets or coats, inappropriately short, tight, or revealing shorts, skirts, dresses, shirts, etc.,
• Clothing that is torn, ripped or frayed in areas that cover undergarments;
• Bare or stocking feet;
• Clothing which displays obscene, vulgar, lewd, or sexually explicit words, messages, or pictures;
• Clothing attachments or accessories which could be considered weapons, including but not limited to spikes on boots, bracelets or chokers, chains on wallets or belts, etc.;
• Exaggerated cosmetics and body paint;
• Exaggerated body piercing;
• Clothing that exposes bare midriffs, buttocks, or undergarments;
• Clothing that advertises a substance a student cannot legally possess or use (i.e., tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs);
• Any clothing, apparel, accessory, or item that conveys a specific, particularized message that school officials can prove has caused or imminently will cause material disruption of classwork, substantial interference with the work of the school, or invasion of the rights of others.

Students who do not comply with the District/School dress code must achieve proper clothing/grooming before they will be allowed to attend classes.

Electronic Device Use Policy 

“Electronic Devices” include the following: a smart phone, a smart or electronic watch, a tablet, or a virtual reality device.

“School-owned electronic device” is a device that is used for audio, video, text communication, or other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is identified as being owned, provided, issued or lent by the school to a student or employee.

"Privately-owned electronic device” is a device, including an electronic device that is used for audio, video, text communication, or other type of computer or computer-like instrument that is not owned or issued by the school to a student, or employee.

All District employees and students are required to comply with the Davis School District Acceptable Use Policy Agreement.

Electronic Devices shall NOT be used to:
• Bully, humiliate, harass, or intimidate school-related individuals, including students, employees, and guests;
• Violate local, state, or federal law;
• Access inappropriate matter on the internet and world wide web while using School equipment, services, or connectivity whether on or off school property.
• In restrooms
• During standardized testing unless specifically allowed by statute, regulations, IEP, or assessment directions
• Access inappropriate matter on the internet and world wide web while using School equipment, services, or connectivity whether on or off school property.
• Cause invasions of reasonable expectations of student and employee privacy. Including, but not limited to:
1. Creating fan accounts
2. Sharing pictures or videos taken without the person’s knowledge

Electronic Devices CAN be used:
• Before school
• During passing periods
• During lunch
• During teacher-approved activities in class
• In accordance with IEP accommodations
• After school
• During Sporting Events

To report misuse of Electronic Devices:
• Visit the main office
• Ask for and fill out a “Student Witness Statement” form
• Turn it in to one of the secretaries

Violations of the Electronic Device Use Policy are subject to the Davis School District Safe Schools Policy (See Davis School District Student Code of Conduct)
• Personal Electronic Devices confiscated in connection with Safe School violations will be confiscated by administration during the investigation.
• Devices will be returned to the parent/guardian IF there are not illicit content on the device.
• Devices containing illicit material will be turned over to the School Resource officer and may or may not be returned according to the results of the case.

If a student is not in violation of the Safe Schools Policy, but is misusing a personal electronic device, the following actions can and will be taken:
• 1st offense: Teacher may take a student’s phone for the remainder of the class period – placing it in a secure location – and return the phone to the student at the end of that period. DO NOT send the phone to the office. Teacher documents in interventions in ENCORE.
• 2nd offense: Teacher may take a student’s phone and bring it to ISS for the remainder of the day, to be picked up by the student. Teacher will contact the parents of the offending student and document this action in interventions in ENCORE.
• 3rd offense: Teacher may take a student’s phone and bring it to ISS where a parent will be notified and told to pick the phone up at the end of the day in ISS. ISS Secretary will contact the parents of the offending student and document this action in ENCORE.
• 4th offense: Same as above. Additionally, the student will be required to be on a cell phone contract requiring them to turn in their phone in ISS at the beginning of the day and pick it up at the end of the day. Duration is subject to administrator discretion.

South Davis Junior High School reserves the right to make exemptions to the policy for special circumstances, health-related reasons, use consistent with current and valid IEPs and 504 plans.

Fee Waiver Application
Parent Fee Notice
School Fee Notice
School Fee Waiver Process


Aviso de Cuotas Escolares (School Fee Notice - Spanish)
Solicitud de Exoneracion de Cuotas (Fee Waiver Application - Spanish)

 

Fees Decision and Appeal
Jr High Fee Schedule
SDJH Pay Plan form

 

 

Optional fees include:

     Device Protection fee,
     Yearbook,
     PTA membership
These are open for you to purchase now. 

Device protection plan is open until September 1, 2023.

First semester class fees and school fees will be posted on or about September 5, 2023

Second semester class fees will be posted on or about January 17, 2024.

There are three times throughout the school year when you will need to pay fees:

• Registration Fees - Due August 22, 2023 ($10 late fee will be accessed on accounts with registration fees still owing on August 23, 2023). SDJH Detailed Fee Receipt

• First Semester Class Fees - Posted September 7th, 2023

• Second Semester Class Fees - Posted February 3rd, 2024

 

SDJH Device Checkout Agreement

Each student at South Davis Junior High School will be issued a laptop computer. Laptops will be checked out to students the first week of school, through their Spartan Academy class, and checked in at the end of the school year. A laptop sleeve will be issued new students and incoming 7th graders. Students may keep these sleeves to use the following year. Additional sleeves may be available for purchase in the main office.

This form ensures that equipment supplied by South Davis Junior High will be used and maintained in its original condition, reasonable wear and tear expected, by the designated borrower named above. Students will be financially responsible for damaged, lost equipment, or stolen equipment.

By signing this agreement, both the Student and Parent agree:

• To abide by the Davis School District Acceptable Use Policy

• To use the equipment primarily for educational use.

• To not install or remove any software without prior authorization from the Davis School District.

• To not install virtual private networks (VPN) or other software that circumvents district filters on district provided devices.

• To report any problems, damages, misuse, or misconduct immediately to school personnel. All repairs must be completed through the school technology specialist.

• That the equipment is the property of the District and must be returned prior to the borrower’s last day of attendance of the current school year.

• To be financially responsible for damaged, lost equipment, or stolen equipment.

• That all information stored on equipment carries no expectation of privacy and is property of the District.

• The District reserves the right, at all times and without prior notice, to inspect and search any and all its property for the purpose of determining whether any policy has been violated, or when an inspection and investigation is necessary for purposes of promoting safety or compliance with state and federal laws.

Parent/Guardians may select between the following options for their student’s device:

1. Parent/Guardian can allow the student to check out a school-provided device and enroll in the Optional Device Protection Plan which requires a $25 non-refundable fee. A $15 copay will be assessed per repair incident. A $50 copay will be assessed if the entire computer needs to be replaced. Optional Device Protection Plan must be purchased within two weeks of being issued the equipment and may not be purchased after damage has occurred. This fee can be under "Optional Fees" and "Electronic Device Protection Plan."

2. Parent/Guardian can allow the student to check out a district-provided device and not enroll in the Optional Device Protection Plan. Parent/Guardian will assume full financial responsibility for the school-issued mobile device.

DSD Discretionary Protection Plan for Electronic Devices

Plan de protección del aparato electrónico opcional del Distrito Escolar de Davis

All visitors must check in at the front office to receive a visitor badge which must be always visible while in the school building.

Any unauthorized person on the SDJH campus during school hours, before or after school, and during lunch, is prohibited and is subject to criminal trespass by the BOUNTIFUL City Police Department. 

Visitors may not attend class with students without administrative approval.   

 

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Davis School District and South Davis Junior High will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Students, parents, or employees needing accommodation should contact their school ADA/504 Coordinator, Jessika Christensen (801-402-6400), their principal or supervisor, or you may contact the District ADA Coordinator, Steve Baker (801-402-5315), for parent or employee accommodations; or Section 504 Coordinator, Midori Clough (801-402-5180) for student accommodations.

 

The school administration has the authority to suspend a student for up to ten school days per incident. If the school administrator desires or contemplates suspending for longer than ten school days or expelling a student, the school administrator shall make a referral to the District’s Case Management Team.

A student may be suspended, transferred to an alternative placement, expelled, referred for police investigation, and/or prosecuted for engaging in any written, physical, or verbal aggression, intimidation, discrimination, or abusive conduct of any school employee or student at school or a school-related activities regardless of location or circumstance, including but not limited to bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation. District policy may be found at 5S-100 Conduct and Discipline.  South Davis Junior High policy may be found on our Policies and Procedures Page or a copy may be obtained in the school office. For incidents of harassment (unwelcome conduct based on a protected class) and discrimination, please refer to 11IR-100.

 

A parent having custody over a school-age minor is required under State law to enroll and send a school-age minor to a public or established private school during the school year in the district in which the minor resides.  The process of education requires continuity of instruction, class participation and study. Parents are encouraged to work with the school in promoting regular attendance of all students. 

Any student may be suspended, transferred to an alternative placement, or expelled for any conduct that creates an unreasonable and substantial disruption or risk of disruption of a class, activity, program, or other function of the school, including but not limited to frequent, flagrant, or willful disobedience; defiance of school authority; criminal activity; fighting; noncompliance with school dress code; possession of contraband (i.e., drug paraphernalia, pornography, mace, pepper spray, laser pen, chains, needles, razor blades, bats and clubs); or the use of foul, profane, vulgar, harassing or abusive language. Conduct that is a class B misdemeanor may also be referred to law enforcement.  Conduct which is a class C misdemeanor, an infraction, a status offense on school property, or an offense that is truancy may not be referred to law enforcement or a prosecuting attorney. 

Any student, who possesses, controls, uses, distributes, sells, or arranges the sale of an illegal drug or controlled substance (which includes alcohol, tobacco in any form, and electronic cigarettes), an imitation controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia in a school building, in a school vehicle, on District property, or in conjunction with any school activity, may be suspended, transferred to an alternative placement, tested for drugs, expelled, referred for police investigation, and/or prosecuted.

When a student is suspected of violating South Davis Junior High or or District policy the school administrator must meet with and inform him/her of the allegations and provide the student the opportunity to give his/her version of the incident.  If the school administrator determines sufficient evidence exists to impose discipline the school administrator shall notify the parent that 1) this student has been suspended; 2) grounds for the suspension; 3) the period of time for which the student is suspended; and 4) the time and place for the parent to meet a designated school official to review the suspension.

 

The District will ensure that students have an equal opportunity to participate in, create, and maintain student groups without regard to their race, sex, disability, or other protected classification.

However, students who are suspended, transferred to an alternative placement, or expelled, may lose the privilege of participation in all extracurricular activities, such as interscholastic athletics, cheerleading, student government, student clubs, graduation ceremonies, and other extracurricular activities, during the period of discipline and will not be afforded separate due process procedures to challenge the denial of participation in an extracurricular activity.

Student Education Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law designed to protect the privacy of a student’s education records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their student’s education records. These rights are:
1. Inspect and review all their student’s education records maintained by the school within 45 days of a request for access.
2. Request that a school correct education records believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Parents who wish to ask the school to amend a record should write the principal or appropriate school official, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it should be changes. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.
3. Provide consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PPI) from a student’s record, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Such exceptions include, but are not limited to: [a] school officials with legitimate educational interests; [b] other schools to which a student is transferring; [c] individuals who have obtained court orders or subpoenas; [d] individuals who need to know in cases of health and safety emergencies; [e] official in the juvenile justice system to improve education outcomes; [f] a State agency or organization that is legally responsible for the care and protection of the student, including the responsibility to investigate a report of educational neglect; [g] specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; or [h] organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the District.

A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving as a volunteer; a person serving on the District School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist), or to whom the District has outsourced institutional services or functions. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Directory Information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, may be released at the discretion of school officials, without consent, for appropriate reasons such as, school publications, newspaper articles, and to outside education related organizations. In addition, two federal laws require secondary schools to provide military recruiters, upon request, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of their students. The Davis School District has designated the following information as directory information: 1) student’s name, address, and telephone number; 2) student’s date and place of birth; 3) grade level and enrollment status; 4) student’s District email address; 5) parent email address; 6) participation in officially recognized activities and sports; 7) weight and height of members of athletic teams; 8) dates of attendance; 9) degrees, honors, and awards received; 10) most recent educational institution attended by the student; 11) student’s digital image.

The following shall be considered limited use directory information that may be disclosed only to other students enrolled in the same course (regardless of whether such students are enrolled in the same class section) that has been audio or video recorded by the District, for instructional and educational purposes only: 1) name to the extent it is referenced or captured during the audio or video recordings; 2) any photograph or image of the student captured during the audio or video recording; 3) any audio or video recording of the student participating in the course; and 4) any online chats or other recorded communications among participants in the course captured during the audio or video recording.

To protect the privacy of other students, parents/students are not permitted to make their own recordings of class sessions or to share or distribute District recordings of class sessions. If you, as a parent do not want South Davis Jr. High School to disclose limited directory information of your child without your prior written consent, you must notify the school in writing annually. Parents who believe their rights have been violated may contact the school’s administration or file a complaint with:

Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
(202) 260-3887

Informal inquiries may be sent to FPCO via the following email address: FERPA@ED.Gov

For additional information please visit the SPPO website at the following address: https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/

Complaints should be reported as soon as possible, but not later than 180 days from the date you learned of the circumstances of the alleged violation.

• To maintain a positive experience for students during meal service. 
• To treat all students with dignity and respect. 
• To establish practices which are age appropriate. 
• To minimize meal charges and encourage parents to pre-pay for all meals. 
• To promote parents’ responsibility for meal payment and self-responsibility of the student. 

Notice of Non-Discrimination - English

Aviso de No Discriminación  Spanish

 

OEO District Letter: English Spanish

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag shall be recited by students at the beginning of each school day in each public school classroom in the State, led by a student in the classroom, as assigned by the classroom teacher on a rotating basis. Participation in the Pledge is voluntary and not compulsory.  

In compliance with existing federal and State law regarding religion and religious expression in public schools, the District or school may neither advance nor inhibit religion. It is the District’s policy to: 1) allow students and employees to engage in expression of personal religious views or beliefs within the parameters of current law; and 2) maintain the schools’ official neutrality regarding sectarian religious issues according to the constitutional principle of separation between church and state. 

It is the policy of the Davis School District and South Davis Jr. High to promote a safe and orderly school environment for all students and employees. Criminal acts or disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated and any individual who engages in such activity will be subject to school disciplinary action as determined by school administrators, District disciplinary action as determined by the District Case Management Team, police referral, and/or prosecution. In determining appropriate discipline, school officials will consider the totality of the circumstances, including the severity of the offense, as well as the individual’s age, disability status, intent, academic status, and prior disciplinary records.

Any student may be suspended, transferred to an alternative placement, expelled, referred for police investigation, and/or prosecuted for committing any of the following school-related serious violations: 1) threatening or causing harm to the school, school property, or person associated with the school, or property associated with that person, regardless of where the conduct occurs; 2) committing any criminal act, including but not limited to: assault, hazing, rape, trespass, arson, theft, vandalism, possession or use of pornographic materials on school property; 3) engaging in any gang activity, including but not limited to flashing gang signs, displaying or spraying gang graffiti, wearing or displaying gang related clothing or apparel, or soliciting others for membership in a gang.

Any student who in a school building, in a school vehicle, on District property, or in conjunction with any school activity, possesses, controls, sales, arranges for the sale of, uses or threatens use of a real weapon, explosive, noxious or flammable material, or actually uses or threatens to use a look-alike or pretend weapon with the intent to intimidate another person or to disrupt normal school activities, shall be expelled from all District schools, programs, and activities for a period of not less than one calendar year; unless the District Case Management Team determines, on a case-by-case basis, that a lesser penalty would be more appropriate. The terms “weapon,” “explosive,” and “noxious or flammable material” includes but are not limited to: guns, starter pistols, cap guns, knives, martial arts accessories, bombs, bullets and ammunition, fireworks, gasoline, or other flammable liquids, matches, and lighters.