Student Handbook

Welcome to Ben Davis University High School Indiana’s MOST SUCCESSFUL Early College! We believe in providing an exceptional educational experience that sets the stage for lifelong success, and BDU is designed to do just that. BDU offers a unique opportunity for motivated and ambitious students to earn their high school diploma while simultaneously earning an Associates degree. BDU is an amazing place to be and its continued success is a direct reflection of the outstanding students and staff as well as our supportive families. BDU fosters a nurturing and inclusive community that values each student’s unique strengths and aspirations. Our dedicated faculty and staff work collaboratively to provide personalized guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure the well-being of every scholar. I strongly encourage all members of the BDU Families to stay informed of important updates this summer through the use of Parent Square. I also encourage all Wayne Township families that use Facebook to take the time to “LIKE” the Wayne Township Facebook page and follow our school and district Twitter accounts @BDUtv_News and @WayneTwpSchools to keep up with all the great things that happen everyday at BDU and in our Wayne Township community. The deep partnerships that develop between home and school help to ensure the success of all of our BDU Scholars and Wayne Township students! Together, let’s unlock the limitless potential within your child and provide them with an extraordinary head start towards a successful future.

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Mon./Wed./Fri.

Tues./Thurs.

All BDU Scholars are on track to earn a Core 40 HS Diploma with both Academic & Technical Honors as well as an Associate Degree. AHD/THD requires at least three years of a world language and some scholars will take four years. AHD/THD also requires pre-calculus & trigonometry and Indiana requires that all students take math all four years so Finite and Probability & Statistics is a math option for seniors who complete pre-calc/MATH 102 & trig their junior year.

Failure to stay on track for an associate degree could result in a transfer to BDHS in order to ensure that they are not in jeopardy of not earning their Core 40 HS Diploma.

Every BDU Scholar is required to attend an audit each year where they will review their high school diploma progress as well as their associate degree progress with a BDU guidance counselor and VU early college coordinator or assistant dean. Parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to attend! Sophomore & Juniors have audits in the spring. Seniors have a fall audit and a spring petition to graduate.

All BDU Scholars graduate under the Indiana Graduation Pathways Requirements which align with our requirements for scholars to earn a Core 40 HS Diploma with AHD/THD and complete their Associate Degree. Below is the breakdown of how each requirement is completed by our BDU Scholars followed by the state requirements for Graduation Pathways.

1. Box 1 – Core 40 Diploma

2. Box 2 – Project-Based Learning through Sophomore Bridging Program

3. Box 3 - AHD/THD Diploma OR Dual Credits

When a student is absent from school, the following procedures must be followed: A parent or guardian must call the attendance reporting line at 988-7890 before 9:20 a.m. of the day the absence occurs to notify the school of the absence. This information should be included in the voice mail message:

• Student’s name and grade
• Name of person making the call and relationship to student
• Reason for absence Date of the absence
• A contact telephone number for verification

If the student’s absence is due to a medical, dental, or other professional appointment, a physicians note from the place of business is required within 48 hours of the appointment.

All phone calls and verification notes must be received by the Attendance Secretary within 48 hours of the student’s return to school in order for the absence to be excused. If a note or phone call is NOT received within 48 hours, the absence will be considered unexcused. The day of return is the first 24 hours. The attendance voicemail is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to report absences to the school promptly.

Definitions

• Tardy to School - Arriving at school after the 9:20 am bell.
• Absence to School - Not attending more than 50% of the school day.

Unexcused Absences School Policy
The attendance procedures for students with an excessive absences are as follows:

The attendance procedures for students with an excessive amount of tardies to school are as follows:

*Additional AM Tardies (10+) could result in removal from BDU and placement at WPA our alternative school or BDED our night school program and these students would lose the opportunity to earn their associate degree.

All students will receive an EXCUSED AM tardy if their parent calls or signs them in, anything after 9:20AM. A parent calling in MUST have a documented reason for their AM Tardies to school or it will move to an UNEXCUSED AM Tardy.

Any students that do not have a parent call or sign them in will receive an UNEXCUSED tardy which will then be subject to the following consequences.

The attendance procedures for students with an excessive amount of tardies to class are as follows:

In order to maximize instructional time, students are expected to arrive to all classes before the bell rings. If a student is not in the classroom when the bell rings, they will be counted as tardy by their professor. Tardies will accumulate on a semester basis – the number of tardies that a student accumulates during the first semester WILL NOT carry over to the second semester.

Loss of Privilege could include the following:

• Loss of Passing Periods
• Loss of Honor Schedule Privilege
• Loss of Clubs

The Wayne Township High Schools offer a filtered Wi-Fi network on campus. Students may bring a personal device to school to use for educational purposes. Students are expected to connect to the filtered Wi-Fi network to ensure access to quality online resources.

Important Facts

• Users of the Wi-Fi network have filtered Internet access just as they would on a district-owned device. Wayne Township High Schools offer many educational resources via the Internet. These resources can be accessed anytime and anywhere students have access to the Internet; therefore, learning is extended beyond the classroom.
• Students may bring their own technology device (laptop, netbook, cell phone, tablet, etc.) to school to be utilized in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. By connecting to the schools’ Wi-Fi, users accept the terms of the MSD of Wayne Township’s Responsible Use Policy (RUP) located on the MSD of Wayne Township website
• Students are expected to exhibit digital responsibility/citizenship and follow the Responsible Use Policy (RUP) while using personal or district-owned technology.
• Students will log onto the Wi-Fi network by using their district-provided username and password

Device Responsibility

1. Students are expected to connect to the filtered Wi-Fi while on campus.
2. The technology devices students bring to school are their sole responsibility.
3. The district assumes no responsibility for personal devices if they are lost, loaned, damaged, or stolen. Only limited time or resources will be spent trying to locate stolen or lost items.
4. Personal devices may be subject to investigation in accordance with district policy.
5. Students are to keep their devices secure at all times and not loan them to others.
6. Students must keep devices on silent mode during the school day.
7. Audible use of devices is not permissible unless authorized by a staff member.
8. Students are expected to arrive on campus with fully charged devices.
9. Students must follow school procedures for reporting illness, early dismissal, and other forms of communication home.

Riding a bus is a privilege provided to any student who resides in Wayne Township. Transportation is not provided to out-of-district students. All students must adhere to the transportation rules provided at the start of the school year and upon request from their assigned driver.

BDU Drop-off & Departure Times

Buses drop students at 9:00am. In the afternoon, Buses depart at 4:17pm. For late arrivals, students who arrive on a late bus are given a pass or an excused late to class via a PA announcement and breakfast stations are held open for their arrival. All students are expected to go straight to their bus immediately after the 4:10pm bell. Buses will not be held for students exiting late from the building.

Riding an Unassigned Bus

All students are assigned a bus and route by transportation, which is available online by going to the transportation portion of our website. Students can only ride an unassigned bus on a temporary basis. If a student wishes to ride a bus with a friend or to a different address the parent/guardian of BOTH the student that is riding a different bus and the friend they are riding with to the main office. They can either write a note and include their phone number to allow the receptionist to call and verify OR they can call and leave a voicemail with permission at 317-988-7800. After permission is obtained from both parents, the office will issue a special bus pass, which must be presented to the driver by the students.

Getting Off at a Different Bus Stop

Students are only given permission on a temporary basis (no more than 5 days) to get off at a different stop. Verbal permission (parents/guardians can call or write a note and include their phone number) MUST be received before a special bus pass is issued which is presented to the driver by the student.

Work permits are no longer obtained through the schools. Effective July 1, 2021 all Indiana employers who employ five or more minor employees under the age of 18 must use the new Youth Employment System (YES) to register those employees with the Youth Employment division of the Indiana Department of Labor. This new system replaces the previous “intent to employ” form completed through the schools. Please note that the new system does not change the state’s work-hour requirement for minors and all employers must still comply with the Teens Work Hour restrictions and Prohibited and Hazardous Occupation restrictions for minors. Ultimately, we encourage all BDU parents/guardians to carefully consider employment opportunities for our scholars to ensure that the school is prioritized above all job opportunities.

Students may be dropped off before school at door 10 starting at 7:00am, but will have to remain in the double doors area until 8:50 am daily. At 8:50am daily door 10 and door 12 will be open to allow the students to access the following areas where direct supervision will be provided:

• Media Center
• Commons Area

Students who drive to school can enter the building at door 12 starting at 8:50am, but again must go to one of the four areas listed above.

Students are not to go onto the 2^nd or 3^rd floor areas until 8:50am.

Breakfast may be picked up at the two breakfast stations near Door 9 and Door 12.

After School

We do allow students to remain in the commons or Door #10 until the office closes at 4:45pm. Students waiting for a ride are not to be in other parts of the building unless they are supervised by an adult. Individual study tables can be arranged with teachers and our VU Learning Coach holds study tables. After the office closes at 4:45pm, all students that are not supervised by an adult MUST report to the double doors area at Door 10 to wait for their rides or can remain outside the building by Doors 12 & 1.

These building policies and procedures are designed for the security and safety of all BDU students.

Graduation from high school is an important accomplishment. Employers, the military, government programs and college all request documentation of high school performance in the form of an official transcript. A transcript confirms the courses you studied, the requirements you met and the grades you earned as a high school student.

You may request a transcript to be sent to colleges or universities through NAVIANCE. Your username is your student ID# and your password is your birth date. A signed request form is required to send a transcript to the military or for scholarship applications. Directions can be found on the BDU website by clicking the Order Transcripts icon on the BDU home page.

VU Transcript

A student's signature is required each time a VU transcript is requested. The request must be in writing by completing a Vincennes University Transcript Request Form that is available in BDU's main office. Once the form has been completed and returned to BDU's main office, it will be faxed to VU's Registrar's office for processing.

Official transcripts are marked with the official seal of the University and are mailed directly by the Registrar's Office to official representatives of other universities, to certification agencies, to military representatives, etc. Any transcript mailed directly to the student is considered unofficial and it will not be accepted by any agencies listed above as official. There is no charge for a VU transcript.

If you have an issue you need to discuss with your counselor, you must complete a google form. QR codes for the google form are located throughout the building. Your counselor will call you down to their office when they are able to meet with you. If it is an emergency, please let the school secretary know.

Who is my counselor?:

• Mrs. Kachur: Sophomores
• Mrs. Kachur: Juniors
• Miss Cordes: Seniors

View Drop Off and Pick up Procedures

BDU has a school nurse on staff who keeps her clinic open to students during the school day. If a student should need to visit the nurse during the school day, their instructor will write a referral to the nurse. The nurse will determine the treatment of the student and whether or not the student should be allowed to go home. Students are prohibited from calling their parent or guardian and requesting an early pick-up without consulting with the school nurse first. Any student who leaves school, without the authorization of the school nurse, will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary consequences.

Students are not allowed to carry prescription OR over the counter medications on them while on school grounds. Medication MUST be given to the nurse with the permission to take medication on file. All over the counter medication must be unopened. Please call our nurse with any questions 317-988-7923.

The University campus created a discipline plan that was developed to ensure the academic integrity of our building. The plan is meant to promote a school atmosphere which is conducive to student learning. Student conduct is one important indicator of school climate and a critical factor in determining a quality school. Students subjected to disciplinary actions by either the school administration or from their respective professors will be addressed according to this plan. The staff at BDUHS reserves the right to deal with each student’s case according to their individual situation before considering appropriate consequences. This plan is not intended to be the “last word” or “all-inclusive” concerning misbehaviors or penalties, but it is a conscientious attempt to deal fairly and consistently with students.

The University will employ progressive discipline which may include any of the following consequences: Verbal warning, conferencing, parent meeting, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, alternative placement, lunch detention, after school detention, denial of privileges (loss of passing period, no internet, honor schedule), contract and/or drivers license revocation.

The use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is prohibited and requires interventions. Students may be tested through voluntary testing, which requires parental/guardian permission, or required testing based on individualized, reasonable suspicion. Voluntary testing may be requested when a student violates certain rules or if the student is having significant trouble with grades or attendance. “Individualized reasonable suspicion” means circumstances which, when considered together in the context of which each occurred, give rise to a reasonable belief that, at the time the test would be administered, the test would show that the student had used a drug, alcohol or tobacco in violation of Indiana or Federal Law or MSD of Wayne Township Student Conduct Rules.

Substances for which students may be tested include illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and substances that mask the presence of or block the detection of another substance. The use of a “blocking agent” is an expellable offense. The refusal to provide a specimen is a violation and will have the same consequences as a positive test. The results of voluntary testing will be reported to the district testing coordinator who will notify the parent/guardian of the results. If the test results are positive, the testing coordinator will work with the parent/guardian to find appropriate assistance for the student. The consequences of a confirmed, positive, required test shall be consistent with the Student Code of Conduct.

Bullying is not acceptable or tolerated at BDUHS. It is our expectation that ALL acts of bullying will be reported immediately to the university faculty, counselors, and/or administrators. If parents are aware of bullying, they should contact an administrator immediately. Consequences for bullying will include the full range of disciplinary actions up to and including expulsion.

Per Indiana Code (IC 20-33-8-0.2) "Bullying" means overt, repeated acts or gestures, including: (1) verbal or written communications transmitted; (2) physical acts committed; or

(3) any other behaviors committed; by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student.

You will be assigned a locker with a combination for your entire time at BDUHS. A change may not be made without permission. You should not share lockers or tell others your locker combination; this will prevent items from being taken or stolen from your locker.  For your safety, you must have permission from a staff member or be accompanied by an adult to use your locker before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:15 p.m. If you have difficulties with your locker, report it to the office. Lockers will be checked and cleaned periodically. You should not leave food or beverages in your locker. Each student will have a name plate identifying their assigned locker and will be assigned that same locker for the entire time a student is enrolled at BDU. Upon graduation, students will receive their name plate.

Applications for parking permits are available in the main office. A parking permit is required if you drive to school. You will need a valid driver’s license, copy of registration, and proof of insurance. There is a $20 fee for the entire school year or $10 for only one semester. Driving to school is a privilege and this privilege may be revoked by school administration at any time for failing to follow safe driving rules. A valid BDU parking permit must be displayed in your vehicle if you drive to school.

Honors Schedules are a privilege reserved for upperclassmen only in grades 11 & 12. School administrators reserve the right to remove this privilege at any time should the student abuse the privilege or fail to continue to have good attendance, grades, and behavior while on honors schedule. All honors schedule students will receive a pass on a lanyard and they must wear this lanyard to exercise their honors schedule privileges while on campus. There are two types of Honors Schedules:

HIGH HONORS – Students on High Honors can leave campus or report to the commons or media center during non-instructional time SRT, directed studies, or lunch.

• B’s or above in ALL classes
• No “unexcused” absences
• No “unexcused” tardies to school
• No “unexcused” early releases from school
• No “excessive” tardies to class (3 or more is considered excessive)
• Demonstration of on-line course progress (on-track % completed)
• No discipline referrals
• Parent Permission

The Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township is committed to providing an environment that is the most beneficial for student’s safety and learning. A broad-based committee of parents, teachers, students and administrators developed the following guidelines which were approved by the Wayne Township School Board. They were designed to reflect Wayne Township’s Community Values. These guidelines are consistent with the Student Code of Conduct Rules for the MSD of Wayne Township.

No article of clothing, tattoo, or accessory may contain language or graphic representations depicting or promoting the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, showing gang affiliation or encouraging gang activity, violence, or sexual activity. These guidelines are provided to assist students and their families in recognizing what is acceptable in Wayne Township schools. Please contact your student’s principal for further clarification and requests for special circumstance exemptions.

Shirts / Tops
All shirts or tops must “cover” the underarm, chest, shoulders (no spaghetti straps), stomach, and back.

Pants, Skirts, Shorts
All articles of clothing on the lower torso must rest naturally at the top of the hip to ensure that undergarments are not visible in the standing or sitting position. Shorts and skirts must be mid-thigh/fingertip in length when a student’s arms are comfortably at his/her side. Clothing which is primarily constructed of spandex, spandex type, or other excessively tight material is not permitted as an outer garment, unless it is covered by acceptable clothing at the mid-thigh/fingertip length. Pajamas are not permitted. Any holes in the clothing above fingertip length must be covered with tape or other materials.

Shoes
Footwear must be worn in school at all times. House shoes and house slippers are not permitted. At the elementary level, shoes should be appropriate for recess and student safety should be a consideration. Excessively loose shoes or shoes that pose a tripping hazard should be avoided.

Jackets / Coats
Jackets are permitted to be worn in the school during the instructional day. Heavy coats designed for frigid temperatures and/or excessively large coats are not permitted.

Headwear and Glasses
Sunglasses shall not be worn in the buildings.      Students may wear baseball caps. Students may appropriately use articles (barrettes, headbands, scarves) designed to pull or hold hair.

Hair / Facial Jewelry
Student’s hair, jewelry, or other accessories should not interfere with the educational environment of the school or safety of each student.

Book bags / Backpacks
Book bags and backpacks are permitted in school. Excessively large bags and bags with rollers may be restricted during the school day.

Undergarments / See-Through Materials
Undergarments are not to be visible at any time. Outer garments are to be worn in a manner which will cover up all undergarments. See-through materials do not constitute “cover.”

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of prohibited items. Clothing, accessories, and other items deemed disruptive, offensive, or contrary to the school’s mission by the school administration may be prohibited.

Deliveries of balloons, cake, flowers, or other celebratory items will be accepted, but will not be delivered to the student during the school day. Students who receive deliveries will be contacted to pick up the item at the end of the school day.

Food deliveries from outside restaurants are not allowed for students at BDU. If a student places a food order (pizza, Jimmy John's, etc.) that is delivered to the front desk and it is not paid for, it will be refused. If a student places a food order that has been paid for, it will be placed in the refrigerator and the student will be called down at the end of the day to pick it up.

If a parent or student brings in fast food, they are not allowed to eat this in the cafeteria or commons. They will be provided with the option of eating this in the office during SRT or lunch, but other students will not be allowed to join them. Students are allowed to bring in a beverage and consume this in the commons, but frozen beverages such as shakes are not allowed to be brought into the cafeteria. If a student attempts to bring in outside food, they will be escorted to the office to eat their food on the first offense and on the second offense the food will be taken from the student and held in the office until the end of the day.