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Handbook

North Star Parent/Student Handbook

Please review the North Star specific Student/Parent Handbook which has been created to help you and your student be successful at North Star.

Attendance

Attendance Line: (505) 856-6578 option 2

Each day your child is absent, please contact the attendance line before 8:30AM. Our office clerk will check the attendance line every morning, beginning at 8:30AM. A call from the automated system verifying your child’s absence from class will go out to parents starting at 8:30AM.

  • APS students are allowed no more than ten (10) unexcused absences per school year.
  • The parent/guardian must notify the school each day that the student will be absent, in accordance with the notification procedure established by the school.
  • Absences may be excused for the following reasons, with appropriate documentation:
    • Doctor’s Appointment
    • Death in the Family
    • Religious Commitment
    • Illness
    • Family Emergency
    • Diagnostic Testing

Review the full attendance procedures in the Student Handbook and the complete APS Attendance Policy for more information.

Cell Phone Policy / Personal Electronic Devices

Use of personal cell phones, iPads, iPods, electronic books, MP3 players, etc. during instructional time or at a time that would be disruptive to the educational process are not permitted unless the classroom teacher is using a device for instructional purposes. The misuse of cell phones and other forms of technology that could include, but not be limited to the unauthorized taking of pictures, cheating, invading privacy, receiving or making texts or calls, etc. will not be tolerated. ( APS Policy Handbook ) If a student is being disruptive to the educational process with any of these devices, the item will be taken away and stored in the administrative office. Cell phones must be off during the day. Students cannot receive texts or calls or make texts or calls during any part of the day (including lunch and recesses). If a student disregards this policy with any personal electronic device, it will be taken and held for parent pick up. The school is not responsible for any lost, broken or stolen phone or electronic device.

Cell Phone District Policy – The first time a student has his/her cell phone out or is using it anywhere on school grounds, the phone is confiscated and the student’s parents are notified to come pick it up from the teacher or office. The second time a student has his/her cell phone out or is using it anywhere on school grounds, the parents are notified that the phone will be held for one week then parents can come pick the phone up from the teacher or office. The third time a student has his/her cell phone out or is using it anywhere on school grounds, parents are notified that the phone will be held for the remainder of the semester then parents can come pick it up or from the teacher or office.

It is NEVER ok that a student uses their cell phone on the school campus, anytime on the bus or at the bus stop to make calls, text, use the internet, take video or pictures of other students. If a student is caught doing any of these things including just having the cell phone out and visible to others, the cell phone will be confiscated and the school will follow the APS district policy outlined above.

Cell phones should remain in the students backpack at all time and NEVER taken out during the school day until the student is off school grounds.

Dress Code

Appropriate dress in school is essential to the learning process, and we ask for your support in enforcing our dress code. We subscribe to the district's policy, which is as follows:

“The Board of Education expects student dress and grooming to reflect high standards of personal conduct so that each student’s attire promotes a positive, safe and healthy atmosphere within the school. Student dress may not present a health or safety hazard, violate municipal or state law or present a potential for disruption to the instructional program. Attire or accessories, which advertise, display or promote any drug, including alcohol or tobacco, sexual activity, violence, disrespect and/or bigotry towards any group are not acceptable. Unacceptable clothing and accessories include, but are not limited to, gang-related attire, excessively tight or revealing clothes, short shorts, dresses or skirts, bare midriff, low-cut and/or off the shoulder blouses, spiked jewelry, chains, belts with more than 2 inches excess. ‘Sagging’, or the wearing of pants below the waist and/or in a manner that allows underwear or bare skin to show, and ‘bagging’, or the wearing of excessively baggy pants with low hanging crotches are prohibited. As a matter of common courtesy and respect, hats/caps are not to be worn while inside buildings except when there are documented instructional, safety, religious or medical reasons.”

In addition to the district’s policy North Star dress code supports Desert Ridge dress code. The North Star dress code includes, but is not limited to, the following prohibited items:

  • midriff, strapless and halter tops
  • fishnet clothing
  • make-up (only a lightly tinted gloss or balm is ok)
  • shoes with more than a one-inch heel or platform
  • shoes with wheels (“wheelies”)

Sleeveless shirts are acceptable as long as armholes are not so pronounced as to expose the chest.

If an acceptable change of clothing is not available (i.e. some spare T-shirts will be kept in the nurse’s office), parents will be called to arrange for acceptable clothing to be brought to the school for your student. Inappropriately dressed children will wait in the administration office until their parents can provide a change of clothing.

Review the complete APS Student Dress Policy for more information.