802 Warrior Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
Phone: 615.890.6450
Fax: 615.890.9790
Website: www.rhs.rcschools.net
“The Greatest Student Body and Faculty in the State of Tennessee!”
School Colors: Vegas Gold & Cardinal Red
Student Population: Approximately 2000
State Championships
Football: 1994, 1997, 2001, 2004
Girls Basketball: 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018
National Championships: 2013, 2017, 2018
Softball: 2009
Track: 14 State Champions
Wrestling: 7 Individual State Champions
ROTC: Raider National Championship Meet
This handbook is in addition to all federal, state, and local codes and policies. It is not an exclusive document. The administration and faculty of Riverdale High School and the Rutherford County School System retain complete discretion to take any action, which ensures a positive and productive educational environment within the guidelines of the afore mentioned codes, laws, and policies.
No person shall, on the basis of race, creed, ethnic origin, or sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from another person, or likewise be discriminated against in any educational program, interscholastic activity, club, or intramural athletics offered by Rutherford County Educational System.
2020 - 2021 RHS Student Handbook (Printable Version)
Mission Statement
The mission of Riverdale High School is to maintain a comprehensive educational program in a safe learning environment that will encourage students to achieve their potential and become productive citizens. Riverdale’s mission is a Lifelong Commitment to Excellence!
Alma Mater
Alma Mater
On a hill beside Stones River,
Always proud and bold.
Stands our cherished Alma Mater’s
Flag of red and gold
Warriors ever brave and loyal,
Making right prevail,
We will honor thee forever,
Riverdale, all hail!
O Great Spirit of our nation,
Watching over all,
Guide us by thy light eternal,
Lest we faint and fall.
Warriors ever brave and loyal,
Making right prevail,
We will honor Thee forever,
Riverdale, all hail!
Attendance Policy
Absences shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his designee. If an absence is unexcused, the work missed may be made up within five (5) days of returning to school from said absence. Out-of-school suspension days will be considered unexcused absences and students absent for out-of-school suspension shall be allowed to make up the work missed within five (5) days of returning to school from said absence and receive 80% of the grade earned. If a grade was not taken for the day missed, no deduction in grades will occur because of the absence.
A student who is participating in a school-sponsored activity shall not be considered absent from school. The state of Tennessee has many laws that regulate school attendance. Any absence without a note is automatically unexcused. Out-of-school suspension days are likewise unexcused absence.
Graduation Attendance Policy
Prom Attendance Policy
Riverdale Attendance Requirement
Excused Absences
The only excused absences are:
1. Doctor or dentist appointment (for student only)
2. A death in the immediate family (father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, or grandparent)
3. Personal illness or immediate family illness
4. Required court appearance
5. Religious observances
6. Administrator’s discretion
7. Extreme weather conditions
Unexcused Absences
1. Truancy
2. Car trouble, lack of transportation, or traffic
3. Suspension
4. Job interviews
5. Oversleeping
6. Working
7. Driver’s license (exemption – excused with proof of appt.)
8. Family Vacations
Procedure to Receive an Excused Absence
1. Take your note to the attendance office and turn it in between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.
2. Note must be dated and signed by a parent/guardian.
3. The above procedure must be completed within five days after a student returns to school.
CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND PROGRESSIVE TRUANCY INTERVENTION PROCEDURES
Early Dismissal
Student Driving
To obtain a Riverdale High School parking pass, you must:
Attendance and Driving
According to state Law. (TCA #49-6-3017) if a minor has been absent from school for ten (10) consecutive unexcused days OR fifteen (15) total unexcused days in one semester or if a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress based on end of semester grading (must have passing grades in three classes), the Department of Safety shall deny or suspend a driver’s license or learner’s permit to such a person. Riverdale High School will send Certificate of Non-Compliance to a Driver’s License Review Committee of the Rutherford County Board of Education every twenty (20) days; Rutherford County will then notify the Department of Safety. When a student who is a minor applies for a driver’s license, the student must take a Certificate of Compliance before a license will be issued. This certificate may be obtained in the attendance office at RHS.
Student Behavior
Tardy to Class
Tardy to Class |
|
1st Offense |
Warning |
2nd Offense |
Warning-Contact Home |
3rd Offense |
Dean Referral - 1 Detention - Contact Home |
4th Offense |
Dean Referral - 2 Detentions - Contact Home |
5th Offense |
Dean Referral - 1/2 Day Restriction - Contact Home |
6th Offense |
Dean/Admin Referral - 1 Day Restriction - Contact Home |
7th Offense |
Admin Discretion- Restriction/Community Service |
*Students are not allowed to leave the classroom during the first 15 minutes of class or the last 15 minutes of class during any class period.
Skipping Class
Remaining out of class for longer than 10 minutes (while on campus) without an authorized excuse note will be considered skipping. This includes remaining in the restroom, guidance office, STARS Office, SRO’s office, library, cafeteria, gym, or any other area.
*Students are not allowed to leave a classroom after 3:15. Leaving a class will be subject to suspension.
Tardy to School/Early Check-outs (Rutherford County Policy)
Tardy to School |
|
1st Offense |
Warning |
2nd Offense |
Warning-Contact Home |
3rd Offense |
Dean Referral - 1 Detention - Contact Home |
4th Offense |
Dean Referral - 2 Detentions - Contact Home |
5th Offense |
Dean Referral - 1/2 Day Restriction - Contact Home |
6th Offense |
Dean/Admin Referral - 1 Day Restriction - Contact Home |
7th Offense |
Admin Discretion- Restriction/Community Service |
Electronic Devices
Pursuant to Rutherford County Board of Education Policy 6.312 unauthorized use or improper storage of a personal communication device and/or personal electronic devices will result in confiscation of the device and appropriate disciplinary action.
All disciplinary action shall be in conjunction with the terms set forth in the Student Handbook and Code of Behavior and Discipline. Repeated inappropriate use of personal communication devices and personal electronic devices may result in the student losing the ability to bring the device or devices to school.
There is no prohibition against student use of personal communication devices and personal electronic devices on school buses or at school bus stops. Students must adhere to the Board’s Acceptable Use Policy when using personal communication devices and person electronic devices on school buses or at school bus stops.
Any student who transmits by an electronic device any communication containing a credible threat to cause bodily injury or death to another student or school employee and the transmission of such threat creates actual disruptive activity at the school that requires administrative intervention shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year.
Riverdale High School administration is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Refusal to turn over phone to an Administrator is subject to disciplinary action per the administration. Headphones are permitted in the hallways; however, students will need to have one headphone/earbud in and one out. Students who fail to follow the headphone room will be subject to disciplinary action per the administration/dean.
Cell Phone |
|
1st Offense |
Dean Referral – Warning |
2nd Offense |
Dean Referral – 1 Detention |
3rd Offense |
Dean Referral – 2 Detention |
4th Offense |
Dean/Admin Referral - ½ Day Restriction |
5th Offense |
Admin Referral – 1 Day Restriction |
Tobacco/Vaping/E Cigs/Paraphernalia
Tobacco/Vape/Paraphernalia |
|
1st Offense |
1 Day Restriction – Contact Home – Admin |
2nd Offense |
2 Days Restriction – Contact Home – Admin |
3rd Offense |
3 Days Restriction – Contact Home - Admin |
Also, possession of a lighter on school property is prohibited. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. All items will be confiscated.
Vapor sticks will be confiscated and returned to the parents. Vapor sticks, E cigs, and any Vaping paraphernalia (pods) will result in suspension.
Restriction & Suspension
There are two types, in-school suspension Restriction and out-of-school suspension (OSS). All students who are suspended at any time during the day (Restriction or OSS) must take final exams. Students assigned to Restriction should come to school at the regular time, but they must report to the Restriction room at 8:30. Work based learning students must stay the entire day. Serving restriction does not penalize students academically. Students present in restriction are not counted absent, and all schoolwork that is completed will count toward the six weeks grade. Students are responsible for taking the assignment sheet around to their teachers to get work and will return their own work to the teacher when they return from Restriction. The most serious level of school discipline is OSS. During OSS, students are completely removed from the school environment, and they are not permitted to participate in any school-sponsored activity (including extra-curricular activities and sports). OSS is considered an unexcused absence. Students will be given an opportunity to make up academic work within 5 days of their return and must ask their individual teachers for assignments.
Students may email each teacher for the assignments at www.rhs.rcschools.net Students will receive 100% credit for the work during OSS.
Detention
Serving detention will be either morning or lunch. Detentions will be set up by the administrator and dean. Early morning detention will begin at 8:00 and end at 8:25. If a student does not serve early morning detention, they will be written up for the 4th step in a dean referral.
Pep Rallies
Assemblies
Students are expected to conduct themselves properly before, during, and after such assemblies. Any student causing a disturbance during an assembly, including pep rallies, will face immediate suspension, and will be prohibited from attending future assemblies/pep rallies.
Special Activities
For special school activities, students will not be allowed to leave school without bringing a permission note from their parents and following proper sign out procedures.
Student Dress and Grooming
In keeping with the educational purpose of this school, students are expected to dress and groom themselves appropriately. Each student is expected to keep his or her personal and clothing appearance clean and neat. The following rules will be enforced for all Riverdale students, male and female. Students who violate these rules are subject to discipline. Dress code will be checked each morning during first period by the first period teacher and the dress code deans.
Dress Code |
|
1st Offense |
Dean Referral - Warning – Contact Home, Student must correct |
2nd Offense |
Dean Referral – 1-day Detention – Student must correct, Contact Home |
3rd Offense |
Dean Referral – ½ day Restriction – Student must correct, Contact Home |
4th Offense |
Dean Referral – 1 Day Restriction – Student must correct, Contact Home |
5th Offense |
Admin Referral |
Rutherford County Policy
Zero-Tolerance Behavior
In order to ensure a safe and secure learning environment free of drugs, violence, and dangerous weapons, any student who engages in the following behaviors will be subject to suspension for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. The superintendent shall have the authority to modify this suspension requirement on a case-by-case basis. Zero-tolerance acts are as follows:
Any student who, while on a school bus, on school property, or while attending any school event or activity:
Care of Textbooks
Textbooks are the property of the Rutherford County Board of Education and shall be returned at the end of the school year, upon completion of the course, or upon withdrawal from a course or school. Parents are required to sign an agreement stating they will be responsible for the textbooks received and used by their children. If it is determined that there has been willful loss or damage of this textbook, the principal shall assess the appropriate fine and notify the parents in writing. The principal may include with the notice a provision stating that failure to pay the fine imposed within a reasonable time may result in the withholding of all grade cards, diplomas, certificates of progress, or transcripts until restitution is made to the school.
BULLYING
The bullying of other students or staff, regardless of the method or medium used will result in disciplinary options. The options will include:
Bullying |
|
1st Offense |
Warning - Contact Home - Central Office Report |
2nd Offense |
1-3 days of Restriction - Contact Home - Central Office Report |
3rd Offense |
1 – 3 Days of Restriction Contact Home - Central Office Report |
4th Offense |
Admin Discretion |
OBSCENE MATERIAL
The creation, transmission or carrying of material that may be considered obscene, as defined un TN. Code Ann. 39-17-901 on school grounds will result in disciplinary options. The options will include at most in-school suspension or possible remandment.
PLAGIARISM STATEMENT
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to the following:
Cheating - Any form of cheating, including copying, will result in the student redoing the assignment for up to 80% for all students involved. This may also become a part of the student’s disciplinary record |
|
1st Offense |
Grade of Zero – 3 days to redo the assignment 1 Day Restriction, Parent Phone call |
2nd Offense |
Grade of Zero – 3 days to redo the assignment 1 Day Restriction, Parent Phone call |
Before and After School
The main hallway is to remain clear each morning. Students who arrive early must move to the cafeteria or the gym bleachers. Students who wait after school should use the annex awning. The building must be cleared by 4:30 p.m. each day.
Buses
The rules for bus conduct are printed in the Rutherford County Student Handbook and Code of Behavior and Discipline booklet. It is given to each student at the beginning of the year and is signed by the student and parent. Misbehavior will be dealt with as follows:
Bus Referral |
|
1st Offense |
Warning, Contact Home, Dean/Admin Referral |
2nd Offense |
1-day Bus Suspension Contact Home, Dean/Admin Referral |
3rd Offense |
2-day Bus Suspension - Contact Home, Dean/Admin Referral |
4th Offense |
3-day Bus Suspension – Parent Conference – Admin Referral |
Any student who needs to ride a different bus must have a note from their parent stating this. It must be brought to your principal in the morning to be signed.
Visitors on Campus
Riverdale High School is a closed campus. Visitors are not permitted except for official reasons (those approved by the principal’s office). Guests should not be brought to school, as our full-time efforts must be directed toward our own students. This includes babies and small children. Social visits are not allowed. Parents of RHS students must have an appointment to meet with a teacher during the school day. Parents/Guest must sign in and will be escorted by a teacher. No one is to be on campus without signing in. Trespassers will receive a Rutherford County School trespassing warning.
Lunch
Open food and drinks are not permitted in classrooms or hallways (Even candy and other snacks that are concealed easily). During lunch, students should eat either in the main building cafeteria, the courtyard area (per administrator discretion) or the annex cafeteria. Food and drinks are to be consumed only in the cafeteria and courtyard areas. Students are responsible for keeping the cafeteria clean at all times, disposing of trash properly. Failure to comply with rules will result in restricted eating privileges. No outside food is to be ordered or delivered to the school.
Lost & Found
Unattended items should be turned in to the office immediately. Failure to do so will be considered theft. Because RHS is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property, students should not bring large amounts of money, expensive jewelry, or other valuables to school.
Lockers
Lockers may rent lockers from Spear Gear at the beginning of the school year. In the main building, these lockers have combinations that are changed annually. Another lock is not to be placed on the locker. The locker combination is the student’s personal responsibility and should be kept confidential. (Spear Gear have a copy of locker combinations — if you forget yours, ask.) In the annex, students should always keep locks secured. Loss of lock in the Annex will result in a $5 replacement fee. A $3 locker rental fee is charged.
Sales
Students may be asked to participate in school-sponsored sales. Selling for out-of- school groups (such as churches, clubs, fraternities, and sororities) will not be permitted. Only approved materials may be sold during designated times. Students who accept such materials are held responsible for either turning in money or returning the items to the teacher in charge. Items (and/or money) must be returned by a specified deadline. Prolonged failure to comply will result in serious disciplinary measures.
Transfer of Money
By state law, no personal checks may be cashed at school. Checks written for fees, fundraisers, or other authorized school purchases should be payable to Riverdale High School.
Student Insurance
Riverdale High School does not sell insurance. However, as a convenience to students and their families, insurance is offered to interested students through an independent insurance agent. Inquire at the main office for more information. Insurance is only compulsory for school-sponsored athletics, and such insurance is available to those who participate in sports. The participating student must either show proof of family coverage or subscribe to the school insurance.
Incoming Phone Calls
Except in emergencies, students will not be called from classes to answer telephone calls. Messages will be taken, and the office will attempt to contact students between classes.
Grading Scale
Reports Card Dates 2020 -2021
Q1 |
Thursday, October 15, 2020 |
Q2 |
Thursday, January 7, 2021 |
Q3 |
Thursday, March 11, 2021 |
Q4 |
Thursday, May 27, 2021 |
Progress Report Dates 2020 - 2021
Q1 |
Thursday, September 10, 2020 |
Q2 |
Thursday, November 5, 2020 |
Q3 |
Thursday, February 4, 2021 |
Q4 |
Thursday, April 15, 2021 |
Guidance Department
The priority is for students to be correctly signed in academic classes that meet graduation requirements.
Therefore, schedule changes will not be made for the following reasons:
Parent Conference Dates
Thursday, October 22nd & Tuesday, March 16th
Grade classification
A student must have earned these units to be classified as: (2014 and after)
Sophomore 5 credits
Junior 11 credits
Senior 17 credits
Grade Point Average (GPA) and Class Rank
CLASS RANK is computed at the end of the 5th and 7th semesters.
When a course is repeated, BOTH grades become part of the GPA.
Late Work
Late work is accepted but must be turned in by the last day of the nine weeks unless approved by an administrator.
Teachers can deduct up to 10% for assignments turned in under a week late. For work turned in over one week late, up to 20% may be deducted.
Make-Up Work Policy
Make up work must be completed with the classroom teacher within five (5) school days after a student returns to school.
To Withdraw from Riverdale to another school:
Dual Enrollment
Each semester of a college or on-line college class shall be recorded as ½ high school credit, (i.e., College English 102 and 103 would be required to complete one full credit of high school English 4). The grade earned will be included in the high school GPA and on the transcript. The college course will be listed using the state’s course code with which it best aligns.
Additionally, the weighted grade for Dual Enrollment Courses shall include the addition of 4 percentage points to the grades used to calculate the semester average. *
*Weighting is subject to the grading system requirements outlined in Board Policy 4.600.
Approved by Director of Schools: June 12, 2019
High School Graduation Requirements
The Fine Art and Foreign Language Requirements may be waived for students who are sure they are not attending a University and be placed in courses designed to enhance and expand the elective focus.
To Graduate with Honors students must score at or above all the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT.
To Graduate with Distinction students must attain a B average (3.0) and complete at least one of the following:
2020, 2021, & 2022 Graduates:
The Valedictorian/Salutatorian shall be the student(s) who attain(s) the highest grade point average for grades 9-12 and have taken a minimum of twelve (12) honors or above honors level courses and meet all requirements for a student graduating with honors and a student graduating with distinction pursuant to the Tennessee Board of Education’s criteria.
2023 Graduates:
Valedictorian/Salutatorian Criteria
*Exception: Schools in Rutherford County with an enrollment of less than 500 students shall determine 16 valedictorian/salutatorian based upon honors and above honors level courses available.
**Exception: If there is no student within the school who meets the above listed criteria, the valedictorian 18 shall be the student with the highest grade point average.
Exams
Exams are given at the end of the semester and at the end of the year. Only a medical excuse will be accepted for missing a mid-term or final exam. All excuses for make-up exams must be signed by Mrs. Blair.
Exam Exemptions
Eligibility for exam exemptions begins the first day of school. A student who has been suspended (ISS or OSS) is not eligible for exemptions. Exemptions are at the teacher’s discretion.
Guidelines for Final Exam Exemptions
Full-Year Class One Semester Class
8 absences - A average 4 absences - A average
6 absences - B average 3 absences - B average
4 absences - C average 2 absences - C average
2 absences - D average 1 absence - D average
Bell Schedule -- 2020 - 2021