1 Dr. Hornedo Middle School Student Handbook 2021-2022 Dr. Hornedo Middle School 6101 High Ridge El Paso, Texas 79912 (915) 236-3300 (phone) (915) 581-9124 (fax) The El Paso Independent School District adheres to all Title IV regulations prohibiting discrimination because of race, color, or national origin; Title IX regulations prohibiting sex discrimination; complies with section 504 and does not discriminate against disadvantaged or handicapped persons. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IV, IX, and 504 may be referred to the district compliance officer.
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Dr. Hornedo Middle School Student Handbook 2021-2022
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Dr. Hornedo
Middle School
Student
Handbook
2021-2022
Dr. Hornedo Middle School
6101 High Ridge
El Paso, Texas 79912
(915) 236-3300 (phone) (915) 581-9124 (fax)
The El Paso Independent School District adheres to all Title IV regulations prohibiting
discrimination because of race, color, or national origin; Title IX regulations prohibiting sex
discrimination; complies with section 504 and does not discriminate against disadvantaged or
handicapped persons. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IV, IX, and 504 may be referred
These items are not allowed on campus. EPISD has a zero tolerance policy for guns.
Consequences are immediate and severe.
K-9 UNIT:
Unannounced visits from the district’s K-9 Unit will be conducted. The visitation of the dogs
does not necessarily mean that Hornedo has drugs on campus. It is used by EPISD Police as a
deterrent.
LAPTOPS:
A summary of House Bill 1332 (2009) amends TEC 31-104 as follows: Provides that each
student, or student’s parent or guardian, is responsible for each textbook/laptop, including
electronic textbook, and all technological equipment not returned in an acceptable condition by
the student. Provides that a student who fails to return in an acceptable condition all
textbooks/laptops, including electronic textbooks/laptops and technological equipment, forfeits
the right to free textbooks/laptops, including electronic textbooks/laptops and technological
equipment until each textbook/laptop item previously issued but not returned in an acceptable
condition is paid for by the student, parent or guardian. The legislation requires that school
districts allow students to use textbooks/laptops, including electronic textbooks/laptops, and
technological equipment at school during each school day. The legislation also authorizes a
district or school to withhold a student’s records, if a textbook/laptop, including the electronic
textbook/laptop or an item of technological equipment is not returned in an acceptable condition
or paid for by the student, parent or guardian.
Student usage of laptops during class is at teacher discretion. Students are not allowed to leave
textbooks/laptops in classrooms under any circumstances. If a textbook/laptop is left in a
classroom, the entire replacement value may be charged. If a student gives his/her
textbook/laptop to persons other than the Bookroom Clerk, the student will be responsible for
the replacement.
Students are not permitted to add additional software, programs, or games to their devices.
Students will be charged a fine of $25 per hour to reimage the device by the district to remove
the program(s).
LATE WORK POLICY:
See policy as outlined under “Grading” Section.
LIBRARY:
Library hours are 7:15-3:25 PM. Teachers will use a library pass when sending a student
during school hours. Only two students per class can be sent at one time. Students without a
pass will be sent back to class. Students may check out two books at a time for a maximum of
a three-week loan period. It is district policy that all secondary libraries (this includes middle
schools) charge a $.10 late fine for each day a book is late. Please take note of the due date so
late fines are not charged. Circulation will commence after all sixth grade orientations have
ended. Dr. Hornedo Middle School online catalog can be used from any Internet ready
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computer. The link is located on the left side menu at hornedo.episd.org. This is a convenient
and efficient way to see what Dr. Hornedo’s library collection has to offer and see what books
are checked out and when they are due. Cell phone use, gum chewing, and bad manners will
not be tolerated at the Hornedo Library. Library use is a privilege. Misuse or abuse of library
privileges will result in disciplinary action.
LOCKERS:
All students will be issued hall lockers in the main building, as well as, in the gym locker
rooms. Each student will be expected to furnish his/her own lock (combination locks only) for
the hall locker and for the physical education locker. It is important that the student remember
his/her locker combination each day. We require that students give their advisory teacher the
combination to the hall locker and the PE teacher the combination to their PE locker. This
saves the expense of having to cut the lock and replace it. (Note: If a student places his/her lock
on a locker not assigned to him/her, the lock will be cut off at the owner's expense). Students
will be responsible for all items in their lockers. To improve the safety of students’ possessions
in the locker, students must check to ensure the lock is properly closed. Students will not be
allowed to share lockers without approval from administration. Students must label all uniform
clothing, accessories, and personal property. The school cannot be responsible for students’
belongings. If a student has an approved item stolen, the student should promptly file a report
in the office for administrative investigation. Not all investigations are guaranteed to return
items to student. Jewelry, all electronic devices and accessories, large amounts of money, and
valuables should be left at home. BRING THESE ITEMS AT YOUR OWN RISK! These
lost/stolen items will not be investigated
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LOST AND FOUND:
The Lost and Found is in the bookroom. Any items that are not collected before winter
holiday and again at the end of the school year will be donated to charity groups. Students
should periodically check the bookroom for lost and found items.
MILITARY FAMILIES:
Hornedo is proud to welcome military families to our campus! Our Military Family Liaison is
in place to help military families with their specific and unique needs. The goals of the
Military Family Liaison Program are as follows:
* Create a welcoming environment on campus for all military students and families.
* Establish and run programs designed to meet the needs of military students while at
school. * Support military families with transitions.
* Serve as the first point of contact at the school for military families in regard to
questions, concerns, and other school issues.
Current program and Military Family Liaison contact information can be found by going to the
“Military Outreach” link on our school website, hornedo.episd.org/military.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY:
Hornedo has an 8th grade National Junior Honor Society. Students who meet standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character are selected at the end of their 7th grade year by a five-member faculty council, appointed by the principal, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each spring. To be considered for membership, seventh graders must have a cumulative grade point average of 92.0 or better for the first three grading periods of the 7th grade school year and must meet specific criteria set by the faculty council. Students who do not complete and return the form by the deadline will no longer be considered for invitation. To help evaluate the areas of service and leadership, each of these students will be given an information form that they will be asked to complete and return to the school office.
Students need to pay close attention to the requirements specified on the student response form. In addition to the student’s form, members of the faculty are solicited for input.
Referrals for disciplinary actions will also be evaluated for selection. The induction ceremony
for the seventh grade will be held in May. Official membership will begin in early fall after
dues have been paid. It is the student’s responsibility to attend monthly meetings and meet the
community service hours requirement.
NO EXCUSES UNIVERSITY (NEU):
Dr. Hornedo Middle School is a No Excuses University campus. This means that our campus
has demonstrated that we have implemented proven systems to increase student achievement.
These systems are: 1. A belief that ALL students can learn and that it is the school’s job to make this happen.
2. Collaboration among staff, working together to come up with unique solutions for student
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learning.
3. Aligning our teaching with what the state standards require students to know.
4. Creating an assessment plan so that we can see where students are at and how we can help them improve.
5. Analyzing data to see trends in how our students are doing, and being able to share this data with students so that they can set goals.
6. Interventions: Working with at risk students who are behind in their learning.
Each teacher is required to adopt a university to inform the students of different aspects and
cultures of that university. Teachers are also asked to tie in facts and news about their adopted
university into their curriculum and classroom routine.
NURSE INFORMATION:
•Asthma inhaler - If inhaler is to be carried at school, the nurse needs doctor’s orders
specifically stating, “Student can carry an inhaler while at school.” Doctor’s orders need to
be renewed EVERY school year.
• ADD/ADHD medication - A doctor’s written order is required each time dosage is adjusted.
If you wish teachers to be aware that your child is on medication for ADD/ADHD, please
notify them the first week of school. Doctor’s orders need to be renewed at the beginning of
each school year.
• Contact lenses - If your child wears contact lenses, be sure a contact case with solution is kept at school in case there is a need for removal.
• Emergency cards - Emergency Card information will be included in online registration. Please be sure to provide parents’ phone number, name of hospital, and all emergency contact
numbers. Also provide any medical information and/or medication the student is taking.
• Epi-pen Information - The district, in compliance with Senate Bill 66, will store and
maintain one epi-pen in a secure location in the nurse’s office. The intent of this protocol is to
allow trained school personnel to administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a person who is
reasonably believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis. EPISD requires all students who have a
food allergy diagnosis and require the use of an Epi-pen to have a written parent consent as
well as a written medication order from a medical practitioner, along with providing an Epi-
pen for that particular student.
• Illness at school - If a student is injured or becomes ill while at school, he/she should report
to the nurse's office for treatment. The nurse will contact the child's parents if he/she needs to
go home or receive further medical attention. Students should not call, text parents directly, or
leave campus without checking out through the nurse and the attendance office. Any student
who leaves campus without checking out through the nurse and attendance office will be
marked truant for the remainder of the day.
• Medications at school - All medication, (including over the counter, for example, Tylenol,
aspirin, etc.) given by the school nurse will require both a written order from a physician
licensed to practice in Texas and a signed permission form by the parent.
Medications from Mexico cannot be administered. Doctor’s written orders must include
student’s name, physician’s name, current prescription date, amount of drug to be given,
frequency of administration and type of administration. Medications brought to the nurse’s
office must be in the original container. All over-the-counter medications need to be in an
unopened sealed container. Please check the expiration dates to ensure medication has not
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expired. The only medications that can be carried at school with written orders from
parents/physicians are inhalers, EpiPens and insulin. Students cannot carry medications or
self-administer medications on campus unless it is one of the above medications authorized by
Texas codes. All medication orders must be reviewed yearly. If a medication is to be
discontinued, a written request from the physician/parent to discontinue the medication is
required. All medication that is discontinued needs to be picked up by the parent within one
week or it will be destroyed.
• PE restrictions - Any long-term physical education (PE) restrictions require a written order
by a Texas licensed doctor that states the length/type of restrictions. A parent can excuse their
child from PE for up to 3 PE days without a doctor’s note. Phone calls requesting a child be
excused cannot be accepted.
• Preferential seating - If preferential seating is needed due to vision/hearing impairments;
notify nurse and teachers on the first day of school.
• Special Needs/Orders - If your child has diabetes, the nurse will need state mandated forms
filled out by the parent and the physician that specify various important instructions regarding
glucose monitoring, ketone testing, insulin administration, etc. Any special
procedure/treatment to be done at school by the school nurse will require a doctor’s order and
signed parent permission form.
• Student Screening - As per state law, all students will be screened for vision/hearing and
Acanthuses Nigricans (a skin marker that may signal high insulin levels that create the potential
risk of developing Type 2 diabetes). All students will be screened for Scoliosis- an abnormal
curvature of the spine. This will normally happen during their 6th grade year. If your child is
already under the care of a physician for Scoliosis, please provide this information to the nurse.
• Vaccines - The changes to the requirements were made to update the Texas elementary and
secondary school immunization requirements so that they adhere more closely to the
recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). These changes include:
-Hepatitis A Vaccine: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering Kindergarten,
statewide, will be required to have 2 doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.
-Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine - Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering
Kindergarten will be required to have two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
vaccine.
-Varicella Vaccine - Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering Kindergarten and 7th
grade will be required to have 2 doses of varicella vaccine. A written statement from a parent
(or legal guardian or managing conservator), school nurse, or physician attesting to a child's
positive history of varicella disease (chicken pox), or of varicella immunity, is acceptable in
lieu of either dose of varicella vaccine.
-Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular pertussis-containing (Tdap) - Beginning August 1, 2009,
all students entering the 7th grade will be required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine. Students
in the 7th grade will be required to have a booster dose of Tdap only if it has been 5 years
since their last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine. Students in grades 8-12 are required to
have a booster dose of Tdap if it has been 10 years since their previous dose of a tetanus-
containing vaccine. Td is acceptable in lieu of Tdap if a contraindication to pertussis exists.
-Meningococcal Vaccine - Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering 7th grade will be
required to have 1 dose of meningococcal vaccine. *Exceptions: Exclusions from compliance with immunizations include the follow: 1) To
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claim an exclusion for medical reasons, the student must present a statement signed by the
student’s physician, duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the U.S., who
examined the child, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is
medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well- being of the child or
any member of the child’s household. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong
condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the
physician. 2) To claim an exclusion for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, a
signed affidavit must be presented by the child’s parent or guardian, stating the child’s parent or
guardian declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the person’s
religious beliefs. The affidavit will be valid for a two-year period. The child, who has not
received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious belief, may
be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of
public health.
All immunizations should be completed by the first date of attendance. The law requires that
students be fully vaccinated against the specific diseases. A student may be enrolled
provisionally if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received
at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate vaccine required by this rule. To remain
enrolled, the student must complete the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series on
schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible and provide acceptable evidence of
vaccination to the school. A school nurse or school administrator shall review the
immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued
compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination. If, at the end of the 30-day
period, a student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the student is not in
compliance, and the school shall exclude the student from school attendance until the required
dose is administered.
PARENT PORTAL:
The portal provides parents with online access to information on their EPISD-enrolled child.
Parents may view their child’s attendance, classroom assignments, and grades, and contact
teachers directly by e-mail. The parent portal provides specific information on student
assignments, class participation, quizzes, tests, and overall academic progress. Through Parent
Portal, parents can be informed about the academic progress of their child. The portal also
facilitates better communication with teachers, and could change the frequency and dynamics
of parent – teacher conferences over time. Teacher e-mail addresses are provided within the
portal and parents are encouraged to use this communication tool (maintaining a professional
level of dialogue.) If a parent is not familiar with the portal, a staff member working in the
front office can assist. There is a computer located in the front office for parents who do not
have access at home.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
Hornedo Middle School invites parents to become involved in their child’s education. Please
consider joining the following: PTA, LPAC committee, Military Family Liaison Program,
Gifted Advisory Council.
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PARKING LOT:
Please do not drop off your child in the parking lot. Drive all the way to the end of the drop off
lane, located closest to the building. This allows for several cars to drop off at one time, helps
keep the traffic flowing, and more importantly, it helps protect your child. The employee
entrance is not allowed for student drop off, with the exception of bus, daycare, and CRC
students.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Students are responsible for daily suiting out for physical education class. Eighth grade
students participate in physical education class for a semester and a computer literacy class for
a semester. Forgotten PE clothes will not be delivered to students. Refer to dress code for PE
uniform guidelines.
Any long-term physical education (PE) restrictions require a written order by a Texas licensed
doctor that states the length/type of restrictions. A parent can excuse their child from PE for
up to 3 PE days without a doctor’s note. Phone calls requesting a child be excused cannot be
accepted. All students must suit out when recovering from injuries when possible. It is the
student’s responsibility to have the nurse sign the physical education excuse. For extended
physical education excuses of more than 3 days, a written note is required from a physician's
office licensed to practice in the State of Texas, documenting the nature of impairment and the
expected amount of time for recovery. The note must be given to the nurse. Students must
participate as much as can be tolerated. Substitute activities or assignments will be found for
those students who cannot participate in the regular curriculum. For example, a student that
has an injured hand may be asked to walk laps. A student will not be allowed to return to
activity until released by the doctor, or until the note has expired. For example, if a student
has an injured thumb, but says he/she can do push-ups without pain, the student is still not
allowed to do the activity. The student may not feel pain, but they may be risking re- injury.
All students must earn a grade. If they cannot do any activity, they will be asked
to write a report or do written work. Students may also be sent to the library. If a student is
sent to the library, he/she will be given an assignment to complete while in the library. If a
student cannot participate in physical education on a designated day (s), the student will not
be allowed to participate in other physical school activities (cheerleading, football, basketball,
etc.) on that day.
PHONE MESSAGES:
Only emergency messages will be delivered. Students are advised to check the front office for
possible messages.
PRE-AP COURSES:
Pre-AP courses are advanced academic courses designed to challenge motivated students to
understand rigorous content. The coursework requires students to engage in independent and
analytical assignments and to complete a substantial amount of work outside of class. Pre-AP
science and math courses are open to all 6th and 7th grade students as well 8th grade science.
Pre-AP Algebra has pre-requisites that must be met prior to enrolling in the course. The intent
of Pre-AP courses is to prepare middle school and high school students to eventually take AP
(Advanced Placement) courses which may lead to college credit as well as advanced
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educational preparation.
According to the College Board, Pre-AP is based on the following two important premises. The
first is the expectation that all students can perform well at rigorous academic levels. This
expectation should be reflected in curriculum and instruction throughout the school such that
all students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills to the next
level. The second important premise of Pre-AP is the belief that we can prepare every student
for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of
knowledge as early as possible. Addressed effectively, the middle and high school years can
provide a powerful opportunity to help all students acquire the knowledge, concepts, and skills
needed to engage in a higher level of learning.
Pre- AP Drop Policy:
Students are not allowed to drop a PAP course once the first day of the semester has started. The student will be required to remain in the PAP counselor the duration of the semester. If at the end of the semester the students wishes to make a change for the Spring semester, the change must be made before the students leave for the winter break by the announced deadline.
RECORD REQUEST:
A 24-hour notification is required to release any records. A charge will be applied for copies
of any documents. If student information needs to be changed, please contact the registrar
and make those changes in person. No exceptions.
RE-DO POLICY:
See policy as outlined under “Grading” Section.
REPORT CARDS/PROGRESS REPORTS:
Report Cards will be issued at the end of each nine-week grading cycle. Two Progress Reports
will be issued within each nine-week grading period. Please check the Parent Portal for in-
between status and student progress.
RESPECT:
We require students to be respectful to one another and to adults. Follow the Golden Rule and
treat others the way you would want to be treated. Profane and inappropriate language will
not be tolerated, and consequences will be applied.
SCHOOL DANCES:
For student safety, pick up your children on time to ensure that supervision. Only Hornedo
students may attend dances. ID may be required. All attire must follow school policies on
dress code guidelines. Any student involved in dangerous or unacceptable dancing or
disruptive activity will be removed from the dance. Parents will be contacted to immediately
pick up their child, and disciplinary action may be taken. At any time, a student may have
dance privileges revoked as a form of disciplinary action.
STUDENT DROP-OFF:
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The front parking lot is the parent designated drop off zone. This is also where students park
their bicycles. The side parking lot is not a drop off area. The side parking lot is for buses,
daycare vans, and faculty and staff only. If you forget which way to go to drop off your child,
please refer to the signage at the front gates. Please be aware of small children on foot and on
bicycles, and drive slowly in and out of the school zone. Use respect and patience with those
that do not follow rules and be grateful that you have the common sense to follow the rules
and obey laws.
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STUDENT INFORMATION UPDATE:
Parents, please contact the registrar if there is a change of address or phone number so that
proper updates and changes can be made.
STUDENT PLANNERS:
Student organization is an important practice. PTA sells student planners. However, keep in mind that a limited supply is ordered. Any type of planner will work for organization.
TEXTBOOKS:
All textbooks, including workbooks, are loaned to students for their use during the school year.
Books for each class are generally issued to students the first week of school, and are expected
to be returned at the end of the year, in reasonably good condition. Students are expected to
keep their books covered at all times and to handle them with proper care. This includes not
writing in the books or defacing them in any way. Although textbooks are provided to school
districts free of charge, the district must pay for all books, which have to be replaced.
Therefore, the student to whom they were issued must pay for books that are lost or damaged.
Also, fines will be assessed to students whose books have been damaged but can still be used.
Students are not to share books or loan them to other students, as this often results in problems
when one student loses or damages a book which belongs to another student. In such cases, the
financial responsibility lies with the student who was issued the book, even if another student
was using it. It is imperative that each student keep possession of his/her books. This includes
while they are in the physical education locker rooms and during lunch periods. Students’
books must be covered per state law. Parents, we encourage you to talk to your child about
being responsible for their books.
THREATS:
All threats (verbal, written, and non-verbal) are serious and will be dealt with following the
Student Code of Conduct.
TRANSPORTATION:
Bus transportation is provided for students who live 2 miles or more from Hornedo. Students
may obtain a bus card from the main office. Riding the bus is a privilege. Inappropriate
behavior may result in loss of bus riding privileges and appropriate disciplinary action.
Transfer students do not qualify for bus transportation.
TRANSFER STUDENTS:
If there are any problems with discipline or attendance TRANSFER PERMISSION MAY BE
REVOKED.
UIL:
If a student involved in a University Interscholastic League (UIL) activity (athletics, band,
choir, orchestra, cheerleading, speech, etc) is absent more than one-half day on the day before
or the day of any competition or performance, he/she MUST present a doctor’s note to the
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main office in order to participate in the activity held on that day or the following day. Any
student who is placed into the in-school-suspension classroom may have extracurricular
activities revoked as part of a disciplinary action by coaches or administration.