INSIDE THE DISTRICT Here are some decisions...

INSIDE THE DISTRICT

Here are some decisions coming out of Tuesday’s Newport-Mesa

Unified School District meeting.

REVISION TO STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY

The board considered changes to Policy 4210, which relates to

general student conduct.

WHAT IT MEANS

This policy relates to suspension, expulsion, involuntary transfer

to continuation school and exclusion. In a series of study sessions,

the board has been reviewing the policy, which defines causes for

student discipline. The revision includes language that gives the

consequences for seniors who have violated the policy in their last

semester in school. Those students would not be able to participate

in any school activities, including graduation.

NUTRITION RULES AND REGULATION

The board heard a presentation about student nutrition from

Director of Nutrition Services Richard Greene.

WHAT IT MEANS

To help combat childhood obesity, the district formed a Nutrition

Advisory Committee. The committee recommended adoption of the

nutrition policy they developed, which will:

* Prohibit the sale of carbonated beverages to students, faculty

and staff at all school sites from one hour before the beginning of

the school day through one hour after the end of the school day.

* Prohibit the use of candy by teachers as a behavioral reward for

classroom achievement.

* Prohibit depriving students to access to nutrition as a

punishment.

* Link nutrition, physical and health education competencies in

the curriculum as initial measures in the development of a

comprehensive nutrition policy.

ADDITIONS TO HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY

Two new courses -- college shop and life skills -- were considered

for addition to the high school curriculum. College shop was added in

a 7-0 vote. Life skills will be reconsidered at the next meeting.

WHAT IT MEANS

College shop is designed to prepare students for higher education.

It will teach note taking, study skills, test taking, SAT

preparation, effective textbook reading, library research skills and

speaking skills.

Life skills is a home economics core class for freshmen. It would

cover nutrition and health, child development, food preparation and

clothing construction. This class was pulled for further review.