The DoDEA Student Information System (DSIS) Family Portal will be unavailable from Wednesday, June 25 at 2:00 pm ET until Thursday, July 10 at 2:00 pm ET. Parents and students will not be able to access the system or register students during this time. Registration will resume when the system is reopened on July 10.
To provide a challenging and comprehensive education for students to become model citizens in a global society.
Educate, Engage and Empower Students to Succeed in a Dynamic World
| Grade | School Hours | Thursdays Hours | Summer Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 - 12 | 8:20 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri) | 9:20 a.m. - 3 p.m. | |
| Office | 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. | |
| Teachers | 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) |
| Name | Position | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kimyanna Bradford | School Counselor | |
| Gerald Curtin | School Psychologist | |
| Debra Duckett | Teacher | |
| Laura Gerhart | Teacher | |
| Information Specialist | Information Specialist | +49 (0)611-143-545-1425 |
| Deborah Johnson | Teacher | |
| Audra Kirkpatrick | Teacher | |
| Megan Langhat | Teacher | |
| Casey Manson | Nurse | |
| Elizabeth Martin | Teacher | |
| Kelli Martinez | Teacher | |
| William Mauldin | Teacher | |
| Alexandra Menges | Transportation | +49 (0)611-143-545-1342/1356/1343 |
| Tenille Olsen | Teacher | |
| Kellie Pangrazio | Teacher | |
| Swink Patterson | Educational Technologist | |
| Sean Prierce | Teacher | |
| School Meals Program | School Meals Program | +49 (0)6319-0523 |
| School Nurse | School Nurse | +49 (0)964170 545-1447 |
| Nicole Seda | Teacher | |
| Karen Spitzer | Teacher | |
| Dr. Kendra Wagers | School Counselor | |
| Rabih Youness | Transportation | +49 (0)611-143-545-1356/1343/1342 |
Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Members of our Community,
I am delighted to welcome you to the 2024/2025 DoDEA School Year. As the new Director I am committed to continuous improvement to elevate excellence across our system. There is so much to look forward to!
This year we are thrilled that 80 of our elementary schools around the world will now be offering Universal Prekindergarten. We know that attending prekindergarten is such an important step in a student’s academic career and social development. This is a transformational change for DoDEA, and we are so excited to welcome our youngest learners to our schools.
An ongoing priority for DoDEA is the vital task of ensuring that every classroom across our 161 schools is staffed with a highly qualified teacher starting on the first day of school. We have continued to refine our hiring procedures to make that happen and recently adopted 100% reciprocity for teacher certification from every state, resulting in substantial growth for our pool of highly qualified applicants.
And finally, we are continuing to build upon DoDEA’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports, a proactive and comprehensive approach to develop the potential of every student by providing high-quality instruction and increasingly intensive support based on students’ needs.
Thank you for everything you do as a valued partner in your child’s education and for helping us to ensure that we continue to deliver on our promise of Excellence in Education for Every Student, Every Day, Everywhere.
Parents are encouraged to follow the chain of command when issues/concerns arise: please speak with your child’s teacher first, then administration.
Susan C. Paul's goal is to maintain an environment where students are engaged in learning and educators provide relevant and rigorous opportunities for students to apply knowledge.
Dr. Paul received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Florida State University. She started her teaching career in 1986 at Cocoa Beach High School.
Her first assignment in DoDEA was Sigonella, Italy in 1988 where she was the Information Specialist and coach for the girls’ volleyball and track teams. In 1992, she moved with her Marine Corps spouse to Okinawa, Japan and worked at the Area Office as an Instructional Systems Specialist. Dr. Paul continued to advance her education, while making numerous moves to California, Virginia and Missouri. When her husband deployed to Iraq, she rejoined DoDEA. Dr. Paul’s assignments have taken her to Kadena Middle School in Okinawa, Joan K. Mendel in Yokota, Japan and back to Okinawa at Amelia Earhart Intermediate, Zukeran Elementary, Kadena High School, and Lester Middle School. She has worked as an elementary and middle school classroom teacher and served as a Library Information Specialist in elementary, middle and high school.
Dr. Paul earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2010. In 2011, she was assigned as an Assistant Principal at Kadena High School.
Dr. Paul and her husband of 30+ years have three children who graduated from DoDEA schools. Her daughter married a Marine and is stationed at Camp Lejeune. Her oldest son graduated from University of North Dakota and her youngest graduated from Auburn University.
Dr. Paul enjoys reading, traveling, skiing and spending time with family and friends.
Mr. DePriest began his teaching career in 2007 at Mannheim High School where he taught physical education and health. In 2007, he taught at Kaiserslautern High School until 2016. While at Kaiserslautern High School, Mr. DePriest taught physical education, health, and anatomy and physiology. He served as an athletic director and was the head coach for cross country, track and field, and an assistant coach for boys’ basketball.
In 2016, Mr. DePriest transitioned to his role as an Instructional Systems Specialist in health and physical education for the Europe region. Mr. DePriest is a veteran of the United States Army where he served at Fort Bragg for most of his career in the 82nd Airborne Division. After medically retiring, Mr. DePriest went on to coach at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He was the U23 and National Team Coach for USA Triathlon where he was named the USA Triathlon Development Coach of the Year in 2004. He maintains his Certified Athletic Administrator credential through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Having a passion for strength and conditioning, he also maintains his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Mr. DePriest is also a contributing author to the book, Developing Endurance which is part of the NSCA Performance Series published by Human Kinetics.
Mr. DePriest earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He obtained his teacher licensure in North Carolina before earning his Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of Phoenix. He later earned his second Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Mr. DePriest feels honored and privileged to serve the military connected students that DoDEA supports. He is dedicated to supporting our military communities to ensure the best educational experience for all students. He is a novice guitarist and sport enthusiast. He has completed over 150 endurance events, including three Ironman triathlons: Brazil, Canada, and Florida.
Dr. Schmidt has spent the past seven years serving the families of RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell in the United Kingdom. Dr. Schmidt most recently served as the principal of Lakenheath Middle School for four years. During her tenure, she focused on fostering a strong community among teachers, students, and families, with an emphasis on instructionally focused interactions and enhancing program availability for all students. She also served as the assistant principal for Lakenheath Middle School and Lakenheath Elementary School during her time in the United Kingdom.
During her time at Lakenheath Middle School, Dr. Schmidt prioritized fostering community among teachers, students, and families. She focused on supporting teachers with instructional planning to increase student engagement and expand programs for all students. Dr. Schmidt was instrumental in supporting the DoDEA Middle School AAPS Pilot program, organizing the school’s master schedule to prioritize co-teaching, and celebrating student achievements through initiatives such as monthly Spotlight programs and biannual Fine Arts Evening events. Her commitment to access and servant leadership guided her decisions, ensuring a high-quality DoDEA experience for students, teachers, and families.
Before her time in the UK, Dr. Schmidt served as Assistant Principal for Spangdahlem and Bitburg Elementary Schools from 2014 to 2017 and taught at Yokota West Elementary School from 2005 to 2014. She also worked as an English teacher in multiple Japanese high schools through the Japanese Exchange and Teacher Program and taught for the New York City Board of Education in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, from 2002 to 2004.
Dr. Schmidt earned her Doctorate in Education with an E-Learning Specialization from Northcentral University. She also holds a Master of Education in Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, a Master of Science in Education from St. John’s University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Iowa State University.
Dr. Schmidt is honored to be selected as the Community Superintendent and looks forward to returning to Germany to serve the DoDEA Europe Central District. She, her husband Robert, and their two daughters, are excited for the move and eager to explore the area and become active members of the community. The family enjoys game nights, celebrating holidays, exploring with their poodle Charlie, and traveling.
The Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with the National Center for Interstate Compacts and the Council of State Governments, has developed an interstate compact that addresses the educational transition issues of children of active duty military-connected families. Currently, all 50 states, DoDEA and the District of Columbia participate in this interstate compact, which provides uniform policy for resolving the educational challenges experienced by military-connected children as they transition between school systems.
We encourage all of our families preparing to transition, to, from or within a DoDEA and/or stateside school system to engage with the School Liaison (SLO) from the sending and receiving locations. The SLO is the local contact for schools and has valuable information about school calendars, hybrid learning, early enrollment, student services, how to manage quarantine requirements and more.
“Call your SLO before you go”
In order to prepare records for your students school transition.
A directory of School Liaisons is updated annually and can be found at: https://www.dodea.edu/education/partnership-and-resources
The Compact ensures that mobile children of military families are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children. States participating in the Compact work to coordinate graduation requirements, transfer of records, course placement, unique learning needs, assessments and other administrative policies.
For additional information or transition support, please contact hq.partnership@dodea.edu or call the Partnership office at 571-372-6026.
If the principal permits a school to operate a limited open forum by maintaining a practice of allowing any single non-curriculum-related student group access to school facilities, the principal shall ensure that all of such student groups (including activities of religious nature) are permitted equal access to meet on school premises and use school facilities during non-instructional time. Access to groups may be denied if the principal determines that a student or student group has or is likely to substantially interfere with good order or discipline or violate any Federal, state, or local law, or DoD or DoDEA regulation/policy.
Within this pamphlet you will find all the information to help prepare you and your student for riding the bus this year.
Bus transportation is a privilege, not a right, and along with this privilege comes parental responsibility for the behavior of your Student. Students are responsible for complying with the Bus Rules and conducting themselves in a safe and proper manner. Inappropriate behavior by your Student may result in the loss of bus service which would require you to transport your child to school.
Transporting your Student in a safe and secure environment is our primary concern. We work in partnership with parents, students, drivers, and school staff to ensure that your child's school bus experience is a positive experience and is conducted in an appropriate environment.
We ask that you notify our office immediately or the administration office of the school if you have concerns about your Students' bus ride. Your prompt reporting will have a great impact on our ability to address behavior or safety concerns quickly and appropriately. Please be assured that your concerns are our concerns and that we take the SAFE transportation of your children as an extremely serious and important job!
On occasions you will see an additional adult on the bus, they are not a Bus Monitor. They are Security Attendants and their duties are in Force Protection.
The bus driver is responsible for reporting discipline issues to the bus office. Bus drivers are not required to speak English. If you have any issues with a driver please do not engage with them, please report it to the bus office.
German Law does not require traffic to stop for a bus loading and unloading. Children should NEVER cross in front or behind the bus! They should wait until the bus has cleared the stop and if available find the closest cross walk.
When taking your children to or picking them up at the bus stop:
DO NOT have your child cross the street in front or behind the bus!
Occasionally, a student will miss their stop on the return run. If a student is not completely comfortable that a stop is the proper one, or they miss their normal stop remaining on the bus is the safest thing to do.
The bus company and the SBO have procedures for getting the students to the proper stop or return to the school for parent pickup.
If for your child loses his/her bus pass, please notify this office for us to regenerate a new one.
**Drivers are authorized to write a misbehavior report for a student without a pass. **
Delays may occur during the school year for many different reasons. In case of a delay, in excess of 20 minutes, the bus office will notify AFN The Eagle, the Schools, and notify the parents via email, if time permits.
If the bus hasn't arrived after 20 minutes and you haven't heard of a delay, please call the school.
**Please have a plan for your children in case of extreme delays to ensure they aren't standing in inclement weather for long periods of time. **
Weather conditions during the winter months can cause delays or cancellation of bus services. The decision to delay the start of the school day, release schools early, or cancel the school day altogether rests with the Base Commander. Delays are normally determined and announced via AFN stations, ADHOC and email beginning at 0630 hours.
Several villages in the KMC have stops that are often inaccessible during inclement weather even when most of the routes have no problems. The families living in those villages receive specific information on procedures to get to an alternate bus stop during inclement weather.
STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 2ND GRADE
Children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade are our littlest passengers and most vulnerable to accidents going to/from and waiting at bus stops. They need your supervision to keep them safe.
The driver will not let these students off the bus unless the child sees the parent/adult. If no one is there to pick up the child, the bus office will try to contact you and ask to meet your child at the stop. If the bus office can't reach you the child will be returned to the appropriate school.
The determination of the status of school during inclement weather is made by the USAG-Rheinland Pfalz Military Commander.
***Please make sure your contact phone numbers and email addresses are updated with the school, as we have implemented the Everbridge system of emergency notification for changes in school hours.***
Additional References
Monitor Facebook & Twitter
For the protection of students and staff, all visitors must report to the school’s front office immediately upon arriving at the school. A visitor is any person (to include parents, sponsors, and legal guardians) not enrolled or assigned to the school requesting entry to the building.
Visitors must provide authorized identification to gain access to the DoDEA school. The visitor will be issued a visitor badge that must be displayed above the waist while on DoDEA school property. The school administrator has the final determination on visitors authorized to be at the school. While on DoDEA school property, visitors may go only to the approved area indicated as their destination when signing in at the school’s front office. Any change to the designated location must be approved by the school’s front office before the visitor can access a different location within the school. When leaving the school, visitors must sign out and return the visitor's badge to the school’s front office.
Parents are welcome to visit the school and classrooms to observe the school’s programs for brief periods of time that do not interfere with instruction. Approval by the school administrator is required for this type of visitation.
School Liaisons serve as the primary point of contact for PK-12th grade school-related matters. The School Liaison Program offers an array of services and resources to support students, parents, installation leadership, schools and the surrounding community. They inform parents about local schools, graduation requirements, afterschool programs, homeschooling and much more. By working together with these stakeholders, the School Liaison Program builds a support network to provide the best possible education experience for military-connected children and youth worldwide.
The School Liaisons Program goals are to:
The School Liaison:
School Liaisons are located at each installation to provide information as well as build partnerships with the civilian and military community to help address common education challenges of military families. School Liaisons are also an initial contact for participation in the Youth Sponsorship Program which builds resilience in youth and eases transition. School Liaison support is free of charge and open to all Department of Defense identification card holders, educators who serve military students and community partners involved with PK-12 education. For more information on the School Liaison Program visit School Liaisons & Military Youth | Military OneSource
To find a School Liaison in your community use this link School Liaison Contacts MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Whether you're planning a move to your next installation or want to know more about your current duty station, MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, one of many free resources from Military OneSource, is the place to get answers. Use it to find installation overviews, contacts for programs and services, check-in procedures, and community information for installations worldwide.
Management of DoDEA student behavior is a responsibility shared by DoDEA students, sponsors/parents/legal guardians, teachers, and the military and school communities and consists of teaching and reinforcing positive DoDEA student attitudes and behaviors. Discipline should be progressively, equitably and fairly administered, is sequential and preplanned, and normally occurs in a hierarchy of consequences for repeated offenses of the same behavior.
Eligibility categories to enroll in a DoDEA school include space required, space available, tuition-free and tuition-paying with requirements differing by geographic location in accordance with public law and DoDEA policy. Sponsors must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1344.01, “Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements for DoDEA Schools.”
Eligibility requirements by geographic location:
Section 3: DoDEA Schools in Europe, Pacific (Excluding Guam), and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Section 4: DoDEA Americas Schools in the Contiguous United States
Section 5: DoDEA Americas Schools in Guam and Puerto Rico
Additional information about student eligibility and registration can be found on the DoDEA website: Registration Process – Eligibility and Enrollment
Kindergarten and grade 1 placements are determined by minimum age requirements, in accordance with Enclosure 2 of DoDEA Regulation 2000.03, “Student Grade Level Placement,” March 2, 2010. A student who will reach his or her fifth birthday on or before September 1 of the school year is eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten in DoDEA. In addition, a student who will reach his or her sixth birthday on or before September 1 of the school year is eligible to enroll in grade 1 in DoDEA. Placement in grades 2–8 is predicated upon completion of the preceding year. Students entering a DoDEA school (kindergarten through grade 8) from a non-American or host nation school will be placed in the grade level corresponding to their ages, assuming yearly progression from grades 1–8.
Grade-level status (grades 9, 10, 11, and 12) will be determined by the number of course credit units earned by the student, in accordance with Section 2 of DoDEA Regulation 2000.3, “Student Grade Level Placement,” March 2, 2010. Students entering grade 9 must have successfully completed grade 8 and/or been previously enrolled in grade 9 and earned less than 6 credits. Students entering grade 10 must have successfully completed grade 9 and earned a minimum of 6 course credits. Students entering grade 11 must have successfully completed grade 10 and earned a minimum of 12 course credits. Students entering grade 12 must have successfully completed grade 11 and earned a minimum of 19 course credits.
In accordance with DoDI 1342.29, “Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children,” January 31, 2019, for students transitioning from a sending school system to a DoDEA school, at the time of transition and regardless of the age of the student, the DoDEA school shall enroll the transitioning student in the same grade level as the student’s grade level (i.e. in kindergarten through grade 12) in the sending state’s local educational agency. For kindergarten, the student must have been enrolled in and attended kindergarten class in order to assure continued attendance in kindergarten in a DoDEA school. Students who have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in the sending school system will be eligible for enrollment in the next higher grade level in the DoDEA school, regardless of the student’s age.
All DoDEA students, including students with disabilities, English language learners (ELLs), and students with accommodation plans, should be afforded the opportunity to participate in the standard DoDEA secondary curriculum, as appropriate, based upon their individual circumstances.
Student records and transcripts may be requested from several different sources, depending upon the student’s last date of attendance or graduation date. Parents/sponsors of current and prospective elementary/middle/high school students should contact the school’s registrar directly for assistance. For further information, please visit the DoDEA Transcripts. You may also consult with the counseling department at your child’s school for issues regarding student records.
An English language learner (ELL) is a student whose first language is not English and is in the process of acquiring English as an additional language. In accordance with DoDEA Regulation 2440.1, DoDEA’s English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program is designed to teach ELLs to acquire English language and literacy proficiency through content. The ESOL Program builds students’ social, cultural, and academic skills so that identified ELLs succeed in an English language academic environment that provides access to college- and career-ready opportunities as their English-speaking peers.
The ESOL Program involves teaching listening, speaking, reading, writing, and study skills at the appropriate developmental and English language proficiency levels. This is accomplished by teaching language through a standards-based, high-quality academic content that pursues the student’s orientation within the United States culture. The ESOL Program’s instruction can be delivered in a variety of settings and program configurations. The scope and amount of ESOL instruction provided is determined by the student’s age, grade level, academic needs, and an English language proficiency evaluation. DoDEA’s ELLs may receive instruction both through the ESOL Program and within the main classroom setting.
In accordance with the policy stated in DoDEA Regulation 2095.01, “School Attendance,” August 26, 2011, as amended, school attendance is mandatory. All students are required to attend school to ensure continuity of instruction and that they successfully meet academic standards and demonstrate continuous educational progress. School attendance is a joint responsibility between the parent or sponsor, student, classroom teacher, school personnel, and, in some cases, the Command. Students with excessive school absences (or tardiness) shall be monitored by the Student Support Team to assist in the completion of all required work and successful mastery of course objectives.
Daily student attendance is identified based upon a quarter of the school day formula. Students will be identified as present or absent, based on the following criteria:
DoDEA considers the following conditions to constitute reasonable cause for absence from school for reasons other than school-related activities:
Unexcused absences may result in school disciplinary actions. An absence from school or a class without written verification from a parent or sponsor will be unexcused. Student attendance is calculated based upon the date of enrollment in a DoDEA school, which may occur anytime during the school year. Student attendance monitoring is designed to provide a continuum of intervention and services to support families and children in keeping children in school and combating truancy and educational neglect. Parents should notify the school of their child’s absence 30 minutes after the start of the school day. Too many unexcused absences may trigger the Student Support Team to convene.
The Principal may authorize an accelerated withdrawal of a student who must withdraw from school 20 or less instructional days prior to the end of a semester, in accordance with Section 3.1.d, of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1367.01, “High School Graduation Requirements and Policy,” [TBD]. Accelerated withdrawal will only be considered if the parent/sponsor presents PCS orders. The parent or sponsor must present verification of the date required for the student to depart from the school (e.g., PCS orders). All of the conditions of an accelerated study program outlined by the student’s teachers must be met prior to withdrawal in order for grades to be assigned and credit to be granted. Students who withdraw prior to the 20-day limitation of the accelerated withdrawal policy will receive “withdrawal” grades rather than final grades. In this case, the sponsor/parent should notify the school two weeks prior to the date of withdrawal.
DoDEA recognizes that home schooling is a sponsor’s right and may be a legitimate alternative form of education for the sponsor’s dependent(s). Home-school students who are eligible to enroll in a DoDEA-Europe, DoDEA-Pacific and DoDEA-Americas school are eligible to utilize DoDEA auxiliary services without being required to either enroll in or register for a minimum number of courses offered by the school. Eligible DoD home-school students using or receiving auxiliary services must meet the same eligibility and standards of conduct requirements applicable to students enrolled in the DoDEA school who use or receive the same auxiliary services. Any student, including eligible DoD dependent home-school students, who has not met the graduation requirements to earn a DoDEA diploma may not receive DoDEA commencement regalia, the DoDEA diploma, nor participate (walk) in a DoDEA commencement ceremony.
Students who enroll in DoDEA schools are required to meet specific immunization requirements (DoDEA Regulation 2942.01, "School Health Services," September 2, 2016). These requirements represent the minimum and do not necessarily reflect the optimal immunization status for a student. Acceptable forms of official proof of immunization status may include, but are not limited to:
It is the responsibility of the sponsor/parent/guardian to provide their child's most current immunization record at the time of enrollment and when immunizations are updated. Parents of incoming students are allowed up to 30 days from the date of enrollment to obtain documentation of any missing required immunization(s). If the missing required immunization is a series, then the first dose of the series must be administered, and documentation must be provided to the school within the required 30 days. Students who have immunization(s) due during the school year will have 10 calendar days from the due date to receive their vaccine(s) and to submit documentation to the school. The due date of a vaccine is on the date the student reaches the minimum recommended age for vaccine administration.
DoDEA Immunization Requirements SY 24-25
STUDENTS IN NON-COMPLIANCE AFTER 10 DAYS MAY BE DISENROLLED UNTIL PROOF OF COMPLIANCE OR APPROVED EXEMPTION IS PROVIDED.
A waiver for immunization exemption may be granted for medical or religious reasons. Philosophical exemptions are not permitted. The applicable DoD Command must provide guidance on the waiver process.
A statement from the child’s health care provider is required if an immunization cannot be administered because of a chronic medical condition wherein the vaccine is permanently contraindicated or because of natural immunity. The statement must document the reason why the child is exempt. This request for immunization exemption from specific vaccines due to vaccine contraindications or natural immunity must be completed and submitted to the school at the beginning of the child’s enrollment or when a vaccine is due. Request for exemption only needs to be completed one time for the duration of the child’s enrollment at the school.
If an immunization is not administered because of a parent’s religious beliefs, the parent must submit an exemption request in writing, stating that he or she objects to the vaccination based upon religious beliefs. The immunization waiver request must be completed and submitted to the school at the beginning of every school year. For students arriving after the school year has started, this request/written statement must be submitted at the initial enrollment and at the beginning of every school year.
During a documented outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease (as determined by local DoD medical authorities), a student who is attending a DoDEA school program under an immunization waiver for that vaccine will be excluded from attending. This is for his or her protection and the safety of the other children and staff. The exclusion will remain in place until such time that the DoD Command determines that the outbreak is over and that it is safe for the student to return to school.
This information identifies DoDEA's high school graduation requirements. Students who plan to pursue college athletics should also visit the NCAA Eligibility site to ensure their course taking aligns with NCAA eligibility requirements. The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is now formally recognized as part of DoDEA's secondary education policy. Please consult with the school counselor for further guidance or questions regarding graduation requirements.
DoDEA graduation requirements differ depending on the year a student enters 9th grade. The requirements are identified below on three separate color-coded documents dated to correspond to the year of initial entry into 9th grade. These documents are intended to help students and parents to determine the number of credits and the distribution of credits by subject area required to receive a DoDEA standard diploma or an honors diploma. Please consult with your school counselor for further guidance or questions.
School Year 2020-21, Class of 2024 |
|
School Year 2021-22, Class of 2025 |
|
School Year 2022-23, Class of 2026 |
|
School Year 2023-24, Class of 2027 |
|
School Year 2024-25, Class of 2028 |
DoDEA accepts the official courses, grades and earned credits of middle school (grades 7–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students who transfer to a DoDEA school from other DoDEA schools or who earn course credits in an accredited non-DoD system (public or private), correspondence, online, and/or home-school program. The accreditation for the sending school or school system must be from one of the six U.S. regional accrediting associations, one of the U.S. state education agencies, or by a public- or state-supported system of accreditation for public or private education programs in a foreign nation, in accordance with Section 4.7, of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1367.01. Please contact your child’s school for questions regarding course credit transfer process and approval.
At the beginning of each course or grade level, every DoDEA teacher shall make available information regarding grading policy and course requirements to parents and students. This information will be provided to parents and students by the end of the first month of the school year or by the end of the first month of the semester in the case of a semester course.
If any student demonstrates unsatisfactory progress or achievement, teachers must notify parents with enough time to correct the deficiency. Notification must occur as soon as unsatisfactory achievement is evident, and not later than the midpoint of the nine-week grading period.
Timely and accurate reporting of student progress shall be accomplished for students in grades 4–12, using the approved DoDEA Electronic Gradebook (EGB) System. All assignments (e.g., quizzes, tests, examinations, homework, speeches, etc.) that are used to assess and report student progress shall be promptly evaluated and/or graded, posted in the EGB, and returned to the student. The normal period of evaluation and posting should be no longer than ten calendar days from the day the assignment is collected, with reasonable exceptions for large projects. At a minimum, one assignment or grade should be recorded per week in the EGB System. To create an account and access the EGB System, please visit the DoDEA SIS Gradebook for instructions.
A traditional letter grading system will be used for grades 4–12 report marks.
| Grade | Numerical Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
A |
90 – 100 |
Excellent: Outstanding level of performance |
|
B |
80 – 89 |
Good: High level of performance |
|
C |
70 – 79 |
Average: Acceptable level of performance |
|
D |
60 – 69 |
Poor: Minimal level of performance |
|
F (failing) |
0 – 59 |
Failing (No credit awarded) |
For purposes of calculating a student’s high school GPA, the following scales shall be used:
| Unweighted Standard Scale | Weighted Advanced Placement (with AP exam) |
|---|---|
|
4.0 |
5.0 |
|
3.0 |
4.0 |
|
2.0 |
3.0 |
|
1.0 |
2.0 |
|
0 |
0 |
In accordance with the policies and procedures in DoDEA Regulation 1377.01, “Student Progress Reports,” September 4, 2018, it is DoDEA policy to issue a progress report every 9 weeks for any student present or enrolled for at least 20 instructional days or more in a marking period. Any written comments by teachers on progress reports should be stated objectively. The comments should be based on evidence about the student and should not represent opinions that cannot be supported by evidence
Achievement codes will be given at the end of the second, third and fourth marking periods for students in grades K–1. Grades will be given at the end of each of the four marking periods for students in grades 2–12. Achievement codes or grades on report cards will be determined by the degree to which students are achieving established program objectives or standards. For students in grades K–12, unsatisfactory achievement of program objectives or standards will be reported to parents during each marking period as soon as evident, but no later than the midpoint of the nine-week grading period to allow sufficient time for a student to correct the problem.
All DoDEA schools should encourage parents to meet with their child’s teacher for parent-teacher conferences. Parent-Teacher Conferences allow parents the opportunity to ask questions about their child’s classes or progress in school. Parent-teacher conferences are also a great way to discuss how parents and teachers can work together to help students perform at their best in school. Parents/sponsors who plan to attend a parent-teacher conference scheduled by the teacher or school should inquire on the amount of time allowed before attending. If more time is required or the parent/sponsor wants to meet with the teacher again, the parent/sponsor should notify the teacher at the end of the conference. Please contact your child’s school for details regarding scheduling of parent-teacher conferences. DoDEA encourages all communication to take place through official school email accounts.
All DoDEA students in grades or programs identified for system-wide assessments shall be included in the DoDEA Comprehensive Assessment System (DoDEA-CAS), in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1301.01, “Comprehensive Assessment System,” October 4, 2018. Students who have been identified as having disabilities or are ELLs shall participate using either the standard DoDEA assessments, with or without reasonable and appropriate accommodations, or through the use of the appropriate DoDEA alternate assessment, as per their Individual Education Plan (IEP), 504 Accommodation Plan, or English Learner Plan. All assessments selected for use within DoDEA shall:
The results of each assessment shall be used as one component of the DoDEA-CAS for major decisions concerning a student’s future learning activities within the classroom setting.
For more information about the DoDEA-CAS, including the testing administration matrix, test descriptions, and testing calendar, please refer to: dodea.edu/assessments.
The purpose of special education is to enable students to successfully develop to their fullest potential by providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).Special education is specially designed instruction, support and services provided to students with an identified disability who require an instructional program that meets their unique learning needs. The purpose of special education is to enable these students to successfully develop to their fullest potential by providing FAPE in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as implemented by DoD Manual (DoDM) 1342.12, “Implementation of Early Intervention and Special Education Services to Eligible DoD Dependents,” June 17, 2015.
In DoDEA, special education and related services are available to eligible students, ages 3 through 21 years of age. To be eligible for special education:
If found eligible for special education and related services, DoDEA students are provided FAPE in accordance with an IEP, with services delivered in the least restrictive environment and with procedural safeguards, in accordance with the requirements of DoDM 1342.12.
Please contact your child’s school to discuss your concerns if you suspect your child may have a disability and be in need of special education services. The Case Study Committee chairperson will provide you with specific details relating to the evaluation process and can explain eligibility requirements further.
Apart from special education, a student with a disability, or who has a record of a disability, or is regarded as having a disability, shall not be excluded from participating in, or be denied the benefits of, any DoDEA education program or activity or be subjected to discrimination based solely on a disability. In accordance with DoDEA Administrative instruction 2500.14, “Nondiscrimination and 504 Accommodation on the Basis of Disability in DoDEA Conducted Education Programs and Activities,” April 29, 2009, as amended, students with disabilities shall be provided a FAPE and shall participate with students without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate to ensure equal access to educational opportunities. This means that a student with a disability that does not require specialized instruction may be eligible for accommodations to ensure participation in school programs and activities. Please contact your child’s school for specific details.
In accordance with the policy in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1356.01, “Family Advocacy Program Process for Reporting Incidents of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect,” November 5, 2018, all DoDEA personnel will participate in the identification and reporting of incidents of child abuse and neglect. School personnel shall report all suspected or alleged child abuse to the local Family and Advocacy Program (FAP) office, child welfare service agency (if available) and their immediate supervisor within 24 hours. All employees shall cooperate with the FAP process. The DoD FAP provides for the identification, treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
In order to prevent violence, suicide and other harmful acts among children and adults in schools, the need for reliable ways to identify persons who may require assistance is a critical step. All DoDEA employees must notify the DoDEA school administrator when a DoDEA student has made any statement or engaged in actions that may indicate threat of harm towards self or others.
Any indication of student suicidality must be immediately reported to the DoDEA school administrator. The DoDEA student who exhibits suicidal ideation or behavior, or who makes a statement or engages in actions that may indicate self-harm or suicidal thoughts, shall be immediately assessed to obtain specific information to determine the risk level. The results of that assessment shall be communicated to the DoDEA school administrator and documented. Regardless of the level of risk reported, in all cases, a DoDEA school administrator or designated member of the Case Management Team must directly notify parents or legal guardians of the concern. For additional assistance in this process, please contact the district school psychology instructional systems specialist.
If a parent or legal guardian disagrees with school recommendations for evaluation of a student’s dangerousness to self, or refuses to take parental or legal guardian responsibility for the safety of their child, the DoDEA school administrator must inform the parent or legal guardian that DoDEA policy requires that school personnel protect the safety and health of the students. Parent or legal guardian refusal to address identified medical needs may necessitate a report to the local FAP office and local Child Protective services if neglect is suspected, as outlined in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1356.01.
When a DoDEA student makes an explicit or implicit threat, or if the student’s behavior indicates that a threat is serious and reasonably likely to be acted upon, the DoDEA school administrator shall take action based on the level of the threat. Certain types of serious threats require immediate notification to local law enforcement entities without regard to the level of threat yielded. The DoDEA school administrator shall immediately report the following student behaviors to the local law enforcement entity:
The DoDEA school administrator shall also immediately report any act that may constitute a criminal offense to the parents or legal guardians of minor students involved in the act and shall report that the incident has been reported to local law enforcement, as required by Federal, state, or local law. The DoDEA school administrator may report other threats to the local law enforcement entity, as necessary and appropriate. The DoDEA school administrator shall inform the parents or legal guardians that they may contact local law enforcement for further information, as necessary and appropriate.
DoDEA school counselors provide comprehensive counseling programs to all students in grades K–12, in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 2946.1, “School Counseling Services,” July 13, 2009, and DoDEA Manual 2946.2, “Department of Defense Education Activity School Counseling Services,” January 1, 2006. Counseling programs are designed to foster a foundation for lifelong learning by removing barriers to students’ academic success. Early identification and intervention of students’ academics needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and promoting academic growth. School counselors provide direct and indirect student services and curricular activities to increase the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for students to achieve their potential academically and physically for life, college, and career readiness.
Elementary school counseling programs are crucial in supporting students’ attitudes and personal views toward school, self, and peers groups. In elementary grades, school counseling programs support and provide education on prevention and intervention services, promoting positive academic skills and career awareness — skills students need to be competent and confident learners.
Secondary school counseling programs are designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of students in grades 6–12, while preparing them for high school and beyond. College and career exploration and planning are emphasized at the secondary level. As middle school students learn to manage more independence and responsibilities, school counseling programs are designed to connect learning to practical application in life and work, and foster effective learning/study skills.
High school counseling programs are designed to foster student preparation and readiness for successful college and career pathways after high school. All secondary students create and manage a four- to six-year plan with their counselor. The four- to six-year plan is managed in SchooLinks and is designed to teach students how to create and attain their graduation, college, and career goals, while taking into account their interests, aptitudes, and graduation requirements.
Please contact your school counselor for additional information regarding the school counseling program.
DoDEA school psychologists provide a range of services designed to support students’ learning, growth, and development. They are experts in student mental health and learning/behavior, and they partner with various stakeholders throughout the school and community to support students’ academic and emotional needs. School psychology programs are designed to foster safe, healthy and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between the school, home, and community. School psychologists aim to improve academic achievement, promote positive behaviors and safe school climates, and strengthen school-family partnerships. Core functions of school psychologists include mental health interventions, behavior management, crisis intervention and response, assessment, and consultation and collaboration.
Please contact your school psychologist for additional information regarding the DoDEA School Psychology Program.
DoDEA School Health Services aims to optimize learning by fostering student wellness. The school nurse serves as the health service expert, providing health care to students/staff and implementing interventions that address both actual and potential health and safety conditions. The school nurse collaborates with the school administrator to promote the health and academic success of students and serves as the liaison between the school, community, and health care systems. This collaborative effort creates opportunities to build capacity for students' self-care, resilience, and learning.
The school nurse's responsibilities include:
As a general rule, the parent or sponsor will be notified by the school administrator or school nurse if a child has:
Do not send your child to school if he or she is ill. Staying home to get the proper rest, nutrition, and parental care is for your child's benefit as well as for the benefit of the other children in the school who may be unnecessarily exposed to a contagious illness. The following are examples of when a student should remain home:
If your child becomes ill during the school day, the school nurse will contact you to pick up your child. To return to school, your child must be without symptoms for 24 hours and fever-free without fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours.
When medication must be administered during the school day, it must be delivered to the school nurse in the original container and properly labeled by the pharmacy or primary care manager/provider, stating the name of the student, the medication, dosage, route, time of administration, and current date of issue. Contact the school nurse for the required Medication Consent Form. This form must be filled out and signed by the prescribing state licensed medical provider and also signed by the sponsor/parent/guardian. The sponsor/parent/guardian needs to bring the signed form and the medication to the school nurse. If the school nurse is not present, the signed form and medication must be presented to the school principal, acting principal, or health aide for safekeeping. It is acceptable for parents to bring in self-purchased over-the-counter medication to be kept in the health office for their child's use at school, but the medication must be accompanied by a physician's prescription and signed parental consent form.
In some rare situations, students are allowed to keep their rescue or emergency medicine with them while in school or at school-related activities. The prescribing primary care manager must provide a written statement that the student must be in control of his or her medication due to a life-threatening medical condition. The parent must provide written consent for the medication to stay with the student. See the school nurse to obtain the appropriate form for medications to be administered during school hours or for a student to self-carry emergency medication.
Supplement A - DoDEA Form 6000.01: Medication During School Day and School-Sponsored Activities
Supplement D - DoDEA Form 6000.01: Student Retention of Medication
Please inform the school nurse of any medical condition and health concerns your child may have to better serve and protect your child's welfare in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 2720.1, "First Aid and Emergency Care," September 8, 2003.
Food allergies (including peanut/nut allergies) are a significant health concern within the school environment. Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms to life-threatening reactions. Ensuring a safe environment for all students and visitors is a primary focus for the school administration and staff. In an attempt to raise awareness and limit unnecessary exposure during school hours, the following steps have been implemented to address food allergies:
School personnel will administer first aid as efficiently as possible to the dependent student when needed to treat minor injury or illness, in accordance with the DoDEA Regulation 2720.1, "First Aid and Emergency Care," September 8, 2003. In accordance with Section 6 of DoDEA Regulation 2720.1, should a student sustain a more serious illness or injury, the school nurse will make a judgment call based on nursing assessment to determine if the student needs emergency medical care requiring a response by an emergency medical team (EMT) and possible transportation for treatment at a health care facility. If a student needs emergency medical care requiring an ambulance, the school will make reasonable efforts to contact the sponsor/parent/guardian or emergency contact. In the absence of a parent, a school administrator or designee may accompany the student to the medical treatment facility.
The EMT, health care facility, or attending health care provider(s) may be non-U.S. or non-military facilities or providers, especially if the dependent student is located overseas. Treatment decisions will be made exclusively by the health care provider(s) if the nature of the dependent student's injury or illness requires immediate health care, in accordance with their standard operating procedures regarding the delivery of emergency care for the dependent student.
It is very important for the school to have a current address, home phone number, mobile phone numbers, duty phone number, and the phone number of another adult to act as emergency contact in case parents cannot be contacted.
Contact your school nurse for additional information regarding the DoDEA School Health Services Program.
The DoDEA School Meals Program (SMP) supports academic achievement by providing nutritious meals to your students through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Students are expected to actively participate in the educational process, including school-sponsored activities in and outside of the classroom, as deemed appropriate. Students should bring to the attention of a school employee behavior or activities that may endanger the safety and well-being of themselves or others.
Students shall:
No DoDEA student shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be subjected to, or be permitted to subject others to discrimination in any DoDEA-conducted education and training programs and activities on the basis of their race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or status as a parent, which is commonly known as their protected class, in accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1443.01, Volume 1, “Civil Rights Program and Compliance,” November 16, 2022.
Although DoDEA cannot guarantee every student a learning and activities environment free from annoyances, petty slights, or minor offenses, DoDEA is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free from unlawful discrimination and will not tolerate incidents of discriminatory unequal treatment, hostile environments (including those created by sexual assault and sexual harassment [discussed in greater detail below under “Student Conduct and Discipline”]), or impermissible disparate impact based on a student’s protected class, or retaliation against anyone because they have made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation related to an allegation of discrimination.
Students are responsible for their own scholastic integrity. Any suspicion or evidence of forging, cheating, or plagiarizing the work of others may result in a school discipline, to include exclusion in accordance with DoDEA AI 1347.01, Student Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.
According to Section 3.6 of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1353.01, “Student Rights and Responsibilities,” April 6, 2021, students may observe religious practice in school, such as celebration of religious holidays, engaging in private prayer, saying grace before meals, and wearing yarmulkes and head scarves, as long as the practice does not violate student standards or cause substantial disruption. Students may engage in independent religious discussion to the same degree that they may engage in other types of permissible speech. The freedom to engage in religious expression in school does not include the right to compel other students to participate in religious practices or discussion. Students may express their beliefs about religion in the form of homework, artwork, presentations, and other written and oral assignments, free from discrimination by school faculty or other students based on the religious content of their submissions. Such assignments and submissions shall be assessed by curricular standards or other relevant instructional criteria in accordance with Section 4 of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1353.01.
In accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1443.01: "Civil Rights Program and Compliance,” November 16, 2022, all high school students, and middle school students in some cases, are provided the opportunity to participate in the Interscholastic Athletic Program without unlawful discrimination based on their race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, status as a parent, or other factors unrelated to that participation. There are uniform eligibility policies for participants in all athletic programs. Please refer to your regional Interscholastic Athletics Program policy for details relating to your school. For DoDEA-Americas schools, please consult your state of residence athletic policies and the school athletic director for specifics regarding state regulations and requirements.
* Teachers/courses can require certain attire as part of the curriculum (for example: physical education, culinary) that may include specific dress
* DoDEA issued athletic uniforms and athletic practice attire outside of the DoDEA school dress code is permitted when worn by participants during athletic practices and sports events
General, non-individualized searches of school property (e.g., desks, lockers, storage spaces, and school computers, including data and internet access records), may be conducted by the principal on a periodic or random basis. The school affords students and parents adequate prior notice of its general search policy through the issuance referenced above and this handbook. The search shall be conducted by the principal in the presence of another school employee who will serve as a witness. General searches of school spaces and property may be conducted in cooperation with the appropriate installation authorities or military police, including dogs trained to detect the presence of contraband. Evidence found during a general search, or a dog sniff, that alerts authorities to potential contraband may provide reasonable suspicion sufficient to conduct an individualized search.
Individualized, reasonable suspicion or targeted searches may be conducted by a principal of a student’s personal belongings (including bags, personalized electronic mobile devices (PEMD) and the interior of student vehicles on school property) and in a student’s desk, locker, storage space, school computer, or other property of the school when there is reasonable suspicion to believe the student possesses a prohibited item. Targeted searches may be conducted whenever the student is involved in a school-sponsored or school-supervised activity or event so long as there is reasonable suspicion to conduct the search.
A targeted search of a student’s person shall only be conducted under exigent circumstances. When possible, a targeted search of the student’s person shall be conducted in a private room, or non-public area, and by a school official of the same sex as the student. Reasonable efforts to locate the student and to notify the parent shall be made prior to a targeted search or as soon as is practicable under the circumstances.
DoDEA has implemented action-based standard response protocols (i.e., hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, and shelter) that can be performed during any emergency incident.
Hold Used when there is a need to remain in a classroom or area, even during class transitioning. Can be used for such events as a medical emergency, unruly students in the hallway, or whenever an incident requires all students and staff to remain in their current positions.
Secure (lockout) Directed when there is a threat or hazard outside the school. Whether it is due to violence or criminal activity or a dangerous animal on the playground, a lockout uses the security of the physical facility as a protective measure.
Lockdown Directed when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building. From serious altercations to intruders to active shooter situations, lockdown uses classroom security to protect students and staff from the threat.
Evacuation Implemented when there is a need to move students from one facility to another.
Shelter Shelter is called when the need for personal protection is necessary. This may include events such as a tornado, earthquake or hazardous material spill.
Schools will identify potential shelter situations and designate specific responses, as appropriate.
The Standard Response Protocols are incorporated into the school’s Emergency Action Plan. For more information on the Standard Response Protocols and how they apply within DoDEA, refer to DoDEA Administrative Instruction 5205.02, Volume 6, “DoDEA Force Protection Program: Standard Response Protocols,” 27 June 2023.-
DODEA students have the Right to a discrimination-free learning environment in which no individual, on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or status as a parent, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination in a DoDEA-conducted or -sponsored education or training program or activity, pursuant to Executive Order 13160, DoD and DoDEA policy, and Federal law.
Students shall treat teachers, administrators, and other school staff as expected within the code of conduct, to include courtesy, fairness, and respect; and teachers, administrators, and other school staff shall treat students as expected within the code of conduct in this Issuance, to include courtesy, fairness, and respect.
Management of student behavior is a responsibility shared by students, sponsors/parents/guardians, teachers, and the military command and school communities in general, in accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1353.01, “Student Rights and Responsibilities,” April 6, 2021. Student behavioral management consists of teaching and reinforcing positive student attitudes and behaviors. Students shall treat teachers, administrators, and other school staff with courtesy, fairness, and respect; and teachers, administrators, and other school staff shall treat students with courtesy, fairness, and respect. All students will be disciplined in a fair and appropriate manner. School administrators shall operate and maintain a safe school environment that is conducive to learning. School administration will ensure prompt investigation and response to incidents or complaints involving students made by students, parents, teachers, or DoDEA staff members.
In accordance with the policy stated in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1347.01, “Student Disciplinary Rules and Procedures,” April 7, 2021, discipline shall be progressively and fairly administered. Disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to, verbal reprimands, conferences, detention, time-out, alternative in-school placements, school service programs, community service and counseling programs. Other behavior management techniques will be considered prior to resorting to more formal disciplinary actions that remove a student from school for a suspension (short or long term). Long-term suspension or expulsion following a first offense may be considered when a student poses an immediate threat to his or her safety or the safety of others (e.g., offenses involving firearms or other weapons, fighting or violence, or the possession, use, or sale of drugs). Additional rules and procedures can be reviewed in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1347.01.
DoDEA does not allow any form of sexual harassment, sexual assault, problematic sexual behavior in children and youth (PSB-CY) and other related abusive misconduct of, or by, employees, students, or anyone participating in DoDEA-conducted/sponsored education, training programs, and activities, committed both on and off DoDEA premises.
All DoDEA students are responsible for not committing acts of sexual harassment, sexual assault, PSB-CY, and other related abusive misconduct, in accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1443.02, “Prohibited Sexual, Sex-Based, and Other Related Abusive Misconduct Reporting and Response,” February 21, 2019 (DoDEA AI 1443.02, and for cooperating with any investigations and resolution of complaints made in accordance with this Issuance. Students who violate this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction, “Student Disciplinary Rules and Procedures,” April 7, 2021.
The right to be free from other related abusive misconduct includes physical and/or emotional misconduct that does not qualify as sexual assault or sexual harassment, but that is still intended to make a student feel pressured, uncomfortable, physically threatened, in pain, embarrassed, or offended. It also includes the right to be free from an adult, or another student, trying to exploit their position of authority or influence over a student to force or manipulate them into an inappropriate personal and/or sexual relationship, even if the student does not think it is harmful. DoDEA does not recognize sexual or romantic interactions between any student and a DoDEA employee or volunteer to ever be consensual, even if the student is of the lawful age of consent.
Students who are experiencing sexual assault, sexual harassment, PSB-CY, or other related abusive misconduct should report it, in accordance with Sections 4 and 5 of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1443.02, “Prohibited Sexual, Sex-Based, and Other Related Abusive Misconduct Reporting and Response,” February 21, 2019.
It is extremely important that a student not suffer in silence or be allowed to be exploited or manipulated into an inappropriate relationship. If such is happening to a student personally, or to someone they know, the student should let an adult know about it right away. The student may tell someone he/she feels comfortable with and trusts, such as their parent, teacher, nurse, or coach, or go directly to the school principal or program director, at any time. When a DoDEA employee or volunteer becomes aware of a violation of this DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1443.02, they are required to report it to their school principal or program director, with the possible exception of certain disclosures made during confidential communications not otherwise subject to mandatory reporting requirements in accordance with Issuance.
Students may visit DoDEA’s Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention to learn more.
In the wake of school violence throughout the world, it is important to analyze the causes of violence and implement preventive measures to assure that every student and adult will feel secure in the school environment. DoDEA implemented a system-wide Bully Prevention program as a part of the Safe Schools and Character Education program.
Bullying is defined as a means to have power over another and it takes many forms: physical, verbal, and indirect such as gossip and isolation. Bullying leaves long-lasting scars for its victims. Bullies have a higher incidence of antisocial behavior, domestic violence and crime as adults. Society pays a heavy toll for tolerating bullying behavior and bullies.
In DoDEA schools and community, bullying will not go unchallenged and will not be tolerated. All students, staff members, parents and the community play vital roles to ensure our children are not bullied, do not act as bullies, and will not allow others to bully. Our schools have a moral obligation to provide our students and the school community with the proper information, prevention strategies, and defenses to create a safe, accepting and caring environment for all.
Use of personal social media between parents/teachers/students is discouraged. The only acceptable form of social media communication between parents/teachers/students is through official school social media.
Each student, together with the student’s parent or guardian (if applicable), shall acknowledge and sign Form 700, “Use of DoDEA Internet and Use of Information Technology Resources,” before he or she is assigned a user account. In accordance with Enclosure 4 of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 6600.01, “Computer Access and Internet Policy,” February 16, 2010, the following are required of all students:
The signed agreement (Form 700) is to be retained in the administrative office at the student’s school for the duration of the student’s enrollment. A copy will be provided to the student and, if applicable, the student’s parent or guardian.
Student transportation is defined as the transportation of students from their assigned bus stop to school at the beginning of their school day, during the mid-day and for return to their assigned bus stop at the end of the normal scheduled school day. DoDEA principals are responsible for monitoring student loading/unloading zones when students are coming and going from school sites, including administering discipline. A school bus or any device operating to provide student transportation will function as an extension of the school. The walking distance for students in grade 6 and below should not exceed one mile from the student’s primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. Students in grades 7–12 may walk up to 1.5 miles from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. These distances may be slightly expanded or contracted to conform to natural boundaries such as housing areas or neighborhoods. In locations having middle schools, which include grade 6 (i.e., grades 6–8), the walking distance criteria shall be the same as the criteria for grades 7–12.
Transportation is not authorized to take students to their homes or to eating facilities for their mid-day meal. No other transportation between the assigned bus stop and the school will be charged to commuting transportation unless stated in a special education student’s IEP and/or required by Section 504 guidelines. “Curb-to-curb” only applies to students with disabilities who require such service as documented in the student’s IEP. DoDEA District Superintendents, in coordination with the District Logistics Chief and the supporting military installation commanders, will establish a commuting area to determine eligibility for transportation of dependent students.
Per DoDEA AI 1347.01 and 4500.02:
Riding school buses is a PRIVILEGE that may be suspended or revoked if a student does not behave in a safe and proper manner. The time students spend going to and from school is an extension of their school day. School buses are an extension of the school campus. As such, principals are equally as responsible for discipline on school buses as they are on school campuses. Principals may take disciplinary action for school bus misconduct consistent with Attachment 2 or may process them in accordance with procedures available for other school discipline. Nothing in this handbook precludes the principal from exercising appropriate discipline, including suspending the student from school or from school related activities, for misconduct on school buses.
All students are expected to adhere to the bus rider rules outlined on the Student Transportation page.
It is helpful to bring When enrolling at KHS, please bring:
This will ensure your student is placed in the correct classes and will receive the credit from other schools.
At KHS, we believe that punctuality and regular attendance at school will increase the chances of students' academic success and will teach them the values and rewards of self-reliance and dependability. We also believe that punctuality and regular attendance contribute to a distraction-free learning environment. It is recognized that absence from school is necessary under certain conditions. Every effort must be made by students, parents, teachers, and administrators to keep absences and tardiness to a minimum. Attendance can be reported through our Attendance Office.
Extended absences beyond three days, require the submission of the extended absence form.
Schools shall allow equal access to school facilities being used for student sponsored non-curriculum related activities, if a school allows any such group access to its facilities. For use of the Kaiserslautern High School facilities please inquire at the Main Office. If approved, please contact the Administrative Officer to schedule and arrange for keys to the facility.
Each school is to develop a specific plan for monitoring grade eligibility; however, to achieve uniformity, all schools must complete the grade check by 4 p.m. every Tuesday of each week that the interscholastic programs are being held. A student declared ineligible on the Tuesday grade check will be ineligible from Wednesday 8 a.m. through the following Wednesday 8 a.m. A student participant who has been identified as ineligible for three consecutive weeks may be dropped from the team.
Academic Eligibility for All Activities
There are times when weather situations could result in school being closed. The garrison commander for USAG Rheinland Pfalz and the commander of Ramstein Air Base both make decisions about school delays and closures in close consultation with the DoDEA Community Superintendents and Principals. Notices of delays or closures will be sent through the emergency notification system. Parents should ensure they are registered in the emergency notification system to receive those updates. Please call the school for details.
Students who drive vehicles are required to register their vehicles with the Main Office. The purpose of this registration is to ensure everyone is aware of the responsibilities associated with driving and the expectations the school has for those students electing to drive. Both the student driver and their parent must sign this form. Your parking pass will be issued after administrator approval and must be clearly displayed in the window of your vehicle.
Students will be trained by their classroom teachers in emergency procedures.
Students must have an agenda planner to leave an assigned room. Students are encouraged to use the lavatory between classes.
Homework is an integral part of school life. As an extension of classroom activities, it supports instructional objectives and mastery of those objectives. The purpose of homework assignments may be one or more of the following: to reinforce classroom instruction, to increase understanding and retention, to transfer and extend classroom instruction, to prepare one for class discussion, to provide curricular enrichment.
Students at KHS can expect to be assigned homework commensurate with the difficulty of their academic program, their needs and abilities, and the learning objectives of the curricular area. The amount of time a student is given to complete an assignment will be directly related to the length, complexity, and purpose of the assignment. Students should prepare homework assignments carefully.
Parents must sign their Kaiserslautern High School Student in or out through the main office when transporting their student on and off school property. The school staff is charged with accounting for the presence of students at all times. No phone calls will be accepted unless they are followed up with a written note. Students who have legitimate reasons to leave school after the school day has started must be signed out in the main office. This rule applies to all students who will miss any class time. Any student older than 18 years of age must also comply with this rule. Students are not allowed to leave campus or base installation for any reason without administrative permission. Students are also required to sign back in at the fort office when they return during the school day after having been signed out. The requirement of being signed out and signed in also applies during the lunch period, unless the student meets the conditions for one of the following exceptions:
Lunch Time Exemptions to the requirement of being signed out by parent/sponsor:
Each student will be assigned a hall locker. Most lockers have built in locks. The school provides locks. All other locks will be removed by the administration. Students should not share lockers or give other students their combinations. care and maintenance of assigned lockers is the responsibility of the student. Locker privileges may be lost if proper care is not given. While the inside of lockers may be personalized with appropriate removable materials, absolutely nothing is allowed on the outside, except on special occasions-birthdays and school pride information. All materials must be removed when lockers are changed, the student transfers, or the school year ends. Periodic locker inspections will occur throughout the year. Generally, students will not be dismissed during class to go to lockers.
It is school policy that only messages from a parent/ guardian will be given to a student. The messages will be delivered at lunch or the end of the day unless the situation is an emergency. Students should not be pulled out of classes for any reason other than to be checked out of school by parents. Please inform employers, friends, and relatives that the school will not accept messages for students. Students will be allowed to use the telephone in the office for emergencies or to contact the school bus office.
Lost and found is located in the Main Office. Students who lose items on the school grounds should go to the front office to see if they have been found. Items will be held for a month. Items left on buses are returned to the Transportation office who can be contacted at 0611435451343.
In the case of missing personal property, notify the administration (if necessary, military police or host nation law enforcement) and make a statement concerning the circumstances of the theft. Actions taken against suspects involved in a theft and subsequent legal processes will depend on the evidence obtained through the investigations conducted by the administration or law enforcement agencies. A student is always responsible for the safety and care of his or her own personal property. This includes not only during the school day, but any outside school-sponsored functions (class trips, study trips, visitations, etc.). Students are cautioned not to bring large amounts of money or personal property to school. Students, not the school, are responsible for their personal property. Lockers and locks are assigned to each student and should be kept secure at all times. During PE classes, lockers and locks are available. Under no circumstances should students leave valuables or belongings in the gym locker rooms unsecured. The school is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items.
The purpose of the School Advisory Committee (SAC) is to act as a liaison and to provide two-way communication between the school and community to assure a positive school environment for students. The committee advises the principal on matters affecting the operation of the school. Committee concerns include school policy, instructional programs, staffing, budget, facilities, maintenance, administrative procedures, pupil personnel services, educational resources, program evaluation, student standards of conduct, and other matters educationally related. This is an important vehicle for parent input into school matters. Often when a parent perspective is particularly desired, the Principal looks to the SAC for guidance. The SAC advises the Installation Commander on improvements for dependents’ education, including matters related to administrative and logistical support and any other school matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the Installation Commander. The SAC provides comments and recommendations on matters that are decided at higher levels, but which impact upon the school. Such matters include DODEA policy matters and budget plans and priorities for local schools. SAC meetings occur quarterly in the school’s Information Center. This year’s SAC meeting times will appear in the Daily Bulletin. Any community member is welcome to attend the SAC meetings. Membership of the SAC comes from the parents, the staff, and the student body. Election procedures are outlined in the SAC Constitution and By-Laws.
Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO)
This parent group supports curricular activities for the students.
KHS Athletics Booster Club
This parent group supports all athletic activities for the students.
KHS Senior Parent Association (SPA)
Each year, the senior parents for a group to support senior year activities. Please contact the senior sponsor for details.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
All DoDEA schools should encourage parents to meet with their child's teacher for parent-teacher conferences. Parent-teacher conferences allow parents the opportunity to ask questions about their child's classes or progress in school. Parent-teacher conferences are a great way to discuss how parents and teachers can work together to help students perform at their best in school. If you are going to a meeting that was scheduled by the teacher or school, ask beforehand how much time you will have. If you will need more time or want to meet with the teacher again, let the teacher know at the end of the meeting. Please consult your child’s school for details regarding scheduling. A parent teacher conference day is scheduled following the end of the first 9-week period, but parents are encouraged to contact teachers to arrange a personal conference at any point when this seems beneficial.
Sponsor's Absence from the Area
When parent(s) are absent from the address including home and duty station, it is important that they inform the school of the appointed acting guardian. When the sponsor or parent absence is overnight, a Power of Attorney should be obtained from the Base Legal Office and turned in to the Main Office. In emergencies, if the school cannot contact sponsors or the individual designated as acting guardian, we are obligated to inform the respective commander.
Video surveillance is in use in various areas outside the school. Evidence of student misconduct obtained through video surveillance will result in appropriate disciplinary consequences.
The school has the authority to conduct random and periodic searches of school property and to seize contraband items belonging to students. Students should not have any reasonable expectation of privacy towards school personnel regarding the contents of a school locker, desk or other school property. School personnel will have access to open and examine school lockers, desks, and other school property in order to properly supervise the welfare of students.
The school has the authority to search a student’s possessions and person when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of prohibited items. Based upon reasonable suspicion, school personnel have the authority to detain and search, or authorize the search, of any student or of any property in the possession of the student when the student is on any school premises, or while in transit under the authority of the school, or while attending any function sponsored or authorized by the school. School personnel have the authority to confiscate and preserve any prohibited item for which a search may be conducted. The extent of any search being conducted shall be reasonably related to the objective of the search and not excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction.
Parents of students who walk to school are advised not to allow their children to leave home too early. Due to the lack of supervision, children should not arrive earlier than 8:00 AM. Your cooperation in this matter will greatly enhance the safety and security of our students. Parents must come to the front office to sign their child in if he/she arrives after 8:20 a.m. It should be noted that Base policy has determined that it is the responsibility of our students' parents as to whether their children are supervised by an adult or older sibling while walking to and from school or bus stop.
The school staff is charged with accounting for the presence of students at all times. Students are not allowed to leave the campus or base installation for any reason without administrative permission. Due to security requirements, it is critical that students who leave campus for any reason during school hours must be signed out at the Student Affairs Office (SAO/Office). No phone calls or notes will be accepted (other than the lunch-time exceptions explained below).
Dependents that are eighteen years old or older are not exempt from this policy.
Students are also required to sign back in at the office when they return during the school day after having been signed out.
Student meals are provided by AAFES. For information about the Meal Plan and the Reduced Lunch Program please visit our School Meals page.
Kaiserslautern High School's Discipline Policy is based on compliance with DoDEA Regulation 2051.1. This regulation, "Department of Defense Education Activity Disciplinary Rules and Procedures", is intended to alert administrators to their flexibility in assessing the seriousness of offenses for purposes of determining the appropriate consequences. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed for student conduct: while on school property, while in route between school and home of any school activity, while on vehicles owned by the government or contracted by DoDEA schools for the transportation of students; during the lunch period on a school day whether on or off campus, going to or from all school sponsored or school supervised events/activities that affect the mission or operations of the school. Disciplinary action may also be imposed for out-of-school actions when the good order, safety, or welfare of the school, students, or staff is affected as a result of these actions.
NOTE: Our goal is to operate and maintain a safe school environment that is conducive to learning. It is also our intent to recognize students' rights while also recognizing the need for taking disciplinary action when necessary. When it is considered necessary to take disciplinary action, our intent is to ensure that students are disciplined in a fair and appropriate manner.
DoDEA-Europe Transportation Management Office (DETMO) assumes responsibility for all bus transportation for KHS students. All students who require bus transportation to school must register at the DETMO office. Students will receive bus passes and must have them in their possession when riding the buses. All student behavior expectations will be reviewed at the time of registration and the military community enforces the bus behavioral policy.
For more information please go to: https://kaiserslauternhs.dodea.edu/school-student-transportation
For safety reasons, all visitors and volunteers must report to the school front office immediately upon entering the school. A visitor/volunteer is someone who is not a school employee or student and enters the school during operating hours. Anyone sponsoring a guest to attend school with a student must obtain a permission-to-visit-KHS form (available in the Main Office), fill in all requested information, gather all required signatures, and turn the completed form into the Main Office one week prior to the visit. On the day of the visit, the KHS student will check the visiting student in at the Main Office with a completed copy of the form. Visitors may go only to the area they indicated as their destination when signing in at the front office. All visitors will receive an appropriate visitor’s badge that is to be displayed conspicuously at all times while on school grounds. Any change to the designated location must be cleared through the front office before visiting a different location. Upon finishing their visit, visitors must check out at the office. Parents are welcome to visit the school and classrooms to observe our programs in action. Parents interested in visiting a classroom have to inform the teacher and front office before the visit, an appointment before the visit is preferred. KHS Alumni are allowed to visit during lunch hours or after 1500. A visitor or volunteer should never be left alone with students unless proper background clearances have been obtained. Please consult your school administrator to begin this process. It is school policy to deny graduated Kaiserslautern High School students access during the school day for the purpose of visiting teachers or current students.
Students occasionally request to have guests accompany them to classes for all or part of a school day. This must be approved in advance. A form is available in the Main Office for the student and parent to make such a request. Requests for stateside and local national visitors 11 to 19 years old will be considered for approval. We require that Administration be notified 3 days ahead if a student plans to visit.
Cheers, Cheers for Our Red And White!
Show Me That K-town Raiders Can Fight!
Send Our Loyal Cheers on High!
To Shake Down Thunder From The Sky!
Whether We Win Or Whether We Lose,
KHS Will Not Have The Blues;
As Our Loyal Team Goes Marching
Onward To Victory!
