Student/Parent Handbook - Ysleta Independent School District

To meet high school graduation requirements, students must complete one credit in physical education from acombination of the following courses: Foundations of Personal Fitness, Adventure/Outdoor Education, Aerobic Activitiesand Team or Individual Sports, or through participation in athletics, JROTC, Drill Team, Marching Band or Cheerleading.If a student is to be excused from participating in his/her physical education class for more than three days due to aninjury or illness, a note from a doctor licensed in Texas will be required and kept on file in the office.Parents have the right to request their child’s physical fitness assessment [FITNESSGRAM) results by sending a writtenrequest to their child’s physical education teacher or the campus physical education coordinator, who will print theFITNESSGRAM report card.ACADEMIC LANGUAGE PROGRAMSYISD provides several programs with the goal of developing full academic literacy in more than one language. Theseinclude:K-6 Late-Exit Transitional Bilingual Program. Students receive initial literacy development in Spanish. English isinitially taught through Science integrated with English language arts TEKS and expands to other content over time.The percentage of English instruction increases annually.7-12 English as a Second Language Program. In middle school, students are served by a certified ESL teacherthrough their language arts course and attend mainstream classes. In high school students are served by a certifiedESL teacher through their English I and English II courses, and attend mainstream classes. Students exit the ESLProgram when they meet state requirements as indicated by state assessments and oral language proficiencytesting.K-12 Dual Language Program. The goal is to develop full academic literacy in both English and Spanish, andmulticultural competency for all participants. Dual Language is open to Spanish dominant and English dominantstudents, although entry after second grade may be limited. All Students receive initial literacy development inSpanish. Formal English reading and writing instruction begins in third grade. English is initially taught throughScience integrated with English language arts TEKS in kindergarten through third grade and expands to othercontent areas over time. Student participation in this program is strictly voluntary. Parents may request programplacement by speaking with the campus administrators and/or counselor. Student placement is based on availablespace in Dual Language Classrooms. A student wishing to enter a Dual Language Classroom for the first time at2 nd grade and beyond will have their records thoroughly reviewed to ensure that he or she is placed in a classroomthat will support their academic development most effectively. High school dual language students may be eligiblefor dual language honors designation at graduation.K-12 Languages Other Than English Program (LOTE). The goal is development of proficiency in a language otherthan English. Languages currently taught in YISD include: Spanish, French, German, Russian, Chinese, andJapanese. Not all languages are available at all levels or on every campus.International Schools. YISD has designated two schools, Alicia R. Chacon and Eastwood Knolls, as K-8international schools. These two schools offer students the linguistic experience of developing their Spanish andEnglish skills to high academic levels and students are also able to acquire a third language.For further information, contact Academic Language Programs at 915- 434-0760.FINE ARTSFine Arts is a part of the Enrichment curriculum under the basic instructional program. The Fine Arts curriculum is alignedwith the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. All students in Grades 5 and 6 will be enrolled in a TEKS-based fine artscourse in music, theatre, or art taught by a teacher certified in the arts content area or with a background of highereducation coursework in the arts. Fine Arts students who undertake fundraising for activities must clear fundraising debtson a yearly basis. The Fine Arts Department supports exhibitions, workshops, and the renowned La Gallería de la Misiónde Senecú. See Student Activities for more information on Fine Arts competitions and performances.CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program for YISD cultivates the potential in our students by providingrelevant and innovative experiences that will inspire, guide and empower them to be competitive, productive andsuccessful citizens in the 21 st century world. The Career and Technical Education Program is committed to providingYISD students with a rigorous, academic curriculum and work-based experiences that will prepare them for postsecondarycollege, training or work.29