STUDENT PUBLICATIONS<strong>Student</strong> press documents (newspapers, yearbooks, magazines) serve as educational tools, as a means of expression forstudents and the public, and as instruments through which students, faculty, administration, and the public can gaininsight into student thinking and concerns. The principal and the faculty advisor cooperatively direct the decisions of thestudents regarding the appropriateness of content. The faculty advisor guides the decisions of the student regardingstyle, grammar, mechanics, format, and suitability of materials, adhering to the highest journalistic, literary standards.He/she promotes responsible exercise of freedom of expression. The principal approves the annual budget for allstudent publications. See below for more detailed information on rules regarding rights of student journalists.SCHOOL LETTER AWARDSCriteria have been established for students who are first or second year participants in activities for which they canreceive letters. Any student participating in an activity for the third and fourth years may receive, withteachers/sponsor/principal approval (with documentation), a letter for participation. Documentation must exist for denialof a letter. Lack of this proof will constitute awarding of the letter. A student may appeal a teacher's decision to theprincipal. High school students earning distinction in designated categories of co- and extra-curricular activities will beawarded letters from their respective high schools, provided they meet the eligibility standards. See the chart at the endof this section for details and requirements.NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETYNational Honor Society is for students in the sophomore, junior or senior class. Membership in local chapters is an honorbestowed upon a student. Selection for membership is by a faculty council and is based on grade point average (GPA)of 85 or higher, then outstanding character, leadership, service, and scholarship. Once selected, members have theresponsibility to continue to demonstrate the qualities that were the basis of their selection. A list of eligible students willbe posted, and students will be asked to complete and return a <strong>Student</strong> Information sheet by the published date to beconsidered for selection. See the chart at the end of this section for further information.NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETYNational Junior Honor Society is for students in grades 7 and 8. To be considered for induction into National JuniorHonor Society, a student must maintain a minimum average of 85. Selections for membership into National Junior HonorSociety are not made solely on the basis of academic achievement. <strong>Student</strong>s seeking membership in this organizationshould strive to maintain a record of outstanding citizenship, character, leadership, and service. It is possible that astudent with even a 100 average might not be selected if he or she scores low in these areas.FUNDRAISING<strong>Student</strong> groups or classes and/or parent groups may be permitted to conduct fund-raising drives for approved schoolpurposes. Permission must be granted prior to the fund-raising beginning date by the campus principal. [For furtherinformation, see policies FJ and GE.] Fundraisers involving food must comply with the Texas Public <strong>School</strong> NutritionPolicy posted at www.squaremeals.org.COMMUNITY SERVICE/ VOLUNTEER HOURSBeginning with the freshmen class of 2009-10, students must have a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer service in order toparticipate in graduation ceremonies. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are strongly encouraged to accrue 20 hours peryear of volunteer service until they graduate. <strong>Student</strong>s excused through an Admission, Review and Dismissal Committeewill not have to complete the required volunteer hours. Please consult your school counselor for more details.RIGHTS OF STUDENT JOURNALISTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF NONSCHOOL LITERATURE<strong>Student</strong> journalists have the right to report on, interpret, and editorialize about controversial and crucial events in theschool, community, nation, and world. However, they must observe the same legal responsibilities as those imposedupon all mass media. <strong>Student</strong> material advocating violation of school rules may be prohibited when, in the reasonable judgment of theprincipal, substantial disruption of normal school operations would likely result. <strong>Student</strong> material attacking any individual or group on the basis of gender, race, creed, ethnicity or religion isprohibited. Material encouraging actions that endanger the health or safety of students is prohibited. Libel is prohibited. As regards school officials, libelous material is that which contains defamatory falsehoods madewith knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard of their truth. Reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions may be placed on the posting and distribution of material. Postingand distribution of material may be prohibited when, in the judgment of the principal, substantial disruption of schooloperations would likely result.Material (other than official school publications such as yearbook, newspaper and/or literary magazine sponsored by ateacher designated by the principal) that is intended for posting or distribution on school premises shall be subject to the50
viewpoint-neutral limitations described in Policy FNAA (LEGAL) and FNAA (Local), including but not limited to thefollowing: All nonschool literature intended for distribution by students on school campuses or other district premisesunder this policy shall be submitted to the principal or designee for prior review. Materials shall include the name of the student or organization sponsoring the distribution. The principal or designee shall approve or reject submitted materials within two school days of the time thematerials were received. The principal shall designate times, locations, and means by which nonschoolliterature may be made available or distributed by students to students or others at the principal’s campus. The Superintendent shall designate times, locations, and means for distribution of nonschool literature bystudents at district facilities other than school campuses, in accordance with this policy. Decisions made by the administration in accordance with this policy may be appealed in accordance withFNG(LOCAL).51
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