GENERAL NOTES ABOUT 2006-2007

FHS STUDENT HANDBOOK REVISIONS

GOAL and ACTIONS– To make the book ever more user-friendly, visibly attractive and easy to find things, with precise and understandable language.

This is the ‘go-to’ reference book for staff and students. The book is, for the second year, available online.

There has been a general correction of typos / realignment etc. for appearance improvement as well as moving some sections around and a more thorough, cross-referenced table of contents..

A rationale for any content changes has been inserted in parentheses

following a description of the change.

Philosophy

Includes updated vision / mission/ belief statements and info from Strategic Planning and Accreditation For Growth. (So that we are all aware of our purpose and direction.)

After School Rules

Added section asking students to wait for rides in the cafeteria area when the office is closed. (For safety of student and to prevent damage / injury / theft.)

Alcohol,Drugs, Substances

Highlight and italics added to call attention to main category of the different section. (To increase ease of use)

Announcements

Some announcements will also be posted on the screen projections in the cafeteria. (A new acquisition to school – some PA announcements are missed – not heard…students are absent / away etc. or to give special emphasis to important information).

Attendance

--Excessive absenteeism will lead to disciplinary action. (We cannot teach a student who is not present in our school. Excessive absenteeism is one of the biggest disruptions to education process – failure to respond to it in a bold way hurts everyone else and sends a message that it does not ‘matter’ to us.)

--Removed the ‘one day per day of absence to make up missed work’. Will allow the teacher to arrange this with student depending on the type of work.

-- In the case of zero credit for illegal / unexcused absence …. One ‘grace’ opportunity (appeal) is given to a student if the parent responds explaining that the lack of a proper excuse was his/her fault --- This must be done within three days of the student’s being notified of the illegal absence. This opportunity may only be exercised once per year to prevent abuse. (The requirement to bring an excuse is an important one – since implementing some consequences last year there has been MUCH greater compliance with the rule).

--Other Absence From Class – May not go home sick without first consulting with and being released by nurse and office. ALSO Frequent problem of being in the halls without permission will result in loss of hall privileges. (School is responsible for knowing whereabouts of students – informing parents of problems, etc.)

--Attendance And Participation in Activities – A student may not be on district property if he/she has been placed in an Alternative Education program. (The whole idea of Alternative Education is to bring student to a level of behavior so that he/she may return to our facility. Until such time as that has been confirmed, however, there should be no confusion as to whether the student is under our care or not. Being in school sometimes

would foster confusion for everyone.

--College Visits There were two sections in the handbook that discussed this – the sections were consolidated. (To avoid repetition). Also reminds student to consult with teachers in advance of trip. (To ensure that student is aware of what will he/she will be missing).

Behavior Code

--From students must “know” to must “be informed of what kind of behavior is expected in the future”. (We cannot assume that a student will KNOW how to act).

--Teacher must establish and enforce consistent and justifiable behavioral limits, as well as general school rules, within the classroom. (So that school rules are not being broken with impunity within individual class settings).

In the Behavior ‘grid’: Added Inappropriate / Offensive materials in a project, presentation, etc.

Added Persistent insulting /intimidating behavior including bullying and cyber attacks to Level II (It is a frequent problem)

Also Restricted lunch/ hall/ assembly / extracurricular privileges to all levels of infraction possible consequences (To provide different and varied set of ‘tools’ to effect change in behavior).

Added as consequence to theft/ vandalism – Restitution for damages/loss (to help teach student to accept responsibility for action).

Minimum of 3 days OSS for fighting.

Added Up to 10 days OSS for Level IV infractions (so that when there are mitigating circumstances there is some leeway on the consequence).

Added Behavior Contract for Levels III and IV infractions.

Out of School Suspension *

Removed the following Appeal Procedure

If a parent or guardian feels that the disciplinary action taken is inappropriate he/she must call the administration within 24 hours to arrange a teacher/administrative conference (which must occur within three days of the notification of disciplinary action). Disciplinary action will be withheld pending the results of the appeal. (This is not part of FSD Policy).

Cafeteria Rules

Bottled water exemption noted as acceptable out of the cafeteria

Addition of possibility of additional consequences for creating a disturbance during lunch

Exception to leaving the cafeteria noted (if student has a pass)

Cheating / Plagiarism * Reworked the consequences section. For a first case of plagiarism we went from requiring that they redo the project (but still giving zero credit) to instituting an incentive of half-credit for them to salvage the points but also learn something via the experience. (Note: Previously many students would NOT redo the assignment). Zero credit for cheating still assures that students will understand the possible negative impact committing this infraction will have on their grade.

A second offense for plagiarism has no option for recovering lost points.

Computers

Added this section:

“Computers exist for students and employees to fulfill their school responsibilities. They represent a major investment by the school district and they should be treated with the utmost care by all users. Any intentional damage to computers and peripheral devices will be punished.” (Also see the Technology section). (This is a frequent problem – we want the students to understand that when they break something on a computer it may affect many other students’ ability to have access to a computer).

Dress Code

Added phrase about proper hygiene.

Added no “see-through tops”.

Added that no large chains or spiked jewelry may be worn. (These can be used to injure someone).

Added “while standing straight” in section about skirts (To get accurate skirt length measure).

Driving/Parking

$20 FEE PER YEAR FOR A PARKING PERMIT. – Prorated amount for portions of the year. (To fairly accommodate those students who acquire a vehicle and/or their license later in the year).

Electronic Devices Inserted a clarification of when this rule is in effect – between 7:30 a.m. and 2:13 p.m. (To avoid problems with teachers and students not understanding when they could use their devices and when not).

Final Exams Added the possibility of a final project instead of an examination. There is no need for the student to “apply” for an exemption from the finals…if he/she has the A for all of the four grading periods he/she is automatically exempt. Added the statement: Final exams represent 1/9 of the course grade.

Grades Reorganized this info to improve flow and understanding. Moved some of the text that had been included incorrectly under the category Final Exams No meaning was changed except to increase from one to TWO the number of graded events per week.

Graduation Requirements

Removed a reference to a required “graduation portfolio”. There is only the remaining “graduation project”.

Changed the deadline for this project to the student’s senior year. (Not all students finish by their junior year – such as vo-tech students).

Changed the consequence of not finishing the project from a summer school makeup to “not graduating”.(There is no such summer school course.)

There is only one PSSA exam during the high school career – added that the student must score proficient or advanced on the exam or subsequently pass the remedial course to be able to graduate.

Guidance Department Added statement about assisting with post-secondary planning..

Hall Pass Added the sentence: Failure to be in possession of the pass will require that the student return to their class of origin. (To prevent ‘wandering’ during class – we try to keep the halls empty and free of distractions during classtime).

Student Council

Added an explanation about the conduct that is expected for student council members as leaders / role models for their school and the possibility for dismissal because of misconduct with regard to school rules. This is similar to that for National Honor Society.

“Students may be dismissed from the Student Council as per its bylaws for not maintaining high standards for behavior.

The executive officers will rule on dismissal. A student will have the opportunity to present his or her case to the council. A written notice of the decision of the council will be sent to the student and his or her parents.” (The Student Council has been working on establishing the process for dealing with members whose behavior is not acceptable.)

Website Changed address of website for FHS – we went from one company to another (EdLine).

SPORTS PROGRAM – ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Added the statement about the process for preparation of the weekly eligibility list for ECA participation.

Teachers are to turn in the names and grades of each of their students who is failing. These must be submitted to Mrs. Morell by Thursday at 2:50 p.m. every week. (To make certain that everyone understands how the process happens and what their responsibilities are in it).

* May require simultaneous revision of school policy.