GLOVERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL POLICIES
ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS
Students are considered late if they are not seated in their first class and ready to go at 7:50 a.m. A scholar who arrives after their class after 7:50 a.m. must sign in, in the attendance office. A parent may write an excuse, but it has to be for a legal reason. Examples of legal excuses are below. If there is not a legal excuse for the tardiness, the scholar tardy will be considered unexcused and the following steps will apply:
1-3 Unexcused Tardies = Warning
4-14 Unexcused Tardies = Lunch Detention
15-20 Unexcused Tardies = : ½ Day ISS
21+ Unexcused Tardies = Full Day ISS
Arriving to class on time at the start of school is an essential life skill that will only benefit your child after High School. If a scholar is excused by a parent/guardian 5 times in a school year, a conference with the school will be requested.
Legal excuses are considered (but not limited to) the following:
Illness
Illness or death in the family
Unsafe travel conditions
Religious observance
Medical appointments
Quarantine
Required court appearances
Participation in a school/educational activity
College visits
Approved cooperative work programs
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
The aforementioned legal excuses will also be accepted as legal absences from school. However, if the school received 5 legal absences from a [parent or guardian a conference will be requested.
Your child is considered chronically absent from school if they miss more than 10% of a school year. (example, 180 days of school, absent 18 days = chronically absent) NYSED considered any absence from school (excused or unexcused) cumulativelytowards the designation of chronically absent.
The school will send letters when your child is absent from school 10 times, 15 times, and 20 times. Please note that it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to excuse such absence or tardiness. Parents/guardians shall provide a written excuse within five (5) school days that shall include the following: date of the absence, tardiness, or early departure and reason for such.
Administrative discretion will apply to all circumstances. It is our goal to treat each case as unique, but it is also our goal to place the Gloversville Enlarged School District in Good Standing under the Federal Every Student Success Act (ESSA)
Students who are classified as Seniors will apply for the privilege to leave for lunch, or be dismissed early from school. ALL STUDENTS are expected to be here at 7:50 am.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD
No pupil shall be eligible for a perfect attendance award who has been absent for a full half-day or more, except under the following conditions:
The pupil was legally absent to observe a religious holiday or service.
The student was legally absent because the bus could not transport due to impassable roads.
The student was legally released from school but had been in attendance for three (3) hours of the school day.
Perfect attendance will not be considered for any student illegally absent or truant for any part of the school day, regardless of how long he/she is in actual attendance.
Perfect attendance will not be considered for any student who has illegal tardiness.
Students are required to remain in attendance at school until the last day of the session in the school year in which the child becomes 16 years of age. Children 16 years of age who are not employed are required to remain in attendance until the last day of the session in the school year in which the student becomes 17 years of age.
AUTOMOBILES, UNLOADING, PARKING, AND SPEED LIMITS
The area in front of the school should not be used to pick up and/or discharge passengers. Student parking at the high school is a privilege, not a right. Each student who plans to drive an automobile to school must register the vehicle to be parked on school property with the main office. When the vehicle is registered, the student will be provided a parking sticker that must be displayed on the rear side window on the driver’s side of the car. During school hours, pupils are to park in the designated areas only! Cars parked in other than the student parking lot during school hours are subject to being towed away at the owner’s expense.
Vehicles should be locked to deter thefts and vandalism. The school is not responsible for the vehicle or its contents. Driving and parking vehicles on school property are done at the driver’s own risk. Those who abuse their school parking privilege by not adhering to the procedures outlined above or who drive in a reckless manner (including speeding) while on school property will lose their privilege of parking on school grounds for a minimum of 20 school days on the first offense and a longer period of time for subsequent offenses. Our Board of Education has established 15 miles per hour as the legal speed limit at the high school.
Students are not to return to their vehicles until they are leaving school grounds for the day. At no time are students to sit in their automobiles during the school day. Students are allowed in the parking lot only when arriving at school or leaving school. Students who leave the building without permission during the day to go to cars in the parking lot will be considered leaving school without permission and will be assigned In-School Suspension for the first offense and additional days of In-School Suspension and Out-of-School Suspension for subsequent offenses.
AUTOMOBILES DRIVING TO THE CAREER EDUCATION CENTER
All students attending classes at the Career Education Center must use the Gloversville Enlarged School District bus transportation provided to go to the Career Education Center unless they have written parental permission and permission from the Career Education Center and the High School to do otherwise.
Permission to drive to the Career Education Center under special circumstances when necessary will be granted when the Career Education Center form, including all necessary signatures, has been completed. These forms are available at the Career Education Center. Anyone who has permission to drive to the Career Education Center is not permitted to transport other students.
If a student misses the Career Education bus, he/she must report to the Main Office. In such a situation, a student should not drive to the Career Education Center on his/her own.
Students who do not adhere to these procedures will receive a one-day suspension. Subsequent offenses will result in a loss of the Career Education Center driving privileges for a minimum of 30 days and additional days of suspension.
CAFETERIA
The lunch period is determined by a student’s schedule. Students must report to a cafeteria and remain in that cafeteria during their assigned lunch period. Students may either bring lunch or buy it in the cafeteria. Students who buy their lunch at school have a choice of a full lunch or a la Carte choices. Students who bring their lunch may also purchase other food items. While in the cafeteria, students should not run, push, or act in an otherwise disruptive manner.
Students who do not adhere to the rules listed above will be assigned to three days of Silent Lunch for the first offense and an increased number of days of Silent Lunch or in-school suspension for repeated offenses. When assigned to Silent Lunch, a student must report to the In-School Suspension Room at the beginning of his/her assigned lunch period and will be required to eat lunch in that room. Students who fail to report to Silent Lunch when assigned will be assigned three Silent Lunches for the first cut, five Silent Lunches for the second cut, and in-school suspension for each subsequent cut.
CHEATING, PLAGIARISM, AND FRAUD
Cheating/Plagiarism/Fraud are serious offenses. They include the use of unfair means to pass an examination, term paper, project, etc., giving aid to or obtaining aid from another person during an examination, and/or intentional misrepresentation of information and/or reported results.
A student found to be guilty of cheating on a test or exam shall have his/her examination paper confiscated and his/her exam canceled. In the case of cheating on a Regents exam, the student will be excluded from any subsequent state examinations until such time as the student has demonstrated by exemplary conduct and citizenship, to the satisfaction of the principal that he/she is entitled to restoration of the privilege.
Cheating on homework papers, quizzes, tests, and local final examinations will result in a grade of ‘zero’ being given for that particular piece of work. This grade may not be made up.
Plagiarism is defined as stealing and passing off the ideas or words of another as one’s own, that is, without crediting the source. Proven acts of plagiarism receive a grade of “zero” on the paper or project. Any proven act of cheating, plagiarism, fraud, etc. shall result in the removal from and/or non-consideration for membership in the National Honor Society.
CLASS PLACEMENT
The following criteria for class placement have been established for class placement grades 10-12:
To be considered in the tenth-grade class: 5.5 units are required.
To be considered in the eleventh-grade class: 11.0 credits are required.
To be considered in the twelfth-grade class: the student must have a schedule of courses/classes which would allow him/her to graduate that June.
CLASS/COURSE CHANGES
Students are encouraged to plan courses or class selection carefully. Any changes to the student’s schedule, such as adding or dropping a class, should be made before the start of classes for that semester. After that time, any request to change a schedule must be made in writing and go to an Academic Advisory Committee for consideration. The decision of the Academic Advisory Committee is final.
CLASSROOM CUTTING AND TRUANCY
Truancy is defined as absence from school without authorization of a teacher or administrator and without parental consent. The school will notify parents each time a student is truant or cuts a class. A detention will be assigned for each class missed because of truancy or cutting. An increasing number of detentions will be assigned each time a student is truant or cuts a class.
COMPUTER USE IN SCHOOL
The Board of Education recognizes that students must become frequent and proficient users of the technology necessary for 21st-century work and communication. To that end, the Board encourages prudent and appropriate use of the Internet or other electronic information networks in order for students and staff to participate in distance learning activities, to ask questions of and consult with experts, to communicate with others, and to locate material to meet educational and developmental needs.
Students will be provided a copy of the Gloversville Enlarged School District’s Technology Policy and must return the signed permission forms associated with that policy prior to being granted network/Internet access.
DETENTIONS
Students may be assigned teacher detentions or school detentions. Teacher detentions are assigned by a teacher and are served with that teacher. School detentions are assigned by the Principal, Assistant Principal or a Dean and are served either in the morning or afternoon in a designated room. Morning school detentions are held from 7:00 a.m. until 7:46 and afternoon detentions are held from 2:25 p.m. until 3:20 p.m. or later if necessary or required.
Students assigned school detentions will bring work to do during the detention, as they will be expected to remain in their assigned seat and not talk or create any type of distraction while in detention.
Students who arrive late to school detention (5 minutes or less) will be allowed to remain in the detention but will be assigned additional school detention. Repeated offenses will result in additional school detentions or in-school suspension. Students who are more than 5 minutes late for school detention will not be admitted to the detention and will be considered as having cut the detention.
Students who fail to report to assigned teacher detention will be assigned two school detentions for the first offense and an increasing number of school detentions or in-school suspension for subsequent offenses. Students who have been assigned to In-School Suspension must report after the In-School Suspension to the detention room and stay until 3:25 p.m. Students who do not remain for the detention after In-School Suspension will be assigned additional periods of In-School Suspension.
Students who fail to report to assigned school detention will be required to make up the detention and will be assigned two (2) additional school detentions for the first offense, 4 additional school detentions for the second offense, and one day of in-school suspension for each subsequent offense.
Students who talk or are otherwise disruptive while in-school detention will be required to make up the detention and will be assigned one day of in-school suspension.
DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION OF SCHOOL/PRIVATE PROPERTY
A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause damage to school property. Additionally, they shall not steal, or attempt to steal, school property, including textbooks and other curricular related materials, school-owned furniture, machinery, tools and equipment, and other property owned by the school district. This includes the intentional destruction of computer data or programs and the unauthorized use of a computer. A student shall not intentionally cause or attempt to cause damage to private property, either on the school grounds or during a school activity, function or event off school grounds. Students who damage property including their school lockers are responsible for paying for the damage.
Any student being in unauthorized possession of school or another person’s property will receive a three (3) day out-of-school suspension. In addition, the student will be required to return the property or make restitution, and the student may be referred to other authorities for further disciplinary action.
Any student caught vandalizing, defacing school or personal property or otherwise making a mess of our school or the lockers shall be disciplined in the following manner:
Students must replace, pick up or remove any litter, writing, etc. In cases that require work by school employees, such as repairing broken glass, students will be charged for both materials and labor.
Students may be suspended for a minimum of one day of in-school suspension.
A letter will be sent home to parents informing them of the incident and of labor and material charges if any.
Any student who intentionally destroys school or private property will be suspended out-of-school for a minimum of three days, will make restitution and may be referred to other authorities for further disciplinary actions.
DISCRIMINATION
Per federal, state and local laws, no student is discriminated against because of race, sex, marital status, color, religion, handicap, national origin or disability in any phase of public education at Gloversville High School. The Gloversville Enlarged School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities.
DRESS
Students have the right to determine their patterns of dress and grooming as they deem proper, provided that such dress and grooming does not interfere with the health and safety of others, and do not interfere with the positive educational process of the school. Students’ patterns of dress and grooming should not interfere with the health, safety, and welfare of themselves and others or with the positive educational process of the school. Students should not wear:
Hats
Tank tops, halter/tube tops
Clothing in “uniform colors” or with symbolism and/or insignias which suggest illicit behavior, gang affiliation, harassment or abuse.
Spiked jewelry, belts, bands or collars; clothing or accessories (except fine jewelry) with chains longer than 12 inches.
Clothing that reveals undergarments or that can be seen through.
Clothing, accessories, or jewelry which contain obscene, vulgar or offensive language or symbols, provocative pictures or advertisements of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or any illegal drug or other prohibited substance or which are sexually suggestive or abusive.
DRUG, ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Gloversville High School and Gloversville High School property has been declared a Drug Free Zone. No student may use, possess, sell or distribute alcohol or other controlled substances, nor may any student use or possess drug paraphernalia on school grounds or at school-sponsored events, except drugs as prescribed by a physician.
The terms “alcohol and other controlled substances” shall refer to the use of all substances including, but not limited to alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, look-a-likes. This also includes any of those substances commonly referred to as “designer drugs,” and other controlled substances as defined in the New York Penal Law, or substances purported to be a controlled substance or drug-related. The inappropriate use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs shall also be prohibited. Students should be aware that the New York State Penal Law defines as a felony the criminal sale of drugs within any school building, school grounds, or within 1,000 feet to the real property line comprising such school district (Drug-Free School Zone).
Violations will result in a 5-day out-of-school suspension and a recommendation to the Superintendent of Schools for a longer term of suspension. Students should remember that lockers are district property and will be subject to random searches.
EARLY DISMISSALS
Doctor appointments, family trips, motor vehicle tests, etc., should generally be scheduled after school hours. If a student must miss part of the school day, a request for early dismissal must be submitted in writing from the parent or guardian to the Attendance Office. After verification with the parent or guardian, the request will be approved or denied. In cases of extenuating circumstances, those situations will be evaluated on an individual case-by-case basis.
If a student feels he/she must be dismissed from school due to illness, he/she must report to the Health/Attendance office. The school nurse will determine if a student should be dismissed. This procedure must be followed regardless of the time a student arrives at school – even if he/she arrives before the school day has started at 7:50 a.m.
In the interest of student safety and well being, students who must be dismissed because of illness or injury will not be permitted to walk home or go home alone in a taxi. Whenever a student is dismissed and for whatever reason, he/she must be dismissed, the student must obtain a dismissal permit from the Health/Attendance office and sign out of school. Students who leave school during the day without school permission or who do not follow the procedure for early dismissals will be suspended.
It should be noted that any classes missed will be considered as class cut and will be handled accordingly. Students with early dismissal should leave Gloversville High School immediately upon dismissal.
EARLY DISMISSAL (PERMANENT)
Early dismissal is a privilege. Only seniors with enough scheduled credits to graduate and who have a job requiring their dismissal from school will be permitted to leave school during the last period of the day. These students must also be in good academic standing and be scheduled for a study hall as their last class. Students meeting these criteria should see their school counselor for the necessary forms to be filled out by both their parents and employer. Unless an emergency exists, babysitting is not considered a full-time job. If a student with early dismissal is failing one or more subjects at the five-week Interim Report or the Report Card or if a student abuses the privilege, the early dismissal will be rescinded until the issuance of the next report card. If at that time the student is not failing any course, the dismissal privilege can be reinstated. Early dismissal is granted for only one semester. A student must apply each semester of the senior year.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Any size radio, tape players, compact disc players, MP3 players, Ipods, equipment are not allowed in school. In addition, electronic games, paging devices, cellular phones, scanners, CB radios and walk-talkie/two-way radios are also not allowed in school the school building.
ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC/INTRAMURAL ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
The goal of the Gloversville Enlarged School District Academic Policy is to encourage students to maintain an acceptable level of academic achievement.
ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
Tier 1 – Warning – Any student failing one (1) class at the end of each progress reporting period and report card period will receive a warning. Students must attend after school remediation until 3:15 PM. Students can practice and play in all games/contest.
Tier 2 – Academic Probation – Any student failing two (2) classes at the end of each progress reporting period and report card period will be placed on Academic Probation. Students must attend after school remediation until 3:15 PM. Students are allowed to practice but cannot play in any games/meets.
Tier 3 – Academic Suspension – Any student failing three (3) or more classes will be placed on Academic Suspension. Students must attend after school remediation until 3:15 PM. Students will remain members of a team/club but are suspended from all extra-curricular activities.
After school Remediation — Students must attend after school remediation four (4) times per week (Day 1 is the first day that starts each school week). The only exception to this is when a student needs to take school district transportation to an away game/meet.
Students that are in Tiers 1, 2 or 3 will have their academic progress checked at the end of each week that falls in-between the progress and report card periods. At the end of each week, students can move from one tier to another, either up or down. However, a student will always stay at the warning level (Tier 1) requiring after school remediation until the interim report (5 weeks) or report card (10 weeks) period.
Students who are failing the same course during two (2) consecutive marking periods (interim or report card) will automatically move to Tier 2.
FIGHTING
The use of physical force by students is disruptive to the school and dangerous for participants. Fighting is prohibited. All students involved will be suspended from school for at least three (3) days. In cases of a minor nature, an in-school suspension may be assigned instead of out-of-school suspension. A parent conference will be required for re-entry into school. In cases of a serious nature or repeated offenses, a superintendent’s hearing will be held to consider more severe disciplinary action. A student guilty of harassment or other provocative actions leading to a fight will receive an in-school suspension for a minimum of two (2) days.
GAMBLING
Card playing or gambling is not allowed on school property at any time.
HALL PROCEDURES AND LOCKERS
Pupils should take all the items needed for their classes from their lockers before school.
Pupils should return to lockers immediately before lunch to deposit materials.
Pupils should take all items needed for afternoon periods at the end of the lunch period.
Lockers should generally remain closed and locked at all other times until dismissal. Under no circumstance should students give their locker combination to another student.
Beepers, pagers, radios of any size, and tape players are not allowed in school. The reason for this rule is to prevent distractions and theft.
Students should not store items of value in their lockers. Student books, lockers, desks and other school property, when available, are furnished and maintained by the school district and will remain the property of the school district. As such, the district reserves the right to inspect this property upon reasonable cause and pursuant to law.
Lockers should not be defaced with writing or other forms of graffiti. (See Damage or Destruction of School/Private Property).
All lockers in the gymnasiums and hallways must be emptied of all content by the last day of regularly scheduled classes before final examinations. After that time school district personnel will empty and dispose any items left in the lockers.
If you locker does not close or lock properly you must notify the attendance office immediately. The school is not responsible for damaged or stolen property.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
The Board of Education of the Gloversville Enlarged School District recognizes there is a multitude of worthwhile educational experiences and opportunities for learning which exist outside the framework of the regular program of classroom instruction. The Independent Study Program at Gloversville High School is designed to broaden the scope of the student’s learning opportunities. This Independent Study Program provides for the fact that students are academically talented, students are highly creative, and students have interests that are not included in the present curriculum. This educational experience is developed by a student and a mentor in accordance with the student’s individual interests and aptitude.
The Independent Study Program is intended as an enrichment and elective credit program. As such, independent study programs will be approved for areas of learning which extend beyond the regular program of instruction.
LIBRARY USAGE
The library in Gloversville High School houses a fine collection of books, magazines, computers and other reference materials.. They are there for the use of our students. The library will be open from 7:45 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. It will function as a library, not as a study hall – a place to read and use reference materials in a quiet surrounding.
All students using the library during the school day must have a pass unless accompanied by a teacher. It is not necessary to have a pass when using the library either before or after school.
Students electing to go to the library must remain for the entire period. Leaving the library to wander is not permitted.
Talking and socializing is not permitted in the library.
Students wishing to use the conference room in the library should check with the librarian prior to entering.
Computer use in the library follows school district policy
All questions pertaining to library reference, circulation or materials should be directed to the librarian or library aide.
Students are not to do homework that could otherwise be done in study halls while in the library.
Students should return all materials at the close of the period. This includes returning magazines and newspapers to their assigned places.
Students are asked to seat themselves after obtaining selected reading or reference materials.
The number of students who may leave study halls for the library may be limited based on the library’s use.
All students are encouraged to use this facility but at the same time are asked to be considerate of other students while doing so.
LOST BOOKS
The textbook registration card is filled out when textbooks are first issued. This card contains the following information: Title of book, condition of book, and the student’s signature.
A book, once issued, becomes the responsibility of the student. If the book is lost or damaged, the student’s textbook registration card is sent to the office. Students and parents will receive a bill from the school district requesting payment for all lost and/or damaged books.
PASSES
Students are not allowed in the halls during class periods without a properly signed pass. Passes must be signed by main office personnel, a teacher, or a school counselor. Proper signatures are the student’s responsibility. The misuse of a pass will result in detentions and pass restriction for a specific period of time. All students at GHS carry an Agenda/Planner and all hall passes are in the planner.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NCAA) ELIGIBILITY
A student should apply for certification by the NCAA before graduation if he/she is sure that he/she wishes to participate in athletics as a freshman in college. The Clearinghouse will issue a preliminary certification report when the student has submitted all materials. When a college requests the student information, the Clearinghouse will review the final transcript and make a final certification decision according to NCAA standards.
To be certified by the Clearinghouse, a student must:
Graduate from high school;
Earn a grade-point average of at least 2.00;
Earn a sum of scores of at least 68 on the ACT or a combined scale of at least 820 on the recentered SAT on a national test date; and
The student’s counselor has information regarding the NCAA procedures.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION POLICIES
A letter grade is to be used for each quarter. Students who are unprepared and do not participate must make up one class for each missed class prior to the end of the quarter. Students who are suspended from school must make up all classes missed.
PE grading will count for Honor Roll, Principal’s List, and Grade Point Average (GPA).
Medical certificates of limitation are required from a doctor whenever any physical impairment prohibits participation in the full range of PE activities. Medical certificates of limitation are available from the nurse.
Short-term medical excuses may range form one day to a few weeks. Excuses signed by a parent are accepted for a one-day. If an excuse exceeds a one-day, a doctor’s appointment and a doctor’s excuse are recommended. These classes must be made up or a written two-page report for each week is required. For long term medical excuses, which exceed a one-week absence, written reports are assigned. A two-page report per week is required. Students will be assigned to a study hall. For example, a 10-week medical excuse would require 20 pages. Arrangements and topics etc. should be discussed with the instructor.
No student may take more than two classes during any 10-week period. Students deficient in credits can make up classes in summer school.
PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES
The goal of pupil personnel services is to assist each student in gaining the maximum benefit from his/her educational opportunities. To this end, academic, career-planning and personal counseling are available.
Students are assigned to a school counselor by alphabetical order (Mrs. Jennifer Poe-Fauger, A-G; Mr. Duilio Viscusi, H-O; and Mrs. Sheila Autilio, P-Z). Students may see their counselor before or after school or during a study hall with a pre-signed pass.
Parents may call the Career Counseling Center at 735-0671, ext. 124 to arrange an appointment with a counselor, to arrange a parent/teacher conference, or request homework when a student is absent. Students, faculty, and parents are encouraged to make full use of pupil personnel services.
REQUEST FOR A CHANGE OF TEACHER
Requests for a change of teacher will not be honored during the school year. Only the building principal may make an exception.
SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM
Our school health not only provides immediate care of students who become ill or injured at school, but also offers these services:
Annual screening of hearing and vision;
Health and safety education; and
Health counseling with students, parents, and when appropriate, with teachers and community agencies
Before October 1 of every school year, all sophomores should be examined by their family physician and have the results reported to the school on forms available at the health office. Students who do not present this form signed by their family physician will have a medical appraisal by our school physician. Health conditions that require more complete diagnosis will be referred to your parents.
Medical excuses from physical education on a daily basis may be obtained from the school nurse before homeroom. Such excuses are for participation, not attendance. Students are expected to be in attendance in physical education class as scheduled. A long term modification in the physical education program requires a special form to be completed by a physician. This medical modification of the physical education program and the requirements the student must meet to the physical education class must be discussed with the student’s teacher.
Physical examinations are also a requirement of all interscholastic athletic activity.
No medicine may be dispensed to students during the school day without the completion of all forms required by the Board of Education Policy #5420. All forms and information may be obtained from the nurse.
MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
Each year some parents are faced with the problem of what to do when their child needs to take medication during school hours. There are circumstances when a child must take medication in school. The school nurse and health aide, are willing to work with the parent/guardian and doctor to insure the medication is given properly.
This is not permitted without written doctor’s orders and written permission from a parent or guardian. School forms are available for this specific purpose. Certain doctors have their own forms, which makes it critical that the doctor’s orders match the pharmacy label on the bottle. If the medication is to be given both at school and home, ask the pharmacist to prepare a separate bottle for each location. An adult should deliver the medication to the school and if the child is bused, please give the medication to the bus driver. The medication will not be sent home with your child. All medications remain in the health office. Any medication that can be given at home should not come to school unless the doctor feels that it is absolutely necessary.
The doctor’s order must state the time that the medication is to be given during school hours.
Cough drops, cough syrup, throat lozenges, Tylenol, skin cream, or any other “over the counter” medications are NOT allowed in school. If the doctor feels one of these preparations are necessary, written orders and written parental/guardian permission must be submitted.
This policy is to help insure the health and safety of our students. Thank you for your cooperation in this very important matter.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
Gloversville is proud of its high standard of student conduct. We encourage the mutual respect of students toward one another and toward the school in general. The academic programs, interscholastic athletics, school activities, and alternative programs exist to assist students in fulfilling their potential.
For various reasons, young people do not always respect their authority or upset a class by their actions, they are preventing the learning of others. Conduct of this nature is not appropriate for school. For such instances the following general procedures are suggested:
A conference with student, teacher, and parent is advisable. Frequently, a phone conversation will solve the difficulty by keeping all parties clearly informed. The student, the teacher, or the parent can initiate this decision.
The school counselor should be consulted when the student-teacher-parent contact does not bring satisfactory results. Again, any of the three involved persons can initiate the counselor’s involvement.
In more serious instances, a Dean of Students, the Assistant Principal, or Principal should be consulted. At this stage, the process is generally more disciplinary in nature. Detention, in-school or out-of-school suspension, and even legal proceedings are sometimes used at this level to insure appropriate behavior. Students, parents, and teachers may also initiate action at this point.
SNOWBALL THROWING
Throwing snowballs is very dangerous to individuals and property and is thus not permitted on school property. Students who throw snowballs on school property will be assigned one detention for the first offense and additional detentions or in-school suspension for repeat offenses. Students who throw snowballs at cars, school buses, or transit buses will receive one day of in-school suspension for the first offense and three days of out-of-school suspension for subsequent offenses.
SMOKING
Scientific researchers have established the direct relationship between smoking and health. People who continue to smoke in light of this overwhelming evidence are severely limiting their own health and the health of others who inhale their extraneous smoke.
The display, possession, or use of tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, or other smoking material is prohibited on school property.
Students who smoke or display smoking materials at school will be dealt with in the following manner:
A. First Offense: The student will be assigned one day of out-of-school suspension or be offered a smoking cessation clinic. Parents will be notified of the infraction and a parental conference will be arranged.
B. Second Offense: The student will be assigned three days of out-of- school suspension. Parents will be notified of the infraction and a parental conference will be arranged before the student can return to classes.
C. Third Offense: The student will be assigned five days of out-of-school suspension. Parents will be notified of the infraction and a parental conference will be arranged before the student can return to classes.
D. Future Offense: The student will be suspended for five days and referred to the Superintendent of Schools for a hearing to consider more severe disciplinary action. Parents will be notified and a parent conference will be arranged before the student can return to classes. A student who verbally aids or abets a smoker will be assigned detention.
SUMMER SCHOOL
GHS offers secondary summer instruction in a variety of subjects. Make-up courses are available in English, social studies, math, science, business, and physical education. Students who are absent from their fourth quarter final exam are not eligible for summer school. Students who do not complete the lab requirements for their science courses are not eligible for summer school as there are no lab sections offered.
SUSPENSION
The suspension of a student is used for serious of continuing misbehavior. Suspension temporarily removes a student from the school or from his/her normal class routine for one to five days.
Two types of suspension are used: “in-school” and “out-of school.” In-school suspensions (ISS) are used most often. They require school attendance and school work but restrict the student to one supervised room where talking is strictly prohibited. Students in ISS are expected to remain for detention after school until 3:25 PM. Students who do not remain until this time will be assigned additional periods of ISS. Classroom misbehavior that disrupts the education of others, for example, may result in a detention or in-school suspension.
Students who blatantly swear or use vulgar language in school will be assigned detention or ISS if using such language was overheard.
Refusing to give a name to any staff member is insubordinate and will result in ISS.
Students who refuse to serve ISS or who leave the in-school room without permission will be assigned three days of out-of-school suspension and will be required to make-up the assigned number of days of in-school suspension upon their return to school.
A student who is absent on a day that he/she is assigned ISS must serve the assigned ISS time upon his/her return to school before returning to class. A student who is late to school on a day that he/she is assigned ISS must report to the In-School Suspension Room immediately after signing in at the Attendance Office. The assigned ISS time missed because of tardiness must be made up before returning to class. Students who fail to report to the In-School Suspension Room upon returning from an absence or when arriving to school late, will receive and additional day of ISS for the first offense, two additional days for the second offense, and Out-of-School Suspension for subsequent offenses.
Students who are uncooperative or otherwise disruptive in the In-School Suspension Room may have their suspension lengthened or receive an Out-of School Suspension. When receiving an Out-of-School Suspension for uncooperative and/or disruptive behavior while in In-School Suspension, a student must complete the In-School Suspension upon returning to school.
Out-of-School Suspensions are used when necessary. Insubordinate or disruptive behavior which endangers oneself or others will not be tolerated in the school setting and will result in Out-of-School Suspension. Students who have been given Out-of-School Suspension are subject to arrest for trespassing if they enter any school district property during their period of suspension. In extreme cases, suspensions for more than five (5) days may be administered by the Superintendent of Schools. In all cases of suspension, student due process rights are heeded; students are given the opportunity to present their explanation(s).
Long-Term Suspension (more than 5 days) from school may be warranted for a suspension for a disciplinary action. Notice will be given to the student and the student’s parents of their right to a fair hearing. At the hearing the student shall have the right to be represented by counsel, the right to question witnesses against him or her, and the right to present witness, as well as, evidence on their behalf. After the formal procedure of the Superintendent’s hearing, the superintendent will make the decision as to an extended period of suspension.
Any student who swears at or directs obscene or indecent language/gestures at a staff member will receive a five day Out-of-School Suspension. In addition, the student may be referred to other authorities for further disciplinary action.
Students who expose sensitive body parts of themselves or others by pulling down pants or shorts or pulling up a female’s blouse will receive a five day Out-of-School Suspension. In addition, a student who intentionally grabs or touches the buttocks, breast, or genital area of another student will receive a five day Out-of-School Suspension.
Students who intentionally enter a bathroom designated for the opposite gender will receive an Out-of-School Suspension; three (3) days for the first offense and five (5) days for the second.
TEACHER REMOVAL OF DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS
In accordance with the Gloversville Enlarged School District ‘s Code of Conduct, the following explains teacher removal of substantially disruptive students from classrooms. A student’s behavior can affect a teacher’s ability to teach and can make it difficult for other students in the classroom to learn. In most instances the classroom teacher can control a student’s behavior and maintain or restore control over the classroom by using good classroom management techniques. These techniques may include practices that involve the teacher directing a student to briefly leave the classroom to give the student an opportunity to regain his/her composure and self-control in an alternative setting. Such practices may include, but are not limited to:
short-term “time out” in an elementary classroom or in an administrator’s office;
sending a student into the hallway briefly;
sending a student to the principal’s office or dean’s office for the remainder of the class time only;sending a student to a school counselor or other district staff member for counseling.Time-honored classroom management techniques such as these do not constitute disciplinary removals for purposes of the Code of Conduct adopted by the Board of Education.
On occasion, a student’s behavior may become disruptive. For purposes of the Code of Conduct, a disruptive student is a student who is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom. A substantial disruption of the educational process or substantial interference with a teacher’s authority occurs when a student demonstrates a persistent unwillingness to comply with the teacher’s instructions or repeatedly violates the teacher’s classroom behavior rules.
A classroom teacher may remove a disruptive student from class for up to two days. The removal from class applies to the class of the removing teacher only.
If the disruptive student does not pose a danger or ongoing threat of disruption to the academic process, the teacher must provide the student with an explanation for why he or she is being removed. The student is also allowed an opportunity to explain his or her version of the relevant events before being removed. Only after the informal discussion may a teacher remove a student from class.
If the student poses a danger or ongoing threat of disruption, the teacher may order the student to be removed immediately. The teacher must, however, explain to the student why he or she was removed from the classroom and give the student a chance to present his or her version of the relevant events within 24 hours.
The teacher must complete a district-established disciplinary removal form and meet with the principal his or her designee as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the school day, to explain the circumstances of the removal and to present the removal form. If the principal of or designee is not available by the end of the same school day, the teacher must leave the form with the secretary and meet with the principal or designee prior to the beginning of classes on the next school day.
Within 24 hours after the student’s removal, the principal or another district administrator designated by the principal must notify the student’s parents, in writing, that the student has been removed from class and why. The notice must also inform the parent that he or she has the right, upon request, to meet informally with the principal or the principal’s designee to discuss the reasons for the removal.
The written notice must be provided by personal delivery express mail delivery, or some other means that is reasonably calculated to assure receipt of the notice within 24 hours of the student’s removal at the last known address for the parents. Where possible, notice should also be provided by telephone of the school has been provided with a telephone number(s) for the purpose of contacting the parent.
The principal may require the teacher who ordered the removal to attend the informal conference.
If at the informal meeting the student denies the charges, the principal or the principal’s designee must explain why the student was removed and give the student and the student’s parents a chance to present the student’s version of the relevant events. The informal meeting must be held within 48 hours of the student’s removal. The timing of the informal meeting may be extended by mutual agreement of the parent and principal.
The principal or the principal’s designee may overturn the removal of the student from class if the principal finds any one of the following:
The charges against the student are not supported by substantial evidence.
The student’s removal is otherwise in violation of the law, including the district’s Code of Conduct.
The conduct warrant suspension from school pursuant to Education Law 3214 and a suspension will be imposed.
The principal or his designee may overturn a removal at any point between receiving the referral form issued by the teacher and the close of business on the day following the 48-hour period for the informal conference, if a conference is requested. No student removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher will be permitted to return to the classroom until the principal makes the final determination, or the period of removal expires, whichever is less.
Any disruptive student removed from the classroom by the classroom teacher shall be offered continued educational programming and activities until he or she is permitted to return to the classroom. That means that the teacher must provide lesson plans and instructional materials to the staff supervising the student removed from the class.
Each teacher must keep a complete log (on a district provided form) for all cases of removal of students from his or her class. The principal must keep a log of all removals of students from class.
Removal of a student with a disability, under certain circumstances, may constitute a change in the student’s placement. Accordingly, no teacher may remove a student with a disability from his or her class until he or she has verified with the principal of the chairperson of the Committee on Special Education that the removal will not violate the student’s rights under state or federal law or regulation.
Any student who repeatedly is substantially disruptive of the education process or substantially repeatedly interferes with the teacher’s authority over the classroom will be suspended from school for at least five days. For purposes of this Code of Conduct, “repeatedly is substantially disruptive” means engaging in conduct that results in the student being removed from the classroom by the teacher(s) pursuant to the Education Law 32144 (3-a) and this code on four or more occasions during a semester. If the proposed penalty is the minimum five-day suspension, the student and the student’s parent will be given the same notice and opportunity for an informal conference given to all students subject to a short-term suspension. If the proposed penalty exceeds the minimum five-day suspension, the student and the student’s parents will be given the same notice and opportunity for a hearing given to all students subject to a long-term suspension. The superintendent has the authority to modify the minimum five-day suspension on a case-by-case basis. In deciding whether to modify the penalty, the superintendent may consider the same factors considered in modifying a one-year suspension for possessing a weapon.
THEFT AND WEAPONS
If for some reason a student believes someone has stolen personal property, they must report this matter to the main office as soon as possible. Complete identification or any information will be needed to help recover the items. The school district does not have insurance for personal property, so the insurance is to avoid bringing valuable to school. Padlocks are available for purchase in the main office for use on gym lockers.
WEAPONS POSSESSION
No student shall have in his or her possession upon any school premises any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, other firearm, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or any object that could be used as a weapon or is associated with weapons. Possession of these articles can result in an extended suspension from school.
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