Bolton Public Schools
Bolton High School
Student Handbook
2016-2017
Bolton High School
72 Brandy Street
Bolton, Connecticut 06043
Name: ______
Address: ______
Phone: ______
Table of Contents Page
School contact information 5
Mission, Vision, and Goals 6
Admission/Placement 8
Registration of New Students 8
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES 8
AGE OF MAJORITY 8
American with disabilities Act/Section 504 8
Athletics 9
Attendance 10
Absence 10
Chronic Absenteeism 10
Early Dismissal 10
Excused Absence 10
Leaving School Grounds/Release of Student from School 11
Make Up Work Due to Absence 11
Tardiness 11
Truancy 11
Unexcused Absence 12
Upperclassmen Privileges 12
AUTOMATED PHONE MESSAGING SYSTEMS 12
BREATHALIZER 12
BULLYING 12
Cyber Bullying 13
Harassment 14
Hazing 14
Reports of Bullying 14
Sexting 14
Sexual Harassment 14
Teen Dating Violence 14
BUS CONDUCT 15
Bicycles 15
Cafeteria 15
School Lunch Program 16
Cell Phones 17
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM 17
Child Abuse/ Neglect/ Physical Assault 17
CLASSroom Behavior 17
CLUBS 17
Code of Conduct 18
COMPUTER SYSTEM EXPECTATIONS 19
Acceptable Use policy 19
System Security 20
Personal Safety 20
User Rights 20
Illegal Activity 20
Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement 20
Cyber Bullying Policy 20
DANCES 21
DANGEROUS WEAPONS AND INSTRUMENTS 21
DEFIBRILLATORS 22
DISCIPLINE 22
Bus Suspension 22
Detention 22
Expulsion 22
In-School Suspension 23
Office Detention 23
Out-of-School Suspension 23
Police Arrest 23
Removal from Class 23
Social Probation 23
Suspension 24
Teacher Detention 24
dISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS 24
DRESS CODE 25
DRUGS 25
ELECTRONIC DEVICES 25
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS/ Late Openings/ early dismissal 26
ENGLISH Learners 26
Equal opportunity 26
ExaMS 26
exemption from instruction 27
FACILITIES 27
Financial commitments/ fees 27
Field Trips 28
Overnight Field Trip Policy 28
Fire/ safety drills 28
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS 28
FOOD ALLERGIES 28
FUND-RAISING 29
Grading 29
Class Rank/GPA 29
Grade Level Matriculation 29
Loss of Credit Due to Absences 29
Loss of Credit Due to Tardiness 30
Appeals Process 30
Student Responsibility during Loss of Credit Period 30
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTs 30
Course Load/Credit Requirements 30
Academic Performance Expectations 31
Product Based Performance Expectations (Senior Capstone) 32
GUIDANCE & COUNSELING 33
hallways 34
Health Services/ nurse 34
Administration of Medication 34
Communicable/Infectious Disease 35
Emergency Card 35
Emergency Medical Treatment 35
Health Records 35
Immunizations 35
Physical Examinations 35
Sports Physicals 36
Unauthorized Possession of Medications 36
HOMEBOUND STUDENTS 36
HOMELESS STUDENTS 36
Homework 36
honor code 36
HONOR rOLL 37
Insurance 37
Library 37
LOCKERS 38
LOST AND FOUND 38
MAGNET SCHOOLS 38
MAIN OFFICE 38
Make-UP WORK 38
national honor society 39
online courses 39
Out of School Misconduct 39
PARENT COMMUNICATION 39
Parent Conferences 40
PASSES 40
PBIS 40
PERSONAL PROPERTY 40
PESTICIDE APPLICATION 40
POSTERS 40
PUBLIC COMPLAINTS 40
REPORT CARDS 41
SCHEDULE CHANGES 41
SCIENTIFIC RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (SRBI) 41
SCHOLARSHIP/AWARDS 41
SCHOOL CEREMONIES/OBSERVANCES 42
SCHOOL DISTRICT RECORDS 42
SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY 42
SEARCH AND SEIZURE 42
SECLUSION 43
SMOKING 43
STUDENT COMPLAINT 43
STUDENT DIRECTORY 43
STUDENT DRIVING AND PARKING 44
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS 45
STUDENT RECORDS 45
STUDENT VISITORS 46
STUDY HALLS 47
SUBSTANCE ABUSE 47
SUMMER SCHOOL 47
SURVEYS 47
TEACHER AND PARAPROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 48
TESTING 48
TRANSCRIPTS 48
TUTORING 48
UPPER CLASSMEN PRIVILEGES 48
VACATIONS 49
video recording- buses and school campus 49
VISITORS 49
WEBSITE 49
withdrawal from school 49
PBIS CORE VALUES 51
Forms to be signed and returned
Read and Understand the Handbook……………………………………………………53
Computer System Expectation/ Usage Agreement……………………………………..54
Photograph/ Media Release Form………………………………………………………55
Bolton Public Schools 2016-2017 Calendar………………………………56
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Superintendent / Mrs. Kristin Heckt / (860) 643-1569Principal / Mr. Joseph Maselli / (860) 643-2768
Dean of Students / Ms. Christine Johnson / (860) 649-4371
Director of Student Support
Services / Mrs. Beth Goldsnider / (860) 643-1569
Director of Instructional Technology and
Curriculum / Mrs. Sarah Malinoski / (860) 643-1569
CONTACT INFORMATION
Main Office / (860) 643-2768Fax / (860) 645-8374
Athletic Department / (860) 649-4370
Guidance Department / (860) 649-3353
Health Room (Nurse) / (860) 643-4574
Attendance /
Confidential Crisis/Suicide Hotline / 211
Sexual Assault Crisis / 1-888-999-5545
BELL SCHEDULE
Monday-Thursday-Friday / Tuesday-Wednesday (BELT)Warning / 7:27 / Warning / 7:27
A / 7:32 - 8:15 / A/B / 7:32 - 8:52
B / 8:19 - 9:02 / C/D / 8:56 - 10:16
C / 9:06 - 9:49 / Connections / 10:20 - 11:00
D / 9:54 - 10:37 / E/F / 11:04 - 12:52
E / 10:41 - 11:24 / First Lunch / 11:04 - 11:31
F / 11:28 - 12:42 / Second Lunch / 12:25 - 12:52
First Lunch / 11:28 - 11:55 / G/H / 12:56 - 2:16
Second Lunch / 12:15 - 12:42
G / 12:46 - 1:29
H / 1:33 - 2:16
EARLY RELEASE SCHEDULE
Schedule A / Schedule BA / 7:32- 8:15 / E / 7:32- 8:15
B / 8:20- 9:03 / F / 8:20- 9:03
C / 9:08- 9:51 / G / 9:08- 9:51
D / 9:56-11:00 / H / 9:56-11:00
First Lunch / 9:56-10:20 / First Lunch / 9:56-10:20
Second Lunch / 10:36-11:00 / Second Lunch / 10:36-11:00
TWO-HOUR DELAY OR CANCELLATION
In case of serious weather concerns, a two-hour delay or no school announcement will be made from radio and television stations between 6:00 A.M. and 7:30 A.M. Information is also posted on the school’s website: www.boltonpublicschools.com. For the first two-hour delay, periods A & C will be dropped. For the second delayed opening, periods D & E will be dropped. All further delays will rotate dropping A & C and then D & E.
BOLTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS MISSION STATEMENT
The Bolton Public Schools provide a safe, engaging and challenging environment in which all students develop essential skills and values.
VISION STATEMENT
Educate students to become capable, ethical, healthy, responsible and thoughtful citizens.
WE BELIEVE
· Quality education is an indispensable community investment for the future of students
and society.
· Quality education is a partnership that requires commitment, communication, and collaboration among the student, family, school and the community.
· All students are valued and have the right to an education that meets their academic, physical and social/emotional needs.
· It is important for students to recognize and value excellence.
· High expectations and shared accountability are essential for the success of each student.
BOLTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS/DISTRICT GOALS
· All students will apply critical thinking to the construction and critique of arguments.
· All students will read, write, produce, and speak grounded in evidence for a variety of purposes and audiences as well as utilize collaboration and digital literacy skills to enhance communication.
· All students will use a variety of research tools to access, evaluate, synthesize, and apply information effectively.
· All students will see problems as opportunities, approaching twenty-first century challenges with ethical leadership, boldness, creativity, and responsible citizenship.
BOLTON HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Bolton High School believes in the development of capable, ethical, thoughtful, and responsible citizens and is committed to providing a secure educational environment in which all students can discover and work toward achieving their maximum potential.
Bolton High School strives to foster the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and positive attitudes required for life-long learning. The cornerstone of this process is high quality instruction, which encourages critical thinking, problem solving, and the application of learned skills and knowledge.
Student achievement results from a partnership among learners, teachers, parents/guardians, administrators, and the community. Students learn to recognize and value excellence through their own accomplishments and by observing the high standards held by other members of the partnership. The establishment of challenging goals for students in all curricular and co-curricular endeavors, as well as the principles of the Bolton High School Honor Code and Bolton High School Code of Conduct, support the high expectations held for each learner. The time, talent, and resources of this partnership are devoted to the fulfillment of the Expectations for Student Learning.
PREFACE
The material covered within this student handbook is intended as a method of communicating to students and parents regarding general district information, rules and procedures and is not intended to either enlarge or diminish any Board policy, administrative regulation or negotiated agreement. Material contained herein may therefore be superseded by such Board policy, administrative regulation or negotiated agreement. Any information contained in this handbook is subject to unilateral revision or elimination from time-to-time without notice.
This booklet is written for our students and their parents. It contains required and useful information. We address students not directly as “you” but rather as “the student,” “students,” or “children.” Likewise, the term “the student’s parent” may refer to the parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume responsibility for the student. Both students and parents need to be familiar with the District’s Student Code of Conduct which is intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere conducive for learning.
The Student Handbook is designed to be in harmony with Board policy. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy that affect portions of this handbook will be made available to students and parents through newsletters, web pages, and other communications.
ADMISSION/PLACEMENT
A student seeking enrollment at BHS for the first time or following attendance in another Connecticut public school district, out-of-state attendance, private school attendance or admission through a bona fide foreign exchange program should contact the Guidance Department. A student who is transferring from non-public schools or schools outside the district will be placed at his/her current grade level pending evaluation and observation of the student. After such assessment and consultation with the parents, the Principal will determine the grade placement of the child. Non-resident students from other school districts within the state, who apply pursuant to Board of Education regulations, may enroll in particular programs or schools within the district on a space available basis, without payment of tuition, as part of the inter-district public school attendance program called Open Choice. The Regional Educational Service Centers will determine which school districts are close enough to make transportation feasible.
Parents of students attending District schools have the option to enroll their child/children in a magnet school with which the District is a nonparticipating district, if the magnet school has unused student capacity. The District will pay any tuition charges, but does not include tuition for a preschool magnet school).
Registration of new students: The school office must be notified of all student entrances and withdrawals so that records may be obtained or sent out. To register a new student, parents should call the Bolton High School office at (860) 643-2768 to schedule an appointment. Please provide a birth certificate, proof of residency, proof of required immunizations and health physical form. According to Connecticut State Law, no student may be admitted without a statement of immunization.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES
The College Board Advanced Placement program is a national program that prepares students, upon completion of the course, to take the AP examinations in May and earn college credit. Scores on the AP exams range from 1 to 5. Each college determines its own AP credit policy. Students must receive at least a score of 3 to be eligible for college credit and many schools require a score of 4 or 5. There is a fee for the AP exam. The following AP courses are available for students at BHS: AP English Literature, AP United States History, AP Government, UConn/AP European History, AP French, AP Spanish, AP Latin, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Studio Art, AP Music Theory. Additional AP courses are available through Virtual High School. Please see: www.govhs.org.
AGE OF MAJORITY
Bolton High School recognizes the rights and privileges extended to students at the age of eighteen. It also is recognized, however, that the law imposes many corresponding duties. When a student, eighteen years of age or older, elects to continue his/her education, he/she must abide by all the rules and regulations of the school. School regulations apply to all students regardless of age. The school system recognizes its responsibility to the parent regardless of the age of the student in its charge. All contacts shall continue to be maintained with the home. All actions requiring parental approval shall continue to be required, including dismissal notes, absent notes and permission slips.
AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT/SECTION 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ensures support for individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities are provided a free and appropriate education (FAPE), and are accommodated and employed without discrimination related to their disabilities. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities (both students and staff members) by school districts receiving federal assistance of any kind for any program or activity. Districts may not discriminate against any person with a disability, regardless of whether the program or activity in which that person is involved receives federal funding directly.
All individuals who are disabled or “handicapped” are protected under Section 504. However, individuals who have been determined to be “handicapped” under Section 504 may not be considered disabled under IDEA. IDEA, which can be viewed as a subcategory of Section 504, provides for special programming or placement, while Section 504 protects the rights of individuals with handicaps. Under IDEA, students are qualified for services under thirteen (13) IDEA disabling conditions; specially designed individual education programs are planned for each student by Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams. Under Section 504, students with “handicaps” are entitled to special accommodations to ensure that they can participate in and benefit from public education and programs, and a 504 accommodation plan is designed for each student according to individual needs.
Section 504 is not an aspect of special education, rather, a responsibility of the comprehensive general public education system. Unlike an eligibility system based on clinic categories of disabilities, Section 504 works on a more functional premise. Under 504 [29 U.S.C. & § 706(8)] a person is considered to have a disability if that person: has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities; has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. While Section 504 provides a means for preventing discrimination against students with disabilities, this does not mean that 504 plans must focus on the disabling condition or on addressing the disability directly. Rather, 504 plans offer a means for focusing on students’ strengths, for capitalizing on what students bring to the instruction process. Should you have any questions regarding Section 504, please call either your child’s school Principal or the Director of Student Support Services.