High School Directory
District Office 648-7540 and follow the prompts for office/person
Lloyd “Joe” Peck, Ed.D.
Kathleen Dixon, Assistant Superintendent
Bernie McDermott, Director of Operations
Athletic Department 648-7544 and follow the prompts to Athletics
Dave Hogan, Athletic Director/Associate Principal MS
Donna Torillo, Administrative Assistant
High School 648-7544 and follow the prompts for office/person
John Hillis, Principal
Dan Nitto, Dean of Students
GiGi Snow, Administrative Assistant
Dave Burdick, Safe Schools Coordinator
Attendance
Vicki Moschak, School Nurse
Kate Auchinachie, School Counselor
Richard Gumble, School Counselor
Judy Rapp, Administrative Assistant
Please feel free to contact any staff member via email, email address is last name first initial @ cforks.org.
September 2013
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:
Welcome to Chenango Forks High School! This Student Handbook has been put together as a guide to help keep you informed regarding the policies and procedures of our school. Updates are made annually, so it’s essential that you review the contents of this booklet every year so you have a working understanding of the information contained within. As you advance, your handbook will become an even more invaluable asset in tracking state graduation requirements, adhering to the guidelines of proper student conduct and reviewing rules governing extra-curricular activities.
Please note that there have been many changes in our procedures that should be reviewed with all students prior to the start of the school year.
We look forward to working with our students as they progress through their high school experience. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to making every effort to facilitate student success. It is also our goal to help students prepare for the transition to postsecondary education and the world of work in each chosen career path. Please do not hesitate to call your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns that occur during the course of the year. Every effort will be made to address these as efficiently as possible. We wish you and your student the best for an enjoyable and productive year.
Sincerely,
John Hillis
High School Principal
HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULEWarning Bell / 7:40
1st Period / 7:45-8:32
2nd Period / 8:36-9:21
3rd Period / 9:25-10:10
4th Period / 10:14-10:59
5th Period / 11:03-11:48
6th Period / 11:52-12:37
7th Period / 12:41-1:26
8th Period / 1:30-2:15
Remedial / 2:20-3:00
Remedial Period/ Freshman/Sophomore Academy
Remedial period is part of the regular school day from 2:20 pm to 3:00 pm. Either the student or the teacher may request a remedial session. All teachers will have a remedial session of at least three days a week. These Remedial days will be posted in all classrooms and communicated to parents. Students will sign in and out of Remedial. In the event that a student has a conflict, he/she is to call it to the attention of their teacher to work out a schedule to enable maximum utilization of the opportunity to receive extra help.
“Academy” begins at five weeks, and continues through the remainder of the school year. All 9th and 10th grade students failing two or more subjects will be required to stay until 3:00pm Monday – Thursday. These students will report directly to the Academy in the High School Library at 2:20 pm each day to pick up their “Academy Passport” from Mrs. Murray.
Student ______Academy
Weeks ______Passport
1 . ______11. ______
2 . ______12. ______
3 . ______13. ______
4 . ______14. ______
5 . ______15. ______
6 . ______16. ______
7. ______17. ______
8 . ______18. ______
9 . ______19. ______
10.______20. ______
Students will then have the option to stay in the Academy to do homework and receive tutoring support, or they may sign out of the Academy to a teacher’s remedial and receive extra help. Students must have their passport signed at 2:55 before returning their passport to Mrs. Murray in the Academy at 3:00.
Students may not use athletic practice, baby sitting, jobs, etc. as an excuse for not attending if required. Students must attend if assigned by a teacher, guidance counselor or administrator. Failure to attend as required may result in detention. Bus passes for the remedial bus will be given at the end of the remedial period by the last teacher. Students are not to be in the halls during this time unless they have a pass signed by their teacher. At this time, students need a quiet environment to work with teachers.
In the event that a student has a conflict, he/she is to call it to the attention of their teacher to work out a schedule to enable maximum utilization of the opportunity to receive extra help. Under normal conditions, there will be no Academy, remedial classes or remedial buses on Fridays.
ACADEMICS
Academic Progression/Grade Level
Credit requirements are in place to clearly communicate when students are at risk of not graduating. To begin…
10th grade 4.5 credits
11th grade 10 credits
12th grade 15 credits
The student’s four year plan must allow the student to graduate by June of that year.
Grading and Evaluation
Student Cumulative Folders: These contain test results, grades, and anecdotal records of students. Folders are available to students and parents upon request for review please contact the guidance office.
Grade Reporting: Grades are reported to parents at the end of each 10-week period. Numerical grades are used with 65 as the lowest passing grade. Final grades are figured by averaging the four quarter grades with the final examination score.
Progress Reports: Five-week reports will be issued to all students regardless of their progress. Five week reports and report cards will be distributed to students with the exception of the quarter four final report card which will be mailed home. If you do not receive a report, please call the guidance office.
Parent-teacher Communication: Communication with individual or all of a student's teachers are encouraged at any time and especially when difficulties arise. Teachers may be contacted via email (last name, first initial @ cforks.org) or by leaving a message. Teachers are available to meet with parents.
Graduation
Students who have not met graduation requirements will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.
At the high school level, students are required to successfully pass state assessments at various grade levels in order to complete graduation requirements. Exams are scheduled at the end of the following courses: physical earth science, living environment biology, global history and geography, comprehensive French and Spanish, geometry, integrated algebra, physical setting chemistry, U.S. history and government, English language arts, and physical setting physics.
Please be aware that although the above exams are usually scheduled at specific grade levels, some variation will occur in the case of accelerated students or those who must repeat examinations. In addition, classified students continue to be eligible for the safety net (RCT – Regents Competency Test) in the event they are not successful on Regents exams.
Students must pass five exams in core subject areas with a 65 or better in order to be eligible for a Regents Diploma.
These are as follows:
Comprehensive English Regents
Regents exam in science (either physical setting or living environment)
Regents exams in global studies and U.S. history and government
One regent exam in integrated algebra, or geometry, or algebra II/trigonometry
One year of LOTE
Examination requirements for an Advanced Regents Diploma are the following:
Comprehensive English Arts Regents
Two regents exams in science (physical setting and living environment)
Regents exams in global studies and U.S. history and government
Regents exams in integrated algebra, geometry, and algebra II/trigonometry.
Three years of LOTE/65 on local exam
· For more information, visit www.emsc.nysed.gov
Students who are at risk of not passing state assessments have numerous opportunities to receive extra help. These include: freshman and sophomore academy, remedial period (2:20 – 3:00 pm), peer tutoring, learning support center, collaborative classrooms, literacy strategies. Academic Intervention Services (AIS) is provided to students identified to receive by the requirements in the Chenango Forks Central Schools AIS plan (see AIS District Overview Plan under BOE policies).
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
High School Counselors are available to help students and their parents with academic, vocational and personal counseling. Students are encouraged to visit and use the guidance office during their free periods. Appointments can be made with a counselor through the secretary. Use of class time should be avoided except in emergencies. Parents may call 648-7544 (follow the prompts to Guidance) to arrange appointments with the counselors.
Homework
It is essential that students understand the importance of homework as a means to gain additional practice or exposure to a concept or skill. As the transition is made from eighth to ninth grade, there is an expectation that work will need to be completed outside of class in addition to studying for quizzes and tests. Accurate and consistent submission of homework assignments could greatly impact a student’s grade point average in a given course. Students are responsible for completing all homework assignments satisfactorily and on time, and to make up all unacceptable or missed work. Remedial period was established for this reason.
Home Teaching
Home teaching is available to students who have extended illnesses by parental request to the High School Principal. A physician’s written request is required.
Honor Roll, Honor Society, Honors Banquet
To be eligible for the Honor Roll, Honor Society, and/or the Honors Banquet, students must be carrying five (5) courses in addition to Physical Education.
· Honor Roll will be published each quarter for all grades. Students earn Honor Roll recognition according to the following academic averages:
Honor Roll --- 84.5 - 89.4 High Honor Roll --- 89.5 - 95.4 Highest Honor Roll --- 95.5 – 100
· Honors Banquet – Students who have achieved Honor Roll for the first three marking periods are eligible to attend a banquet in their honor at the end of the school year.
· Honor Society - Qualifications and procedures for the Chenango Forks National Honor Society
After the end of the 30-week marking period academic records in tenth, eleventh and twelve grades are reviewed. Those with a cumulative high school grade point average of 90 are eligible to complete an Honor Society Application Form. Grades are averaged up to the last completed grade quarter. Any courses taken in the middle school, which are high school credit bearing courses, are calculated in with the weighted average. The Honor Society Application Form is to be completed by the candidate who is interested in becoming a member of the National Honor Society. It addresses their co-curricular activities, leadership positions, community activities, work experience, recognition, and awards.
The notification is done through a confidential mailing to the parents. Students’ who are eligible for membership are inducted in a formal ceremony witnessed by family members.
Schedule Changes
All Students will be required to take a minimum of 5.5 credits at all times. Students who wish to change their schedule will need both parent and teacher permission. Changes in schedules will be considered during the first week of each semester. Any course that is dropped after the five week point is considered a withdrawn. Withdraws will be coded and noted on the transcript as WP-withdrawn passing or WF-withdrawn failing.
ATTENDANCE
In the event that your address changes, please inform the attendance, guidance or main office ASAP.
Daily Attendance
Each student has an attendance card maintained by the attendance officer as prescribed by New York State law. Students who are chronically late or absent may be asked to attend an administrative review with the Principal, Assistant Principal, and their parents for the purpose of developing a plan for improving their attendance. Regular school attendance is essential for academic success and preparation for the world of work. Attending classes on a consistent basis and completing assignments in a timely manner will result in a positive and successful educational experience. Taking a vacation during the time when classes are in session is strongly discouraged and is considered an unexcused absence.
Early Dismissals
Early dismissal notes must state the specific reason for the request and be signed by the parent/guardian. Excuses for doctor or medical appointments must include the doctor's name and telephone number. Dismissal notes should be turned into the attendance office before 1st period or at the end of 1st period. Phone calls by parents to the attendance office are acceptable as well.
Early Dismissals - Seniors
Early dismissal is a privilege granted to seniors for work or other purposes approved by the student's parents. Following are the rules governing early dismissal:
1. All early dismissals must be approved by an administrator.
2. No early dismissal may occur before the end of fifth period.
3. Students with an early dismissal are to leave the building immediately.
4. If a student with an early dismissal wishes to stay for lunch, he or she may do so; however, they are to leave school immediately after eating.
5. If a student has an after school activity, they are to leave school at the early dismissal time and return for the activity at the scheduled time.
6. Students who do not have a means of getting home or to their place of employment, are not to apply for early dismissals.
7. If a student is failing any course, the early dismissal may be rescinded and the student will be assigned to a mandatory study hall.
8. An early dismissal permission form must be on file in the attendance office.
Emergency School Closings
There is an emergency Civil Defense plan required by New York State to meet all types of emergencies. Instructions will be given over the public address system for each drill.
Excessive Absences
Excessive absences may result in exclusion from class activities (i.e., graduation, senior trip, prom, class field trips, etc.) or loss of course credit.
Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences would be most items not listed as excused absences. These unexcused absences include personal business excuses signed by parent/guardian for reasons such as: vacation, shopping, work, oversleeping, missing the bus, hair appointments, car repair appointments, sun bathing, visiting parks, skipping etc. There is the possibility of an assigned detention or other disciplinary measure for unexcused absences. Seniors who participate in a senior skip day may forfeit the privilege of taking part in the year end senior activities including graduation.