Transcript Document

Guide for Secondary School
STUDENTS and their
PARENTS/LEGAL GUARDIANS
St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS)
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Under law, every child between 5 and 16
years of age must attend school regularly
and each person who has LEGAL CUSTODY
of a child (5-16) shall see that the child
attends school.
The school stands in “loco parentis” during
school functions and ensures the safety and
well-being of its students.
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LOCO PARENTIS means the school acts as your
parent when you are in school and at school
functions.
ATTEND SCHOOL EVERYDAY
There are lawful and unlawful absences.
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This is what you need to
know to understand the
importance of regular
attendance…
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Death in the immediate family
Student illness (a physician’s note may be required)
Court summons
Hazardous weather conditions
Work (if approved or sponsored by the school)
Observance of a religious holiday
State of emergency
Suspension
Lack of authorized transportation
Other emergencies or circumstances – in judgment of the
principal
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Absences for any reason other than those
listed as lawful.
Family vacation absences are unlawful
(exceptional circumstances may be
reviewed by the principal/designee ).
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Unlawful absences and excessive
absences lead to failing grades and/or
retention.
Regular attendance is VITAL to academic
success.
If you are trying to attend school
regularly and need some help, be sure to
talk to your school counselor.
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Present for four (4) or more hours of the
school day.
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Absent the entire school day or present
less than two (2) hours of the school day.
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Present for at least two (2) hours of the
school day, but less than four (4) hours.
Two (2) half-day absences equals one (1)
day absent.
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Parents/Legal Guardians of the student must
provide documentation for the absence on
the day the student returns to school. If
documentation is not received within three
(3) days, the absence will be coded as
UNLAWFUL.
To notify the school of a student’s absence,
the parents/legal guardians can write a note,
send an email, or call the school.
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Student’s
Name
Date of Absence
Reason for Absence
Parents’/Legal Guardians’ Signature
ONLY absences due to lawful reasons will
be coded as lawful – all other absences will
be considered UNLAWFUL.
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If you are absent twenty-five (25) or
more days, you will be at risk of
repeating your grade. You will be
referred to the Pupil Services Team for
assistance.
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If you receive five (5) referrals for unlawful
absences from school or any specific class
in a single marking period, you will receive
an “F” for the making period. A 59.4% will
be entered for the percentage grade for the
class in question or all subject(s) for the
marking period. If a student is currently
failing the course with a grade lower than
59.4%, the lower grade will stand.
Extenuating circumstances may be appealed
to the principal/designee.
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LATE means you are not present in your
class or designated area when the bell
rings at the start of the school day.
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Sign-in.
Present documentation stating reason
for tardiness or have your parents/legal
guardians sign you in.
Tardies are marked either lawful or
unlawful. Missing the bus or running
late is marked UNLAWFUL.
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Late for class means that you are
absent when the class begins and
present before the class ends.
If you come to class late, you must
present the teacher with an official
pass.
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Summer School is available to students for
REVIEW only with the following conditions:
You were:
Enrolled
year.
in high school during the prior school
Received
at least forty-five (45) percent in the
course of the semester seeking to register.
Have
no more than 10 unlawful absences in the
semester.
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Your parents/legal guardians are
required to present a valid PICTURE
ID when checking you out of school.
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You are encouraged to take medications at times other
than during school hours.
However, if it is necessary, medication must be
administered in accordance with certain guidelines.
A doctor must provide a written order, form PS 109, and
the parents/legal guardians must sign the parents/legal
guardians consent on the back of the form.
The parents/legal guardians must bring the PS 109 form
and the medication in the original pharmacy container to
school.
The parents/legal guardians must pick up unused or
discontinued medication at school.
This includes over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, aspirin, etc.
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NEVER bring medication to school
(this includes over-the-counter
medication).
Your PARENTS/LEGAL GUARDIANS
must bring it directly to the school
nurse.
Let your parents/legal guardians talk
with the school nurse.
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 Certain
respiratory conditions
may carry an emergency
inhaler and self administer if
they have
◦ doctor’s order
◦ school nursing assessment
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with substance abuse, sexually transmitted
diseases, AIDS, mental and/or emotional
disorders, contraception, abortion, and
pregnancy Must be directed to appropriate resources
- Must have their privacy protected.
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WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??
If you are in a situation that you know you need help
with, seek help from a school nurse, teacher, school
counselor, or administrator. The school staff will help
you find the resources you need.
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Those students who use or possess alcohol
or drugs, or otherwise violate the law, and
do not voluntarily seek help, in essence,
forfeit their right to protection. THEY ARE
SUBJECT TO THE SCHOOL POLICY AND
REGULATIONS.
School officials cannot ignore substance
abuse or other illegal activities. Teachers
are required to observe the laws and
enforce school policy.
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There is a close relationship between student
dress and student behavior.
Students are expected to follow the countywide
Student Dress Code.
Dress which may cause disruption of the
instructional program or create a potential
safety hazard is prohibited.
Make a good impression and feel good about
yourself.
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Video and Audio recording devices may be
“in use” in school or on your bus.
The purpose of these surveillance
devices is to monitor behavior
on the bus or on school grounds.
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A PRINCIPAL OR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL HAS A
REASONABLE BELIEF THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR
POSSESSION AN ITEM THAT IS IN VIOLATION
OF ANY STATE LAW OR A SMCPS RULE OR
REGULATION.
ALSO….
THE SCHOOL BUILDING AND ITS FURNISHINGS
AND EQUIPMENT – INCLUDING LOCKERS –
MAY BE SEARCHED!!!
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The Youth Protection Act makes it a FELONY if a
person manufactures, dispenses, distributes, or
possesses with the intent to distribute certain
controlled dangerous substances, or conspires to
commit these offenses on or within 1,000 feet of
any school property or in a school vehicle.
Drug detection dogs may be used to scan school
buildings, school grounds, and any vehicle on or
adjacent to school grounds at any time.
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School personnel have the right to limit the use of electronic
communication devices.
Beepers, cell phones, PDAs, and laptop computers are
allowed on school property.
The use of cell phones or cell phone cameras are not allowed
during instructional time or in any manner that infringes
upon the rights of others.
An electronic device may be confiscated by an administrator
and a parents/legal guardians may be required to meet with
an administrator.
The school assumes no liability for lost, stolen, or broken
devices.
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The use of cell phones, cell phone cameras,
and other recording devices must be used
responsibly.
Improper use which violates a person’s privacy
or character or causes a disruption to the
school environment must be reported to a
school administrator, and in certain cases to
law enforcement.
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Intentional negative actions by one or more students
against another student.
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Actions that causes discomfort with identity issues
in regard to race, color, national origin, gender,
disability, sexual orientation, religion, or identifying
characteristics (harassment).
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Actions done repeatedly and over time, and
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Actions interfering with a student’s ability to
participate in or benefit from his/her education.
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Should be reported to an adult at school.
May also be reported by a student,
parents/legal guardians, or close relative by
completing the “Harassment or Intimidation
(Bullying) Reporting Form.”
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Say NO to sexual harassment and REPORT it to an adult
(school counselor, teacher, parents/legal guardians, or
administrator).
Sexual harassment includes: unwanted sexual attention
from teachers, other adults, or students. It could
include leering, suggestive verbal comments, or
pressure for sexual activity. It may include nonconsensual touching of a sexual nature that does not
rise to the level of sexual assault. It may occur once or
be repeated over time.
An administrator needs to know so that action can be
taken.
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Any unwelcome sexual contact, either directly
or through clothing, such as deliberate
inappropriate touching/pinching/grabbing of
a sexual nature, attempted rape or rape.
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Any form of sexual assault should be
reported to an adult (school counselor,
parents/legal guardians, or administrator).
An adult will take appropriate action.
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Bringing any weapon or firearm onto school
property or the possession of any weapon shall
be reported to the police and the superintendent
of schools or his/her designee immediately.
The Gun Free School Act of 1994 and other
public laws require expulsion from school for a
period of not less than one calendar year.
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Weapons include:
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Any object which reasonably could cause physical
harm or injury to a person
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Firearm
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Any weapon that could be converted into a projectile –
mechanical or explosive
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Any firearm muffler or silencer
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Explosive or incendiary material or a poisonous gas
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Other – firecrackers, smoke bombs, weapon lookalikes, knives, razor
(READ your handbook carefully)
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If you engage in delinquent behavior (criminal
behavior if you are an adult) at school it will
reported to the police.
This includes any gang related behavior or
activity.
You should report any gang-related behavior
or activity to an adult at the school by using
the “Gang-Related Incident Reporting Form.”
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If you engage in delinquent or any gangrelated activity outside of school it maybe
reported to school officials.
If your behavior is a potential risk to other
students you may be required to attend an
alternative program.
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The sale and use of tobacco in any form is
prohibited by anyone at all times (24/7) in
school buildings and vehicles. This includes
schools, school buses, offices, warehouses,
and garages.
Purchasing tobacco products by and/or for
minors is illegal at all times.
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Eligibility for high school activities is a GPA of
2.0 for all students in grades 9 through 12.
YOUR MARKING PERIOD GRADES
determine your Grade Point Average (GPA).
At every marking period you have the
opportunity to become eligible or ineligible.
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You may also be INELIGIBLE for high school
activities IF:
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You are suspended from school.
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You were assigned in-school intervention.
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You have debts and fines at the end of the
marking period.
You are absent from school.
SEE your HANDBOOK for details.
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Students with lawful absences/tardiness are
allowed to receive full credit for any make-up
work. They are also allowed to make up and
take alternative exams/tests. It is the
responsibility of the student and/or parents/
legal guardians to request the make-up work
and turn in completed assignments within five
school days or in an agreed upon time period
as determined by the school principal or
designee.
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The use of all school computers must be in
support of education and research and
consistent with the purposes of SMCPS.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Illegal activity
 Commercial for profit activities
Invasion of other people’s files, passwords, settings
 Disruption or destruction of hardware, software
 Malicious use of the network to harass others
 Illegal installation of copyrighted software
 Access to obscene or pornographic material
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YOUR CONDUCT is a reflection of you as a person. Your
conduct is a reflection of your character.
The core values of a person (student) may be described as
his or her character.
A purpose of education is to help support character
development.
SMCPS aspires to help students recognize the Six Pillars of
Character as reflected in their behavior.
When an infraction occurs, administrators will review
appropriate character traits with students.
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CARING
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CITIZENSHIP
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FAIRNESS
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RESPECT
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RESPONSIBILITY
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TRUSTWORTHINESS
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SOME INFRACTIONS
NOT ONLY HURT
OURSELVES, BUT ALSO
HURT OTHERS.
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BUS MISBEHAVIOR (irresponsibility)
Standing, distracting the driver, running on
the bus, eating on the bus, using a cell
phone…endangering the safety of others.
DISRESPECT (lack of respect) Inappropriate
comments or physical gestures to teachers
or staff members or others. This could also
be considered harassment.
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FIGHTING (lack of caring) A physical
confrontation involving two (2) or more
students.
DEFAMATION (lack of respect) False
statements about an individual or group
that harms the reputation of the person or
group.
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Learn ways to stay out of fights
◦ MOST students never get into a fight at
school.
◦ Students who learn to resolve conflicts
peacefully are more likely to be
successful at school and in the
workplace.
◦ Peer Mediators at school can help you
learn to resolve conflict.
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It takes COURAGE to walk away from a
fight.
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Your EDUCATION is at stake.
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WALK AWAY and say YES to your FUTURE.
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Talk with your school counselor, teacher,
and parents/legal guardians.
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I hit a teacher…..
This may be considered as
an attack.
The consequence could be
EXPULSION.
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An EXPULSION CONFERENCE
will be requested immediately for the following violations:
Alcohol (possession/misrepresentation and/or use of)
Illegal Drugs, Intoxicants, Related Paraphernalia,
Representations (possession and/or use of)
Inhalants/Look-alikes (use and/or distribution of)
Intent to Sell, Give, Deliver, or Distribute Alcohol, Tobacco,
Drugs, Controlled Dangerous Substances, Drug Paraphernalia,
and/or Look-alikes (possession with the)
Guns
Physical Attack on a Community Member
Physical Attack on a Teacher/Staff
Sexual Assault
Threat to a Teacher, Staff, or Others (verbal or physical)
The Sheriff’s Office will be notified.
That means you could be arrested, too!
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Alcohol
Arson/Fireworks/Explosive
Firearms, Other Guns, Other Weapons
Illegal Drugs/Intent to Sell
Physical Attack
Sexual Assault
Trespassing
Vandalism
Theft
Other Delinquent Acts
Gang-Related Behavior or Activity
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EXPULSION MEANS…
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NO EDUCATION
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YOU CANNOT ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL
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YOU HAVE GIVEN UP YOUR RIGHT TO AN
EDUCATION
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YOUR DISCIPLINE RECORD WILL FOLLOW
YOU.
NO OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL HAS TO
ENROLL YOU.
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You are accountable
for knowing
everything in it.
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