Pittsford Area Schools
9304 Hamilton
49271
517.523.3481
Fax: 517.523.3467
High School Principal: Mr. T.G. Cook
Pittsford
middle School
Student handbook
2008-2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACADEMIC AWARDS.........................................................................................
ACCIDENTS........................................................................................................
AGENDA-HALLWAY PASSPORT.....................................................................
ALTERNATE INSTRUCTION ROOM...............................................................
ASSEMBLIES .....................................................................................................
ATHLETIC DISCIPLINARY ACTION PROCESS...........................................
ATHLETIC DRESS & GROOMING..................................................................
ATHLETIC RULES & REGULATIONS............................................................
ATHLETIC TRAINING RULES..........................................................................
ATHLETIC TRANSPORTATION.......................................................................
ATTENDANCE POLICY.....................................................................................
BEHAVIOR-AFFECTING SUBSTANCES........................................................
BOARD OF EDUCATION..................................................................................
BUS SAFETY.......................................................................................................
CAFETERIA ........................................................................................................
CALENDAR 2007-2008....................................................................................
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.....................................................................
CAREER CENTER TRANSPORTATION........................................................
CLASS OFFICERS, REPRESENTATIVES, KING
& QUEEN......................
CLASS RANK
CLOSED CAMPUS.............................................................................................
CONDUCT...........................................................................................................
COURTESY AND RESPECT FOR TEACHERS............................................
DAILY TIME SCHEDULE...................................................................................
DANCES AND SOCIAL EVENTS.....................................................................
DETENTIONS.....................................................................................................
DISCIPLINE VIOLATION CHART.....................................................................
DRIVING AND PARKING...................................................................................
DROP AND ADD POLICY/TESTING OUT OF
CLASSES............................
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT.............................................................................
ELIGIBILITY CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
ELIGIBILITY FOR SPORTS...............................................................................
EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES...................................................
FIRE AND TORNADO DRILLS.........................................................................
FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS
GRADE POINT AVERAGE.................................................................................
GRADING-PROGRESS REPORTS
GRADUATION.....................................................................................................
GROOMING.........................................................................................................
GUIDANCE..........................................................................................................
HONOR ROLL....................................................................................................
INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHEDULE............................................................
INSURANCE.......................................................................................................
INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS..................................................
LIBRARY..............................................................................................................
LOCKERS............................................................................................................
MEDICATION.......................................................................................................
MHSAA ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY.......................................................................
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY..........................................................................
OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBERS..................................................................
OUT OF SCHOOL..............................................................................................
OUTSIDE VISITORS..........................................................................................
PARENT/COACH COMMUNICATION.............................................................
PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION........................................................
PARTICIPATION IN AFTER SCHOOL
ACTIVITIES.......................................
PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE FOR SUSPENSION
& EXPULSION...........
RELEASE TIME FOR RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION......................................
REPORTING PROCEDURE FOR ATTENDANCE.......................................
SATURDAY SCHOOL........................................................................................
SPORTS APPEAL PROCESS..........................................................................
SPORTS OFFERED...........................................................................................
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS................................................................................
TARDINESS....................................................................................................... .
TELEPHONES…………....................................................................................
TEXTBOOKS.......................................................................................................
TRAVEL REGULATIONS FOR SPORTS.......................................................
TRIP TRANSPORTATION.................................................................................
TRUANCY POLICY.............................................................................................
USE OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT.......................................................................
VISION/MISSION STATEMENT........................................................................
WELCOME...........................................................................................................
PITTSFORD AREA SCHOOLS
Superintendent 523-3481
ext. 319
High School Office/Principal 523-3481
ext. 100/150
High School Absence Reporting 523-7334
Elementary Office/Principal 523-3481
ext. 300/350
Bus Garage 523-3481
ext. 123
Athletic Director/Secretary 523-3481
ext. 254/
Denese
Belson
Robert
Clarke
Mike
Fowler
Cindy
Fenton
Craig
Armstrong
David
Billington
Pete
Wines
Superintendent Andrew Shaw
High School Principal T. G. Cook
Elementary Principal Andrew Shaw
Athletic Director John Hoeft
Pittsford
Area Schools will prepare students to be productive members of
society.
Pittsford
school community will provide continual opportunities for maximum student
achievement.
CALENDAR 2008-2009
AUG. 26-28 PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
SEPT. 2 FIRST DAY FOR STUDENTS
22 NO
SCHOOL—FAIR DAY/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
OCT. 7 1/2 DAY STUDENTS A.M.-1/2 P-T
CONFERENCES
12:30 P.M.—3:30 P.M. AND 5:00 P.M. TO
8:00 P.M.
31 END
OF FIRST MARKING PERIOD
NOV. 26 2 hr. EARLY
DISMISSAL—PROFESSIONAL DEV.
27-28 THANKSGIVING
BREAK
DEC. 22-31 CHRISTMAS/NEW
YEAR BREAK
JAN. 1-2 CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR BREAK
14* FULL
DAY EXAMS
15* FULL
DAY EXAMS
16* 1/2
DAY EXAMS/1/2 TEACHER WORK DAY
SCHOOL DISMISSED AT 11:10 A.M.
END 1ST SEMESTER
FEB. 13 2 HR.
EARLY DISMISSAL—PROFESSIONAL DEV.
16 NO
SCHOOL—PRESIDENTS DAY
26 1/2
DAY STUDENTS A.M.—1/2 P-T CONFERENCES
12:30—3:30 AND 5:00 TO 8:00 P.M.
MAR 20 END OF 3RD
MARKING PERIOD
30-31 SPRING
BREAK—NO SCHOOL
APR. 1—3 SPRING
BREAK—NO SCHOOL
10 GOOD
FRIDAY—NO SCHOOL
29 2
HR. EARLY DISMISSAL– PROFESSIONAL DEV.
MAY 25 MEMORIAL
DAY—NO SCHOOL
27* FULL
DAY EXAMS
28* FULL
DAY EXAMS
29* 1/2
DAY EXAMS/1/2 TEACHER WORK DAY
SCHOOL DISMISSED AT 11:10 A.M.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (without any
make-up)
*School cancellation moves schedule to next school day.
On behalf of our staff, let me take
this opportunity to welcome you to Pittsford High School for the 2008-2009
school year. It is our goal to provide
the best education possible for each student.
However, this goal cannot be achieved without the combined efforts of
the school, students, parents, and the community.
Pittsford High School invites students to become active in
the variety of activities available to students. Research has indicated that participation in such programs
promotes, encourages, and enhances academic performance. The many different co-curricular activities
offered at PHS will contribute to the personal growth, maturation, and
development of each student.
Please read your handbook carefully
and refer to it often. Become an active
participant in your education, ask questions, provide suggestions for
improvement, and enjoy each and every day at Pittsford High School.
Beginning with the class of 2011
there are many changes in graduation requirements. These changes are listed in the handbook. If you have any questions please feel free
to contact the office at any time.
If any questions or concerns arise,
please feel free to call or visit us.
Here’s to an outstanding 2008-2009 school year.
Sincerely,
T. G. Cook
High School Principal
Pittsford Area Schools
Parents, if you have
questions or concerns regarding your child’s education, please do not hesitate
to contact their teachers or the administration.
In order for
this communication to be a successful endeavor, the following steps must be
taken:
1. Call the teacher to set up an appointment to discuss your
concerns. Requests to speak with a teacher during class time will not be
granted. However, parents are
encouraged to leave messages for teachers via the phone voice mail system,
school secretary, or e-mail addresses for each teacher. Teachers are required to check these sources
of communication at least daily. Every
effort will be made by the teacher to contact you in a timely manner.
2. Contact the teacher first to share and receive
information. Remember we all respond
more productively when we treat each other respectfully. Try to share honestly and openly, basing
input upon the facts, as we know them.
Take time to learn the full situation and be ready to work together for
the good of the student.
3. If the concern is not satisfactorily resolved after meeting
with the teacher, the student and/or parent(s) should discuss the situation
with the principal informally in an attempt to resolve the situation.
4. If the student and/or parent(s) wish to make a formal
complaint to the principal about the teacher, it should be put in writing, with
a copy provided to the teacher.
5.
The
principal will investigate the complaint, and discuss the concern with the
teacher. The results of the
investigation and subsequent
action(s)
to be taken to resolve the complaint will be documented in writing by the
principal. A meeting between the
student and/or parent, teacher, and principal may also be appropriate to
attempt to resolve the complaint.
6. If the formal complaint is not satisfactorily resolved by
the principal, the student and/or parent(s) may appeal, in writing, to the
superintendent, or his/her designee. If
it is necessary to take any further steps, the superintendent will advise you
of the procedures to follow.
Procedure for Concerns
If you have a problem that does not seem to be
resolved, a follow-up call can be made to the person listed below.
If you called: Follow-up
call to:
Classroom teacher Building
Principal
Counselor Building Principal
Secretary Building
Principal
Transportation Supervisor Building Principal
Food Service Director Superintendent
Bus
Problem Transportation
Supervisor
A student will not be denied
admission to the public schools by reason of the student's race, color,
religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, marital status,
handicapping condition, or any other basis of unlawful discrimination pursuant
to the laws of the United States and the State of Michigan.
“All A” HONOR ROLL AND“B AVERAGE”
HONOR ROLL
An honor roll will be published after
each marking period.
In order to attain the "All
A" honor roll status, a student must achieve a grade point average (GPA)
of 3.67 to 4.00 and receive a letter grade not lower than “A-“.
In order to attain "B Average”
or better honor roll status, a student must achieve a grade point average (GPA)
of 2.67 and above with at least one grade lower than an A-.
Students with a grade lower than a
"C+" will not be considered for the honor roll. Students with more than one C+ will not be
considered for the honor roll.
Seniors have the option of taking one
(1) class “Credit/No Credit. If the
student is receiving a “No Credit” grade they will be ineligible for the Honor
Roll.
NATIONAL
JR HONOR SOCIETY
Membership in the National Jr. Honor
Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a middle school
student. The NJHS has worked hard to
bring the accomplishments of outstanding students to the attention of parents,
teachers, peers and community. Chapters
in middle schools across the nation strive to give practical meaning to the
Society’s goals of scholarship, leadership, service and character. These four ideals have been considered as
the basis for your selection. No student is inducted simply because of a high
academic average. The National Jr.
Honor Society strives to recognize the total student: one who excels in all these areas.
Membership is more than an
honor. It carries with it more than
certain privileges. It incurs a
responsibility and an obligation to demonstrate those outstanding qualities
that resulted in the selection of the student.
ELIGIBILITY
CODE FOR
CO-CURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES
The co-curricular program is an
integral part of the total school program.
In order to be eligible to participate in co-curricular activities,
students must meet the following requirements:
1. Students must
be enrolled full time.
2. Residency - A student who moves in to the
school district with his/her parents is immediately eligible for all programs.
If the student moves in to the school district with a non-custodial parent,
he/she is ineligible for one (1) semester.
3. Exceptions are granted only under the
guidelines established by Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
4. To be eligible for co-curricular
activities, a student must be passing five (5) out of six (6) classes per
semester.
Grades are reported to parents four
(4) times per year via grade cards.
Parents can access their student’s grades anytime by utilizing the
Pinnacle Internet system. These grades
reflect the demonstrated academic ability of each student in the specific
areas. Interim Progress Reports, which
show student performance during each grading period, are issued during the
fifth (5th) week of each marking period.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are held
the first (1st) and third (3rd) marking periods and everyone is encouraged to
participate. We feel good communication
between the parents and teachers is of utmost importance to a successful
educational program.
1st hour……………….. 8:00 a.m. -
9:00 a.m.
2nd hour………………. 9:04 a.m. -
10:04 a.m.
3rd hour……………….10:08 a.m. -
11:08 a.m.
4th hour……………….11:12 a.m. -
12:12 p.m.
Lunch………………….12:12 p.m. -
12:42 p.m.
5th hour……………….12:46 p.m. -
1:46 p.m.
6th hour……………….. 1:50 p.m. -
2:50 p.m.
Students are not to be in the building or on school property
before 7:50 a.m. or after 2:50 p.m. unless the student is participating in a
supervised class or activity. We
understand that parents can have their own conflicts with these time
restraints. Students in the building on
off limit times have to remember that this is a privilege and this privilege
can be taken away.
A. Students who are in the
school before 7:50 a.m. or after 2:50 p.m., and not involved in a sport or
extra curricular activities, must remain in the foyer near the big gym or in
the cafeteria area.
B. Students are not to be
wandering or sitting in the elementary, middle school or high school halls,
unless they are going to or coming from a teacher’s room.
C. Students who are meeting
with teachers, advisors, coaches, or serving detentions need to have a note or
they will be asked to move to the area near the big gym.
D. Students who are found in
the halls will be directed to go to the big gym area.
E. Students who are
unwilling to comply will be asked to leave the school building until after 7:50
a.m. or until the extra curricular event they plan to attend starts.
a. Students who are
unwilling to remain out of the halls before or after school may be disciplined
as the school administrator sees fit.
F. Parents/guardians of
students who are consistently in the halls before or after school will be
contacted and consulted with concerning any problems or disciplinary
procedures.
G. Students need to refrain
from congregating in and around the entrance/exit doorways to the school. (Blocking the entrance/exit doorways could
be dangerous in the event of an emergency).
a. Students congregating or standing in the entrance/exit doorways will be asked to move down to the area near the big gym.
1.
REGULAR
ATTENDANCE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT AND THE PARENT/GUARDIAN. The reasons for an attendance policy that
encourages students and their parents/guardians to be accountable for regular
and punctual attendance are:
a. Regular
attendance contributes to our instructional goal of developing responsible and
productive citizens prepared for the challenges of the work world or higher
education.
b. Like a job,
school is a student’s major responsibility.
Current research in education has determined there is a direct
relationship between success in school and a student’s attendance rate.
c. The
participation and input of each student at Pittsford is valued. Therefore, it is impossible to recreate the
learning experiences of the classroom in the form of make-up work. Students and parents should be aware that
any absence may adversely affect a student’s progress.
2.
Student attendance shall
be kept on an hourly basis. Attendance
is defined as any student in class more than the majority of time during a
scheduled class (this is thirty-one (31) minutes under our current system).
3.
Parents
are responsible for notifying the school when students are absent.
The absence reporting telephone number is
523-7334 and is available 24
hours a day/7 days a week. This is checked once per day
4. Two (2) categories of absences will be considered:
EXCUSED:
An absence in which the
parent/guardian calls the school with an acceptable excuse within
twenty-four (24) hours.
UNEXCUSED:
Any absence where the student’s parent/guardian does not notify the school in
the matter above.
5.
Any student who has an
excused absence from school has the right to
make-up work for the day missed. For an excused absence, students will
be allowed one day for each day absent to make
up tests, quizzes and
assignments.
Arrangements to do so will be made with the teacher at the
next scheduled class period. For unexcused absences it will be at the
teacher’s discretion to allow make-up work.
Parents calling in to request homework must give a
24-hour notice for teachers to gather work.
6.
Any student missing more
than 10 days, excused or unexcused, per
semester
will either:
a)
The absence will be
forgiven due to extenuating circumstances.
b) Students having excessive acceptable absences (over ten
combined excused and/or unexcused for any course for the semester) will be
required to pass the end of the semester exam in order to receive credit for
the course. Students will also be under the Hillsdale County truancy
regulations.
c)
The teacher is ultimately
responsible for issuing credit.
7.
A
letter will be sent to parents upon the 3rd, 7th and 10th absence during a
semester. For minors, depending upon
the reasons for the absences, upon the 7th absence
during a semester the principal will contact the juvenile court to establish a
court date.
8. Students
who wish to excuse an absence in advance, i.e. family vacation or being out of town, are to complete a
Pre-Arranged Absence form from the principal’s
office at least three (3) days in advance of the absence. Stu- dents
must make arrangements with the teachers and administration for homework in advance, with work due
upon their return. Teachers may ex tend this deadline at their discretion.
9.
In the
event there is any question regarding the application of this Atten-
dance Policy, an appeal can be
made. The student and/or
parent/guardian
through the high school office,
and within the marking period in question,
must initiate the appeal
process. There is a limit of one (1)
appeal per se-
mester. The appeal hearing may include the following participants: the
student,
a parent/guardian, counselor, the instructor concerned, one or more teachers, and a building
administrator. After listening to the
appeal, the committee will
dismiss the appellant, make a decision, and provide the results to the appellant within ten (10) school days.
10.
Absences
for school-approved activities will not be counted against a stu-
dent’s absence record. Teachers will be notified of such
absences.
(Students should attempt to do
schoolwork before the absence. However,
opportunity to make-up missed
work at full credit is expected. There
are to
be no grade penalties for this
type of absence.)
11.
No
student who is a legal dependant of his/her parent or guardian may ex-
cuse his/her own absences, or
sign themselves out of school without pa-
rental permission, even if he/she
is 18 years old. Legally emancipated or
married students who live on
their own may write their own excuses and
sign themselves out of
school. Students who have reached the
Age or Ma-
jority (18 years old) are
subject to all of the same rules and regulations of
the school as any other student.
12.
Students who must leave during the school day must have parental permis-
sion properly presented to the administration or his/her
designee, or call
their parents to receive
permission before they may sign out.
Students
leaving school without presenting
parental permission and without signing
out will be considered
skipping. Students who report to school
after the be-
ginning of the school day must
present parental permission and sign in
upon arrival. Failure to do so will be considered
unexcused and subject to
the discipline code.
13. Leaving
school property or being in a parked car or the parking lot during
lunch hour is not allowed. Any student failing to attend his/her
scheduled
classes, without making previous
arrangements with the office, will be con-
sidered truant and subject to
disciplinary action.
TRUANCY
POLICY
For truancy, the definition
of a student is “any student under the age of seventeen”. If a student is 17 or older, the court has
jurisdiction only if there is a prior or pending case. However, each school district can implement
their own policy for students age 17 and older. Students 17 or older will be held accountable to the same policies
and standards as students under the age of 17.
1. The
building principal will be the contact person to the Truant Officer.
2.
Truancy under this policy
applies to each individual hour.
Saturday School, when assigned, counts as one school day.
3. Unexcused
absences less than 50% of a day, and excessive tardiness will be handled by the
building administrator, who may assign attendance at Saturday School and/or
refer the case to the Truant Officer.
4. Excused
absences are defined as an absence in which the parent/guardian calls the
school’s absence hotline (preferably before noon on the day of absence) at
523-7334 with an acceptable excuse within 24 hours after each absence. The absence hotline is available 24 hours
per day. The office checks this once
per day.
5. Unexcused
absences are absences not reported by the student’s parent/guardian by
telephone within 24 hours.
6. If a student has a 2nd unexcused absence the school
administrator will contact the student and the parent/guardian and set up a
meeting with the student, parent and school administrator. During the meeting a plan to make sure the
student is in school will be formulated and a Truancy-Administration Contact
Form - Recommendations filled out and signed by the student, parent and school
administrator. If any party is not
willing to sign the recommendations form, the school administrator will
document the party’s unwillingness to sign the recommendation form and the
unsigned form will be saved in the students file.
7. If a student has a 3rd unexcused absence the school
administrator will fill out a Truancy Referral Form and personally deliver a
copy to the student and parent/guardian.
The school administrator must personally deliver the Truancy Referral
Form within three school days to both the student and parent/guardian. Mailing, via general or certified mail, the
Truancy Referral Form to the student or parent/guardian is not acceptable. After delivering the Truancy Referral Form
to the student and parent/guardian the school administrator will fill out a
Proof of Service/Non-Service Form indicating to whom, where, and when the Proof
of Service/Non-Service form was delivered.
8. Upon delivery of the Truancy Referral Form to the student and
parent/guardian and filling out the Proof of Service/Non-Service Form, the
school administrator will attach copies of the Truancy-Administration Contact
Form – Recommendations, Truancy Referral Form, Proof of Service/Non-Service
Form, Attendance History and any other pertinent information, and give all of
the information to the Truancy Officer.
9. If a student has 10 or more total absences, excused and unexcused
combined, the student’s Attendance History will be turned over to the Truancy
Officer for examination and possible action taken by the Truancy Officer or
Truancy Court.
10. The above Truancy Policy has been established by the Hillsdale
County Probate Court and is subject to change.
Note: Chronic absenteeism under the heading of
“excused” may be addressed by the local district through disciplinary action,
loss of credit, or other action as deemed appropriate by the District. Situations involving “extenuating
circumstances” with chronic absenteeism may be forwarded to the Truancy Officer
at the discretion of the appointed building contact person.
1. The student will be required to
attend the next scheduled Saturday School for every unexcused absence above
three.
2. A written referral will be made to
the Truancy Officer by the district appointee, upon the 6th
unexcused absence. A copy of the truant
student’s attendance record will be sent to the Truant Officer, along with the
referral.
3.
The
Truant Officer will review the case based on recorded data and interviews.
4. A recommendation will be made to the
judge by the Truancy Officer regarding disposition.
5. Upon disposition, the school will be
contacted, identifying case disposition.
PARTICIPATION IN AND ATTENDING AFTER-SCHOOL
ACTIVITIES
Students are not permitted to participate in or attend after
school extra-curricular activities or athletics the day of an absence unless it
is an acceptable pre-arranged absence approved by the building
administrator. Acceptable pre-arranged
absences are appointments or emergencies that cannot be arranged other than
during school time. Examples (not all
inclusive) include: doctor, dentist, orthodontist, hospital appointments,
funerals, family emergencies, personal emergencies, or other emergencies that
are approved by the building administrator.
Students in AIR cannot attend any events.
Students are still expected to follow all dress codes when
attending these events.
CLASS OFFICERS, REPRESENTATIVES
& KING & QUEEN CANDIDATES
Absence of a student during school
hours for religious education outside the school grounds will be allowed
provided the student's parent or guardian submits a written request to the
school principal. The religious
instruction must be under the sponsorship by a duly constituted religious body
or group and does not exceed 1 hour per month.
The Behavioral Detention Program is a
progressive form of discipline.
Sessions will be held from 3:00—4:00 p.m. The Principal will assign the date to be served. Students may attend extracurricular
activities. Examples of rule
infractions that result in detention assignments include (but are not limited
to) the following:
A. Leaving campus without permission
B. Skipping class
C. Excessive tardiness
D. Unexcused absences
E. Inappropriate physical contact
F. Inappropriate use of language
G. Causing problems that interfere with the educational process
H. Dress code violations
I. Bumping and kicking vending machines
J. Jr. High Students missing homework
K. Missing excessive schoolwork
L. Principal’s decision
Detention session rules:
A. No student will be admitted after ten
minutes beyond the end of the school day.
B. No student will be allowed to use the phone or go to his/her
locker.
C. No talking among students.
D. All students are expected to bring work with them and should
spend their time on homework. If they
have nothing to do then the teacher in charge will assign them work to do.
E. Students are not to eat or drink in the detention room. If a student is assigned a detention and
then continues to be referred to the office for rule infractions, the
assignment will be lifted and a suspension will be imposed.
F. Students are allowed one make-up date to fulfill a detention
session. If a student fails to appear
for the make-up detention session, the student will then be suspended from
school and the Progressive Discipline Plan will be instituted.
PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE FOR SUSPENSION
AND EXPULSION PROCEDURE
Due process:
General procedures followed by the
administration in handling of discipline cases involving students are as
follows:
1st offense: Alternative
Instruction Room (AIR). Conference with student by administration (Parents may
or may not be contacted depending on severity of situation and attitude of
student offender).
2nd offense: Alternative
Instruction Room (AIR). Administration contacts parent for conference with
students, parents and administration.
3rd offense: Alternative
Instruction Room (AIR). Administration
contacts parents.
4th offense: One
day out-of-school suspension.
5th offense: Three
days out-of-school suspension.
6th offense: Five
days out-of-school suspension.
7th offense: Ten
days out-of-school suspension.
8th offense: Recommendation
for expulsion to the Board of Education or its designee.
The above is the procedure followed
in dealing with students where
disciplinary
action is to be taken. However,
depending on the nature and seriousness of the situation, steps found within
this procedure may be eliminated (such as an assault on another student or
disrespect to a staff member). This
means it is entirely possible a student or students on the very first offense
could be immediately suspended and/or referred to the superintendent’s office
for expulsion from school.
Suspension: Rights and Responsibilities
A.
The student shall be informed of the specific charges, which could be the basis for disciplinary
action to be taken against him/her.
B.
The student will have the right to present to the school administrator
any relevant information that will support his defense.
C. If the school administrator suspends the student, the
administrator will:
1. Notify the parents as soon as
possible of the suspension, the reasons for it, and the steps necessary to effectuate
the student’s return.
2. Meet with the parents or guardian and the
student to plan satisfactory return of the student to the school
setting.
D. If the parents or guardians are dissatisfied with the
action, they may appeal to the superintendent or his designee to review the
decisions.
E.
It is the students’ responsibility to secure the work missed during
their suspension and must be turned in on the day they return to school, if
academic credit is desired.
Expulsion: Rights and Responsibilities:
A.
Written and/or verbal notice of charges against a student shall be supplied to the student and his
parent or guardian, and included within this notice shall be a statement of the
time and place for the hearing. The
parties involved shall mutually agree upon said time. Parents or guardian may be present at the hearing.
B.
Legal counsel may represent the student, parent or guardian.
C. The student shall be given an
opportunity to give his version of the facts and their implications. He shall be allowed to offer the testimony
of other witnesses and other evidence.
D. The student shall be allowed to
observe all evidence offered against him.
In addition, he shall be allowed to question any witness.
E. The hearing shall be conducted by
the Board of Education who shall make its determination solely upon the
evidence presented at the hearing.
F.
A record shall be kept at the hearing.
G.
The Board of Education shall state within a reasonable time after the
hearing its findings as to whether or not the student charged is guilty of the
conduct charged and its decisions as to expulsion.
H. The findings of the hearing authority
shall be reduced to writing and sent to the student and his parent or guardian.
I. The student and his parent or
guardian shall be made aware of their right to appeal the decision of the
hearing authority to the appropriate appellate authority.
TARDINESS
It is each student’s responsibility
to arrive to school and class on time.
Excuses will not be accepted for “my alarm did not go off”, “sleeping
in”, etc. “Car failure”, “flat tire”,
“stuck in the snow”, etc., are also unacceptable excuses. The school
district provides bus transportation for all students living in the district to
get to school. If students use other
means of transportation to get to school, it is their responsibility to arrive
on time. If late to school first period, students must first report to the
principal’s office upon arrival to school to sign in. Students who arrive at school after first hour must report to the
attendance secretary’s office to sign in.
On their first tardy per semester, students will be warned. Any additional morning tardies during each
semester will result in the student being assigned the disciplinary action
defined below.
The teacher
will handle tardiness during any period other than first hour. A student must be entirely within the
classroom when the bell rings in order to avoid being tardy. Any student more than 5 minutes late will no
longer be considered tardy, but rather cutting class and will be dealt with
accordingly by the building principal.
Staff members who detain students from reporting to class on time will
issue a signed pass to allow the student to enter the next class without
penalty. Staff members will honor these
signed passes.
Tardiness
cases will be handled on a semester basis in each class as follows:
1. First Tardy-There will be no penalty as long as the student
is no more than 5 minutes late. The
student will be reminded that prompt arrival to class is required.
2. Second Tardy-There will be no penalty as long as the student
is no more than 5 minutes late. The
student will be reminded that prompt arrival to class is required.
3. Third Tardy-The student will make up one hour before or
after school.
4. Fourth Tardy-The student will be required to make up one
hour before or after school.
5.
Fifth
and Sixth Tardy—The student will be required to serve two hours before or after
school.
Detention is a sanction that compels
a student to remain under school supervision at a time when other students are
on their own time. Detentions must be
served on the day and time assigned by the office. Detentions may also be assigned during part of a student's lunch
hour. Students may be assigned
detention by the office, and it is for those students with undesirable patterns
of attendance, tardiness, or other disciplinary problems. Failure to attend detention on the assigned
date and time shall be grounds for additional hours of detention or suspension,
length of suspension to be determined by the building principal.
LUNCH DETENTION
Teachers may assign students to lunch
detention under their direct supervision.
Students will not be denied a lunch.
SATURDAY SCHOOL
As an extension of the
countywide truancy policy, the provision of a “Saturday School” will provide an
alternative, or in some cases, a precursor to court involvement. The program is designed for students in
grades 7-12.
The Saturday School Program
will be held at Hillsdale High School in the cafeteria.
Pittsford Area School
students will be referred for unexcused absences beyond three (3), excessive
tardiness, skipping school, excessive excused absences of 10 or above, and for
various disciplinary reasons.
Students assigned to Saturday School will receive a more detailed description of the guidelines for attendance at Saturday School.
The goal of the alternate instruction
room (AIR) program is to provide a disciplinary program that retains the
student in the school setting, and as an alternative to out-of-school
suspension.
While serving in the alternate
instruction room:
1. Work accomplished in the AIR will be granted full credit
2.
Failure to abide by the rules and assignment
in AIR will result in
further disciplinary action.
3.
Students
in the AIR program may not participate in, or
attend any
extra-curricular activities the day(s) they attend the
AIR.
4. The AIR program is
determined by the school administrator.
5.
Students
are expected to bring work with them to AIR.
If the
student does not have
work to do, work will be provided.
6.
Students
who fail to attend AIR when they are scheduled will
move along
the progressive discipline chart.
While serving Out-Of-School
suspension:
1. Work accomplished in OSS will be granted at least ½ credit.
2. Students are required to get their assignments from their
teachers either prior to, or the next day after the OSS. For long term OSS (more than 3 days), the
student needs to make other arrangements to get assignments through the
principal’s office.
3. All work will be due the second day after returning from
OSS.
4. Tests or exams given while a student is serving OSS can be
made up with a maximum of at least 75% credit given.
5. Students who are serving OSS may not participate in, or
attend any extra-curricular activities for the length of their suspension. They also will not be allowed on school
grounds during the duration of the suspension without permission of the
building principal.
6.
After
the OSS has been served the student will meet with the Counselor or the
Principal before returning to class.
Categories of misconduct have been taken from the
School Board Code. The school will take
disciplinary action regardless of whether criminal charges result, if
misconduct occurs in the school building, on school property or at
school-sponsored activities.
Pittsford High School has adopted a
progressive discipline plan designed to discourage students from repeating
offenses. The Principal will use
his/her discretion to assign student punishments, while following the
Behavioral and Progressive Discipline Programs
It is understood that other forms of misconduct not
specifically mentioned in the handbook may give rise to disciplinary action,
including expulsion, and that the severity of any student’s actions may result
in discipline beyond that which is identified in the handbook, including
expulsion.
Fighting:
Fighting will not be tolerated. The
penalty for fighting is an automatic suspension between 1 and 3 days. The student will be suspended and placed in
the Progressive Discipline Plan. There
does not have to be physical contact for the offense to be considered a fight.
Smoking:
Smoking/tobacco products
1st Offense: Three (3) or more days out of school suspension
and a youth tobacco report will be filed with a local police agency, which will
then be sent to the appropriate court for disposition.
2nd
Offense: Five (5) or more days out
of school suspension. Plus a report
will be filed with the police.
3rd
Offense: Ten (10) day out of school
suspension and police report filed.
Drinking/Alcohol use
1st
Offense: Three (3) or more days out
of school suspension and a report will be filed with a local police agency,
which will then be sent to the appropriate court for disposition.
2nd
Offense: Five (5) or more days out
of school suspension. Plus a report
will be filed with the police.
3rd
Offense: Ten (10) day out of school
suspension and police report filed.
Plagiarism and Cheating. Students are expected to complete their own work. Cheating and/or plagiarism (presenting the
ideas or words of another’s as one’s own) will result in loss of credit for the
assignment, and depending of the severity, loss of credit for the marking
period. Detention may be assigned to
the student.
Behavioral Probation.
Chronic misbehavior during the school year is disruptive to other
students’ learning. It will not be
tolerated and will result in behavioral probation. This means that the student
and their parents/guardian will be notified that the student has been placed on
behavioral probation. During the next
school year, any misbehavior will result in expedited discipline. An initial referral documenting misbehavior
may result in immediate suspension out of school for multiple days. If the misbehavior continues, the student
will be referred to the Board of Education for expulsion.
Bullying.
Pittsford Area Schools recognizes that bullying and intimidation have a
negative effect on school climate. Students
who are intimidated and fearful cannot give their education the single-minded
attention they need for success.
Bullying can also lead to violence that is more serious. Every student has the right to an education
and to be safe in school.
1. Definition of bullying. Bullying is a
pattern of abuse over time and involves a student being “picked on”. Bullying includes physical intimidation or
assault; extortion; oral or written threats; teasing; putdowns; name calling;
threatening looks, gestures or actions; cruel rumors; false accusations; and
social isolation.
2. Bullying is prohibited. Pittsford Area Schools and staff shall not tolerate any bullying on district grounds or at
any school activity on or off school grounds.
3. Staff intervention.
The district
expects staff members who observe or become aware of an act of bullying to take
immediate, appropriate steps to intervene - unless intervention would be a
threat to the staff members’ safety.
Staff members shall not directly intervene in a fight or physical
altercation. If a staff member believes
that his/her intervention has not resolved the matter, or the bullying
persists, he/she shall report the bullying to the school principal for further
investigation.
4. Students and parents shall report bullying. The district expects students and parents who become aware
of an act of bullying to report it to the school principal for further
investigation. Any student who retaliates against another for reporting
bullying may be subject to the consequences listed below in paragraph 6.
5. Investigation procedures.
Upon learning
about a bullying incident, the principal or designee shall contact the parents
of both the aggressor and the victim, interview both students, and thoroughly
investigate. This investigation may
include interviews with students, parents, and school staff; review of school
records; and identification of parent family issues.
6. Consequences/intervention.
Consequences
for students who bully others shall depend on the results of the investigation
and may include counseling; a parent conference; detention; suspension and/or
expulsion; or involuntary transfer to another school district. Depending upon the severity of the incident,
the principal may also take appropriate steps to ensure student safety. These may include implementing a safety
plan; separating and supervising the students involved; providing staff support
for students as necessary; reporting incidents to law enforcement if
appropriate; and developing a supervision plan with the parents.
Display of Affection.
School is not a place for public display of affection. Students will be reported to the office and
parents will be notified. Students can
be placed in the Behavioral Detention Program.
Sexual Harassment and Intimidation.
It is the policy of this district to maintain a learning and working
environment that is free from sexual harassment. No board member, staff member, or student of this district shall
be subjected to any form of sexual harassment or intimidation. It shall be a violation of this policy for
any board member, employee, or student to harass any member of the board, staff
or student body through conduct or communication of a sexual nature.
Theft.
Students caught stealing in school or at school activities will be
suspended for a period of time determined by the principal. Restitution must be made and, in addition,
criminal charges may be filed.
Weapon-Free School Zone.
The Board of Education of Pittsford Area School District, as both an
employer and a public school district, is concerned with and interested in
protecting the health, safety, and welfare of students, employees, and
visitors. The Board recognizes that
school buildings, facilities, vehicles, grounds and other school property are
best utilized in the educational process in the absence of threats to physical
well-being and safety, by individuals possessing weapons and/or dangerous
weapons.
Accordingly, the Board of Education
of the Pittsford Area School District (or the superintendent, a principal or
other district official as may be designated by the Board) shall permanently
expel a pupil from attending school in the school district if the pupil
possesses a weapon in a weapon-free school zone. Such weapons would include, but not be limited to, a dagger,
dirk, stiletto, knife with a blade over three (3) inches in length, pocket
knife opened by mechanical device, iron bar, brass knuckles or firearm.
Zero Tolerance for Gang Association.
Pittsford Area Schools will not allow any students to wear gang-related
clothing of any type, show or draw gang symbols, or participate in any behavior
that might promote gang mentality. This
will be strictly enforced as a suspendable offense. Students who take it upon
themselves to initiate/haze other students will be suspended from school.
Zero Tolerance for Graffiti.
Any graffiti, vandalism, or other defacement of school property is
strictly prohibited. Students can face
suspension, expulsion, and/or criminal charges for any graffiti, vandalism, or
defacement of school property.
School Safety Regulations.
The following guidelines will be followed regarding school safety
offenses:
1. Students who intentionally cause
or intend to cause harm to a teacher, volunteer, or contractor in school will
be expelled.
2. Students who assault or threaten
to assault other students or make bomb threats or similar threats will be
suspended or expelled from one (1) to one hundred eighty (180) days.
3.
A
verbal assault is any statement or act, oral or written, which can reasonably
be expected to induce in another person(s) an apprehension of danger of bodily
injury or harm. Such verbal assaults
will result in a suspension of the student by the board from one (1) to one
hundred eighty (180) days. The board
grants permission to the administrators to suspend students for student on
student physical and verbal assaults.
If the administrator deems it necessary, he may refer any such cases to
the board for their action. In either
case, the administration and/ or board may place the student in the Alternate
Instruction Room (AIR) for the duration of the suspension with appropriate
restrictions.
MEDICATIONS
It is understood that students sometimes need to take
medication(s) during the school day.
However, there are certain steps that must be followed. School personnel shall not diagnose and
shall never administer any medication except for the following:
1. A medication dispensation
form and notification of a student's need for medication must be filed with the
school nurse.
2. The prescription medicine
to be administered at school must be received by the office or school nurse in
the original container in which it was dispensed by the prescribing physician
or licensed pharmacist.
3. Non-prescription drugs
should be sent in original container, along with a note from the parent
expressing permission for their child to take the medication, and given to the
office or school nurse. Only the
quantity needed for one day should be brought to school. Students will be responsible for
administering his/her own non-prescription drugs.
4. Students have the right
to possess and use a metered-dose inhaler or a dry-powder inhaler to alleviate
asthmatic symptoms or before exercise to prevent the onset of asthmatic
symptoms. The right applies at school
or at any activity, event, or program sponsored by or in which the student's
school is a participant. In order for a
student to possess the inhaler, he/she must have written approval from the
student's physician and parent or other caretaker. The principal must have received copies of these required written
approvals.
5. Parents are required to
notify the school nurse of any change in medication or health status of their
child.
6. Teachers will never keep
any type of medication for a student.
7.
Students with temperatures at or above 100 degrees will be sent
home.
The use, sale, and/or possession of
alcohol, controlled or illegal behavior-affecting substances, imitation
controlled substances, over-the-counter stimulant concentrates, body-altering
substances (steroids), and/or related materials is strictly forbidden. It shall be the policy of the Board of
Education that positive action be taken in the handling of incidents which take
place in the school, on school property, during school hours, while enroute to
and from school, or at school-sanctioned activities involving the possession,
sale and/or use of behavior-affecting substances, imitation controlled
substances, stimulate concentrates, and/or related materials. These substances shall include, but not be
limited to, marijuana, LSD, alcohol, barbiturates, inhalants, and glue. Imitation controlled substances shall be
defined herein as: No Doz, Vivarin, diet pills, caffeine concentrates,
and similar products. Related materials
shall include, but not be limited to, roach clips, pipes, cigarette wrapping
paper, etc., or other paraphernalia utilized to facilitate the use of
behavior-affecting substances or imitation controlled substances.
As defined in 1984 PA 347, State of
Michigan, "imitation controlled substances" means a substance that is
not a controlled substance or is not a drug for which a prescription is
required under federal or state law, which by dosage unit appearance, including
color, shape, size or marking, and/or by representations made, would lead a
reasonable person to believe that the substance is a controlled substance.
1.
It is
against school policy to deliver, attempt to deliver or cause to be delivered a
non-controlled substance which the person:
a. represents to
be a controlled substance, or
b. represents
to be of a nature, appearance, or effect which will allow the recipient to
display, sell, distribute, or use the substance as a controlled substance.
2.
Proof of any one of the following is prima facie evidence of the above:
a. The substance
substantially resembles a controlled substance (Black Cadillac, Black Beauty,
Yellow Jacket, Blue and Clear, Brown Bombers, White Cross, Purple Heart,
Valium, Librium, cocaine, etc.).
b. The
substance is unpackaged or is packaged in a manner normally used for illegal
delivery of a controlled substance (baggie, envelope, gum wrapper, etc.).
c. The
substance is not labeled as required by the FDA.
d. The
person states that the substance may be resold at a price that substantially
exceeds the value of the substance (50 cents a hit, for example).
3.
The sale and/or advertisement of any drug is against school policy.
4.
The
school reserves the right to conduct searches with dogs trained to de-
tect banned substances.
Whenever a student is suspected of possessing or using
alcohol or behavior-affecting substances, imitation controlled substances,
stimulant concentrates, and/or related materials, being under the influence of,
or suspected of having sold same, the following procedures will be followed by
the administration, if practical:
1.
Hold
the student involved in isolation and conduct an investigation.
2.
Notify
the student's parents and the local law enforcement authorities.
3.
Inform
the district superintendent.
If investigation discloses that the person is in
possession of alcohol, or using or selling such behavior-affecting substances,
imitation controlled substances, stimulant concentrates, and/or related
materials, the following procedure could be followed if conditions warrant:
1st Offense: A minimum
penalty of forty-five (45) days suspension. Parents must attend a conference
with the building principal prior to the student’s return. The length of suspension may be lessened if
the student and parent(s) agree to obtain substance abuse counseling through
programs licensed by the Michigan Office of Substance Abuse Services at the
expense of the student/parent(s).
2nd
Offense: Permanent expulsion. Students committing the
above-mentioned offenses may be considered for reinstatement sooner if they
obtain substance abuse counseling through programs licensed by the Michigan
Office of Substance Abuse Services at the expense of the student/parent(s).
Should the student or his/her parents wish to appeal
this action, said student and/or parent shall present written communication to
the superintendent of Pittsford Area Schools within forty-eight (48) hours of
the commencement of the suspension or expulsion, requesting a hearing with the
Board of Education. The superintendent
will have discretion regarding whether to continue the student on suspension
status pending the appeal to the Board of Education.
Outside visitors are not permitted to
attend classes and/or visit with any student or teacher unless the visitor is
approved by the principal and/or the teachers and receives a visitors badge
from the office. Any student wishing to
bring in an outside visitor must get a permission form from the principal's
office, and have it signed by the student's teachers, two (2) days in advance
of the visit. On the day of the visit,
the visitor will be required to wear a visitor’s badge.
Courtesy is a reflection of the
respect that one has for themselves and others. Teachers are to be addressed at all times with the proper title
of Mr., Mrs., or Ms. The teacher has the prime responsibility and authority for
managing and directing the lesson and classroom.
Students are responsible for knowing
the accepted rules and regulations of each of their teachers, and abiding by
them in each respective class. Any
teacher has the authority to reprimand any student that is disrupting the
learning process. Failure to respond to
or carry out a reasonable request by a faculty member or authorized school
personnel will be considered insubordination and subject the student to
disciplinary action by the building principal.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
The school plant and furnishings
provided for our use by the school district are expensive. We sincerely hope that you will help us in
taking good care of our school and its contents.
Breakage due to normal everyday
situations will be paid for by the district; however, breakage due to
maliciousness, horseplay, etc., will be paid for by the student(s) involved.
Students who are issued educational
or athletic equipment from Pittsford Area Schools are responsible for their
safe return. If school-issued equipment
is lost, stolen or damaged, students will be expected to reimburse Pittsford
Area Schools for the full price of the lost, stolen, or damaged equipment.
We ask that students do not write on
or deface the desks, walls, and other school property. This type of behavior is unacceptable and
will result in disciplinary action. It
also costs the school money that could be spent in better ways.
Waste cans are located throughout the
building for your use. Please deposit
all waste paper, trash, and especially used lunch sacks and remaining items in
these cans.
Take pride in your school; please
help us keep Pittsford High School a nice, clean place to learn.
All students at Pittsford High School are expected to
dress according to standards of good taste and good judgment in a school
institution. Dress and grooming should
not be of a controversial or disruptive nature. Health and safety are additional factors, along with cleanliness
and neatness, which are taken into consideration in our grooming policy.
The following are not allowed under our dress and
grooming policy:
1. Obscene
or profane language on clothing.
2. Articles
of clothing which overly expose a student’s body, or are otherwise considered
inappropriate for school such as string tops, halter tops, tank tops with less than 3” straps, extremely low cut tops,
half t-shirts, t-shirts with cut off sleeves, short shorts, spandex shorts,
boxer shorts, clothing with rips or tears, overly tight clothing, see-through
clothing, pajamas, chains and clothing considered unsafe.
The test for clothing that overexposes a
student’s body will be as follows:
a. If a student raises their arms and the mid-section is visible, or
the midsection is visible without the student raising their arms, the clothing
is unacceptable.
b. If a student places their arms at their side and the fingertips
extend past the length of the shorts, skirt, dress, etc., then they are
unacceptable.
c. Pants, shorts, etc., must be worn where they are intended, at the
waist. Oversized slacks that hang
inappropriately below the waistline exposing undergarments will not be
permitted.
Any student found in violation of any of the above will
be given appropriate clothing to wear or their parents will be contacted to
bring acceptable clothing to the student.
Repeated violations of these rules will require the student to attend
detention, the behavioral program or the progressive discipline program.
3. Clothing
that promotes alcohol, drugs, tobacco, obscene or questionable
printing, (Big Johnson, Hooters,
Co-ed Naked, etc.,), violence, and/or death
and suicide.
4. Coats,
jackets, etc. are not to be worn in the classrooms during the school
day. Outerwear is to be kept in the locker.
5. Chains
attached to wallets or parts of the body are prohibited.
6. The
“Gothic” look, including dark makeup, lines drawn on the face, or
wearing leather straps, spiked straps
or jewelry, or studded chokers is pro-
hibited.
7. Hats,
headbands, and sunglasses may not be worn between 8:00 a.m. and
3:03
p.m.
8. Wearing
bandanas, “doo rags”, etc., at anytime on school grounds is strictly
prohibited.
If the wearing of these articles is thought to be gang related, the
student(s) will be suspended.
9. Footwear is
required at all times.
The building administrator has final
judgment for whether clothes and other grooming issues are appropriate.
The counseling staff is in charge of
all intelligence, aptitude, achievement, preference, and problem testing. They will also be glad to speak with you at
any time concerning any problems that arise regarding any area or topic. Students interested in making application to
college, or furthering their education in any way, should see the counseling
staff as early as possible.
GUIDANCE SERVICES
Our school is prepared to give you
assistance in meeting problems connected with your school life, such as:
1.
Adjustment to high
school.
2.
Analysis of your strengths and weaknesses.
3.
Exploring your vocational and educational interests.
4.
Planning a program of subjects that fits your needs.
5.
A tentative occupational choice.
6.
Checking progress of the studies.
7.
Choosing
a school in which to continue your education beyond high
school.
8.
Planning
your high school course to meet entrance requirements of
your chosen
school.
9. Scholarship
information.
10. Assistance in
finding a job.
11. Military
Service.
12. Help with
personal problems.
The counseling office maintains
up-to-date information on vocations, trade schools, colleges, and current job
openings. You may check out this
material at any time.
Following are the rules established
by the handbook committee to control the activities of those attending so that
the dance or activity is an enjoyable event for all:
1.
Middle
School dances will end at 9:00 p.m.
2.
The
adult chaperones are responsible for the admission of those at
tending. They will
refuse admission to those who are:
a.
improperly
or indecently dressed. School dress
code must
be followed.
b. under
the influence of, or have consumed alcohol and/or drugs.
c.
behaving in a disorderly manner.
d.
smoking and/or drinking on school property.
e. not
maintaining sufficient academic and/or behavioral standards at school.
f. leaving the
dance doesn’t guarantee re-admittance
3. Club
sponsors will be in attendance at all of their activities.
4. All
adult chaperones have the authority to enforce all existing rules. They may
remove all persons not adhering to the rules of the function.
5.
Students
enrolled at Pittsford High School may bring no more than one (1)
guest to Pittsford dances.
The guests must be registered at least one (1)
day before the event, and approved by the building principal
in order to at
tend the event.
Student assemblies are a privilege, and students are
expected to behave appropriately.
Students who have not maintained sufficient academic or behavioral
standards in school will not be allowed to attend assemblies. Students are required to attend these
assemblies unless they receive notice or permission from the building principal
excusing them from attending.
Our library is available to all
students at Pittsford High School.
Books may be loaned for a two (2) week period. Each student is financially responsible when books are not
returned. Overdue book notices are sent
out to students regularly. Once a
library book is one (1) week overdue, students will be charged $.05 per day
until the book is returned. Students
are welcome to use the research material available to aid in their research
assignments.
Students should use the library for
reading research and quiet study.
Conversation should be held at a minimum unless students are involved in
small group study. Please be
considerate of others when using these facilities.
Pittsford Internet and Technology
Systems (PITS) use is a privilege extended to students, staff, and
administration to enhance learning and exchange information. Each user of technology shall read,
understand, and agree to the following:
1.
That
use of the PITS is a privilege, which may be revoked by the administration at
any time for abusive conduct. Such
conduct includes, but is not limited to, placing unlawful information on the
system, and use of obscene, abusive or otherwise objectionable language in
either public or, upon registration of complaint, private messages or other
systems that are accessed through the PITS.
The staff and/or administration of Pittsford Area Schools will be the
sole arbitrator of what constitutes obscene, abusive, or objectionable language
or conduct.
2.
That
use of the PITS is a privilege which may be revoked by the ad
ministration at any time for conduct that embarrasses, harms
or in
any way distracts from the good reputation of Pittsford Area
Schools,
its faculty, staff and students, or organizations, groups,
and institu-
tions with which the school is affiliated. The staff and/or administra-
tion of Pittsford Area Schools will be the sole arbitrator
of what consti-
tutes unacceptable behavior.
3.
That
Pittsford Area Schools technology staff and/or administration re
serves the right to review any material stored in files to
which all us-
ers have access, and will edit or remove any material which
the staff,
in its sole discretion, believes may be unlawful, obscene,
abusive or
otherwise objectionable.
4.
That
all information services and features contained on the PITS are
intended for the educational use of its patrons, and any
commercial or
unauthorized use of those materials or services, in any
form, is pro-
hibited.
5.
The
user will abide by such privileges and responsibilities of system
usage as may be issued from time to time by the
administrators of the
PITS.
6.
That in
consideration for the privilege of using the PITS, and in consideration for
having access to the information contained thereon, the
user hereby releases the PITS and its operators and
sponsors, Pitts
ford Area Schools and its staff and administration, and all
organiza-
tions, groups and institutions with which the PITS is
affiliated, from
any and all claims of any nature arising from the user’s use
or inability
to use the PITS.
7.
That
the user’s access to and use of the PITS is subject to such limitations as may
be established by the administration, and may be
changed from time to time.
E-mail, chat rooms, game rooms or sites
that engage in real-time chat are prohibited without the
school admin-
istrator’s permission.
8.
That
users violating the PITS privileges and responsibilities may face
disciplinary action deemed appropriate in keeping with the
disciplinary
policies and guidelines of the
school. Disciplinary action will include,
but is not limited to:
a. Users
will be required to make full financial restitution for any
unauthorized expenses incurred or any damages caused,
including service and/or repair time.
b. Users
violating any of the privileges and responsibilities may be banned from using any school hardware and
software.
9.
That
users disciplined for violating the PITS privileges and responsibilities may appeal
disciplinary action through procedures available to them.
Pittsford
Area Schools is a closed campus. Students are not permitted to leave the
school grounds during the lunch hour unless a parent/guardian physically signs
them out for the lunch hour.
Students
must have direct permission from their parents/guardian to sign out for
appointments. Direct permission means either written permission or a
phone call between the parent/guardian and school secretary or building
administrator.
Leaving
campus without permission or signing out will be considered an unexcused
absence and is a cause for disciplinary action.
The school cafeteria is maintained as a vital part of
the health program of the school. To
encourage good nutrition, a well-balanced lunch is offered at a reasonable
price.
The lunchroom management and your
fellow students will appreciate your cooperation in the following ways:
1.
Deposit all lunch litter
in wastebaskets.
2.
Return
all trays and utensils to the dishwashing area.
3.
Leave
the table and floor around your place in a clean condition for others.
4. Refrain
from throwing food or other objects in the cafeteria. Any stu- dent
observed by school personnel, or determined to have thrown objects in the cafeteria will be subject
to disciplinary action by the building
principal.
5. Soda
pop, which has been brought from home or has been pur- chased at a time when lunch is not being served, may be taken
into the cafeteria.
6. Food
and/or drink may not be taken from the cafeteria area, nor will students be allowed to have food
and/or drink in the classrooms or hallways.
*Violations of the above may result in students losing
the right to eat in the lunchroom.
Students will not be allowed to use
the telephones in the classrooms without permission from the teacher. Students are not to use the office
telephones, except in the case of an emergency or for school or club
business. A pay telephone is located in
the hallway near the large gym for student use. Misuse of this telephone will result in its removal by the
telephone company. Students will not be
called from class to answer the phone.
Messages to students will be delivered to them in a timely manner. Cell phones are not allowed to be in service
during school. Cell phones are not to
be visible. There is to be no text
messaging during school. There are to
be no picture phones in the locker room.
For a first offense students using their cell phone at inappropriate
time will have their phone confiscated and returned to them at a later
time. In case of emergency students may
come to the office to get permission to use their cell phones.
Your textbooks are loaned to you each
year. You are responsible for the
textbooks and equipment checked out to you.
The textbooks are expected to last ten (10) years. If you write in your textbooks or abuse
them, you can expect to be fined when the textbooks are returned.
1.
Sign
the textbook loan sheet when you receive the textbook.
2.
Your
teacher will write your name and textbook condition in the textbook.
3.
Textbooks
will be listed as new, excellent, good, fair, or poor.
4.
Lost
textbooks must be paid for, with the amount to be paid depending upon their
condition at the time of loan.
School lockers are the property of
Pittsford Area Schools, and the administration retains the right to conduct
general locker inspections/searches when they believe standards of cleanliness,
sanitation and/or a threat to the health and safety of students may be in
jeopardy.
Locker space is provided for each
student. Please use good judgment in
taking care of your locker and its contents.
Students are prohibited from using
locks other than those that are school issued.
Locks may be rented from the office.
Students should refrain from bringing
things of value to school that are not necessary for class. Do not bring valuables to school!!!
Writing on the inside or outside of
the lockers and/or the placing of stickers in and/or on the outside of school
lockers is strictly prohibited.
Students may use scotch tape or masking tape to hold up pictures, etc.,
on the inside of lockers. Nothing will
be placed on the outside of lockers without permission from the building
principal. It is the responsibility of
the student to remove such items from their locker once the school year has concluded. Failure to properly maintain your assigned
locker may result in a fee being charged for cleaning/repairing.
Please keep your locker free of all
lunch sacks and other types of garbage that might draw rodents and cause
unpleasant odors. You must remain in your assigned locker or have permission
from the office to change your existing locker assignment. The school is not responsible for
personal items stored in the building.
Students are prohibited from having
pagers, cellular telephones, or lasers in school or at school functions. If caught using these items during school
time, these items will be confiscated.
Students are discouraged from bringing radios, CD-players, audio
equipment, etc., to school. Ipods or
MP3 players may be used during passing time or lunch times.
Every accident in the school building, on the school
grounds, at practice sessions, or at any athletic event sponsored by the school
must be reported immediately to the person in charge and to the school office.
The school has purchased student insurance coverage for
you. The coverage that your parents
have is the primary insurance. School
insurance is secondary coverage and will pay benefits only after your policy
benefits have been exhausted.
All students in our school system who
ride a bus are subject to Pittsford Area Schools' rules and regulations. The school bus is considered to be an
extension of the school building. Any
misbehavior that distracts the driver is a very serious violation and
jeopardizes the safety of everyone. Students will be cited for the following:
1.
Failure
to remain seated.
2.
Refusing
to obey bus driver.
3.
Throwing
objects.
4.
Profanity.
5.
Vandalism.
If you are reported for any of the
above-mentioned items, the school will take the following action:
1st Offense: A
conference with the student and a report to parents.
2nd Offense: Possible
suspension of riding privileges; length of time to depend on the seriousness of
the infraction, and a report to parents.
3rd Offense: Suspension
and conference with parent, principal and bus supervisor.
4th Offense: Permanent
suspension for remainder of the school year.
Students and parents/guardian should
be aware that more serious offenses committed on the bus while in transit to or
from school may result in suspension from both the bus and from school. These offenses will be dealt with according
to the penalties described in the Conduct section of this handbook.
We hope that you will see this system
as a reflection of our interest in the safety and well being of yourself and
others.
1.
All
students must be at the bus stop before the bus arrival time.
2.
Bus
riders should not move to board a bus until it is completely stopped
and
the door is open.
3. Walk
(don't run) in front of the bus when crossing the highway.
4. Bus
riders must remain in their seats, in a seated position, at all times.
5. Bus
drivers have the right to assign seats to all students.
6. No
changing seats without the bus driver's permission.
7. There
shall be no obstructions in the aisles.
8. Keep
hands and head inside the bus at all times.
9. Bus
riders should leave their seats only after the bus has come to a complete stop,
at their stop.
10. Loud
talking, shouting and/or fighting is not allowed.
11. No
profanity.
12. No
eating and/or drinking.
13. No
use and/or possession of tobacco in any form.
14.
No throwing of any objects at any time.
15. Live
animals are not allowed on the bus unless in a cage and kept in the front of
the bus.
16.
Damage to the bus must be paid for by the rider inflicting the damage.
17. Be
courteous, respectful, and obedient to your bus driver. Your help will enable the driver to make the
school bus ride safer.
18.
The bus
driver is authorized to suspend bus riders who refuse to cooperate. Parents
must meet with the bus supervisor to resolve the problem.
Pittsford Area School provides
transportation for students participating in the
a.m. off campus education. Students attending the afternoon sessions of
off campus education must find their own transportation to and from these
sessions. Morning students MUST use
the schools provided transportation.
1. No
one is to enter a school bus until the driver first occupies it. Students are to stay off the bus until the
driver has brought it into loading position.
2. Wait
until the bus has come to a complete stop before attempting to leave the
bus. Remain seated while the bus is in
motion. Enter or leave the bus only at
the front door. THE EMERGENCY DOOR IS
FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.
3. Articles
such as musical instruments and gym bags must be held by the owner and not left
in the aisle or in front of the doors.
4. Talking
and singing are permissible on spectator buses. Screaming, whistling, stomping
of feet and other unruly practices will not be allowed.
5. Students
are to refrain from all actions that are considered displays of affection.
6.
Students who ride to activities on a school bus must return on the same
bus
unless given permission by the coaches or chaperones.
Fire, tornado, and other emergency
drills are held at irregular intervals throughout the school year. Remember these basic rules:
1.
Check
the instructions posted in each classroom indicating how to leave the building
in case of fire, and area of the building to report to in case of a tornado or
other emergency.
2.
Walk. No talking.
Move quickly and quietly to the designated area.
The School Board has ruled that the superintendent of
schools must make the decision if school is to be changed from a normal school
day due to inclement weather.
In case of severe weather, the
official announcement for school closing or delays may be heard over the
following radio stations; please do not call the school: WCSR (1340AM) and (92.1FM), WMXE (102.5FM),
WNWN (1590AM) and (98.5FM), WQTE (95.3), WLEN (103.9), or WILX TV (Channel 10),
Lansing.
Our school is fortunate in having capable
people to help us whenever our regular teachers are ill or are attending
conferences. A substitute teacher is an
important visitor whose impressions of our school will be carried into the
community. Let us be certain that these
are good impressions by being polite, helpful, and considerate, as you would be
to your regular teacher. Students that
disrupt the educational experience will be subject to discipline by the regular
classroom teacher and/or the principal.
We follow the rules and regulations
outlined by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). To be scholastically eligible, a student
must be passing in at least four (4) subjects.
This is accumulative for the whole semester. A student must pass at least four (4) subjects in the previous
semester to be eligible in the following semester. During the school year, the student must be passing five (5) of
the six (6) classes in which he/she is enrolled.
To be eligible, a student must not be
19 before September 1st of the current school year. Exceptions are granted only under the
guidelines established by Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
School of choice students in grades
9, 10, 11, and 12 who transfer to Pittsford before the 4th Friday
count day in the fall or winter semester are not eligible for one semester (90
days). School of choice students who
transfer to Pittsford after the 4th Friday count day in the fall or
winter semester will not be eligible to participate for the remainder of the
semester of transfer plus one full semester.
Both parenting and
coaching are extremely difficult vocations.
By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to
accept the actions of the others and provide greater benefit to the
student/athlete. As parents when your
children become involved in a school program, you have the right to understand
what expectations are placed on your child.
This begins with clear communication.
In order for this communication to be a successful endeavor, the
following steps must be taken:
1. Please do not attempt to confront a coach without first
making an appointment. We have a 24
hour rule in place stipulating that 24 hours must pass after a contest before
an appointment to meet with a coach may be made.
2. Call the school to set up an appointment to discuss your
concerns. Requests to speak with a
coach during class time or practice will not be granted. However, parents are encouraged to leave
messages for coaches via the phone voice mail system, school secretary, or
e-mail for each coach. Coaches are required to check these sources of
communication at least daily. Every
effort will be made by the coach to contact you in a timely manner.
3. Contact the coach first to share and receive
information. Remember we all respond
more productively when we treat each other respectfully. Try to share honestly and openly, basing input
upon the facts, as we know them. Take
time to learn the full situation and be ready to work together for the good of
the student/athlete.
4. If the concern is not satisfactorily resolved after meeting
with the coach, the student/athlete and/or parent(s) should contact the
athletic director in an attempt to resolve the situation. If the student/athlete and/or parent(s) wish
to make a formal complaint to the athletic director about the situation, it
should be put in writing, with a copy provided to the coach.
5. The athletic director will investigate the complaint, and
discuss the concern with the coach. The
result’s of the investigation and subsequent actions(s) taken in resolving the
complaint will be documented in writing.
A meeting between the student/athlete and/or parent, coach, and athletic
director may be appropriate to attempt to resolve the complaint.
6. If the formal complaint is not satisfactorily resolved by
the athletic director, the student and/or parent(s) may appeal, in writing, to
the principal. A meeting between the
student/athlete and/or parent, coach, and principal may also be appropriate to
attempt to resolve the complaint.
7. If the formal complaint is not satisfactorily resolved by
the principal, the student and/or parent(s) may appeal, in writing, to the
superintendent, or his/her designee. If
it is necessary to take any further steps, the superintendent will advise you
of the procedures to follow.
I.
PHILOSOPHY
Pittsford Area Schools feel that
interscholastic athletics are a very important part of our educational
program. Many benefits and life-long
values may be gained from participation in a sound athletic program. This participation is a privilege granted to
the young men and women of our school district. Every athlete, through their public participation, is an
ambassador of our school and community.
The athlete's conduct reflects directly upon their parents, their school
and their community. Therefore, it is
our desire that our athletes make a favorable impression when representing our
school. A student therefore may be
suspended from the team by the coach or the administration for action that
brings discredit to the school or the team.
In accordance with our school’s
athletic philosophy, the athlete must be expected to adhere to a very high
level of personal conduct. The
following rules and regulations have been developed and are necessary for all
athletes to strictly adhere to.
II.
SPORTS OFFERED
Pittsford Area Schools offer its
students inter-scholastic competition in the following sports:
FALL WINTER SPRING
Cross-Country Boys Basketball Girls
Track
Cheerleading Cheerleading Boys
Track
Football Girls Basketball
Volleyball Wrestling
III.
ELIGIBILITY
A. Any
student wishing to participate in the above inter-scholastic athletics must be
enrolled in Pittsford Middle School and meet the Michigan High School Athletic
Association's eligibility, qualifications and regulations.
B. Student
athletes must be passing in five (5) credits per week in order to participate
in any athletic contest. The grade will
be based on an accumulative average from the first day of each semester. A weekly eligibility is done via the
Pinnacle System. The student athlete
would be ineligible the week following the Friday of the ineligible
report. Seniors have the option of
taking one (1) class for a “Credit/No Credit” grade. If the student is receiving a “No Credit” grade it counts as a
failing class towards their athletic eligibility.
C. Before
any student can compete on any athletic team of Pittsford High School, he/she
must first have on file in the athletic director's office a completed physical
card and a signed acknowledgement form from the athletic handbook of rules and
regulations.
D. All
students participating in athletics must be covered by health and accident
insurance.
E.
All student athletes are to
observe the rules set forth in this document throughout the athletic school
year regardless of whether or not they are participating. Therefore, all students who intend to
participate in athletics at any time during the school year must have a signed
athletic policy acknowledgement sheet on file at the beginning of their first
athletic school year.
F.
A
student may miss no more than sixty (60) minutes of the school day
to be eligible to practice or compete in an athletic contest
on that day.
The absence must
also be for an excused reason. Students
will be
eligible to practice and/or compete if they have approved a non-illness
related absence ahead-of- time with the coach, athletic director, or
prin-
cipal, or if they have a medical appointment, court appearance, school-
sponsored trip, or death and/or funeral in the immediate family.
G. Unsportsmanlike conduct by
athletes will not be tolerated and shall be
dealt with by the coach, athletic director or principal. Ungentlemanly or
unladylike rude treatment of a teacher, staff member or game official
will not be tolerated, and such action will be dealt with by the coach,
athletic director or principal.
H. An athlete may not participate in
two (2) sports in the same season.
I.
Athletes are not allowed to play in Church or City League games.
J. If an athlete is suspended from school or has been placed
in in-school
suspension for any reason (even on an hourly basis),
he/she will not be
permitted to practice or participate in a game on that
date, and until the
suspension is terminated.
IV. USE OF EQUIPMENT
Pittsford Area Schools will provide
game uniforms and specialized pieces of equipment as required by Michigan High
School Athletic Association regulations, and for the safety and welfare of the
student participating. The student
athlete must furnish shoes, socks, and other personal equipment. Athletes are expected to keep their personal
equipment clean and orderly in the locker provided for their use. Athletes should also speak with their coach to
obtain a lock for their locker, and keep the locker and their personal items
locked. Labeling of these personal
items will help to prevent loss.
Equipment lost by the athlete must be replaced or paid for before awards
will be given.
The borrowing of other students'
equipment is discouraged for health reasons, as well as possible conflict of
ownership problems.
V.
DRESS AND GROOMING
The athlete shall, at all times,
act, dress and groom in a manner that befits his/her position as a
representative of Pittsford High School and as an honored member of the
community.
The school code of dress shall apply
to all athletes for trips to away games.
It is highly recommended that players dress in a highly presentable
manner on the day of games and for the trip to away games.
VI.
TRAVEL REGULATIONS
All athletes will travel both ways on
school-provided transportation to a contest, unless written notification by
parent or legal guardian is given to the coach. Approval by the coach and/or Athletic Director must be given
before the athlete will be allowed to leave the athletic contest. Athletes must ride home with their parent or
guardian (athletes riding home with anyone other than their parents or guardian
will face disciplinary action by the coach).
Should an emergency occur and an athlete misses the school's
transportation to an away contest, he/she may be transported to the away site
by their parents or legal guardian.
Upon arrival, the parent or legal guardian must discuss the emergency
with the coach before participation will be allowed.
In the event that athletes have to
drive to a contest where transportation is not provided by the district, the
athletes are to follow the guidelines established by the administration,
athletic director, or coach.
Dismissal from the team may result
should an athlete come home by any other type of travel except set forth above.
VII.
ATHLETIC TRAINING RULES
Disciplinary action will be taken if
any athlete violates the following:
A.
Possession and/or use of tobacco in any form.
B. Possession and/or use of alcoholic
beverages.
C. Possession
and/or use of over-the-counter stimulants.
D. Stealing,
destruction of property, acts of dishonesty.
E.
Possession,
use, and/or sale of drugs or substances barred un-
der NCAA regulations as per Public Act 215.
F.
Curfew - reasonable hours set by the coach.
G. Practice
and/or game schedules set for the team.
H.
Failure
to abide by the rules stated in the Pittsford Area
Schools Student Handbook.
I. Insubordination or misbehavior towards a coach, school
employee or game
official.
J. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
K. Any behavior that detracts from the integrity of the
districts athletic program.
VIII. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
PROCESS
A violation of the Athletic Training
Rules occurs when a coach, teacher, administrator or law officer reports said
violation. Complaints from other sources must be placed in writing and signed
by the person observing the violation.
This person must be willing to confront the offender personally in the
presence of the athletic director.
Any violation of a rule, which would
prevent an athlete from competition, will be cause for the coach and/or
athletic director to inform the parents or guardian.
If a violation occurs for rules A, B,
C, D or E listed in Section VII, disciplinary action will be as follows:
1st
Offense: Suspension from two (2) games for
basketball, basketball cheerleading, volleyball, wrestling, golf, baseball and
softball. Suspension from one (1) game for football, football cheerleading,
track, and cross-country.
2nd
Offense: Suspension for
forty-five (45) school days of sport participation, and loss of the sports
award for the sport season that the infraction occurred. A day will be defined
as any day that includes a practice, scrimmage or game. The days may/will carry over into the
athletes next sport season. The athlete
will be required to attend practices and finish all sport seasons involved in
order for the days to be counted.
3rd
Offense: Suspension
for one (1) calendar year from the date of the offense.
4th
Offense: Suspension for the remainder of the
athletic sports participation career.
All offenses will accumulate throughout
the athlete's high school career.
Athletic Training Rules F, G, and H listed in Section VII will be
enforced at the discretion of the coach according to the rules he/she has
determined and published for that sport.
These rules are on file in the athletic director's office.
If a violation occurs for rule I, J, or K listed in Section
VII, disciplinary action will be taken
in accordance to the severity of the violation. This decision is to be made by the coach and athletic director.
IX.
APPEAL PROCESS
The athlete or their parents/guardian may make an appeal of a suspension by contacting the
athletic director within forty-eight (48) hours of the offense. The parents/guardian,
athlete, coach and athletic director will meet to discuss the circumstances
surrounding the disciplinary action. If
an objection still exists, the next step will consist of a meeting with the
principal and coach with the athlete and his/her parents/guardian.
ALL INTER-SCHOLASTIC SPORTS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN
LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE. THIS IS THE SCHOOL'S WAY OF WARNING THE ATHLETE AND THE PARENTS
OF THE ATHLETE AT PITTSFORD HIGH SCHOOL OF THIS POSSIBILITY.