Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Faculty Manual 2013-2014 Together we promote respect for self, others, and learning. FACULTY MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Personnel 3 ABRHS School Committee ABRHS Staff List Roles and Responsibilities Chart (see separate document on ABRHS website Staff Resources Tab) Professional Learning II. Calendars, Dates and Bell Schedules System Wide Calendar, ABRHS Calendar http://ab.mec.edu/about/calendars.shtml http://ab.mec.edu/abrhs/about/schoolcalendar.shtml Important Dates ABRHS Calendar Midterm and Final Examinations Bell Schedules Delayed Openings ABRHS Admin/Counselor/Student Caseload breakdown After School Testing Schedule 8 III. Teacher Resources, Responsibilities and Procedures Alphabetical list from AB Express to Where to Go for Technology Help 13 IV. Forms 43 V. School Committee Policies and Procedures http://ab.mec.edu/about/policies.shtml 43 Accreditation of the Acton-Boxborough Regional High school The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits schools and colleges in the New England states. Membership in one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States indicates that the school or college has been carefully evaluated and found to meet standards agreed upon by qualified educators. Colleges support the efforts of public school and community officials to have their secondary school meet the standards of membership. The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School has been accredited be the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and maintains active membership in that group. 2 ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE Maria Neyland, AB Chairperson Dennis Bruce, APS Chairperson Brigid O. Bieber Mary Brolin Michael Coppolino Kim McOsker Paul Murphy Kristina Rychlik Deanne OвЂ™Sullivan Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Administration Principal (Interim) Associate Principal Associate Principal (Interim) Dean of Students Dean of Students Director of Athletics Office Manager/Secretary to the Principal Data Manager Data Assistant Financial Coordinator Social Studies Department Leader Mathematics Department Leader English Department Leader World Languages Department Leader Science Department Leader Counseling and Psychological Services Chairperson Performing Arts Department Chairperson Visual Arts Department Chairperson Alternative Programs Chairperson (Interim) School-To-Work-Coordinator Special Education Coordinator Out of District Coordinator JoAnn Campbell Larry Dorey Beth Baker Steve Martin Maurin OвЂ™Grady Steve Desy Susan Sousa Christine (Tina) Vanasse Kirsten Kunz Karen Alterisio Pam Lynn Bill Noeth Dianne Telicki Claire Dix David Palmer Todd Chicko Mark Hickey Diana Woodruff Carol Moser Wight Bruce Oetinger Mary Emmons Matthew Kidder Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Faculty/Staff 2013-2014 Scott Alberg Deb Alesbury Sandy Alexander Tony Ammendolia Craig Andrews Maria Anthony Ralph Arabian Tahira Ashter Dick Ballou Timothy Bassett David Baumritter Rona Berman Susan Bohmiller Dave Bouchard Owen Bradford Patricia Braunegg Amanda Bromberg Abigail Buffum Katilyn (Crowley) Burgoyne Laurie Burns Peter Cacciola Visual Arts Child Development Prog. Athletic Dir/Perf.Arts Admin. Assistant Physical Education English English Industrial Arts Special Education Assistant Campus Monitor Mathematics Science Special Education Assistant Special Educator Custodian Science World Languages Mathematics Social Studies English Visual Arts Athletic Trainer 3 Adrienne Calotta Courtney Carp Maureen Casey Peter Cavanaugh Maura Cedrone Angie Centauro Maura Champigny Kerri Chartier Jill Christensen Jodi Chu Christopher Clinton Sara Clinton Deb Clough Erica Cohen* Heidi Conley Nicolas Cosseron Andy Crick Michael Csorba Lisa Dahill Shannon Dandridge Fletcher Davis Paul Davis Carrie DeBlois-Mello Brian Dempsey Melissa Dempsey Faith Denaro Rob Donaldson Julie Donovan Claire Dosh Hye Kong Dragone Dan Drinkwater Karin Drowne Brian Edwards Kristen Ervick Karen Farrar Joan Fenster Fran French Pia Finneran Eileen Flannery Katherine Florek Michelle Fox Jennifer Gabel Kathy Gallant Pat Garrison Susan Goddard Jennifer Gavett Charlene Golden Daniel Goldner David Green Eliza Greene Patrick Grucela Lisa (Cummings) Gurrie Darren Gwin Nancy Hall Genevieve Hammond Pat Haras Julie Head Brendan Hearn Laura Hirshfield Stephen Hitzrot Suzanne Hoag Cristin Hodgens Suzanne Hogarty World Languages Social Studies Special Education Assistant English Cafeteria Cafeteria Social Studies Science World Languages Counselor Science/Summer School Director Counselor School Store Supervisor Special Educator Cafeteria Manager World Languages English English Special Educator Bridges Prog. Counselor Star Center/Swap Coord. World Languages World Languages Science Industrial Technology Student/Faculty Support Coord. Cafeteria Social Studies World Languages Cafeteria World Languages Studio Manager Social Studies Custodian Social Studies Science Mathematics Cafeteria Sped Assistant Physical Education School Psychologist English Counseling Special Education Assistant English Language Learner (ELL) Special Education Assistant Counselor Science Laboratory Assistant English Social Studies Visual Arts Social Studies Mathematics Social Studies Mathematics Sr.Sem/Sr.Career Activ.Coord. Office Support Cafeteria Audiovisual/Technical Theater English Counselor Health Education/ Physical Education English World Language 4 Fred Hohn Gary Holbrook Adrienne( Pucko) Holmes Amy Houle Cecilia Hylton Jessica Janus Nikki Jeannotte Marj Johnson Hayley Kadaba Eleni Kakaliou Raymond Kalagher Thomas Kamataris Cynthia (Kappy) Kelly Kathy Kennedy Kendra (Harrison) Kerzee Rick Kilpatrick Andrea Koumjian Kevin Lane Linda Langdon Mary Lavallee Julia Lawson Deborah Leavitt Lee Lentz Alec Lewis Rixin (Amy) Li Jane Link Blake Lochrie Cathy Loebs Liz Mackay Mary Price Maddox Jim Maloney Sarah Mann Glenn Manning Diego Mansilla Dana Mather Elizabeth Marcotte Leah Marsh Kirk Marshall Nathaniel Martin Aaron Mathieu Amanda Matthews Janet Maxwell David McClung Colleen McGovern Sam McHale Christy McKellips Diana McNicholas Parindar Miller Kathryn Mitchell Josh Mishrikey Peter Montalbano Janice Moore Karen Moore Meredith (Hultgren) Morgan Tammy Morgan Jennifer Moss Emily Mullin Linda Murphy Tom Mutschler Stan Nelson Sue Nugent Robin O'Clair Kevin O'Grady Science Special Educator Mathematics Special Educator Social Studies Mathematics Special Educator Special Education Assistant English Science Mathematics Health Education/Physical Education Counseling Office Support English World Language Social Studies, Communications Special Education Assistant Vocational Coordinator Mathematics Special Education Assistant English World Language Science Social Studies World Language Registrar English Nurse Visual Arts Social Studies Science English English World Languages Mathematics English/Assistant RDL English Science Mathematics Visual Arts Science World Languages Mathematics Science Nurse Social Studies Faculty Support Center Nurse Physical Education Library Assistant Social Studies Mathematics Special Educator Special Ed Assistant World Language Special Education Performing Arts English Admin. Consultant Mathematics Head Custodian Mathematics Campus Monitor Science 5 Judi Painter Diane (Cileno) Pape Elizabeth Parker Wioletta Pawlowska Liz Peatman Kristin Penta Stacey( Robinson) Phillips Jeanne Potter Linda Potter Bridget Priest Ken Priest Jane Reynolds Michael Romano Susan Root Lindsay Rosenman Speech & Language Specialist Librarian Science Counseling Mathematics English English Main Office Support Theater Arts/Proscenium Circus Campus Monitor Campus Monitor English Science Counselor Katherine Rosingnol Social Studies Sarah Royce Kimberly Ryan Tom Sandock Heather Saniuk Katelyn Saaristo Andrea Scott Lesley Scott-Morton* Patricia (Walker) Sears Nancy Silva Steve Singer Jennifer Sloan Kristen Sluyski Carolyn Smiley Mike Smith Judy Smith-Prather Jacalyn Starr Michelle Starr Sharon Strasser Annette Sughrue Amy Sullivan Ruairi Sweeney Cynthia Sweeney-Adamchek Ruairi Sweeney I'Esha Thomas Michael Tobin Deb Trentsch Sarah (Little) Turner Kristen Vanderstucken Linda Vierkant Nancy Warner Elizabeth Warren Laura Watkins Jean Marie Whitaker Nancy Whitaker Carolyn Wiegand Daisy Wiggins Kerranne Wilkins Irene Wong Nancy Young English Science Social Studies Science Science Special Education Assistant Social Studies(on leave) Mathematics Special Education Assistant Special Education Assistant Special Education Assistant Mathematics English Campus Monitor Special Educator Special Educator/Tutor Special Education Assistant World Languages Science Sped Assist/Map Prog. Lead Monitor School Psychologist Lead Campus Monitor Counselor Social Studies Main Office Support Special Educator School Psychologist Cafeteria Computer Lab Assistant School Psychologist Social Studies Special Education Assistant Campus Monitor Cafeteria Academic Support Center Special Education Assistant Special Education Assistant Science Naviance Coord/Post H.S. Trans.Spec. *On Leave 6 Professional Learning Each faculty member will be required to participate in all school-based, professional development. All faculty members are also encouraged to participate in either a Critical Friends Group or a Seminar Group. PDPвЂ™s will be awarded for participation. CFGs and Seminar Groups Teachers are encouraged to participate in monthly Critical Friends Group meetings or Seminar Groups to discuss issues related to teaching, learning, and moving their professional practice forward. One member of the Group must update the Google site/blog with the groupвЂ™s progress. PDPвЂ™s will be awarded. 7 Calendars: ABRHS Calendar http://ab.mec.edu/abrhs/about/schoolcalendar.shtml District Calendar http://ab.mec.edu/about/aboutpdf/schcalendar11.pdf 8 2013-2014 Important Dates QUARTER INTERIM REPORTS 1 October 8 2 December 11 3 February 26 4 May 7* * April 30, Seniors MARKS CLOSE GRADES DUE November 6 January 17, 2014 March 28, 2014 June 13, 2014 November 13 January 29 April 4 June 13 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS August 30 No School September 2 Labor Day September 5 Rosh Hashanah October 14 Columbus Day November 11 Veterans' Day November 27 (noon), 28, 29 Thanksgiving Recess December 23 вЂ“January 1 Winter Vacation (Return to school on Thursday, January 2, 2014 January 20 Martin Luther King Day February 17-21 Winter Vacation April 18 Good Friday April 21-25 Spring Vacation May 26 Memorial Day IMPORTANT DATES September 26, 2013 November 5, 2013 January 7, 2014 Week of Jan. 20, 2014 February 10, 2014 April 8, 2014 Back To School Night Professional Development Day HS and JHS early dismissal Math and Science Mid-Terms HS and JHS Late start вЂ“ 10:23 a.m. HS and JHS late start FACULTY / STAFF MEETINGS August 26 February 3 October 7 March 3 November 4 April 7 9 December 2 May 5 January 6 June 9 Mid Year and Final Exams Mid-year examinations, when given, will count as one-tenth (1/10) of the final grade. If a class gives a midyear exam, then the final exam will only cover the material since the midyear and will count as one-tenth (1/10) of the final grade. In full year classes without a midyear exam, the final exam will cover all the material in the class and will count as one-fifth (1/5) of the final grade. Final examinations are given in all grades and in all academic subjects during the last four days of the school year (except for English exams and certain components of World Language exams, which are given earlier). There will be a period of at least three (3) days of in-class review before a midyear or a final exam. In the case of a midyear exam, no other department may do any assessment on the days of, or the day before, the midyear exam. After a particular department has given a midyear exam, that department will not do any assessment for the three (3) school days after the midyear exam. No homework exceeding twenty (20) minutes is to be given the days of, or the day before, a midyear exam. Homework exceeding twenty (20) minutes may be assigned only if it directly applies to aiding in studying for a midyear exam. If the assignment does not pertain to a midyear exam and is expected to take more than twenty (20) minutes, the assignment must be given in class in order for the students to start it. The assignment should take no more than twenty (20) minutes to complete outside of class. Math/Science Mid-Term Exams - Week of January 20, 2014 Testing and Assessment Guidelines Math/Science midyear review. No assessment in any department. Math mid-year exams; no assessment in any other department. Science mid-year exams; no assessments in any other department. 10 Regular Day Schedule Student Advisory Day Schedule Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 Period 1 Period 2 Advisory Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 7:23 to 8:10 8:15 to 9:02 9:07 to 9:58 10:03 to 10:50 10:55 to 11:42 11:47 to 12:34 12:39 to 1:26 1:31 to 2:18 7:23 to 8:09 8:14 to 9:00 9:05 to 9:20 9:25 to 10:10 10:15 to 11:00 11:05 to 11:50 11:55 to 12:40 12:45 to 1:29 1:34 to 2:18 1 Hour Delay Bell Schedule Extended Advisory Schedule Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 8:23 to 9:03 9:08 to 9:48 9:53 to 10:37 10:42 to 11:22 11:27 to 12:06 12:11 to 12:50 12:55 to 1:34 1:39 to 2:18 Period 1 Period 2 Advisory Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 90 Minute Delay Bell Schedule Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 8:53 to 9:29 9:34 to 10:10 10:15 to 10:51 10:56 to 11:32 11:37 to 12:13 12:18 to 12:54 12:59 to 1:36 1:41 to 2:18 Late Arrival Days Period 8 Period 7 Period 6 Period 5 Period 4 Period 3 Period 2 Period 1 2 Hour Delay Bell Schedule Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 7:23 to 8:06 8:11 to 8:54 8:59 to 9:29 9:34 to 10:21 10:26 to 11:08 11:13 to 11:55 12:00 to 12:42 12:47 to 1:29 1:34 to 2:18 9:23 to 9:56 10:01 to 10:33 10:38 to 11:11 11:16 to 11:48 11:53 to 12:26 12:31 to 1:03 1:08 to 1:41 1:46 to 2:18 10:23 to 10:48 10:53 to 11:18 11:23 to 11:48 11:53 to 12:18 12:23 to 12:48 12:53 to 1:18 1:23 to 1:48 1:53 to 2:18 Early Release Days Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 11 7:23 to 7:49 to 8:15 to 8:41 to 9:07 to 9:33 to 9:59 to 10:25 to 7:44 8:10 8:36 9:02 9:28 9:54 10:20 10:45 After School Testing Schedule 2013-2014 Please refer to the Google Doc on AB Schools. After school testing schedule 2013-2014 12 Alphabetical List of Teacher Resources, Responsibilities & Procedures Lesson Plans and Seating Charts Library Lock Down Procedures MCAS Mailboxes Make-Up Work Monday Memo Monitors Parking /faculty Religious Holidays Schedule Changes School Store Student Government Student Group Advisors/Finances Student Handbook Violation Form Student Privileges Surveillance cameras Tardiness Tardy Pass, ABRHS Technology Technology Staff Testing Test Postponement Testing Restrictions: Midyear and Final Exams, MCAS, Vacations and Religious Holidays Test Results Theft Reports Truancy Procedures Unassigned Time вЂњUnder the influence ofвЂ¦вЂќ Vandalism Reports Voice mail and email Weekly Progress Report Form Contents: AB Express ABPTSO Absence/ teacher Absence/student Academic Integrity Academic Support Center Administrator/Student Caseloads Alcohol and Illegal Drugs Arrival Time Attendance/Student Audiovisual/Media Equipment Auditing Courses Bullying Cameras (hidden) Cell Phones, PDAвЂ™s Cheer Fund Classroom Discipline Issues Community Service Computer Labs Conference Rooms Course Requirements Credit Reduction Withdrawal from Class Detention Dismissals Dress Code/Student Early Finals Educational Assessment / Current Functioning Emergency Procedures Faculty Dining Room Faculty Support Center Fax Machines Field trips and other approved dismissals Final Examinations Final Examinations, testing and Fire Drill Fitness Center Food Grades Grading/Class Participation Grading Instructions Grading and Level Changes Grading Practices Hall Pass, ABRHS Identification Cards/Faculty Information Sharing Channels: faculty, parents and students Interim Reports 13 RESOURCES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES AB Express Faculty and parents can have emergency messages delivered to students through AB Express, which operates out of the school store. After the message is delivered to the school store, student volunteers deliver the message to the plastic bins located in each classroom. Messages are delivered at the end of each period and are available for the class coming in the next period. Teachers need to check the bins and distribute messages to students at the beginning of each period. If a student is absent, the message should be returned to the school store. ABPTSO The PTSO communicates with parents through newsletters weekly and email messages. School personnel who would like to use this method to pass along information to all high school parents should send the information to Christina (Tina) Vanasse at the high school at [email protected]. ABRHS Website вЂ“ within each building the principal has the ultimate responsibility for web publishing oversight. While general updates to department sites are fine, changes in content to web pages must be approved through the Administration Office. (Changes in content sites should be addressed to Susan Sousa, Content Coordinator [email protected]. Please check out our website at ab.mec.edu/abrhs. Absence/ Teacher All absences are to be recorded in Aesop, a service that streamlines the process of recording and managing absences, as well as scheduling substitutes. You will receive a Welcome Letter from the Central Office, which will contain your login ID and PIN number. The Aesop service will be available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed via internet and phone. 1. You can interact with Aesop on the internet at http://www.aesopeducation.com. Here, you will be able to enter absences, check your absence schedule, update personal information, and access other features as described in the employee user guides. 2. You can also call Aesop toll free at 1-800-942-3767. Simply follow the voice menu to enter and manage absences and access other features. We recommend that you call in to check the computer recording of your name and title. To do this, press Option 5 and follow the prompts. When entering an absence, please wait until you receive a confirmation number before you terminate the phone call or close your internet browser window. Your transaction is not complete until you receive a confirmation number. Substitutes will be scheduled through the Aesop system. You will be able to upload and write notes to your substitute through the system. Additional training will be provided to you by the Central Office staff, and you can view startup guides and training videos when you log into Aesop. Although we encourage and 14 appreciate good attendance, teachers should realize that the earlier they enter their absence into Aesop the better chance there will be a substitute available in their subject area. If you become sick during the school day, notify your Department Leader to arrange coverage, if possible, for your classes. Please enter your absence into Aesop either by phone or over the web. If you unable to do this please let Pat Haras know that you are leaving early, so that she can take care of the entry for you. Absence/student Parents are to notify the Main Office of all student absences. If a parent notification is not received, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. An unexcused absence will be defined as truancy. In the event that a student later provides acceptable documentation excusing the absence, it should be delivered to his/her Dean for individual consideration. For each unexcused absence, students will receive a three-point deduction from the term grade of the class in which they were truant. Academic Integrity Students are expected to perform and pass in their own work. Examples of violations of academic integrity are listed in the Student Handbook. If it is determined that the student has violated the expectations for academic integrity, the student will receive a zero on the paper, project, or test in question and the student's parents, the school administration, counselor and the National Honor Society advisor will be informed. Please find the electronic form on Power Teacher, and see Laura Hirshfield or Diane Cileno with any questions. Academic Support Center The Academic Support Center, located in Room 242S, provides support for students who need assistance with study skills, test taking strategies, and homework or other class assignments. The program is staffed by teachers and Peer Tutors who have a wide range of skills and experience. Assistance is offered in almost every subject throughout the school day. Students can come in for help once, twice, or sign up for a longer period of time, depending upon their needs. Daisy Wiggins is the coordinator of the Academic Support Center. Teachers are encouraged to bring these services to the attention of students who might benefit from them. Teachers are welcome to accompany students to the center to introduce them to the staff. Students can commit to regular support or can use the ASC services as needed. Library Access from Directed Study Due to space constraints, limited computers and textbooks, only content area teachers can sign a pass for students to come to the library during directed study. When asking for a pass students should keep in mind the following guidelines: 15 вЂў The reason for your visit may not be to use textbooks, computers or work on daily homework; вЂў You are encouraged to request a pass to use print resources or computers related to a research project that necessitates use of library materials, or to request assistance from the librarian; вЂў Please present your pass to one of the library staff upon arrival in the library. Students who do not have access to a computer at home should speak with the librarian or their counselor to receive an exemption from these guidelines. Study hall teachers are not allowed to write a pass for students to the library. ABRHS Administrator/Student Caseloads 2013-2014 The Deans of Students (вЂњDeansвЂќ) are assigned students based on counselor caseload. Each Dean is paired with an Associate Principal for support. The assignments are as follows: Steve Martin/Beth Baker: Students in the caseloads of Hitzrot, Gabel, Clinton, Dandridge and Chicko. Maurin OвЂ™Grady/Larry Dorey: Students in the caseloads of Thomas, Gavett, Chu, Root and Pawlowska. Associate Principal: Beth Baker Associate Principal: Larry Dorey Dean of Students: Steven Martin Dean of Students: Maurin O'Grady Counselors: Stephen Hitzrot Jennifer Gabel Sara Clinton Shannon Dandridge Todd Chicko Counselors: I'Esha Thomas Jennifer Gavett Jodi Chu Susan Root Wioletta Pawlowska Advisories Students will each be assigned to an advisory group, led by a staff member of the school. Advisories will meet every Tuesday from 9:05 to 9:20. Students are expected to attend all advisory meetings. Alcohol and Illegal Drugs While on school property, including school buses, and while at a school-sponsored event, students shall not, regardless of quantity, use or consume, possess, buy, sell, be under the influence of*, or give away any beverage containing alcohol, marijuana, steroids, 16 prescription medication or any controlled substance as defined under Mass General Laws, Ch. 94C, or inhale the vapors of any intoxicating substance such as glue, nitrous oxide and the like, sometimes referred to as вЂ�huffingвЂ™. Possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited. If a teacher has a concern about a student, he/she should notify the administrative office (x3405) as soon as possible. (See also, Under the Influence ofвЂ¦) Arrival Time/ Teachers Teachers are expected at school by 7:10 AM. They are to be in their classrooms or at their duty locations by 7:15AM. They should be in the classroom corridors at 7:20 AM to help students into class. Attendance/Student In order to enforce the existing attendance policies, it is imperative that each teacher takes accurate attendance every day in every class. This information provides the basis for the official attendance record for the student as well as for the school and the state. A Daily Attendance Sheet, showing all students who were absent or late by period, is available in the Faculty Dining Room, located in room 123N, by 3:30 P.M. Audiovisual/Media Equipment All classrooms are equipped with multimedia equipment including a ceiling-mounted LCD projector, DVD/VHS/Tuner Deck, sound amplification system (either desktop or in-ceiling speakers) and an overhead projector. A basic operation guide for this equipment is posted in each room and is available under the вЂљStaff Resources>Other Staff ResourcesвЂ› tab on the ABRHS website. Additional equipment is available from the AV Department upon request. In addition to providing all maintenance for Classroom multimedia systems, the AV department offers services to the faculty including: training, color printing, laminating, AV duplication and conversion, and scanning. Auditing Courses Any student requesting to audit a course during the school year must be aware of the following criteria: 1. In addition to the course to be audited, the student must be scheduled for a minimum of five courses that meet on a daily basis. 2. The student must complete the "Audit Request Form" that can be obtained from his/her counselor. The completed form must be returned within the first two weeks of the course to Larry Dorey, the Associate Principal in charge of scheduling. 3. If the audit request is approved, the student must adhere to the standards of the course. Failure to comply with the attendance, academic, and behavioral expectations of the classroom instructor will result in the student's withdrawal from the course with a "W". Please remember that a student receives no grade and no credits for an audited course. 17 Bullying The Acton and Acton-Boxborough Schools are committed to providing all students with a safe learning environment that is free from bullying and cyber-bullying. This commitment is an integral part of the DistrictвЂ™s comprehensive efforts to promote learning, and to prevent and eliminate all forms of bullying and other harmful and disruptive behavior that can impede the learning process. Bullying is defined in M.G.L. c. 71 s. 370 as the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that: i. causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the targetвЂ™s property; ii. places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or of damage to his or her property; iii. creates a hostile environment at school for the target; iv. infringes on the rights of the target at school; or v. materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the school. Bullying can be difficult to identify based on a single incident witnessed in a classroom or hallway. Teachers should consult the studentвЂ™s Counselor, Dean of Students or Associate Principal to file a report or determine next steps. Cameras (Concealed) No concealed cameras (as currently available on cell phones and other PDA tools) are to be used without the express permission of the person whose picture is being taken. They are not to be used in any area where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Cell Phones, Electronic Devices Cell Phones, Electronic Devices The purpose of the school day is to ensure that students have access to the teaching, learning experiences and knowledge that will prepare them for their life as responsible and respectful adults in college, the workplace and in their communities. In order to maintain the primacy of this academic experience, student cell phones and other personally owned devices used for communication and entertainment are not to be used in any class or study hall without the prior permission of the teacher. This permission should be sought for each specific occasion on which the student wishes to use their device. In addition, the video, camera and real-time text capabilities of cell phones present the difficult challenge of ensuring continued high standards of Academic Integrity (see page 46) and community expectations for privacy. In order to protect students from the appearance or allegations of AI violations, all cell phones and personally owned devices used for 18 communication and entertainment should be stored in the student locker or backpack вЂ“ not visible or audible in the classroom setting. Such devices are not to be used in any area where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Should a student find it difficult to follow these guidelines, they may be asked to give their phone to a teacher or other staff member. On the first occasion, the cell phone may be taken until the end of the school day, on second and subsequent occasions; the issue may be referred to an administrator for further consequences. In addition, teachers are allowed to ask students to turn their phones off or to gather cell phones in a central location during periods when tests and other assessments are given. Personally-owned Equipment Personally-owned computer equipment, smartphones or peripherals may be used in common areas of the school, including student centers, cafeteria and the library provided their use does not distract the student or others from academic study. Students may not use personally owned equipment, smartphones or peripherals in academic classrooms without the specific permission of the teacher. At this time students are unable to access the schoolвЂ™s wireless network. Students bear responsibility for any damage, theft or loss of personal equipment brought into school. Cheer Fund The Cheer Fund, supported by staff contributions, exists to coordinate school recognition of and response to events in the lives of the staff. Information about births, illnesses, deaths, etc. should be passed on to Kappy Kelly вЂ“ located in the counseling center or by email at: [email protected]. Classroom Discipline Issues In order to maintain a positive learning environment, teachers are encouraged to follow the steps below in dealing with discipline issues in the classroom. 1. Speak to the student. Be clear about your behavioral expectations. 2. Notify parents and counselor if discipline issues continue. 3. Request that the counselor or dean of students set up a conference with parents, student, counselor and dean of students. 4. Report further discipline issues to the Associate Principal. Call or send interim report to keep parents informed that issues continue. The student may be removed from the class for a period of time and/ or may be assigned inschool suspension. Class work should be delivered to the Dean of Students. 5. Report further discipline issues to the Dean of Students and/or Associate Principal. The student may be assigned out-of-school suspension. At this point parents are notified and another conference is scheduled. 6. Report further discipline issues to the Associate Principal. The student may be removed from the course and sent to assigned study for that period for the rest of the year, receiving a вЂљWвЂ› for the course and earning no credits. 19 Students asked to leave your classroom due to behavioral concerns should be sent directly to the Admin Office. Please notify the Admin Office (ext. 3405) that you are sending the student to the office. Follow up communication should be made with the student's Dean and Associate Principal. Community Service Information on individual or group volunteer opportunities for students and on resources for community service learning is available through Melissa Dempsey in the Counseling Center. Computer Labs вЂ“ Please see the ABRHS Website ab.mec.edu/abrhs and click on the Staff Resources Tab. Under Reservations you will see HS Computer Labs. Click this link and follow the instructions for reserving Stationary Labs and Mobile Carts. Conference Rooms Several conference rooms are available for use for meetings and other activities. Reservations for all of these rooms can be made by going to the high school website: ab.mec.edu/abrhs and select the Staff Resources Tab. Under Reservations you will see HS Conference Rooms. Click this link and follow the instructions for reserving conference room space. Please check with either Jeanne Potter or Deb Trentsch in the Main Office if you encounter any difficulty in reserving any of these conference rooms. Use of conference room 115N is limited to community meetings or activities scheduled by the high school or school district administration and requests for this conference room need to be directed to Jeanne Potter ([email protected]) Course Requirements All ABRHS students must meet the following minimum requirements to graduate and receive an Acton-Boxborough Regional High School diploma: All graduating students must earn 100 credits in order to receive a diploma, Passing grades in: в—Џ Four years of English в—Џ Three years of social studies (one of which must be U.S. History) в—Џ Two years of science (one of which must be biology) в—Џ Two years of mathematics в—Џ Fitness for Living, ABвЂ™s integrated health and physical education course taken by all freshmen в—Џ Three semesters of physical education over the next three years (10, 11 & 12) в—Џ Academic elective requirement - one additional year of English, social studies, math or science, or a third year of a world language. в—Џ Arts Requirements: Starting with the Class of 2016 students will be required to earn 2.5 credits from Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Communication or Industrial Technology. п‚· Satisfactory completion of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests (MCAS). 20 ABRHS requires all students to spend 990 hours per year in academic study. This time may include scheduled classes, directed studies and activities directly related to each studentвЂ™s course of studies. Teachers need not be present during all 990 hours; however, all activities should carry the same academic rigor as that of classroom activities. Teachers make themselves available at published times to provide guidance in all areas of study. Students who are progressing toward graduation requirements at a consistent pace will fulfill their 990 requirements through required classes, electives, and associated activities. Directed studies may supplement any studentвЂ™s structured learning plan. Required learning activities include Science, English, Social Studies and World Language portfolios associated with full year and some semester courses in these departments. Additional activities by choice are listed following the department requirements. Schedule Changes/ Student Students should follow the following procedures when changing classes during the school year: The teacher(s), parents and counselor are consulted. Using the course change form available in the Counseling Center, students obtain written approval for the change(s) from each of the above people. The final form is presented for approval to Larry Dorey, the Associate Principal in charge of schedule changes. Students should realize that there are acceptable and unacceptable reasons for course changes. The final decision will be made by the Associate Principal and will depend on the availability of class offerings and class size. Schedule changes will be made in a manner that best balances class size and individual teaching loads. Students requesting a course change should note that additional modifications in their schedule may be made by the Associate Principal in order to accommodate their course change. The student stays in the original class until the change has been completed. Student schedules can be accessed through the parent portal of PowerSchool with the appropriate password. The student may also check the new schedule at the Counseling Office. Change request - The deadline to change a course level or withdraw from a course without permanent record (transcript) implications will be 5 days prior to the close of the first semester for full year courses and 5 days prior to the close of the first marking period (quarter) of a semester course. See web site for calendar http://ab.mec.edu/abrhs/about/schoolcalendar.shtml Permanent Record Implications вЂ“ Any student who changes a course or course level after the established deadline should note that the withdrawn course will be reflected on his/her report card and permanent record as a вЂљWвЂ›. In the case of a level change within the same 21 subject, a вЂљWвЂ› will be reflected on the report card and permanent record indicating that the student was enrolled in a previous course level. No changes will be processed during the time period between 5 days prior to the close of the term and one week after the close of the term. 7. Students who change levels within 3 days of the due date for quarter 2 interims will have their grades raised or lowered by 7 points to conform to the weighted GPA chart for the histogram. If the change is made in the middle of a term, each test grade during this term, but prior to the change, will be affected in this way. If the change is made at the end of a term, this term grade will be affected in this way. In either case, all term grades prior to the change in level are to reflect the 7-point difference. Hence, the end of the year grade reflects the final. Example: A student changing from AE to CP Level in the middle of term #2 Term #1 AE Level 70 + 7 Term #2 Raise each test given at AE Level by 7 points AE/CP average = 80 Term#3 CP level = 90 Term #4 CP Level 90 Final Exam 87 Year grade calculations (77 + 80 + 90 + 90 + 87) /5 = 85 8. Students who change to a lower level after the first semester schedule deadline will not have their grades raised. However, students who change to a higher level after this date, will have their grades lowered by seven (7) points. 9. The receiving teacher is responsible for recording the studentвЂ™s grades and computing the yearly grade. Credit Reduction Each student shall be granted an opportunity to earn full credit for any course as long as his/her absences (excused or unexcused) do not exceed 20 days per full year course or 10 days per semester course. п‚· п‚· On the 21st absence from a full year class, the student is no longer eligible to earn five credits for that class. On the 11th absence from a semester class the student is no longer eligible to earn 2.5 credits for that class. 22 п‚· п‚· On the 6th absence from a semester class meeting alternate days the student is no longer eligible to earn 1.25 credits for that class* In each of the above cases, the student is still eligible to earn a grade and maintain the ability to move on in a sequential class if his/her average permits. A passing grade in a required class will still count towards the student's graduation requirement. Withdrawal from Class п‚· On the 26th absence from a full year class, the student will be withdrawn from the class with no eligibility to attend summer school. The student will be enrolled in a supervised study during that class time unless a suitable replacement class is scheduled. п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· On the 13th absence from a semester class, the student will be withdrawn from the class with no eligibility to attend summer school. The student will be enrolled in a supervised study during that class time unless a suitable replacement class is scheduled. On the 8th absence from a semester class meeting alternate days, the student will be withdrawn from the class with no eligibility to attend summer school. The student will be enrolled in a supervised study during that class time unless a suitable replacement class is scheduled. All absences, excused or unexcused will be counted towards the student's attendance requirements. The Attendance Advisory Board consisting of faculty and administration will be available to review individual cases in light of extenuating circumstances Detention Teachers may require students to stay after school or arrive early to school to deal with disciplinary issues. These include, but are not limited to, disruptive behavior, lack of preparation, truancy and tardiness to class. Students will be given a one-day notice in order to make necessary transportation or other arrangements. Students have to report to detention and are to be prompt and responsive to the teacher. Students who fail to respond to a teacher's detention may be referred to their dean for further disciplinary action. After school supervision is available for detention in the Administration Office and teachers should let one of the Dean of Students (Maurin OвЂ™Grady or Steve Martin) know when to expect a student. Dismissals If a student needs to be released early, he/she must bring a note signed by a parents or legal guardian. The student needs to take the note to the Main Office prior to third period. The student will be dismissed without a note from home only in the case of an emergency. 23 Students returning to school must check in at the Main Office when they arrive. Classes missed due to a studentвЂ™s failure to comply with the dismissal procedures will be considered truancies. Notes from parents dismissing their child after the absence has occurred will not be accepted. Students leaving campus with privileges are expected to return to class on time. In the event that a student is unable to return to a scheduled class, his/her parent must contact the Main Office on that day to excuse the absence. Dress Code/Students From the Student Handbook The Fourteenth Amendment protects your right to choose hair length, clothing, and other aspects of your appearance. The school cannot interfere with this right by punishing you or restricting you from any school activities because of your appearance unless there is an overriding, legitimate school purpose, which the school can show to be more important than this right. Such legitimate school purposes include the concern that your appearance poses a genuine threat to health or safety (for example, a bulky coat in gym or not wearing shoes) or damages school property (for instance, metal cleats or shoes). Another legitimate purpose is to prevent disruption. Disruptive clothing is considered clothing upon which any of the following is displayed: obscenities, words or symbols that will knowingly incite others, or words or symbols that put down (defame) the beliefs or heritage of others. Some school events and individual teachers may have additional rules regarding dress. (Source: Check It Out: A Guide to Rights & Responsibilities for Massachusetts Students; Student Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Department of Education, 1992). Educational Assessment / Student's Current Functioning This form is issued through the Special Education Department and is to be completed prior to a student evaluation. Law requires that academic teachers give this written input on a studentвЂ™s academic functioning. This form becomes part of the student's official record so please feel free to ask questions, or seek advice prior to completing it. Emergency Procedures All classroom teachers are to review emergency procedures at the beginning of each school year, and the beginning of each new class. Please make sure that the Emergency Evacuation procedures are clearly posted in your classroom and point these out to students. See Fire Drill and Lockdown Faculty Dining Room The Faculty Dining Room is located in room 123N. This is an eating area and lounge available to staff members at any time. There are pots and pans, kitchen utensils, dishes, and cups 24 available for faculty and staff use. All mailboxes are located in this room and should be checked daily. Faculty Support Center Located in Room 117N, the Faculty Support Center offers computer and copying services to faculty and staff. The Center, staffed by Christy McKellips [email protected] and is generally staffed from 7:00AM to 2:30 PM each school day. It is also available to teachers after school. Please lock the door following school use. To make fewer than 30 copies, teachers may use the copier designated for their department or may use the Faculty Support Center copiers. To make 30 or more copies, please use the Oce copiers or the Risographs in the Faculty Support Center. The CenterвЂ™s copy machines include collating and stapling features, reduction and enlargement, double-sided copying, overlay and photo adjustment. Teachers may use the machine themselves or drop off material to be copied Christy McKellips can assist teachers with word processing of tests, letters and other materials. Turnaround time will depend on the amount of work waiting at any given time. Christy will give teachers an estimate of when work will be ready. Christy can be reached via email at: [email protected] Some office supplies are also available in the Faculty Support Center. Fax Machines A fax machine for staff use is located in the Faculty Support Center. The fax number is 978-264-3347. Field trips and other approved dismissals from class An initial Field Trip Request Form is required for all field trips. These forms are available on our website under the Staff Resources Tab. All field trip requests must be approved in advance by the Department Leader and Dean of Students, Maurin OвЂ™Grady. The teacher in charge is to notify all staff members via the AB Folder and include an alphabetical list of students going on the field trip. Please post this notice at least a week in advance. NOTE: Parental permission slips for field trips should be received one week prior to the event. An accurate list of students present and attending the trip should be given to the Main Office prior to leaving the building. All field trip requests must be completed and handed in by April 11. Field Trips should not be scheduled during the last week of the term or the last three weeks of school. Out of state and overnight field trips must be approved by the School Committee one to three months in advance depending on the length and cost of the trip. These forms are available on our email system in the Forms Folder in First Class. 25 Final Exams Final examinations are given in all grades and in all academic subjects during the last four days of the school year (except for English exams and certain components of World Language exams, which are given earlier). In order to be eligible to take the final, students must return all athletic team uniforms, equipment, library books, etc. and take care of all financial obligations including those for lost textbooks and classroom materials and damage to or breakage of school property. All fines must be paid in full (parking, etc.) prior to taking final exams. Seniors with an A- or better average (i.e. a 90 or higher) for the year will be exempt from taking the final examination in that subject. Any student enrolled in a course designated AP and who takes the AP exam will be exempt from the final examination in that course. Any student in a non-leveled elective course, who takes the AP exam, will be exempted from the final examination. Exceptions to this rule will be students enrolled in AP English, Spanish, French, Economics or Political Science, who will be exempt only if their yearвЂ™s average is 80 or better at the end of the third quarter. Final Examinations/ Testing and Major Assignments Teachers may not schedule tests or have major assignments/papers due three days prior to the beginning of final exams. In English this means three days before the first day of English final exams, for other courses this three-day limitation refers to the beginning of the established exam period. Teachers will spend the three days prior to the final exams reviewing the content on the upcoming exam with their classes. See also Midyear Examinations Fire Drill: Signal - - Continuous Ring Encourage students to take their personal belongs from the classroom. They are not to go to their locker. Faculty should take all attendance records that are readily available. Remind students to vacate the building quickly and quietly, using designated exits. Remind students to walk quickly. Do not run. Turn off lights and close all windows and doors before leaving. The first person through the exit should hold back doors until all have filed out and then proceed to designated area for the class. In case of alarm between classes: Encourage students to move slowly, without pushing, into the nearest side of a double line and pass through the nearest exit, unless otherwise directed. In case of alarm during any lunch periods: Students at lunch should move in orderly double lines and leave the building at the nearest door, unless otherwise directed. 26 Fitness Center The Fitness Center is located in the North Wing and is available to individual students for intramural participation from 2:30 - 3:30 daily. Faculty and staff may use the fitness room from 3:30 - 4:15. Food Students are to eat and drink in the cafeteria or in designated outside areas. Students are not allowed to eat in the main entry hall, the classrooms, the academic hallways, the student centers, the auditorium foyer or the library. All students are responsible for their own trash. No food is allowed in the Counseling Center. Forms All forms from Alternative Assignment, Field Trip, Personal Day, Grade Change Form, Use of Facilities Forms etc. are available under the Staff Resources Tab on our ABRHS website. Grades Final grades in each course are figured by adding the final exam grade to the grades for all four terms, and dividing by five. Where mid-year exams are given, the midyear and final each count for 1/10 of the final grade. Grades on report cards are in letter form. Below are the numerical equivalents: 100-97 96-93 92-90 89-87 86-83 79-77 A+ A AB+ B C+ 76-73 72-70 69-67 66-63 66-60 C CD+ D D- Grading/Class Participation Teachers should encourage students to participate in class. Whenever possible, class participation should be one of the tools used in assessing student performance and if possible, should be considered when determining studentsвЂ™ term grades. Grading Instructions Tina Vanasse provides directions and tips for grading via email in the Conferences/PS Tips for Teachers folder. Contact Tina Vanasse ([email protected] or by phone at extension 3587 with any grading questions. She is located in the Administration Office 147S. 27 Grading and Level Changes Students who change levels during the first semester of the school year will have their grades raised or lowered by 7 points to conform to the weighted GPA chart for the histogram. If the change is made in the middle of a term, each test grade during this term, but prior to the change, will be affected in this way. If the change is made at the end of a term, this term grade will be affected in this way. In either case, all term grades prior to the change in level are to reflect the 7-point difference. Hence, the end of the year grade reflects the final level. The receiving teacher is responsible for recording the student's grades and computing the yearly grade. Students who change levels after the first semester will not have their grades raised or lowered. Example: A student changing from AE to CP Level in the middle of term #2 Term #1 AE Level 70 + 7 Term #2 Raise each test given at AE Level by 7 points AE/CP average = 80 Term#3 CP level = 90 Term #4 CP Level 90 Final Exam 87 Year grade calculations (77 + 80 + 90 + 90 + 87) 15 = 85 Grading Practices Teachers are expected to have grading practices defined in writing. These should be distributed to students at the beginning of each year, or at the beginning of each new course. This information should include grading and classroom expectations. Students who join a class late are expected to seek out this information on their own. Test results, projects and papers will be returned to the student within a reasonable amount of time. Hall Pass, ABRHS If you have detained a student, making him/her late for the next class, please give the student a pass. Passes should be written in ink on the standard form. Passes are not required to enter or travel to the library, counseling center, or commons. PLEASE NOTE: If a student arrives late to your class because he or she is late to school, he or she should not be admitted without a tardy pass from the main office. In all other cases, 28 if a student arrives late and without a pass, please Do Not Send the Student Back into the Halls for a Pass. See Discipline Section for alternatives. Identification Cards Staff and faculty are requested to wear ABRHS picture identification cards while on school grounds. Please see Ru Sweeney [email protected] (in the Faculty Support Center) if you need an identification card. Information sharing, faculty, parents and students Faculty members who want to convey information to other staff members, students and/or parents have the following vehicles available to them: вЂў Morning announcements- These forms are available on the Staff Resources Tab on the homepage of the ABRHS websiteвЂ“ you may also pick one up in the Administrative Office. Once completed these forms must be signed by an adult advisor, not students. Please put it into Maurin OвЂ™GradyвЂ™s box for approval the afternoon before or submit by email to [email protected]. вЂў PTSO newsletter and parent weekly email messages. Information should be submitted by email to Tina Vanasse вЂ“ [email protected]. вЂў Bulletin boards are also located throughout the academic wings. All information for posting must be approved and initialed in advance by a dean of students or associate principal. вЂў The schoolвЂ™s web site is also used to disseminate information. All information for the web site must go through Susan Sousa in the Administration Office (147S). Interim Reports Interim reports provide a formal notification to students and parents of any teacher concerns. By the midpoint of each term teachers should complete interim reports for students who are failing a course, for students who have an average below 70 in a continuing course, for students who have an excessive number of absences or tardies, and for any other students not making satisfactory progress. Mid-term dates are: October 8, December 11, February 26 and May 7 for grades 9 -11. Fourth term interim reports for seniors should be issued by April 30. Given that interim reports are intended to provide a warning, allowing students and parents to address the issue noted, they should not to be sent out at the end of the term when it is too late for corrective action. If a problem occurs late in the term the teacher should call parents directly. Lesson Plans and Seating Charts Teachers are expected to have lesson plans available for substitute teachers. In the event of absence, seating charts and plans should be available as well as up to date class lists. Please be sure that the Main Office and the Department Leader know where these are kept. 29 Library The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School library exists to support students and teachers in their learning and teaching, to create lifelong learners by encouraging critical thinking, curiosity and exploration, and to foster a love of reading in all formats. This mission is accomplished by: III. Providing intellectual and physical access to information resources in all formats; IV. Providing instruction to foster competence in finding and using information and ideas; V. Collaborating with other educators to develop their own and studentsвЂ™ information skills in preparation for college and career pursuits; VI. Creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that supports academic inquiry Students choose to come to the library to seek assistance, research, study or read. The library is maintained as a quiet study area at all times, including before and after school, and should be used to: в—Џ Borrow Materials в—Џ Read в—Џ Research and Study в—Џ Request materials from the library or other locations в—Џ Seek assistance for a research project в—Џ Access a computer for the purposes of research and/or study Student Circulation Policy A detailed explanation of the student circulation policy can be found on the library website. Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:00AM to 5:00 PM Friday 7:00AM to 2:30 PM The library will be closed on the following dates for staff professional development: October 24, February 24, April 21 Access during Periods Four through Seven (4-7): In order to reduce the noise and disruption of students continually entering and exiting the library during the lunch periods, students who need to use the library during this time must 30 enter within the first 10 minutes of the period and are required to notify the supervising teacher should they need to leave temporarily. Although these students may leave when they have finished their work, no additional students will be admitted until the beginning of the next period. Students who arrive after the 10 minute deadline because of a meeting with a teacher, guidance counselor or associate principal will be admitted with a signed pass. In addition, students who do not have other free periods during the day may register with the supervising teacher by providing a copy of their class schedule. These students will be permitted to enter after the 10 minutes. Access from Directed Study Due to space constraints, limited computers and textbooks, only content area teachers can sign a pass for students to come to the library during directed study. When asking for a pass, students should keep in mind the following guidelines: п‚· The reason for your visit may not be to use textbooks, computers or work on daily homework; п‚· You are encouraged to request a pass to use print resources or computers related to a research project that necessitates use of library materials, or to request assistance from the librarian; п‚· Please present your pass to one of the library staff upon arrival in the library. Students who do not have access to a computer at home should speak with the librarian or their counselor to receive an exemption from these guidelines. Study hall teachers are not allowed to write a pass for students to the library. Technology Access and Use The library has twenty-seven desktop computers, three printers, one color printer, and a copy machine and document scanner for student use. When classes are not scheduled, the library computer lab directly adjacent is open for student use as well. There is no charge for printing in black and white or for making copies when documents are course related. There is a small charge for the color printer to offset cost of ink. The district computers and network are provided as educational tools for students, staff and the community. Class and course work related use of this equipment takes priority and all non educational use, including exploring web resources of personal interest is dependent on availability of computers, network capacity and library staff approval. Games are not allowed on library computers. Library Conference Rooms To encourage quiet study, students are to use alternative locations when working or meeting in groups larger than five. 31 There are two conference rooms located in the library which are generally off limits to student groups. However, students who wish to study for common assessments in groups larger than five may request to use a conference room provided it is not scheduled for use by a faculty or administrative group. Behavioral Guidelines The library is a community learning space and must serve multiple purposes. In accordance with the ABRHS General Behavioral Expectations, all students are expected to conduct themselves with consideration and thoughtfulness for the rights of others and will be treated with dignity and respect by library staff. Students who consistently demonstrate disregard for the library community may have their library privileges revoked for a period of time. Students are not allowed to talk on their cell phones in the library. However, personally owned devices used for communication (including but not limited to cell phones and portable music devices) are permitted providing they do not distract other patrons. Since there is no game playing of any kind allowed in the library, please note that personally owed devices, when used for entertainment, should be used in the cafeteria and commons. In accordance with school policy, food and drink are only allowed in the cafeteria. Lost and Found Books and personal items that are left around the building are stored in a large box located at the entrance to the Student Center South. Wallets, jewelry and other items of value are kept in the safe in the Administrative Office. If you believe that an item may have been stolen, report this to the administration and complete a Theft Report Form. Medication Procedures Non-prescription medicines may not be brought to school or used by any student on school premises. Occasionally a student may require acetaminophen and/or ibuprophen. These over the counter medications will be given to students only when a parent has completed the on-line emergency information giving permission (see PowerSchool Access). Whenever possible, prescription medicines should be administered at home. When a physician specifies that medicine must be administered during the school day, the guidelines for supervision of medication are: 1. All medicine must be brought to the Health Office by a parent or designated adult. 2. Medications that need to be administered daily or emergency medications need to provide the following information: вЂў the prescription label and number вЂў the name of the drug вЂў directions for administration including times of administration and dosage вЂў the patientвЂ™s full name **written authorization from a physician 3. Prescription medications that need to be administered for a limited/short duration need to include the following information: 32 вЂў the prescription label and number вЂў the name of the drug вЂў directions for administration including times of administration and dosage вЂў the patientвЂ™s full name **note from parent giving permission for the school nurse to administer medication and authorization from a physician. The note must include start date. Lock Down Procedures: In cases where an emergency situation or security issue requires that students be secured in classrooms or other supervised areas, students and faculty will be notified to clear the halls immediately. In the event that you are in a hallway, you are to go to the nearest classroom or secure area. If you are in your classroom please instruct students in the hall to enter your classroom. Lock the classroom door, move away from doors and windows, turn off your light and wait for additional information. MCAS Starting with the Class of 2003, all students must take and pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in order to qualify for a high school diploma. These tests are given at the high school beginning in the spring of sophomore year. The schedule for Spring 2013-2014 testing is on the ABRHS calendar. Be sure to check this and modify curriculum and lesson plans as necessary. Please note that retests are scheduled in November and March. Academic expectations: Tests, Quizzes and Homework Expectations: No tests or quizzes are to be scheduled for sophomores during the Spring MCAS testing. During this time if you have 10th grade classes it is all right to assign regular homework. Keep it light, they may be pretty tired. Mixed Classes: If you have mixed classes with fewer than five (5) sophomores, you may continue your regular lessons. However, please be prepared to offer sophomores who have missed classes due to testing additional assistance after school and during preparation time. Be sure that these students know when you are available. Please post homework assignments and other information that may be helpful to them. Remember that it is not their choice to miss your class. If you have mixed classes with five (5) or more sophomores please use the testing periods for enrichment activities. 33 Mailboxes Faculty mailboxes are located in the Faculty Dining Room, Room 123N. Mailboxes should be checked daily for messages or other mail. Make-Up Work When students miss a class, or an entire school day for an authorized reason (e.g. sickness, dismissal, death in the family, etc), they are allowed to make up the work missed. Students, not teacher, are responsible for making sure that they make up all the work missed, including tests and quizzes. All tests and quizzes should be made up after school. The amount of time students are given to make up missed work and assessments is proportionate to how much time is missed. If students miss between 1-2 days, they have that number of days to make up the work. If students miss more than 5 days, it will be necessary for the student to meet with each teacher to discuss how long they will have to make up the work. Students should feel free to meet with a counselor if they are having difficulty making up the work. Out of school Suspension and Student Responsibility Under the Student Handbook regulations, students suspended from school are provided the same make-up rights and responsibilities as any student absent from school. However, while suspended from school, students are expected to make every effort to stay current with their course work. At a minimum, students are expected to email their teachers on the day of the suspension. Students are not required to explain why they will be out of school, but should notify the teacher of the dates they will be absent. Students may request at that time academic assignments that will assist them in staying current in their coursework. In addition to emailing teachers through their ABSchools account, it is strongly recommended that students suspended from school take the following actions: Take all text books and academic materials with them when they leave the building. Communicate with their school counselor and/or special educator. Access all on-line teaching material available through their classes. When appropriate, contact their classmates regarding academic information covered in class. Continue to work on the long range projects that have been assigned, and assume that deadlines for any group projects will not be adjusted. 34 Students suspended from school are allowed to make up any work they have missed. However, the student, not the teacher, is responsible for making sure that all work is made up in a timely fashion. All tests and quizzes should be made up after school. This Week at AB This Week at AB is published weekly electronically and will come to you through your ABschools account. This memo includes weekly events, announcements and other information of interest to the faculty and staff. Information to be shared should be submitted to Deb Trentsch in the Main Office by Wednesday afternoon вЂ“ you can reach Deb by email at [email protected] or by phone at ext. 3403. Faculty are expected to both read this weekly memo and be responsible for knowing any important dates, procedures, schedules, and/or other information provided in the memo. Monitors Campus monitors, working in the parking lots and within the high school building, assist with student supervision, safety and campus security. Ru Sweeney is our lead campus monitor. Monitors issue parking tickets, smoking fines and share any behavior incidents with one of the Dean of Students and the Associate Principals. Student safety is their top priority. Parking /faculty Please register your car with Nancy Harter Whitaker in the campus monitor room (102N). You will be given a parking tag that should hang on your rear view mirror. This tag helps us to identify yours as a staff car. Without this information, it is difficult for us to identify cars that are inappropriately parked on campus. You will be assigned a numbered parking space. Religious Holidays As stated in the ABRSD School Committee Policy, we recognize that our school community is comprised of individuals with diverse religious, ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds. It is our intent to be respectful of the beliefs and practices of all our school community. Consistent with this, the high school accommodates individual differences in religious observances. Thus, if a student is affected by a religious holiday that is not observed with a school wide closing, that student will be allowed to have extra time to complete assignments and assessments that conflict with their holiday observance even in the event that the student attends classes on that day. Assignments and tests should be made up according to the current absence policy. Homework should not be due, nor tests scheduled, on the day following a religious holiday observed by a school wide closing or a major religious holiday that occurs over the weekend 35 Schedule Changes/ Student Students should follow the following procedures when changing classes during the school year: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The teacher(s), parents and counselor are consulted. Using the course change form available in the Counseling Center, students obtain written approval for the change(s) from each of the above people. The final form is presented for approval to Larry Dorey, the Associate Principal in charge of schedule changes. The student stays in the original class until the change has been completed. A new schedule will be provided to the student to confirm completion of the change(s). The student must check for the new schedule at the Counseling Center. Students should realize that there are acceptable and unacceptable reasons for course changes. The final decision on the change will be made by the Associate Principal in charge of scheduling and will depend on the availability of class offerings and class size. As of the mid-point of the first term (October 8) any change requests other than level changes or changes necessitated by special circumstances in a semester or year course will be denied. If a student wishes to appeal, he/she will need to go through counselor, Chairperson of Counseling, Department Leader, Principal. Strict attention will be paid to the reason for the request as well as the impact it has on other classes. No changes will be processed during the time period between two weeks prior to the close of the term and one week after the close of the term. Grading Ramifications - Any student who changes a course or course level after the established deadline should note that the withdraw course will be reflected on his/her report card and permanent record as a вЂљWвЂ›. In the case of a level change within the same subject, a вЂљWвЂ› will be reflected on the report card and permanent record indicating that the student was enrolled in a previous course level. School Store The school store, managed by Deb Clough is located at the entrance to the school, is open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. Student volunteers work in the store, often as part of their community service. Students can purchase chemistry goggles, world languages workbooks, English paperback books, film for art classes, pens, pencils, poster board and general school supplies as well as an assortment of cold drinks and candy. The store also has a line of clothing including sweatshirts, tee shirts, and baseball caps available for purchase. 36 Student Government Elections for student government positions (Class Leaders, Student Council and Student Reps.) are held in the spring, except for the freshman class, which has fall elections. Eligibility requirements and campaign guidelines are described in the Student Handbook. Student Activity Advisors вЂ“ finances *All fundraising proposals must go through an approval process before the project begins. Fundraising forms are available on line and completed forms should be returned Dr. Campbell in the Administration Office. *All money collected by groups must be kept in the safe at night. Advisors should not keep money in their desks or mailboxes. Money can be given to the financial coordinator (Karen Alterisio) (located in the Admin. office 147S) to be put in the safe. *Cash and checks to go into an activityвЂ™s account must be counted and turned over to the financial coordinator. A receipt will be issued for the reported amount, and the money will be counted again by the financial coordinator who will issue an adjusted receipt if a difference in amounts is found. *When large sums of money are being taken in (for example for the musical or the prom), two representatives of the group should count the money before giving it to the financial coordinator for verification. *Tickets sold for functions or activities must be numbered. The activity advisor should complete a financial report for each function and retain it along with the unused tickets for audit purposes. A copy of the financial report should be submitted to Dr. Campbell and to the financial coordinator within one week of the function. *Activity advisors should use a pre-printed pre-numbered duplicate receipt book for recording all payments of $25.00 or more for items such as class dues, yearbook payments, etc. The original receipt should be given to the person paying the money. The duplicate receipts should remain undetached in the receipt book. The total of the receipt amounts for a particular purpose should equal the amounts deposited to the activity account. The receipt books should be turned in to the financial coordinator at the end of the school year. Student Privileges The ABRHS Privilege Program was designed to gradually allow students additional responsibility helping them prepare for the decision making required after high school. In order to accomplish this goal, the opportunities for privileges increase by grade. Freshmen are required to go to an assigned study with faculty supervision during all study periods throughout their freshman year. Sophomores, during free periods, may go to the commons, the Counseling Center, one of the three Student Centers, the library or designated areas immediately outside the building. They may not leave school grounds during the day or loiter in the academic wings. 37 Juniors and seniors may apply for Extended Privileges. Eligibility requirements include academic standing, attendance, and administrative and parental approval. Juniors may apply at the close of term 1, after grades are available. Given Extended Privileges, students may leave campus during any unassigned time. Students arriving on campus, or departing from campus, during class time are expected to be considerate of faculty and students in classes. They are to wait to enter the academic halls until passing. Surveillance cameras Surveillance cameras will be used to help protect safety and property. Tardiness Tardy Policy School starts at 7:23 a.m. If a student comes to school later than that, he/she must sign in at the Main Office. Students arriving late to school in excess of three days per term will be required to meet with their assistant principal before gaining admittance into class. Students chronically late to school will be assigned detention. If a student is late to class during the day, a note must be provided to the teacher explaining the reason for the tardy. If a note is not provided to the teacher, the student will be recorded as unexcused tardy. Three unexcused tardies per term in a class will result in a three point deduction to the term grade for that class. Teachers may also assign detention to students who are tardy unexcused to class. Tardy Pass, ABRHS A tardy pass is issued to students who arrive late to school. This provides a record that the student arrived late; it does not indicate that the student's lateness is excused. First period teachers should not accept a student into class late without a pass. Technology Most classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors and multimedia resources. In addition, teachers have been issued a laptop computer to use in their teaching and recordkeeping. In return, teachers are expected to care for the equipment assigned to them or located in the classrooms they use. Any problems with the equipment should be reported to the Educational Technology Staff using an Tech/Ed Tech Work Request Form. To access this form, open the Staff Resources Tab on the homepage of our ABRHS website, Submit a Tech/Ed Tech Work Request and fill out the form to describe the problem. 38 From time to time laptops need maintenance and software upgrading. EdTech will notify laptop users of the procedures and timing for such maintenance. During the summer laptop users may either leave the laptop with Ed Tech. or may sign it out for summer use. Teachers are also responsible for taking advantage of opportunities for training in the use of educational technology. Technology Staff Support staff for the technology in the Acton Public and Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools is based in the high school but serve all seven schools plus the administration building. The Data Manager is the high schoolвЂ™s liaison with the technology staff and can help with questions about technology in the high school. See Where To Go for Technology Help at the end of this section for more information. Testing All teachers will administer, and promptly evaluate, a minimum of four major assessments per marking period in each class. Department Leaders must approve all evaluations considered the equivalent of a test(s), for instance a term paper or multiple quizzes. Tests should not be given the day after Thanksgiving, December, February or April vacations. Test Postponement If a student has four or more of the following assessments вЂ“ test, announced quiz, paper, individual project or presentation, formal lab report вЂ“ due or taking place on the same day, including at least one test or announced quiz, he or she may request a test postponement. If the student has four or more assessments on one day, but none is a test or announced quiz he or she cannot request a formal test postponement. This is because all other assignments have significant preparation time in advance. The student can, and should, still discuss any stress related to these assessments with teacher(s). Students should address the situation with individual teachers prior to a formal request for postponement. Upon discussion with the student, it may be possible to resolve the situation without using the postponement policy, if, for example, the teacher realizes that many students have a conflict and that moving the assessment for everyone makes sense. If, for a particular student, formal use of the test postponement procedure is necessary, as soon as possible, but at least 24 hours before the scheduled assessments, the student must send an e-mail including all of the following information to all teachers involved as well as his or her assistant principal and counselor: 1) StudentвЂ™s full name. 2) The date of the test or quiz to be postponed. 39 3) A list of the assessments due or taking place on that date including the teacherвЂ™s name, the subject, and the type of assessment. 4) The test(s) or quiz(zes) to be postponed. Papers, projects, presentations, and lab reports cannot be postponed through this policy. 5) The planned date to make up the test(s) or quiz(zes) that are being postponed. This must be by the end of the following day. 6) A request that all teachers вЂљreply allвЂ› to the student message confirming that the student has the above-listed assessments due or taking place in their classes. Testing Restrictions: Guidelines for Assessment during Midyear and Final Examinations There will be a period of at least three (3) days of in-class review before a midyear or a final exam. In the case of a midyear exam, no other department may do any assessment on the days of, or the day before, the midyear exam. After a particular department has given a midyear exam, that department will not do any assessment for the three (3) school days after the midyear exam. No homework exceeding twenty (20) minutes is to be given the days of, or the day before, a midyear exam. Homework exceeding twenty (20) minutes may be assigned only if it directly applies to aiding in studying for a midyear exam. If the assignment does not pertain to a midyear exam and is expected to take more than twenty (20) minutes, the assignment must be given in class in order for the students to start it. The assignment should take no more than twenty (20) minutes to complete outside of class. Math/Science Mid-Year Exams Week of January 22, 2013 Testing and Assessment Guidelines Math/Science midyear review. No assessment in any department. Math mid-year exams; no assessment in any other department. Science mid-year exams; no assessments in any other department. 40 Teachers may not schedule tests or have major assignments/papers due three days prior to the beginning of final exams. In English this means three days before the first day of English final exams; for other courses this three-day limitation refers to the beginning of the established exam period. Teachers will spend the three days prior to the final exams reviewing the content on the upcoming exam with their classes. See also midyear examination. Testing after Vacations and Holidays Tests should not be given the day after Thanksgiving, December, February or April vacations. Homework should not be due, nor tests scheduled, on the day following a religious holiday observed by a school wide closing. Tests, Quizzes and Homework Expectations during MCAS No tests or quizzes are to be scheduled for sophomores on the days of the Spring MCAS tests. See also Religious Holidays and MCAS. Test Results All tests must be reviewed in class. For the results to be meaningful, students should have the test questions, their own answers to the test and the correct answers. To save class time, discussion of individual grades need not occur during the class. Unless there is a simple error that can be corrected quickly, students should make arrangements with the teacher to discuss their grade at another time. Test results and other assessment instruments should be reviewed by the teacher not only in terms of student progress but also in terms of the effectiveness of instruction. Theft Reports A Theft Report Form should be completed for any theft at the High School. These forms can be obtained from the Administrative Office or from the Faculty Support Center. Once completed, including a detailed description of lost item(s), this form should be returned Dean of Students, Maurin OвЂ™Grady in the Admin. Office (147S). Truancy Procedures Notification of truancy will be delivered in writing to the student either through the classroom teacher or the Deans. Students assigned to detention will be given twenty-four hours in which to serve this. If the student is able to provide appropriate documentation excusing him/her from the absence, the student must deliver this to the Main Office 41 immediately. Students refusing to serve detention will receive a three-point deduction from the term grade of the class in which they were truant. Unassigned/Free Time Students may have free periods during the week. During these open blocks, depending upon privileges, students have some choices about how to spend their time. Options include the three Commons areas adjacent to the kitchen in the North wing, the computer rooms when supervised, the grassy area around the gazebo and outside the auditorium entrance, the counseling center, the lower gym and the three student centers (East, South and West). Please note: Student Center South is a quiet center. п‚· Students may choose to go to the library to conduct research, study or read. The library is also maintained as a quiet study area. п‚· Students are not to be in the front of the building, in the parking lots or in the academic wings. Please remind students that they are not to loiter in the academic wings during class time. Whenever possible they should not enter the academic wings during instructional periods. Students should be encouraged to go to their lockers during passing time. Students may not leave school during the school day unless they have an authorized dismissal slip or appropriate privileges. They are not to transport other students off school grounds unless they too are authorized to leave. Under the Influence of... Use of alcohol or any illegal substance during the school day is a serious health and safety concern and will be treated accordingly. Students showing physical signs of being under the influence (slurred speech, blurry eyes, suspicious odor, or erratic behavior) of alcohol or any illegal substance should be escorted to the Administrative Office. If a student is suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substance as outlined on page 31 of the handbook, a school administrator may require the student to meet with the school nurse to better assess his/her immediate condition. If there is reasonable suspicion that a student is under the influence, he/ she will be subject to all search and seizure procedures as the disciplinary consequences outlined in the Student Handbook. Vandalism Reports A Vandalism Report Form should be completed for any incident of vandalism occurring in the High School or on school grounds. These forms can be obtained from the Administrative Office or from the Faculty Support Center. Once completed, including a detailed description of the incident, this form should be returned to Maurin OвЂ™Grady, Dean of Students. 42 Voice mail and email Teachers are expected to check their voice mail messages, and e-mail messages, and the ABRHS and News folders at least once each school day and to respond to parent correspondence within 24 hours or one school day. If teachers are having difficulty accessing or responding to their messages daily, they should notify their immediate supervisor. It is recommended that teachers check their folders on the e-mail system at regular intervals as there often contains valuable information. Weekly Progress Reports Form Weekly progress reports are generally issued through the Counseling Department at the parent's request. Reports submitted by teachers are forwarded directly to the parent. Please remember to be objective and constructive. Unless otherwise negotiated with the counselor, teacher and parent, the duration of progress reports should be limited, generally to no more than one term. If a member of the team feels that these reports are required for a longer time, it may indicate a more serious issue and the student should be referred to the Student Assistance Team. Where To Go For Technology Help вЂ“ A Guide For ABRHS Staff Problem or SituationвЂ¦ ActionвЂ¦ п‚· Computer hardware is not working correctly 1.See if you can fix it: Check all the cables, restart the п‚· Computer software is not working correctly п‚· Need evaluation of new curriculum software Request for technology training п‚· п‚· Request installation of existing curriculum software п‚· Request installation of non-curriculum software п‚· Need technology access set up for a new staff member п‚· Want to move a computer or printer, either within the same room or to another room application, restart the computer. Review online tips, Google the error, consult with other staff members. 2.Get help from EDTech Support: Go to EDTech Support and look through the FAQs and/or submit a tech request. Find EDTech Support at edtechab.abschools.org or through the ABRHS website under Staff Resources. Submit a tech request using EDTech Support. All curriculum software purchases must go through the EDTech office. Submit a tech request using EDTech Support. New curriculum software needs to be evaluated by the EDTech office. Submit a tech request using EDTech Support. Software must be for school-related use. Contact your schoolвЂ™s main office. They will submit your request to the districtвЂ™s Personnel department, who will in turn contact EDTech. Submit a tech request using EDTech Support. 43 п‚· Need to a change access to folders in email or on a server Name, location, or position change to an existing staff member Submit a tech request using EDTech Support. п‚· Want to know the status of a problem that has already been reported as a tech request Log into EDTech Support and review your ticket(s). п‚· Immediate situation affecting the entire building or entire computer lab for which there is no work-around Contact your schoolвЂ™s administration office вЂ“ they have emergency contact information for an EDTech staff member. п‚· Request a new computer or related equipment п‚· п‚· п‚· Grading questions or problems Contact your Principal or department leader, who will forward the proposal to the High School Technology Committee. All proposals will be evaluated based on budgetary and usage impacts. Contact the High School Data Manager or Data Assistant Attendance-taking questions or problems Contact the Assistant Principal in charge of attendance. Other PowerSchool-related questions or problems Contact the High School Data Manager or Data Assistant п‚· Requesting toner for printers п‚· Sign up for stationary lab use п‚· п‚· Sign up for mobile lab use If there is a label on the printer indicating a вЂњtoner contactвЂќ, talk to that person, otherwise submit a tech request using EDTech Support. Complete a Reservation Form on the ABRHS Reservation page within ABschools. Find the page through the ABRHS website under Staff Resources. Arranged by department п‚· п‚· Need to duplicate videos п‚· Student wants to use a USB memory key п‚· You or someone else wants to donate technology п‚· Possible student violation of the Acceptable Use Policy п‚· Need a blank CD Need a CD burner Available through departments or Brendan Hearn in the Audio/Video office (134E). Contact Dan Drinkwater or Brendan Hearn. Sign out a CD burner from Diane Cileno in the library. The PC in your department center and all PCs in the library also have CD burners. If they have not already received permission to use the device (with the necessary form in their possession), send the student to the library for approval. Contact Amy Bisiewicz for evaluation and approval. EDTech currently only accepts PCвЂ™s with a Win XP or higher operating system, 1GB of RAM, and a processor equivalent to a Pentium 4 or higher. Submit a tech request using EDTech Support and mark it as вЂњurgentвЂќ Forms The following forms are available on the ABRHS Website ab.mec.edu/abrhs вЂ“ Simply click the Staff Resources Tab Advisors folder Field Trip Information Human Resources Folder Independent Study 44 AB Letterhead with Mission Statement Announcement Form Awards Night Form 2014 Failure report Form Grade Change Form 2013-2014 PrincipalвЂ™s Recognition Form R and D Form State Ethic Req. Form 19 (b) (1) Student Activities Check Request Form Waiver Request Form SAT_Referral Form Theft Report Form Use of Marquee Application form Vandalism Report Website Photo Permission Form School Committee Policies and Procedures http://ab.mec.edu/about/policies.shtml 45