WALTER JOHNSON
HIGH SCHOOL
6400 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Main Office 301-803-7100
www.walterjohnson.com
Signature Box
My signature indicates that I have reviewed and understand the policies and guidelines documented in this
packet.
Name of Student:
ID#
Signature of Student:
Grade:
Name of Parent/Guardian:
Signature of Parent/Guardian:
Date:
Walter Johnson High School Discipline Policy
Students enrolled at Walter Johnson High School (WJ) are expected to behave appropriately and to respect the rights of their fellow students and staff
members. Students are reminded that they have the obligation to ensure the safety and security of the school environment for all students and staff
members. Students fulfill this expectation by making good decisions and/or alerting school authorities of any actual or potential safety violations at WJ
or a school sponsored activity. By review of this statement, the student listed below acknowledges his/her responsibilities and is properly informed of the
actions that will be taken when an infraction of Walter Johnson High School’s or the Montgomery County Public Schools’ disciplinary standards occur. For
additional information parents and students should refer to A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities, which is published annually by the school
system. Out of school suspensions may only be given when it is determined by the principal that a behavior is disruptive and detrimental to the operation
of the school.
Infractions
Academic Dishonesty/Cheating/Forgery/Plagiarism - Copy another student’s
work or test answers; using a cheat sheet; giving or receiving information
during a test; plagiarism; copyright violations; computer infractions; or
tampering with school elections. Use of any forged documents, including
signing notes or passes with staff or parent signatures.
Minimum - Conference/Grade of zero
Maximum - Suspension/Grade of zero/Recommendation for Expulsion
Bomb/Facsimile (Fax) Possession or Threats
Minimum - Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Bullying/Cyber bullying /Hazing/Hate-Violence - All forms of hazing and
bullying or intimidation/violence, including a student or staff member’s sexual,
religious, or ethnic affiliation is prohibited. Parents can complete Form 230-35.
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police referral
Computer Abuse/Fraud/Misuse/Tampering
Minimum - Conference/Loss of privileges/Restitution
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Restitution/Police
Referral
Cutting Class/Tardiness
Minimum - Attendance infraction recorded in attendance system/
Conference/Detention
Maximum - In-School Suspension or In-School Intervention or possible
failure for the semester due to unlawful absences
Destruction of Public Property (Vandalism & Graffiti)
Minimum - Conference/Restitution
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Restitution/Police
Referral
Dress Infraction - Wearing attire that is inappropriate for the business-like
operation of school or disruptive to the educational program; failure to wear
shoes on school grounds.
Minimum - Student conference and/or parent contact
Maximum - Suspension
Evidence of Intent to Distribute and/or Distribution of Intoxicants Evidence of intent to distribute or distribution of illegal intoxicants such as
drugs and alcoholic beverages on school grounds or during a school-related
activity.
Minimum - Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Extortion - An act of attempting to secure money, property, or other gain
through the threat of physical harm.
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
False fire alarms/Fireworks - Vandalism or activation of fire alarm
Minimum - Suspension/Restitution/Fire Marshall referral/Police referral
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Restitution
Fighting - Starting, instigating, or refusing to stop fight, refusal to disperse
from area when requested by staff
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Fire setting (Arson)
Minimum - Suspension/Restitution/Fire Marshall Referral
Maximum - Suspension/Restitution/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police
referral
Gambling - Any activities in which something of value is won or lost
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion
Insubordination - Refusal to carry out reasonable requests by a staff member,
refusal to report to office when asked and refusal to give one’s name.
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension
Intimidation - Threatening, insulting, verbally abusing, or showing in any
other manner, mistreatment of a student or staff member.
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion
Misuse of Portable Communication Devices
Minimum - Warning/Conference/Confiscation
Maximum - Suspension
Physical Attack on Students and/or Staff - Physically assaulting a staff member
or a student on school grounds or in conjunction with school activities.
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Possession/Use/Being under the influence of Alcohol/Drugs/Intoxicants
Minimum - Suspension with Assessment (First Occurrence)
Maximum - Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral (Minimum
request in cases of possession with intent to distribute)
Possession of Firearms, including Starter Guns
Minimum - Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Possession of a Knife/Other Weapons (including lookalikes)
Minimum - One (1)Suspension
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
School Disruption (includes Pranks)
Minimum - Conference/Detention/Restitution
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Restitution/Police
Referral
Sexual Activity
Minimum - Conference/Detention
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Sexual Harassment
Minimum - Conference/Detention
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Sexual Offenses
Minimum - Conference/Detention
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Stealing Theft
Minimum - Detention/Restitution
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion/Police Referral
Trespassing/Loitering - Failure to leave schools grounds after being warned of
unlawful presence, coming on to school grounds without a legitimate reason, or
visiting other schools without permission.
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/No Trespassing Letter/Police Referral
Use/Possession of Tobacco - Smoking or possession of any tobacco substances
on school property.
Minimum - Conference/Detention
Maximum - Suspension
Vehicle infraction - Parking without a permit or violating any rules/regulation
listed in the school’s parking permit application.
Minimum - Conference/Detention/Temporary denial of permit
Maximum - Suspension/Permanent permit revocation/Vehicle towed
Verbal Abuse/Threat of Physical Harm/Intimidation of a staff member or
student - Willingly intimidating, insulting, or verbally abusing a member of the
school staff, community, or student body
Minimum - Conference
Maximum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion
Violent hysical Attack on a Student or Staff Member
Minimum - Suspension/Recommendation for Expulsion
Weapons Used to Cause Bodily Harm/Injury - Unauthorized carrying
possessing, or storing firearms, knives, razors, explosive devices or any other
implement which could be used in a lethal way.
Minimum - Recommendation for Expulsion/Police /referral
Walter Johnson High School
Code of Academic Integrity
Walter Johnson High School highly values academic integrity and does not permit any form of dishonesty or
deception that unfairly, improperly or illegally enhances a grade on an individual assignment, assessment or
a course grade.
The following is a list of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. We are aware, however, the new forms of cheating, plagiarism
and other forms of dishonesty may arise and therefore, we expect every student to interpret the requirement of academic honesty and
integrity broadly and in good faith. If you have any doubt as to whether a particular act constitutes academic dishonesty, ask a teacher
before you do it!
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
Cheating on Exams and Assignments
1. Copying from others.
2. Having or using notes, formulas or other information in a
programmable calculator or other electronic device without
explicit teacher review and permission.
3. Having or using a communication device such as cell
phone, pager, PDA or electronic translator to send or obtain
unauthorized information.
4. Taking an exam for another student, or permitting someone
else to take the test for you.
5. Asking another to give you improper assistance, including
offering money or other benefits.
6. Asking for or accepting money or an other benefit in return
for giving another improper assistance.
7. Providing or receiving information about all or part of
an exam, including answers (e.g., telling someone in a
subsequent period what was on you exam, or being told this
information).
8. Having or using a “cheat sheet” (a piece of paper with
answers, formulas, information or notes on any kind) that is
not specifically authorized by the teacher.
9. Altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better
grade.
10. Working together on a take-home exam or graded
assignment unless specifically authorized by the teacher.
11. Gaining or providing unauthorized access of examination
materials.
Note: Simply having possession during an exam of any prohibited
or unauthorized information or device, whether or not it is
actually used, is an act of academic dishonesty and will be dealt
with as such.
Plagiarism in Paper and Assignments
1. Giving or getting improper assistance by a parent or other
person on an assignment meant to be individual work.
(When in doubt, ask).
2. Including in any assignment turned in for credit any
materials not based on your own research and writing. This
includes:
a. Using the services of a commercial term paper
company.
b. Using the services of another student.
c. Copying part or all of another person’s paper and
submitting it as your own for an assignment.
d. Stealing another student’s work and submitting it as
your own.
3. Acting as a provider of paper(s) for a student or students.
4. Submitting substantial portions of the same academic work
for credit in more than one course without consulting both
teachers (self-plagiarism).
5. Failing to use quotation marks where appropriate.
6. Failing to properly acknowledge paraphrased materials
via textual attribution, footnotes, endnotes and/or a
bibliography.
7. Making up data for an experiment or survey (“fudging
data”).
8. Citing nonexistent sources (articles, books, etc.).
Other
1. Misrepresenting your academic accomplishments, such as
by tampering with computer records.
2. Deceiving a teacher or making up a false reason or excuse to
get special consideration on an exam or an extension for an
exam or paper.
3. Failing to promptly stop work on an exam when the time
allocated has elapsed.
4. Forging a signature.
5. Hoarding or damaging library materials.
Note: Attempted academic dishonesty, even if unsuccessful, will
be treated as academic dishonesty.
Walter Johnson High School
Technology Code of Ethics and Internet Use Guidelines
Walter Johnson High School is please to offer students access to the Internet and a school-wide network. Students are responsible for
proper care of equipment and software. Students who intentionally misuse these resources or who do not adhere to the Technology
code of ethics will be subject to revocation of privileges and, depending on the nature of the infraction, potential disciplinary and/or
appropriate legal action. Restitution for damages will be the responsibility of the student and parent.
Provisions
Acceptable uses of the Internet are activities which support learning and teaching.
1. Use of the Internet and the network are a privilege, not a right.
2. It is the responsibility of the user to abide by the rules of each network or system to which he/she as authorized access.
3. Students will abide by the classroom procedures outlined by the supervising teacher.
4. Any student who identifies a portion of the Internet that contains inappropriate material is required to notify staff
immediately. ALL users of the network are responsible for adhering to these guidelines.
5. Students will not eat, drink, or chew gum in the vicinity of any computer equipment.
6. Students will not print without the teacher’s permission.
Unacceptable use of the Internet includes, but is not limited to the following:
a. Using the network for purposes other than educational
b. Vandalizing equipment or system tampering (any unauthorized alteration of data, operating systems, individual accounts,
software, networking facilities and/or other programs)
c. Using obscene, vulgar, abusive or inappropriate language, pictures, or other materials which may be offensive to others
d. Knowingly introducing viruses
e. Attempting to read, delete, copy, or modify the files of other users
f.
Attempting to decrypt passwords
g. Attempting to gain an unauthorized level of access or network privileges
h. Attempting to gain unauthorized access to remote systems
i.
Deliberately interfering with other users making appropriate use of the system
j.
Attempting to libel, slander, or harass other users
k. Permitting others to use your account or password
l.
Sharing passwords
m. Forging or attempting to forge e-mail addresses, including re-posting personal communication without the author’s prior
consent
n. Unauthorized copying or transferring of copyrighted materials or any other violation of copyright law
o. Placing copyrighted material on the network without permission of the author
p. Plagiarizing, which is the taking of some else’s words, ideas, or findings and intentionally presenting them as your own
without properly crediting their source
q. Using the system for illegal activities or personal financial gain
r.
Making personal purchases or unauthorized orders
s.
Using commercial advertising, chain letters, or non-educational games
t.
Revealing personal information (home phone numbers, addresses, etc.) of others
u. Using unauthorized e-mail, instant messaging and chat rooms
Attendance Policy for Students
A commitment to school attendance is an essential component of a quality learning experience and regular attendance and engagement
are required in order to demonstrate mastery of materials and receive credit for a course.
Tardiness
Tardiness is defined as not being in the classroom when the final bell rings. Students more than 20 minutes late are regarded as absent.
After one tardy, and each one following, teachers are permitted to assign detention.
Illness
Teachers may give students who are feeling ill a pass to the Health Room. In the event that the student is excused from school by the
nurse or assistant principal due to illness, the student must bring in a note upon returning to the school. The note must be signed by
a parent/guardian responsible for the student’s attendance. The note must be presented to the attendance secretary when the student
returns to school.
What to do in case you:
Are absent:
Within three (3) school days of returning to school, you must submit a note and present it to the attendance secretary with your
ID number and parent’s daytime phone number. Only notes will excuse your absence. Notes presented after three days will not
be accepted. If you do not have a note it will count as unexcused. If you are out longer than 4 days you must have a doctor’s note
along with your parent’s note.
Arrive late to school:
Students, who arrive between 7:26 and 7:45, report directly to their class. Students arriving after 7:45 report directly to the
attendance office with an excuse slip. If no note is presented, it is unexcused. Be sure to keep records of all absences to resolve
attendance conflicts with teachers.
Have an early dismissal:
Go to the Attendance Office before first period to turn in your note and get an early dismissal pass. You must sign out or the
absence is unexcused. You will also need to present the dismissal pass when you return to sign in.
Become ill and leave early:
The nurse will give you an early dismissal pass. You are to sign out at attendance and will need to bring a note from your parents
when you return.
Visit a college:
Five days before a college visit you must have your parent/guardian write you a note and have it approved by the attendance
secretary & administration. Only juniors and seniors are excused for college visits.
Have a job interview:
Students may be excused with a note from their parent/guardian for one half day for an interview. No more than two requests
will be honored for each student. Requests will not be honored during examinations.
Are temporarily suspended:
The student and parent/guardian must meet with the student’s grade level assistant principal upon returning to school.
Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP) – When a student reaches 5 unexcused absences a letter will be sent home and a teacher could
develop an AIP. If an AIP is developed, then the teacher and student will set goals/strategies that the student must attain/use to receive
credit for the course.
Please note: Excessive unexcused tardies and/or unlawful absences may result in course failure, regardless of a students’ academic
performance in the class.
Walter Johnson High School
Open Lunch Policy
WJ is one of many schools in Montgomery County that have some form of open lunch. Students are allowed to leave school grounds
during lunch provided they adhere to the following rules. Our purpose is to inform and explain these rules so open lunch will be a
positive and safe experience for everyone: students, staff, parents, merchants, and the community. ALWAYS REMEMBER, OPEN
LUNCH IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT! It will be taken away from students who do not adhere to the rules. Students who have
been assigned lunch detention are to remain on campus. Parent or Guardian may rescind their child’s open lunch privilege. However,
remaining on campus is the responsibility of the student just as attending class is the responsibility of the student. If the student is
found off campus, parents will be notified and consequences will be applied.
STUDENTS LEAVING THE WJ CAMPUS DURING OPEN LUNCH ARE EXPECTED TO:
 Leave school grounds in a safe, orderly manner and return to school prior to the start of 5th period.
 Obey the campus speed limit (10 mph).
 BEGIN TO RETURN TO SCHOOL BY 11:20 AM.
 Behave properly and do not loiter. The area behind Giant and other shopping centers is off limits at all times. The Westmoreland
Building on Rockledge Drive is off limits.
 Respect the rights of shoppers, community members and merchants. Remember, students represent WJ.
 Graffiti on the property will not be tolerated. Students are expected to show respect to others’ property as they would their own
property.
During lunch students are allowed to eat on the first floor (100 level) of the building. Students are not permitted to eat on either the
ground (Glevel) or second (200 level) floors unless they are with a staff member.
STUDENTS MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES HELD DURING LUNCH AT WJ
Student Support – Academic help is available from teachers, parents, business partners or members of the National Honor Society.
Teacher Tutoring – See the appropriate teacher.
Career Center – Take advantage of the many resources available: college catalogues, career information, computer search programs for
college admission and financial aid, etc.
Counseling Services – All counselors are on duty throughout the lunch period and are available without an appointment on a firstcome, first-served basis.
Clubs and Organizations – Many clubs and organization meet during lunch. Pay attention to the TV announcements for meeting
times and room locations.
College Seminars – Often there are presentations on colleges during lunch. Pay attention to the TV announcements, or ask your
guidance counselor about college seminars.
Media Center – Open during lunch.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones will not be on or visible during instructional time. Use is permitted before school, during lunch, between classes and after
school.
Consequence for cell phone use:
1. For a student’s initial phone use during class a verbal warning that the phone needs to be turned off and put away is sufficient.
2. The second time a student’s phone is being used or rings in class in can be confiscated by the teacher and returned to the
student at the end of the period.
3. For the third infraction the phone can be taken from the student and turned in to the appropriate grade level administrator
who will call parents and return the phone to the student at the end of the day.
4. Further cell phone use will result in the consequences outlined in number 3, but with the additional consequence of the phone
being kept at school until a parent is available to pick it up.
Dress Code
Dress and grooming are up to the student, except when dress and grooming are such that they disrupt class activity, violate health and
safety standards, or are considered inappropriate.
Driving Privileges
Parking Permits are issued the second week of each semester. Students must obey all traffic regulations. Reckless driving could result
in the loss of driving privileges and parking permit. All cars parked on school grounds must be registered and have a parking permit
or they will be ticketed and towed. Cars are parked at the owner’s risk. Permits cost $37.50 per semester. Due to limited parking only
students meeting specific criteria will be issued parking permits. Please see the permit application for a complete list of student permit
regulations. The application is available on our Website.
Guests and Visitors
Students may bring a guest to school only if the guest is considering, or will be, attending WJ. Guests/visitors are not permitted during
review and exam periods. One week prior to the guest student visiting, the host student must make arrangements with the counseling
office ([email protected]). The host student will be held responsible for the guest/visitor’s behavior.
Important Information
Interpretation of Grades
A
Outstanding level of performance
B
High level of performance
C
Satisfactory level of performance
D
Minimal level of performance
E
Unsatisfactory level of performance
I
Incomplete
CR
Credit (Used in Pass/Fail Option)
NC
No Credit (failed in Pass/Fail option)
Eligibility
If a student’s GPA falls below a 2.0 or he/she receives more than one E in a marking period, then
they are ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities. Once a student makes a team and
they have not paid their ECA fee to the Board they are not eligible to participate. A student will
become eligible if improvements to the GPA have been met by the end of the next marking period.
Final Exams
At the end of each semester final exams or culminating activity are given in all subject areas. These
exams count as 25% of the semester grade.
Testing Days
The testing policy allows each department two days per week in which it may administer tests.
Exceptions may be granted with administration approval. The test day schedule changes with each
new semester.
Social Studies/FACS
Foreign Language/Art
Math/Comp. Sci./Health
English/ESO/Tech. Ed.
Science/PE/Music
SEMESTER ONE
Mon/Wed
Wed/Fri
Tues/Thurs
Tues/Fri
Mon/Thurs
SEMESTER TWO
Tues/Thurs
Tues/Fri
Mon/Wed
Mon/Thurs
Wed/Fri