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INTRODUCTION |
Hodgkins Middle School Mission Statement
Hodgkins Middle School develops responsible and involved citizens by demonstrating educational excellence and embracing diversity.
Hodgkins Middle School Vision
Our school building is one in which:
1. Students are encouraged to develop a healthy curiosity.
2. Students see their meaningful work presented and celebrated.
3. Students come to school knowing they are safe, respected, and cared for by all.
4. Teachers believe that change and success are possible. Teachers are facilitators of learning. Teachers are valued.
5. Counselors are a resource to bridge families, schools, community agencies, and support services.
6. Administrators treat all staff as capable professionals by honoring staff input. Administrators advocate for the teachers, the students, and the school.
7. Parents support and celebrate the joy of learning.
8. The community encourages partnership with the school.
Hodgkins Core Beliefs:
Our school provides a safe environment where civility and individuality are practiced, valued and respected.
Our staff uses multiple approaches to engage student learning.
Our school is a place where perseverance, patience, creativity, and academic risk-taking are valued.
Our school raises aspirations and encourages individual talents.
Our school community members are active participants and accept responsibility for lifelong learning.
Communication among students, parents, teachers and the community promotes positive change.
Our school addresses the social, physical, artistic, and emotional needs of the school community.
Our school provides a challenging and differentiated curriculum.
High standards of excellence are demonstrated.
Goal Objectives for Hodgkins Middle School
Goal #1: Increase academic expectations and achievement levels for all students
Objectives: a) to include all students and provide differentiation
b) to collaborate in interdisciplinary units that provide real world learning
c) to teach students study skills
Goal #2: Improve school climate to foster an environment that is safe, nurturing and respects the individual
Objectives: a) to develop a Hodgkins Paws Program (formerly Advisee/Advisor) that
celebrates Hodgkins Middle School
b) to implement the Guiding Principles (Safe, Honest, Respectful and
Responsible)
c) to provide staff collaboration time to promote consistency and clear
expectations in behavior and academics
Goal #3: Develop responsible citizens
Objectives: a) to empower students to take ownership of their behavior and learning
b) to incorporate self-assessment in learning
c) to provide opportunities for community service
MAINE
LEARNING RESULTS
When the Maine
legislature adopted the Maine Learning Results in 1996, it established
learning standards for all Maine students educated at public expense. The goal
of the Maine Learning Results is to have each student leave school as:
·
A Clear and Effective
Communicator
·
A Self-Directed and Life-long
Learner
·
A Creative and Practical
Problem-Solver
·
A Responsible and Involved
Citizen
·
A Collaborative and Quality
Worker
·
An Integrative and Informed
Thinker
In order to help achieve that goal, learning standards were established in Career Preparation, English/Language Arts, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics, Modern and classical Languages. Science and Technology, Social Studies, and Visual and Performing Arts. Augusta's curriculums have all been written to meet those standards.
Beginning with the
class of 2007, graduation will be determined by student achievement of the Maine
Learning Results in these areas: English/Language Arts, Mathematics,
Science and Technology and Health and Physical Education. By 2010, student
achievement of the Maine Learning Results in these additional areas:
Career Preparation, Visual and Performing Arts and Modern and Classical
Languages will also be included in graduation requirements.
Band
Chorus
Musicals
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross
Country
Field Hockey
Soccer
Softball
Track
Wrestling
Swimming
* To
remain academically eligible to play sports, a student must have achieved a
passing grade in all subjects for the most recent mid-quarter reports and/or
quarter reports. A student deemed ineligible will miss at least one regular
season contest but be allowed to continue practicing with the team. (S)he will
be declared eligible upon proof that satisfactory academic progress is being
made.
Club / Academic
Chess Club
Civic Oration
Civil Rights Team
French Club
Math Team
Newspaper
Student Council
Yearbook
D.I. Team
The Augusta School System is committed
to providing equal education opportunities to all students in both academic
and extracurricular areas. All our students deserve the chance to participate
in the entire range of activities offered regardless of sex, race, color,
national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age or
handicap. A copy of the Affirmative Action Plan is available in each school
office and in the Superintendent's office. Affirmative Action inquiries may be
made to:
Personnel
Director
Central
Office
RR 7, Box 2525
Augusta, Maine
Telephone
# 626-2468
Students may stay after-school if they are
participating in a co-curricular activity.
Students staying after school for any other
reason must have a staff sponsor, note from home.
Students may not participate in any after-school activities on a day that they
are absent from school.
AFTER SCHOOL
PROCEDURE:
Students staying after school for any
reason, other than participation on a co-curricular or athletic team, must
follow these guidelines:
If these guidelines are not followed,
the student will lose the privilege of staying after school until further
notice.
Buses
arrive between 7:05 A.M. and 7:10 A.M. Students are to remain seated on the
bus until the driver dismisses them at 7:10 A.M. to enter school. Once
students leave the bus they are to enter the school building immediately. Do
not leave school grounds.
Walkers
enter school through the gymnasium
entrance. Students are to arrive at school no earlier than 7:10 A.M.
Once students are on school grounds they are not to leave.
Students upon entering the building are
to report to their homeroom for attendance and must receive permission before
going to breakfast.
Morning
Announcements:
1) Every morning at approximately 7:15 a.m. our student council will lead us in the pledge of allegiance followed by morning announcements by the principal. During this time, students are to be with their advisors or eating breakfast and are to listen quietly while the announcements are being read.
2)
First period starts at 7:20 a.m.
Dismissal:
1)
At 1:45p.m., students are to proceed to their advisor’s room to store
their iBooks, or sign them out, gather materials from their locker and prepare
for afternoon announcements. Students should not be in the hallways for any
reason and are to listen respectfully.
2)
Afternoon announcements will be read at 1:50p.m. followed by dismissal.
Student attendance at assemblies is a
privilege. Anyone not acting in an appropriate manner will be dismissed
immediately and may be excluded from future assemblies.
A few simple rules to follow are:
School
attendance is extremely important. The
Augusta School Department permits excused absences from school for the
following reasons only:
1.
Personal illness.
2.
Appointments with health professionals that cannot be made outside the
regular school day.
3.
Observances of a recognized religious holiday during a regular school
day.
4.
Emergency family situations.
5.
Planned absences for personal or educational purposes, which have been
approved in advance.
Parents are asked to call the school at 626-2490 prior to 8:30 a.m. any day their child will be absent.
On a daily basis, the office will attempt to call homes of absent students whose parents did not call the school.
When
a student is absent from school without prior permission of his or her parent
or guardian
or a school official, that student is considered truant. Prolonged
unexcused absences from school may result in referrals to the Office of the
Superintendent of Schools, local law enforcement agencies and/or the Maine
Department of Human Services.
Students are tardy after 7:20 a.m. and must report to the office
upon their entrance to school. Two warnings for unexcused tardiness are given
per quarter. Subsequent unexcused tardiness results in office detention(s)
being assigned.
Dismissal from school occurs at 1:50 p.m. Students requiring early
dismissal from should present a written parental request to the office prior
to 7:20 a.m. on the day that the early dismissal is requested. When a request
for early dismissal is approved, a dismissal pass will be issued to the
student. That pass must be show to their teachers and the main office, when
he/she leaves. Dismissal passes issued by the school nurse must also be shown
to the main office. A student will not be dismissed solely upon his/her verbal
request. Students absent from school or who are dismissed early from school
will not be able to participate or be a spectator in activities after school
(unless for medical reasons).
Students
who ride bicycles to school are to put them in the rack behind school
immediately upon arrival at school. Bicycles are to be locked to the bicycle
rack.
BEHAVIORAL
EXPECTATIONS
The "Guiding Principles" of our school include honesty, respect, responsibility and safety. While discipline does not appear as a subject, it is important for a positive environment at school. We want students to have the opportunity to be as successful as they can be.
Before
you say or do something, ask yourself the following four questions:
1. Is it honest?
2. Is it
responsible?
3. Is it
respectful?
4. Is it safe?
If you can answer "yes" to all
four of these questions, then say or do what you planned. If you can't,
please make another plan!
We expect students
to:
-Be honest
-Cheating, lying, stealing, plagiarizing
and gambling are not acceptable behavior.
-Be responsible
-Practice
punctuality (Report to school and classes on time.)
-Be in assigned areas.
-Use school and personal books,
equipment and supplies appropriately
-Keep an appropriate noise level
-Come to class prepared
-Be respectful
-Be polite and
courteous
-Use appropriate language
-NO running,
throwing objects, or physical abuse
-Keep your hands
and feet to yourself
-Stay to the right
as you pass in the hallways
-Store your book
bag in your locker
-Behave
appropriately on the school bus
3. SEVERE INFRACTIONS
-Aggressive
physical behavior
-Weapons possession
-Vandalism or theft
-Profanity
-Use, possession or
distribution of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
-Harassment …
Verbal, physical or sexual
-Defiant and
disrespectful behavior
Suspension is the usual consequence for
severe infractions. The length will be determined by the administration. A
suspended student is not allowed on the school grounds or at any school
activity during a suspension.
Academic
work made up within teacher prescribed time limits will receive 100% credit.
When suspension is necessary, parents
will be notified. A conference with the assistant principal or principal is
mandatory before the student returns. Police will also be notified, if
necessary.
Students with multiple suspensions may
be referred to the Superintendent.
4.
OFFICE REFERRAL
Warning will be issued before a student
is asked to leave the classroom. If sent to the office, parents will be called
when necessary and detention arrangements made.
5.
OFFICE DETENTION
·
This is held from 1:50-2:20 each
day.
·
It is assigned by the assistant
principal or principal for office referrals, tardies, truancies,
cutting teacher detention and poor behavior for a substitute teacher.
Suspension may be necessary if lack
of cooperation continues or if students fail to serve their office detentions.
6.
TEACHER DETENTION
Served the next day. If the detention is
not served, the office will be notified and the student will stay with the
teacher the following day, with the possibility of additional detention time
assigned.
Suspension may be necessary if lack of cooperation continues or students fail to serve their teacher detentions.
The Augusta School Department has a
"zero tolerance" policy regarding bomb threats. Students involved in
bomb threats should be aware that this is a felony offense and that law
enforcement officials will be notified. Expulsion from school may occur as
well as consequences received through the legal system. There may be
consequences for aiding another student in a bomb
threat
and failure to report a possible bomb threat. Students will be evacuated from
the school building if necessary. Parents will be notified through the local
news media. Any days missed due to bomb threats will be made up; this may take
the form of extended regular school day(s) or attendance on Saturday(s).
Students are to leave school grounds
immediately upon the close of school. Students may remain on school grounds
with permission granted by Hodgkins Middle School staff members. If students
remain after school, it is expected that they will be in designated areas,
supervised by faculty members/coaches. Students who do not behave
appropriately after school will be asked to leave the building. Parents will
be notified.
Riding on the bus is a privilege that
may be revoked. Consequences for misbehavior on the bus will generally be:
City of Augusta – School Department
Guidelines for Bus Behavior
MINORS VIOLATIONS (not intended to
be all inclusive):
1. Creating
excessive noise.
2. Swearing or vulgar gestures.
3. Littering.
4. Spitting on property.
5. Putting anything out the window.
6. Ignoring warnings or failing to follow instructions.
7. Improper boarding or exiting.
8. Possessing inappropriate articles (may be deemed “Serious”).
9. Being rude, discourteous, annoying or failing to respond.
10. Not respecting safety and well being of others.
11. Other similar types of behavior.
CONSEQUENCES:
1ST Offense – (All students) Verbal warning from
bus driver
2nd Offense – (All students) Before being allowed to ride,
a written notice signed by parent
with a copy to the Principal.
3rd Offense – (Grades K-6 only) Discuss with
Principal, notify parent, one-day riding
suspension.
3rd Offense – (Grades 7-12 only) Discuss w/
Principal, notify parent, one-week riding
suspension.
If a student is suspended from riding the
bus, a one-day grace may be given to allow time for the parents to be
notified. For the duration of the suspension, parents are responsible for
transportation to and from school.
SERIOUS VIOLATIONS (not intended to
be all inclusive):
1. More than three minor violations.
2. Illegal acts (including possession or use of drugs, liquor, tobacco, etc.)
3. Lighting matches or smoking.
4. Threats or threatening gestures.
5. Fighting, pushing or tripping.
6. Spitting on or directly at any a person.
7. Destroying property.
8. Possessing dangerous articles.
9.
Other similar types of behavior.
CONSEQUENCES (Effective immediately)
(Grades K-6):
1st Offense – Discuss with Principal, notify parent, one-week suspension from riding.
2nd Offense – Notify Principal, parent conference required, two-week suspension from riding.
3rd Offense – Referral to Superintendent, notify parent, suspended from riding pending
decision.
CONSEQUENCES (Effective immediately)
(Grades 7-12):
1st Offense – Discuss with Principal, notify parent, one-week suspension from riding.
2nd Offense – Discuss with Principal, parent conference required, two-week suspension
from riding.
3rd Offense – Discuss with Principal, notify parent, one-week suspension from riding.
4th Offense – Superintendent referral, notify parent, suspended from riding pending
decision.
SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS:
1st offense, notice to Principal.
2nd offense, notify Principal,
parent conference required. Decision for suspension will be made with parental
involvement. Depending upon the offense, alternative transportation may
be provided.
Each violation on the same trip will be
considered individually.
Any questions, please contact David Chapman at 622-3650 or 622-9691 or Sheryl Phelps at 626-5569.
Rev. 03/01/04
Thank you for supporting "good bus
behavior".
Students who are late to a class with an acceptable
reason should go to that class with a pass from the person detaining them.
That classroom teacher will hold students who are late to class for an
unacceptable reason accountable.
Habitual tardiness will be dealt with by the office and
may result in detention.
Each Hodgkins Middle School student has
unique-skills, dreams and challenges. The Child Study Team has been formed to
provide parents, students and staff members with resources to help
students
use their skills, to meet their challenges and to accomplish their dreams.
The Hodgkins Middle School Child Study
Team consists of an administrator, classroom teachers and other school
personnel; most participate as regular members with some serving on an as-
needed basis. The team receives referrals from students themselves, staff
members and parents and facilitates the development of interventions to help
students experience greater success in
the school setting. If you would like to make a referral or receive more information regarding the services of this team, please call the main office at 626-2490.
The Augusta School Department wishes to
resolve issues and conflicts in a timely and cooperative manner. We encourage
parents and students to bring concerns forward for early resolution. Students
will not suffer negative repercussions as a result of their parents' or their
own expressions of concern. A parent or student should begin the discussion
with the staff member closest to the source of the concern. For example, if a
parent has an issue with the amount of homework assigned, he/she should first
speak with the teacher.
If a resolution cannot be found, the
next step is to contact the principal.
French
Art
Band (Elective)
Language Arts
Life Skills
Chorus (Elective)
Math
Social Studies
Science
Music
Physical Education
The Augusta School Department has a
crisis team to provide direction, support, coordination of resources and
effective communication to students, staff and the community in the event of
an incident, which might impact on the learning environment. This incident
could include but is not limited to natural disaster, death of a student or
faculty member, car or school bus accident and threats of or actual harm to
students or staff from another source.
In order to provide the Augusta Crisis
Team with timely information, the Augusta Police Department will notify the
crisis team of a crisis affecting the school population. The superintendent of
schools will be notified first by the Augusta Police Department. If the
superintendent is unavailable, the chair of the crisis team will be notified.
It is the responsibility of the Augusta
School Department to protect the rights of all students. School staff members
sometimes face a dilemma between their responsibilities to assure the safety
of students and their desires to respect the rights of parents. In situations
involving divorced or estranged parents, the following policy will be in
effect until or unless an official court order is received by the school.
1. Both natural parents have the right to:
Ø Only a legal document (e.g., the final divorce decree which includes specific denial of visitation rights or a restraining order denying visiting rights) can prevent a parent from participating in the activities named above. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to notify the school principal of any restrictions on school related rights and to provide a certified copy of any legal action.
2.
For the school's purposes, the parent who resides with the child is
considered the resident parent. In situations where the divorce decree grants
joint custody, if the student resides with one parent during the school week,
that parent shall be considered the resident parent for purposes of this
policy.
Ø
Only the resident parent has the
right to visit a student at school or remove the student from school property.
A student will be released to a non-custodial parent only with the permission
of the resident parent. If a question arises as to who is the parent in
residence, the school principal should require a notarized statement from the
parent attesting to custody.
DANCES
Detention period is a time when the student is assigned to stay
after school for any infraction of acceptable student behavior. Students
should fully understand that adults who work at the school have the authority
to correct misconduct at any time. Teachers may also award detentions if
students do not hand in assignments on time.
Transportation home after detention is the student’s
responsibility in conjunction with parents. Late bus passes will not be
provided for students who have been detained for misconduct reasons.
Failure to report for two assigned detentions will be considered
grounds for suspension.
The Augusta Board of Education
recognizes that the primary responsibility for the dress and appearance of
students rests with individual students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). The
board will not interfere with this right unless the personal choices of
students create a disruptive influence on the school program or affect the
health or safety of others.
Students are encouraged to use sound
judgment and reflect respect for themselves and others in dress and grooming.
In keeping with the goals of Augusta schools to provide a safe, healthy and
non-discriminatory environment for educating students for maximum academic and
social development, the following restrictions on dress shall be enforced.
All clothing worn should present no safety hazard to the wearer or be destructive of school property.
School administrators or teachers may
require special clothing for health and safety reasons for students
participating in physical education, certain extracurricular activities, work
with or around machines or other activities.
Students who are not appropriately
dressed will be asked to change. A student who violates the dress code after
being warned, may be disciplined.
Possession, use or distribution of
alcohol and illicit drugs by students is prohibited on school grounds or at
any school activity. Disciplinary sanctions which may include expulsion or
referral for prosecution may be imposed on students who violate this standard
of conduct. Compliance with the above standards of conduct is mandatory and
failure to adhere to the standards is a violation of this policy. A copy of
the Augusta School Department Student and Staff Alcohol and Chemical Abuse
Policy (JFCI) may be requested from the Hodgkins Middle School office.
Hodgkins Middle School students have
rights. They also have the responsibility to respect the
rights
and property of others. If a student fails to do this, disciplinary action
will follow. In disciplinary cases, each student is entitled to due process.
This means students must:
·
Be informed of the accusations
against them
·
Have the opportunity to accept or
deny the accusations
·
Have explained to them the
factual basis for the accusations
·
Have a chance to present an
alternative factual position if the accusation is denied
Students are not to bring radios,
tape/CD players, head sets, pagers, cell phones, laser pointers, electronic
games or other electronic devices to school. These will be taken from
students. Staff members may, at times, allow their use at school on special
occasions.
These cards are on file for each child in the school office. It is very important that:
The Board of Education recognizes that
the first-hand learning experiences provided by field trips and other special
events ( other educational experiences requiring absence from or cancellation
of regular classes) are a most effective and worthwhile means of learning. It
is the desire of the Board to
encourage field trips and special events as an integral part of the school
program. This policy applies to trips, which have been approved by the school
principal. Any trip not having the approval of the principal cannot be
considered sanctioned by the Augusta School Department.
Safety is a primary concern for us on
all field trips. If there are concerns about student behavior on a field trip,
parents will be contacted to develop an appropriate plan. This may include the
requirement of parental supervision of the student on the field trip or
exclusion of the student from the field trip.
Students will have the opportunity while at Hodgkins to participate in school related field trips such as Quebec, Washington D.C., and grade level activities. We participate in such events for educations, cultural and community building opportunities. Students must abide by the following guidelines/ criteria in order to participate:
·
Academic Expectations –
students must be passing all classes to be eligible to participate.
·
Behavioral Expectations –
students must exhibit appropriate and safe behavior throughout the school
year.
Students who do not meet these standards
will jeopardizing their opportunity to attend any trip. Administration and
teachers as to eligibility will make the final decision. There is a financial
cost to the parent for their son/ daughter to participate on a field trip;
these funds are used to secure their spot. Money may or may not be refunded
depending on the given situation.
While attending field trips, students
are reminded that they representing their school and community. They are
expected to follow school rules at all times and to remember to have fun.
Fire drills are necessary
so that everyone knows how to exit the building safely and quickly.
Teachers will explain
exiting procedures. Do Not Run! Once everyone is outside, attendance
will be taken by classroom. When directed by a staff person, return to the building in an orderly fashion.
Students may make an appointment with
the guidance counselor in person or by seeing the secretary in the main
office. Once an appointment has been arranged, the student will receive a
guidance pass to show to the teacher BEFORE leaving class for the
guidance office.
Gum, candy and beverages present
numerous health and clean-up issues. They should not be in the building and
will be addressed by staff on an individual basis.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner. Loud, boisterous behavior, running, pushing, or other unsafe behavior will not be tolerated. Always keep to the right while passing in the hallways. There should be no more that two students walking side by side, which will allow students to pass in a safe manner.
(full policy is available at the superintendent’s office and at each
of the school offices)
It is the intent of the City of Augusta
Board of Education to provide and maintain an environment that is supportive
of academic progress, personal goals, dignity and the self -esteem of every
employee and student in the system, in an environment in which students can
work free from harassment of a verbal, visual, physical or sexual nature.
Harassment of or by board members, administrators, employees, parents,
students, vendors and their employees, volunteers, and others doing business
with the Augusta schools is prohibited. It is the policy of the Board of
Education that harassment will not be tolerated.
"Harassment" is engaging in
vexatious comment or conduct that is known or might reasonably be known to
create a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment for the victim.
Harassment includes, but
is not limited to, racial, ethnic, religious, national origin, age,
disability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, sexual harassment, and
conduct made with the intent to deter the free exercise or enjoyment of any
rights or privileges secured, now or in the future, by the Constitution of
Maine or the United State Constitution. Further, sexual harassment shall
include, but not be limited to, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors,
and other physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Harassment
may include, but not be limited to, suggestive or obscene letters or notes,
invitations; derogatory comments, slurs, jokes, stories, assault, displaying
sexual objects, touching, impeding or blocking movement, leering, gestures,
pictures or objects that are offensive, tend to alarm, annoy, abuse or demean
certain individuals and/or groups.
Harassment,
including sexual harassment, can occur employee to student, student to
employee, student-to-student, employee-to-employee, male-to-female,
female-to-male, male-to-male and female-to-female.
Acts
of harassment are not only a violation of this policy but may also constitute
unlawful discrimination under state and federal laws.
All
employees and students should take special note that retaliation against an
individual who has complained about harassment, including sexual harassment,
and retaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of
any complaint is unlawful, in violation of this policy and will also not be
tolerated, i.e., retaliation is in and of itself a form of harassment and will
be dealt with accordingly.
The Board of Education finds that student-to-student harassment
has the potential of severely and permanently affecting the students involved.
Addressing and correcting student-to-student harassment must have the highest
priority possible in the school district.
The Board is concerned
that any procedures that are implemented will be carried out consistently,
fairly and impartially. At each level in the school system, due process
required by law will be observed -no more and no less.
The Board recognizes that
harassment between students cannot be corrected unless the parents of the
students involved become involved with the process.
Any
complaint of employee-to-student harassment will be brought immediately to the
attention of the superintendent for appropriate action. Law enforcement
authorities will be notified immediately of any alleged harassment or abuse,
either physical or sexual, to conduct the investigation if it appears that a
criminal law may have been violated.
The
Board of Education mandates that prompt, equitable and remedial action will be
taken within its authority on confirmed reports, complaints or grievances
alleging harassment that come to the
attention
of the school department, either formally or informally. Allegations of
criminal misconduct will be reported to law enforcement and suspected child
abuse will be reported to law enforcement and/or Maine Department of Human
Services Child Protective Services. Employees and students found to have been
subjected to harassment would have appropriate school district services made
available to them.
Students whose behavior is found to be
in violation of this policy will be subject to the investigation procedure
which may result in discipline, up to and including expulsion or other
appropriate action. Investigations of harassment complaints shall be conducted
in a confidential manner.
All
incidents will be recorded in the harassment log located in the main office.
Offenses are cumulative. When a harassment incident is reported to a staff
member and the situation cannot be resolved by that staff member:
1. The incident is referred to the office and the Principal will meet with the parties involved.
NOTE: ANY OFFENSES
SUCH AS SEXUAL HARASSMENT, PHYSICAL HARASSMENT, THREATS AND/OR INTIMIDATION,
REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF OFFENSES BY THE STUDENT, MAY RESULT IN LEVEL 3
CONSEQUENCES ASSIGNED AT ANY TIME
Maine
statute defines injurious hazing as "any action or situation which
recklessly or
Intentionally endangers
the mental or physical health of a student enrolled in a public school.”
It
is the policy of the board that injurious hazing activities of any type,
either on or off school property, by any student, staff member, group or
organization affiliated with this school unit, are inconsistent with the
educational process and shall be prohibited at all times.
No
administrator, faculty member, or other employee of the school unit shall
encourage, permit, condone, or tolerate injurious hazing activities. No
student, including leaders of student organizations, shall plan, encourage, or
engage in injurious hazing activities.
Persons not associated with this school
unit who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to ejection from school
property and/or other measures as may be available under the law.
Administrators, faculty members,
students, and all other employees who fail to abide by this policy may be
subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or
other appropriate measures.
In the case of an organization
affiliated with this school unit, which authorizes hazing, penalties may
include rescission of permission for that organization to operate on school
property or to receive any other benefit of affiliation with the school unit.
These penalties shall be in addition to
any civil or criminal penalties to which the violator or organization may be
subject.
The superintendent shall assume
responsibility for administering this policy. In the event that an individual
or organization disagrees with an action --or lack of action --on the part of
the superintendent as he/she carries out the provisions of this policy, that
individual or organization may appeal to the full school board. The ruling of
the board, with respect to the provisions of this policy, shall be final.
A copy of this policy shall be included
in school, parent, and faculty handbooks or otherwise distributed to all
school employees and students.
The Board of Education believes that
homework amplifies learning. The Board also believes that effective homework
assignments do not just supplement classroom lessons; they also teach students
to be independent learners. Homework gives students experience in following
directions, making judgments and comparisons, raising additional questions for
study, and developing responsibility and self-discipline.
Although
the individual student will be considered, general considerations are as
follows:
· Students who are absent, or a parent, may receive assignments after they return to school or may, with reasonable notice, be given assignments earlier if parents choose to obtain the assignments from the school.
· Students, or parents, who anticipate approved absences may request, and if requested, will receive make-up assignments prior to the planned absence.
All make-up work shall be completed
within one week after a student returns to school unless a specific alternate
plan is developed due to extenuating circumstances.
Freshman Honors English 1 is designed
for students with an intense interest in reading and writing and who perform
in the top 5-10% of the class. It promotes in-depth learning of abstract or
theoretical concepts at an accelerated pace with an emphasis on critical
thinking skills,
analysis
and synthesis. A minimum grade of 85 is required for continuance in the honors
program.
The Board of Education has approved a
matrix for the selection of students to Freshman Honors English 1. The matrix
is based upon teacher observations, first semester language arts/literature
grades, a writing sample and a multiple choice test covering usage, mechanics,
vocabulary and reading comprehension. In January, grade 8 students who wish to
be considered for the Freshman Honors English 1 will complete the writing
sample and multiple-choice test at Cony High School. Successful candidates
will be notified before February vacation.
If a student becomes ill or injured,
he/she is to report to the office. The secretary will refer the student to the
nurse or may dismiss him/her if she can contact the parents. Students are
not to call parents to come and pick them up without the secretary's
knowledge.
Students who have been ill with a
contagious disease are to report to the nurse upon their return to school. Parents
are asked to call the school at 626-2490 any day their child will be absent.
Maine State Law requires that all
students K-12 be immunized against polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping
cough), tetanus, measles, rubella (German measles) and mumps in order to
attend school. The law allows exemptions if "The parent states in writing
a sincere religious belief that is contrary to the immunization
requirement...or an opposition to the immunization for philosophical
reasons." The student will
be excluded from school if one of the above diseases is identified in the
school until the danger of outbreak has passed. An immunization record is
required at the time of school registration.
The Apple iBook and carrying case issued
to each student are the property of the State of Maine and are registered to
Hodgkins Middle School. The iBooks are assigned to the student and his/her
family. Teachers will have control to oversee student computer use. At any
time a teacher may monitor a student's computer activity, assist a student, or
take appropriate disciplinary action for misuse of the computers.
Participating in the Maine Learning Technology Initiative is a privilege, not
a right. This privilege can be revoked, resulting in the loss of the iBook.
This project is about teaching and learning, not about the computer. The iBook
is an educational tool that will allow access to valuable resources and
learning experiences. The iBooks should be in a student’s possession or
locked in a secure location at all times.
Once the iBook is issued to the student
and his/her family, they are responsible for it at all times. The iBook should
only be used within a classroom setting or at home, if allowed. NEVER use the
iBook on the bus, while in transit, or before/during/after practices, games,
and other extracurricular activities. Do not put the iBook in a backpack. It
is more likely to get damaged there. DO NOT physically mark up the iBook or
its storage case. The computer should remain clean at all times and appear to
be brand new. (No writing, stickers, etc.) Keep all food and drinks away from
the computer. To keep the screen clean, do not touch it with your fingers.
Protect the computer from the weather – heat or cold. When using the iBook,
remove any wrist jewelry that may scratch it.
Any inappropriate use of computers, as
outlined in the Augusta School Department’s Appropriate Use Policy, will
result in the loss of iBook privileges and the loss of access to all computer
resources in Augusta schools. The period of time a student’s privileges are
suspended will be determined by the iBook Tech Team. Severe incidents of
misuse will result in the immediate loss of all computer privileges and use of
the iBook. Any student engaged in reckless behavior must be reported
immediately. Reckless behavior
may place a student at risk of injury or potentially result in damage to
school property. The student is the only
designated user of his/her iBook. Never share or swap the iBook with others.
Keep passwords confidential. Any inappropriate use of iBooks by any student
should be reported immediately to a teacher, teacher leader, or administrator.
NO downloading of anything without
teacher permission. All downloads must be documented by the student and the
teacher of the class for which the download was intended. The iBooks should
never be left unattended (during lunch, in the locker room, after school -
before, during, or after extracurricular activities, etc.).
The Augusta School Department's
Acceptable Use Policy should be followed at all times.
Computer use, network access and Internet privileges will only be
granted after a student and his/her parent/guardian have signed the form to
acknowledge that they have read it. If
a student is "accidentally" linked to an inappropriate web site, the
student should report it immediately. Please close the site but note the date
and time of this accident. Any pattern of misuse with regard to visiting
inappropriate Internet sites will result in the student’s Internet
privileges being revoked and will be subject to further discipline.
Offenses such as misusing and/or damaging the i