MarshWood High School
2007-2008
Parent-Student Handbook
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,
Please take the time to read this handbook together and then sign and date the “Sign-Off Sheet” on the backside of the “Student Emergency Form.” This paperwork must be turned in to your son/daughter’s Advisor by Friday, September 7th.
Remember, if you are WHERE you are supposed to be, WHEN you are supposed to be and DOING what you are supposed to be doing, you will have taken the first steps towards succeeding at Marshwood. It won’t be long until you are taking leaps, soaring like a hawk and challenging yourselves. Have a great school year.
Sincerely,
Paul Mehlhorn
Principal
MARSHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CIVILITY STANDARDS...................................................... 5
MARSHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC INTEGRITY.................................................... 5
POSTERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADVERTISEMENTS............................................ 16
SCHOOL PROPERTY/STUDENT OBLIGATIONS............................................................. 17
HOMEWORK/STANDARDS FOR ACCEPTABLE WORK................................................ 26
QUESTIONING AND SEARCHES OF STUDENTS............................................................ 36
As we enter the 21st century,
Marshwood High School is committed to being
a community center for lifelong learning. All aspects of the school
are focused on developing inquisitive, self-directed problem-solving skills, effective communication, and self-confidence. As mentors of a safe,
caring environment which celebrates diversity within the school and
community at large, we encourage aspirations, creativity and cooperation.
Developing these qualities leads to responsible citizenship, independent
thinking and quality workmanship. We are a cornerstone for helping
students develop plans for the future, while inspiring them in the present to
reach their goals through effort and perseverance. Measuring
student growth encompasses rigorous achievement in
academic, vocational, athletic and artistic expression.
Marshwood High School endeavors to make
success possible for all.
.
MARSHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CIVILITY STANDARDS
Marshwood High School believes in mutual respect and civility as standards of behavior. Members of the Marshwood High School community are committed to keeping the school free from disruptions that interfere with the educational process. Respect, civility, and orderly conduct by and among administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents and the general public are expected.
The following standards will be adhered to with the purpose of fostering an appropriate learning environment:
Marshwood High School Civility Standards
· Students will demonstrate respect for one another, the facility, and personal property.
· Profanity, derogatory remarks, and insults will not be tolerated in written, verbal, non verbal, or electronic form.
· Members of our community will not be alienated, excluded, or discriminated against.
· All students and staff will refrain from inappropriate contact and inappropriate displays of affection.
· Individual teachers may supplement these policies with additional classroom standards for a safe learning environment.
MARSHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic integrity matters. A commitment to the development of personal integrity and character among all students must be a fundamental element of education. Marshwood High School insists honesty, trustworthiness and integrity are at the core of all learning. Each student is responsible to produce their own work and never participate in any act that compromises the academic integrity of our school community. All teachers will clearly present expectations, level of acceptable collaboration, and employ practices that promote academic integrity. Parents are asked to assist the faculty in teaching students these core values of honesty, trustworthiness and personal integrity.
Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy include but are not limited to:
Cheating
Plagiarism
Marshwood High School policy regarding consequences of academic dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty affects the trust of the school community, college recommendations, membership in National Honor Society, and the consideration of academic awards and scholarships.
AUTOMOBILES, VEHICLES, AND PARKING
1. The school is not responsible for any damage or theft of vehicles or their contents.
2. Students must park only in designated student spaces. Students may not park in the faculty parking lot, in visitor’s parking or along the front circle. Students may park in the lower lot by the cafeteria only between Thanksgiving and April 1st. Students may not park on the grass or in handicapped spots without the appropriate documentation.
3. Improper parking may result in disciplinary action and loss of parking privileges. The school reserves the right to tow at the owner’s expense.
4. Once the vehicles arrive on school grounds, students are to depart from them and may not return to them during the school hours without permission from the office.
Students may use school computers, networks and Internet services only for educational purposes. Students shall comply with all policies and rules governing acceptable use. Unacceptable use may result in suspension or cancellation of computer privileges as well as additional disciplinary and/or legal action. (See Board policy IJN & IJND Access to Electronic Media.)
The Internet is a worldwide network of computer systems connecting educational institutions, government agencies, commerce industry and other groups. Millions of people have access to do research, conduct business, send messages, converse, read, socialize and find entertainment.
At Marshwood High School we strive to use the Internet for educational purposes; however, it is impossible to control all the things that people may inadvertently or intentionally access on the Internet. We have integrated the use of the Internet into many of our courses and require students to have access to do research projects, web quests, etc. We believe that the valuable information on the Internet far outweighs the possibility that users may access material that is not consistent with our educational goals. All are given access to the Internet unless a parent/guardian notifies the school otherwise.
The Internet is a privilege, increasingly essential to learning that offers new freedoms and demands new responsibilities. Guidelines for its use are practical and logical extensions of our commitment to conduct that is legal, ethical, and considerate of others.
Uncontrolled Internet access could allow access to sites which children should not be exposed to. The government has passed the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act addressing the issue of protecting all users from harmful access. These laws require that both minors and adults be filtered from visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) child pornography, and additionally that minors be protected from material that could be harmful to them.
To comply with these acts Marshwood High School has done the following:
1. Installed a WatchGuard firewall/filtering system to block access to inappropriate matter on the Internet.
a. The WebBlocker filter is used which has its filter lists updated weekly.
b. The system also has the capability of locally blocking access to other sits.
2. Require that users accessing the Internet be monitored.
a. Filter information is reviewed periodically to check which sites are being accessed.
b. Vision software is installed in the library and labs to be able to monitor computer screens.
3. Require that student Internet users are supervised.
Acceptable Use Policy
The use of Marshwood High School’s computer network is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of that privilege.
1. All users are provided with USERNAMES and PASSWORDS. Users are expected to personalize their passwords immediately upon given initial access. These provide access to the individual computers, the software on the computers, and the Local Area Network (which includes 10MB private storage for information) as well as Internet access. Users may not use other user’s accounts by sharing name and password information or obtain the information surreptitiously.
2. Users should use equipment in a manner that is respectful and respect the rights of others. Users may not use profanity, obscenity, or other offensive language nor are they to post personal communications of others without the author’s consent.
3. PLAGIARISM is prohibited. Information on the Internet remains the intellectual property of the author. Users are not to copy information from the Internet and present it as their own work.
4. HACKING is prohibited. This is defined as trying to gain unauthorized access to the system, servers, or stored data for whatever reason (including altering data, denying access to others, or damaging the system or information on it). Hacking also includes trying to defeat the installed filtering system by use of relay servers or proxy servers, uploading or creating viruses, or developing programs that harass others, infiltrate or cause damage to computers.
5. The ability to enter CHAT sessions over the Internet is blocked by the filter system. Users are not to use any system that provides real time chat capability that is not blocked by the filters. Users are not to reveal their personal home address, home phone number, or phone number of any other individuals. If users are contacted by any individual trying to gain this information, they are to notify their parents/guardians and system administrator immediately.
6. Users are not provided with E-Mail; however, there are many Internet e-mail systems available. The use of e-mail for illegal activities is prohibited including threatening, harassment, and using false identities. Sending hate mail, chain letters, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited.
7. Accessing or possessing pornographic material, inappropriate text files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network is prohibited.
8. Users should not expect that their data files, e-mail or storage areas are private. While information is safeguarded by usernames and passwords, Marshwood High School reserves the right to open and inspect all data on individual computers, servers, or backup files at any time.
9. Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the network or the Internet, you must notify an administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to others. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with Internet access will be denied access to the network.
Consequences of Misuse
Any user who does not comply with these acceptable use policies will lose network privileges for a period of not less than a week. Repeated or severe infractions may result in termination of access privileges permanently. Student infractions may result in appropriate disciplinary action in addition to suspension or termination of access privileges, because some of the items listed in these policies are in violation of other District policies and others are subject to criminal prosecution. Unauthorized use of the network, intentional deletion or damage to files and data belonging to others, or copyright violations may be termed theft.
General Information
• The Apple iBook and its carrying case are the property of MSAD35 and are registered to Marshwood High School. They are assigned to the student but must be returned to the school at the end of the school year.
• The computers were configured by Apple Computer and Marshwood High School to meet the project goals. The laptops are equipped with software a student will need as a tool for learning. They may have additional software added or configured by MSAD35 as required. Students should not install additional software.
• Student laptop use can and will be monitored periodically.
• Our approach to the use of technology is focused on improving teaching and learning.
Guidelines and Rules for Laptop Use
Care of Laptops
Internet Rules, Reminders and Guidelines
Any of the above guidelines may be superceded by the Acceptable Use policy.
Dances are held at Marshwood High School for the pleasure of the student body. Appropriate dress is required. The dances are open to Marshwood High School students and their guests. Students leaving the dance will not be readmitted. Guests must be enrolled in a high school, no junior high students. Guests from other schools must be approved in advance by administration.
There are instances when certain information (directory information) regarding students is published. These instances would be when students receive awards, participate in a school activity, or graduate. Directory information may include the following:
1. Student names, addresses, phone numbers.
2. Date of birth.
3. Major field of studies.
4. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports.
5. Weight and height of athletes.
6. Dates of attendance.
7. Degrees and awards received.
8. The most recent educational agency or institution attended.
9. Photograph.
If parents decide that they do not want a student's directory information published, they should state in writing this decision to the Marshwood High School Principal. (Please see Board Policy JRA, JRA-E & JRA-R for more information.)
Military Recruiters and Colleges
A provision in the new federal education law, the “No Child Left Behind Act,” provides that secondary schools that receive federal funds must release a student’s name, address and telephone number, upon request, to military recruiters and to institutions of higher education. To prevent the release of information, you must inform the school by completing the necessary form available in the main office or in Guidance.
The following information is required before a student will be considered for admittance to Marshwood High School:
1. Completion of enrollment packet forms.
· Student Records/Transcript Release Form
· Verification of Residency within District
· Emergency/Enrollment Form/Handbook Sign Off
· Home Language Survey
2. A copy of the student’s academic records (special education records, attendance records and disciplinary records) from previous school.
3. Proof of official withdrawal from previous school.
4. Proof of residency in district (copy of purchase/sales agreement, rental agreement, etc.
5. Verification of guardianship may be required when a student is changing residence from one parent to another. If the student is going to live with someone other than a parent, proof of legal guardianship is required.
6. If the new student intends to participate in interscholastic sports, they must complete the Athlete’s Contract/Participation Agreement form.
7. New student must meet with an administrator before a schedule is set.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT POLICY
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