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Table of Contents

This Page Was Last Updated On  11/16/2004
The contents of this page are subject to change without prior notice upon approval of the
Secaucus Board Of Education.
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AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

It is the policy of the Secaucus School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, social or economic status in its educational program or activities.

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AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

In order for students to meet for a school activity after regular school hours permission must be granted by an administrator, and notification must be made to the head custodian.  A faculty member, coach, or co-curricular advisor must be present to supervise student activities.

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AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION

Also known as 'central detention'; may be assigned by an administrator when a student has violated a school rule(s).  Central detention is held from 2:40 - 3:30 PM.

Band and Chorus students assigned to the Period 9 classes will complete detention assignments as instructed by the administrators.

Students attending tutorials will report to detention immediately upon conclusion of the tutorial.  Three minutes of passing time will be permitted from the tutorial to the detention room.

Participation in athletics or other co-curricular activities, work, family obligations, or medical/dental appointments are not excuses for missing detention.  Only an administrator can excuse a student from detention.

Cutting detention is cause for suspension.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

The SGO president (or designee) will be responsible for making the daily announcements at a time established by the school administrators that is least disruptive to the educational process.  All daily announcements are placed on the school website's bulletin board as quickly as possible.

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ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS

Assembly programs are held to celebrate holidays, recognize student achievement, or to provide worthwhile cultural experiences.  It is essential that all students observe the following basic rules of etiquette:

1. Applause is the proper means of showing one's appreciation.

2. Whistling, yelling, rhythmic clapping, and stamping of feet are examples of inappropriate responses (unless requested by musical performers during a show).

3. Talking or making disruptive sounds during a performance, speech, or presentation is inappropriate and unacceptable.

(Students who are asked to leave an assembly program due to inappropriate behavior will be subject to detention or suspension and may be barred from future assembly programs or other school activities.)

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ATHLETICS

Students will be permitted to participate in interscholastic athletics provided that their records indicate that all academic requirements have been met, and that they are deemed eligible according to school regulations as well as those required by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Transfer students must obtain permission from the Guidance Department and the Director of Athletics before they will be permitted to participate.

Students who participate in athletics (including marching band and cheerleading) must undergo a physical examination by the school doctor or a licensed family physician.

Students who expect to participate in athletics are to comply with all school policies regarding conduct and discipline.

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BEEPERS / PAGERS / CELL PHONES

Section 2C:33-18-19 of the Code of Criminal Justice clearly addresses the possession / use of these devices on school property.  The Code also clearly indicates that possession is a disorderly persons offense.  In addition, the Board of Education's Substance Abuse Policy clearly prohibits the possession / use of these devices.  Students will have devices confiscated if found in their possession.

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CAFETERIA / FOOD SERVICE

The cafeteria is operated by a private food service contracted by the Secaucus Board of Education.

Some students may qualify for government-subsidized reduced rate or free lunches.  Please request an application from the main office.

The lunch period is an assigned period.  Lunchroom supervisors are in charge and expect polite cooperation.

The following rules are to be observed during lunch:

1. Students must arrive in the cafeteria in a timely manner.  Unexcused tardiness will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the degree and frequency of the lateness.

2. Students are expected to exercise care and safety in the serving area as well as the cafeteria.

3. Food or drinks are not to be taken from the cafeteria, except by seniors who choose to eat in the picnic area.  Seniors are not to stray from that area, are not permitted in the student parking lot or in a car, and should properly dispose of garbage when returning to the building.

4. Lunchroom supervisors may assign students to particular seats if the necessity arises.

5. Each student is responsible for the disposing of all leftover food items and utensils from the tables.

6. Students will be permitted to go to the restrooms during the last ten minutes of the lunch period.

7. Students should be aware that combing or brushing hair, or spraying aerosol sprays in the cafeteria presents health hazards and should be avoided.

8. Students who fail to demonstrate proper behavior during lunch periods may be required to eat lunch in a location out of contact with other students.

9. Delivery of food from outside vendors is not permitted.

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CALCULATING LATENESS / LOSS OF CREDIT
(return to Daily Attendance Policy)

Two (2) instances of unexcused tardiness within ten (10) minutes of the start time for each class after Block 1 will equal one (1) absence for the purpose of calculating unexcused absences with regard to Board of Education Policy Numbers 5410 and 5450 ('Promotion' and 'High School Graduation').  Anyone arriving to class without an acceptable excuse after the ten minutes of class will be considered 'cut' for that class (see also: Late Policy).

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CLOSED BUILDING

Students are not permitted to loiter, stand, or congregate outside any part of the building.  Upon arrival to school, students are to enter the building and report to either the cafeteria or library after going to their locker.

Students are not permitted to leave the building during the regular school day.  Seniors (ONLY) may eat lunch at the designated site on campus during the months when weather permits.

The only valid reason to leave the building before the end of the regular school day is a request for and granting of early dismissal by an administrator.  A letter or phone call must be received that morning from a parent (or legal guardian) and an early dismissal form must be filled out in the main office.  The parent (or legal guardian) picking the student up must come to the building to sign the student out. (see also: Early Dismissal).

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CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Chronic medical conditions which may affect a student's attendance, promptness to school, or performance when attending school must be confirmed in writing by a physician and submitted to the school nurse at the beginning of the school year or immediately upon the diagnosis of the attending physician.  The principal, or his designee, will make the final determination as to whether or not the excuse is acceptable.

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CLASS CUTTING
(return to Daily Attendance Policy)

Students who cut a particular class on two (2) occasions in a full-block course will not receive credit for that course.  If the student is a senior and does not need the credits to graduate, participation in senior activities and / or commencement exercises may be denied.

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COMPUTER / NETWORK VIOLATIONS

1. FORGOTTEN PASSWORD

1st Time - No action

2nd Time - 2-day lockdown

3rd Time - 4-day lockdown

2. Network Violations

Playing games, attempting to enter restricted sites, illegal downloads

1st Time - 3-day lockdown

2nd Time - 7-day lockdown

3rd Time - 10-day lockdown

Downloading, or attempting to download or access, pornography or other inappropriate material

1st Time - 10-day lockdown, out of school suspension for five (5) days*

2nd Time - 15-day lockdown, out of school suspension**

3rd Time - 20-day lockdown, out of school suspension**

Posting terroristic threats, racial, religious, or ethnic intimidation, or threats of bodily harm

Out of school suspension**, parent conference, notification to law enforcement authorities, notification to the Board of Education, referral to child study team.

* May be referred for counseling
** Duration to be determined by the school administrators and superintendent of schools.

Please note that all restricted days are school days as opposed to calendar days.  During any lockdown period student is NOT allowed on ANY computer within the building.

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DAILY ATTENDANCE POLICY

Daily attendance in all classes is important for a successful education.  New Jersey State law requires all children under the age of sixteen (16) to attend school unless it is necessary to be absent for one of the following reasons:

1. Verified illness of the student (Parent or legal guardian required to call main office by 9:30 AM to report absence)*.

2. Family emergency (such as death or serious illness in the family)

3. Religious observance

4. Motor vehicle or court appearance

5. Such other circumstances as may be approved by the school administrators.

*NOTE: Calling the school office notifies school personnel that the parent is aware of the student's absence.  It also confirms that the student is safe and at home.  However, it does not change the state requirement of providing a note.  Students are required to present a note written and signed by a parent (or legal guardian) explaining the absence within two (2) days of the student's return to school.

(Notes are to be dated and should include the first and last names of the student as well as the legible signature of the parent or guardian).

Medical and Legal Reasons for Absence

Students who are absent for medical and legal reasons, drivers tests, counseling, or college visitations must, upon returning to school, submit a document from the office or site at which the appintment was conducted.  Medicals must state the date and time of the appointment, and the number of days the doctor required the student to be absent from school.

Unacceptable Absences

Unacceptable absences include, but are not limited to:

1. Truancy: defined as an unexcused absence from school or assigned location for an entire day

2. Cutting: defined as an unexcused absence from class, classes, or an assigned location while being present during the school day.  Includes selectively missing a class or classes.

Early Dismissals (return to Closed Building)

The following situations may occur which would justify an early dismissal from school:

1. A verified illness which manifested itself during the school day.

2. A verified appointment with a physician, dentist, or private counselor.

3. Motor vehicle test or court appearance with verification of appointment

Early dismissal requests should be made only in cases of emergency.  All appointments for students should be made outside of normal school hours whenever possible.  Only an administrator is empowered to grant an early dismissal.  Any class absences resulting from an early dismissal will become part of the student's attendance record unless noted by an administrator.

Procedure for Early Dismissal:

1. A letter or phone call must be received that morning from a parent (or legal guardian) and an early dismissal form must be filled out in the main office.

2. Clerical personnel will assist student with early dismissal form.

3. The parent (or legal guardian) picking up the student must come in to the building to sign the student out.

Extended Absences

In the event that a student misses five (5) consecutive school days and has not requested or received home assignments, is not on home instruction, or is not medically certified as incapacitated, the parent (or legal guardian) and student will be issued a written notification for the student to return to school immediately.  Failure to do so may result in the following:

1. Notification to parents (or legal guardians) of students under the compulsory school age (below sixteen (16) years of age) that they are in violation of the law (N.J.S.A. 18:38-20).  Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may cause the parent / guardian to be deemed a disorderly person and subject to a fine (N.J.S.A. 18:38-13).

2. Students above the compulsory age will be withdrawn from the school rolls for not complying with the notice to return to school.  However, the student may present a written petition to the Superintendent of Schools requesting reinstatement.

Late Policy (return to Calculating Lateness / Loss of Credit)

Block 1 Classes:

1. A warning bell will be sounded three minutes prior to the beginning of Block 1, followed by the bell which signals the start of the class.  The second bell is the 'late' bell.

2. Classroom doors will be temporarily locked at the sound of the late bell.  Students arriving to Block 1 after the late bell must report to the main office to sign in.  Students will be admitted to class with a pass from the office.

3. Students arriving late to Block 1 will be assessed one day of detention.

4. Upon being late a second time, detention will again be assessed and a warning letter sent home.

5. Should the late policy be violated a third time, detention will be assessed and parents will be notified.  In addition, the student will serve one (1) day in-school suspension the day after the detention is served.

This pattern of discipline will rotate with every third late.

Students should realize that continued abuse of the late policy could eventually result in a parent conference, loss of credits under the attendance policy, and additional disciplinary action. (see also: Calculating Lateness / Loss of Credit)

Late to any class after Block 1:

1. Teachers will record late arrivals in their attendance books

2. Teachers will notify office should a second late occur.  Parents will be notified of potential loss of credit

3. Teachers will notify office when student accumulates fourth late.  Parents will be notified that student is being withdrawn from class with loss of credits.  Seniors who do not need the class to graduate may be denied the opportunity to attend senior activities and / or commencement exercises. (see also: Class Cutting)

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DISCIPLINARY POLICY

The following is a summary of infractions which may result in either detention, suspension, or both.  Since all infractions cannot be anticipated, the administration reserves the right to impose disciplinary action on any student whose behavior is deemed disruptive, destructive, disrespectful, or dangerous.  Repeated occurrences will result in consequences of longer duration and greater severity.  Any violation of public law will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

*Proper community authorities will be notified
**Students will be required to undergo a complete physical examination in accordance with the guidelines established by the State Department of Education.

School service may be assigned in place of detention / suspension when determined to be appropriate by the school administrators.

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ELECTIONS: CRITERIA FOR CANDIDACY FOR CLASS OFFICERS OR S.G.O.

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