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student/family handbook dear parent/guardian welcome back the administrative team faculty and staff at madawaska middle/high school have been busily preparing for yet another school year student rights responsibilities and privileges are outlined in the handbook as well as academic and athletic guidelines student behavior and attendance and general information regarding school policies please read this handbook with your son/daughter if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 728-3371 sincerely wayne j anderson wayne j anderson principal an internet version of this handbook can be found at the following web address http www.madawaskaschooks.org/middle_high/index.cfm

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madawaska high school table of contents table of contents statement of purpose general information purpose of handbook school profile lockers/search lunch school visitors evacuation drills lost textbooks other school property academic requirements honor roll mid-year and final exams academic awards evening library computers/laptop insurance computer violation penalties telephone calls student rights and responsibilities personal property cell phones attendance compulsory attendance ages perfect attendance award absences make-up work dismissal leaving school before school ­ noontime and after school codes of behavior cafeteria gymnasium middle school areas parking lots school property cars and motorcycles snowballs and other objects 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4-5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 7-11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13

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codes of behavior cont school buses study halls school dances alcohol drugs and tobacco 13-15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 18 alcoholic beverage/products with alcoholic contents drugs and narcotics tobacco bomb threat weapons violence and school safety other regulations search dress code gum chewing school assemblies plagiarism student behavior and discipline after school teacher assigned detention saturday detention suspension expulsion hazing senior/nhs privileges conditions for receiving privileges guidance department early graduation post-secondary enrollment option special services department 504 procedural safeguards physical education policy gym uniforms gym lockers 18 18 19 19 19 19-20 20 20 20-22 22-24 24-25 25 25 25-27 27-28 28 28 29 29-30 31 31 31 31

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table of contents cont athletics and co-curricular activities 32 eligibility rules 32-36 co-curricular activities harassment student records rights under ferpa release of student information class officers/advisors student council important dates progress notices class dues bell schedule school calendar madawaska high school overview 37 38 38 39-41 42 43 43 44 44 45 45 back inside cover front inside cover

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madawaska middle/high school mission statement the madawaska middle/high school community is dedicated to providing students the opportunity to participate in a high quality educational experience that will guide them towards the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and tools to succeed in a multifaceted world academic expectations madawaska middle/high school students will read effectively speak effectively write effectively solve problems effectively research effectively social expectations practice global and responsible citizenry interact effectively and respectfully within a diverse community participate in community through volunteerism and organizations understand importance of accepting responsibility for personal actions and decisions civic expectations develop the skills of collaborative and quality workers establish and completing goals persist in improving performance and exhibiting initiative demonstrate and share a quality product work effectively both independently and collaboratively

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school colors nickname school mascot school song royal blue white and gray owls owls madawaska high school we sing to thee fairest of all schools give her three times cheer rah rah rah evermore to serve thee love and adore here s to madawaska forevermore rah rah rah!

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general information purpose of handbook this handbook will help you to review some of the traditional policies of our school and to look at new policies necessary to operate in an efficient and educationally beneficial manner it is suggested that you retain this handbook since it will contain information designed to help you understand and to remember items rules and regulations necessary for your conduct and adjustment to the school situation school profile madawaska middle/high school is a new england association accredited school serving the community of madawaska and grand isle the enrollment is approximately 300 students in grades 7-12 the professional staff is comprised of 25 full-time teachers a guidance counselor a librarian/clerk an athletic director half-time special education director and a principal lockers/search each student is assigned a locker for his/her use and it should be kept locked at all times these lockers are the property of the madawaska high school and may be inspected at any time by the principal or a designee maine state law also gives school administrators authority to search students provided that reasonable suspicion exists lunch in order to facilitate the selling of lunch credits on the first day of the week students must report to their team time room to buy their lunch credits the lunch credits will be sold during team time on monday on all other school days lunch credits must be purchased from the main office prior to the start of the school day students will be provided with a new lunch card every school year if the card is lost students will be provided with a second card free of charge if the second card is lost students will pay a $5.00 fee for a third card and any replacement card thereafter 1

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school visitors if a student wants to bring a visitor to attend classes or other activities he/she must request permission from the principal or the assistant principal at least three 3 days before the planned visit the student and visitors must check in at the main office secure a visitor s badge and must adhere to the same rules and regulations as do madawaska students evacuation drills students are to follow the directions on the evacuation drill signs that are posted in each room in a quiet orderly manner all students are to file out in a single line to the designated emergency evacuation area lost textbooks and other school property students are personally responsible for all textbooks laptops and other school property issued to them all textbooks issued are to be covered students must pay replacement fees for any lost or damaged items academic requirements credits required for a madawaska high school diploma are 24 credits for the class of 2012 24 credits for the class of 2013 24 credits for the class of 2014 24 credits for the class of 2015 specific requirements are english social studies mathematics science fine arts health physical education computer proficiency personal career management modern/classical languages 4 credits 3 credits 4 credits 3 credits 1 credit 1 credit 2 credits 1 credit 1 credit 1 credit students must carry a minimum of 7 credits per school year 2

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honor roll an honor roll will be computed at the end of each quarter a student may qualify for honors or high honors requirements are high honors honors all grades 93-100 all grades 85-100 mid year and final exams assessment will be administered at the end of the second and fourth quarters each exam will be 20 of each student s semester average all students will be required to take both assessments to be excused from study hall during exam week students must bring in a note from their parents by the date specified on the exam schedule form senior nhs privileges may not be used during exam week unless otherwise specified by administration academic awards evening to be invited to the academic awards banquet a student must achieve honors for four consecutive honor rolls or three honor rolls with one of them being high honors the honor rolls counted are the spring honor roll of the previous school year and the first three honor rolls of the current school year the academic awards banquet also recognizes other academic achievements library the madawaska middle/high school library/media center functions as a learning and research center which aids students to enrich their classroom experiences and personal growth the library is open each school day from 7:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m for quiet study reading research and assigned work students are encouraged to make full use of library services before school during study periods and after school no food or drink is allowed in the library at any time 3

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computers internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies and regional and state networks in addition the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines in general this requires efficient ethical and legal utilization of the network resources if a madawaska school department user violates any of these provisions his or her account will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied all users must sign a madawaska school department internet user agreement a student user must also have the agreement signed by his/her parent or guardian the agreement is legally binding and indicates the party parties who signed has have read the terms and conditions carefully and understands their significance laptop home usage computer file ijndba currently all students 6-12 at madawaska middle/high school are issued a laptop students athe laptop issued to each student is an educational tool and shall only be used in that capacity ain order to take a laptop home parents and students must adhere madawaska school policies injdb injdb-r and injdb-s a liability form must be signed by the parent/guardian before the laptop is taken home astudents are responsible for the care of the laptop issued them whether in or out of school astudents are responsible for ensuring that the laptop is charged and ready for school each day astudents are responsible for bringing their assigned laptop to school each day a laptop left at home will be treated the same as if textbooks or homework were left at home avandalism hacking or negligence that damages or disables the laptop in any way will mean loss of access to the laptop financial liability for repairs and an alternative plan for learning will be implemented at home aparents/guardians will have their child s login password in order to supervise student s usage at home responsibility aif the laptop is stolen while signed out to the student it shall be reported to the local police authorities and madawaska middle/high school personnel immediately 4

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areplacement costs and/or the repair for damages that are not covered by the warrantee or school insurance which occur to the laptop and its carrying case while it is in the possession of the student is the responsibility of the parent or guardian who signed the liability form afailure to comply with the school s policy for laptop sign out may result in your sign out privileges being revoked please contact vincent vanier 728-3371 if interested in having your son/daughter take his/her laptop home with them computer violation penalties 1st offense ­ loss of computer for 2 weeks 2nd offense ­ loss of computer for 4 weeks 3rd offense ­ loss of computer the remainder of the school year note a computer must be placed in its proper carrying case when not in use and/or being transported computers are not to be stored in book bags/back packs for any reason at any time violation of this rule will result in immediate confiscation of the computer telephone calls students will not be called from class or study hall to receive a call nor may they leave a class or study hall to make a call student rights and responsibilities all students shall have the right to hold office to vote in student class elections and in student council elections student council members represent the student body any grievances should be processed through these elected members students may freely express their points of view provided that they do not seek to coerce others to join them in their mode of expression and that they do not otherwise intrude upon the rights of others during school hours students will also abide by the classroom standards set by individual teachers it is the responsibility and duty of all school personnel to protect the personal privacy of students and their families against undue invasion in the collecting handling and disseminating of student information school officials will also allow a student a fair opportunity to have his/her side of a controversy openly considered 5

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personal property do not leave valuable or personal belongings in the hallways classrooms or unlocked lockers madawaska middle/high school is not responsible for lost belongings cd walkmans radios hand-held video games digital cameras mp3 players and items of this nature are not allowed at school violation of this rule will result in disciplinary consequences cell phones cell phone usage is prohibited at madawaska middle/high school between the hours of 6:30 a.m and 2:44 p.m the following consequences will be implemented for cumulative violation of this rule 1st offense cell phone is confiscated and may only be picked parent ­ student receives a verbal warning 2nd offense cell phone is confiscated and may only be picked parent ­ student receives a saturday detention 3rd offense cell phone is confiscated and may only be picked parent ­ student receives a one-day suspension 4th offense cell phone is confiscated and may only be picked parent ­ student referred to the superintendent up by up by up by up by attendance compulsory attendance ages refer to file jea maine state law requires regular attendance at school sessions for all children between their 7th and 17th birthdays with the exception of those who graduate from high school before the age of 17 and with certain other exceptions allowable by law perfect attendance award madawaska middle/high school recognizes perfect attendance at the end of each school year with a certificate and pin perfect attendance is defined as being in school every scheduled school day with no tardiness or dismissals students who are dismissed for school-sponsored events such as band sports or drama are excused 6

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absences daily school attendance is one of several factors necessary for student achievement makeup work is never sufficient to correct for the loss of class time the primary responsibility for a student s regular attendance rests on the shoulders of the student and the family school personnel cannot force attendance we can only provide a positive educational environment that is conducive to creating academic gains for each student the rest including maintaining high standards for punctuality and attendance is up to the individual student and his/her parents/guardians it is our belief that a student cannot receive full benefit from the programs at madawaska middle/high school unless he/she is in full attendance although the administration realizes occasional absences from school are necessary these instances should be kept to an absolute minimum a excused absences under maine state law the only excusable absences from school are 1 personal illness 2 appointments with health professionals that must be made during the regular school day 3 observance of religious holidays when the observance is required during the school day 4 family emergencies 5 planned absences for personal or educational purposes which have been approved absences need to be approved in advance by submitting an educational absence application shown on page 8 with the attendance office 6 if a student is going to be absent parents/guardian have two options to identify the absence as excused in accordance with state law see items 1­5 above parent/guardian should call 7283371 extension 401 leave a message prior to 7:00 a.m on the day of absence and explain why the student is absent if phone notification is not made a note explaining the absence is required no later than the following day the student returns to school no note or phone notification will be considered an unexcused absence 7

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