Responsibilities

Students Rights and Responsibilities

I. Attendance

STUDENTS' RIGHTS

1. A student is entitled to a meaningful and useful education which provides equal opportunity regardless of a student's race, religion, national origin, language, sex (gender), or ability.

    

2. Whenever possible, counseling and home instruction will be provided for a student during long periods of illness.

    

3. Attendance regulations shall be reasonable, enforceable and shall consider the entire program of the school

    

4. Students have the right to a school that will be a safe and healthful place to gain an education. The environment provided the students will be clean and free from hazards.

    

5. Students have a right to attend school without fear of sexual harrassment. "Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, non-verbal, verbal, and/or physical conduct of a sexual nature will constitute sexual harrassment."

STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Students have the responsibility to attend school daily and to be punctual in reporting to school and to classes.

    

2. Students may not attend school when they or others in the home have a communicable disease, unless such attendance is authorized by a qualified health official.

    

3. Students must stay off school grounds when on suspension until readmitted by school officials.

    

4. Students have the responsibility to insure that the school environment is free from sexual harrassment.

    

5. Students have the responsibility to maintain a school environment that is free of verbal and symbolic harrassment.

II. Discipline and Student Conduct

STUDENTS' RIGHTS

1. Each student has the right to fair, consistent and appropriate discipline.

    

2. Each student has the right to be informed of school rules and regulations.

    

3. Students have the right to due process in disciplinary matters, including the right of grievance, a fair hearing, and the right to appeal.

STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Students have the responsibility to be aware of all rules and regulations and to obey them.

    

2. Students are responsible to exercise their rights of due process and to pursue their grievances through the orderly process established by the school board.

III. Free Public Education

STUDENTS' RIGHTS

1. Students have the right to attend school in the district in which they reside or as assigned by the school board.

    

2. Students have the right to use free textbooks and necessary educational materials needed in assigned courses of study.

STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Students are responsible for not placing, keeping or maintaining any illegal item on their persons, or among their papers and effects. The persons, papers and effects of students include book bags, pockets, purses, lunch boxes and like personal property, and the person of the students themselves.

    

2. Students are responsible for assisting the school staff in running a safe and healthful school.

    

3. Students are responsible for applying themselves to the assigned course of study, paying attention to teachers, completing assignments on time, respecting school property, conducting themselves properly, and being willing to work at self-improvement.

    

4. Students are responsible for textbooks and materials issued to them in pursuit of an education. Students will reimburse the school district for lost, stolen, or damaged materials or property and equipment.

IV. Freedom of Expression

STUDENTS' RIGHTS

1. Students have the right to express their opinions without interference from others, as long as such expression does not infringe upon the rights of others or coerce others to join their mode of expression.

    

2. Students have the right to freedom of speech even if such expression is considered unpopular or controversial.

    

3. Students have the right to seek the truth by examining opposing ideas and to express such ideas in an orderly manner.

    

4. Students have the right to wear political buttons, arm bands, and other badges of symbolic expression.

STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES

When speaking or writing, students are responsible for the following:

1. Not being crude, vulgar, or defamatory.

    

2. Not ridiculing or causing a person to be ridiculed.

    

3. Not causing or encouraging unlawrful behavior or a serious disruption to the orderly operation of the school.

V. Dress and Grooming

STUDENTS' RIGHTS

1. Students have the right to expect school policies on dress and grooming to be clear and reasonable.

    

2. Students have the right to expect school authorities to state their policies on dress and grooming in writing and to make such policies widely available to parents and students.

    

3. Students have the right to expect that school policies on dress for participation in physical education and other designated activities will not impose a financial hardship upon the student or the student's family.

STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Dress and grooming should be clean and should conform with health and sanitary practices.

    

2. Students are responsible for not wearing clothing or hair styles that can be hazardous to them in their educational activities.

    

3. All students are expected to be neat and clean and to be modestly dressed in clothing appropriate for school. Dress or appearance disruptive to an orderly classroom learning process will not be tolerated, and students will be sent home upon contact with a parent. All students must wear appropriate footwear which is not dangerous or harmrful. Hats and head wear are not allowed to be worn in the school building. Clothing with messages in poor taste is not allowed. Clothing that promotes alcohol and other drugs is prohibited. 

Rules of Conduct and Sanctions for Violations

LEVEL 1

Minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with orderly operation of the school. These misbehaviors are to be handled by an individual staff member.

1. EXAMPLES (not limited to)
   1. Disrupting a class or study.
   2. Rude language
   3. Unwillingness to do assigned or required work.
   4. Tardiness.
   5. Violation of the dress code.

       

2. PROCEDURES
   1. There is immediate intervention by the staff member who is supervising the student or who observed the misbehavior.
   2. Repeated misbehavior requires a conference with the administration and/or referral to the counselor.
   3. A proper and accurate record of the offenses and disciplinary action is maintained by the staff member.

       

3. DISCIPLINARY OPTIONS OR OTHER RESPONSES (not limited to, nor sequential)
   1. Verbal reprimand.
   2. Special assignment.
   3. Counseling.
   4. Withdrawal of privileges.
   5. Behavioral contract.
   6. Detention.
   7. In-house suspension/attitude adjustment.

Level II

Misbehavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. These misbehaviors require the intervention of personnel on the administrative level.

1. EXAMPLES (not limited to)
   1. Disruptive behavior.
   2. Truancy.
   3. Using profanity, vulgar expressions, and/or vulgar gestures.
   4. Leaving school limits without permission from someone in authority.
   5. Continuation of unmodified Level 1 misbehavior.
   6. Cheating and/or lying.
   7. Sexual harassment.
   8. Verbal or symbolic harassment that infringes on students' rights to a non-threatening environment.
   9. Excessive tardiness.
   10. Smoking in school buildings, on or around school property.
   11. Using forged notes or excuses or forging or otherwise illegally using school forms.
   12. Cutting class.
   13. Failing to cooperate, or being insubordinate.
   14. Violating properly advertised rules unique to building or school.
   15. Failing to attend assigned detention.
   16. Failing to report to a teacher as requested.
   17. Being in an "off limits" area.

        

2. PROCEDURES
   1. The student is referred to the administrator for appropriate disciplinary action.
   2. The administrator meets with the student and/or teacher and effects the most appropriate response.
   3. A proper and accurate record of the offense and the disciplinary action is maintained by the administrator.
   4. The student and teacher are informed of the administrator's action.
   5. A parental conference may be held.
   6. After unexcused absences, the home and/or the truant officer may be contacted.
   7. If contraband is involved, it will be confiscated.

    

3. DISCIPLINARY OPTIONS OR OTHER RESPONSES (not limited to, nor sequential)
   1. Counseling.
   2. Suspension (1-5 days).
   3. Teacher/schedule change.
   4. Modified day.
   5. Behavioral contract.
   6. Referral to outside agency.
   7. Transfer for a probationary period for the duration of the school year.
   8. Detention (maximum 5 days).
   9. Homebound instruction period.
   10. In-house suspension/attitude adjustment.

    

Level III

Acts directed against persons or property but whose consequences do not seriously endanger the health or the safety of others in the school.

1. EXAMPLES
   1. Threatening others.
   2. Defacing or destroying school property.
   3. Throwing rocks, snowballs, or any other solid objects.
   4. Stealing.
   5. Possession of, or using firecrackers and other explosives.
   6. Possession of a knife or any other weapon.
   7. Causing a false fire alarm.
   8. Fighting.
   9. Possession of drugs and/or alcoholic beverages.
   10. Continuation of Level II misconduct.
   11. Continued sexual, verbal, or symbolic harassment.
   12. Any gross misconduct or refusal to conform to the reasonable rules of the school.
   13. Violation of any city ordinances and/or state laws.
   14. Failure to report to an administrator when directed to do so.

        

2. PROCEDURES
   1. If contraband is involved, it will be confiscated.
   2. The student will make restitution for damages.
   3. Administrator meets with the student and confers with the parent about the student's misconduct which will result in disciplinary action.
   4. The administrator initiates disciplinary action by investigating the infraction and conferring with the staff on the extent of the consequences.
   5. A proper and accurate record of offenses and disciplinary actions is maintained by the administrator.

       

3. DISCIPLINARY OPTIONS OR OTHER RESPONSES (not limited, nor sequential)
   1. Counseling.
   2. Alternative program.
   3. Suspension.
   4. Call in police.
   5. Temporary removal from class.
   6. Homebound instruction.

    

Level IV

Acts, clearly criminal, which always require administrative actions and result in the immediate removal of the student from school and must be reported to law enforcement authorities.

1. EXAMPLES (not limited to)
   1. Assault on teacher or member of staff or another student.
   2. Sale of drugs.
   3. Arson.
   4. Vandalism.
   5. Continued threatening and/or stalking.
   6. Possession of gun, knife, or other weapon.
   7. Setting fires, detenation of explosives, or arson.
   8. Bomb threat.
   9. Possession of mace or similar irritants.
   10. Extortion.

        

2. PROCEDURES
   1. The administrator verifies the offense, confers with staff involved, and meets with the student.
   2. The student is immediately removed from the school environment for a maximum of 5 days. Parents are notified.
   3. Law enforcement officials are contacted.
   4. A complete and accurate report is submitted to the Superintendent for possible School Board action.
   5. The student is given a full due process hearing before the School Board if he/she requests it.

       

3. DISCIPLINARY OPTIONS/RESPONSES (not limited to)
   1. Immediate suspension.
   2. Alternate program (if developed).
   3. Other Superintendent of Schools or School Board action which results in appropriate placement.

       

       

      DUE PROCESS IN SUSPENSIONS AND DISMISSALS PROCEDURES

       

I. DUE PROCESS...WHAT IS IT?

1. Due process requires that an individual be given a notice of the violation(s) for which that person is charged and be given an opportunity to answer the charges.
2. In suspensions or dismissals, due process must involve:
   1. Notification - why the proposed suspension and the explanation for it.
   2. Evidence - who?, where? when?, and why?
   3. Hearing - formal or informal, depending upon the length of the suspension.

       

II. EXAMPLES:

All schools have a no smoking rule. Therefore, a student found smoking would go through a due process procedure for a three-day suspension. That procedure is as follows:

1. Notice - the administrator tells the student what he/she is accused of.
2. Evidence - the administrator cites who saw him/her and where, with a cigarette in his/her hand.
3. Hearing - the administrator has an informal give and take with the student. The administrator listens to the student's side.
4. The administrator then makes the decision and informs the student.

III. WHY A STUDENT MAY BE SUSPENDED OR DISMISSED FROM SCHOOL:

RSA 193:13* provides that a student may be suspended or dismissed from school for gross misconduct or for neglect to conform to the reasonable rules of the school.

IV: WHO MAY SUSPEND OR DISMISS A STUDENT FROM SCHOOL:

1. According to N.H. Statutes, school boards, superintendents, or their representatives have the legal right to suspend or dismiss students from school (RSA 193:13)*.
2. Superintendents or their representatives as designated in writing may order short-term suspensions of up to five school days.
3. Superintendents may suspend students from school up to twenty days. Students, parents or guardians have the right to appeal.
4. Any suspension beyond twenty (20) days must be approved by the School Board.

*Procedures for suspension and expulsion - see separate exhibit.

*Appeals Procedures - to be considered.

*RSA 193:13 Suspension and Dismissal of Pupils.

The superintendent, or his/her representative as designated in writing, is authorized to suspend students from school for gross misconduct, providing that where there is a suspension beyond five (5) school days, the parent or guardian has the right to appeal any such suspension to the local board. Any pupil may be dismissed from school by the local board for gross misconduct or for neglect or refusal to conform to the reasonable rules of the school and said pupil shall not attend school until restored by the local board. Any dismissal must be subject to review if requested prior to the start of each school year and further, any parent or guardian has the right to appeal any such dismissal by the local board to the State Board of Education.

The following procedures shall be followed in student suspensions and dismissals in the Manchester School District.

I. SUSPENSION FOR FIVE SCHOOL DAYS OR LESS

1. No student shall be suspended unless and until the student has been informed of reasons for proposed suspensions. After being so notified, the student shall be given the opportunity to be heard on the charges.
2. After hearing the student, the school administrative officer may suspend the student for not more than five (5) days if the administrative officer believes the suspension is proper under the circumstances.
3. The student shall be notified in person and a parent or guardian, in turn, shall be notified in writing as to the charges against the student and the disposition of the case.

II. SUSPENSION FROM SIX SCHOOL DAYS TO TWENTY SCHOOL DAYS

1. The student and at least one of the parents or guardians shall be furnished, either in person or by mail directed to the student's last known address, a written notice of the charges against him/her and the effective date of the suspension.
2. The student and at least one of tghe parents or guardians shall be entitled to a hearing within five (5) days of the receipt of the charges and notice of suspension.
   1. Waiver. The student together with a parent or guardian may waive a right to a hearing and admit to the charges made by the Superintendent.
   2. Should the students request a hearing, the hearing shall be before the Board of School Committee.
   3. The formal rules of evidence and not applicable in such hearings. The hearing may be either public or private, the choice being that of the student. The student may retain counsel of his/her own choosing to represent him/her and has the right to examine any and all witnesses.

III. SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL FOR MORE THAN TWENTY SCHOOL DAYS

1. The student and at least one of the parents or guardians shall be furnished by the Board of School Committee, either in person or by mail directed to the student's last known address, a written notice of the charges against the student and the effective date of suspension.
2. The student and at least one of the parents or guardians shall be entitled of a hearing within five (5) days of receipt of charges and notice of suspension.
   1. Waiver. The student together with a parent or guardian may waive the right to a hearing and admit the charges made the Board of School Committee.
   2. Should a student request a hearing, the hearing shall be before the Board of School Committee.
   3. The formal rules of evidence are not applicable in such hearing; the hearing may be public or private, the choice being that of the student. The student may retain counsel of his/her own choosing to represent him/her and has the right to examine any and all witnesses.
3. Appeal of dismissal. The student or parent or guardian has the right to appeal any such dismissal by the local board to the State Board of Education as provided by RSA 193:13.

    

    

   HIGHLAND-GOFFE'S FALLS DRESS CODE

Safe, sensible, modest, and appropriate clothing for school is our dress code. Clothing should be clean, and comfortable, and the body should be covered. Beach-type clothing, gym shorts and short shorts, halter tops, mesh or see-through jerseys, bare-midriff shirts, and mini-skirts are not appropriate school wear.

Please be aware of your child's footwear. Due to physical activity during recess and movement throughout the school, students should wear safe, comfortable shoes. Wooden thongs, high heels, or flip flops should not be worn. Sneakers are required for Physical Education classes and must be used on the gym floor. Hats are not allowed to be worn in the school building.

T-shirts...Logos inappropriate for school such as alcohol, cigarettes, hard rock bands, prints or wording sexual in nature is deemed to be out-of-bounds in school.