Student Handbook

McLaughlin Middle School is the first middle school in the City of Manchester. Grades 6, 7 and 8 are housed in the building. We have over 900 students. The educational programs at McLaughlin are student-centered, team-oriented, and provide a hands on/experiential approach. Students are instructed in the core academics of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science. In addition, the Allied Arts provides students with exposure to Computers, Technical Education, Physical Education, Family and Consumer Science, Music, Art, and World Language. Students will also have opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities and athletics.

Students responsibilities: You are expected to have your planner with you every school day, in every class.

- You need to take your planners home every day so you know what your homework assignment is for each subject.

Teachers will assign homework on a regular basis. While some of this work may be completed during the end of classes or during academic assistance, students are encouraged to take all homework home to show parents, review for the next day or for further study. There will be times when students will need to spend extra time on homework because of major or long term projects. The key to successful studying is to be organized. Homework assigned by the Allied Arts teachers will be additional but not on a regular basis.

All students should set a specific period of time each day when they will do that homework. A good time for many students is right after the evening meal. In general, it is advised that students find a quiet place where there are few distractions. Once all of the written work is completed, students should review what they have done, checking for accuracy, neatness, and then should review any reading or long term assignments. Spending time every day in such a manner should insure academic success and the development of good study habits.

1. Students should write down all homework assignments in the daily planner and check these assignments before leaving school for the day.

2. Students must take home all books and other materials necessary for doing their homework.

3. Students should set a specific period of time each evening to study, and then stick to this time.

4. Students must select a place to study which is appropriate, quiet, and free of distraction.

5. Daily homework assignments must be done thoroughly so that the student will be able to participate in each class.

6. Parents are encouraged to assist their youngster in reviewing homework and other assignments that are due.

7. Students may complete written work in school, but it is important to review these assignments before the next day's class.

8. Students will be frequently assigned work such as reading, studying for tests and quizzes, lab reports, projects, as well as homework. It is important to stay on top of all assignments.

3. Ready to pay attention to the teacher, the lesson and all instruction/lesson activities.

RSA 193.1 of the New Hampshire Education Laws states that every child between 6 and 16 years of age shall attend school "...during all the time the public schools are in session, unless he/she has been excused from attending on the grounds that his/her physical or mental condition is such as to prevent attendance...".

We believe that regular attendance and participation in classroom experiences are an important part of any meaningful educational program. School attendance is mandated by state law, and it is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to assure the punctual and regular attendance of their children.

School starts at 7:45 a.m. and students will be admitted into the school at 7:35 a.m. from the courtyard. When students arrive at school they must wait in the courtyard. Students should not arrive before 7:30 a.m. During cold or rainy weather, school administration will direct students to an area in the building where they can wait for school to start.

Students who are late to school must have a note from their parents or guardians with an acceptable reason in order to have the tardiness excused as determined by school administration. Oversleeping or missing a bus are not considered valid reasons for tardiness.

All students who are tardy (late) to school must stop in the main office for an admit slip in order to go to their classes. Consistent tardiness will result in disciplinary action.

Students who are absent from school for a valid reason will be given an excused absence slip and will be allowed to receive credit for their work. The student must bring an excused note to the main office written by the parent/guardian, signed by the parent/guardian and dated.

1. Personal illness, Doctors validation may be required by the school administration for extended illnesses.

6. Personal appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day as determined by school administration.

A student who becomes ill at school must report to the school nurse. The school nurse will determine if a student should remain at school or be sent home. If the student is to be sent home, the parent will be notified. No student will be dismissed from school without the authorization of the school nurse and the parent or guardian.

If the parent or guardian requests that a student is to be dismissed from school, the student must present a note to the main office before 7:45 a.m. or the parent must call the school. No student will be allowed to leave school until the parent or guardian comes to the main office to pick them up and sign them out.

There are three full time guidance counselors at McLaughlin and a full-time Student Assistance Program Coordinator. Any student with an educational, social, or personal issue can receive services. Counselors are also available to help with the educational monitoring of students, classroom activities, parental/family support, referrals to community resources and crisis intervention.

The school nurses are available to all students at McLaughlin Middle School. First aid and counseling relative to personal health and hygiene are also available. A student who is ill should be sent to the nurse with a pass from the teacher, or, if the nurse is not in, then the student will go to the main office.

If you must take medication during the school day, you must have a note from the doctor. This note and the medication must be given to the nurse. When it is time to take the medication, you must report to the nurse's office and the nurse will administer the medication to you. Tylenol may be administered to students whose parents have filled out a special permission form.

Students must have accident insurance if they are going to participate in intramural or interscholastic sports. School Insurance information will be sent home with all students at the beginning of the school year.

The Library contains a wide variety of instructional materials, books, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, as well as audio visual materials and equipment. Except for books in high demand and reference materials, students may check out books for a two-week period with an option for renewal. Magazines may be checked out for one week. Audio visual items can only be borrowed by teachers, but they may be used by students in the library. Students must have a pass in order to be admitted to the library. A daily attendance log is kept with students signing in as they enter the library and signing out as they leave.

The library is open 15 minutes before school; a pass is not required at this time. If a book is not returned to the library when due, it may result in the loss of library privileges to a student. Overdue/Lost library materials must be returned or paid for in order for a student to receive their report card; if it is found thereafter the money will be refunded.

The computers located in the library are for student research that is necessary to complete resource-based assignments. Internet access is available, however, all students must have a signed Acceptable Use Policy in order to go online. All software used in these computers will be school-owned only.

If you are riding on the bus, it is considered an extension of school and you will be held accountable to all rules and regulations that you have in school. Any bus problems will be reported to the school which may result in loss of the privilege of riding the bus or other disciplinary action. A reminder to students is that there are no late busses, if you are staying after school for any reason, you must have made other travel arrangements.

The cafeteria provides an excellent breakfast and lunch for students every day. All students are expected to be considerate, courteous, and reasonably quiet.

2. Food/drink can only be consumed in the cafeteria, not in any other part of the building or outside the school.

5. Students are responsible for cleaning their table and picking up the floor around it. You will be dismissed by table and only when your area is clean.

6. All students must go directly back to your team area or assigned class when dismissed from lunch.

The student council provides a channel through which students can work together to benefit the school community. The student council will be involved in discussions of matters affecting students, student activities and special events.

Informal dances are scheduled and sponsored by various school groups/organizations. School rules and policies are in effect for all school activities which includes dances. Dances will be scheduled for Friday afternoons or evenings and must be well chaperoned and planned before approval by the Principal. No outside visitors will be allowed. Tickets must be purchased in advance. A student who is absent from school the day of the dance cannot attend the dance. A student who has been suspended cannot attend the dance.

A student's academic progress will be reported to the student and their parents/guardians eight times per year through report cards and interim progress reports.

1. Report cards will be issued to students one week after grades have closed for the quarter.

2. Interim progress reports will be issued to the students at approximately the midpoint for each quarter.

Every time a report card or interim progress report is issued a sign-off sheet will be sent home to the parents. The purpose of this sign-off sheet is to let us know you saw the report, to provide parents/guardians with an opportunity to make written comments and to provide parents/ guardians with an invitation to schedule an appointment with their child(ren)'s teaching team.

We ask that all students return their sign-off form within five days or a consequence may be assigned.

The following letter and numerical system is adhered to at McLaughlin Middle School. A student's behavior is also assessed in each class.

The honor roll will be determined by the guidance office and approved by the School Administration before it is announced. All subjects will be counted towards determining the honor roll status.

Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for school. The responsibility for the appearance of students rests with the parents and students. Student attire must be appropriate, must comply with the health code of the State of New Hampshire and must not interfere with the educational process at McLaughlin Middle School.

4. Mini skirts that are less than 3/4 of the distance between the hip and the knee.

6. Clothing that have inappropriate or double meaning logos or captions. This includes themes that promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, violence or profanity.

School administration reserves the right to make the final determination of what is acceptable and appropriate.

Students who ride bikes to school must park them in the designated bike area at the front of the school. It is strongly encouraged by school administration for all students to use a bike lock.

All students will need a pass if they are going to be out of their designated team area. Students will need a pass signed by their teacher for the bathroom, library, office, guidance, nurse or anywhere else in the building.

All textbooks, materials and school property are to be used with care whether they are lent to the student for short term or assigned to the student for the school year. All books must remain clean, cannot be written in and must be covered. Students will be assessed an amount of money for any damage or loss that occurs. Report cards may be withheld for students with outstanding bills.

Smoking and the use of other tobacco related products are not allowed in the school building, on school grounds, on school busses or in the area surrounding the school. A reminder that students must be 18 years of age or older to be in possession or use of any tobacco product. See Code of Conduct.

Any deliveries of flowers, balloons, etc. will be held in the main office until the end of the day at which time the student will be called to get them on their way home.

For reasons of safety and insurance liability, it is the position of the school that skateboards and rollerblades are not allowed in school or on school grounds.

Students are not allowed to bring these items into school or onto school grounds because they can be disruptive to the educational environment and are expensive items to loose. They will be confiscated and held by school administration.

Parents of students who plan to transfer from McLaughlin Middle School to another school should notify the Guidance Office and the students teachers as soon as possible. Students must complete a check-out form and have it signed by the designated school personnel. All books and materials that the student borrowed must be returned. Student records will be sent in the mail to the new school once a request has been received by the new school.

Each student will be assigned a locker by the teaching team. Teams will set times when students can go to lockers. The lockers are the property of the Manchester School District. Do not attach stickers or tape things or write on them.

McLaughlin Middle School is not responsible for lost or stolen items. It is essential that you keep your things locked-up or under your supervision at all times.

Students can use only a school combination lock on their lockers. A deposit of $3.00 will be collected when locks are issued.

McLaughlin Middle School will host an open house for parents in October. The purpose of this open house is to see the school, meet the teachers and experience your students day in an abbreviated schedule. The open house will not be used to talk to parents about individual students. We believe in providing confidentiality and the proper time to discuss individual student progress. We encourage parents to schedule a team meeting for this purpose.

Students who receive an incomplete on their report card because of an approved absence will have up to 10 school days to make-up the work and receive a grade.

Students who are behind in their work or need extra help should schedule a time with the teacher they need assistance from. Each teacher stays 1 day per week after school to assist students.

Any item that has been found should be turned into the main office. Any student who has lost a book or personal property should check to see if it's in the main office or report that it is missing.

Periodic unannounced fire drills will be conducted during the school year. Students must leave the building by the nearest exit and stay together as a class or group. Students also need to follow teachers directions for lining up and taking attendance. When the drill is over students will return to class using the same route.

If it is necessary to delay the opening of school or to cancel school because of bad weather then an announcement will be made through WMUR-TV Manchester and the following radio stations; WGIR Manchester, WDER Derry, WJYY Concord, WZID Manchester, and WFEA Manchester.

Please do not call the school or the school district office as these telephone lines must be kept open for emergency calls.

Detentions are one of several consequences that may be assigned to a student by school staff for inappropriate or unacceptable behavior by that student. The student will be given a form to take home that is to be signed by the parent and returned the next day. All detentions will require a 24-hour notice to students and parents unless other arrangements are made by the school staff and parents.

There are areas of this building that are off limits to students during parts of the day and areas that are strictly off limits to students at all times. Students are to be only in those areas designated by their teaching team in accordance with their schedule. Students are never to go into another teams area unless authorized by a staff member or administrator.

All publicity or advertising must be approved by the school administration. Students are not allowed to put up posters or release information to the media.

Book bags must be left in your locker during the school day. They are not allowed out in the classrooms or in any other part of the building. It is important when selecting a book bag to make sure that it will fit into the locker.

Students cannot wear jackets, coats, or other outerwear during the school day. The building is climate controlled and maintains a consistent and comfortable temperature. These items must be left in the lockers.

The Code of Conduct that is rigidly followed at McLaughlin Middle School is the Code of Conduct that was written for all Manchester Public Middle Schools and High Schools which was revised and adopted in July of 1998.

McLaughlin Middle School recognizes that all members of our school community, students and staff have inherent rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities apply to the entire school day, travel to and from school on busses and after school, and extra-curricular activities.

1. The right to develop one's own personality (so long as it does not interfere with the rights of others) without disrespectful criticism or pressure from peers.

2. Freedom from physical abuse and mental abuse such as name calling, intimidation, threats, or harassment.

3. Freedom from being set apart or made fun of because of race, sex, religion, physical attributes, peer groups, age, culture, handicaps, financial status, classroom performance or the singling out of other characteristics that are offensive to an individual.

4. The right of privacy and freedom from being harassed in school and the right to be treated with respect.

5. The right to an education which means that teachers should be free to teach and students free to learn without being interrupted by inconsiderate, rude or inappropriate students.

6. The right to have personal and school property safe and respected. Our school community must be a safe place for property as well as for personal safety. It is expected that while you are in school that you will conduct yourself in an appropriate manner at all times. You should show respect for all persons whether they are teachers, students, support staff, parents or visitors.

Level I offenses include minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school. These misbehaviors can usually be handled by an individual staff member but sometimes requires the intervention of other school support personnel.

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 counselor and parent.

3. A proper and accurate record of the offenses and disciplinary action is maintained by the staff member and a copy is sent to the main office so it can be included in the student's discipline file.

Level II offenses include misbehavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. These infractions which usually result from the continuation of Level I misbehaviors, require the intervention of personnel on the administrative level because the execution of Level I disciplinary options has failed to correct the situation. Also, included in this level are misbehaviors which do not represent a direct threat to the health and safety of others but whose educational consequences are serious enough to require corrective action on the part of administrative personnel.

4. Verbal a symbolic harassment that infringes on students' rights to nonthreatening environment;

7. Using forged notes or excuses or forging or otherwise illegally using school forms;

8. Using profanity, vulgar expressions and/or vulgar gestures in the presence of any member of the faculty or staff;

15. Leaving school grounds without permission from someone in authority i.e., principal, assistant principal, nurse (automatic internal suspension);

21. Possession and/or use of personal electronic communication devices; such as, but not limited to, pagers, cordless phones, or beepers;

22. Possession and/or use of personal audio visual equipment, such as, but not limited to, Walkmen, Gameboy or similar devices;

24. Eating food or drinking beverages in the hallways and/or undesignated areas.

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. A discipline slip will be written by person reporting incident.

7. If contraband is involved, it will be confiscated. Confiscated personal property will be returned to the student, parent/guardian at the discretion of the administrator.

Level III offenses are acts directed against persons or that warrant immediate intervention. These acts might be considered criminal but most frequently can be handled by the disciplinary mechanism in the school. Corrective measures which the school should undertake, however, depend on the extent of the school’s resources for remediating the situation in the best interests of all students.

9. Any gross misconduct or refusal to conform to the reasonable rules of the school;

11. Possession of, or using alcoholic beverages and/or drugs; (illegal possession RSA 318:B)

16. Failure to properly identify ones self to teacher or administrator; (AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION)

1. The administrator initiates disciplinary action by investigating the infraction and conferring with the staff on the extent of the consequences.

2. If contraband is involved, it is confiscated. Contraband will be disposed of.

3. A proper and accurate record of offenses and disciplinary actions is maintained by the administrator. A discipline slip is written by the person reporting the incident.

4. The administrator meets with the student to discuss the student’s misconduct and the resulting disciplinary action. The administrator notifies the parent of the action. The teacher is also informed of the administrative action.

All offenses under Level IV - are subject to the reporting requirements of the Safe School Zone Act. Violations of the Safe School Zone Act carry a penalty of a one (1) year minimum expulsion.

Level IV offenses are acts which result in violence to another person or property or which pose a direct threat to the safety of others in the school. These acts are clearly criminal and are so serious that they always require administrative actions which result in the immediate removal of the student from school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities and action by the Board of School Committee. New Hampshire school authorities are obligated to report clearly established criminal offenses to law enforcement authorities.

6. Defacing and/or destroying school property (major) - Criminal Mischief (RSA 634:2)

1. The administrator verifies the offense, confers with staff involved and meets with the student. Parents are contacted.

3. A complete and accurate report is submitted to the Superintendent for possible School Board action.

4. The student is given a full due process hearing before the School Board if he/she and at least one parent/guardian requests it.

4. Other Superintendent of Schools or School Board action which results in appropriate placement.

Due process requires that an individual be given a notice of the violations(s) of the discipline code for which that person is charged and be given an opportunity to answer the charges.

1. Notification - the reason for the proposed suspension and the explanation for it.

3. Hearing - Formal or informal dependent on the infraction and length of the suspension.

If a detention is issued to a student by a teacher, staff member, team or administrator the student is expected to serve it on the designated date. There will be a 24 hour notice given to each student for the purpose of notifying the parent and arranging transportation if there is a need. A student who “cuts” a detention is likely to receive a suspension.

IT IS THE POLICY OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, IN ITS ACTIONS, AND THOSE OF ITS EMPLOYEES, THAT THERE SHALL BE NO DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, RACE, RELIGION, NATIONALITY, ETHNIC ORIGIN, AGE OR HANDICAP, FOR EMPLOYMENT IN, PARTICIPATION IN, OR OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF ANY PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY IN THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT