GENERAL SCHOOL GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION
AFTER-SCHOOL: All students who remain in the building following the 3:15 bell will need to be in a supervised location. No students will be allowed to remain unsupervised in the front lobby, atrium or hallways. Parents need to arrange for timely pick up following school activities or plan for their child to ride the bus.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: NCUJHS is a member of the Vermont 21st Century Community Learning Centers. This program allows all students access to after-school programming. All policies and procedures for the after-school programs are consistent and aligned with current school policies.
ARTICLES PROHIBITED IN SCHOOL OR ON SCHOOL PROPERTY: Articles which are hazardous to the safety of others or which may cause disturbances (aerosol/non-aerosol sprays/colognes/perfumes, snowballs, skateboards, playing cards, toys, gum, cell phones, cameras, or any electronic devices, etc.) are prohibited in the school. Students are not allowed to ride snowmobiles/ATVs or four wheelers to school. Violations will result in detention(s) or suspension depending upon the situation. Legal action may also be taken. Confiscated items may be turned over to the State Police in some cases. All other items may be picked up in the main office by parents/guardians.
BULLYING: Bullying is any overt act or combination of acts directed against a student by anyone that is repeated over time, and is intended to ridicule, humiliate or intimidate the student. Whether bullying behavior occurs on or off school grounds, NCUJHS will take appropriate steps to respond to any bullying behavior that affects the school environment.
If a student feels he/she is being bullied, and it is safe to do so, the student may TELL THAT PERSON TO STOP. Victims and witnesses are asked to report bullying to a staff member as soon as possible. Students may anonymously report acts of bullying. Anonymous reports can be left in the secure box in the guidance area or can be mailed to administration. Parents and guardians may file written reports of suspected bullying with the school. Any student or parent/guardian of a student who believes they have been the victim of bullying should report the matter immediately to the principal or superintendent. All employees are required to communicate reports of bullying to administration immediately.
Bullying will result in the bully being disciplined. Potential disciplinary consequences include the full range of disciplinary consequences outlined in NCUJHS student discipline policies and the school discipline plan. This may result in a recommendation to the school board for a long-term suspension or expulsion. To the extent permitted by federal and state confidentiality laws, the school may notify the parent or guardian of the victim of bullying of the actions taken. The school will also provide clear notification to the parents of the student who commits a verified act of bullying of the school’s response and consequences of any further bullying by their child. Law enforcement authorities may be contacted upon verification of acts of bullying.
While some
serious misconduct does not meet the criteria of bullying, it may still be
subject to the full range of disciplinary actions utilized by the school
including but not limited to suspension and long-term suspension or expulsion.
Bullying incidences are subject to reporting requirements of the Vermont
Commissioner of Education. NCUJHS will collect data on the number of reported
and verified incidents of bullying.
CAFETERIA BEHAVIOR: All students are to go to the cafeteria during their assigned lunch period. All students are
expected to select food and choose a place to sit. When students have finished eating, dishes and silverware should
be put in the appropriate bins, and the table should be cleared. Students will remain at their table until dismissed by
the teachers on duty. No
food or drink is to be taken out of the cafeteria. Teachers will dim the lights
before the end of each lunch period to indicate that the time for silence and
dismissal has arrived. Students who abuse the lunch opportunity shall be
removed from the cafeteria. Students who do not eat at lunch time will be
referred to the School Nurse and parents may be notified.
CELL PHONES: In accordance with School Policy F.47, students are not allowed to have cell phones or beepers at
school. In the case of a special circumstance, parents need to set up a time to discuss concerns with an administrator.
Students who carry a cell phone without permission will have the phone confiscated.
COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES: Any student, parent, or guardian having a complaint or grievance concerning a school issue should discuss the issue with school personnel, observing proper school channels. Persons concerned should first discuss the issue with the teacher/staff member involved. If dissatisfied, they may then go to an administrator, and if still dissatisfied, they may go to the superintendent and finally the school board.
DRESS CODE: NCUJHS is a school/work setting. Students need to have coverage from the neckline to three inches above the kneecap. Shoulders, backs, midriffs and undergarments need to be covered. No tank tops, halter tops, short shorts/skirts/skorts, pajamas or slippers are allowed. Shorts and skirts should be no more than three inches from the knee cap. When arms are raised there should not be a gap in clothing in the stomach area. North Country will require a change of clothing of any student if there is a question of safety, health, distraction, or inappropriate messages dealing with drugs, alcohol, gangs, sexual innuendos, etc. Hats, kerchiefs, bandanas and outside coats are to be removed and stored in lockers upon arrival at school. Parents will be called to bring a change of clothing to school if necessary. The dress code is in effect for all school activities including dances and the step-up ceremony.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING: In the event of inclement weather or mechanical breakdown, school may
be closed or the starting time delayed. The same conditions may also necessitate early dismissal. Emergency
school closing will be announced over radio stations WIKE 1490 AM, on WMOO 92 FM, and some TV stations.
NCUJHS also utilizes the AlertNow phone system to contact all parents.
FAMILY EVENTS: On occasion, there will be evening activities that will be scheduled for families. All students attending these events will need to be accompanied by a parent of a Junior High School student. Students are expected to remain with that parent during the event. Please call school administration if you have questions or concerns about a specific Family Event.
FOCUS GROUPS: Students who are not assigned to Band or Chorus will be assigned to Focus Groups. Focus Groups
will concentrate on a specific academic or skill areas. Students who are ready for an independent work setting will be
assigned to an independent work group. There are no passes given during the first thirty minutes of these sessions.
Focus Groups replace what was traditionally called Guided Study.
INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE: The use of inappropriate, vulgar language, written or oral, is unacceptable.
INSUBORDINATION: All students are expected to comply with staff directives. Failure to comply is considered insubordination. Consequence will be determined by administration.
HEALTH SERVICES:
·
Only the school nurse or
her designee can administer medicine to students. Parents/guardians must
clearly label all medicines and send them to school in the original containers.
NO STUDENT IS TO BE IN POSSESSION OF ANY MEDICATIONS OR ITEMS THAT APPEAR TO BE
MEDICATION WHILE AT SCHOOL. All medicines must be kept in the Nurse's Office.
The parent/guardian must also sign a Medication Permission slip to be filed with
the Nurse before any medicine can be administered in school.
· A student injured in school should report the injury immediately to the teacher. If no teacher
is supervising at the time of the injury, the injury should be reported to the nurse.
· Students who are suspected of being under the influence of any substance will be screened by the school with a second staff member present. Results of the screening will be communicated to parents immediately.
HOMEWORK: Students will be required to complete their homework assignments on time. Because of our strong investment in this philosophy, any student who does not turn in homework when due will be required to stay after school that day to complete it or turn it in the next day. Students will receive partial credit for the late assignment. Homework assignments will not be accepted after this time period. Students will receive an F for the missing homework assignment.
LIBRARY:
Students who do not act
in a responsible 
manner will have
limitations placed on library use. Students
are responsible to return items that they check out of the library in a timely manner. Students with overdue
materials will not be permitted to check out additional items. Students who have overdue materials at the end of
the school year will need to have a parent come in and resolve the issue. Students must pay for any lost
materials. If materials are found, any money paid will be reimbursed once the materials are returned to the library.
LOCKERS:
1. Students will be provided with a hall locker and a physical education locker in which to keep books and personal possessions. It is unacceptable to pass on the combination of your locker to anyone as this breaks down security.
Lockers should be locked at all times during the day. Problems should be immediately reported to the main office.
2. North Country is not financially responsible for items lost/stolen.
3. Only the combination lock provided by the school may be used on a school locker.
4. The administration reserves the right to inspect student lockers and contents when necessary.
5. All backpacks, book bags, purses, jackets and hats need to be stored in lockers during the school day.
6. Items left in lockers at the end of the school year will be disposed of by school personnel.
OFF CAMPUS PROGRAMS:
At times it may be
necessary for a student to be placed in an alternative learning
environment. Students will be placed in alternative programs based on recommendations by the administration.
OPEN CONTAINERS: Open containers are only allowed in the school building in designated areas with the administration
or nurse's permission. The only open containers that may be taken out of the cafeteria are those containing a clear water product. Open containers may not be kept in lockers. Students are not to bring open containers into the school in the morning. Students who arrive with an open container will be asked to throw it away. Glass containers are not allowed on school grounds.
PHYSICAL AGGRESSION: Physical aggression is never an acceptable way of settling differences. Physical aggression is prohibited on all school property or school sponsored events. Students involved in physical aggression will receive consequences from suspension to recommendation to the School Board for expulsion depending upon the severity of the incident. Students who fight will receive a minimum 5 day external suspension. If the parents and student are willing to work with school personnel for mediation and a safety plan, the suspension may be modified (Policy F.44).
PLANNERS:
Each student will be given a planner at the start of the school year. Homework
assignments will be written in planners on a daily basis. A STUDENT MUST
COME TO CLASS WITH A PLANNER. If the planner is lost, students must
purchase a new planner from the Main Office. The replacement cost is $2.00.
RECYCLING: The NCUJHS community has active participation in recycling in all settings. Students are
expected to utilize recycling bins in classrooms, hallways, and the cafeteria to assist with this effort.
SAFETY DRILLS: NCUJHS conducts a variety of safety drills throughout the school year. While some drills involve evacuating the building, other drills may take place while students remain in the building. Safety drills must be treated as a real emergency. Students must follow the instruction of the teacher during any drill. During evacuation drills, students must exit the building in a silent and orderly manner. Outside, students must remain with their TA. After the drill, students are to return to their class in the same silent and orderly manner in which they departed.
SCHOOL DANCES:
School dances may be held
during the school year for NCUJHS students. Dances are for
NCUJHS campus students only. Dances will be held providing there are enough staff and parent chaperones.
Dances will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No student will be admitted into a dance after 7:30 p.m.
Students may only leave the dance with parents, and they may not return. There will be a review of dance
behaviors and transportation issues to determine student eligibility for future dances. All rules of the current
Student Handbook will be enforced at dances. This includes the NCUJHS Dress Code.
STEALING: Theft of personal property is a concern in a school environment. Students are issued lockers (including gym lockers), which should be used and locked at all times for protection of personal property including clothing. Involvement in theft may lead to criminal charges with the police, and restitution will be mandated. Also, according to Vermont Law (2561), a person who buys, receives, or aids in the concealment of stolen property shall be punished the same as for stealing the property. Consequences will be determined by administration. NCUJHS is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
TEACHER ADVISORY (TA): TA runs from 8:20 – 8:36 each morning. This time is used for activities including, but not limited to: attendance, announcements, and team or school learning activities.
THIRD PARTY/RUMORS: Students who spread comments, rumor, and gossip which results in disrupting the school environment, will be referred to administration. Consequences will be determined based on the severity of the disruption.
VANDALISM:
Students who purposely disfigure, break, or do other damage to property or
equipment will be required to pay for the damage. Failure to pay for the damage
will lead to court proceedings. Violations will result in disciplinary action
ranging from suspension to administrative probation depending upon the severity
of the incident.
VISITORS: School policy is to welcome all parents and adult visitors who have reason to be at the
school. All visitors must report to the main office and sign the register. All visitors must wear a visitor
pass at all times in the building. Students shall not be granted permission to bring guests to school.