Robert E. Fitch High School 101 Groton Long Point Road Groton, CT 06340
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GROTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Robert E. Fitch High School 101 Groton Long Point Road Groton, CT 06340 2020 - 2021 Handbook ACHIEVE MORE! BELIEVE MORE! CARE MORE! FITCH ALMA MATER HAIL TO THEE, OUR ALMA MATER, MAY THY NAME OUR WATCHWORD BE. EVEN THOUGH OUR WAYS MAY SEVER, WE WILL ALWAYS THINK OF THEE. WE HAVE CHEERED THY NAME IN VICT’RY AS WE’VE SUNG THY NAME IN PRAISE. MAY WE THEN IN LIFE’S HARD STRUGGLES, STILL THY NAME IN VICT’RY RAISE. MASCOT: FALCON COLORS: SCARLET, GRAY & BLACK GROTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION Groton Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. It is the policy of the Groton Board of Education that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise discriminated against under any program, including employment, on the basis of sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, handicap, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or lack of proficiency in the English language. Inquiries regarding Groton Public Schools’ nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Susan Austin, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, at Groton Public Schools’ Administrative Offices, 1300 Flanders Road, Mystic, CT 06355 or (860) 572-2175. Any person having inquiries concerning Groton Public Schools’ compliance with Title IX or Section 504 should contact Denise Doolittle, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, at Groton Public Schools’ Administrative Offices, 1300 Flanders Road, Mystic, CT 06355 or (860) 572-2150. GROTON BOARD OF EDUCATION Kim Shepardson Watson, Chairperson Andrea Ackerman, Ed.D., Vice Chairperson Jane Giulini Gretchen Newsome Elizabeth Porter Rosemary Robertson Rita Volkmann Jay Weitlauf Lee White FITCH HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS Edward Keleher, Principal Erin McGuire, Assistant Principal Matthew Brown, Assistant Principal Adam Diskin, Dean of Students Vincent Varrecchione, Athletic Director CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS Michael Graner, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools Susan Austin, Assistant Superintendent Denise Doolittle, Director of Pupil Personnel Services Samuel Kilpatrick, Director of Buildings and Grounds Laurie LePine, Director of Human Resources Dennis Colclough, Director of Technology Services Kenneth Knight, Business Manager Table of Contents Accreditation Statement ................................................................................................................................ 1 Core Values and Beliefs ................................................................................................................................ 1 Student Expectations ..................................................................................................................................... 1 School Mission .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Vision Statement ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Communication ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Fitch High School Telephone Extensions ..................................................................................................... 2 Bell Schedule ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Attendance ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Attendance Policy .............................................................................................................................. 4 Excused Absences ............................................................................................................................. 4 Make-up Work for Excused Absences .............................................................................................. 4 Participation in School Activities/Absences ..................................................................................... 4 Attendance Requirements for Course Credit ..................................................................................... 4 Family Vacations/Travel ................................................................................................................... 5 Tardy Policy and Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 5 Tardiness to School ........................................................................................................................... 5 Lateness to Class/Class-Cutting ........................................................................................................ 5 Procedures for Reporting Absences .................................................................................................. 5 Re-admittance Notes ......................................................................................................................... 6 Late Admittance Privilege ................................................................................................................. 6 Early Dismissals ................................................................................................................................ 6 Truancy .............................................................................................................................................. 6 School Safety ................................................................................................................................................. 6 School Resource Officer (SRO) ........................................................................................................ 6 School Safety Officers ....................................................................................................................... 6 Video Surveillance ............................................................................................................................ 7 Visitors to School .............................................................................................................................. 7 Drills .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Emergency Evacuation ...................................................................................................................... 7 Important General Information ...................................................................................................................... 7 Use of Electronic Communication Devices ...................................................................................... 7 Change of Address/Phone Number/Guardian/Marital Status ............................................................ 7 Use of Earbuds/Sound Devices ......................................................................................................... 8 Accountabilities ................................................................................................................................. 8 Stolen Items ....................................................................................................................................... 8 - i - Transportation .................................................................................................................................... 8 Bus Code of Conduct ............................................................................................................. 8 Transportation Phone Numbers for Parents .......................................................................... 9 Bus Notes and Passes to Take an Alternate Bus ................................................................... 9 After School Bus Transportation .......................................................................................... 9 Student Driving/Parking ........................................................................................................ 9 School Calendar ................................................................................................................................. 9 School Delays, Cancellations, and Early Dismissals ........................................................................ 9 Cafeteria ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Confiscated Items .............................................................................................................................. 10 Daily Announcements ....................................................................................................................... 10 Digital Learning Opportunities and Expectations ............................................................................. 10 One-to-One Chromebook Initiative ....................................................................................... 10 Chromebook Loan Program .................................................................................................. 10 Use of Personal Devices .......................................................................................................