BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK 2013-2014 Lynne Mooney Teta, Ed.D Head Master 1 2 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur • Boston MA 02115 • Phone 617-635-8895 • Fax 617-635-7883 BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK 2013-2014 Lynne Mooney Teta, Head Master Assistant Head Masters Malcolm J. Flynn Sherry M. Lewis-daPonte Elizabeth M. McCoy Jonathan Mulhern Cynthia Webb TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Introduction 18 Advanced Placement 4 Mission Statement 18 Grade Conversion Table 5 Academic Expectations 19 Grade Point Average 6 Early Morning/After School 19 Scholastic Awards 6 Homeroom 20 Honor Code 6 Daily Bulletin 21 National Honor Society 6 Attendance 22. Community Service 7 Medical Documentation 22 Class I Officers 7 Tardy Procedures 22 Student Council 8 Attendance Waiver Procedures 22 Extracurricular Activities 9 Early Dismissal Procedures 23 Clubs 9 Religious Holidays 25 Musical Organizations 9 No School Announcements 25 Sports 10 Make-Up Work 25 Interscholastic and Extracurricular 10 Dress Eligibility 11 Student Identification Cards 26 Code of Conduct 11 Filing 27 Student Handbooks (Sec. 37H) 11 Hall Passes 28 Standards of Behavior in BPS 11 Study Halls 29 Suspension/Expulsion (Sec. 7) 11 Lockers 31 Bullying or Harassment 12 Assemblies 32 Graffiti 12 Fire Drill 32 Hazing 12 Lost and Found 33 School Bus Behavior 12 Visitors 34 Policy for Networks & Internet 13 Parking 35 Cellular Phone Usage 13 Classroom Procedures 35 School-Based Disciplinary Rules 13. Homework 36 Minor Infractions 14 Library Media Center Procedures 37 Major Infractions 14 Dining Hall Procedures 38 Marks & Grade Reports 15 Health Room Procedures 38 Parent Open House 15 Guidance Services 39 Bell Schedule 16 Student Records 40 Calendar 16 Promotional Requirements 41 Index Access the Boston Latin School Student Handbook 2013-2014 online at www.bls.org. 3 INTRODUCTION Welcome to Boston Latin School, the oldest school in America, founded in 1635 by the citizens of Boston. This booklet contains information that should help you to learn what you may expect from Boston Latin School and what Boston Latin School [BLS] will expect from you. Boston Latin School is open primarily to students who intend to go to college and wish to prepare in the liberal arts tradition. Students, who are admitted only into grades seven and nine, pursue a six-year or four-year college preparatory program. The curriculum of Boston Latin School is diverse and demanding. Besides classroom work, students are expected to do about three hours of home study every day. In addition to academic subjects, a large number of extracurricular activities, clubs, and interscholastic programs is available to students. Support services are also available for those in need of assistance. The status of rules and regulations listed in this Student Handbook may have been changed since the book went to press. Addenda may be issued at any time. MISSION STATEMENT Boston Latin School seeks to ground its students in a contemporary classical education as preparation for successful college studies, responsible and engaged citizenship, and a rewarding life. * * * * * Since 1635 Boston Latin School has been a free, public, democratic, meritocratic, rigorous, competitive college preparatory school that prepares students not for immediate or particular employment, but rather for college and university study, advancement in the professions, and leadership in the private as well as public sectors. The liberal curriculum ensures that pupils do not specialize in a specific course but pursue a broad range of studies and leadership opportunities within and without the school. The oldest school in America, Boston Latin School is a six-year college preparatory school that offers a rigorous academic program in the classical tradition and fosters the pursuit of excellence. The School lays a foundation for full participation in our society, preparing students to be both productive citizens and responsible adults who are aware of global issues. The School welcomes and serves a culturally, socially, and economically diverse population selected from every section of the City of Boston. Recognizing the importance of the development of the whole person—the intellect, the body, and the spirit—Boston Latin School combines the contemporary with the traditional. The study of languages, 4 literature, art, music, history, as well as ancient and modern cultures provides exposure to the ideas and values that have shaped civilizations throughout the world. The study of mathematics, science, and computer and information sciences provides the basis for both an understanding of the natural world and a competency in modern technology. Physical and health education help maintain a sound mind and body. Taken together, these required studies are intended to inspire a love for learning and provide the skills needed to pursue further knowledge in college and throughout life. The maintenance of standards of behavior and performance, of which faculty old and new as well as students and families must frequently be reminded, is essential to the current life as well as to the future reputation of the school. Changes, ever necessary, indeed inevitable, must be introduced and evaluated with care and attention to ensure that they contribute to instructing ―youth so far as they may be fitted for the Universitie.‖ The Keefe Library is the central academic and information access resource at Boston Latin School. Through collaboration with staff, enhancement of learning through technology, the promotion of reading, and the teaching of information skills, the library program promotes information literacy for all. Coordinated comprehensive support services provide a model for our students that is developmental, preventative, and tutorial in delivering services to students. Varied extracurricular activities afford opportunities for pursuing intellectual, social, artistic, civic, and athletic goals. The school honors and celebrates the achievements of its students in all their endeavors. Growing and evolving since 1635, Boston Latin School provides significant opportunities for young people to recognize and appreciate the importance of education as a means to develop in scholarship, civility, and self-knowledge. ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS Critical thinking and the pursuit of knowledge: to evaluate information with logic and discernment. Researching and presenting: to research information and present it in written, visual, and/or spoken format comprehensible to an audience. Reading: to read and comprehend unabridged, authentic material that will facilitate higher education and beyond. Writing: to write competently and creatively, having mastered rhetorical structures and having developed a personal voice and style. Speaking: to articulate comfortably in prepared and extemporaneous speech in school, work, and social situations. Listening: to hear and comprehend unabridged, authentic discourse that will promote success in higher education and later life. 5 EARLY MORNING/AFTER SCHOOL The school building opens at 6:55 a.m. All students must report to the dining hall until 7:25 a.m. when they will be released. Students will then proceed directly to their lockers and homerooms. Early morning time is meant for studying. Students must not congregate in the corridors between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. The bell at 7:40 a.m. is a signal to students to report to their homerooms. No locker visitations are permitted after the 7:45 a.m. tardy bell during the morning homeroom period. At the end of the school day students must leave the building and school grounds promptly unless they are participating in a school- sponsored, adult-supervised activity. HOMEROOM The bell at 7:45 a.m. begins the actual school day. Students not in their seats are marked absent. The bell at 7:51 a.m. is the signal for filing to classes. Students are allowed four minutes to walk to their next class. DAILY BULLETIN The Daily Bulletin, which includes notices about events, meetings, competitions, and extracurricular activities, must be read aloud and posted each day during homeroom period. It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of information contained in the bulletin. ATTENDANCE All students are required to be present at least 90% of the school year and at least 85% of each marking period [Attendance Standards]. Any student who fails to meet these requirements and who does not receive a waiver from the Head Master must fail all subjects. Waivers will be granted only in extreme circumstances, not for habitual absence, absence for recreational purposes, or truancy. A student who is absent more than 10% of the days in the school year will fail all subjects for the year. A student who is absent more than 15% of the days in a marking period will fail all subjects for the marking period (see page 8 for Attendance Waiver Procedures). ABSENCE: An automated phone call will be made to the home telephone number of record for any student who is absent. To be excused, the student must present a note detailing the legitimate excuse to the homeroom Master on the day following the absence. It must be dated, signed by the parent, and include the date of absence as well as the reason. 6 MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION: All medical documentation should be forwarded directly to the nurses' office to be kept on file for medical reference and for use during the waiver review process. TARDINESS: Students not in their seats at 7:45 a.m. are marked absent and must sign in at the Registrar’s office (room 105). In a weather or transportation emergency the Head Master will excuse tardiness for that morning. Tardiness will be excused only in extreme circumstances. Unexcused tardiness is not a valid excuse for make up work. Any student tardy after 11:00 a.m. is absent for the day. No student is allowed in the building without following the proper procedures (see Tardy Procedures, below). Students violating this rule will be treated as trespassers. TARDY PROCEDURES 1. Tardy students must enter at the front door, new building and sign in at the Registrar’s office (room 105).